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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 15, 1904)
THE MOKNIKC UKKCiOyiAN, FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1904. Wit iSxxgmm Entered at the Postofflce at Portland, Or., as second-class matter. REVISED SUBSCRIPTION RATES. By nail (postage prepaid In advance)- Dally, -with Sunday, per month ......$0.85 Dally, with Sunday excepted, per yea.. 7.50 Dally, with Sunday, per year 0.00 Sunday, per year 2.00 The "Weekly, per year 1.50 The "Weekly, 3 months 50 Dally, per week, delivered, Sunday exceotcd.lSc Dally, per week, delivered, Sunday lnduded.20o POSTAGE RATES. United States, Canada and Mexico 10 to 14 -pa Be paper .................. 10 to 30-page paper c 22 to 44-page paper .......3c Foreign rates double. The Oregonian does not buy poems or stories from Individuate, and cannot undertake to return any manuscript sent to it without solicitation. No stamps should be Inclosed for this purpose. EASTERN BUSINESS OFFICES. (The S. C. Beckwitli Special Agency) New York: Rooms 43-19, Tribune Building. Chicago: Rooms 510-512 Tribune Building. KEPT ON SAJ.E. 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W.: Ebbltt Houao News Stand. TESTERDATS WEATHER Maximum tem perature, 65 deg.; minimum, CI. Precipitation, 0.07 Inch. TODAY'S WEATHER Partly cloudy, with showers; winds mostly eoutberly. - ii PORTLAND, FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1904. A GOOD DAY'S WORK. "When the forces now dominant in the Republican party of Oregon carried the Multnomah County primaries of 1890 against the Simon element, it was their purpose to nominate Judge Hart well Hurley, of Portland, for the Su preme Bench. That result was prevent ed by the activity of Mr. Simon on be half of Frank A. Moore, of Columbia County. Yet Judge Moore has lived long enough and served on the Supreme Bench long enough to see that same group of Republicans who supported Hurley and opposed him then now re stored to power and renominating him unanimously by acclamation. In Multnomah County we find this same element renominating for the Circuit Bench two men who were put In their places by Simon. The nomi nee, for State Dairy and Food Commis sioner is also a relic of the Simon re gime, and so Is the nominee for Super intendent of Schools In this county. The Multnomah delegation to yesterday's convention consisted very largely of men who have heretofore acted with the Simon or gold-standard wing of the party. They were selected without their knowledge, without pledges on their part or instructions from the or ganization. They voted their individ ual choice, from Food Commissioner to District Attorney. We shall not undertake to say that the present regime will be any improve ment on the Simon regime; but com mon justice demands recognition of the fact that at least a good beginning has been made in the direction of liberal policy and party harmony. That pub lic sentiment which demanded that the judiciary be kept free from partisan pressure; that tremendous influence ex erted by the business community In favor of Sanderson Reed for District Attorney; that feeling of farmers and manufacturers alike that Commissioner Bailey had earned a re-election by faithful service all these forces of public opinion were not defied, were de ferred to and were successful. It Is worthier procedure, and we think vast ly better politics, than if the machine had selected its candidates arbitrarily beforehand and then chosen delegates with a view single to the ratification of its choice. It Is unnecessary at this time, as It will be fitting at later times, to dwell In detail upon the qualifications of the nominees and the considerations that should Impel all Republicans and all in dependent voters who believe In Theo dore Roosevelt and who approve fair political methods to support this ticket Suffice it to say that the ticket Js enti tled to the approval of all who "believe in the platform adopted. In a nonparti san judiciary and in the recognition of meritorious services in official position. If the work of the campaign is as well done as the work of yesterday's conven, tlon, the vote of June will be one which Oregon need not be ashamed to present to President Roosevelt as an expression of confidence and approval DEFICIENT SUPPLY OF HARVEST HANDS. One of the greatest difficulties with which the wheatgrowers of the great Northwest have to contend is the scarc ity of competent labor in harvest time. Tear after year the cry goes up that the fields are white for the harvest, but the laborers are few. But as, yet no plan promising relief for this very try ing situation has been devised. The cause of the scarcity of harvest labor ers is apparent, but the remedy is far to seek. Manifestly men who are de pendent upon the labor of their hands cannot remain in one locality through out the year the chief Industry of which requires their services for only a few months. The depepdable labor element being1 thus disposed of, farmers turn In the stress of harvest to the floating or tramp class, only to find that the men who compose it are practically useless in work that makes a. long day In sun and dust and requires willing as well as competent hands for its satisfactory performance. Machinery has gone as far as It can in solving the question, but many hands are still necessary to "save the crops," not only In the great wheat belt, but In sections devoted to a diversified agriculture. Within recent months measures have been taken through an organization known as the Western Association of Free State Employment Bureaus whereby .It Is hoped that the annual stress for harvest laborers may be re lieved, at least In a degree. The asso ciation was formed In Kansas City In