Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 January 1908 — Page 1

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JANUARY 4, 1908

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CRITICISING TRE NAVY

Warm Defense of Our Own Present System of Construction. GREAT VICTORIES RECALLED.

Paul Thieman Comments on Strange Forgetfulness of American Navy’s Former Brilliant Achievements. Claims Our Fleet Was Designed With a Reason For Every Detail. It Is rather curious ami queer that In discussing the United States navy the critics appear to forget that only three navies have decisive modern naval history. These are the American, British and Japanese navies, says Paul Tbieraan in the New York American. The Japanese have whipped two adversaries. One was China. And the Chinese squadron really put up a stiller fight in the battle of the Yalu than the Russians at Tort Arthur or in the straits. Russia was notoriously inefficient at sea. No navy, except the brief, concentrated exi>erience of the Japanese, has done any such amount of actual fighting, since the Napoleonic period, as the navy of the United States. Since the era of the battles of the Nile and Trafalgar the British navy has used its guns in battle only spasmodically against foes of no consequence. But . subsequent to their exploits on the then formidable north coast of Africa and their victorious sea duels with the British, American ships have cleared for action and used their batteries on many coasts. The variety and weight of the performances of the United States navy In the civil war—its many battles with heavy shore fortifications—are unparalleled. And it is almost forgotten that the United States Asiatic squadron landed on the Korean coast in the seventies and chastised the Koreans, both brilliantly and bloodily, for mistreatment of shipwrecked American sailors. The Koreans left 700 dead in the forts stormed by our bluejackets and marine Infantry. It Is almost forgotten that one little American warship fought and whipped Japan’s entire early navy. Upon the banners of the United States marine corps are blazoned the names •of desperate battles unknown to the average young American today. Since then came the masterful exploits of Rhe Spanish war. No navy ever performed with such absolute and supreme mastery of the enemy as ours In that war. There was never anything like It. Past glory and success do not, of •course, render innocuous any defects and mistakes in the construction and equipment of ships flying the flag today. Still it may be suggested that there are certain victorious experiences in our naval past which cannot be ignored—which it would be folly to neglect. The low freeboard of our battleships is bitterly criticised. It Is plain enough that shots passing over our low lying ships would hit the high freeboard foreign type. It is plain, too, that fleet actions will hardly ever take place in a heavy sea. A high freeboard fleet would have the advantage in a high sea, but under the usual conditions of fighting our low lying vessels would have the best of it, and we trust our •commanders for that. The question of the height of the heavy armor belt above the load line and its depth below not only has to do with gunfire, but with torpedo attack. Our direct ammunition shaft has to ■do with Pie rapidity of firing. . It is preposterous to assume that the American fleet has not been designed with a reason for every detail. Many of the forms evolved were compromises between the extreme views of navigation, ordnance, engineer and construction officers. But, however they were determined, there were reasons, -and behind these reasons were the experiences and results of a brilliant and victorious naval history which there Is a curious tendency to forget «nd kowtow to methods of countries with no naval annals.

SAVE HISTORIC HOUSE.

Plans

For Presarvation of Franois

8oott Kay’s Homo.

Preservation of the old home of Francis Scott Key, author of the “Star Bpangled Banner,” Is at last assured, writes a Washington correspondent of the New York Globe. The old house where Key lived is In historic Georgetown, now a part of Washington, and while a substantially built structure, it is fast falling Into a state of dilapidation. The Francis Scott Key Memorial association has decided to purchase the property for $15,000 and to expend a liberal sum in restoring the bnllding to the condition it was when occupied by the author of the national

anthem.

Charles Weisgerber, who preserved the home of Betsy Ross, the birthplace of the American flag, in Philadelphia, will soon go to Washington and take charge of the Key mansion. Mr. Weisgerber originate! the plan to preserve the Ross home and has managed its finances since that time. He has agreed to assume control of the Key home, and It Is thought the success of the movement for preservation of it Is now a certainty. After the house or “mansion,” as it is generally called, has been restored the plan Is to open It to the public. The association that has undertaken to preserve the property has a distinguished membership, including such men as Admiral Dewey, Admiral Schley and others, and membership certificates will be issued with a view of getting a large number of people all over the United States Interested in the movement Handsome reproductions of the painting, "The Inspiration,” portraying Francis Scott Key anxiously watching from his prison ship in Baltimore harbor to see whether the flag still floats over Fort McHenry, are being given to persons forming clubs to aid the objects of the association.

RADIUM TO PHILIPPINES.

