Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1898 — Page 2

gließtmotrfltic Sentinel J. W. lUclSWfilM, - • • INDIANA

CALLS HIM A DONKEY.

AN AMERICAN'S OPINION OF THE KAISER. Paul Knaak la Placed Under Arrest for Lese Majesty in Berlin -English Firm Wants an Interest in an Amer* lean Shipyard. Claims He Was Drunk. A correspondent cables: “If I had the Kaiser here I would tell him he is a schaffskopf” (literally a sheepshead, but colloquially synonymous with donkey), is the one offensive remark for which Paul Knaak, an American citizen, is confined in Moabit prison, Berlin, on the charge of lese majesty, according to mail advices, rigorous press censorship rendering it impossible to send full details by telegraph from Berlin. Knaak was in a restaurant with a girl named Loewe, and in a loud voice drew a contrast between the German and American governments, greatly to the advantage of the latter. When warned by neighbors that the slighting remarks about the Kaiser were dangerous, he replied as stated above and continued: “For the old Kaiser I had every respect, but I would box the present Kaiser’s ears, just as I would any one else’s. The Kaiser is lehman.” This last term is of peculiar opprobrium in Berlin, meaning vulgar or low. Thereupon the police were called and Knaak was taken to the station. De Schwindt, an able, painstaking lawyer, says Knaak’s defense will be an absolute denial of all knowledge of the remarks ascribed to him, as he was drunk. It is expected he will get six months and be banished on release from prison. ENGLISH FIRM COMING. Vickers’ Sons & Maxim Seeks an Interest in Newport News Shipyard. It was reported in May this year that the noted shipbuilding firm of Vickers’ Sous & Maxim of Barrow-in-Furness, England, was about to purchase an interest in the Cramp & Sons’ Ship and Engine Building Company of Philadelphia. The alliance, if any had been in contemplation, did not take place. But it developed quite recently that there was, after all, a strong probability that the famous English shipbuilding and gunmaking firm would extend its operations to this country, acquiring a large interest in the great Newport News shipyard, where, if the negotiations now in progress are brought to a successful conclusion, a big plant for the manufacture of cannon will also be established. INDIANS WILL RECONSIDER. Creeks and Cherokees May Yet Accept the Dawes Treaty. Secretary Bliss at Washington has received some important official dispatches from the' Indian territory indicating a change of sentiment on the part of some of the Indian tribes with whom the Dawes commission has been negotiating treaties. These dispatches were at a late cabinet meeting. They state that the Creek Indian council is to consider the holding of a new election looking to the adoption of the Dawes treaty, which has been once rejected at the polls. The dispatches also state that the Cherokee nation has just provided for a commission to treat with the Dawes commission.

Start In Search of Andree. The steamer Dingo arrived at Vancouver, B. C., from the north, bringing the report that Dr. Turwange and party had started on a search for Andree, going by balloon. J. Mangold of Vancouver was assisting ih the search for Andree. A Klondike-detective- named Franks. disco v- - 4ifed that Mangold was with the balloon party. He traced them to a point near Mount White; when the rigorous Alaska winter compelled him to turn back. Indian guides told him that the party had an immense bag with them that took fifteen Indian packers to carry, evidently the balloon. Check-Raiser Becker Confesses. At San Francisco, Carl Becker, one of a quartet of forgers who raised a check for $22,000 on the Nevada Bank, the original check calling for but sl2, has confessed. His accomplices have all turned State’s evidence, and it is believed that Becker confessed so that Creegan, who has been his particular partner in crime, could not benefit by his confession. Lazar Settles for $38,000. Max A. Lazar, a New York diamond dealer, who was tried on the charge of smuggling diamonds, has settled with the Government by payment through the United States District Attorney of $38,000. The indictments pending against Lazar and his brother, Edmund J. Lazar, and the brother's wife were dismissed. Death Sentence Affirmed. Division No. 2 of the Supreme Court, at Jefferson City, Mo., affirmed the death sentence of O. H. Baker of Shannon County, who whs convicted of the murder of his wife, whom he beat to death last March. He will be hanged Jan. 10. Landslide Causes a Wreck. A landslide brought on by the rain and snow melting caused a bad wreck on the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad near Swartwood, N. J. Three trainmen were badly injured and the road was blocked to traffic. Seven Persons Burned to Death. Seven persons were burned to death in a fire which broke out in the small hamlet of Exenthal, near Sonnebcrgh, SaxeMeiningen, about twelve miles northeast of Coburg. Princeton Defeated by Yale. Yale won the debate from Princeton at New Haven. A large audience was in attendance. The Rev. Joseph H. Twitchell of Hartford presided. The question debated was “Resolved, That the United States Should Annex Cuba.” Princeton took the affirmative. Otis Law Is Sustained. The Supreme Court of Ohio has sustained the Otis law, under which a Republican board of city affairs was ousted in Cincinnati and a bi-partisan board appointed in its place by a Democratic Mayor.. Terrible Concussion at Baltimore. One of the immense supply tanks of the Consolidated Gas Company at Baltimore exploded during a storm, and the concussion caused people to think an earthquake had struck that city. The damage is estimated at about $20,000. Street Railway Ordered Fold. Justice Wright has granted the motion of the attorneys for the Knickerbocker Trust Company of New York to foreclose bonds against the Oswego, N. Y., Electric Street Railway for $125,000 and ordered its sale a few weeks hence. University Destroyed. Fire totally destroyed the main building of the Lincoln, Neb., Normal University, three miles from that city. It was a fourstory structure, costing slightly over SIOO,OOO. Insurance, $25,000. The origin of the fire is unknown. Acquit Haldeman of Marder. At Cincinnati, the jury acquitted W. J Haldeman of the murder of ex-State Senator J. C. Richardson Sept. 23 last. The men were business associates, and the killing was in the office of their mills at Lockland, Ohio. Novelty Works Destroyed. The Bloomsburg novelty works were destroyed by fire. The loss will reach $60,000, dusurance $25,000.