January. It originated in Kansas, and includes Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Other states of the great wheat telt especially Minnesota and the Dakotas, are expected to join In the effort The plan Is to organize a free employ ment bureau In connection with the de partment of labor In every state, with correspondents In every county. The latter are to report weekly to the state bureau as to the number of men needed In the county and the state bureau will, in turn, report to the bureau of each of the other states composing the organi zation concerning employment condi tions, the number of laborers wanted, the men available to be sent to other states, the wages paid, and other mat ters pertaining to the subject It is held to be necessary that this Informa tion be disseminated without cost to laborers, since very many Of them are not able to pay a fee of from $2 to ?5 for it, and without Intelligent and re sponsible direction do not know where to go. Of course. In a literal sense, nothing in this world Is free, but the organization a? contemplated reduces the cost of maintenance of the organi zation to the minimum. There Is a real need behind this movement Last year, for example, there was a demand in Nebraska, alone of between '12,000 and 15,000 harvest laborers In excess of the supply. As a result hundreds of "acres of small grain was caught In shock by the early snows, much of It being a total loss. To harvest the crops -of Kan sas 30,000 men were required, but, ow ing to the fact that Kansas City Is a great congregating and distributing point for labor, this demand was more nearly met While In Oregon we have never had a labor famine at harvest time, our agricultural and horticultural Interests suffer more or less every year because of the Inadequate supply of competent laborers at the harvest sea son. Oregon has not yet been asked to join this association, but It may well be supposed that our farmers and fruit growers will watch with interest its workings In other states, with a view, when necessary, to profit by it ASPECTS OF THE PLATFORM. Most political platforms err on the side of prolixity, misrepresentation, sickening gush and stupid nonsense; but yesterday's utterances of the Ore gon Republicans summarize the polit ical situation in state and Nation In a few clear-cut sentences whose meaning none can mistake, whose tone is sensi ble and straightforward, whose asser tions, we think, few will venture to challenge. Experience should have taught the American people by this time that busi ness conditions are not the result of accident or the gift of Providence, but depend upon the intelligent adaptation of means to ends. No law can make a country prosperous, as President Roose velt has sagely and characteristically observed, but it is the easiest thing in the world for laws to make prosperity impossible. It Is fitting to recognize that the conditions under which busi ness is prosecuted with most safety and profit to the United States are most certainly Insured by the ascendancy of the Republican party. The tariff does not make us prosper ous. Honest money alone cannot make any one prosperous. But such Is Dem ocratic perversity and such is the con fidence felt by the people in the men who control Republican policies that under Republican rule the commerce and Industry of the Nation feel most fully justified In taking the chance which alone can yield profit It Is only necessary to see the alternative men and measures offered by Democratic candidates for President and Demo cratic leaders In Senate and House to see how hopeless the country would be In turning to the Democratic party for a change. Take, for example, the tariff. As this platform intimates, the very last place the Industry of the country would turn for a tariff law would be the Demo cratic party. The Wilson bill was more unjustly discriminatory in its appor tionment of tariff favors than either the McKInley bill, which preceded it, or the Dingley bill, which followed It There Is in Democratic doctrine and practice no purpose or policy of caring for American Industry by the wisest possi ble tariff schedule. The Idea Is rather to punish our manufacturers because they have dared to prosper and be con tented under Republican policies. Especially to be commended Is the straightforward utterance concerning the Philippines, which embodies, we be lieve, the best thought and desires of the Pacific Coast as well as those of Secretary Taft and the Phlllnnme Com mission. We must keep the Islands, but we must treat their people as friends, their industries as ours to foster, their rights as ours to defend. Neither by recklessly turning them adrift on the open sea of fater nor by exploiting them as crown colonies can our duty by them be done, but by giving them the largest possible political freedom and the most liberal possible scope for their local development, production and trade. It is fitting that this platform should emphasize In Its opening and closing passages the debt of gratitude laid upon Oregon toward the Republican leaders, President Roosevelt, Speaker Cannon and Chairman Tawney. of the exposi tions committee, by their cordial aid and recognition of the Lewis and Clark Centennial. It is by that act of theirs that Oregon has stepped into National and international fame. Compared with the duty and privilege thus opened to every public-spirited citizen to show his appreciation as a mamtuid loyal Ore gonlan. the hollow pretenses of the Democratic party for support in this campaign should meet with chilling re sponse. Oregon never before had so urgent a call to lay aside party lines and give a Federal Administration a support so overwhelming as to be al most unanimous. The secretary of the Montana State