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THE MORNING OREGONIAN, MONDAY. 'APRIL 16, 1900
4
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PORTLAND, MONDAY, ATOIL 10
tniD LVDnilTEDXCSS AMEXDMEM.
The first of the five amendments to
the Constitution of Oregon, now pend
ing and to be voted on in June, is des
ignated In the submission act as the
"municipal indebtedness amendment,"
It is proposed by this amendment to
abrogate Section 10, Article XI. of the
Constitution of the state; and the fol
lowing Is offered in lieu of It:
Article 11, section 10. No county; city, town,
school district or other municipal corporation
shall be allowed to become Indebted In any
manner or for any purpose to an amount ex
ceodlng In the aggregate S per centum of th
value of taxable property therein, to be ascer
tained by tbe last assessment for state and
county taxes previous to the Incurring of such
lndeledness
The section of the present Constitu
tion which it is proposed to supersede
ty the abovo Is the following:
No county shall create any debts or lia
bilities which shall singly or In the aggregate
exceed the sum of S3Q00, except to suppress
Insurrection or repel Invasion; but the debts
of anr county at the time this Constitution
takes effect shall be disregarded In estimating
the sum to which such county Is limited.
In very many counties this limitation
upon indebtedness has been violated.
Upon most. If not all, municipal corpo
rations, limitations are placed on In
debtedness by law; but the law Is fre
quently disregarded. The restriction is,
perhaps, more common and notorious
In the breach than In the observance.
As to counties, the Supreme Court has
made a rule which to an extent sets
aside the constitutional limitation upon
Indebtedness; for it draws a distinction
between indebtedness that is incurred
by a county in meeting different kinds
of obligations those which are optional
with the county authorities and those
which are incurred in meeting any re
quirement of law.
So easy Is it to set aside constitutions
and statutes In these matters, that It
seems to us that the present restrictions
re as effective as any we are likely to
get not .very effective, that is to say;
for officials usually like to have money
to spend, on pretexts of public good,
and whole communities often go wild
In the same way. Moreover, we have
all known taxable property to be as
sessed far In excess of Its actual value,
and that craze doubtless will occur
again. Then five per centum of indebt
edness upon .this crazy valuation will
be a grave burden.
On the whole it seems to The Ore
conlan that we would do well to adhere
to and obey the Constitution and laws
as they are today. The proposed five
per centum limit would In fact be an In
vitation and warrant, to many minds,
for increase of public Indebtedness to
that maximum, where it has not al
ready been reached: and besides it
would invite higher valuations in order
to get more money to spend on objects
plausibly devised "to promote the pub
Jlo welfare."
1VUEXCE COSIES STRENGTH.
In the British army a man can rise
from the ranks to very high official po
sition; but the trend of London criti
cism on the conduct of the war In South
Africa bears eloquent testimony to the
extreme rarity of such advancement.
The man may rise, but he does so in
spite of the British military system, not
through any assistance from it. What
the British army needs, the critics say.
Is to "attract to its ranks that hardiest
clement of the race the young man
who relies upon brains alone to make
his way in the world." The trouble is
"that the army now is "officered by men
whose claims to commissions rest al
most solely on birth and money."
How true in detail this arraignment
Is, as specifically applied, is a question
of the evidence immediately pertinent;
hut the theory of the right and the
wrong place to find serviceable material
Sot efficient work in war or peace. Is
true and unassailable. In the profes
sions or in business, in labor, physical
or mental, the youth with birth and
money Is almost hopelessly at a disad
vantage with the youth who knows at
the outset that he has his own row to
hoe, that success, if it-comes to him at
all, can only come by virtue of his own
strength and skill, foresight and per
sistence. The reason is that In struggle, and In
"struggle alone, lies the source of
strength. Only through overcoming ob
stacles has Nature advanced. In all her
manifold forms. The Individual strives
only as It is forced to strive In order
to survive. It Is in resisting opposition
that the muscles harden, the vision
Brows keen, the nerves steady, the will
Arm. The man whose every desire fop-
possessions, for social station, for
knowledge, is gratified from the accu
mulated labors of his ancestry. Is pret
ty sure to sit still and grow weak. Just
as the plow rusts in the furrow or the
horse softens in inaction. The hardiest
of the British race are needed for its
army; and the hardiest of every race
are needed for every army of endeavor.
It is from the army of toll and pov
erty that the ranks of eminence are
constantly recruited. History is so full
of testimony to this truth, and evidence
is spread so thickly on every hand, that
the only wonder Is It should be set
aside or trifled with. The South Afri
can war may not be big enough to
overturn the- practice of the British
army in this respect, hut it has at least
served to set the British people thlnk-
lng. A system that prefers the 'weak
to the capable for responsible service,
cannot outlast the supreme struggle
that awaits the Empire, no one knows
how soon.
ItEDUOTIOX OK WAR TAXES.
It is difficult to get excited over either
alternative of the war taxes contro
versy. On the one hand it is argued
that abolition of all that carbe spared
would be a fine stroke of politics for
the Republicans, and on the other it is
urged that we should be far more sen
sible to take the surplus now accumu
lating and reduce the public debt.