Bilboquet Replacing Diabolo. Paris went daft over diabolo, the trick of balancing a sort of top on a string attached to two slender sticks, and all the world tried to follow Paris’ lead, although America didn’t succeed very well, says the New York Press. How high one could throw the top and catch it on the cord was a vital question In a few places in the United States not only with children, but with many of their elders, who found that diabolo playing was not as easy as it looked and that to spin that double cone to a height of thirty or forty feet one had to have quick eyes and steady hands. Now word comes from Paris that bilboquet threatens to unseat diabolo. Bilboquet is nothing but a complicated form of cup and ball.

Hickory Tr«e» That Bear Pecans. Dr. Dennis of Cedar Rapids, la., a prominent member of the Iowa Park and Forestry association, which held Its annual meeting in the state horticultural rooms at the state capitol, has a unique scheme to grow southern nuts on Iowa trees, says a Des

One-thousandth of a Gram For Experiments Costs $3,000. The bureau of Insular affairs recently paid the largest price for the smallest shipment ever sent to the Philippines, says a Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune. It has bought for $3,000 one-thousandth of a gram of radium, which is equal to .01548 of a grain, Troy weight The porchase, which was made in New York, Is for the bifreau of science of the Philippines, which purposes to nss the radium in a series of experiments tt is about to conduct The insular bureau is in something of a quandary as to how it shall ship this precious mineral speck, but It la assumed that the New Yofk concern from which it is bought will manage to pack it in a sufficient number of wrappers to give it at least tangible bulk. When the requisition reached the bureau the acting chief calmly called for quotations on radium by the pound or ounce, but the New York purveyors evidently feared that the price on radium in such quantities would cause mental and physical collapse In the bureau and accordingly disregarded the specifications and quoted a price of $3,000 for the quantity above noted. Major McIntyre, it is stated on trustworthy authority, put on his strongest spectacles and then sent for a magnifying glass merely to read the quotation, after which he sent It by wire to Manila, but with little expectation that the offer would be accepted. Greatly to his surprise, however, he received a reply a few hours later saying, In effect, that the bureau of science would like $3,000 worth, but would regard the price as too high if any extra charge was made for boxing or shipping. Accordingly the radium will soon be forwarded.

IRISH POTATOES IN CHINA.

American Consul Says Chinese Are Being Taught Their Value. The Irish potato is now known to the people of the far east, according to Wilbur T. Gracey, United States consul at Tsingtau, China, writes a Washington correspondent of "be New York Post. In a report to tAe state department Mr. Gracey says that for years the foreign residents of Ichoufu, a purely native city in the interior of the province of Shantung, have been trying to introduce the cultivation of white potatoes among the natives. Their efforts seem likely to be successful, as Mr. Gracey learns that many of the Chinese farmers are now raising the vegetable. He says the restaurants have discovered that the potato will take the place of the more expensive “shanyue,” or yom. Hitherto the Chinese have never used fresh milk to any extent, their cows being kept for field purposes only. Consul Gracey reports that the dairy started under foreign patronage at Ichoufu seventeen years ago now sells more milk to Chinese patrons than to foreigners. Condensed milk has become popular and Is now being used to a considerable extent throughout the empire.

A Ring For Purdue University Men. Purdue university graduates the world over will have a uniform mark of Identification, If present plans are carried out, in the shape of a Purdue

Moines correspondent of the St. Louis ( rlng gays a Lafayette (Ind.) corre-

„. B p 0n< ient of the Indianapolis News. The ring will correspond to the alumni pin which Princeton and other eastern unlversiltiB provide for their graduates. Several of the alumni associa-

Post-DIspatch. As a sort of a Bur bank of Iowa, he has carried out experiments and discovered that by grafting pecan shoots on the branches of common shellbark hickory trees a fine grade of southern nuts can be produced. He has succeeded in growing chestnuts of a fine grade and

managed to produce a fine

walnut off the graft- j nut producing tree*.

tlons, such as those at Pittsburg, New York, Cleveland and Chicago, have Indorsed the plan. * Murray Grant of Seattle, Wash., president of the general alumni association, has suggest that the ring bear * * *

FOR A STATE FLOWER Efforts to Have Oklahoma Adopt the Mistletoe.

