Indianapolis Journal, Volume 52, Number 2, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 1902 — Page 4

T1IK INDIANAPOLIS JOUKXAL, Til URS DAT, JANUARY 2, 1002.

TU K IAILY J O UI IX XL. THURSDAY, JAN CAR Y 2, Telephone Ca I In (Old and ew.) Vu'invn OfTurr i::tH notorial IWnn J terms or si Ilsen i itiox. DT CARRIER-INDIANAPOLIS and FUIH'RBS. Daily, Sunday Included. 50 cents per month. I'nily. without Sun!ay. 4't cent per month. Sun. lay, without rtally. 2.fti jr year, fc.r.gle coj Us: Dally. 2 cents; Sunday, 5 cents. BY AGENTS KLWIinilL Dally, rr w k. 10 cnts. I 'ally. Sunday Included, per weck, IS cent3. un iay, per l?ue, 5 cents. UV MAIL. PREPAID. - Daily edition, cne year IS CO Iai!y an. Sunday, per year 7.00 Sunday only, one year 2.0) KELrlCKD RATES TO CLUBS. Weekly Cilltlon. 0r. copy, one year C") cents Five cents per m-.nth for period less than a year. No sul.-crijAlon taken for less than threw months. REDUCED RATES TO CLUBS. Subscribe with any rf our numerous agents or ee-nd subscription to the JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, Indianapolis, Ind. IVrots iendintr the Journal throuph the malls In the United State should put on an eight-page cr a twelve-rage paper a 1-eent stamp; on a sixteen, twenty or twenty-four rae taper a 2-cent stamp. Foreign postage i usually double tLes rates. All communications Intended for publication In this paper must. In order to receive attention. L? accompanied by the name and address of the writer. Rejected manuscripts will rot be returned un-le-i postage Is inclouM for that purpose. Entered ns second-class matter at Indianapolis. Ind.. postoRce. Tili: I.NIHANAPOLIS joiuxal Can be found at the following places: NEW YORK As tor House. CHICAGO Palmar House. P. O. News Co.. 217 Dearborn street. Auditorium Annex Hotel. CINCINNATI-J. R. Hawley &. Co.. Vine street. LOUISVILLE C. T. Ierlnjf. northwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and Louisville Book Co., 24 Fourth avenue. ST. LOUIS Union News Company. Union Depot. WASHINGTON'. D. C-R'kss House. Ebbltt House. Fairfax Hotel. Willard Hotel. It might be well to renew negotiations with Great Britain by reassembling the Joint commission, provided the Canadian members who made all the trouble be eliminated. The thrift of the other powers in clamoilng that they should have the J1S.OjO.Ma) of the Chinese indemnity which the United States would return to China is lively if not modest. The opinion of those who have studied the postal question is that 1-cent letter postage is not likely to be adopted by this Congress. Two cents an ounce for written matter Is not a burden. If Judge Stubbs will revoke the licenses of other disorderly saloons, or of all such, as fast as they are discovered, he will less'en the amount of crime in the city and render a great favor to saloon keepers who conduct orderly places. Before assuming the office of mayor of New York Mr. Low disposed of $000,000 worth of bond: and stocks, holding that it was not right for a mayor to be Interested in institutions having dealings with the city government. That is quite different from the Tammany standard. An Interesting but not surprising result of prosperity is that the last few years show a great decrease in the number and amount of embezzlements in tr?o United States as compared with the hard-times period following the panic of 1S0Z. Republican prosperity conduces to honesty. The Cincinnati Commercial-Tribune has started a popular contribution fund for the defense of Caleb Powers. As the Kentucky Legislature has already appropriated $100,000 for the use of the man-hunters and has free access to the state treasury, there will be little chance of securing a fair trial. President Roosevelt has offered Hon. Crover Cleveland the position of representative of the United States at the coronation of King Edward. The office is a purely honorary one and Mr. Cleveland may not care to accept it, but the tender of it to the only living ex-President was entirely appropriate. The press generally agrees that the fending out of a dispatch misrepresenting the purpose of the German government in sending a warship to Venezuela was a wicked piece of business. As a matter of fact, the Emperor would not have sent a warship to Venezuela if the United States had objected. The minister from Colombia to the United States is reported as saying that his government will never grant a perpetual franchise for an Isthmian canal nor agree to absolute sovereignty on the part of the United States. This, if true, might prove an insuperable objection to considering the Panama route. MBSSSMBSBSSIMMaBBBMSSBSSBSSSSSSSSSBSSSSSSSSSaS President Roosevelt has requested the resignation of D. A. Nunn, collector of internal revenue in the Nashville (Tenn.) district, on the ground that he violated civilservlce rules In removing a Democrat from an office In the classified service for political reasons solely. The rules are explicit on that point, and the President seems determined to see that they are enforced. Dispatches from Cuba indicate that very little Interest was taken in the general election of Tuesday. In Havana a light vote was cast, in Santiago very few persons voted, and probably it was the same elsewhere. The result is disappointing to those who have thought the Cubans were eager for self-government and would show enthusiasm in their first election. This election was for governors and councils for the six provinces, members of the lower branch of Congress and presidential electors. The apathy shown does not speak well for the Cubans. The country at large is not particularly interested as to who is commissioner of Internal revenue, provided he Is a good man for the place, but there will be some sur

prise that Secretary Gage, on the eve of going out of office, and ufter his successor has been publlely announced, should ask for the resignation of Hon. John W. Yerkes, of Kentucky. Mr. Vrrkes Ii an able man, has been in office only about a year and ha. made a good commissioner. It is said the tecretary disapproved of some ruling made by him, but, a Mr. Yerkes is a good lawyer, while Mr. Gage is not, the ruling may have been right. Anyhow, the retiring Secretary should have left the matter of a change In the office- to his successor. The comparative cost of operating the Indianapolis pension agency during Capt. Ltlghty's tour years and the four preceding years Is very flattering to the management for the iatt- r period. The amount