Unfortunately, neither of these pros
pects can get serious regard from the
experienced. The creation of campaign
material is not the noblest .object of
Congressional achievement, and on the
other hand, if the taxes are retained,
whatever else we do with them, we
shall not materially reduce the public
debt. There is a myriad of demands on
the Treasury, more clamorous by far
than the bondholders, who like nothing
quite so well as a safe and reasonably
permanent investment.
Yet there is accumulating a surplus
of some $76,000,000 for the fiscal year.
The theoretical objections to such a
condition are unanswerable. It Is in
defensibly unjust for Government to
take from the people more than it re
quires for its necessary machinery. A
surplus, also, withdraws currency from
the circulation, and tempts to extrava
gance. But the difficulties In tbe way
are stubborn, because practical. In the
first place, as we have often been re
minded of late, to apprehend what is
right to do and to get it through Con
gress are two entirely different things.
A proposal In Congress to reduce taxa
tion would bring the Democrats to the
front with countless schemes for lower
ing customs duties, and with concomit
ant resistance to abolition of Internal
revenue taxes. This is not to be de-
nlored because nf Hemibllean confus
ion or Democratic gratification, but be-'
cause the whole agitation and unset
tlement of Interested Industries would
result, it is reasonable, to expect. In
hopeless entanglement and no beneficial
outcome. The harm done would ex
ceed the good.
In the second place, if we indulge the
violent assumption of Imagining Con
gress setting about the readjustment of
the revenues with a sincere purpose of
doing the thing best and right, the
problem Is difficult. "We are raising
large sums easily from internal reve
nue taxes both scientific and not bur
densome, while the taxes about which
complaint is made produce little rev
enue. The stamp taxes on bonds,
deeds, bank checks, etc.. for example,
which business bears easily, have raised
In nine months $27,000,000; while the
stamp taxes on proprietary articles,
against which the drug manufacturers
are making so strenuous a campaign,
produced only $3,400,000. Legacies and
excise and mixed flour, all popular
taxes on Indirect . Inheritance, the
Standard Oil and Sugar trusts, food
adulteration, and sleeping-car tickets
yield altogether about $2,500,000. "We
can cut off this class of stamp taxes to
please the druggists and corporations,
but the effect on the surplus would be
almost imperceptible.
The right thing to do, of course, is to
reduce the customs duties in such
places as they can be spared, with
abandonment of some of the most
onerous and least productive stamp
taxes; and for the rest of the surplus,
present and prospective, to pay debts
with it. But in aid of ends so remote
In probability, there is no use to grow
hysterical, or to attempt manufacture
of party capital.
GROWni OP THE SILK IXDCSTOY.
The annual report of the Silk Associ
ation of America shows a growth in
the silk industry of the country during
1S99 which would be truly surprising
but for the fact that the year was one
of unparalleled growth along all in
dustrial lines. In the State of Penn
sylvania alone, for example, silk mills
were established In thirteen additional
towns In 1S93, making a total of sixty
towns or hamlets In that state in which
the silk industry Is planted. This In
dustry does not have to take large
transportation facilities and freight
rates Into consideration, as do the cot
ton and wool manufacturing Interests,
silk and its products being relatively
light and of less bulk. Pennsylvania's
advantages in silk manufacture are
further explained in the fact that there
are numerous towns throughout the
state where the cost of coal approxi
mates $1 a ton, where the local au
thorities are glad to remit taxes for
many years on mill properties for the
benefit that will accrue to labor and
community prosperity through the es
tablishment of this Industry, and where
there is an abundant supply of female
labor.
This last consideration Is an Impor
tant one, since from the eggs of the
silkworm to the finished product of the
loom the work of women and girls is
especially adapted to silk culture and
manufacture. Thrift as exemplified In
the well-kept? homes and well-dressed
children of the laboring people Is the
rule In these silk hamlets. Simply
stated, there is work to do, the people
are Industrious and frugal, and glad
that In the great world, beyond their
quiet homes and humble vocation there
is a constantly Increasing multitude
that wears silk clothing and keeps up
the demand for their labor.
If there is any reason why the silk
Industry should not be profitably de
veloped In Oregon, it probably lies in
the fact that labor of this class Is not
plentiful here. Thrift of the type that
prefers steady work at small dally re
muneration to intermittent "Jobs" with
a heavy wage attachment has not yet.
practically speaking, crossed the Rocky
Mountains to the westward. The ques
tion, "How much can I make?" has
not to any general extent been associ
ated with that of "What can I save of
my earnings?" In the very nature of
things, the latter question can only be
answered with steady employment as
its basis of solution. In the belief that
the Introduction of silk culture might
be beneficial In this direction, and dis
tinctly profitable on wider lines, some
experiment was made in that direction
some years ago, but we believe It did
not progress beyond a demonstration
of the fact that the mulberry tree
makes rapid growth and produces an
abundant foliage In the Oregon climate,
and that silk worms thrive and spin
here satisfactorily. This much being
proven, tho development of silk culture
and later of silk manufacture In Ore
gon depends upon individual enterprise
and the possibility of securing a
thrifty, contented class of laborers f
the hcme-bulldlng type to carry It out.
