THE MOKXIXG OKEGOSIAS, THUKSDAY, DECEMKEK 13, 1900.
&hz rsaonxotw
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TODAY'S WEATHER. Occasional rain, with
brlk to high southerl winds.
PORTLAND, THURSDAY, DEC. IS.
The fact that the management of
three transcontinental railroads have
had under consideration the Importance
of developing near-by coal for the Co
lumbia River should serve to arouse
more local interest than has yet been
manifested over this most essential ele
ment in Portland's supremacy. The
open river is the making of the port,
but cheap coal will also be the making
of the port. While it is not absolutely
essential that this cheap coal be mined
in the neighborhood of Portland, it
would be far better so than otherwise.
New York, for example, has cheap coal,
brought in from a distance as an ad
junct of its imperial commerce; and In
time coal could be brought here from
Puget Sqund, from Coos Bay, from
Alaska or the Aleutian Islands, In ves
sels that could lay it down here cheaply
if they were sure of profitable return
cargoes. We might get coal cheaply
from Neha'em Bay by water, but it
would be far better to have it come
from the mine directly to Portland by
a railroad built for the purpose. If this
Lower Nehalem coal is the kind we
need, a railroad should by all means be
built to it from Portland; and if no rail
road company now in existence will un
dertake it, then Portland must form a
contpany for that specific purpose and
bmlcLihe road Itself.
Everything so far points to Port-J
land's supremacy in the Pacific North
west except this problem of cheapcoal.
Dear coal handicaps our railroads,
holds back manufactures and exerts no
inconsiderable influence in sending both
commercial steamships and Govern
ment transports to Puget Sound. A
railroad to the jKohalem fields has im
portant strategic significance for Port
land, also, because it would Intensify
Portland's favorable situation. We are
situated a good deal like New York.
For the Hudson River read the Colum
bia; for Jersey and Pennsylvania read
the Willamette "Valley; for Long Island
read the peninsula abreast of Portland:
for Connecticut and Rhode Island read
the Northern Pacific's territory in
Southwestern Washington. Portland Is
the center of com erglhg lines similar to
New York's converging lines. To ac
centuate thi6 stiat,egic advantage, build
railroads to the Nehalem and bring
Clark, Skamania, Klickitat and Yakima
Counties into closer connection through
railroad extension and a bridge across
the Columbia at Vancouver. Once the
Northern Pacific comes into Portland
over a bridge at Vancouver, via either
Yakima or Kalamu, and the coal and
timber of Columbia, Clatsop and. Tilla
mook Counties have direct railroad con- J
nectlon with Jfortland, trade routes will
be established which nothing can di
vert The Oregonlam is going to inves
tigate this coal problem, and hopes to
collect data on the subject which will
be of concern and value to our citi
zens. Then it will expect co-operation
from the business Interests. The same
spirit that ghes us the Oriental Fair
can give us cheap coal over our own.
railroads into Portland.
"Unless -ve hah other evidence to go
by, Senator Clay, of Georgia, would be
accounted, from Ms speech 1n opposi
tion to the ship subsidy bill, a states
man. Hls-argunent betrays a masterly j
skill at dissection of the bill's, weak
points, and breathes a spirit of high
civic ideals. He shows that this iniqui
tous measure proposes to take $9,80,WM)
from the Treasury and give it to men
already maklrig fortunes In shipbuild
ing and shtpowning. The subsidy goes
1 1 the fast liners, not to the siow craft
that earn the products of our farms
and fields The hypocrisy of the pre
tense that its object is to build up the
shipbuilding industry. Senator Clay
shows up with telling effect; and his
examination of the amendments lately
made stamps the whole scheme as es
sentially and solelj one to confer super
fluous largesse on shrewd but unde
sening claimants. All this would
stamp Senator Clay as a man of dis
cernment and public spirit, if It were
not for one thing:. He advocates free
coinage of sliver for the destruction of
all business and the robbery of all cred
itors, be opposes repression of riots by
f.iree, and he proposes to maintain our
lights In the international struggle for
trade by "a high and honorable exam
j'le." Senator Clay, therefore, despite
his assumption of sense and sincerity,
is either a fool or a knave.
One of the blots on the Republican
record this session is the tender solici
tude for the brewers, and the evident
desire to accede to their prayers for
surcease of taxpaying. The tax has
been opt dowr. from St a barrel to $1 6.
It Is dUScuit to me what testifies this
reduction, unless" It "'IS" tHfc desire toi
please the liquor vote. This donation to
them will amount to flO.QOO.QOO. Most
of them. It Is said SO per cent, are Eng
lishmen, and most of them are In a
trust. The reduction will not relieve
the people of any burden, for this is
one of the taxes It has been found Im
possible to shift to the consumer. It is
evident tbat in reducing the tax on beer
the Republicans have laid themselves
open to effective assault by the Demo
crats, who might be expected to attack
them on their weak point. "Well, how
have they embraced this opportunity
these noble followers of Jefferson and
Lincoln, these shrewd and far-seeing
politicians who are always right though
the people stubbornly persist In being
wrqng? "Well, they formed their lines
for assault In the House ways and
means committee, and Richardson,
Democratic leader, Kansas City chair
man and sole proprietor of "Messages
of the Presidents" (printed at public
expense), rounded up the Democrats for
a first and staggering test vote ori the
amendment which he offered reducing
the tax on beer from 52 to $1 a barrel!