paid for cierk hire in 1S01-1SD7 was $131,523.; for rent, $10,000; for light, 31.311.51; for contingent expenses, KmO.CC: total, $10.77 1.53. The expenditure during Captain Leighty's four years was SUS.CTO.l" for 1 clerk hire, $7.H33.S3 for rent, Süß. 40 for light, Jl.437.o2 for contingent expenses; total, $131,a reduction of $1,120.11. During the four years there was made, without extra pay or extra help, a complete set of rolls of pensioners paid at the agency, for which $.?) extra was paid by Captain Leighty's predecessor. This is an excellent showing, j and 13 more Important when it Is considered that it has been attended by greater efficiency on the part of clerks and a more systematic arrangement of the force. tiii: noosi:vi:LT-H)Mtni: doctium: Washington dispatches confirm the statement that there 13 a distinct understanding between Germany and the United States regarding the former's intentions towards Venezuela. Secretary Hay is said to have communicated this government's views on the subject to the German government in a written note, which was followed by verbal exchanges between the President, the secretary of state and the German ambassador at Washington, so the understanding Is complete. Its details will not be stated, but the dispatch says its general character may be Inferred from President Roosevelt's definition of the Monroe doctrine in his annual message. Referring to the subject he said: The Monroe doctrine should be the cardinal feature of the foreign policy of all the nations of the two Americas, as it is of the United States. This doctrine is a declaration that there must be no territorial aggrandizement by any non-American power at the expense of any American power on American soil. It is in no wise intended as hostile to any nation in the old world. Still less is it Intended to give cover to any aggression by one new-world power at the expense of any other. It is simply a step, and a long step, toward assuiing the universal peace of the world by securing the possibility of permanent peace on this hemisphere. The doctrine has nothing to do with the commercial relations of any American power, save that it in truth allows each of them to form such as it desires. In other words, it is really a guaranty of the commercial independence of the Americas. We do not ask under this doctrine for any exclusive commercial dealings with any i other American state. We do not guarantee any state against punishment if it misconducts itself, provided that punishment dot3 not take the form of the acquisition of territory by any non-American power. This definition of the Monroe doctrine and of the attitude of the United States must have been perfectly satisfactory to the German government, which has no other object but to enforce a just claim against Venezuela, just as France recently did and as the United States has done against Turkey. The recent mischievous dispatches sent out from Washington and wired to Germany, stating that the opinion prevailed in high 'army and navy circles that war with Germany, soon or later, was Inevitable, started a discussion of the subject that must have been displeasing to both governments, because it put them both in a false light. Conservative American newspapers were prompt in exposing the foolishness of the statement regarding the alleged warlike feeling in Washington, and a Berlin dispatch says the German press "has printed with satisfaction" copious extracts from American editorials on the subject. Thus it appears that the conservative papers in both countries are cooperating with the respective governments in establishing a correct understanding on the subject. President Roosevelt deserves much credit for having defined the Monroe doctrine in a way that leaves no doubt as to what it means and what It does not mean. There has been a great deal of cloudy controversy and misunderstanding regarding the original Monroe doctrine, but there can be none whatever concerning the Roosevelt-Monroe doctrine. By restricting It to its true meaning It Is made much stronger and less offensive to European powers than it would be under some of the definitions that have been given to it. Under the Roosevelt definition it Is probable the doctrine will be accepted by all other powers as having the binding force of an intelnational compact. Under this definition, which Is not only the Correct one, but tho only one that could be maintained In logic or in war, Germany may do anything to enforce her claim against Venezuela short of appropriating part of her territory. "We do not guarantee any state against punishment if It misconducts Itself," says the President, "provided that punishment does not take the form of the acquisition of territory by any non-American power." Among nations, refusal to pay a Just claim

is misconduct that calls for punishment. Our secretary of state declines to make public the written memorandum ou the subject that was communicated to the German government. If the German government does not care to make it public it might serve the same purpose by calling attention of the German press to what President Roosevelt says in his message. FAILVHi: OF TUM ASPHALT TRUST. The asphalt companies which were consolidated and which are now in the hands of a receiver started out to be a monopoly. The promoters imagined that they would control the whole business and compel municipal governments to pay whatever price they put upon the article. They believed they could control the lakes in Venezuela, which are the chief source of supply, and, acting upon this assumption, the promoters issued stock and bond3 upon a gigantic scale, depending upon the big prices of a monopoly to afford profits to pay dividends. Indeed, water was the chief constituent of the capitalization. They seem to have failed in securing control of the sources of supply. They found others in Venezuela, and to secure control went into the Venezuelan courts, where they did not succeed. Then they appealed to the United States to Interfere, and got into a war with Venezuela to protect their claims. Fortunately, Secretary Hay investigated the claim and advised the President to have nothing to do with the asphalt companies. Competition, which tho promoters did not count upon, appeared. Independent companies found asphalt, and under conditions which enabled them to undo tho inflated companies. The constituent companies in the larger cities, which were depended upon to take the trust's asphalt at its own prices, seem to have made other arrangements. Very naturally, calamity overtook this terribly inflated trust and it went to the wall. A corporation which could earn 4 per cent, on a capitalization of $lo,),.0 could not earn 5 per cent, on an issue of $30,."0,ti0 of bonds. The asphalt trust attempted to limit the output and make the prices. It was a trust In the rightful sense of the word. When the President of the United States Steel Corporation said that such a trust must fall in time, many doubted the correctness

