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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 10, 1900)
s. THE MOANING- OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, MAT 10, 1900. f&tu xzQCXtitm Xuftt. it the PestoSlce at Portland, Oresox. as secoBd-class matter. TELEPHONES. Mttottal Kooau...iea I Business OSlce-...6S7 REVISED SUBSCRIPTION RATES. Br Ifell (pcurtnre prepaid). In Advance X)ilr. wlthSunday, per month... ....f0 83 J3Uk. Sunday excepted, per year ........ 7 CO Xtoilr, -with Sunday, per year 00 Sunday, per year 2 00 JTfca Weekly, per year.. ...... ....--...-- 1 50 "The Weekly. 3 month....-......... .... 60 To City Subscribers 'SJsiljr. per week, delivered. Sunday excepted.l5e f."!! & CJfc. bCUVCmi DJUUAfl m..W.C.i..' Xewe or discussion Intended for publication tn The Oregonlan should be addressed Invariably ""Editor The Oregonlan," not to the name of any Individual. Letters relating to advertising, subscriptions or to any business matter should be addressed simply "The Oregonlan." The Oregcalan does not buy poems er stories I rem Individuals, and cannot undertake to re turn any manuscripts sent to It without solicita tion. No tamps should be inclosed lor this purpose. Puget Sound Bureau Captain A. Thompson, efflce at 1111 Pacific avenue. T&corna. Box 9SS, Tacoma postofflce. Eastern Buslneas Offlce The Tribune build ing. New York city; "The Rookery." Chicago; the S. C Beckwlth special agency. New Tork. For sale in San P ranclsco by J. K. Cooper. 46 Market street, near the Palace hotel, and at Goldsmith Bros.. 230 Sutter street. For sale in Chicago by the P. O. News Co E1T Dearborn street. TODAY'S WEATHER. Showers, with west erly winds. PORTLAND, THURSDAY, MAY 10. PERFIDY COLOSSAL. It beats all how ardently some men Support the Nicaragua Canal. They are for It everywhere and every time except In the trifling detail of actual construction. They are hot for the canal but! Passage of the Hepburn bill through the House has uncovered an almost unexpected array of zealous partisans of the canal. They want the canal so Ijadly they are afraid this Hepburn bill stay kill It. They fear this bill will damage the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, and we can't think of damaging the JBay-Pauncefote treaty, because it pro vides for the canal. Now, it Is curious that every enemy of the canal Is also enamored of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Every man Jack of them can't Tiear to have It amended even, he is so afraid it won't be approved by Great Sri tain. The Hepburn bill, therefore, .anerits universal condemnation. Op ponents of the canal and friends of the canal alike oppose It for Its menace to the treaty. It Is an edifying and re assuring spectacle. The last Congress and the Adminis tration put their heads together and decided they wanted the Nicaragua Canal so badly that it must be built at once, and the quickest way to get It would be to appoint the "Walker Com ml3lsc n. The commisison was appoint ed, and now we are assured that it would be crassest discourtesy to do anything definite until the commission reports, and the commission, of course, can't report until all opportunity to pass a law has slipped by. The Nicaragua Canal, therefore, Is flocked today by the Hay-Pauncefote treaty and the "Walker Commission, I wo acts of God for which nobody is responsible, but which rise up to terrify md dlsccncert a Congress and an Ad- limxatlcn burning up with zeal for thu canaL Oh, yes. We want tlfe canal. "We went It right now, but this Is unfor tunately the only time between the two eternities behind and before us when wo can't afford it. "We couldn't afford it four years ago because the Treas ury was hard up. We couldn't afford it two years ago because of the war "with Spain. Now we are at peace and the Treasury Is running over with money, but we can't afford it even now why? "Well, because it's now, just because this Is the present time. If it were only some time in the past or 'some time in the future, it would be all right. "We are In favor of the canal at any time but the time when It Is the time it actually Is. Our precious statesmen at "Washing ton, who have sworn to serve their country loyally and then go on serv ing the railroads, are for the Nicaragua Canal at- all times but now, at all places but where It can be built. They will give It all possible resources except appropriations, all imaginable support but votes. Pass resolutions arid they wlli sign them, ask speeches and they will make them, suggest pledges and they will plight them. They will pro pose, urge, favor, advocate, support, dumand, promise the Nicaragua Canal, appoint commissions, negotiate treaties, do everything and anything except build it. What more could reasonable inen ask? Gentlemen of the transcontinental rnilrcads, you have the country by the throat. And when the masses rise up some day to smash your property and throw your children into the street, you will rage at the harvest demagogues have gathered from the eoII you are plowing deep and sowing with careful hands. OREGON THIS FIRST TO SPEAK. This is a Presidential year. Oregon in the first state to hold an election, and the first to speak for the great West in support of, or opposition to, the Important and far-reaching new poli ces of the Republican party. Two years ago, when the country had scarcely emerged from the troubles arid dangers of a successful war, Oregon gave to the Nation two Republican iresentatlves and a Republican Sen- Er to uphold the hands of a Repub- itx Government and to aid In the rreet settlement of the mighty ques- fbns arising from that conflict. That i?ras dene because It appeared to be the state's patriotic duty. Now the state dt gain called upon for two Republican ?presentatives and for a Republican Fnalor, and it should give them be cause it Is the part of real patriotism and because it will be the best thing for tie Nation at large, and by all odds the best thing for itself. The splendid message of Oregon In X'9S was an inspiration for a Republi can President to pursue the course he