What use is it for the Republicans to
make a mistake if the Democrats only
propose to carry it farther?
CAXAL AXD TREATY.
The fehrewd and sleepless opponents
of the Nicaragua Canal flit quickly
from one device to another. Their lat
est ruse is to defeat it by Insisting on
fortifying it. The cloven hoof appears
In the i Teller resolution and the an
nouncement hy Penrose that he will
not support the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
unless the Teller amendment is agreed
to. There is doubt as to whether the
so-called Davis amendment would In
sure the rejection of the treaty by Great
Britain; but ns to that certain out
come of the Teller amendment there Is
no doubt whatever. Therefore the op
ponents of the canal, most of whom
pose as Its friends, are attracted to
the Teller amendment The foreign
relations committee of the Senate,
which brought in the so-called Davis
amendment, is certain that that amend
ment does not authorize fortifications,
and that it would be acceptable to
Great Britain. So long as the railroads
thought the Davis amendment would
insure fortifications and defeat the ca
nal, they favored it. Now they think
perhaps the committee is right, and
they fear that nothing less than the
Teller amendment will suffice. The Da
vis amendment, it seemed to The Ore
gonlan at the time of Its introduction
and still seems, is an endeavor to rec
tify the Hay-Pauncefote treaty by In
cluding a portion of the Suez Canal
agreement (which served as the pattern
for this treaty) left out by HaS" and
Pauncefote. Here are the Nicaragua
copy and the Suez original:
DAVIS AMEND
ARTICLE 10, SUEZ
TREATY.
Likewise, the provis
ions of articles, -t, 5.
7 and b shall not forbid
the measures that his
majesty, the Sultan,
and his highness, the
KhedUo. In the name
MENT.
Insert at the end ail
section 5. article II,
the follow ins "It is
agreed, however, that
none of the immedl
ately foregoing .rondl
lions and stipulation
In sections numbered
of his imperial majesty
1, 2. 3, 4 and 3 of thlBjand -within the lltnlta
artlcle shall apply tojtlons of the firmans
measures which the) granted, shall be un
united States may flndi de the necessity joZ
It necessary to take! taking to assure, by
for securing, by itsi their own forces, the
own force, the de- defense of Egypt and
fenso of the Unltedl the m a In tenance of
States and the maln-J public order,
tenance of public or-1
der. I
Does this, as It stands, mean fortifi
cations? Senator Teller, evidently, does
pot think so, for he is going to press.
his resolution striking out tfte pronim-
tlon against lortiflcations, contained
elsewhere in the treaty. The deplora
ble thing about the whole affair Is the
determination of certain Senators to
force the can3l .proposition throughJln
such shape as to makeilts success im
possible because in contravention of
Great Britain's treaty rights. The Clay-ton-Bulwer
treaty has never been for
mally abrogated, and Great Britain's
rights in the matter have been perpetu
ated in the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
They are not to be cavalierly set aside
without grave discourtesy to a friendly
power. Besides, the contention for for
tifications is Inadvisable both from a
diplomatic and a practical point of
view. The only object In insisting upon
them is to serve the railroads or earn
a little cheap notoriety for Anglopho
bia.
WE.llU.NG OVT ITS "WELCOME.
The defeat of the Socialist party in
tnc .mayoralty election in naverniu,
Mass., on the 4th Inst by the Republi
can nominee, is a significant sign that
socialism is wearing out Its welcome in
New England. At the December muni
cipal elections of 1898 and 1839 John G.
Chase was chosen Mayor by what is
known as "the Social Democratic I
party," but on the 4th Inst Mayor
Chase, running for the third time, was
beaten, getting 2S74 votes to 3951 for
the successful Republican candidate.
This Is the most recent object-lesson of
municipal ownership and "co-operative
socialism" In city government In New
England. Further proof that there Is
a decline of socialistic Ideas is found
In the disappearance of the "Jones"
vote In Ohlp. In 1S39 Mayor Jones, of
Toledo, polled 106,721 votes as a Social
ist' candidate for Governor. The Demo
crats hoped to absorb this vote and
carry Ohic for Bryan, but the "Jones"
vote failed to materialize for Bryan at
the Presidential election; the Republi
can vote Increased, while the Demo
cratic vote fell off.
Modern socialism Is born out of dis
content urged in a spirit of selfish class
hate, envy, malignity and rascality.
There js ao touch of justice, philan
thropy or equity In the letter or" spirit
of their schemes. There is no sanity,
saving common sense in them, and
there Is not the faintest reflection of
the golden rule. Modern socialism is a
theory without brains, sanity, practi
cality ot Christian equity. Its philoso
phy Is as false and as vicious In Its ef
fects as It was In the days of the
decline of the Roman Empire, 'when uie
metropolitan population had learned to
expect to feed like oxen at the public
crib. Gibbon recounts how the lazy
plebelans were given a dally allow
ance of bread, either as a gift or at a
very low price. Ovens were construct
ed and maintained at the public ex
pense, Pt both Constantinople and at
Rome. In both capitals of the Empire
the frequent and regular distribution of
wine and oil. of corn and bread, of
money and provisions, had almost ex
empted the poorer citizens from the
necessity of labor.