of his statement. ,Jt is probably true. Several trusts organized to limit production and fix prices have failed within a few years, and the failure of the asphalt trust adds another to the list. The conditions necessary to succes'3 in industrial combination are that It must have for lt3 objective point the cheapening of production. When interest i.s to be paid on bonded liabilities far beyond the earning power of the companies there can be no cheapening in production. This fact will be learned In time. A IinVOLL'TIO.N'AHY FltldSinKNT. j The open letter issued by President Castro, of Venezuela, is ostensibly a frank avowal of a very patriotic policy. The pretext for Issuing the letter was the release of several journalists who had been imprisoned at Caracas, probably for criticising President Castro's administration and policy. The tone of the letter is that of a much-abused and unappreciated patriot. "It is painful Jo observe," he begins, "that the rashness of some, the impatient ambition of others, the mistaken criticism of the leading classes and the obstinacy ' of the revolutionary spirit have sorely tried the virtues of my liberal policy." lie expresses regret that "at a time when I have desired to see the country happy and its citizens enjoying every comfort I have the painful duty of adopting repressive measures, contrary to my character, my education and all my sentiments." He says all Venezuelans should support hi3 policy "because therein rests the sovereignty of the fatherland," and tells the released journalists they may go to work again and even criticise him if they want to. President Castro makes a very patriotic showing on paper, but many a South American revolutionist has done so before, and he is a revolutionist. Venezuela has a written Constitution very much like that of the United States, but it has had very little constitutional government. The constitution provides that the President shall be chosen by the Congress for four years and be ineligible for a second term. General Andrade was regularly elected President for four years beginning March 4, 1S33, but he was deposed by a revolution, and General Castro, who was a defeated candidate for governor in one of the States and the leader of the revolution that deposed Andrade, was made provisional President in October, 1603. Being himself a revolutionary president, he is scarcely in a position to deprecate "the obstinacy of the revolutionary spirit" that has "sorely tried the virtues of my liberal policy." At this distance it is difficult to tell what that policy is, if indeed it is anything beyond gratifying personal ambition, but since he became President Venezuela has been in a state of constant turmoil, and his intrigues with the revolutionists in Colombia have helped to foment trouble in both countries. Tho opposing parties in both countries call themselves, respectively, Liberal and Conservative, but they are both alike revolutionary. The seriousness with which President Castro takes himself as a constitutional ruler and poses as a reformer savors strongly of opera bouffe. FITMISS IX CAMHDATKS. Of the many excellent sentiments and opinions expressed in the Republican conference on Tuesday none can be more timely than the following extract from the address of Senator Fairbanks: We muse not only enunciate sound and wholesome principles, but must nominate good men, men who will faithfully, intelligently and successfully administer the public business. The battle is half won when the very best men who can be induced to serve are offered for the suffrage of the people. There are no offices so insignificant that we can afford to nominate for them unfit or ineificient men. Wherever any office is to be filled, it should not be filled by anyone who proposes or desires to subordinate it to mere personal aggrandizement. At a time when many feel that any man who can get a Republican nomination in Indiana can be elected, there is danger that enthusiastic friends will push men forward whose candidacy is based upon some other quality in the candidate than character and qualification. The State and the Republican party requires men of character and of positive fitness, shown by experience, for tho office. County government has often been insufficient in this State because both parties have nominated candidates who lacked every essential qualifications for the offices to which they were nominated and elected. While detracting nothing from the usefulness of organization In the successful campaign, the best organization can be handicapped by a ticket composed of nobodies and doubtfuls. A first-class ticket always insures the cordial and earnest support of a large element of the Republican party which will scarcely vote for an ordinary ticket. It is suggested that, from this time on, those who have to do with the making of candidates clip the foregoing extract from Senator Fairbanks and read it in those knots of Republicans who are talking about candidates. The remarks of Representative Overstreet before the Republican conference, in which he advocated modification of the present tariff, are Indorsed by more Republicans than seme men in Congress may believe. If any one does not think this is the case, let him go about among Republicans in business circles and consult practical men. "When he shall have made such a trip he will conclude that the sentiment in favor of tariff readjustment is strong. Mr. Overstreet is not in favor of general tariff revision, but believes the tariff should bo adjusted to the conditions which havo arisen in recent years. This declaration Is in defiance of the alleged protectionists who speak through the American Economist and a few other out-and-out protectionists who insist that the present tariff is perfect and therefore cannot be improved. Tho Journal believes in the adequate and reasonable protection of American industries to hold the home markets. The results of such a tariff are apparent on every hand. At the same time It holds with Representative Overstreet that tariffs need to be modified to conform to changing conditions. As a sample of the wild "statements of those who would keep alive the Schley controversy for political ends is the declaration of the Chicago Chronicle that "the Navy Department put Maclay to his dirty work, and when he had produced his book there was hardihood enough in the department to order its use. in the Naval Academy." As a matter of fact and record the secretary of the navy, on July U, directly after the publication of Maclay's book, ordered that it should not be used as a text-book, and wrote to Commander Walnwright at the Naval Academy prohibiting the use of the volume. To this f

the commander replied that the volume had not been adopted, and he doubted If there was a copy about the Academy. Such being tho case, why are such falsehoods told to deceive the public? The Chronicle is looking for an Issue outside of the Kansas City platform.