Board of Sheep Commissioners Is out In a strong article in the Montana Sheep Bulletin against the adulteration of woolen manufactures with "shoddy." He says: "Cast-off garments In every grade of degradation are gathered up by beggars and gutter-snipes and turned in to shoddy manufacturers, full of filth and disease, shredded, deodor ised, disinfected, perhaps, in whole or In part, and the product in greater or less degree mixed with some pure wool and woven into garments that many dealers and very few wearers can scarcely distinguish from the genuine article. This stuff Is cheap to the man ufacturerscheaper than cotton, hair or other less objectionable adulterants, but dear enough to the purchaser. The biography of shoddy if attached to the goods In which it is an adulterant would preclude its purchase at anj- price." All of this is doubtless true, but as this authority further tells us, the amount of wool raised In- this country does not supply much more than half enough for the volume of goods produced, and the amount of wool Imported falls far short of making up the deficit, it is not clear what can be done unless the tariff is knocked off, gUlng foreign wools a chance to come In and knock shoddy out Sheepmen would hardly agree to this remedy, but they must concede that by hook or crook we must have woolen clothes enough to go round. A SLANDER ON SCOTLAND. The Oregonlan is In receipt of an ad dress delivered by the Rev. Dr. Buck ham, president of the University of Vermont, before the Scotia Club of St Johnsbury, Vt. Dr. Buckham Is of Scotch parentage, he Is a fine scholar and an excellent writer; his address was devoted to describing his impres sions of the Scotch people obtained In a recent visit to the land of his ances tors. In his very Interesting address Dr. Buckham among other things says that an eminent Scotch minister asked him to dinner, and, after he had asked a blessing, "turned to me and said: 'There Is Burgundy and there Is sherry and there Is port and there Is "claret Take your choice, laying his hand on the decanters, but, as for me, I will stick to the Auld Kirk, meaning whisky." Dr. Buckham visited his L father's old schoolmaster, who also set out his whisky and urged him to drink a glass, saying: "Oh, It Is as mild as milk, and tell your feyther when ye get home that his old schoolmaster said that he must drink a drap every night before he goes to bed; it will make him live ten years longer." Rev. Dr. Buck ham then makes this comment: Now that Is the unfortunate thing about the Scotch their passion for drink. I have never seen such mlaery and squalor and filth and degradation as I have seen In the streets of Glasgow; women barefooted, ragged, tottering up and down those streets of Glasgow. It is all whisky. In our judgment Dr. Buckham has passed an unjust judgment on the Scotch peopje. In the great manufac turing cities of Scotland, where the la boring population Is congested and crowded into narrow and noisome en vironment, this Wretched labor which works for comparatively low w'ages Is prone to Intemperate Indulgence in whisky, but wherever you find the same conditions of congested population and ill-paid, wretched labor you find the same Intemperance, the same noisome poverty. You will find It In the manu facturing and coal mining districts of England. Zola In his "Germinal" de scribes the same condition of intemper ance and licentiousness among the op eratives in the coal mining districts of France and Belgium. The same condi tions prevail In the coal-mining dis tricts in England about Newcastle on the Tyne. Wherever labor Is congest ed, Is III paid. 111 housed, underfed and overworked, labor Is prone to be In temperate and ilcentlous. Given the same conditions of congested, ill-paid labor that exist In Glasgow and you will find the same poverty. Intemper ance and licentiousness, whether you examine the crowded manufacturing cities or mining districts of England or France, or Belgium, or Spain, or Prus sia, or Italy, or the United States, for there are mining districts In the United States where the environment Is so wretched from the sanitary point of view that Intemperance and licentious ness have a luxuriant growth. More than forty years ago Dr. Leon ard Marsh, an eminent physician, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and professor of animal and vegetable physiology In the University of Ver mont, told his class that the intemper ate use of alcoholic drinks by the over worked and Ill-paid operatives in Eng land's great manufacturing districts was due to the fact that they were overworked, ill fed and ill housed, be cause they were paid wretched wages. Their craving for nerve stimulants was the natural result of their unhealthful environment They lived In an atmos phere of bad air. They ate poor food badly cooked. They were overworked and their exhausted nerves craved stimulus. In their Ignorance they re sorted to alcohol as the stimulant that was most easily obtained. In his judg ment, when intemperance seems to sat urate a whole community it means the existence of certain false social and In dustrial conditions which must be abat ed before you can expect any large re form. This view Is supported by the ablest English and French writers of fiction; they hold that It Is not primar ily alcohol that makes poverty, but that the conditions that create an environ ment of wretched poverty through overwork and low wages create a soil in which alcoholic intemperance soon takes root At all events, wherever you find the conditions of congested labor ing population and low wages you find gross Intemperance In Europe or Amer ica, There Is terrible poverty In the cities of Spain, although the Spanish are not a drunken people. There is awful pov erty