had outlined for himself and for the country. The message of 1900 will be construed as a verdict of approval or disapproval. It will have weighty ef fect upon an Administration keenly live to the drift of public opinion; and ll majr do much to determine the com plexion of the next House of Repre sentatives and to shape the future pol icy of the Government. If Oregon elects two Republican Representatives ana a tepuoucan j-egisiature. a sign- Ird will have been erected on the id that the National Republican Con ltlon is soon to travel. Shall we in- ate that specific proclamation of the new National policy of expansion has our unqualified Indorsement? Or are we to show that we fear the conse quences, or even that we are indifferent to the mighty scheme of commercial development which is pregnant with fate for us? We are not overrating our own importance when we think that as Oregon goes so may go the Na tion. We know that in 1898 the voice of the state was heard and heeded from one end of the land to the other. It Is the duty of Republicans to make strenuous effort for both Mr. Tongue and Mr. Moody and for a Republican Legislature, which is next Winter to elect -a Senator. No chances must be taken. A Democratic victory, even a partial one, means that Oregon has re tired from the advanced ground al ready taken. A QUACK IN POLITICS AXD LITERA TURE. Ignatius Donnelly may possibly be the candidate of the Middle-of-the-Road Populists for President. He would be an ideal candidate, for he is easily the best orator of his party, a sensational "stump" speaker, a coarse, rank humorist, and altogether a rather gifted political and literary quack. Shortly after the war Donnelly was a member of Congress from Minnesota, and even at that early day was an ar rant demagogue, with a gift of vitu peration that amounted almost to gen ius. In course of a controversy with one of the Washburne family on the floor of the House, Donnelly described them as all being tattooed with the let ters "U. S. G.," alluding to the fact that Congressman E. B. Washburne, of Illi nois, arrogated to himself the credit of Saving "made Grant," because he had recommended him to Lincoln for appointment as Brigadier-General In 186L Donnelly was a robust orator of vulgar quality in those days, and for several years was an effective political, force on the stump, but through his unscrupulous methods and erratic tem per he soon degenerated into a political Ishmaellte of the quality of the late General Benjamin F. Butler, of Massa chusetts. He followed Butler's lead as a greenbacker in 186S and 1S74, and, of course, easily became a populist. Like Butler, Donnelly was a natural-born political quack, who readily swallowed fraud. Inequity and folly in finance without winking. Donnelly has too much Intelligence and brains to be the sincere dupe of the follies he has ad vocated, but he was quick to cultivate the weakness of human nature that makes quacks In all callings not seldom brilliantly successful in selling their worthless nostrums to the people. The same perception that made him a popular quack in politics, public econ omy and finance made Donnelly an au dacious quack In literature; the per ception that the general public love the sensational, the incredible, the absurd, provided it is iterated and reiterated with Intensity of manner and affected solemnity of conviction. Donnelly was nothing but a literary quack and show man when he wrote his book to prove that Bacon wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare, and he was a political quack when he wrote "Caesar's Col umn" to charm the Populists. Don nelly knew that a fluent, facile writer can make a plausible, historical pre sentation to the crowd of what is an in credible and absurd theory to an accu rate, critical, historical scholar. He knew that the vast mass of the Ameri can reading public did not know enough of history to contradict him, much less authoritatively to correct his errors of fact, or expose his methods of misrepresentation. He knew that a wonder-book always sells, that a plausible quack who promises the Im possible in medicine always has plenty of patients. He knew that the smart charlatan In law, medicine, the pulpit. trade or politics never lacks clients or customers. He knew that the most sensational, Incredible, Impossible thing needs only large, energetic and loud advertisement to give it considerable popular currency and acceptance. He knew that every Inaccurate, Ig norant, credulous, visionary person, who dearly loves the exceptional, the arrogantly assumptive to tbe point of absurdity, finds more comfort in fairy books and ghost stories than in the cold conclusions of science and impar tial history. The average man doesn't care to be instructed beyond the knowl edge that helps him to make one dollar two; the average man would rather swallow a miracle, read a wonder book, be amused or astonished than anything else in the world, except to make money and eat a good dinner every day at somebody else's expense. The Incredible, the extravagant, the absurd, "goes" easily if it only be pre sented with tact, skill and cunning for consideration. Donnelly knew that the Baconian theory of the authorship of Shakes peare's plays was unmitigated histor ical and literary nonsense to any hon est scholar, but he also knew that any theory or assertion, radically absurd or incredible. Is sure of attracting pop ular attention, if not acceptance. If smartly presented and skillfully adver tised. Donnelly in literature and poli tics has always been, nothing but the street faker with a worthless razor, which, on the strength of Its glittering promise, he expects to sell, and not sel d6m does sell, to people who don't know that the razor Is a very old blade, that when new it would not shave, and was only made to sell. Donnelly harvested a good dividend from the transient popularity of his absurd books, and doubtless today laughs In his sleeve over his successful cunning in putting dead folly into a new dress and sell ing It to the public as an original dis covery, as new and authentic as