NOTBrtdM ANMMB. mm* LtHar In a Bottle le Picked Up Neat' Hie Ural Range. . An eflgihe driver named Detke has written to the Swedish-Norwegian minister at St Petersburg a letter in which he says that he found in the vicinity of the Ural mountains a bottle containing two papers, one of which bore the following message, written in French: “Andree’s balloon bas crossed the Ural mountains. Andree.” The other paper, inscribed in Russian, was as follows: “Give this letter to the consul or to the police.” The balloon, with Prof. Andree and two companions, Strindeberg and Frenkel, in the car, left Danes Island of the Spitsbergen group July 11, 1897, in an attempt to cross the pole. Since then no definite news of the aeronauts has been received beyond a message attached to a carrier pigeon found by the whaling ship Falken, which arrived at Copenhagen Sept. 2. The message read: “July 13, 12:30 p. m., lat. 82.2 north, long. 12.5 east. Good voyage eastward. All well.” HAWAIIAN CROPS SOLD. American Trust Secures Sugar Output for Two Years, Honolulu advices say that Hawaiian planters have contracted with the American Sugar Refinery for the sale of the entire sugar output of the island for the next two years. Excepting only about 75.000 tons, which will be shipped to the refinery at Crockett. Cal., an amount sufficient for the American companies at San Francisco will be held at that place. The rest will be forwarded to New York to be used there in competition with the independent refineries. “We have sold out to the trust,*’ said a leading planter, “but it was a case of could not help ourselves. Our first overtures were to the Arbuckles. We wanted to patronize the independent refineries and were open in our opposition to the trust, but the Arbuckles would not buy, and the American Sugar Refinery held out inducements which no one else was prepared to meet.” MAKE WEDDING TRIP ON FOOT. Hard Luck Befalls a Young Runaway Conple in Missouri. One of the most remarkable wedding journeys on record was made to St. Louis and back to Norwood, Kan., by Austin W. Dunbar and Miss Lizzie Hay of Norwood. The couple arrived at St. Louis, secured a marriage license and were wed. When they left Norwood on their eloping expedition they traveled in a buggy. At Lee’s Summit, their money gave out and the groom sold the rig, using the proceeds to ride on a train to St. Louis and thence to Jefferson City, on the return trip. At the latter town they were again stalled, but nothing daunted they managed to get on a freight train and deadhead their way to Sedalia. Then they were penniless, and the only way they could continue home was to walk, which they did, all the way to Norwood, a distance of 250 miles, the trip taking them thirty days. EXPRESS OFFICE IS ROBBED. Cowboys Are Blamed for a Bold Burglary at Almena, Kan. Officials of the United States Express Company in Denver have been notified that its office at Almena, Kan., was robbed one night recently. The safe was opened and its valuable contents taken. The officials will not give the amount of the loss, but it is known the robbers got a package containing $3,000 in greenbacks that had been sent by the Standard Meat and Live Stock Company of Denver to its agent at Almena. It is believed the robbery was committed by cowboys.

New Hospital at Honolulu. The steamer Miowera brings Honolulu advices. The steamer Australia was to leave Honolulu several days ago with 500 men of the New York regiment bound to San Francisco on the way to New York. A few days later 200 more were to follow ny the Alameda. The troops are supposed to have been recalled on account of the ravages of typhoid. There are said to have been 300 cases when the Miowera left. Permission has been received at Honolulu from Washington to abandon Independence Park as a hospital site as soon as other quarters can be fitted up. Surgeons of the camp and hospital are afraid the site is too low for health during the comparatively wet winter months. In obedience to instructions, Col. Ruhlin began the erection of the new hospital building in Nuanu valley. The structure will be 45 feet wide by 160 feet long. It will have side kitchens, surgeons’ and stewards’ quarters. This will give complete accommodation for all the sick soldiers in Honolulu. The new buildings will take 120 patients, Buena Vista proper about 100, and the convalescent hospital the remainder. Winter in the Klondike. Dr. W. D. Kinsloe and T. P. Eames, Denver mining men, who, with Col. Hughes of Rossland, have just returned from Alaska, report that a volcano is in active eruption about fifty miles from Atlin City. No name has yet been given to the volcano, but the officials of Atlin are preparing for a trip of inspection and will christen it. It is said to be the second in a string of four mountains lying fifty miles due south of Lake Gladys, all of which are more than 1,400 feet high. It will probably be the end of December or the beginning of January before any news is received from the men who have chosen to spend the winter on the rich gold-bearing creeks of the Klondike. The Yukon below White Horse Rapids Is frozen over. Norman D. Macauley, manager of the White Horse tramway, was nineteen days in making the trip from the rapids to Lake Bennett, a trip that under ordinary circumstances is made In two or three days. About 500 men will winter on the creeks in the Atlin River country. Blow Cars Up with Dynamite. One of the cars of the Dallas, Texas, Consolidated electric system was blown up by dynamite. Half an hour later another car was blown up. A stick of dynamite a foot long was found at the scene of the second explosion. No passengers were in the cars. The motormen were uniinured. The cars were badly wrecked, a wheel on each being blown to fragments. These are the first serious acts of violence since the strike of the motormen on the Consolidated system was inaugurated.