in the great cities of Asia, where the population la congested. Wherever you find a congested labor district where the wages are so low that It Im plies a filthy and wretched family en vironment, there you will find the vice of Intemperance In the use of nerve stimulants. In Europe and America ill-paid, overworked labor resorts to al cohol; In Asia It resorts to opium. Whether it be a congested labor district in Scotland, like Glasgow, or a con gested labor district in England, or France, or Spain, or Saxony, or Italy, or Ireland, or Pennsylvania, the same environment of comparative wretched ness produces the same recklessness, the same Intemperance and licentious ness. The Rev. Dr. Buckham, In our judgment is wrong when he imputes to Scotland a peculiar passion for whisky; there Is no more whisky con sumption in Scotland than there is in other countries of Europe and America where the same conditions of lll-pald, congested lahor exist Given these con ditions and you will get alcoholism and licentiousness in any country on the globe. Among other things Dr. Buck ham said: "Think how many people have been encouraged to drink this coarse, savage drink by all the fine poetry that Burns wrote about It" In our"judgment, this Is a very thoughtless utterance. The literature of a nation does not antedate and form Its tastes, but finds its audience and voices their mood. That Is, when Burns wrote his poem in praise of "Scotch drink" he was not Introducing his countrymen to a stranger, as Sir Walter Raleigh would have done had he written an "Ode to Tobacco." Burns was only voicing the popular taste of the average Scotchman of the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Burns did not make or mar the moral code of his countrymen. It Is not likely that Burns' "Scotch Drink" swelled the followers of King Alcohol, for In those days, while sobriety was a virtue, there was no sucn thing as total abstinence. Anacreon, among the old Greek poets, sang the praises "of wine, but he did not make a nation of drunkards out of the Greeks any more than Lord Byron's "Don Juan" made a nation of libertines out of the English people. Nations do not use alcohol or abandon Its use be cause poets sing In Its praise or dis praise. Alcoholism Is as old as the race. The Hebrew Bible, the Greek comedies of Aristophanes, the Latin works of Juvenal and Martial, are full of satlro of the drunkard. Alcoholism is a great evil that has always been the despair of the world's humane thinkers and teach ers In all times and climes. Purely ani mal drinkers there are among man kind, but the vast mass of Intemper ance, outside of the purposeless, idle, listless rich and the abject, hopelessly wretched poor Is made up of the world'n crippled, wounded or beaten. In which may perhaps be Included Robert Burns, who, man of fine, rare genius, broken, unhappy and disappointed, feeding on his proud heart until It broke, drifted Into drink, and the world today cease lessly sighs over his shameful drift down through despondency to drink and from drink to an early grave. Surely the powerful object-lesson of Burns' melancholy career has turned as many men to total abstinence as his convivial poetry ever tempted to Intem perance. The Republican State Convention acted wisely In neither indorsing nor opposing the direct primary nomination law. The proposed law cannot be con sidered In any way a party measure. It was prepared by men of different parties, and the petition asking that it be submitted to a vote of the people was signed regardless of party lines. It Is a measure whose purpose appeals to all believers In the extension of popular government Republicans, Democrats, Socialist and Prohibitionists are alike Interested in placing, political power in the hands of the people, where it justly belongs, and no party can claim to ben the special champion of the proposed law. Men of every rank In political life, from Oregon's senior Senator at Washington to the humble farmer who Is never even sent to a county conven tion, are supporting this direct primary nomination law, with the desire that thereby the will of the people may pre vail in the selection of candidates. The proposed law is broad in Its purposes, and It should be placed before the peo ple in such a way that all may feel free to support it, regardless of party affilia tions. The Indictment by the Federal grand jury of Albert Canning, of Prlnevllle, for wantonly setting fire to sage, under brush and timber In Crook County last July, thereby causing flames to sweep over a large area of timber and grazing land. Is an encouraging sign of some thing doing in a heretofore unexplolted field. The menace of the law has long hung over the firebugs of the forest It Is well for a blow to descend upon them, If only to prove that Indulgent, long suffering Uncle Sam means what he says when he warns people to be care ful about setting timber fires under certain pains and penalties A man may be simply careless or he may be maliciously destructive. But when he sets a fire that burns up thousands of dollars' worth of timber, menaces and sometimes destroys human life and habitations, his motive does not figure in the general summing up. His pun ishment, upon conviction, can scarce ly fall to prove salutary as an object lesson, The loss of a battleship Is a financial loss and can readily be made good. But the loss of a veteran commander, the directing force of an entire fleet; the man whose appointment to his. com mand was said to have "put new" heart Into the Russian sailors under him," is in the nature of an Irremediable ca lamity. Ships are "built; commanders are born; and, through the long proces sion of the years and exhaustive study of the great game of war, now In the maneuvers of