In noticing a statement that no one in the Navy Department had protested against the obloquy which Historian Maclay cast upon Admiral Schley, the "Washington Star says that on July 13, Immediately following the Maclay publication. Secretary Long announced that the third volume of Maclay's history should not be used in the Naval Academy "unless the obnoxious language it contains in characterizing the action of Rear Admiral Schley is eliminated." Secretary' Long wrote to Maclay calling him "severely to account." The Star also calls attention to an interview of Secretary Long's in the Baltimore American which had the following headlines: Maclay's scurrilous history prohibited at Annapolis; the author called to account, and Schley relieved of opprobrious charges. Secretary Long prompt In his disavowal. Tells an American correspondent that Schley is not a coward. In the course of the Interview Secretary Long reiterated several times the opinion that "Admiral Schley is not a coward." THE HUMORISTS. Aftermath. Detroit Free Press. "What alls Hammersmith?" asked Fosdlck. "He had all the Christmas presents he bought charged," explained Keedlck. A Temptuttun. Harlem Life. Ha No, dear, no church for me this morning. I should like to go, but, unfortunately, I have a touch of headache. She Do come, darling; a good sleep is the very thing for it. Looking: Out for Comfort. Detroit Free Press. Henry How can a man tell when ha begins to get old? John Well, a man has begun to get eld when he finds out that he would rather sit by the fire than go slelgh-ridlng. The Cnnse. Baltimore American. "What does this mean?" inquired the Investigating Committee. "You have most of your shortage charged up to 'running expenses. " "That," explained the Contrite Embezzler, "refers to my automobile." Overloaded. Chicago Tribune. Mr. Rambo had partaken rather too freely of Christmas beverages. It was about 2 a. m. when he entered his front door, and he tried to be quiet about it, but ha stumbled over everything in sight, and made noise enough to wake the dead. "Oh, Absalom," called out Mrs. Rambo, from the floor above, "why didn't you make two loads of it?" Haven't Spent All Their Money. New York Weekly. Great Traveler The Chinese make It an invariable rule to settle all their debts on New Year's day. American Host Y-e-s, but the Chinese don't have a Christmas the week before. FOOL FRIENDS AT WORK. Attemptü to Drug Censured Warriors Into 11tt011nl Politic. Detroit Free Press (Dem.) Democratic boomers should be chopped oft short In their efforts to boom men like Schley and Miles for a presidential candidacy in 1004. Dewey suffered at the hands of this same class of mistaken enthusiasts and the lesson taught in his case should be heeded by the principals in this latest movement. Regardless of whether Schley has suffered an injustice or Miles has been rebuked with bitterness beyond his deserts, the movement by their misguided friends is a most foolish one. The presidency of the United States is not a consolation prize. The position is not maintained for the purpose of vindicating a popular favorite or in other way usurping the functions of the judiciary. The interests of the Nation cannot be sacrificed for the carrying on of a quarrel, many features of which are so petty as to excite contempt. It would be a base prostitution of the high office and a treacherous menace to the permanency of our institutions. Neither Schley nor Miles is fitted by education, training or experience for the presidency. They are brave men of war and, within their respective limitations are distinguished leaders. But It has never been demonstrated that they know anything about statesmanship or would be any more at home in the White Houso than a raw recruit at the head of an army or a landlubber in command of a fighting ship in battle. The idea of entering such men tor a presidential race at the head of a great party is not only absurd, but tends to delight the hearts of their worst enemies. Schley would probably be the stronger nomination of the two, but he could not come within speaking distance of election. The popular tide running his way will soon subside. In the hurly-burly of current events no one of them makes a lasting impression, and too many elemands are made upon public sympathy to have it fixed upon any point or any individual. More than this, it is impossible to run a presidential campaign upon a collateral issue. The majority of those who favor Schley would only have to take a second thought to decide that because, in their Judgment, he has been too harshly dealt with by a court of inquiry as to his actions as commodore of the navy, was no reason why he was competent to become head of the government or had any valid claim upon the place. There could at best be but an unseemly fight over the mooted question and the world would laugh at such a mockery of American sovereignty. The true and sensible friends of the admiral will tell him to shake himself clear of his hare-brained advisers. It would be ruinous for him to stake his laurels on the outcome of a run for the presidency. How the Pope I Klecteel. LIppincott's Magazine. Let us pass the Jealously-guarded barriers and place ourselves In the vast Pauline Chapel, where, morning and evening, the cardinals come to vote until the Pontiff is chosen by the necessary two-thirds majority. See, there are the three presidents of the ballot, a cardinal bishop, a cardinal priest and a cardinal deacon. At the altar is a cardinal, making oath that he will cast his vote without Intrigue or favor of man, but on his conscience for the greatest glory of God and the best welfare of the church. Rising from his knees, he passes to the center of the chapel, and there, before the three presidents, he places his vote in a chalice, and so do all the other cardinals present in turn. Each ballot paper bears in a feigned hand the name of the cardinal for whom the vote is cast, while on one coiner is written the name of the voter. The latter is carefully folded over and sealed, not to be published unless an election is made. Why Uroker Hntes Corkrnn. Philadelphia Press. At the close of Bourke Cockran's speech at the Academy of Music here the other night some one asked A. J. Drexel-BIddle how it ever happened that a man who could speak so persuasively was ever allowed to desert Tammany Hall. "I think It was because a certain question of his was u little too suggestive," Mr. Riddle answered. "He asked it once in Washington when a discussion was 011 in a hotel corridor about Richard Croker's wealth. 'Where did he get it?' was Cockran's query, put with apparent innocence. Every one laughed and the question became immortal. I have heard it said that not the least of Mr. Cockran's titles to dljtlnction Is that the Tammany chieftain hates him more thoroughly than he does anv ether man living."