Every really strong brain of this cen
tury, whether of the blood and Iron
quality, which distinguishes the class
to which Napoleon and Bismarck be
longed, or of the Cayour or Kossuth
quality, has despised all this state so
cialism as nothing but the s'tale,
threshed-out straw of old and Inferior
civilization. Nobody could suspect
Kossuth of the slightest sympathy with
despotism, and yet he repudiated not
only nihilism and anarchy, saying "We
might as well try to remedy a tooth
ache" with "a dose of dynamite," but he
had no faith Jn socialism. He declared
that when it was practically tested "the
real tendencies of the system will then
reveal themselves in a manner not apt
to be forgotten by the next few genera
tions, of Utopia-hunters." Victor Hugo,
like Kossuth, all his life a radical re
publican, and a sympathizer with the
people, denounced the national work
shops established by the provisional
government of the French Republic, of
184S as a fatal experiment "The
wealthy Idler we already know," said
Victor Hugo In the National Assembly;
"you iave created a person a hundred
times more dangerous both to himself
and others the pauper Idler.
IIAZIXG AT WEST POINT.
The House on Tuesday passed a reso
lution providing for an Investigation by
a committee ox nve memoers into me
truth of the newspaper charge that
'Oscar L. Bqoz, of Bristol, Pa., formerly
a West. Point cadet, died at his home
from Injuries, the result of hazing, In
flicted upon him by certain cadets of
the Military Academy. The only justi
fication for the passage of this res
olution Is that nothing short of It
would vindicate the Military Academy
and its cadets from the gross Injustice
of the original charge that Was lugged
Into the House by Congressmen Driggs
and Wanger. Colqnel Mills, the Super
intendent at West Point, has always
been merciless in his opposition to haz
ing of new reciuits to the corps, hold
ing that such practices are demoraliz
ing -and unnecessary for the education
of good soldiers. Dismissal Is the only
penalty for offenders, and several ex
amples have been made under Colonel
Mills. Colonel Mills. In this particular
case, denies that the late Cadet Booz
was hazed at the academy. There was
no medical evidence of mistreatment;
he resigned because of weak eyes and
a poor record in his studies. He left
the acadamy n 1S9S and died of tuber
culosis, a disease that Is constitutional
and hereditary, and Is not artificially
produced by slugging or the Involun
tary administration of tobasco sauce.
It is easy to understand in this par
ticular case that the deceased cadet
dropped out of West Point because he
was not mentally or physically equal
to the exactions of the course. His
weak sight and poor standing In his
class explain his resignation. This fee
ble youth going into a decline and dy
ing two years after his departure from
West Point of tuberculosis, the old
women of both sexes Immediately begin
to wonder whether his life was not
shortened by the slugging and tobasco
sauce he pretended to have received at
West Point Then the enterprising edi
tor of the village wee'kly newspaper
prints- this dreadful rumor; the daily
papers copy it, and then a pair of cheap
Congressmen see a chance to become
conspicuous, and Anally an absurd res
olution, for an Investigation Is ordered,
despite the fact that Colonel Mills' re
port of denial was already before the
House and a military commission, in
cluding Major-General Brooke, had al
ready been ordered to make further in
vestigation and fully report concerning
the matter of hazing at West Point
In this particular Instance we have
no doubt that West Point suffers un
just odium, but there has been so much
racket made over the matter that It Is
perhaps just as well that the whole
subject of hazing at West Point should
be probed to the bottom by the Army
board appointed by the Secretary of
War and by the special committee of
Congress. The New York Evening
Post and the New York Sun both seem
to be of the opinion that brutal and
often Inhuman practices have been re
sorted to at West Point in past years
In the hazing of "plebes." Of course,
this may be true in Isolated cases, but
we do not believe that brutality or cow
ardly oppression of a cadet has been
the rule at West Point because there
Is a public opinion among the cadets
that would prevent it, according to the
testimony of Congressman Clayton,
who graduated 'from West Point In
1SS6. The worst cases ot hazing that
have ever been reported were perpe
trated not at West Point "but at non
military schools, like Princeton Univer
sity, and there is a reason for this, viz.,
at a military school there is a high
standard of what should constitute an
officer and a gentleman, and under this
standard it is difficult to believe that
the public opinion of West Point today
favors acts of brutality or cowardioe.
Twenty years ago in many of our
non-military colleges, acts of great and
shameful brutality were committed,
whose practice created a tyrannical
public opinion in favor of such lawless
ness, so that frequently boys, individ
ually of generous and manly natures,
caught the contagion, just as good sol
diers take panic by touch of the elbow,
and became Involved In transactions
that In their better maturity they deep
ly regretted. A single man was often
overpowered by sheer force of num
bers and compelled to submit to what
ever disgusting ordeal his tormenters
chose to dictate. The moral effect of
such "hazing," whether you were the
lamb or the butcher, was very mean
in its influence, and there was always
a loss of real manhood Involved In aid
ing such abuse?. This kind of "hazing"
has been stamped out in nearly all our
non-mllltary colleges, and we believe U
has been substantially suppressed at
West Point
The line is drawn between fair play
and brutal persecution in the schools of
England, but not in those of France, as
we learn from the description in
"Trilby" of the rescue of- "Little Billee"
from the cowardly mob of French art
students. Fair play Is generally re
spected In American schools. Of course
a military school is no place for a
boy who will not fight with fists and
heels for .his own hand, even when his
antagonist has the better of him In age,
strength ana skill. Boys ought not to
become educated bulldogs, but every
boy has to learn to take his own part
with courage and vigor when subjected
to Insult Byron and Keats were both,
ready to fight for their rights at school,
and even the shy Hawthorne in middle
life answered a stevedore's insult witli
a knock-down blow.