Gift for Harvard College. James Stillman of New York has given $50,000 to Harvard College to cover the cost of- land and buildings for a projected Harvard infirmary, which will bear the name of the donor. In addition Mr. Stillman will contribute $2,500 annually for four years. A new scholarship has just been conferred upon the scientific school of Harvard University by a gift of $lO,000 from J. R. Jenkins. German Army Bill. The details of the new German army bill show the Prussian peace contingent will be increased by 11,424 men and 2,850 horses. The Saxon contingent will be increased by 2,073 men. Herr Eugene Richter, the radical leader, calls this Germany’s answer to the Czar’s disarmament proposal. Killed His Rival. Joseph P. Gross, an assistant foreman of the San Francisco fire department, was shot and almost instantly killed by Joseph Clark, an upholsterer. The murderer accused his victim of having caused an estrangement between his wife and himself. Exercises Imperial Clemency. Emperor Francis Joseph, in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his accession to the Austro-Hungarian throne, granted full pardon to all lese majeste prisoners and remitted the remainder of the sentences of 540 other prisoners. Fire In Spanish Dockyard. A fire which occurred in the Government dockyard at Ferrol, Spain, gutted several buildings and a number of bombshells exploded. The loss is estimated at 4,000,000 pesetas. Will Fight to a Finish. A great tobacco war, which will completely overshadow the conflict of miir»ns

now golhf on In the sugar trade, is about to be fought between the American Tobacco Company, with its creature, the Continental Plug Tobacco Company, on the one Side and the UeW Union Tobacco Company, recently Incorporated at Albany by the WidenerEikins combine that owns the controlling interest in the Metropolitan Street Railway Company and other great traction interests throughout the United States. Associated with the new company in the conflict will be Liggett & Myers of St. Louis, Weissinger & Co. of Louisville, the Sorg and other tobacco concerns that refused to be absorbed by the trust organized by the American Tobacco Company. William Wilson, an agent of the Union Tobacco Company, it is said, has been dispatched to Louisville to buy a site for the greatest plug tobacco factory in the world. It is to employ 5,000 hands and have a capacity double that of the American Tobaco Company’s great Louisville plant.YEAR 1898 AS A TRADE BASIS. Bradstreet Says It Exceeds Former Favorable Periods. Bradstreet’s commercial report says: “The business world enters on the closing month of the year with so many favorable and so few depressing features in sight as to leave little doubt that the year 1898, as a whole, must hereafter furnish the basis for estimate when comparisons of large business are to be made. Nearly all obtainable statistics and reports as to the volume of business point to the present year having heavily exceeded any former year in the amount of business done. Wheat (including flour) shipments for this week aggregate 7,483,959 bushels, against 5,824,726 bushels last week. Corn exports for the week aggregate 4,623,988 bushels, against 3,993,846 bushels last week.” KILLS AN UNKNOWN BURGLAR. Ohio Man Brings Down an Unwelcome Visitor with Buckshot. John D. Cummins, the wealthiest citizen of Conneaut, Ohio, shot and killed an unknown burglar about 1 o’clock the other morning. The Cummins home has been visited by thieves a number of times. Watch dogs and alarms failed of their purpose until this time. Mr. Cummins was awakened by the burglar alarm from the stable. Armed with a shotgun loaded with buckshot he met the burglar coming out of his stable and fired. The man staggered, exclaimed “Oh, God!” and fell back dead. The entire charge took effect in his heart and left side. The victim was about 65 years old, and wore two suits of army uniform. The coroner’s inquest exonerated Cummins. James H. Southall Sentenced. James H. Southall, the swindler and Government time check forger, was sentenced at St. Paul to the State’s prison for ten years at hard labor. Southall swindled various banking firms and individuals in the principal cities of the country out of sums aggregating $750,000. He was convicted of grand larceny—only one of six or more indictments. School Furniture Combine. The formation of the school furniture combine is now completed. All the big Grand Rapids companies, and, in fact, all the companies making school furniture, are represented in this newest pool, which is to have a capitalization of $8,500,000. A Grand Rapids furniture manufacturer is to be made the president and the headquarters will be in Chicago.

Killed In a Runaway. Mrs. Abbie L. Marble, the aged sister-in-law of the late James G. Blaine, met with a tragic death at San Leandro, Cal. She was driving in a light buggy when the horse took fright and ran away, going through an open gate into an orchard. A low-hanging limb struck Mrs. Marble in the breast, throwing her from the buggy and killing her instantly. To Be Held in Chicago. The quadrennial general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church will be held in Chicago in May, 1900. A decision to that effect by the committee which has the location of the conference in charge was obtained by the Chicago Methodist Social Union subcommittee, in session at the Palmer House in that city. Attempt to Kill an Official. Under the house of Councilman-at-Large Edward Johnson, in Brigantine, N. J., a dynamite bomb was exploded, partially wrecking the building. There is no doubt that it was the intention of the perpetrators of the outrage to kill Mr. Johnson. Nobody was hurt.

Tin-Plate Companies Unite. The Consolidated Tin Plate Company, a corporation formed under the laws of New Jersey, with a capital stock of $50,000,000, was formally organized at Pittsburg, Pa. The combine will take hold of nearly all the mills in the country on Dec. 15. Had Premonition. Aubrey C. Taylor, a well-known newspaper writer of Zanesville, Ohio, had a premonition of his death, and the day that he was taken ill went to an Undertaking establishment and selected the coffin in which he wanted to be buried. Big Gasometer Is Biowq Up. One of the immense supply tanks of the Consolidated Gas Company at Baltimore exploded during a storm, and the concussion caused people to think an earthquake had struck that city. The damage is estimated at about $20,000. Brakeman Burns to Death. In a freight wreck near Royalston, Mass., a brakeman named Knight was caught between broken timbers in such a way that he could not extricate himself, and burned to death before the eyes of his horrified companions. President for Oberlin College. Dr. John Henry Barrows, the popular Chicago divine, has been elected president of Oberlin (Ohio) College.’ Ecuador In State of Siege. The republic of Ecuador bas proclaimed a state of siege.

THE MARKETS.