THE PANAMA SIDE OF IT GEX. AIIIIOT'S SUMMARY OF COM1ITIOXS OX THE DAHIEV ROUTE. He Claims the Line Posseises Great Ailvnntages Over nnd Is Superior to the Mrnrngnnn Pinn.

Engineering Magazine. Nature has placed on the Isthmus of Panama far less obstructions to the construction of a ship canal than on any other possible route between the oceans. Here only three formidable difficulties were to be apprehended; the cut at the continental divide, regulation of the Chagres river, and the tropical climate. Each will be considered in turn. The deep cut at the Culebra has now quite lost the ancient terrors which hung over It in the closing days of the old company. The cutting at that date was in dis- j Integrated materials near the surface, and j serious caving and sliding had occurred, partly from natural causes and partly from neglect to secure proper drainage. The old company had made numerous borings, and they have been multiplied by ! the new company, with deep pits permit- j ting the material to be inspected to the full I depth adopted for the bottom of the canal; j 6,000,000 cubic yards have actually been removed since the resumption of the work, 1 so placed as to secure depth rather than width, and thus to throw light on future conditions; and lastly a tunnel 2,100 feet long and 20x13 feet in cross section has been driven at a low level without difficulty, at the point where the worst sliding has occurred. All the evidence thus secured concurs in establishing the fact that the dangerous material has already been passed and that future deep. cutting will lie chiefly in ap indurated . argillaceous schist which stands well even on steep slopes and in which caving is not to be feared. It may be added that the remaining heavy excavation is exaggerated in popular estimation, and the fact is often ignored that a very large volume has already been taken out. For example, the height of the continental divide on this route Is constantly stated at its origial figure, which on the line of the axis of the canal was really 345 feet above the tide. The bottom of the cut there has now attained a level of 148 feet, and this, rather than the historic height, should be used in comparing the Panama with other routes. Moreover, the iengui of the deep cutting, including the Emperador and Culebra sections, extends over about only five miles, and the really formidable cut over less than a mile. In fine, the old phantom of a sliding mountain and an impassable continental divide has been definitely laid at rest by the operations of the new company. CHAGRES RIVER PROBLEM. Tho problem of the regulation of the Chagres river demanded investigations 'of the most elaborate character. It la a stream having a basin above Bohio of about 700 square miles in surface. From this point tho canal and river follow different routes to the sea, and at Gamboa, thirteen miles above, they again separate. One problem, therefore, was to provide for the Joint occupancy of thirteen miles of valley without allowing interference with the canal in times of river floods; another was to determine with certainty whether the river could be made to supply sufficient , water for canal purposes under the demands of any probable prospective traffic. The Chagres river is characterized by two distinct regimens, one corresponding to the season of heavy rains, from May to December, both included, and the other to the dry season, covering three of the four remaining months of the year. During the former, the average discharge is about 3,3JO cubic feet per second at Gamboa and 5,400 at Bohio, but it is subject to frequent freshets in which the volume may rise to 25.000 or even 30.000 cubic feet, lasting, however, only for an hour or two. During the past quarter of a century, and so far as can be determined by the records of the Panama Railroad during the past half of a century, only five great Hoods have occurred. In by far the largest of them, that of November, lS?y. the river carried a maximum volume liberally estimated at 112,000 cubic feet per second at Bohio and at 73,x0 cubic feet at Gamboa, but only during the period of two or three hours. The plans of the company for regulating the floods are based on the figures of this year, which are known to be far in excess of any other. During the dry season the Chagres is a quiet, peaceable stream, with at Gamboa an average discharge of about 1,100 cubic feet per second, and in years of greatest drought a minimum average of 5.VJ cubic feet. At Bohio the later is about 750 cubic feet. The company has been careful to mak it flood estimates err, if at all, in excess, and its low-water estimates err, if at all, by under-valuation. The provisions for river regulation contemplate two great artificial lakes one formed by a dam at Bohio, creating a lake having twenty square miles of surface, and which for thirteen miles will form a bed of the canal; the other above, on the upper river, for storage of water for lockages, etc. Together they will allow any excessive flood water to be held back, to be discharged gradually and thus rendered harmless to navigation. Such a system Is superior to one Immense natural lake, because, on ths American Isthmus, the rainfall varies not only from year to year, but also by periods covering feveral years. These variations cause corresponding variations of lake level, which are extremely difficult to regulate where the surface Is large. FLOODS AND CLIMATE. To explain in detail the calculations on which these several conclusions rest would far exceed the limits of this ar'Jcle, but they leave no doubt as to the correctness of the conclusions. The floods can be easily and perfectly controlled. So lar as the low water volume is concerned an annual traffic of 23.000.0UO tons (more than double that of the Suez canal) can be