Agents of the National Department
of Agriculture have within the past
two or three years searched the world
over for grasses and forage plants that
will thrive in the semlrarld districts of
our great Inland Empire. Specimens
have been brought from far lands, some
of which have proved valuable tor the
purpose sought, but after all the grass
best adapted to the conditions that pre
vall for many months qf the year upon
these dry MTnT sandy ranges has been
found at our own doors. This is the
"seaside blue grass," a native ot the
sands of Clatsop Beach, and familiar
to thousands who have in recent years
visited" that locality in the Summer
time. Experiments have proved the
value, both In hardiness and nutrltlye
qualities, o this grass in the semi-arid
districts, where nature is necessarily
depended upon over wide areas to cure
the grasses that she pushes Into luxuri
ant growth in the early Springtime.
It is gratifying to learn that "seaside
blue grass" meets the -requirements
sought adapting Itself readily" to the
soil and climate of Eastern Oregon and
Washington, and when the long, hot,
dry season succeeds the short moist
Spring, "cures itself," so to speak, re
taining In the process "a considerable
portion of Its nutritious qualities."
Publication by the Massachusetts
Board of Health of its records for fif
teen .years past of the status regarding
vaccination on the part of those at
tacked with smallpox is of timely appli
cation. Of the number of vaccinated
persons In the state who contracted the
disease, 7.6 per cent died, while of the
unvaccinated 26 per cent died, or more
than three times as many. Consider
ing the question of vaccination in con
nection with age periods, these Interest
ing facts are brought out: Only one
vaccinated Infant under one year was
attacked with smallpox, and It sur
vived. Twenty-three unvaccinated In
fants under one year were attacked
and 11 of them died, or 47.8 per cent
Among vaccinated persons under 15
years of age there were 35 attacks and
ho deaths. Among unvaccinated per
sons under 15 years of age there were
96 attacks ai.d 18 deaths, or 18.7 per
cent Among vaccinatedadults over 15
"years there were 171 attacks and 16
deaths, or 9 4 per cent. Among unvac
cinated adults over 15 years there were
98 attacks and 27 deaths, or 27.5 per
cent There were 51 children of school
age 5 to 15 attacked, and 26 of them
were unvaccinated. All of the 51 re
covered, this being the age period when
he specific Intensity of life, or power to
resist disease. Is greatest. Of the 209
who were recorded as having beep vac
cinated, 115, or 55 per cent, were vac
cinated in infancy only. Basing the
figures on the experience of other coun
tries, it Is said to be safe to presume
that the 16 deaths of vaccinated adults
occurred among this class exclusively.
The negligence of the Government in
falling to' replace the Columbia River
ilghtshlp with some kind of a craft to
warn ships against getting in too close
in thick weather is almost criminal,,
and that loss of life has not already re
sulted through the absence of this sen
tinel of the deep Is due more to good
luck than to any foresight of the Gov
ernment Since the lightship was swept
from Its moorings, over a year ago, half
a million tons of shipping have entered
the river, and marine property yalued
at millions has been imperiled by the
lightship's absence. Within the past
thirty days at least three vessels com
ing up from distant parts of the world
have approached too close In thick
weather In search of the lightship, and
parrowly escaped destruction, and it Is
perhaps too much to expect that all of
the big fleet now due or due later will
escape so fortunately. It Is a wise
move to lock the stable door before the
horse is stolen.
Dr. Leyds, it Is- said, indulges the
hope that Queen Wilhelmlna will, alter
her marriage, Intervene In behalf of
Kruger and his scheme to 're-establish
ihe South African Republic on some
thing of Its old basis. The distin
guished gentleman Is either sparring
for wind or seeking some means where
by Oom Paul may be let down easy
and given a chance to go into long
overdue retirement The young Queen's
marriage has about as much bearing
upon the question of the Intervention
of the powers In behalf of Kruger as
has the possible discovery of the north
pole. Doubtless she desires nothing so
much at present as to have the pugna
cious old Boer withdraw from her little
fealm and leave her to inspect her
roussrau In peace.
Anxiety Is relieved. It was feared
that public jobs were unprofitable. But
information has come In" just" the nick
of time to save u from pessimism.
Contrary to all the rules of logic, the
office of Judge of Douglas County
yields fair compensation, and there Is
no end of elbow competition for the
place. Our anxiety about the perpetu
ity of beneficent American institutions
was logical but not reasonable.
Let those bolomen who tooknhe oath
of allegiance to the United States be
come Democrats, and their petition for
citizenship will not merely make them
worthy citizens, but will have Demo
pratic advocates. Omniscience Is not
required' to foresee Democrats in a new
role. Changes fill the cup, of altera
tion with diverse liquors.