Chicago—Cattle, common to prime, $3.00 to $6.25; hogs, -hipping grades, $3.00 to $3.75; sheep, fair to choice, $2.50 to $4.50; wheat, No. 2 red, 65c to 66c; corn. No. 2,33 cto 34c; oats, No. 2,26 c to 27c; rye, No. 2,52 cto 53c; butter, choice creamery, 21c to 22c; eggs, fresh, 23c to 25c; potatoes, choice, 30c to 40c per bushel. Indianapolis—Cattle, shipping, $3.00 to $5.50; hogs, choice light, $2.75 to $3.50; sheep, common to choice, $2.50 to $4.25; wheat, No. 2 red, 67c to 69c; corn, No. 2 white, 81c to 33c; oats, No. 2 white, 28c to 30c. St. Louis—Cattle, $3.00 to $5.50; hogs, $3.00 to $3.50; sheep, $3.50 to $4.50; wheat, No. 2,71 cto 72e; corn, No. 2 yellow, 81c to 32c; oats, No. 2,27 cto 28c; rye, No. 2,51 cto 53c. Cincinnati—Cattle, $2.50 to $5.25; hogs, $3.00 to $3.50; sheep, $2.50 to $4.25; wheat, No. 2,69 cto 70c; corn, No. 2 mixed, 84c to 35c; oats, No. 2 mixed, 29c to 30c; rye, No. 2,56 cto 58c. Detroit—Cattle, $2.50 to- $5.50: hogs, $3.00 to $3.50; sheep and lambs, $3.00 to $5.00; wheat, No. 2,70 cto 71c; corn, No. 2 yellow, 35c to 36c; oats, No. 2 white, 29c to 80c; rye, 54c to 56c. Toledo—Wheat, No. 2 71c; corn, No. 2 mixed, 34c to 35c; oats, No. 2 white, 26c to 28c; rye, No. 2,54 c to 55c; clover seed, new, $4.65 to $4.75. Milwaukee—Wheat, No. 2 spring, 65c to 67c; corn, No. 3,33 cto 34c; oats, No. 2 white, 29c to 30c; rye, No. 1,53 cto 54c; barley, No. 2,43 cto 50c; pork, mess, $7.50 to SB.OO. Buffalo—Cattle, good shipping steers, $3.00 to $5.75; hogs, common to choice, $3.25 to $3.75; sheep, fair to choice wethers, $8.50 to $4.75; lambs, common to extra, $5.00 to $5.50. - New York—Cattle, $3.00 to $5.75; hogs, $3.00 to $4.00; sheep, $3.00 to $4.50; wheat, No. 2 red, 76c to 78c; corn, No. 2,40 cto 42i.; oats, No. 2,81 cto 83c; butter, creamery, 16c to 24c; eggs, Western. 25c tj 27c.

POLITICS OF THE DAY

RUINOUS COMMERCIAL POLICY. Now, more than at any other time, the weakness of our commercial policy is made evident. Colonies and protective tariffs do not work well together. The French colonies are a fair sample of what this system will bring forth. The French management of Tonquin has been on protective tariff lines, and the result has been the stagnation of the life and business of the colony. The success that England has with her many colonies comes very largely from the course she pursues with her tariffs. The fullest liberty is allowed to commerce, and the result is that the commerce and manufactures of England have been able to hold their own, in comparison with other gold-standard nations. If there ever was a time when a free trade policy would be of benefit to the United States, It is uow. The settlement of the Philippine question will be Influenced very greatly by the course we Intend to pursue there. If we are to allow all nations to trade there without restraint and without fines for so doing, most of them will be very willing to see this country the master of the situation. If we are to erect a tariff wall there we may expect some very vigorous opposition from several of the European Governments most Interested. Greed and Grab Is not a policy that commends itself to our neighbors across the water, except when It Is practiced by themselves. That policy hangs like a millstone about the neck of America. It will be found Impeding our progress at every step. It cannot be thrown off no matter how heavy It becomes, for the Republican party is in power, and that party Is committed body and soul to the policy named. Every treaty entered Into must take cognizance of that fact. Every trust and every “protected” Interest In the country will from this time on have its agents busy watching the progress of events In the settlement of the great questions growing out of the war. As the protective policy Is really a policy that these same “protected” interests have developed and foisted on the country, we may expect that the smart lawyers whom they are able to employ will be eminently successful in having all treaties and regulations fixed to suit their interests, without regard to the interests of the rest of the country. The sugar trust, whose influence was so potent in the framing of the last tariff on sugars, and which was able to raise the price to consumers some 20 per cent as a result of that tariff, may certainly be looked to to take a hand In settling the questions of our relation with Cuba. That devastated country should have the freest tariffs possible to enable it to rise from Its ashes, but we cannot expect that a generous policy will be followed. What, open the markets of the United States to free Cuban sugar? What can we expect of the trust? The policy is a disastrous one, so far as present business and present prosperity are concerned, but the working out of the present Republican policy In relation to these new possessions is likely to bring the protective tariff scheme Into bold relief and show up the iniquity of it. The people will have an object lesson that will not fail to Impress them. If. we do not mistake the Intelligence of the American people, the time Is not far distant when they will turn down the whole policy with the party that espouses it. Nay, more; the time is not far distant when no party will dare make a protective policy an issue In an election. It Is one of the errors that nations are slow to outgrow, but once outgrown will be cast aside forever.— H. F. Thurston.

Silver as a Dead Issue. Two years ago the gold standard press devoted cplumns of their space to laboriously prepared articles to convince their readers that “the silver issue was dead.” Dead past the hope of resurrection or redemption. During the recent campaign the “ghost” of the silver issue nearly frightened them to death, and they made the most frantic appeals to their readers, not to stand by the gold standard, not to vote against free silver, but to' “stand by the administration” because it would be a condemnation of Its war policy, and a reflection upon that great and good man McKinley, to elect an adverse Congress, and the election of such a Congress would cause Spain to refuse the terms of peace we have offered. By such appeals and by an absolute elimination of the money issue from the campaign, and with the aid of the war sentiment, a remnant of the overwhelming majority of the last Congress has been saved. As soon after these false pretenses and have secured them a victory that is a narrow escape from defeat, as they recover from their great fright, they stick up their heads from licking the tombstones they had prepared, and again squeak by the column about silver being dead. As a dead Issue, killed, according to the testimony of these same killers, two years ago, it is stronger in the House of Representatives than it was then. Stronger on the popular vote polled at the elections of 1898 than at the elections of 1896. Stronger In the convictions of the people who believe that genuine prosperity is impossible without it. There was a division of sentiment among silver advocates as to whether it would be better or worse for the cause of silver to control the lower house of Congress while a gold standard President stood ready to veto all silver legislation, and those who believed it would be worse refused to vote, and the Republican press has conceded that It was the Democrats who stayed at home. On all hands it was conceded that war measures and local politics were the only Issues in the campaign while it was pending, and there is a manifest lack of fairness in the post-election efforts of the very fellows who refrained from the most remote allusion to financial questions as being z at issue during the contest, to now claim that there has been any decision in relation to them. They, however, can fool nobody but themselves by such absurd claims, and they will realize later that the great silver question cannot be killed by such methods, and that it is and will remain a very live issue until it has been fairly made an issue and passed upon by the American people. Disastrous Commercial Policy. Stocks, especially trust stocks, went booming when the news of the Republican victory was received on Wall street. But wheat did not go up. On the contrary, the tepdency of wheat prices is downward. Why Is it that Republican success