certainly accommodated, with an ample water supply for lockages, electric lighting, and operating power. In a word, the investigations of the new company have proved that, so far from being an obstacle to the canal, the Chagres river, regulated on the familiar system of locks and dams, is admirably suited to meet all the needs of navigation. No better source of supply could be desired. It remains to consider the climate. Throughout the entire region where an isthmian canal could be constructed, the. tempeiature Is that of the tropics, varying but little during the year from the annual mean of 73 degrees Fahrenheit. This uniformity causes for the white race muscular exhaustion forbidding hard manual labor, but from which the blacks of the West Indies do not suffer. The former can direct the works, but the latter must execute them. Experience both on the Panama Railroad and on the canal has shown that when the virgin soil is first disturbed much sickness is caused by the malaria thus generated, but when excavation has gone below this level to the deeper subsoil far less e-ccurs. The matter of rainfall cannot be ignored. At Colon, on the gulf coast, the annual precipitation is about 123 inches, in the interior about 91 inches and on the Pacific coast about 57 inches all well determined by observations covering many years. There is everywhere a clearly-defined dry season of about four months available annually for specially difficult operations. Moreover, the heaviest work lies In the interior, where the precipitation is comparable with, although considerably larger than, that on the gulf coast of the United States. In Nicaragua the conditions are far les favorable. The annual rainfall near the gulf coast, where the heaviest excavations are required, appears to be about 250 inches, and there is no dry season. In the interior and on the Pacific coast much less rain falls and there is a dry season, but even here the volume seems to exceed somewhat that in the corresponding portions of the Panama district. The matur of rainfall is of vital importance not only during the construction of the canal, but also in its subsequent operation. The danger of earthquakes, very formidable for the locks of a modern ship canal, is also much greater in Nicaragua than In Panama. PERFECTED PLANS. The foregoing facts make apparent how different Is the present condition of the Panama canal from what it was at the formation of the new company in 134. Its work has been continuous and rich In results. The plans are perfected, based on a A

thorough understanding of the subject. The route now presents no perious difficulty from an engineering point of view. The concessions are ample and good progress has been made in actual construction. A parallel railroad, the existence of numerous quarters for laborers and a considerable supply of tools are available for immediate resumption of work on a grand scale. Accompanied with its most formidable rival, nature has given a route only about a quarter as long and requiring only about half the number of locks; an exemption from about fifty miles of river navigation which cannot but be dangerous to great ocean steamers by reason of very bad curvature and troublesome fogs and wind; and, lastly, harbors which have aided in making It the favorite transit route since the Spanish occupation 4oo years ago. meeting all the demands of commerce heretofore, and admitting of future improvements at moderate expense, should such become desirable-. It seems clear that if the two canals were opened to navigation there could be no commercial competition between them, taking into account the delays and the costs of transit, including tolls, tugs for steering, etc., and insurance rates. In fine, the present condition of the Panama canal may be summed up as follows: The operations of the new company have demonstrated that the route possesses so great natural adavntagea that when completed it will control the transit of the isthmus. The estimates of the international commission of engineers, representing not only France, but also England, Germany, Russia, the United States and Colombia, have placed the cost of completion of a canal suited to all the probable netds of navigation for fifty years, and admitting of enlargement if ever desirable, at $100.C-.000 only half of the cost of construction of the Nicaragua canal as estimated by the isthmian canal commission. The new company has everything in readiness to begin work on a grand scale, except the funds. If the United States do not care to own the route, is it to be supposed in view of the approaching commercial struggle between the great maritime powers that one hundred million dollars will not be forthcoming to win the prize? One of the most remunerative investments ever made by the British government was its purchase of a controlling interest in the Suez canal. It was a business transaction which secured the desired control without the government appearing in the matter except to receive interest and which involved no outlay to be liquidated by taxation. From an Editorial Article in the Same Magazine. We waited the report of the present commission with the admission (March. 1'X) that it was "conceivable that the merits of the Nicaraguan route would be so commanding as to mike it advisable to abandon the work done on the other line and begin anew." The report, on the contrary, shows that at every conceivable point the Nicaraguan route is Inferior. The United States will fall lamentably from every ideal in their history, political or industrial, if they eiz3 the inferior and let the better go. If they are so misguided, others wiser will take what America rejects and. having the best, will leave her vanquished and dishonored. Her perversity will be Britain's or Germany's opportunity.