New ton's discoveries In mathematics and Darwin's origin of the species. This is Ignatius Donnelly, who would be an ideal Populist candidate, for he has the voice and the pen of a political and lit erary quack of remarkable fluency, if jnot force, of endurance, if not elo quence. He has made money enough by his books to live without politics. He doesn't need to be elected, so he would be an Ideal Populist candidate for President. The troubles of the Pacific Christian Advocate, of this city, before the Gen eral Conference seem to be the result of transposing the law of demand and supply. When demand takes prece dence, whether In the publication of a newspaper or in any other line of busi ness, the supply follows without the aid of subsidy. If the regular order Is not observed, the business effort of whatever nature Is barren of re sults and incapable of growth. It Is possible that but for the "help" given It, and which has so long irked the General Conference, the Advocate might, upon the basis of merit, have long ago made a substan- tial place for Itself, in the Methodist homes of the Pacific Northwest. As It la. Its Influence is small, and its very existence threatened by the prospect of the withdrawal of the financial staff upon, which It has for many years leaned. THE CONSTITUTION" AXD THE FLAG. Judge Lochran, the United States District Judge for Minnesota, in his re cent 'decision, holds that the Constitu tion extends over our new possession of Porto Rico; that wherever the flag goes the Constitution goes with It. Another jurist, however. Judge Denby, like Judge Lochran, of Democratic anteced ents, holds that, leaving out of consid eration the legality of the statement, the facts do not coincide with this Judgment. We exercise sovereignty to day over the so-called "guano" islands by virtue of the act. of Congress of August 18, 1S56. There has never been the slightest pretense that the Consti tution extends to these Islands. Resi dents there-are under the control only of such of our laws as are applicable to their condition. Other examples are found in all countries where we exer cise extra-territorial Jurisdiction. By the revised statutes of the United States, title 47, sections 40S3 to 4130, Consular Courts exist In China, Korea, Morocco, Persia, Samoa, Siam, Tonga, Turkey and Zanzibar, and up to July 17, 1892, we had such courts In Japan. In these Consular Courts men are tried without indictment by grand Jury and by Assessors Instead of by petit jury. Murder cases are tried by the Consul and four Assessors. Other cases, felo nies and misdemeanors, are tried by the Consul and two Assessors. Civil cases are tried by the Consul, If he pleases, or he may call two Assessors, so that there Is at no time either grand Jury or petit Jury. In framing of the statutes giving jurisdiction to the Consular Courts, the Constitution Is ig nored. The Ministers In most of the countries named are Appellate Judges, but they are removable at the will of the Executive, which Is contrary to the Constitution In case of Federal Judges for the states. The right of legislation as exercised by us In foreign countries Is not created by treaties. It is inher ent in government, and Is exercised in many cares In countries where there are no treaties granting the right to do so. Judge Denby cites the case of Ross, charged with committing murder on board of an American ship lying in the harbor of Yokohama. He was tried by the Consul-General and four As- sesors, sentenced to be hanged, but the sentence was commuted to Impris onment for life and he was confined In the penitentiary at Albany, N. Y. Af ter ten years had elapsed, he brought a writ of habeas cprpus before the United States Circuit Court. Appeal was had to the Supreme Court, which held that the "Constitution can have no operation in another country." The facts cited by Judge Denby show conclusively that the Constitution does not go with the flag always and every where. The ordinance of 17S7 Is quoted as another fact In support of this posi tion. If the rights guaranteed to the people of the states by the articles of confederation accrued to the people of the Northwest Territory simply by the transfer of that territory to the con federation, then the provisions of the ordinance were useless and unneces sary. By the second section of the act of October 31, 1803, authorizing the oc cupation of Louisiana territory, tbe President Is authorized to name officers for "all the military, civil and judi cial powers exercised by the offi cers of the existing government." The system of Spain was continued; many curious laws remained in force; the United States Commissioner became a Governor-General, with almost regal authority. This was a case clearly where the Constitution did not go with the flag. In March, 1S04, Congress en acted that the government of Louisiana territory should be administered by the Governor, Secretary and Judges of In diana Territory. The laws were to be consistent with the Constitution of the United States. If the Constitution, proprlo vigore, was In force In the ter rltorj't the extension to It by act of Congress was unnecessary. The terri tory of Orleans was organized in the same manner, and In both territories full powers were given to officers not elected by the people. These are the facts. As to the law, It remains for the Supreme Court to decide whether the Constitution, by its own force, extends Itself over all the territory that we acquire and without any Congressional action takes with it to the people living there all the guar antees of human rights which exist in .the United States. If Judge Lochran Is right, then Calhoun was right, and Webster was wrong, as to whether slavery did not by virtue of the Con stitution go to the territories. Altgeld gives Charley Towne a cer tificate of character as a desirable Democratic candidate for Vice-President. "Towne was a Republican," said Altgeld in a recent interview, "but he is with us on every Important question. Politics Is a practical game. It never does to sacrifice principles, but it never does to overlook