This may, and doubtless will, come In
time, but In the nature of things the
growth of the silk Industry will for
some years belong to localities where
capital seeks permanent investment
under the assurance that labor is
there ready to welcome It as an ele
ment of simple community prosperity
of the kind that is built upon every-day
employment.
A CRISIS FOR THE COAST.
The Oregonlan's effort to obtain some
sort of satisfactory Indication from
Washington as to the tariff status of
trade between here and Manila be
tween now and another session of Con
gress yields the coldest kind of com
fort. Senator Spooner says that his bill
putting the entire administration of
Philippine affairs in the hands of the
President can "In no way change the
tariff 'rates on goods coming from the
Philippines to tbe United States; that
such power cannot be delegated to the
President by Congress." In the case of
Puerto Rico, it appears, while the Pres
ident did waive duties on goods from
the United States going Into Puerto
Rico, he did not waive duties on goods
coming from Puerto Rico into the
United States. Full Dingley rates were
charged and will be charged up to the
time the new Puerto Rlcan bill goes into
effect. Senator Spooner says that the
President has no power to change ex
isting custom duties on goods coming
this way.
Equally unsatisfactory Is the result
of inquiry made as to possible conces
sions for goods going from our ports
Into the Philippine markets. "We know
that duties were waived In the case of
Puerto Rico, but we can get no assur
ance that similar concessions will be
made as to the Philippines. The desire
of certain powerful exporting Interests,
coupled with the distress of the Island
ers, wrung from the Administration
concessions for shipments to Puerto
Rico; but whether the same Influences
will operate for this transpacific trade
is open to grave doubt. So'far as Port
land is concerned, the bulk of its heavy
shipments to Asia is made up of our
own products, agricultural, lumber and
manufactures, and their "pull" at
Washington Is slight. The heavy East
ern exporters of machinery, etc, are
undoubtedly in position to get recogni
tion, but there Is no evidence that they
have thought the matter worth taking
up. The outlook, then. Is discouraging.
Few things are of more vital or press
ing importance to the Pacific Coast
than some favorable action on this sub
ject either by Congress or by the Exec
utive. The problem of in-bound goods
Is as important as that of out-bound
goods; for imports are as necessary to
a profitable trade as exports. It ap
pears that the Spooner bill admits of
executive concessions on shipments to
the Philippines; but it seems to leave
Imports from Manila at- the mercy of
the Dingley rates as now. Has the
present prohibitory regime got to con
tinue until Congress meets In Decem
ber and plays with public business for
five months up to Inauguration day and
then adjourns? In other words. Is out
trans-Pacific trade to be throttled at the
outset by Congressional inaction until
European firms establish themselves In
the trade Spain has lost, and more
firmly secure their commercial foothold
upon the Asiatic mainland? Is there
no way in which the Pacific Coast can
make Its voice heard on this most vital
of present needs, and effectively?
Mr. McBrlde, Mr. Tongue and Mr.
Moody think the Republicans of Oregon
will favor the Puerto Rico tariff bill,
"when they come to understand It."
They understand it fully now; and not
one In twenty of the Republicans of
Oregon, or of the United States at
large, sees any reason why we should
deal with Puerto Rico other than as
we deal with Hawaii, or have dealt
with other territory that has been ac
quired by the United States; and espe
cially, the people of Oregon do not wish
the Puerto Rlcan tariff to stand as a
precedent against free commercial in
tercourse between the United States
and the Philippine Islands, which it Is
expressly Intended to be. It was de
vised for that purpose and was put
through for that purpose; but It will
not be permitted to stand for that pur
pose. No man can be elected to either
branch of Congress from any Pacific
state who would use tariffs for obstruc
tion of commercial Intercourse with the
Philippine Islands. That narrow and
selfish policy is wholly incompatible
with National expansion.
Few persons are aware, perhaps, of
the extent to which the United States
has taken the lead In the production
of the world's supply of copper. In
1859, according to the Engineering and
Mining Journal, the world's production
was 473,818 tons, the part contributed
by the United States being 265.156 tons,
or more than half. The other large,
producers are Australasia, Canada,
Cape of Good Hope, Chile, Germany,
Japan, Mexico, Spain and Portugal.
The electrical uses of copper increase
the demand, and the supply Increases
yearly. The increase over 1S98 was
about nine per cent. Here Is another
Infant Industry that has about out
grown the need of protection. Raw
copper is free, but on rolled plates,
sheets, rods, pipes, etc., the duty Is two
and one-half cents a pound. Cheap
raw material at home furnishes the
factories with the means of interna
tional competition, as the Iron and steel
Industry so effectually demonstrates.
"John L." is boss of the Seattle Post
Intelligencer, but not boss of the Re
publican party of the State of Wash
ington, by a long chalk. The Repub
lican party of that state has given him
and his organ "the cold shake," In a
way that one even of his Indurated sen
sibility couldn't fall to understand.