peace, now in the scarqely less exacting emergency of conflict, they are seasoned and tempered and made available. "Under Makaroff Rus sia may yet dispute Japan's sea su premacy," said a dispatch from the seat of war a few weeks ago. "Well may there be mourning In the high places of7 the Russian Empire at the news that brave Makaroff went down with his ship. The San Francisco Bulletin lately re cited the story of a man who In early life married a plain but faithful wife, of whom, after she had borne him two children, he grew tired. An "affinity" helped along If indeed she did not In stigate this weariness, and he again married. Later he was haled before tho Police Court to show reason why he did not supply the needs of his starving children. In great surprise and some Indignation he. announced that he "had divorced that family." "But you have not divorced the children," said the Judge, severely, and proceeded to Issue an order directing the defendant to di vide hl3 salary in future between his affinity and his undlvoreed children. The sympathy that is freely bestowed upon the man who hap "two families to support" must balk at this case and refuse service. Every portion of the state was given representation In the selection of Re publican candidates for Presidential Electors and delegates to the Republi can National Convention. The candi dates for Electors are: J. N. Hart, of Polk; A. C. Hough, of Josephine; James A. Fee, of Umatilla, and Grant B. Dlm Ick, of Clackamas. The delegates-at-large to the National Convention are: H. W. Scott, of Multnomah; W. B. Ayer, of Multnomah; S. L. Kline, of Benton, and Ira B. Smith, of Malheur. The delegates selected from the First Congressional District were J. U. Camp bell, of Clackamas, and J. M. Keene, of Jackson. In the Second District C H. Carey, of Multnomah, and N. C. Rich ards, of Baker, were chosen. A better distribution geographically could not have been made If It had been planned with that end In view. The modern navy In time of peace Is a destructive force that we are again called upon to reckon with. The dis aster upon the battleship Missouri, with its many fatalities, was appalling. The cause of the explosion, as far as out lined, shows the risks that men take boldly and eagerly for the sake of being first on the list of those that can "do things." Prudence seems to have been discarded In the attempt of the officers of this magnificent battleship to beat the world's record of rapid firing. In February, 1S44, Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Gilmer, leading mem bers of the Cabinet of President John Tyler, lost their lives by the bursting of a gun fired on board the United States steamer Princeton. STUDYING LOUISIANA HISTORY, St Louis Globe-Democrat The newspapers In Oregon and Wash ington say that reading clubs In their localities have been smarted, with the ob ject of making an especial study of the Louisiana expansion, so as to be able to adequately appreciate the St Louis World's Fair when they visit it This Is a sensible course. The acquisition of Louisiana was one of the biggest events In the country's history. Nothing between the framing and adoption of the Constitu tion in 17S7-S9 and the Civil War of 1S61-65 which killed slavery and secession ap proached It In the importance of Its bear ing upon the life of the Nation. Of course, neither Oregon nor Washing ton was covered by the Louisiana cession. As part of the great expanse of territory known as the Oregon Country those two states, with Idaho and parts of Montana and yomlng, were outside of the empire which Bonaparte handed over to Jefferson. We got the Oregon Country under a dif ferent sort of a title from that by which we obtained Louisiana. If Bonaparte had owned Oregon he would have given It to us at tho same time as he passed over to us the region between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains and Rio Grande, but unhappily he had no claim to It and Ore gon was In dispute with England for 40 years after the Louisiana acquisition and for more than 20 years after Bonaparte's death. But our possession of Oregon was de pendent on the acquisition of Louisiana. If we had never gained Louisiana we could never have secured Oregon, nor could we have obtained Texas, New Mex ico or California. Presumably, the read ing clubs of the states of Oregon and Washington have grasped this fact This consideration will give them an especially active Interest In the study of the Louis iana acquisition. It will furnish them with a particularly strong incentive to see the great Fair which will commemorate the hundredth anniversary of this momentous event If there had been no Louisiana transfer to the United States England would today possess all the Pacific Coast down to the Mexican line, and the entire region from the Mississippi westward would belong to some other nation than the United States probably to England. With the United States Bhut In between the Mississippi and the Atlantic, and with a greater Canada abutting on that river on its west side along Its entire length, the American Republic would hold a very small place among the world's states. Loss of the Royal George. (The Royal George, of 103 guns, whilst undergoing a partial careening at Spit head, was capsized about 10 A. M., August 29, 17S2. The total loss was believed to be nearly 1C00 souls. The parallel to the Russian disaster of Wednesday readily suggests Itself.) Toll for the brave! The brave that are no more! All sunk beneath the wave. Fast by their native shore! Eight hundred of the brave, "Whose courage well was tried. Had made the vessel heel And laid her on her side. A land breeze shook the shrouds. And she was oversGt; Down went the Royal George, With all her crew complete. Toll for