means high prices for trnst stocks and low prices for agricultural products? The answer is self-evident. The Republican party fosters and protects trusts, and its victories mean continued fostering and protection for the great combines of this country. But the farmers receive no protection from the Republican party. That great organization Is engaged in making money dear, and dear money means cheap wheat. There is to be no famine in India next season, and the prospects of a large world’s crop of wheat are so good that the boom given that cereal last year is not to be repeated next year. By a dispensation of Providence the farmers were given a brief glimpse of prosperity and the Republican party endeavored to take the credit for It. But with big crops everywhere and no famine anywhere, the farmer will find his wheat a drug in the market and Republican promises won’t be able to save him.—Chicago Democrat

Effects of the Gold Standard. Every observer of past and present conditions has been impressed by the radical changes that have taken place within the last quarter of a century, in those business conditions, and their effects upon the general prosperity o fthe people and of the country. Twenty-five years ago the productive energies of the country were In the hands of millions of small producers, who owned and controlled their own farms, factories and mills, and citizens with limited capital could'freely engage in any of the industries with fair prospects of success. Now well-nigh all business Is controlled by combinations of capital and immense producing forces through the organization of trusts, that have driven or are driving all individual enterprises out of existence, and making it impossible for individuals to successfully engage in any productive enterprise. The great combined grain farms of the West make It Impossible for the small farmers to earn more than a bare living by the production of grain. The great iron, steel, tin-plate, woolen, cotton and other trusts, having obtained control of and combined the great mills in these lines, make it impossible for Individuals or small , combinations of capital to engage in production, with any hope of success. The same transition has taken place In the commercial world. Twenty-five years ago the merchant was found doing a profitable business at almost every crossroads In the country, and a man with a few hundred dollars in money could carry on, at the doors of his patrons, a business that would return him something more than a comfortable living. Now the big city merchants, the great department stores, more by their immense stocks and attractive appearance than by cheaper goods or better bargains, have driven these small merchants to the wall and made it impossible for those with small means to engage in profitable commercial business. This has closed legitimate avenues of business to men of small capital and driven them to other methods of making a living. Some have become sportsmen, engaging in ordinary games of chance, to procure a precarious, uncertain living; others, and in much greater numbers than most people imagine, have gone Into stock or other gambling, and bet their money on the probable advance or decline In the price of some stock or some product, winning to the extent of the change In value, If as they expected, or losing if otherwise. A few make fortunes, but the multitude lose all that the few win; still the losers go on until they are pauperized, and many of them reach paupers’ graves through suicide. Notwithstanding the precarious character of the gambling business, and the hosts impoverished by it,, It seems to be constantly growing, and usurping the place of legitimate business. As an evidence of this, last week in the city of New York $27,000 was offered and refused for a certificate of membership in the New York Exchange, which is necessary to secure the trading privileges of that great stock-gambling organization. This is more than double the price at which such a certificate could have been purchased five years ago and Indicates the growing importance of this method of business. Is It, can it be possible, that this change in methods, this trend of business from the many to the few; this concentration of capital in the hands of the few; this Increase In speculative, non-productive, gambling methods; these trust combinations with their profit-increasing, wages-redudng Influence, that cannot tend otherwise than to the impoverishment of the many for the benefit of the few, can fail to result in impoverishing the people and to the decadence of this country as a great nation? This trend Is the result of legislation that for a quarter of a century has been increasing the purchasing power of money, decreasing the value of all property and all products, and Increasing the wealth of the few of the creditor class at the expense of the many of the debtor class; has been taking the profits of the producer from him and giving it to the consumer; the value of his property from the debtor, and giving it to his creditor, must lead to untimely ruin unless changed. There Is but one remedy: Reverse this course; legislate in the Interest of the producer; protect the debtor; destroy trusts; prohibit gambling; restore the mone-s tary conditions of twenty-five years ago by restoring bimetallism, which gave us “honest money,” and the impending danger may be turned aside before the ultimate ruin has come upon us.

Judge Day and the Governorship. The solemnity with which a Republican organ in Mr. Hanna’s bailiwick explains that Judge Day would probably not be anxious for the Republican nomination for Governor of Ohio is entertaining. Of course he is not in that line. He would not Interfere with the plan that has long been mapped out. The suggestion of bls name in the gubernatorial connection was a figment of the imagination of some young man who was not familiar with the Hanna program.—Cincinnati Enquirer. Switzerland has a business-like compulsory education law. If a child does not attend school on a particular day the parent gets a notice from the public authority that he is fined so many francs; the second day the fine is Increased, and by the third day the amount becomes a serious one. In casr of sickness the pupil Is excused, but if there be any suspicion of shamming a doctor is sent. If the suspicion is found to be well founded, the parent is required to pay the cost of the doctor’s visit. •

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

A Critical Review of the War with Spain. NO POLICY OUTLINED. Executive Say* We Must Await Signing of Treaty Before Discussion Begins.