"John L." Is very much enraged sines
he was treated with extreme and really
unexampled but well-deserved Indig
nity by the Republican party of Wash
ington, and the hired writers of the lit
tle wide-mouthed boss are Instructed to
scold people about It. But when a lit
tle fellow who makes politics and office-seeking
a trade, and sets himself
up also for a newspaper magnate, gets
such a set-back, you may expect many
a cacophonous roar. At present there
Is more than one John L. out of the
ring.
Sugar is to come in free from Puerto
Rico In two -years at most, or earlier
as soon as the revenue derived from
the present duty can be raised through
direct taxation. "But neither this fact
nor the prospect of like concessions to
Cuba and the Philippines deter the
beet-sugar Interests from widening
their scope. Michigan beet-sugar mills,
for example, made. In January, 30,106,
113 pounds of sugar, one company mak
ing as much as 1,509,072 pounds. Call-
foraia made 52,500 tons of beet sugar
In 1SS9. The Industry is extending.
Triere are beet-sugar men In Oregon
today looking for desirable locations.
Tho beet Interests will survive free
sugar frcm Cuba and the Philippines,
Just as they waxed fat on the substi
tution of the 'Wilson for the McKlnley
tariff.
It is the opinion of The Oregonlan
that the Common Council ought to au
thorize a railway track along Front
street. Such track would be a great ad
ditional facility to industry and trade.
Operated only in the night time, it
could not be Injurious to any property
interest, but would be favorable ,to
many. Possibly it might disturb some
body's slumbers though that may be
questioned. But if it did. it would help
to wake somebody else up, and that is
one of the things needed.
One of the first of the war taxes to
go should be that on tea. Discrimina
tion against it in favor of coffee was
an iniquity of the war revenue law,
plausibly attributed to the Sugar trust.
It is significant, also, that In his recent
reply to Congressional Inquiry, Secre
tary Gage saw fit 'to omit any state
ment of the receipts from the tea tax.
Is this penalty on trans-Pacific trade so
precious that it cannot even be enum
erated in a Treasury statement?
A peculiarity of the Oregon registry
law is that no opportunity Is afforded
for registration for the November elec
tion after the books have been closed
for the June election. Every one, there
fore, who wishes to vote for President
this Fall must register before May 15.
The only provision under which voters
not registered can vote In November Is
the section authorizing "swearing In"
of votes, which Is uncertain and at best
troublesome.
The registration In Multnomah Coun
ty now exceeds 12,000, with 1000 to 6000
yet to come. So far the registration in
the country precincts Is less than 500,
while in Portland It exceeds 11,500.
The country precincts should register
about 2500 votes; so there yet remain
about 2000 to be registered In the coun
try and perhaps 3000 to 4000 in the city.
There is yet time to register, but vot
ers would do well not to put It off till
the last week. The books will be closed
May 15.
Senator Morgan's victory In Alabama
Is gratifying for two reasons. It Is a
discourager of "anti-Imperialism" and
a set-back for the railroad combination
that has fought him because of his ad
vocacy of the Nicaragua canal. Tho
moral effect of his re-election may be
something as regards the anti cause,
but, as regards the anti-Nicaragua ag
gregation, nit This association of pa
triots Is superior to all moral consid
erations. The charitably disposed should not
overlook the simple entertainment else
where announced In aid of the fund for
an "OldLadles Home." Generous ben
efactors living and dead, have provid
ed the site for a "home" and the nu
cleus of Its endowment fund. Among
the great charitable institutions that
are to mark Portland's future, none is
more gracious or worthy than this.
A remarkable character, the typical
soldier of fortune. Is Dugald Dalgetty.
In "A Legend of Montrose." Nobody
supposed that any man really possessed
of that name ever would turn up. Yet
now the reports of military operations
In South Africa tell of the exploits of
Colonel Dalgetty. Perhaps the novel
ists and romance writers are the truest
historians.
The Democrats will decline Dewey's
offer as a candidate but welcome him
gladly as a private in the ranks. Just
how the Admiral will take this we shall
find out, perhaps. In due time. It is up
to Mrs. Dewey again.
This remark is attributed to Theodora
Roosevelt, and it isn't half bad, even
if apocryphal, though probably it ii
genuine: "McKlnley has as much
backbone as a chocolate eclalre in a
candy shop window."
THE PEOPLE TJSDERSTAJfD.
And Because They Understand They
Disapprove.
Chicago Times-Herald, Rep.
If there is a pro-Puerto RIco-tarlff
Republican in Washington who has not
accused the country at large of gross lg.
norance of tho Puerto Rico tariff bill tho
Times-Herald would llko to have him
stand up and be counted. From Speaker
Henderson down to Congressman Bou
tell the cry all along the line Is that
the bill Is "misunderstood" and that "full
knowledge of Its purpose will remove any
Impression that it discriminates against
Puerto Rico."
And now comes the Secretary of the
Navy to taunt us with our failure to
grasp the "full knowledge" of the benefi
cence of this remarkable second thought
of plain duty. Last Saturday, while In
Denver, Secretary Long explained that:
The bill relieves the Island from all direct
taxes, and all internal revenue taxes. It re
duces the customs tariff from 100 to 15 per
cent. Further, It returns to Puerto IUco all
tha Income from the meager taxation. Instead
of landing It In the United States Treasury.