opportunities. We need Minnesota." In his advocacy of Towne, Altgeld has the disadvantage of being merely a prospective onlooker at Kansas City, being somewhat out of harmony with the dominant Harrison faction In Illinois; but all the same he Is In touch with Bryan. The Altgeld hall-mark on anybody's Democracy means that it Is the real thing. Bryan's Chicago mentor seems, however, to havebeen misinformed as to Charley Towne's wonderful popularity In Min nesota. When he was a Republican he had no trouble in being elected to Con gress from the Duluth district; then he came out as a Fusion Silver candidate and was twice defeated. Towne will bring to the ticket the prestige of being hopelessly weak in his own state; not so much can be said against Bryan. Senator Teller's resolution expressing sympathy for the Boers ought not to pass. None of the precedents quoted is an argument in its behalf. What would Senator Teller have thought of the British Parliament, had It passed a resolution of sympathy for the Confed erates during their gallant struggle of four years for Independence? He would have stigmatized it as a wanton attack upon a friendly power. Of course. Sen ator Teller could attempt to argue that the line drawn between the legislative and executive functions makes the President responsible to other nations for the conduct of foreign relations, and that the Independence of Congress re lieves the President of any responsibil ity for such sympathy as that body may express in concurrent resolution. 'But this plea Is altogether too techni cal for human nature's dally food, and from a practical standpoint a conserv- atlve Congress will always be disposed to refuse to pass such resolutions. The resolutions of Congress carry with them a weight, a significance and a. responsibility that do not attach to the resolutions of popular mass meetings, and resolutions bearing upon our for eign relations should be passed very rarely and under only the most excep tional circumstances. The Populists of Kansas struggled valiantly with the disconcerting pros perity of the country, and evolved the following: "The mission of Populism Is to restore the country to certain con ditions, from which It has departed such as low taxation, greater Hberty and mere widely distributed prosper ity." Here are a few solid facts 'from the "statistical abstract" covering thirty years, just Issued from Wash ington: In IS89 the amount ot money in the country was $13 05 Xor each Inhabitant; now It is $3C 12. In 1SC0 the amount In actual circula tion was $17 CO; now It is 5 13. In 1SC9 the debt for each person was $H 43; 'now It la 415 20. In JSG0 per capita, Interest charges on the public debt amounted to $3 32; now they aro but C3 cents. In 1SC0 the Government took from each person In revenue $0 S2; now It takas but $0 78. In 1SG0 the tariff collected was $4 63 per capita; now It Is but ?2 60. In 1S60 wc sold to foreign countries $7 29 for each Inhabitant; now we sell $15 84. Prosperity will never be distributed widely enough, and taxation will never be lew enough, to satisfy a Populist. When a Populist Is satisfied, he ceases to be a Populist. The nomination of Judge Yates for Governor of Illinois by the Peoria con vention Is a square-toed defeat for the Republican machine, which is run by Governor Tanner and Congressman Lorlmer. The Tanner candidate was Judge HaneW, of Chicago, who carried the Cook County primaries against Judge Carter last week, and whoso friends then loudly claimed that he would be chosen on the first ballot. There were four candidates for Gover nor Hanecy, Carter, Reeves and Yates and the ttiree latter combined to con trol the convention, and succeeded by a narrow majority in putting Controller Dawes in as temporary chairman. The combination had the active support of Senator Cullom, who is opposed by Governor Tanner, himself a candidate for the Senatorshlp. Yates Is a lawyer of reputation, a speaker of ability, and: a son of Richard Yates, one of the fa mous Governors of Illinois. Regrets over Tanner's defeat will be confined to his own Immediate personal and politi cal circle. If Scott Brooke Is elected Treasurer, he will not seek to divide his time be tween his private interests, his bank ing Interests and the county's Interests. The County Treasurershlp should not be regarded as a lucrative makeshift, a "graft" for the cashier of any bank ing institution, to which he gives small personal attention. Mr. Hoyt has been County Treasurer for four years. He has retained his important position in a local National bank all that time, and actively discharged its manifold duties. It Is time that he was released from the responsibilities of public office, and that a Treasurer be selected who will devote his whole time to the county's affairs. , . I The pension law which provides that widows of soldiers having no means of support except manual labor may re ceive $8 a month. Is all right, provided these widows were the wives of soldiers while the latter were in the service. To the extent, however, that It places upon the pension rolls the names of women who were married to men who were at the time ex-soldiers, or who themselves perhaps were born after the close of the Civil War, It Is a fraud upon the taxpaying public and a dis honor to the pension idea. A very appropriate gift to the peo ple of Alaska was that of Francis L. Loring of a bust of Hon. William H. Seward. The part of Mr. Seward In the acquisition of Alaska Is one of the acts that will cause him to be remembered as a sagacious, far-seeing statesman of the expansionist order. The bust is to be placed In the rotunda of the state house at Sitka as a testimonial to his part in adding, for a trifling considera tion, a mighty region of vast resources to the domain of the United States. Just a hint Is given of one of the features of Government ownership of railroads in the threat of the letter-carriers to defeat for re-election members of Congress who did not vote to suit them on the postal bill. If a few let-ter-carrlers feel strong enough to in timidate members of Congress, what