It comes to pass that Manchester is
not a member of the Lords because he
is a bankrupt. Wonder if that will
spoil him in Papa Zimmerman's eyes.
Papa would not have a spendthrift
clerk, but he's got to have a spend
thrift son-in-law.
The fact that the Filipinos will not
accept our sacred, inviolate dollars
shows that those people yet are in
need of a grtut deal of beneolent as
similation. It appears from the wholesale head
chopping the Empress is indulging In
that every Chinaman has as many
heads as Hydra.
Towne ought to be the greatest Sen
ator that ever lived. He will not have
to divide his time with the Legislature
at home. ,
Sncrlficlnc the Army.
New York Evening Post
After still further mangling the Army
bill so that it bears but little resem
blance to the poorly drawn measure so
hastily introduced on Monday last, the
House yesterday passed it by a vote of
165 to 133, a number of Democrats voting
in the affirmative. It Is not often that
the Congressional spoilsmen have .uch a
glorious opportunity, apd they made the
most of It by giving thp Army merit sys
tem worse blows than those dealt to the
clvlj service t?y President McKlnley. As
It now stands, volunteers and civilians
can find more than one loophole to get
Into the service for which they may or
may not be fitted, without .examination,
and, as a parting ln&gnlty, tHeage limit
for LJeutenant'Vas removed. Any Inca
pable" volunteer officer pf 50 years or so
with the "requisite' pull' can' now be sure
qf getting a place next to or ahead of the
latest batch of West "Pointers fresh from
four years of careful training, "and, after
a "few years' service can go upon the
retired list 'with a comfortable pension
for life If the House deserves praise
for refusing to appoint General Shatter
a Major-General on the retired list, and
for declining to retire Generals James
H. Wilson and Fitzhugh Lee, little else
can be said to Its credit The infliction
of another highly officered staff corps of
horse doctors and of a department ot
dental surgeons upon the abused Army
establishment would alone condemn the
bill. Such disorganization as this Is the
sole reward meted out to the faithful,
gallant and capable little regular Army
Which fought and won the battle of San
tiago, which bears the brunt of the Phil
ippine struggle, and whose merits were
but yesterday trumpeted so loudly. Fortu
nately, the Senate may yet Insist upon
some measure of decency before the bill
becomes a law.
CAJVTEEX HYPOCRISY.
Cheap Action of the House In Jolly
iue the Women.
Chicago Inter Ocean.
In voting- to abolish the Army canteen
the House of Representatives gave an ex
hibition of social and political hypocrisy
that woud be laughable did Its results
not threaten to Injure the cause of real
temperance. The Washington correspon
dents agree that nine-tenths of those
voting for Mr. Llttlefield's amendment
to the Army bill believe that the "can
teen promotes temperance and should be
retained.
The members of the House simply dis
played that curious cowardice' which
overcomes the average man when a num
ber ot respectable women make a con
certed assault upon his Intelligence. He
may be absolutely convinced that the
women arefwrong, but he is willing to do
almost 'anything for peace. The well
meaning ladles of the Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Union assembled in
Washington and besieged Congress.. To"
placate them and be rid of their clamors
the members of t"he House resorted to
one of those amiable hypocrisies which
nearly all men practice upon women when
the latter force them Into a dilemma
between abstract morality and the teach
ings of common sense. In this case it
was easier to dodge because the House's
decision Is not final and responsibility
could be shifted upon the Senate.
Most of those who voted to abolish the
canteen undoubtedly did so in the belief
that the Senate would strike out the pro
hibitory clause. Then the House, really
In the Interest of true temperance but
nominally on account of the Senate's
obstinacy, will recede from Its position.
For of the utility of the canteen as a
nromoter of temperance there Is abso
lutely no ques'tion. The great majority
of the soldiers desire It and nine-tenths
of the officers indorse it. Even those
who. like General Corbin. opposed its es-
l tablishment have been convinced or us
value b the logic of facts. Every sensi
ble man who has studied the medical and
legal records of the Army or has ob
served life in a military post believes in
the canteen. All rational total abstainers
concede that so long as soldiers will drink
they had better have whotesome beer In a
clean and orderly clubhouse under mili
tary control than bad whisky in dens of
vice outside. Only fanatical prohibition
ists and saloon-keepers whose business
It hurts oppose the canteen.
ALAI1AMA XCGRO SUFFRAGE.
Constitutional Convention to Limit
It necelilnp: Republican Support.
The proposition to eliminate the igno
rant negro vote In Alabama, by means
of a constitutional convention. Is 'viewed
with great satisfaction by many Repub
licans in Alabama, and especially by that
class which Is anxious to see a formid
able white Republican party grow up
in this state, says a Birmingham letter.