It this Is discrimination. It Is discrimination
against the United States and In favor of
Puerto IUco. Thus the Island fares better
than ever did any ot our territories, all of
which had to pay their own way. Internal taxes
and all. every dollar of which went Into Undo
Sani'. Treasury. s
It Secretary Long thinks that there is
a single ray of fresh light thrown upon tha
true moaning of the Puerto Rico tariff
bill by this statement, his opinion of the
common intelligence of his fellow citizens
Is singularly low and unworthy. Tho
Times-Herald undertakes to say that
Secretary Long has stated tho financial
ana benevolent effect of the Puerto IUco
tariff bill precisely as It is understood by
100 per cent of Its readers. They know
that the bill relieves tho Puerto Rlcans
of all direct taxes and internal revenue
taxes. They know that It reduces the
customs tariff to 15 per cent of the
Dingley rates. They know that all reve
nues from this source are to bo returned
to Puerto Rico. Thoy know that the Isl
and fares better than ever did any of our
other territories. They are fully Informed
upon every point to which Secretary
Long draws attention.
And yet and by reason of os full know!
edge as Secretary Long seems to possess
they will not accept the Puerto Rico tariff
bill as the fulfillment of American pledges,
duty and Justice to Puerto Rico.
The American people are opposed to the
Puerto Rico tariff bill because It Is a
departure from the Invariable practice of
the Republic In dealing with and organiz
ing our other territories. If Secretary
Long will mark the significance of that
word "other" as used by the Times-Herald
and omitted by him he will appreciate
how closely the American people are fol
lowing the true Issue In this Puerto Rlcan
question.
They see no reason why the Island
should fare any better or any worse than
hare and do other territories of the United
States.
They see that in treating Puerto Rico
differently from Hawaii the Republican
majority in Washington is attempting to
substitute a colonial system for the ter
ritorial system, and to this It Is -apparent
the American people are unalterably op
posed. Is it not about time th apologists of
the indiscreet, pernicious end coddling
colonial bill for Puerto Rico ceased to
prattle about Its provisions being misun
derstood? The simple phrase. "our plain
duty," uttered by the President last -December,
has more weight with the Amer
ican people than all the tons of explana
tions and excuses that have been Issued
by the Republican majority in Congress
since It substituted a IS per cent customs
duty for a plain duty.
in
Why Denver Fallal.
New Tork Evening Post.
Dewey as a likely means of beating
either Bryan or McKlnley, or both, has
been eagerly caught up by some excellent,
but, as we think, shortsighted people. To
beat Bryan or McKlnley, or both, cannot
be the chief end of an independent polit
ical movement. We must know whom we
are getting In their stead, and what poli
cies va are eettlna- In tho room ot their
Wo cannot afford to defeat colorless and
servile men by means of one even more
negative and subservient than they. Jow
ett once said: "It Is easy to get things
done If you do not mind who does them."
But we must mind who does them. For
the end we have In view the instrument
Is all-lmportnnt tho fit Instrument, wo
may say, is the end. And It Is because
the main object Just now is the restora
tion of the Presidency to Us ancient and
Intended vigor and dignity; becauee what
wo want in tho Whlto House Is a leader
of men, not a tool of tools: because we
desire not merely to beat Bryan and Mc
Klnley, but to surpass their typo alto
gether, that wo cannot but regard as
gratifying tho coolness and regret which
Admiral Dewey's aspirations have met
from the country. A man Is wanted more
than ever no crouching figure, stooping
low to go under the bars which the poli
ticians raise In front of men ot largo
moral stature but we sorrowfully perceive
that the Admiral Is not the man for tho L
hour. His failure to come up to the re
quirements but heightens the popular eag
erness to find the one wbo will.
Decency Pays Best.
Chicago Tribune.
It will surprise many people and should
ploase all to read that the decadent drama
Is a failure from the box-office stand
point. During the season now closing all
of tho great successes have been plays
free from the taint of nastlness, whllo a
large amount of money has been lost by
managers who have attempted to force
Into popularity Indecent farces, decadent
society comedies and sensational "emo
tional" dramas.
The significance and importance of this
state of affairs Ho in the fact that the
box-office argument is one from which
there Is no nppeaL Preachers may thun
der at the Immorality of a stage produc
tion and critics may point out Its of
fenses against good taste and even de
cency, but so long as tho box-offlco re
ceipts are good, there Is little chance that
any reform will be effected. When, how
ever, tho public stops buying" tickets ot
admission to a play the manager Is forced
at once to realize that something Is tha
matter with tho production. When tho
records of an entire season show that
none of the dramas which verge on tha
Indecent has-made money to a large ex
tent, while all the great successes have
been pure In tone. It" would seem that tha
wise manager must see the apparently In.
tlmate and direct connection between the
cause and tho effect. And It the theat
rical managers ot the country are once
convinced that tho decadent drama is not
profitable, it Is certain that theater-goers
will be no longer shocked by Indecency on
the stage. The theater Is primarily a bus
iness Institution, organized for profit. Its
relations with art are chiefly those of a
dealer. If It docs not pay to handle the
decadent drama it will lay In a new and
cleaner stock of goods.