the brave! Brave Kempenfelt Is gone; Els last sea fight Is fought. His work of glory done. It was not in the battle; No tempest gave the shock; She sprang no fatal leak; She ran upon no rock. His sword was In Its sheath. His fingers held the pen, Whrn Kempenfelt went down With twice four hundred men. Weigh the vessel up. Once dreaded by our foes! And mingle with our cup The tear that England owes. Her timbers yet are sound. And she may float again. Pull-charged with England's thunder. And plow the distant main; But Kempenfelt la gone. His victories are o'er; And he and his eight hundred Shall plow the wave no more. The Government Must Rule. Indianapolis News. These are Interesting questions, no mat ter what may ba the motive of Mr. Har rlman in bringing his suit. They sug gest nt least that this railroad problem In the United States Is In the future going to bo much more formidable than It has been In the past Perhaps It may be found that the Government, if It cannot prevent railroad combinations, will be driven- to the necessity of regulating the conduct of their business. This has long been the Idea of tho Interstate Commerce Commis sion, which has urged Congress after Con gress to give It power to fix rates. If It had that power it would not matter how great the combinations were, Yot there are. It must be confessed, grave objec tions to conferring the power not con trolling objections, but serious ones, nevertheless. xWe believe that the ques tion will havo to be seriously considered by tho American people. For with tho Goulds, the Morgans, and tho Rockefellers reaching out for control of the transporta tion facilities of the people, there Is no telling to what lengths they may go. One thing Is certain, and that Is that no citi zen or combination of citizens can be allowed to become more powerful than the Government Trashy Magazine Stories. St Louis Globe-Democrat People buy magazines almost as fre quently and readily as they buy news papers. Advertisers pour a golden flood Into the treasury of every magazine that can sell, and any magazine full of flimsy short stories can sell. As a consequence all the good story writers are being ruined by prosperity. Scarcely any of them writes anything fit for civilized people to read. The magazine has been thorough ly commercialized. What we ask for now Is a magazine which will not permit Its contributors to write more than one or two short stories a year, and will pay $10,000 apleco for them. Some of the magazines should attempt to preserve literature and not devote all their affec tions to the soap ad man and the sum mer resort reading public. 1 s If Bryan Should Bolt. Detroit Free Press. The Free Tress can sec no reason why Democrats need be disturbed by the men ace of a Bryan bolt. It Is apparent that the party must either surrender to him or else go about Its business sanely and ooberly again. If It adopts the former policy It will not only be defeated, but ruined. If It adopts the latter policy It may lose another Presidential campaign and yet bo In a position to carry the elections In 190S. Perhaps Mr. Bryan could not render a greater service to tho Democratic party than to bolt the ticket In the event of Judge Parker's nomi nation. WHen Parker Talks. New York Times. Judge Parker talks little. Possibly he thinks much. There aro issues awaiting a Democratic candidate. It seems to us a very reasonable supposition that Judge Parker has taken thought about the ac tions, the utterances and the incidents out of which these Issues have sprung. When the time comes for him to give expression to the opinions he has formed the Republi cans may be a good deal more anxious about him than they were about the third term and the peace and comfort of Mr. Cleveland. OTHERS ARE ALSO DISPLEASED. Chicago Inter Ocean. The United States Census Bureau has assumed a grave responsibility in setting Itself up against the Chicago city directory, tho Chicago School Board, the. Chicago Two Million Club, the popular opinion jind settled popular conviction of Chicago and Robert C. Givlns. It estimates our present population at 1,873,ES0, In the face of the well-known fact that we had passed the two-million mark In 1S93. again In 1900, once more In 1901, once again In 1302, beyond any doubt in 1503. and certainly In 1904. Fortunately, it Is not necessary to place any confidence In the Census Bureau's es timates. The Census Bureau is all right and Its figures should be respected when It reports the result of an actual count but when It goes Into the field of specula tion It cannot make any better estimates, no matter how scientifically It may pre tend to do so, than the rest of us. At all events, it cannot estimate as satisfactorily as we can. We know Chicago better than does the Census Bureau. We know better than the Census Bureau that the growth of Chicago defies all scientific rules. We know better than the Census .Bureau how fast we are growing now. There Is no reason why the Census Bureau should not go into the estimate business to keep up Its organization. It must be doing something, but let it leave Chicago alone. We do not ask It to do our estimating. Wc can attend to that little matter ourselves. Our city directory Has been looked for ward to annually with almost feverish Interest because of its population esti mates. It has always estimated us as we like to be estimated, not too extravagantly nor yet too conservatively, but just about right. The school census comes along bi ennially with estimates that set us to thinking, and when a question regarding the exact population comes up It is settled by the Two Million Club, or just the same as settled by Robert C. Glvins. So that there Is really no demand here for a United States Census Bureau esti mate. Wo