might not a million railway employes accomplish? Ten or more Democratic State Con ventions have been held, and have In every instance Instructed for Bryan. But, strangely enough, not all have specifically declared for free coinage of sliver. The Democracy of the East finds it necessary to be effusively en thusiastic for Bryan, but it reserves the right to be mighty .cool towards Bryanlsm. The work of filling up the broken ranks and inducing new candidates to come forward goes merrily on. If there are not too many casualties, the Demo-Popo-Cltlzens ticket may yet present a solid front by election day. The troubles a platform makes ought to be an Instructive lesson to Demo crats. The "Citizens" Legislative nom inees were Infinitely wiser. They are bothered by neither platform, pledges nor principles. Limits on. Inflation. New York Evening Post. Some of the facts disclosed by the Treasury's monthly bank-note statement will surprise people not familiar with tho history of the system. The Inference rather commonly drawn, when the act of March 14 passed Into law, was that new National banks, springing up through out the country, would at once expand the bank-note currency to huge dimen sions. No sign of such a process is visi ble. In March only $26,000 circulation was issued to new banks; but March was too early for a test. Now comes the April statement, showing the very mod erate addition to the currency, on this account, of $173,000. In other words, the $23,500,030 added to bank currency dur ing April came almost wholly from the demand of existing National banks, which the law permitted to Increase their cir culation Id per cent on security of bonds already pledged. But to this process of expansion there Is a necessary limit. By no means all of the older banks are tak ing advantage of the 10 per cent pro vision. The Controller's statements show that in March $3,445,000 notes were can celed by banks reducing circulation, and In April $3.SS3,G0O. No doubt, when demand by older banks for the extra 10 per cent In circulation slackens, and the Controll er's office Is able to overtake Its accu mulated business, note Lssues to new banks will be more general. But It Is highly probable that. If such new Issues were -to grow really large, retirement of notes In the greater cities would be accelerated. CASE OF DR. ANDREWS. Unfortunate-, Apparently, 1b Always Being: la a Row. Chicago Tribune. E. Benjamin Andrews- has virtually sev ered his connection with the public schools of Chicago, his resignation having been accepted by the Board of Education. His term does not expire until the close of the school year, but the board generously gives him a vacation with full pay until that time. Pending his entering upon his duties as Chancellor of the. University of Nebraska next Fall. It Is understood he will spend a part of the time In travel for the benefit of his 'health. Notwith standing Dr. Andrews has antagonized many members of the board, and kept tho school business in a stirred up con dition ever slnco he has been here, the good wishes of the board and the public will accompany him to his new position, which he will undoubtedy find much more agreeablo than trying to run a school sys tem independent of the School Board on the one hand and City Hall politics on the other. Without casting any slurs upon Dr. An drews abilities as an educator. It unques tionably Is for the best that he has de cided to leave best for himself and best for the interests of the schools. Dr. An drews came here straight from tho Presi dency of an important collegiate Institu tion, where he had had great personal power and where his schemes for tho educational advancement of the college were not called Into question until he had championed a visionary theory, not Immediately related to tho curriculum, but which. If It had ever been adopted, would have been ruinous to the financial prospects of the college as well as of the country. Dr. Andrews came to Chicago and accepted tho Superlntendency of schools with the Idea that he would have the same powers which he had exercised In the collegiate Presidency. Ho assert ed them at once and at once met with re sistance, and from that time to this ha has been In almost constant conflict with tho President of the board and the ma jority of Its members, as well as with some of the District superintendents, the ablest one in the list resigning her po sition rather than submit to a scheme of government which made her only a figurehead. This continuous antagonism between the superintendent and the board has already unfavorably affected the schools, and If It had been continued through another school year might have worked positive Injury. . Unquestionably Dr. Andrews has many excellent Ideas In the science of pedagogy and he has laid down a code of rules for school government many of which aro practical and businesslike, but he made his fatal mistake In assuming that he was at the helm and that any one man can run the. schools ofNShlcago. and In persisting In that assumption even after he was convinced of Its futility. Tho Ne braska offer Is a relief to both sides un doubtedly, and the doctor will leave be hind him a distinctly friendly feeling, for even his bitterest opponents In the board have been conciliated of late, and ho un doubtedly would have been re-elected. It Is impossible for the leopard to change his spots, however. The old conflict would havs been renewed sooner or later, for the doctor Is not a man who would con sent to remain a mere figurehead. It should not be a difficult task to fill his place. So lone as the board Is or ganized In its present improper and un wleldly rtyle and Is dominated by politics It Is useless to expect that It will consent to have a superintendent in the literal sens of the word. All that It proposes to have Is a clerk, and It will reserve to Itself the absolute right of initiative and of final decision In all matters pertaining to education, unfitted as it may be to ex orcise such powers. But so long as tho board remains as It Is a hing of pulls, politics and patronage