A Story From Gibraltar.
London Saturday Review.
During the war stories in plenty have
been current of the stratagems and
treachery which have Imposed upon Brit
ish officers charged with very serious re
sponsibilities. Changing the venue, we
have tho following story from Gibraltar:
Some time ago a consumptive German gen
tleman arrived there with Introductions
from Influential people In England. The
Governor and other officials received him
hospitably, and every consideration pos
sible was shown him on account of his
health, but, of course, he could not be
granted permission, as he requested, to
go to the top of the rock for the sake
of the purer air, as there is a regula
tion that "foreigners are on no account
to be permitted to walk about the top
of the rock." Further acquaintance, how
ever, with the German gentleman, through
tho medium of dinners and other social
functions, resulted in a relaxation of the
strict rule, and he was granted a pass.
The result of the visit Is now to be seen
at the German War Offlce, which is in
possession of the most perfect plans from
photos of all tho works and defenses ot
Gibraltar.
A "Waste of Time.
Elgin (Wallowa) Recorder.
Senator McBrlde Is attempting to set
himself right with his constituents by cir
culating copies of a speech made in tha
House recently in support of tbe Puerto
Rlcan tariff measure. This action Is en
tirely superfluous, as there Is only one
way that Mr. McBrido can Justify bis
vote on that measure, and that Is through
party expediency. It was an Administra
tion measure, and, as Mr. McBrlde had
received many favorg from the Presi
dent and his official advisors. It Is not to
be wondered at that he supported the
measure. But when It comes to endeavor
ing to Justify his action by producing ar
gument In favor of the bill, he Is wasting
his time. ,
It Is an old saying that It Is a poor man
that won't stand by his friends, and as
the Administration ha favored Senator
McBrlde in many ways. It is not to bo
wondered at that he voted for the Puerto
Rico bill, especially when It was an Ad
ministration measure.
i
N'ortU Pacific Farmer and Stockman.
Tho North Pacific Farmer and Stockman
haa been reorganized and will hereafter
be Issued weekly Instead of monthly. It
win do uevotea to agriculture In all Its
branches. Special attention will be paid
to tho speed and the road horse, and to
tho resources of the Pacific Coast. In
cluding Alaska and British Columbia. Mr.
W. W. Baker, an excellent authority on
an matters pertaining to agriculture. Is
editor of the publication. The flm Issue of
the new paper is full of most Interesting
and valuable matter, not only for tho
farmer and stockman, but for the general
reader. Somo exhaustive commerc al and
historical data are given, which should be
preserved by all for future reference. Tho
new dairying movement throughout the
Pacific Northwest will find In the Farmer
and Stockman an Indispensable aid and
guide. To It Mr. Baker has contributed
more than any other man In ptudy, ex
periment and enthusiastic support.
s
Love It Work.
Philadelphia Press.
"How Is It you're such a great worker?"
asked the grasshopper.
"Because I love work," replied the busy
bee. "I couldn't be happy without It. In
fact, you may have noticed, when my
busiest season Is on, I'm in clover."
s
The Price of Ten Cents Worth.
Boston Christian Register.
Customer Give me 10 cents' worth of
paregoric, please.
Druggist Yes, sir.
Customer (absent-mindedly) How much
Is it?
Druggist A quarter.
GOSSIP OP THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
WASHINGTON, April 12. Representa
tive Tongue, to reassure himself as to the
real status of the Hawaiian Islands In
customs maters, directed a letter of In
quiry to the Secretary of the Treasury,
to which he received the following re
ply: "So far as customs matters are con
cerned, the status of the Hawaiian Islands
has undergone no change since the enact
ment of the Joint resolution of Congress,
approved July 7, 1S3S.
"Articles Imported Into Hawaii from
tbe United States are subject to the pro
visions of the Hawaiian customs laws ex
isting prior to the annexation of those
Islands, and articles Imported Into tho
United States from Hawaii are subject to
tha provisions of tbe tariff act of July
24. 1S97, except as to those articles com
prised in the Hawaiian Reciprocity Treaty
ot January 30, 1575. '
"As to the disposition of the customs
duties collected In Hawaii, I have to in
vite your attention to the proviso in tho
second clause of tbe aforesaid joint reso
lution, that all revenue from or proceeds
of the same, except us regards such part
thereof as may be used or occupied for
the civil, military or naval purposes of
tho United States, or may be assigned for
the use of the local governments, shall.be
used for the benefit of the Inhabitants
of the Hawaiian Islands tor educational
and other public purposes.' "
" Differences Over Reserves'.
On the matter of forest reservations,
the Secretary of the Interior and the
members of Congress from Western States
are In most Instances sadly at odds, and
when tho one takes up the subject, the
other Is sure to differ. Tho House com
mittee on public lands has set aside the
ISth of April as the day when all hills
providing for extending., decreasing, or In
any way changing the forest reserves of
the United States shall be considered,
along with bills Intended to create new
reserves. It may be safely stated that
tha prevailing sentiment, both In tho com
mitted and In the House, Is against fur
ther forest reservations of any descrip
tion, and In most Instances a general re
duction of the reserves would be wel
comed. On the contrary, the Secretary of
tha Interior Is firmly of tha belief that
we havo not reserves enough, and seems
to fear that the forests ot the West will
soon be destroyed, and artificial means
will have to be resorted to to furnish
an adequate supply of timber.