TERRITORY^ FLORAL EMBLEM Scientists Consider Variety That Grows In New State the Finest In the World—Goldenrod a Rival—Sunflower Also Has an Advocate—Mistletoe Not Adopted by Other States. Mistletoe gathering in Oklahoma was recently at its height, and every day big crates of the beautiful parasite, with its waxy berries, were shipped out for eastern points, especially from the Chickasaw nation, to form a prominent part of the Christmas decoration in homes all over the country. It is generally conceded that Oklahoma mistletoe is the finest to be found anywhere in the United States, and it is doubtful if there is any other locality w here it is so abundant. It is largely on that account that mistletoe was chosen as the floral emblem of the territory of Oklahoma end will probably be regarded as the emblem of the new state, says a special dispatch from Guthrie, Okla., to the St. Louis Republic. It had to contest for the honor with the passion flower at the time it w’as chosen, and various other substitutes have been suggested since that time. There was a serious effort during Oklahoma’s constitutional convention to make alfalfa the state flower, and now a movement has been started in favor of the goldenrod. The opponents of the proposed change point out the fact that Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska and Pennsylvania have already adopted the goldenrod aud that it is also the national floral emblem. John Golobie, editor of the Guthrie State Register, who led the fight for the original adoption of the mistletoe. Is strongly opposed to the goldenrod idea and wants the present emblem retained. “As far as the nativity of the goldenrod in Oklahoma is concerned,” he said, “it came here with civilization, as did the sunflower to Kansas. In fact, the sunflower Is as native here as in Kansas and, to the grief of farmers, Is as numerous and prolific. Why not choose the sunflower, since we would at least have to share Its worship #ith only one state Instead of half a dozen, with the United States thrown In? “It Is different with the mistletoe. The mistletoe does not grow everywhere and cannot be made to grow where it does not choose to grow. It is native wherever it grows. There are few places in the United States, in fact, in the world, where the white berried kind grows. It is conceded by scientists that the Oklahoma mistletoe is of rare quality and the finest in the world. “The same argument used for the mistletoe as the floral emblem of Oklahoma territory holds good for the state of Oklahoma. The matter was all thrashed out by the papers at that time. The opponents of the mistletoe put up the passion flower against it. But it was clearly showu that an imported flower with the sentimental allegory attached that it sprang from a drop of blood from the pierced wound of Christ on Calvary was not emblematic of any specific quality possessed by Oklahoma not possessed elsewhere. But the mistletoe possesses such specific qualities native to Oklahoma or it wouldn’t have been here before the white man was. “Besides the mistletoe has the further claim that It has not been adopted by any other states, and in spite of its parasite growth it has appealed to the heart of humanity with greater affection than any other purely ornamental flora that grows, not even the laurel, the garland of the poets, excepted. In addition to its Christmas cheer and its propitious influence on lovers, its very high bred origin, objected to by its op ponents, can be turned into its favor by a natural allegory not yet written. Why cannot its spiritual quality be denoted by the very fact that it does not have to spring humbly from the lowly earth, but, like the soul of man, Is breathed into the body by the spirit of the divine. “At any rate, like the soul, it is indestructible by the ordinary laws of nature. It Is perennial, and the rigors of winter that, like the angel of death, lay all other flowers in their shroud of snow, and the winds that blow a chill requiem over their dead forms, are like the warm breath of the resurrection mom to the mistletoe.”

The Armada of Peace. Our ships are sailing, sailing; their pennants proudly wave. There never have been sailors more loyal or more brave* And, while one prayer Is offered through all our peaceful land. The nations watch and wonder and cannot understand. The polished guns are gleaming, the silent gunners wait; Threugh peaceful days and stormy, prepared for any fate, The stately columns follow the mighty flagship's lead, And all the nations wonder and watch the fleet proceed. Our ships are sailing, sailing; behind the miles increase, And from each masthead flutter the flags that signal peace. The reefs and shoals before them have filled strong hearts with dread. Ood grant they reach the haven that lies so far ahead! Not since the god of battles first caused a spear to hiss Have men sent forth so splendid a.force for peace as this. So let the ships sail onward till all the globe is spanned And all the watching nations at last shall understand. -8. B. Kiser In Chicago Record-Herald.

Ian. 5 tn TMstory 10G6—Edward the Confessor, SaTxon king of England, died; born

1004.

1689—Catherine de' cruel and ini queen of Fran' 1779 — Stephen commodore U. S. N„ /

Md™

M Bladensburg, Md., 1820.

LINCOLN SPEAKS

Medici.

Zebulon Montgomery Pflie. soldier and

of the Rod

mountains, born

killed 1818.

donna, died In

explorer df

in Lamberton, N. 1891—Emma Abbott, Salt Lake City. I-

1906—Foes fraternized at Port Arthur; Russian officers permitted to return home on parole and the men held as

prisoners of war.