It Is a matter of lltOe consequence who Is superintendent. If he only has clerical fitness for the po sition. Bay tiie Danish Islands. St. Paul Pioneer Press. But the matter of strategic advantage Is not the only consideration. Tbe ac quisition by Germany or any other power of a foot of West Indian soil would be In direct contravention not only of the letter of the Monroe doctrine, but of its spirit and purpose. Yet with Denmark anxious to rid herself of the Islands and demanding for them, only a few million dollars, this country cannot with dignity refuse to take them herself and oppose their sale to Germany. Such a dog-ln-the-manger policy would receive little moral support. Whether Germany wanted the Islands or not, they would In themselves be worth much" to this country. With Germany after them and the necesslty'of supporting the Monroe doctrine confront ing us, there should be no haggling over the price. For If delay In closing the bargain means that the doctrine has to be asserted against Germany, and the assertion backed by a show of force, the consequent strain upon the relations of the two countries would be costly. If by promptness in accepting Denmark's terms so disagreeable a necessity can be avoided, promptness, even at the cost of a mil lion or two more, Is desirable. Nor under any circumstances can the United States permit any territory In the Carrlbbean. and particularly the Danish Islands, to pass Into the hands of a European na tion. Russian Sect That Honors Jadas. London Globe. In his latest report to the Czar, the Procurator of the Holy Synod tells of a new sect discovered in the Government of Yakutsk. Eastern Siberia, and originated b'y a peasant, Flllp Likhacheff, who waa exiled to this remote region from tho Ufimskaya Government for belonging to the sect of the Skopetzl. The Anglo-Rus-. slan says that the doctrines of the new sect and explains In a MSS. headed, "My Profession," and Its chief points are: (1) The first real disciple of Christ was Judas, for he repented of his sin and hanged himself. The same method of death Is recommended to the members of the sect who wish to part from this sinful life. (2) Reverence Is due only to God, that show to any man Is Idolatry. (3) Man being sinful In his very nature, and Inclined to Induce others to sin, he must not have any authority over his fellow-man. (4) Henco no obedience must be shown to any secular or ecclesiastical authority. (5) The powers that be are from the devil, officials of the state, as well as priests of the church. (6) Property Is a sin, as the result of the greed, like wise family ties as the result of the lust of the flesh. Likhacheff, on being arrested, openly ac knowledged himself to be the author of '"My Profession." The heresy was spread ing among worklngmen, especially among "Skoptzls" exiled to Siberia from Euro pean Russia. The Sultan's Method. New York Commercial Advertiser. The Sultan Is the cleverest bankrupt In the world. He has solved the prooiera of living without paying his debts mare suc cessfully than any chevalier d'Industne ot fiction or tradition. His answer .o our demand for the Armenian Indemnity Is artistic He will settle our clalms'ou the same basis as those of the other powers. "What could seem fairer? But he .ina not paid the other powers, and does not mear to pay them. They dare noc press hm violently for fear of political coropli cit'cns among themselves. We nai no such fear, and might shove warsnlp3 un der his nose with a mind at ease. But how can we do this, he reflects, no doubt, wher be has promised to do as much for us as he will do for any power, even his old ally England; his lute protector. Uus tla. or bis new friend, the Germar. em peror? He will thlnK us very unreason able if we are not satisfied. GOSSIP OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 1 WASHINGTON, May 9. The Secretary of War and the Chief of Engineers to day recommended to Congress that an ap propriation of $2,971,300 be made immedi ately for providing a 25-foot channel from Portland to the sea. This recommendation was based upon the report of Captain W; C Langfltt. the local engineer, who has just completed an examination of the Lower Willamette and Columbia, In ac cordance with the provision In the last river and harbor bill. The contemplated project. In brief. Is to concentrate the waters of these rivers as much as pos sible, and by constructing successive regu lating dikes and revetments, throw the water into the main channel and pre vent Its spreading over large areas, marshes and lagoons. When confined to one course. It is thought the very force of the water will tend to maintain the 23-foot depth. It has been determined to procure a channel practically 300 feet wide from Portland to tho sea. In order to pre vent groundings and to accommodate the commerce that Is expected on the Colum bia In the near future, and, moreover, a channel of this width 13 really necessary to accommodate the long vessels In the many twists and turns of the river." The estimate seems large, but compared with sums expended for other large rivers of the same length, is moderate. "Thechannel demanded," says the report, "Is a large one as a river Improvement. but being Intended for deep-sea ships. It must be suitable to accommodate them, and, compared to the cost of grounding .and successive blockings of the channel. is a moderate sum. The Columbia River 13 certainly tho natural outlet for the large section drained by It, and Portland is the natural shipping-point reached both by water .and rail. This Improvement should be undertaken as soon as possible, if It is undertaken at all, as delay will certainly make the cost higher and the work more difficult." Colonel Mansfield, the department engi neer, favors reducing the width of the river, where it is excessive, partially clos ing the outlet, concentrating the currents, forcing large bodies of water through the channel, and systematic dredging. He, with General Wilson, considers the river worthy of Immediate Improvement by the General Government, and says the esti mates submitted