One of the great objections that has
been raised to the forest reservations as
they stand is that they all embrace mora
or less land that does not properly belong
In such a reserve, land that Is eminently
fitted for pasturage purposes, but which
now bears no timber, and from Its very
character would never be wooded. Tha
General Land Office realizes the strength
of this contention, and has been ready
to mako recommendations that such
tracts be eliminated from tha reserves
and thrown open to sheep and cattle-men
'for grazing lands. But tho recommenda
tion never gets beyond the Secretary.
It may be that the House committee
will have to devote several days to tha
discussion of this momentous question
of the forest reservations, but It Is ex
pected that these conferences will result
In the formulation of some general legis
lation that will bo in the interest of the
reserves, and at the same time be In the
Interest of the settlers In and about the
reserves. The committee this year seems
to have an eye primarily to the Interests
of the people, and has oil along striven
to secure legislation that Is for the com
mon good. The Western members, espe
cially thoso from states with large forest
reserves, are looking forward anxiously
to the formulation of some plan which
will do away with many of the outcries
that are being raised against the con
duct of the reserves as they are controlled
at present. Of course, whatever action Is
taken looking to cutting down any of tha
reserves wilt be opposed by the Secre
tary of the Interior, but In view of the
prevailing sentiment in Congress, his
recommendation will undoubtedly bo over
ruled.
i
Emergency.
New York Weekly.
Jack rm thirsty. Come In here and
I'll order a bottle of champagne.
George I'd rather have beer.
Jack So would I, but I haven't a cent
It's easier to get trusted for champagne
than beer.
i i
Measure of Success.
Washington Star.
"What Is your Idea of success In lifer
said the inquisitive man.
"Oh, I dunno," answered Senator Sor
ghum, reflectively. "I should cay anything
over $500,000."
The Coming Tumult.
Indianapolis Journal.
He Tou Daughters of the American
Revolution ought to be ashamed to wran
gle the way you do.
She Never mind; Just wait until your
Hall of Fame committee gets In session.
Jfot Ills Fnnlt.
Boston Transcript.
Sterene What a chap you are. Bound
er! You never agree with anybody.
Bounder Well, what of that? Am I to
blame If everybody else Is wrong?
Pay, Pay, Par.
Baltimore American.
Collector This is three times I have
asked you to pay.
Betem You're another of those "Absent
Minded Beggar" elocutionists, are you?
An Exception.
Detroit Freo Press.
Jaxon Everybody seems to have tho
grip these days.
Paxon (dejectedly) I seem to have lost
mine. f
s
The Street-Car Girl.
Baltimore American.
She's always Just across from me.
Dressed in tho latest style;
Iter face Is bright, and comely, toe
With a bewitching smile.
Sometimes she winks right saucily.
Again, 'tis plain to see
That she's demure this pretty gt.1
Across tbe car from me.
When I am hanging to a strap
And twinging aches endure.
She sympathetically says:
Try LImberem's Pain Cure."
She's always giving me advice
This dimpled, smiling girl
Just yesterda'y. she said: "Blank's OU
Will keep your hair la curl."
Each morning when I ride downtown ,
Mr face ihehyly notes.
Ahd whispers: "Finest breakfast dish,
Js Goodem's Dusted Oats."
I had to blush, though yesterday
I did not understand .
Said she: "Wear Squcezem's Corset It
Gives you a figure grand."
One day she tossed her head at me
And said in manner sly:
"If you would know real happiness.
Drink Boozem's rock and rye."
Xnd many times she's told roe. when
My eye she fairly caught,
"Get married but before you do.
Buy this nice house and lot."
She gives me good advice, and she
Is watchful ot my ills.
Quite frequently she warns me to
"Take Curem's Liver Pills."
Sometimes she's booming washing soap
Sometimes It's fruit that's canned.
And once she faced me boldly with,
A plaster In her hand!
She always has a smile for me.
But I sit like a chump.
And try to look polite, when she.
Begs me to "See that hump!"
Sometimes she cooks you'd never think
Tbe work for her was hard.
But nothing's tiresome for the girl.
Upon the street-car card.
NOTE AND C0HMENX
The lay ot the hen mingled with the
Easter music yesterday.
After me. the deluge, said the hobo,
when the servant girl turned the hose oa
him.
We shall be spared tho agony OS-watching
for precipitation for the next seven
Sundays.
Dewey might have stood sonxiishow It
Senator Mason had not rushed to' his
support.
It is nearly time for Schley and Saxftp
son to begin to quarrel about which one
ought to run for the Presidency.
Three Chicago tramps broke into a bath
house the other day, and the Police Judge
didn't turn them over to an insanity com
mission. Butcher, of Baker County, will not be
a delegate to the Democratic National
Convention this year. He now owns gas
works of his own.
Kansas. City will probably finish her
Fourth of July celebration by burning
down her new convention hall. Just to
show that little things like that do not
worry, her.