do not need it Parker In Georgia. Atlanta Constitution. There aro two well-organized state Parker Clubs in Georgia both fully equipped for service, and each officered on a European war basis. We are frank to say that this Is none of the Constitution's business at this time, but in the event the Democ racy of New York instructs for Parker It will become a very serious part of the Constitution's business to untangle tho knot now being tied by the over enthuslastic contestants for official recognition In the lining up of Georgia for Parker If the Now York State Convention, which meets April 18, Instructs for Parker, the Constitution will urge tho Democracy of other states to take that as the cue for the party's National ac tion, on the basis that New York can better express the sentiment of that state than outsiders can for It. If New York does not send a Parker delegation to the National Convention, all the clubs that Georgia might or ganize would not nominate hlra for President at St. Louis. Every indication, however, points to an overwhelming Parker convention In New York and to an emphatically in structed Parker delegation from that state. And that is why the Constitution views with alarm the cat-and-dog con dition now existing between the two Parker Clubs of Georgia. Believing that New York Is certain to declare for Parker, and being sure, therefore, that the Constitution will be called upon to asslBt in the effort to put this state in tho vParker column at St Louis a duty wo will cheerfully perform when New York leads the way we most earnestly appeal to tho fractious Parker brethren who aro now chiefly engaged In causing trouble not to "make the task any mora difficult than absolutely necessary. Great Moments of History Recalled. New York Sun. Napoleon had declared his Intention of retreating from Moscow. "But" declared Marshal Ney, "If we go back without fighting, will not the Rus sians declare. we had 'cold feet'?" "Yes," replied the Man of Destiny: "but If we don't get out of here, history will record that we got them frozen off en tirely. Therefore, I elect to go." Omar Khayyam had just written his Rubalyat "Aren't some of your figures a trifle outre?" Inquired a critic. "You say 'the bird of Time Is on the wing.' Who ever heard of a bird of time? Where would one look for this species of fowl?" "In a cuckoo clock," answered the Per sian, wearily relighting his Porto Rlcan In the gas Jet Sir Philip Sidney had just refused tho drink of water on the battlefield. "Give It to that poor fellow yonder. His need Is greater than mine." "But, my lord, you are dyings and this Is tho last cup of water we have." "In that case," he replied, with char acteristic good nature. "If you deny water to that other fellow, you do wrong to Fill up Sidney." Franklin had just succeeded In drawing tho electricity from the clouds by means of a kite and silk thread. "I suppose you will make use of this discovers'," was suggested, "lp applying It to the operation of trolley cars?" "Not at all," replied the Great Diplo mat "I will devote myself to tho inven tion of lightning rods. You see, my aim Is to use this discovery to protect the life of man, Instead of killing him off In largo handfuls." Russia's Retreat to Harbin. St Paul Pioneer Press. There Is a good deal of truth In the sug gestion of a pseudonymlc writer In tho last Fortnightly Review who maintains that Russia's beat policy would be to withdraw to Harbin, accumulate supplies and when fully prepared to push the Jap anese out of Southern Manchuria. Such a course, It was pointed out, If acted on In the first few days of the war, would not have damaged Russian prestige and would have actually strengthened Its po sition. It would have been possible for Russia to point to the burning of Moscow as a precedent for the abandonment and destruction of Port Arthur, and the move ment would have been regarded not so much as an evidence of weakness as of patient determination. At Harbin, more over, but at no point south of thore, Rus sia would be safe from Japanese attack, or If attack were attempted It would have to be mado under the disadvantages from which Russia now suffers, distance from base and Inadequate means of supply. On the other hand, with tho Russian supply problem solved by devoting the next eight or nine monthB to accumulating stores, an extraordinarily large army could be brought by Russia to Manchuria Jn a year from now and the Japanese be over whelmed. Bryan's Vanity. St. Louis Post-Dispatch The only ground of opposition which Mr. Bryan himself can find to Parker Is his own animosity against Democrats who are not under his exclusive direction and who refuse to submit to his dictation. No patriotic Democrat can stand with Bryan upon a platform which sacrifices party and pxlblic Interests to personal vanity and factional animosity. i Trials of Methodists. Atchison Globe. It Is up to the Methodists In the little towns In a double-barreled way: They have to give one social with tears for the retiring preacher, and another with smiles for the new one. NOTE AND COMMENT. Elkton (ild.) Whig. The straw-hat crop suffered a severe blight yesterday. It's the man that wants but little that'3 hardest to satisfy. Note and Comment's weather forecast (copyright, lfXH): Friday various. War, from the Coroan viewpoint Is hell; Japanese camp-followers are circulating bad nickels. The success of the Fair Is assured: a pen used by President Roosevelt will be on exhibition. They say that Hearst has bought a lot of politicians. Also that these politicians have sold Hearst. By the time Admiral Rojestvensky reaches Port Arthur there will be no ships left for him to command. We can't pronounce the name of tho Russian battleship sunk by her own mines, but we're