They claim that owing to the fact that
Alabama Ms peculiarly an Industrial state,
the protection sentiment is very strong,
and that when the negro ceases to be an
issue, the great Industrial centers will
soon become solidly Republican. The
Ninth Congressional District, in which
Birmingham Is located, and In which
many millions are Invested In various in
dustries they claim will certainly be Re
publican. That there Is something In the claims ot
the Republicans referred to is not dis
puted by well-ported Democrat", some of
whom openly predict that the retirement
of the negro from politics means tremen
dous Republican gains. This very fact
has led many Democrats, especially
among the office-holders to oppose any
revision of the constitution In the past
and It is only due to an overwhelming
public sentiment that a cpnstitutlonnl
convention Is assured. The growth of Re
public tentimeni In this (Jefferson) Coun
ty was strikingly Illustrated in the last
general election, when McKlnlev carried
17 out of the 43 precincts, and tied in
three other.
The present constitutional convention
bill provides for a convention to be held,
beginning on May 21. 1901. There will be
100 delegates from the 66 counties, and 50
from the Congressional and Senatorial
districts, all to be selected by direct pop;
ular vote.
TJIvlrtlnsr tlie Svrasr.
New York Journal of Commerce.
Our Washington correspondent reports
that Senators Frye and Hanna "are en
deavoring to get that (subsidy) measure
intp-a shape satisfactory to the various
interests involved." There never was a
bill In Congress of which this was so
true. The measure is" being constantly
amended to take care of one interest or
andtner. One speed classification was
omitted because the International Navi
gation Company had no ships of that
class: the lowest classification for speed
bounty was lowered to take In Mr. J. J.
Hill's steamers.. One of the bills was
amended tr exclude the Standard Oll
fleet because of the anti-trust cry: the
tankers are 'n the other bill, however.
An amendment in regard to cargo was In
serted to prevent passenger steamers
from getting too much of the subsidy.
This aroendmpnt. however, contained
a piece pf thimble-rigging bv spec
ifying ton.5 of capacity in one
casv and tons of weight In another.
This amendment has been re-amended,
apparrntlv because the freight ship-own-ers
recognised the peculiar phraseology of
the original amendment and saw that
thev would still have little chance In com
Tietit'on with the passenger steamers. The
provision limiting Atlantic shlnplng to 70
per cent of the subsidy was designed to
secure the supror: of Pacific Coast in.
tefests. The Atlantic shipping will be en
titled to only $6,500,000. and the shipping
now In existence or under contract would
claim about 53.000 0G0. There Is not much
room for exoanlon xccDt by reducing
thi rate, and Senator Frye's latest amend
ment limiting the subsidy to foreign-built
vessels contracted for before February 1,
lSJJO. seems to be designed to head off new
applicants whose admission to the sub
sidy might compel a. reduction ot the rate.
This I Fine Sntlre.
Chlcagp Tribune.
Opportunity came along one day. In
tending to knock at the door of one Jones,
but was confronted by this sign:
CANVASSERS NOT ALLOWED
IN THIS BUILDING.
PARCELS MTJST.BE
DELIVERED
IX THE REAR.
Hereupon Opportunity went across the
way and knocked at the ffumble'dwelling
of one'Sm'ith. w"ho came fothe door him
self and let the visitor in.
Smith is now janitor of the apartment
house, while Jones is still merely one of
the tenants. ' '
You never know what it really costs
ycu to reside in a flat
THE MISTAKES OF POTTER.
New York Sun.
Bishop Potter, addressing the Church
Club, of New Haven, on Thursday even
ing, on "Wealth and the Commonwealth,"
expressed the opinion that "the one eager,
dominant hunger which salutes us from
one end of our broad land to another Is
the passion, the hunger, the greed of
gain."
Now, why did he make the accusation
against "our broad land" specifically, as
If such greed was peculiar to this Re
public? In what other country of civili
zation Is that craving and that pursuit
less eager? England Is rushing after
wealth with a haste not exceeded here;
nowhere in the world Is the worship ot
the "almighty dollar" more passionate.
Eyen aristocracy Is bartering Its titles In
the market for money. The whole, face
of German society has been transformed
by the eager and successful pursuit of
gain In recent yeirs: all Is hustle and
bustle, towns are rebuilt, magnificence
has succeeded moderation, and Europe
swarms with prosperous German travel
ers. The Paris exposition has just shown
to great multitudes that the French greed .
for money Is not without passion.
Human nature universally and not a
condition peculiar to America was as
sailed by Bishop Potter. The passion
against which he Inveighed, too, Is no
stronger now than it has been in all past
ages. The love of money was described
as the root of all evil 2X) years ago. The
difference at this time Is not in any in
crease in the passion, but in the oppor
tunities to gratify the greed for gain. The
rich consequently are multiplying In num
ber. Never before was the recruiting of
their ranks from poverty so great as
now. The pursuit is more successful and
the prizes won are richer; but the absorp
tion in 'the chase is no more complete
than when our ancestors struggled for
subsistence merely; nay, it Is less, for
the fight to keep the wolf from the door
leaves no energy unemployed. It is a fight
against starvation, while the other Is for
superfluity or for power.
Now, let us look at certain specific alle
gations made by Bishop Potter.