If Dewey hadn't changed his mind, about
the Presidency, the country would have
more confidence In Roosevelt's statement
that he would not accept the nomination
for Vice-President.
Lawyer William. Foley ifl now known in
Democratic circles as "tho fair speaker."
Lawyer Foley achieved prominence In the
recent Democratic county and etate con
ventions "by offering universal suffrage
resolutions and by motions to return
thanks to "the fair speaker" who ad
dressed the delegates In favor ot the
woman suffrago amendment to the Con
stitution. Judge Thomas O'Day and other
Democratic notables have turned tbe ta
bles on Lawyer Foley.
Oh. dainty, dainty violet,
Oh. rose, so fresh and fair.
Oh. lilacs, whose expanding bloom
Breathes perfume on the air.
I thought I saw you aU today.
Beneath the glad warm sun.
But found your blossoms counterfeit.
And bogus, every one.
Tou nodded to me on the street.
From many bright bouquets; .
And. seeing you. I planned to writs, ,
A sonnet In your praise.
I looked once more, and saw that you
Were not fit themes for sonnets.
You all were made ot colored cloth.
And bloomed on Easter bonnets.
The following rare bit of Amsterdam
blarney was unintentionally omitted from
the report of Thursday's proceedings of
tho Democratic State Convention. The
speaker was a Douglas County delegate,
and he was thanking the convention for
re-electing R. S. Sheridan as chairman
of the etate committee:
TJnt behav nv der delegashun from Doglaa
Coundy I vlshes to dank you fur der oner you
haf confalred oopon us by elecdlng Meester
Sheredum as chalrmans ar der democradlo
staats cendral comity. TIntlemens, I danka
you some more.
Dowey, Miles, and maybe Roosevelt
Will be out for President.
And some other heroes, likely
Will reluctantly consent
To be mentioned for the otSee
By their swarming hosts of friends;
And will all be making speeches
Ere the stumping season ends.
But there's one great naval hero. ,
Who Is long enough on fame.
Who's contented for the present
To remain outside the game.
When tho suffrage cause, however.
Has awakened Into lite.
And a man's good vote U canceled.
By the ballot of his wife.
"When the winsome Summer maiden
Sets her dainty bat on straight.
Runs for oftlce. Is elected.
And proceeds to legislate.
When tha female vote shall triumph
O'er the poor snowed-under men.
You can bet your final farthing.
You can't head off Ilobson then.
A down-town saloon keeper, who Is evi
dently something of a political genius,
has covered a largo portion of the outslda
of his place with a sort qf huge fac
simile of the Republican and Democratic
tickets, over which Is painted. "Political
scorecard." There are places for the
names-of all the candidates on the tickets
mentioned and room Wt for others. Tha
object Is supposed to be to give every
candidate for offlce a chance to have his
name painted on tho "scorecard" for a
consideration as an advertisement and In
cidentally to enable the proprietor to se
cure a percentage of the fund to be ex
pended by these candidates.
It might naturally be suposed that from
among tho number of political conven
tions of various kinds held In this city
last week every pereon who had any pol
itics would have been, xblc- to -select ono
which would suit him.' One reputable and
Intelligent citizen has, however, been
found who could not affiliate with any con
vention. He had received a number ot
proxies from members of his party, what
ever that may be. and was about to con
stitute himself a convention and call him
self to order and proceed to nominate a
ticket, when ho learned that the persona
who had sent htm their proxies had
changed their minds and attended to their
buincss themselves.
The Bnalest Man.
Don W. Gallagher In Boston Globe.
The world seems given to busy men. who labor
with hand and brain
Some of them striving for honor and fame, oth
er for treasure and gain.
But the one that I have in mind Joe now, la
up with the sun's first peep.
And the only rest that his little Hmbs get Is
when he Is fast asleep.
And I sometimes Imagine tbe little shoes that
cover his tiny toes
Half echo a sigh of pure relief, with the day
light neaiicg a close
Each hour that paees ifl brlmralnK with Joy
more pleasure It could not bold
For the busiest man In the whole wide world
one little boy four years old.
When a llttte boy gets to be four years oM. a
terrible bother Is he.
And he asks funny questions 'bout all kind ot
things from a whale to a bumble bee.
You must tell him tb number of stars exact
and where they get their light
And the reason they do not shine all car the,
same aa they do at night
And what holds tbe sun up In the sky, and
how the tre were made
And why in the dark when he's left sJocet ho
always feeLi m afraid
Then he begs for the tale about Bo-peep, and
when tbe story's told.
Another question or two has he this little boy
four years old.
When a little boy gets to be four years old, a
wonderful Joy is he
For when his arms about you twine, your ceait
from care seems free.
And all the trials of life pass on, and the tWngs
that ere hard to bear
And the soul seems wrapped In a tender love
for the little tot standing there
While often a mist obo-nrrs the sight, and the
eyes stow strangely dim.
And then I wonder what price you'd ask before
you would part with him
And I know tha. in thle great wide -world
there Isn't enough pure gold.
To tempt a mother to yield fclm up one uttki
bay four years old.
.Al
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