just as sorry for the crew. Lacrosse In Canada Is a strictly amateur game, although when a team refuses to enter the field until its wages Is paid, tha unsophisticated foreigner Is apt toeel a little mixed. General Bell, the Colorado Kouropatkln, has changed his mind about arresting Judge Stevens, and has now decided to use the soldiers in protecting the judge. What glorious- tidings for the bench. A writer in the New York Post says that "at heart the Japanese is an arrant cow ard." Judging by certain Incidents re cently reported from the Orient, the Jap anese has sense enough not to wear a tell-tale heart on his sleeve. The correspondent of the Times is cer tainly to be envied hl3 view of Japan's splendid fleet In battle array. Now that "shock" tactics have been abandoned in warfare upon land, and the stately th-c - deckers have gone to Davy Jones' looter, a great fleet steaming into action Is tha most stirrlnr: sight the world can offer. "For Myself," declared Jim Ham. in an Interview, "I am not deceived by what is known as the Parker boom." Jim Ham has it all figured Out. What is known aa the Parker boom Is really a plot to nominate David B. Hill, but the gimlet eye of the pinkwhlskered statesman has pierced It to its sawdust core. Tho accident on board the battleship Missouri brought forth fresh proof cf t'.ie coolness, judgment and courage of the Nan's officers and men. The almost Instantaneous flooding of the magazine and handling-room and the recovery of the injured bodies shows that our men are prompt in decision and resolute in action. Judge Albertson, of the King County Su perior Court, was almost dragged against the edzer In a sawmill where ha went with a jury engaged In hearing a damage Bult. As it was, the judge's clothes were torn to cieces. It would be Interesting to learn how this accident affected the jury, as Judge Albertson, presumably, was not careless of the danger, having worked in a sawmill on his arrival In Seattle. The famous translation of "splendid mendan" as "lylrg In state," has been eclipsed by a triumph recorded by the London Dally Chronicle. A pupil-teacher, who is laboriously acquiring a knowledge of French as she Is spoken within sound of Bow Bells was taken to a French restaurant in Soho. Scanning the menu, the girl's eyes fell upon "canard sauvage aua petlts doIs." "Ah," she murmured to herself, "the duck Is savage at tho few peas." Colonel Marchand, the hero of Fashoda. the darling of the boulevards, has aban doned the army In disgust. Instead of constant opportunities to tweak the Lion's whiskers, the dashing officer was assigned to the petty duties of an army In times of peace. Such tamo employment grated upon the Colonel's martial spirit, and he -left the inglorious standards of a degenerate nation. "Where are tho heroes of yesteryear?" "Tho wind has blown them all away." This sounds as if the Ananias challengo cup should go to Mr. Tunstall, of New Kent County, Virginia. W- P. Tunstall, of New Kent County, Vir ginia, who conduct a large hennery, founl several of his fowla dead, with their bodies badly mutilated. While Investigating the causa he heard a muffled exploBlon and saw a hen fall from her nest torn and bleeding. Looking Into the matter further, he ascertained that the explosion was due to the fowls setting on frozen eggs, which, when they became warm, exploded with deadly effect. According to Mr. Tunstall, the bodice of the dead fowls had pieces of egg shells all through them Wu-e they were blown by the force of the explosion. WEX. J. OUT OF THE GINGER JAR. Father But why hasten the wedding? Daugh ter Why. the Count may .die, papa. Father What of It? He doesn't owe me anything yet. Puck. He Don't you think I'm a good player? She You are. You never let your right hand know what your left band doeth. Chicago Dally News. Miss Antique I can trace my descent for the last hundred years. Miss Caustlque So long as that? You surprise me. You don't look a day over 60. St. Paul Pioneer Press. "You told me I could bet my last dollar on that old plug that came In fourth In yester day's race." "1 believe I did, but I dldn t suppose you'd be fool enough to do It." Chi cago Tribune. Teas Mr. Gayman has proposed to so many glrla I'm surprised he hasn't asked you to mar ry him. Jess Huh I X guess ho knows better. Tess Of course; but none of them will havo him. Philadelphia Press. Patron I'll have a piece of pumpkin pie. Walter Punkln pie: yes, sir. ratron Pump kin pie. Walter Oh, yes, sir. Think the Boa ton club will have any chance o' wlnnln the pennant this year? Philadelphia Ledger. Gadsby My wife will raise Cain with me if she discovers that I've been drinking. Jagsby All you've got to do Is to hold your breath when you go near her. Gadsby That's all right; but I'm afraid It's too strong to be held. Town and Country- "Realty, y' know, you're tho belle of the ball," chattered the silly dudes who sur rounded her. "pawstlvely charming! perfe-t In every way " "Nonsense," protested Miss Pechls, wearily, "there are some things about me that are utterly disgusting." Philadelphia Press. "They Bay Slowsky has Anally come to his senses and has given up trying to persuade Miss Jollyeyes to marry him. He's offended at last." "How did It happen?" "He dis covered that the curl of hair he has worn in his watch for the last year was taken from hep switch." Detroit Free Press. "I think," she said, "that he has deceived us all. X don't think ho 19 anything more than a clerk." "Why?" "Because, right in the middle of a proposal last night, his mind wandered and he said, 'You could wear a size smaller, miss, without any trouble at all. I Jerked my foot back, of course, but I knew right away why It was so easy for him to get on his knees before a girl." Chicago Post.