are very conservative and within reason. Although an Imme diate improvement is recommended. It will not be possible to secure anything at this session, but the Oregon delegation will concentrate their combined efforts to se curing this appropriation along with an appropriation for tho mouth of the Co lumbia, at the next session. The Troops in Alaska. Although the work of establishing the new military Department of Alaska has Just begun, thousands of dollars nave al ready been expended In the work, and the extensive preparations now being made contemplate a much larger outlay. Five companies of militia have been or dered to tho new department, a part of them having already sailed for Valdes. The remainder, with General Randall, m command of the department, are expected to leave about the middle of June. The Quartermaster's and Commissary depart ments havo been busy for some time making arrangements properly to clothe, quarter and feed the troops that will make up the Department of Alaska. One of the Important questions that has been considered Is the securing of suitable and adequate quarters for the troops. New buildings are to be construct ed at St. Michael, Valdes and Cape Nome. At the, old stations at Fort Egbert, Eagle and Fort Gibbon, quarters have been con structed by the troops who went up un der the command of Major Ray. It Is expected that about 0 buildings in all will be erected thl3 Summer, and most of them will be made of lumber shipped from tho States. The officers are to have frame buildings sheathed and papered, with adequate protection against the cold, with double floors and windows. The quarters for the men will also be built In a manner sure to afford ample protec tion against the rigid Winters. One of the precautionary measures that will be taken to ward off the cold will be a thin covering of asbestos board, which Is to line the Inside of the rooms. This is a fire-proof wood that acts as a preventive of fire from the inside. Dur ing the Summer the troops going to Alas ka will be quartered m tents until their Winter quarters are completed, they, of course, doing much of the work of con struction. The material for these quart ers Is estimated to cost about $140,000, while the total cost will be nearer $250,00"). Equipment and. Supplies. Some attention has been given to the horses that will be sent to Alaska. Nearly 100 horses and mules will accompany the troops, together with an equipment of wagons, and enough forage Is to be eent along to last for two years, together with a bountiful supply ot veterinary, medi cines, harness and equipments. Coal will also be shipped, to the posts, to be used as Winter fuel Instead of wood. Clothing enough to laet 15 months will go up when the department Is established, which, along with other similar supplies, will make quite a corsignment. Among the supplies to go are 3000 blankets, low Iron bedsteads, 6000 pairs of shoes, 12,000 cotton and 6000 woolen sockr, 5000 woolen suits of underwear, 1C00 mattresses, 2C0D southwester hats, the same number of oll-skln coats, trousers, moccasins, sweat ers and other articles that will come in .handy in time of need. Six regular steamers are to be put on the service for carrying all these sup plies to Alaska, and it is expected that this line will be kept busy for some little time. The Rosecrans has already been put on, and the old hospital ship Missouri is to be converted into a freighter for the Alaskan service. The Lawton, Athenian and Seward have also been added to the list, and It Is quite probable that other and smaller vesselo or launches may be pressed Into the service before the season gets well under, way. Effect of Marrlnpre on a Xcwspaper. Chicago Tribune. If a country editor marries, does that make him get out a better newspaper? The editor of the Leader, published at Larchwood. la., thinks so. In taking his readers into his confidence on the eve ot his marriage, he tells them that It will be for their benefit. "To the writer," he says, "the assuming of the marriage vows seems to be an Incentive to greater ambi tion, for greater deeds and nobler achievements, furnishing the noblest pur pose for living and working, and a bet ter and more fixed purpose In life." Hence ho declares: "We believe that the step wo havo taken will benefit not only our selves, but our patrons and our friends as well. For If we have before had reason to tako pride In our chosen work, those reasons aro now multiplied tenfold." It will be interesting to note whether this belief on the editor's part is justified. Other country editors who are contem plating matrimony will do well to get a copy of tbe Leader before and after mar riage and watch its- course. It must be admitted that the editor will have to work hard. It Is sometimes hard enough for the editor of a country newspaper to earn a living for one person, and he must work nearly twice as hard to earn a living for two. The amount of vegetables required to pay a subscription must either be doubled, or the number ot subscribers must be doubled. As to advertising, bachelor country editors often receive ar ticles, such as sewing machines, In ex change for their space that are not of great use to them. One editor In Illinois reported some months ago that he had agreed to accept a bicycle In exchange for advertising, and that, to his disgust, the manufacturer had sent him a "drop frame." The editor of the Larchwood Leader would not be embarrassed here after if he received a "drbpframe" bicycle. NOTE AND, COMMENT. " . A good many political contractors are now eager to bid on the Republican plat form. Bogus counts are likely to be found In a good many mushroom towns this Sum mer. What right has a wheelman who has not paid his biycle tax to run down and malm anybody, even a little child? The police ot New York ought to sua the management of "Sapho" for about $100,000 worth of advertising. Whatever else may be said ot Bryan, no one can accuse him. of trying to-be a can didate for the "Vice-Presidency. Agulnaldo Is about the only man who was not delighted with the obituary no tices that