HENRY C. PAYNE'S YOUTH. Something About the Sew Pontninster General Early Life. Boston Globe. Some of the people fairly well along In life, living in western Franklin county, who have good memories, are inclined to think that Henry C. Payne, whom President Roosevelt has selected as his postmaster general, is just going back to the work which he commenced In Shelburne Falls forty-one years ago. So far as can be recalled by the people who are living in that vicinity, about forty years ago the first real work which Henry C. Payne ever did, which earned him money, was to work in the local postoflice under Alfred Bowen. It will be seen that Mr. Payne has been faithful to his postoffice work, and has now become a specialist. The ties between the Bowen family and Mr. Payne have been strong for years. It is prqbably true that Mr. Payne was born in Ashtield, but there are none in that vicinity who can say for a certainty the particular part. Ashlleld, like many other towns in western Massachusetts, is given to locality names. One man is quite sure that Mr. Payne was born in that part of Ashfield known as Baptist Corner, and another man is equally sure that young Payne first saw the light of day in that part of the town known as Hog Hollow. However that may be, it is certain that he lived in Ashfield a very short time. The family moved to Sheiburne Falls when Henry C. Payne was a child. Shelburne Falls is a village that is split in two by the Deerfield river, with Buckland township on one -side and Shelburne on the other. The family at one time and another lived on both sides of the river. The father, Orln Pierce Payne, was a man of little education, but of force and determination. By calling he was a livery stable keeper, and he was generally known as "O. 1'." He was a deputy ot one of the high sheriffs, and the older people recall that when called upon to arrest a man 'O. P." always got his man. The father never accumulated wealth, or even a moderate competency, but he could drive six horses on a stage or any other coach with skill. One of the few old-time stage coach drivers still living, Henry Couillard. tells this story of "O. P.:" "O. P. was engaged ne evening to take a party of women over the mountain and through Greenfield to Turners Falls. He had six horses on his coach, and I followed on, driving four. It was late at night when we started for home. He was on ahead, and I was following. As we came up the long hill from Turners Falls he sung out to me, Wasn't that a horse floundering by the side of the road?' I had barely time to say 'yes when O. I', discovered that one of his leaders had broken away and was the horse in question. It was so dark that O. P. could not see his leaders, but had caught sight of a horse as the coach passed by him." . The family of the senior Payne while living in Shelburne Falls consisted of his wife, their two sons, Henry C. and Frederick, and one daughter, Emogene. "Fred." as he was generally known, died some years ago in the West. The daughter married Major Cameron, of the regular army, and their home is now in Jamestown, N. Y. Ex-Senator Edwin Baker, who went to Shelburne Falls about 1VJ3-4, boarued for a time in the Payne family. He says that the father and mother were both persons of mental strength and native ability. While the father never accumulated wealth he had imagination and ability allied, which, linked to the right opportunities, would have brought success. This was inherited by the son. Reference has been briefly made to the ties that united the Payne and Bowen families. Young Payne in Shelburne Falls attended the dirtrict school, then the Franklin Academy, and then the private school of Miss Diana S. Bowen. Miss Bowen, who is still living at the age of seventy-two years, was one of those natural teachers, able to exert an influence on pupils who wanted to work, that lasts through life. That influence was exerted on young Payne, and repeatedly he has stated that he owed very much to Miss Bowen. They have kept up a correspondence through life. Mr. Payne has not confined his gratitude to his old teacher to words. Back of the words has been something far more substantial, and it has come yearly. The home of Miss Bowen for some years has been in North Adams, but just now she is visiting friends in Melrose Highlands. This was not the only tie that united Mr. Payne to the Bowen family. The fact that the first considerable amount of money which he ever tamed came to him through Alfred Bowen, the old-time postmaster, he has never forgotten. The old postoflice in which Mr. Payne worked stood on the north side of the street, near the bridge. Some years ago it was moved to the location of the present postoflice, on the other side of the street. It was so remodeled that to-day It would not be recognized. The house In which the parents of Mr. Payne dwelt at least a portion of the time while they lived In Shelburne Falls was situated on Main street. There have been some changes in it during ihe forty years that have passed. A portion of It Is now the office and residence of Dr. Upton. Soon after the breaking out of ttie civil war young Payne desired to enlist. He was reject eil because of his diminutive size. Early in the sixties he became a clerk in the dry goods tore of F. R. Sherwin in Northampton. Mr. Sherwin was a born hustler. The East was not large enough lor him and he went West and located at Milwaukee, Wis. Young Payne went with him and his lines were soon firmly planted in that city. It has been his residence ever i ince. Mr. Payne still retains a lively Interest In the place of his boyhood. When the memorial hall was built, the Hon. Edwin Baker wrote Mr. Payne intimating that a contribution of $lw toward the work would be ery acceptable. It wa3 forthcoming bv return mail with a cordial letter irom Mr. Payne and an intimation that the subscript

tion would have been much larger if it hal teen asked for. About three yrar. ago Mr. Payne visited Shelburne Falls for a cr.sldei able Ftay. Mrs. Payne accompanied him. They visited the birthplace of Mr. Payne In Ashfield. and friend? of Ids boyhood living In Buckland and Shelburne. Henry A. Rov.en, Mrs. S. H. Sawyer, the Hon. Edwin Baker, and numerous others had pleasant reminiscent chats with him. George Mahew. a Charlemont boy, who located in Milwaukee, was East a year or two ago. He was asked if he knew Mr. Payne. "I should tay I did." he replied. "Every" one knows him out our way. 1 have reason to appreciate his kindness. When I was elected treasurer of the county in which we reside it was Mr. P.yne who volunteered to go on my bond for fT.l.o.KV Starting as office boy in the Shelburne Falls postoflice more than forty j ears ngo, postmaster of Milwaukee for ten years, millionaire and politician with a national reputation, and now or about to Ik? Cabinet officer, is what Shtlburne Falls people eonsider fairly good progress.