He says that while In rmgland men of
science who make discoveries valuable to
the race are "lifted presently to be peers
of the realm,"" in our own country, "we
distinguish them too often only by disput
ing their achievements or appropriating
the products of their genius without re
warding them." Of course, we cannot
"lift" them up to peerages, for we have
no peerages here, they are forbidden by
our Constitution, under which we are all
"lifted" up to be peers. Moreover, the
richest reward which comes to the true
man of science 'is the joy of finding out
the undiscovered. and giving it to man
kind. Nor Is there any dispute unless
the demonstration Is unsatisfactory. The
honors of the world of science go surely
to the genuine discoverer, and they are
better than the gewgaw of a ribbon or a
coronet, which is unobtainable In this Re
public, where all such relics of feudalism
have been consigned to the political and
social junk shop. If the discoverer Is not
bound by the ethics of pure science and
patents his discovery, where else in the
world has he had a more substantial re
ward than here?
Bishop Potter speaks or "the gradual
widening of the breaches that separate
classes from classes" because of the
"huge aggregations of capital which have
practlcaljy taken from the hands of the
individual the -Independent disposition of
his labor and have Introduced Into his
existence paralyzing uncertainty as to
both his comforts and his future." Of
course, actually there are no "classes"
In this country. Nor has there been any
widening of the breach between rich and
poor, or conditions which he miscalls
"classes."
The bishop has spoken before of a
"strange awe In the heart as we turn
back ar.-l read of what kind of stuff the
first comers to these shores mainly were."
Well, what did they bring- here? Mr.
Edward Eggleston, in his book on early
American history. Just published, tells us
that "subordination to social superiors
was accounted the only basis of order."
"Harvard students took their place In the
catalogue according to the social position
of their parents." People sat In churches
according to their rank. "For humble
people to dress 'above their degree was
clparly sinful, because 'they that wear
soft clothing are in KInss' houses,' ac
cording to Scripture." Then there were
veritable "classes," and the breaches be
tween them were wide. The condition
of the poor and their separation from the
rich as respects the comforts of life were
far broader then, and up to the present
generation, than they are now. Luxuries
then obtainable by the rich are the prop
erty of the poor now. Go out In the
streets ot the tenement-house districts
and look into the markets and groceries
catering to the poorer "classes" and see.
So far from the "huge aggregations of
capital" having introduced "paralyzing
uncertainty as to both his (the worker's)
comforts and his future," It has tended to
remove such uncertainty. Both the work
and the pay are surer than whin they
were subject to the uncertainties of tem
per and security of multitudes of employ
ers of relatively feeble financial founda
tion. Finally Bishop Potter proposes that "a
company of men and women of recog
nized social leadership should bind them
selves together to Illustrate in their habit
of life simplicity in attire, inexpenslye
ness in the appointments and chasteriess
in the aspect, proportions, furniture and
decorations of their dwellings.
This would be well, sd far as concerns
mere good taste, undoubtedly, but what
practically would be the consequences of
such simplicity and abstemiousness? What
would become of the workmen engaged
In manufacturing the articles of luxury
rejected by those able to buy them?
Next he would have this company" "bind
themselves to discourage the "habit of ex
cessive accumulation; to employ for art,
science, philanthropy and religion all be
yond a certain portion of their income."
What Is excessive accumulation and who
is to fix the ljmit? What is the ampunt of
the "certain portion or their income"
beyond which they shall not go, and how
are they to empjpy the rest In the ways
Bishop Potter proposes? Science? WJiat
science Is suffering for money? Philan
thropy? Is that charity?
No, Bishop Potter must think on this
matter longer and more deeply If be ex
pects to command the respect of the wise.
It is a very big subject.
Hlntn Made In Germany.
Chicago Journal.
. The German newspapers are asking
some very pertinent questions about the
ship subsidy bill that Congress Is ex
pected to 'pass. Among other things, they
want to know " why a nation as rich
and enterprising as we are. and having,
as they say, the cheapest coal, steel and
machinery In the world, should have To
pay our own citizens to build ships and
maka "money out of sailing them. That
Is what a good many'Americans would
like to know, tool" " " ' " " "
X0TE AXD COMMENT.
Pettlgrew has bought a newspaper. Now
let W. R. Hearst tremble in his sanctum!
Agoncillo might with propriety notify
Aguinaldo that it is a long time between,
deaths.
If any one ooubts the return of prosper
ity, let him note "the" revival of the foot
pad industry.
Hobson and the Czar are both 111, and
J. Ham Lewis Is not feeling very well,
thank yo sah.
As Kruger was booked at Berlin, hd
certainly ought to be abUf to sue ths
Kaiser, or somebody, for brexm of c0n-
tract
The friends of Hon. Charles A Towne)
should take a long look at him during the
next month. This Is positively his laat
appearance.
Count Boni de Castcllane threatens to
move to England- But England has
weathered William Waldorf Astor, so she
Is not alarmed.
Count von Waldersee had better not
get Into any argument with General
Chaffee. The English language, as spoken
by the United States Army officer. Is rich
er In Invective to the square inch than
German is to the square mile.
Having disposed of the canteen, thai
Prohibition party and the House of Rep
resentatives might further elevate tho
morals of the Army by abolishing tho
pay of the privates. Having no money,
the soldiers could not get drunk.
A 4-year-old citizen of Portland received
a letter the other day that was signed
"Santa Claus." and said that, inasmuch
ns she had been good girl, he would bring
her something nice for Curi- mas. Her
joy at receiving the news was not so un
restraint! as had been expeUed. Th?
reason for this appeared the next day,
when she went to visit her aunt.