Washington, D. C., Dec. 5. —President McKinley’s second annual message, submitted to Congress today contains about 20,000 words. Following are ths more important features of the message: To the Senate and House of Representatives: Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered necessary by the war, our people rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily-increasing degree of prosperity, evidenced by the largest volume of business ever recorded. Manufacture has been productive, agricultural pursuits have yielded abundant returns, labor in all fields of industry is better rewarded, revenue legislation passed by the present Congress has increased the treasury’s receipts to the amount estimated by its authors; the finances of the government have been successfully administered and its credit advanced to the first rank, while its currency has been maintained at the world’s highest standard. Military service under a commoh flag and for a righteous cause has strengthened the national spirit and served to cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section of the country. In reviewing the controversy which led up to the war with Spain, the President takes up the thread of narrative where it terminated in his last message. He concluded: “It was honestly due to our friendly relations with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her expectations of reform to which she had become Irrevocably committed.” It became evident, however, that the proposed plans were barren of good results. No tangible relief was afforded the reconcentrados. among whom the rate of mortality frightfully increased, the proffered expedient of zones of cultivation proved illusory and it was apparent that nothing save the physical exhaustion of Spain or the Cubans and the practical ruin or the island of Cuba could result from the struggle then in progress. Destruction of the Main:. At this critical juncture, the destruction of the battleship Maine occurred. Concerning it the President said: “It is a striking evidence of the poise and sturdy good sense distinguishing our national character that this shocking blow, falling upon a generous people, already deeply touched by preceding events in Cuba, did not move them to an instant, desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the existence of an end of danger and disorder at our doors that made possible Buch a deed, by whomsoever wrought.” Resuming the war narrative, the President directs attention to the measures, including the $50,000,000 appropriation for national defense, taken to place the country on a war footing, and adds: “It is sufficient to say that the outbreak of war, when it did come, found our nation not unprepared to meet the conflict.” Reference is made to the apprehension of coming strife by the continental powers, voiced in the address to the President through tAeir ambassadors and envoys, and to the President’s reuly thereto. Still animated, however, by the hope of a peaceful solution of the difficulty and obeying ’the dictates of duty ? the President relaxed no effort to bring about a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle. Negotiations with the Madrid .government proved futile so far as practical results were concerned, and then it was that the President presented the question to Congress, saying: “In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests which give us the right and duty to speak, and to act, the war in Cuba must stop.” The result of this statement of the case was the adoption of the memorable joint resolution by Congress, declaring the purpose of the United States to intervene between the Spaniards and Cubans. Following swiftly upon ths enactment of the resolution came the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the proclamation of a blockade of Cuban ports, the call for volunteers, and the formal declaration of the existence of a state of war. All other governments were immediately notified of the existence of war and each proclaimed neutrality. “It is not among the least gratifying incidents of the struggle that the obligations of neutrality were impartially discharged by all, often under delicate- and difficult circumstances,” remarks the President. Critical Review of the War.

The President reviews at length the work of preparation for war, referring particularly, to the enlistment of the volunteers, to the material increase of the navy in both men and ships and to the precautionary measures taken for the protection of the seaboard coast and cities. “The aggregate number of mines placed was 1535, at the principal harbors from Maine to California.” Ref erring to "the difficult and important character” of the work performed by the signal corps, the President says: “This service was Invaluable to the executive in directing the operations of the army and navy. With a total force of over 1300 the loss was by disease, in camp and field, officers and men included, only five,” As to the authorized loan of $200,000,000, which was taken entirely by small bidders, the President says: “This was a most encouraging and significant result, showing the vast resources of the nation and the determination of the people to uphold their country’s honor.” Taking up chronologically the events of the war, the President reviews them carefully. The first encounter was the shelling of Matanzas on April 27. This was followed by an engagement which was "destined to mark a memorable epoch in maritime warfare.” This was Commodore Dewey’s wonderful victory at Manila on May 1. “The effect of this remarkable victory,” says the President, “upon the spirit of our people and on the fortunes of war was instant. A prestige of invincibility thereby attached to our arms, which continued throughout the struggle.” The President says that “only reluctance to cause needless loss of life and property prevented the early storming and capture of the city (Manila) and therewith the absolute military occupancy of the whole group.” Lieut, Hobson’s Exploit. Following the memorable trip of the battleship Oregon from San Francisco to Key West and the bombardment of San Juan and the forts of Santiago, to which special reference is made, the President says: “The next act in the war thrilled not alone the hearts of our countrymen but the world by its exceptional heroism. On the night of June 3 Lieut. Hobson, aided by seven volunteers, blocked the outlet from Santiago harbor by sinking the collier Merrimac in the channel, under a fierce fire from the shore batteries, escaping with their lives as by a miracle, but falling into the hands of the Spaniards. It is a most gratfying incident of the war that the bravery of this little band of heroes was cordially appreciated by the Spanish admiral.” The campaign of Santiago, resulting in the investment and the capture of that city, is referred to as a brilliant achievement. A brief review is then presented of the decisive naval combat of the war on July 3, resulting in the complete destruction of Admiral Cervera’s fleet. Concerning it the President says: “Where all so conspicuously distinguished themselves, from the commanders to the gunners and the unnamed heroes in the boiler rooms, each and all contributing toward the achievements of this astounding victory, for which neither ancient nor modern history affords a parallel in the completeness of the event and the marvelous disproportion of casualties, it would be invidious to single out any one for special honor.” In this connection the President says: "Nor can we be unmindful of the achievements of our builders, mechanics and artisans for their part in the construction of our warships.” Tribute to Dead Heroes. As to the success gained by the arms of the United States in Cuba, the President says that the earnest and lasting gratitude of the nation is unsparingly due. ‘Nor sho. * we alone remember the gallantry of the living; the dead claim our tears and our losses by battle and disease must cloud any exultation at the result (nd teach us the awful cost qf war, howfiver rightful the cause or signal the victory.” The total casualties in killed onfi wsaad-