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION. The rrrtfnt Lnvr 3Inch Store Satisfactory Than the Old. Washington Post. The Boston Pilot In some remarks on "Mr. Hay and the Succession" meaning Secretary of State Hay and the primary of the incumbent of that office in the line of presidential succession under existing conditions falls into an error which Tho Post takes the liberty of correcting because It strips several deceased statesmen of honors which they bore with flttins dignity and apparently with a sufficient amount of personal satisfaction. The Tilot says that "the law of succession," enacted some fifteen or sixteen years ago during President Cleveland's first term, "was not wisely conceived." Our Boston contemporary fortified that condemnatory opinion with the assertion that this law "took from the people the representative right which they possessed in gome degree under the old law, whereby the speaker of the House wa eligible after the vice president." The Pilot adds that "the Vice President was chosen by the people; the Speaker of the House by the people's Congress, but the s-cretary of State is appointed by the President." Our contempory evidently means to convey the idea that under the old law the Speaker of the House, elected by the Immediate representatives of the people, stood next to the Vice President in the line of succession to a vacancy in the chief magistracy. But that is a mistake. No speaker of the House ever stood in that relation to the presidency, although four Presidents and several vice presidents died in office before the new succession law was enacted. It was the president pre tempore of the Senate who stood next to the President who had succeeded to that office from the vice presidency. It would be difficult to name any office under our government, that is farther removed from the people, more completely stripped of the pepular element than that of president pro tempore of the Senate, elected by the elect of the States through their legislatures. The Secretary of State and other Cabinet officers, who, under the new law, are in line of succession, are only one degree removed from popular choice, being appointed by the President, who. in tpite of the clumsy device of Presidential electors, is really elected by the people. The president pro tempore of the Senate Is just as far again removed from popular election. Without going far back in our history we recall the demise of Vice President Wilson, of Massachusetts, an event which the Boston Pilot cannot have forgotten. His successor in line of succession was Senator Thomas W. Ferry, of Michigan, who had been elected president pro temIore of the Senate because he could preside over the body tactfully anil gracefully, and not because his Republican associates in the Senate thought him well equipped for the office of President of the United States. Only one life stood between him and the presidency for two or three years. When the death of President Garfield promoted Vice President Arthur to thj presidency. Senator David Davis, of Illinois, the only "independent" on the Senate's roster, became, in the popular phrase of the time "acting vice president." lecause he had "by a set of curious chances that would rank with most romances" been chosen president pro tempore of the Senate. Mr. Davis had long been an aspirant for the presidency. In furtherance of that ambition lie had resigned a seat on the Supreme bench to enter the Senate. Although ho did not quite reach his oljoctive point, he "came within one of it" and that was a much nearer approach than most of his contemporaneous aspirants for that honor were permitted to achieve. The change ef law to which the Roston Pilot objects was well considered and too long delayed. While there is ground for the confident hope that its provisions for succession will never be needed, its superiority over the old law is almost unanimously conceded. POOR ADMIRAL SAMPSON. Denerved Better Treatment at His Countrymen's Hands. Kansas City Journal. According to a recent statement by Admiral Sampson's wife, the admiral's mind is tired beyond the hope of its ever becoming rested. He scarcely comprehends the meaning of letters he receives. This indicates a very serious condition indeed. Apparently the strain has been too much for him. For many months he has been the target of unsparing and relentless criticism. Critics who began by giving another commander greater praise, fed daily upon their own output until they came to regard Sampson as little better than a traitor. The venomous attacks have finally performed their work and the man who thought he was serving his country faithfully has gone down und-sr the accumulated weight of abuse, his heart broken and his mind wrecked. It is a pathetic spectacle. What was Admiral Sampson's crime? He was wrongfully promoted from captain to commander, perhaps, but that was not his act. The promotion was tendered and he would have been looked upon as a fool had he declined It. By the merest accident he was absent on official business from the po'nt of immediate Interest at the moment when the Spanish ships made their break for liberty. The Navy Department In due time decided that this accident leplore-d by no one so much as himself should not deprive him of the honor rightfully due to the commander of the fleet. The subordinate commanders who participated in the fray did magnificent service. No one doubts that Admiral Sampson would have done equally well if he had been there. He never shirked a danger and was never charged with cowardice. Is he to blame because he did not refuse the honors accorded him by his superiors? It requires no prejudice against Admiral Schley or any other commander in order to feel a sincere sympathy for this broken man. The most adre-nt admirers of Schley of whom the Journal is one can ent rtaln a feeling ef genuine regret and pity at the cruel fate of Admiral Sampson. His service to his country was a long and honorable one. As a man who went forth to fight, and. If necessary, ".le for the country, he deserved better treatment at the hands of hU inconsiderate countrymen. Governor Shaw Answers Interrupter. New York Tribune. A story is told of Governor Shaw, of Iowa, in last year's campaign. Populists in the audience were asking a good many questions, especially one half eirunken fellow. Governor Shaw answered patiently find bided his time. A man well down In front Insisted on asking a question every five minutes on the average-. He usually prefaoe-d them by such remarks as: "Jut a minute pleas1." .r "It me interrupt you for a minute." In an unhappy moment lie broke In with, "Pardon rr. but" Before be could finl.-h the Governor, a rather se !f-satified look spreading over his lace. rep:bd: "Well. I've pardoned lots worse ft (lows th en you in my time, and I suppose it would be unjust to draw the line here." Prosperity Abroad. Philadelphia Record. One eif the most auspicious signs of the times at the ending of the year Is the apparent ending of business deprestion in Germany ami Great Britain. The restoration of prosperity to those countrl3 especially In Great Britain, which is by far the largest pun baser of Amerleun exported commodities in the world cannot fall to have marked rffet In prolonging the good times In the United States. The unfinished wars in the Philippines and in South Africa are the two elements of eloubt in the situation, but neither is likely to seriously interrupt International trading.