ASTRONOMICAL EVENTSs Tonight and Tomorrow Morning.

Sun sets. 4:43; rise*, 7:21. Moon sets,

“g€^2'

6:59 p. m. Moon's age.*2 days. 8:12 p. m., moon In conjunction irfth Venus, passing three-quarters of a degree south of the planet, from west to east; seen beautifully arranged shortly.after sunset, in the

southwest.

5811. 6

(story.

1739—David Dale, phi ternal grandfatb Owen, bom; died 1811—Charles SumnerJ ator and state died in Washim as a confidential Lincoln and from chairman of the relations. 1840—Mme. D’Arblay popular English n 1894-Dr. Clinton C plorer, died at

1841.

1900—Main Boer at

lines at Ladysi and casualties.

ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS; Tonight and Tomorrow Morning. Sun sets, 4:44; rlse^ 7.2L Moon sets, 8:13 p. m. Moon's age.,3 days. 5an. 7 lit FKstory.

Salignac de la 4fi e d: born 1661. horn in Dan-

throplst and maof Robert Dale chusetts senhorn in Boston; '4. Sumner acted r of President to 1870 served as ttee on foreign ices Burney),

1st. died.

English exnio, Tex.; bora on the British . heavy fighting

Old Newspaper Contains an Interesting War Address

1715—Fenelon (Fran'

Mothl), French

U18—General Israel vers, Mass.; died 1892—Tewflk- Pasha,

died, aged 40.

1906—Earthquake sh< Kansas and Neb;

ASTRONOMI

Tonight and To

Sun sets, 4:45;

9:27 p. m. Moon's planets Mercury and. tlon. 8:12 a. m., nk Saturn, passing 3 planet, from west to lei discovered three no satellites except

viously known.

1642-

that “the

Egypt, in Missouri,

NTS: Morning. Moon sets. a. 3 a. m., in conjuncnction with uth of the . 1610, Gallr’a moons, being pre-

Eli Whitney.

5an. 8 I -Death of OaUl

■

6i

earth

move.”

1815—Battle of’ New leans. Jackson's ex. traordinary victory wa£ gained with only a trifling loss. His triumph was enhanced by ♦he fact that it was

wholly unexpected and won against enormous odds. Over 2.000 Britons fell. Jackson's loss was 8 killed and 13

wounded.

1825—Ell Whitney, inventor of cotton gin and improved firearms, died in New Haven; Jbora 1765. 1907—The shah of Persia died at Teheran;

born 1872.

ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS; Tonight and Tomorrow Morning. Sun sets, 4:46: rises, 7:20. Moon sets, 10:37 p. m. Moon’s age, 5 days. 4:59 p. m., moon in conjunction with Mars, passing 5 degrees south of the planet, from west

to east.

5an. 9 In Rfstory. 1757—Bernard de Fontenelle. French philosophical writer, died; bora 1657. 1848—Caroline Lucretla Herschel, astronomer, died; bora 1751. 1904—General John B. Gordon, noted Confederate veteran, ex-goveraor of Georgla and former United States senator, died at Boynton, Ga.; born 1830. 1907—All Mina recognized as shah of Per-

sia. •

ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS: Tonight and Tomorrow Morning. Sun sets, 4.47; rises, 7:20. Moon sets, 11:45 p. m. Moon’s age, 6 days. 8:45 &. m., moon at first quarter.

5an. 10 In fifstory. 1769—Ney, famous French marshal in Napoleon's army, born at Saar-Louls; executed for treason in the Waterloo

campaign In 1815.