ed la ft* aftny dwtaf ft* war with Bpai* ««*• Officers killed, 23; enlisted mep killed, 257; 'total. 280; officers wounded, 113; enlisted men wounded, 1464; total, 1577. Of the navy:. Killed, 17: wounded, 67; died aa result of wounds, 1; invalided from service, 6: total, 91. “It will be observed that while our navy waa engaged in two great battles and in numerous perilous undertakings in blockade and bombardment and more than 50,000 of our troops were transported to dist®ut lands and were engaged in assault and siege and battle and many skirmishes in unfamiliar territory, yre lost in both arms of the service a total of 1668 lulled and wounded; and in the entire campaign by land and sea we did not lose a gun or a flag or a transport, or a ship, and with the exception of the crew of the Merrimac, not a soldier or sailor was taken prisoner. The President bears testimony and pays fitting tribute “to the patriotism and devotion of that large portion of our army which, although eager to be ordered to the post of greatest exposure, fortunately was not required outside of the United States.” The did their whole duty and earned the gratitude of the nation. The President then says: “In tracing those events we are constantly reminded of our obligations to the Divine Master for Hia watchful care over us and His safe guidance, for which the nation makes reverent acknowledgment and offers humble prayer for the continuance of His favors.” Peace Negotiations. The peace negotiations which followed soon after the capitulation of Santiago and the preparation and signing of the protocol are discussed at length. Referring to the work of the peace commissioners in Paris the President says: “These negotiations have made hopeful progress, so that I trust soon to be able to lay a definite treaty before the Senate with a review of the steps leading to its signature. • “I do not discuss at this time the government tenure of the new possessions which will come to us as the result of the war with Spain. Such discussion will be appropriate after the treaty of peace shall be ratified. In the meantime, and until the Congress has legislated'otherwise, it will be my duty to continue the military governments which have existed since our occupation and give to the people security in life and property and encouragement under a just and beneficent rule. “As soon as we are in possession of Cuba and have pacified the island it will be necessary to give aid and direction to its people to form a government for themselves. This should be undertaken at the earliest moment consistent with safety and assured success. It is important that our relations with this people shall be of the most friendly character and our commercial relations close and reciprocal. It should be our duty to assist in every proper way to build up the waste places of the islands, encourage the industry of the people and assist them to form a government which shall be free and independent, thus realizing the best aspirations of the Cuban people. “Spanish rule must be replaced by a just, benevolent and humane government, creates by the people of Cuba, capable of performing all international obligations ana which shall encourage thrift, industry and prosperity and promote peace and good-will among all of the inhabitants, whatever may have been their relations 1b the past. Neither revenge nor passion should have a place in the new government. Until there is complete tranquillity In the island and stable government inaugurated military occupation will be continued.” Other Foreign Relatione.

The President says that with one exception, the rupture with Spain, the intercourse of the United States with the great family of nations during the past year has been marked with cordiality. Concerning negotiations-with the Argentine government, initiated with a view to removing differences in cable rate charges imposed against messages passing from and to the United States, the President expresses his sincere desire for an international agreement whereby interchange of messages over connecting lines may be regulated on a fair basis of uniformity, and adds; “It would be strange were the nations not in time brought to realize that modem civilization, which owes so much of its progress to the annihilation of time by the electrical force, demands that this all-im-portant means of communication he a heritage of all peoples, to be administered and regulated in their common behalf.” To the killing and wounding of striking miners in Luzerne county, Pa., which aroused the solicitude of the Austro-Hun-gavian government, many of the miners being subjects of that government, the President expects to reach a harmonious understanding on the subject with Aus-tria-Hungary. The hope is expressed that the restrictions imposed by Belgium on the importation of American cattle will at an early date be relaxed, so as to admit live American cattle under proper regulations. The Nicaragua Canal.

The President expects that the Nicaragua canal commission will shortly be able to report finally. “I have not hesitated to express my convictions,” says the President, “that considerations of expediency and international policy as between the several governments interested in the construction and control of gn interoceanic canal by this route require the maintenance of the status quo until the canal commission shall have reported and the United States Congress shall hive had the opportunity to pass finally unon the whole matter.” The President regards, in view of our newly-acquired interests ip the Pacific octan, the construction of such a mariSime highway as now more than ever inlispensable. Concerning the extraordinary events transpiring in the Chinese eifipire, the President says that our position among nations gives the equitable claim to consideration and friendly treatment in this regard, and that it will be his aim to serve our large interests in the Orient by ail means appropriate to the constant policy of our government. Reference is made to several claims of citizens of the United States pehdipg against other nations and to the settlement of other claims during the past year. After reviewing the work of the Paris exposition commission the President reo ommends that the appropriation for ths exhibit of the United States at the Park exposition be increased to $1,000,000. Our relations with Great Britain have continued on the most friendly footing, and th# President says it would give him especial satisfaction if he should be authorized to communicate to Congress * favorable conclusion of the pending negotiations with Great Britain in respect to the Dominion of Canada. Report on Hawaii. The President reports that the Hawaiian commission has fulfilled its mission and that its report will bo laid before Congress at an early day, “it to believed that their recommendation will have the earnest consideration dllft to the magnitude of the responsibility resting upon you to give such shape to the relationship of these mid-Paclfic lands to our home union as will benefit both in the highest degree.” Referring to the proposal of the Czar of Russia for a general reduction of thfi great military establishments the President says: “His majesty was at once informed of the cordial sympathy of tals government with the principle involved in his exalted prpposal and of the readiness qf the United States to take part i* the conference.” The President says that the newly-ac-credited envoy of the United States to the Ottoman porte carries instructions looking to the disposal of matters in controversy with Turkey for a number of years. Alluding to the financial affairs of the country the President says in part: "The secretary of the treasury reports that the receipts of the government from all sources during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1898, including $04,751,223 received from sale of Pacific railroads, amounted to $405,321,335, and its expenditures to $448,808,582. "It is estimated upon the basis qf present revenue laws that the receipts of the government for the year ending June 30, 1899, will be $577,874,647, and its expenditures $689,874,647, resulting in a deficiency of $112,000,000. "In my judgment the present condition of the treasury amply justifies the immediate enactment of the legislation recommended one year ago, under which a portion of the gold holdings should be placed in a trust fund from which greenbacks should be redeemed upon presentation, but when once redeemed should not there* after be paid out except f° r gold. It is not to be ihferred that other legislation relating to our currency is not required; on the contrary, there is an obvioui demand for it." The President says that in view of the recent acquisition of territory by tM United States there should be established regular and frequent steamship comfhiA» cation, under the American flag, with tlfi newlj-acquired islands. In vigw, alsp, qf the increased importance qf the proposed formation of £ com. mtoaton es aanttar* ixpsrtt to investigMi