were written about him. Tou may scold, yoa may censure, A man it you will. But his views on a question Will stay with him still. Corbett and Jeffries ought to know bet ter than to fight on such an unlucky day as Friday. One of them is sure to get licked. Bryan says he Is going to keep silence for two months, but Democrats are al ways promising things It Is Impossible for them to perform. It Is -not definitely known what psalm President Kruger Is consoling himself with now, but the favorite evening hymn oi the Boer army Is: "One Day Nearer Home." At a recent wedding In New York, tha cake was 22 years old. In early days tha brides -used to be able to make their own cakes. Now It seems they have to get them In boarding-houses. Tho present Governor of Indiana is farmer. The man whom the Republicans have just nominated to fill the office dur ing the next term William T. Durbin is a business man and banker of large, wealth and Interests In the gas belt ot the state and the Indiana member of the Republican National Committee. A peculiar question was brought up yesterday at the registration office, name ly, the validity of an oath sworn with the hat on. In court a man must remove his hat before taking an oath, but in the registration office where the work is done sc quickly, this Is not required. Judge Bellinger said the oath Is valid, not only If the man has his hat on, but also if he does not raise his hand, or If he even does not say "ye" to the oath, but simply gives assent with a nod of the head. "Though you may not have guessed it, I'm very much It; The Democrats can't hold a candle to me; I've run Independent, and made a bis hit. And now I have got them afraid of me, seeT They said to me, Storey, you don't cut much Ice; , We think we can do very well without you'; I didn't say much, but I thought once or twice. For I am a fellow who knows what to do. "I've talked to the worklngmen all over town. Told 'em the things I would do for their good; Told 'em how heavily I got throwed down; Asked 'em to vote for me; all said they would. , Wells isn't In the game, not for a day. All of the Democrat gang's on the run. Everything's coming like blazes my way; , No work about It, It's only Just fun. "Elected? Tou bet! X will get there hands down. Xcbod lives who dares vote against me; I'll get every vote In all parts of the town. Don't believe It.' you cay; well, you Just watt and see. My name Is Storey; I'm Mayor of this place. And that's what I know Til continue to bo; I had the thing won when I went la the race; They can't beat the boss of the bunch, which Is Me." These cold-blooded' sidewalk scorchers, with their devastating wheels. Who keep on destroying- people, heedlnz not their loud appeals. Who are building- up the death rate In a most alarming- style. While the surgeons all aro busy, and tho un dertakers smile. They should all bo herded on the street, and herded there to stay. And taught to know what law Is after next election day. Cents who have the pleasing habit of Imbibing too much booze. Who their self-control and balance are Inclined each day to lose. Who hurrah for Dewey loudly when they bap pen In a church, And request the praying parson to come off his lofty perch. They should be abated sternly and should Jail ward wend their way, Thcro to learn to mend their manners after next election day. These disgraceful painted banners that are hung across the street. Scttlne forth the many virtues of somo fancy place to eat. Which tbe Winter winds have tattered till they hang In ragged shreds. Flapping: gently, like Spring: zephyrs, on tho passing people's heads; All of these should be abolished, and should ba torn down to 'stay. And no more should bo -permitted after next election day. All the sad-eyed, weary Willies, who hold uj . the passer-by. And relate their hard-luck stories, that wouli make a statuo cry, AH the damsels who array them In the cos tumes known as tights. And who trip the light fantastic In the danc halls Summer nights; All of these, and other evils which are prone to be too gay. Should be sternly punished that Is, after next election day. PLEASANTRIES OF PARAGRAEHERS "How do you. know he is a labor leader?" "Well, I-saw a union card In his possession. That shows he's a union man. doesn't It?' "Tes." "And I happen to know he never works. That proves him to be a leader." Chicago Evening Post. Evil Communications. Alice I do wish Ed gar wouldn't associate with doctors. Mamma Why, daughter? Alice Oh, some doctor he knows has told him where his appendix is; and now be thinks he's got a pain In It. Llfo. Would Lack Some Conveniences. I'm deuced glad " Thus cautiously observed an English officer as he withdrew his men under cover of night, from an untenable kopje, "that these confounded Boers haven't got a territory that the sun never sets on." Puck. In Old Kentucky. Coroners-Why are you so posltlvo that deceased was accidentally killed? Perhaps It was a case of suicide. Colonel Bourbon Touh seem to fohget. sah, that a quaht bottle full of liquor full, I repeat, sab was found In bis overcoat pocket, sah. Chi cago News. "Gee whiz!" exclaimed tbe pirate chief; "that's what I get for leaving oft my chest protector." "What's the matter?" asked bis lieutenant; "you don't seem to have a cold or anything:." "Cold? No! Tve been robbed. I gorgot to put the padlock on my strong-box." Philadelphia Record. They Used Him. "Spare me!" cried the cap tive, "and I will be your slave for life. I am a cook by trade, and I can make any dish you desire." "Well." replied the Cannibal King, "you do look as If you would make a good hash. I think we can use you." This reply, belnff somewhat ambiguous, left the captive In doubt, but, alas! not for long. Philadelphia Press. Is This Possible? Tabsley What would you do If you bad a million dollars a year? Mudga The assessor, of course. From the foregoing the casual reader may learn that in America, where even the lowest has a chance to rise, the great middle class is fully alive to and able to assume the plain duties Inherent in th possession of wealth. Indianapolis Journal.