1863—Lyman Beecher, father of the famous family, died in Brooklyn; born

Martyred War President Expresses Some Noble Sentiments Mr. Edward Taylor 408 Weat Thir teenth street, has in bis possession an old copy of the Cincinnati Commercial date of April 92, 1864. a war issue of that paper, which has been in the Tay lor fsmilr since the date of issue. Among the many interesting things published is the fnll text of the speech of President Abraham Lincoln made at Baltimore on the 18th of April. Ladies and Gentlemen:—Calling it to mind that we are in Baltimore, we cannot fail to note that the world moves (Applause.) Looking upon the many people I see assembles here to serve, as best they may, the soldiers the Union it occurs to me that three years ago those soldiers could not pas through Baltimore. I would say bless ings upon the men who have wrought these changes and the ladies who assisted them. This change which has taken place in Baltimore is part only of a far wider change that is taking place all over the country. When the war commenced three years ago. no one expected that it would last this long and no one supposed that the institution of slavery would be materially affected by it. But here we are. The war is not yet ended and slavery has been materially affected or interfered with. So trne is it that man proposes and God disposes The world is in want of a good defini tion of the word liberty, We all declare ourselves to be for liberty, but we do not all mean the same thing. Some mean that a man can do as he pleases witn himself and his property With others it means that some men can do as they please with other men and other men r s labor. Each oi these things is called liberty, although they are entirely different. To give an illustration: a shepherd drives the wolf from the tbroat*of his sheep when at tacked by hint, and the aheep of coarse thanks the shepherd for the preservation of his life; bnt the wclf denounces him as despoiling the sheep of his liberty: especially if it be a black sheep. This same difference of opinion prevails among some of the people of the North- But the people cf Maryland, have recently been doing something to properly define the meaning of the word, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for what they hare done and are doing. It is not very becoming for a President to make a speech at great length, but there is a painful rnmor afloat in the country in reference to which a few words shall be said. It is reported that there has been a wanton massacre of some hundreds of colored soldiers at Fort Pillow Mississippi, during a recent engagement there and he thought it fit to explain some fac’a in relation to the affair. It is •aid by some persons that the Government is not in this matter doing its duty. At the commencement of the war it was boubtfnl whether black men would be used as soldiers or not The matter was examined into very care, fully and after mature deliberation the whole matter resting as it were with himself he in his judgement de cided that they should applause. He was responsible for the act to the American people to a Christian view by the future histarion, and above all

Menelik Issues Proclamation

AOMS ABEKA, Abjslnuia, Dec. 28. —The decree of the Emperor Menelek announcing the contruction of a Cab inet on European lines is as follows: “Ths lion of Jndah has prevailed “Salutation be to you. “It is some time since we thonght of introducing a European system to our country You have always indicated (this), and said it would be good if we. too, would adopt some of the Europe* an systems. “I have now started to appoint ministry, and if is the will of God will complete U.’’ Public opinion highly approves the Emperor's proclamation.

LINCHINGS LESS Records For 1907 Decrease From Previous Year -v

SUIT TO TEST DISCHARGE

Negro Private of Discharged Soldiers Will Test President's Act.

More Suicides But Smallest Number of Lynchings la 20 Years CHICAGO, January 1.—Lynching is decreasing and anicide is increasing in the Un ted States. The record of lynchings for 1907 contains the smallest number in the last twenty years* The total is sixty-three, as compared with sixty nine in 1906 The number of snicides for 1907 was 10,782, as reported in the public press. In 2906 the total number of number of suicides was 10,125.

Yale and was pastor of the Congressional church at New Haven 16 years. Having acquired great influence as an orator and religious teacher, he removed to Boston in 1826 to uphold or-

thodoxy.

1876—General Gordon Granger, a distinguished Union commander In the west, died at Santa Fe; born 1826. 1906—Dr, William Rainey Harper, noted Hebrew scholar and president of the University of Chicago, died in Chi-

cago; bora 1866.

ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS: Tonight and Tomorrow Morning.

Sun sets, 4:48; rises. 7:20. Moon sets, 12:51 a. m. Moon's age, 7 days. 12:42 p.

m., moon at greatest Ubratlon west.

that the rinj of theJMr-

/

'Jan. 11 In fHetory. 1757 — General Alexander Hamilton, American soldier and statesman, ,, secretary of the treasury under Washington, born In Nevis, West Indies: killed by Aaron Burr in a duel July 12,

1804.

1807—Ezra Cornell, promoter of education, etc., born at Westchester Landing, N. Y.; died 1874 1844—Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star Spangled Banner,” died in Balti-

more; bora 1780.

1894—Isabella Shawe Thackeray, widow of the distinguished author, died at Leigh,

England; born 1819.

1902—Horace E. Scudder, noted American author, died at Cambridge, Mass.; bora

1838.

1907—A tidal wave devastated the Dutch East Indies, engulfing the island of

Slmalu.

ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS: Tonight and Tomorrow Morning.

Sun sets, 4:49; rflses, 7:19. Moon seta.