ft* yellow fever problem, owing to th* military occupation of Cuba, tha President recommends that Congress provide for such commission. Millitary Establishment. The recommendation made, by the secretary of war for the increase of the regular military establishment has the Preaident’a unqualified approval. He says that it is his purpose to muster out the entire volunteer army as soon as Congress shall provide for the increase of the regular establishment. He recommends the erection of a building for the department of justice and suggests also the advisability of making proper provision for the Supreme court. He earnestly approves of the recommendations of Secretary Long as to the increase of the navy, and recommends also that the grades of admiral and viceadmiral be temporarily revived, to be filled by officers who have especially distinguished themselves in the war with Bpain. The President earnestly urges early legislation for the taking of the twelfth census and legislation providing for the education of the 30,000 white children in the Indian territory.

MIRACLE OF BO PEEP’S GRAVE.

Dire Prophecies of a “Canuck” For-tune-Teller Have Come True. Every French-Canadian resident of Maine believes that a miracle has been performed over the grave of Paul Beaupre, who died and was buried in the woods above Grindstone Falls four years ago. Beaupre, or Bo Peep, as he was called by his acquaintances, was a fortune teller and peddler of snakeskin charms, who traveled from camp to camp in winter selling his amulets and preying upon the credulity of his countrymen by pretending to reveal future events. Four years ago he was taken 111 with pneumonia while staying at a camp on the east branch and died inside of a week. Before his death he expressed a wish to have his body taken to Montreal for burial, pronouncing a fearful curse upon thosb who neglected to obey his last request. Among other catastrophes that were to follow a denial of his wish were the sudden death of the camp foreman, the loss of the year’s cut of logs, and the burning of the camp. He also said that if he were buried In the woods a living cross would grow’ up from his grave which should serve as a perpetual warning to all unbelievers. Beaupre died In November, 1894. His body was sewed up in new’ blankets and carried to a rocky point above Grindstone, where the bearers placed it under the roots of a great yellow birch tree which had lately been overturned in a gale. When the remains had been duly disposed in the stony opening, one of the men choped off the fallen tree trunk wdth an ax, allowing the stump to fly back, thus filling the hole and burying the body under tons of earth. Two weeks later the camp boss was killed by a falling limb. The following spring the logs were hung up for want of waiter, and while they were lying on the shore waiting for rains, a forest tire swept through the woods, burning the logs and the camp where the men had worked. This fall a party of Frenchmen who had been hunting deer stopped at Bo Peep’s grave and were surprised to find that the yellow birch which covered his remains had sprouted from the stump, sending up three shoots which had Interlaced so as to form a cross about ten feet tall. When they saw that the last of the dead man’s predictions had been fulfilled, they came out and circulated the story all over Eastern Maine, since which time the grave has been visited by scores of French-Cana-ddans, all of whom believe that a miracle has been wrought above the dead.

HOW THEY ORIGINATED.

The Story of the First Use of Postage Stamps. —-x. Sir Rowland Hill, the great English postal reformer, was at one time a schoolmaster. After he had taught for a number of years his health gave way, and finding a change necessary he decided to travel. While traveling in the north of England, In 1834, he stopped one morning at an inn, just as a postman came to deliver a letter. The letter was for the inn keeper’s young daughter. She took it from the postman, carefully examined it ou both sides, and then asked the amount of postage due. “One shilling,” the postman answered. The girl at once handed him the unopened letter and said: “I am sorry I cannot receive the letter, for it is from my brother, but I have not the money to pay so much postage.” Mr. Hill overheard the conversation between the postman and the girl, and he paid the postage. The girl blushed, and seemed greatly confused when the letter was again given to her; and as soon as the postman had gone she told Mr, HUI that the letter was merely a trick between herself and her brother. Certain marks on the wrapper told her all she wished to know, and the paper inside contained no wrtlng. “We are too poor to pay so much postage,” she further explained, “and so devised this method of corresponding.” This incident gave Sir Rowland Hill "something to think about,” and he kept thinking until postal reform became the object of his Hfe. He was thoroughly convinced that a postal system that caused even the boys and girls of the land to resort to trickery and deception must indeed be a very harmful one. He entered the British civil service in 1835, and in 1837 brought forward in pamphlet form “a plan for uniform penny postage.” His plan was much opposed, but he labored fiathfully, untiringly, and at last convinced the Hone of Commons that the penny postage system would enrich the Government, and be a real blessing to all of the Queen’s subjects. Accordingly, in 1840, it was decided that letters weighing not more than half an ounce should be sent for a penny; and penny postage stamps, bearing an image of the Queen’s head, were or* dered to be used. In 1845 the penny postage system was adopted in America.—Philadelphia Times.

Flesh Pot of Paris.

Horse flesh, ass flesh and mule flesh are now eaten In such large quantities in France that the regular butchers who deal in beef and mutton are get ting uneasy. In the dingy frequented by the lower orders of Rome, .Florence and Naples they go one better. There is a dish composed of a harmless wood serpent’s flesh Which |s regarded as something of a dainty.

Weights Carried by Soldiers.

The Russian soldier Is more heavily burdened than any other. A foot soldier in the army of the Czar carries over sixty-eight pounds. The weights borne by the foot soldiers of the other principal European nations are as follows: French, 62 pounds; British, 62 pounds; German, 61 pounds; Swiss, 59 pounds; Italian, 53 pounds; Austrian, sis pounds.