"Auntie," said she, "I don't think Santa
Claus can see everything little girls do
all the time."
"Why, dear, what makes you think
that?"
"Well. Santa Claus wrote me a letter
that said I was a good girl, and I wasn't
I guess he doesn't know much about
girls."
The ladles and lady managers of iha.
San Francisco Nursery for Homeless.
Children are unanimous In their declara
tion lhat.Gadski is "the dearest thing
that ever was." These charitable women
gave a doll show and fete the other Sat
urday afternoon and evening. It was a
swell affair, with regular opera attend
ants, reading palms, telling fortunes, raf
fling dolls, running miniature race
courses, and singing and selling and
doing all manner 'of things to fatten the
lean purse of charity against the exac
tions of the holiday season. One of tha
lady managers suggested that It would
add to the attractiveness of the occa- .
sion, tand perhaps lute some of the men,
If some ot the operatic queens should bo
asked to grace the affair with their pres
ence. The Idea was taken up as a happy
one, and an invitation was sent to Gadskl,
telling of the worthiness of the cause and
asking her to aid it by her presence.
There was no notion of asking for a song,
for the operatic queens have golden
"throats. The idea was that it Gadskl
would just come and stand around and
look pleasant, her presence would be a
drawing card and possibly spur others to
greater feats ot generosity. The singer
sent for one of the lady managers, in
quired further about the charity, ex
pressed delight at the Invitation, attend
ee paid $10 for a wee bit of a doll, bought
three chances In the lottery for the tailor
made gown, and with her own fair hands
drew out the ticket which was to decldo
who was the winner of that robe. She.
was all smiles and graclousness. The lady
managers were charmed. Gadskl was
quite the hit of the occasion, and made
friends of a host of people.
PLEASANTRIES OF PARAGRAPHERS
A Domestic Difference "I can put up with
It no longer, madam; I leave the house fqr-eer-
you will not see me again until the last
day." "And let It be well alons in the after
noon, dear." Life.
Kot the Same.-Caller Tour biff sister Em
ma and that TUr. Sophte seem to be prettr
thick, don't they? Ethel-Ob. my. no! Sister
Emma Is. but Mr. Sophie's just as thin as he
can be. Philadelphia Prer.
AIL the Klxlngs. Guest Baht Is this filtered
water? Chicago "Walter Yes. sir. Guest
Phew! Give me- some unaltered, then. "Walter
(loudly to cook) Glass of unflltered water an
a spoon. New Tork Weekly.
Reliably Steady. Mrs. Mlldly-Mre. McFad
den. your neighbor. Patrick O'Donnell. has ap
plied to our society for Tvork. Is he a steady
man? Mrs. McFadden Steady! Whist, ma'am!
If he was any steadier, he'd be dead. Harpers
Bazar.
Hard Lines. "Well." said he, anxious to
patch up their quarrel of yesterday, "aren't
you curious to know what's In the package?
"Vot very." bU wife, still unrelentinff. re
pfled Indifferently. "It's something foe the ona
I loe best In All the world." "Ah! I suppose
It's those, suspenders you" said jou needed." .
Philadelphia Press.
The Front. The Farmer Wal, what's new
in teown. anyway? The Postmaster Oh! ain't
much doln In teown. Hear 'bout Lem Baf
fles glttln' a telegram last week? The Farmer
-Sot Lem? The Postmaster Tes, Lem! The
Farmer I want to know. Beats all how the
young fellers Is forgln" fo the front, I declare!
Puck.
'
Boyhood's Hnnnti.
James Whltcomb Riley.
Ho! I'm going back to where
We were youngsters. Meet me there,
Dear old barefoot chum, and we
Will be as we used to'be
Lawless rangers up and down
The old creek beyond tne town
Little sunburnt gods at play,
Just as In that far-away.
Water nymphs, all unafraid.
Shall smile at us from the brink
Of the old mlllrace and wade
Tow'rd us as we kneeling drink
At the spring our boyhood knew,
Pure and clear as morning dew;
And, as we are rl'lng there.
Doubly dqw'rd to hear and sep.
We shall thus be made aware
Of an eerie piping, heard
High above the happy bfrd
In Ihe hazel. And then we.
Jut across he creek, shall see
(Hah! the goaty ,ra?calj) Fan
Hoof It o'er the sloping green,
Mai with his own melody,
Aje. and (bless the beasty man!)
Stamping from the grassy soli
Bruised scents of fleur-de-lis.
Bonesct, mint and pennyroyal.
m
Scythe Sont?.
Andrew Lang.
Mowers, weary and brown, and blithe.
"What Is the word, methlnks j e know.
Endless over-word that the Scythe
Sings to the blades of the grass below?
Scythes that swing In the grass and clover.
Something'. stllT, they'say as'they pass;
"What Is the word that, over and over.
Sings the Scythe to the flowers and grass?
Hash, ah hpshl the Scythes are saying.
Hush, and heed not, and fall asleep;
Hush, they say to' the grasses swaying;
Hush, they sing to the clover deep!
Hush 'tis the lullaby Time Is singing
Hush, and heed not. for all things pass;
j Husbu ah hush! and the Scythes are owjnglns
Over "the ""clover. OTerthVgrass!iB' f "
. A