1:53 a. m. Moon’s llnatlon, 21.7 de,

ge, 8 days. Sun’s deees south of celestial

Oct. 12, 1775. Dr. Beecher graduated at] to his God, to whom he would have

one day to render an account of his stewaadship. He would now say that in bis opinion the black soldier should have the same protection as the white soldier and he would base it. It was an error to say the Government was not acting in this matter. The Govern ment has no direct evidence to confirm the reports in existence relative to this massacre; but for himself believed the facts in relation to it to be as stated. When the Government does know the facts from official sources and they prove to substantiate the reports retribution will be surely given What is reported he thought would make a clear case. If it is not true then all snch stores soe to be consider ed as false. If proven true when the matter is thoroughly examined what shape is to be given to the retribution? Can we take the man who was cap tured at Vicksburg and shoot him for the victim ot this massacre? If it should happen that it was the act of only one mun, what course is to be pursued then? It was a matter requiring careful examination and de liberation and if it should be substan« tintal by sufficient evidence all might rest assured that retribution would be

had.

Subscribe for Tbe Recorder unfi Wp posted on the leading topics V the day kgc for % months

NEW YORK, December 27 —A suit to test the right of the President to discharge the Negro soldiers of the Twenty-fifth InLu^ry for their alleged connection with the Brownsville raid was begun in the United States District Conrt in this city yesterday. The expectation is that as a result of the President's action will be put squarely np to the United States Su-

preme Court.

The suit was brought under the socalled Tucker act, which, in the memory of those aronnd the Federal courts here, has been invoked only in two instances, although the law was passed in 1887. The novelty of it lies in the fact that it allows the United States to be made defendant* either In the United States District or Circuit Court* in the former where tbe amount invoked is $1,000 or lean and in the latter where it is more than $1,000 and not more than $10,000. Oscar W. Reid, who was a private in Company G, and now i\ a resident of this city, is the plantiff in tbe action which was brough 1 : to recover from the defendant, the United States, the sum of $122.25, which Reid contends isduehimas pay from the Government since hia dismissal, on the ground that his dismissal waa illegal. The lawyers bringing suit for Beid

There is much talk regarding tbe next presidential nominee of the Republican party. What will come of ft the wisest among ua cannot s&y. So far as the Afro-American is concerned however, it little matters whothe nom inee may be, it is safe to say be will be found lined np with the “regulars' the G. O. P, notwithstanding the fact that it has been the Republican leaders who have sought and have succeed ed well in pntting tbe Afro-Amsrican voters on the ragged edge of Ameri> can politics, thronghand by permitting disfranchisement in every South ern State in the Union. The AfroAmerican is no longer a political factor only in the remotest aspect. For more than a generation past he has not had a single representative in the National balls of Congress to espouse or champion his cause along any line* His has been a steady bnt certain pass ing out of power and influence into the sea of forgetfulness in a political

sense.

are Ward,^Menen VToodrige, 32 Nas There is now a great need for the

•an street. In a statement given out it was announced the firm had been retained “by certain gentlemen in New England who beleive in the equal rights of all before the law and that every man is entiled to his day in court.” In the petition Reid asserts he is wholly guiltless, was in bis quarters at the time, and that before the shooting had ceased he was present and answered his name at roll call. He declares he has no knowledge of the affair.

Afro American people throughout the

country to oegin to organize Along po litical lines for the future. The advo cates that the Negro stay out of poli-

tics are all wrong. The ballot today is the only and his strongest weapon

of delense; without it sooner or later

the Afro-American in this country will be in a hopeless condition. Let us have less big talk and more

real work along this lice and (ry to re

gain some of oar former polit cal pow er and prestige in American politics. —The Courant, Philadelphia, Pa.

THE LATE SIDNEY W. HINTON A Rice Leader of the “Old Guard” whose place yet remains vacant His mantle of Leadership lies in tbe Dust. Who will tell why? Subraribe tor Thu Recorder-, oat roar f >

Planting Cocoanuts In Samoa. E. G. Simion, a cocoanut planter of Samoa, who is In Seattle, declares, according to the Seattle Times, that the German government is saving the world from a possible cocoanut famine by having the old and dead trees In the domain under its jurisdiction replaced by young and healthy trees each year. According to Simion, there Is no immediate danger of the cocoanut supply becoming exhausted, but the market for the commodity is growing better each year. The recent large foreign experiments In the cultivation of copra, the dried kernel of the cocoanut, from which cocoanut oil is made. Is said by Simion to also be an important reason why new trees should be planted. The planter declares that the United States is neglecting its holdings In Samoa, while the various foreign powers are taking advantage of every opportunity to make money on the island. '

vii

4

0-

:: ; |n ?!,Ik

The Hon. Wm West, township trus lee. has appointed John J BuCkner to fill the position of messenger in his office formerly held by W. J. I Reed 4r, Buckner is Brigadier General of he Colored Kuighta of Pythias and a he selection ia a good one. yfj • i /

.