Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1899 — CURRENT COMMENT. [ARTICLE]

CURRENT COMMENT.

Though the late Robert Ingersoll had many oratorical triumphs he is charged with at least one disastrous failure. It occurred at an evening meeting of the delegates to the Republican National convention in 1888. Before the convention met there had been much favorable mention of the name of Walter Q. Gresham as a candidate. Indiana had, however, instructed for Harrison. Ingersoll favored Gresham and be took the first opportunity to make a speech in his favor. The delegates who sat and listened to the famous orator had no idea what his object was. They heard him describe in eloquent terms the qualities to be desired in a candidate. They were spellbound as he glorified the history of the party. Finally, he came to the climax. As he named Walter Q. Gresham a chill seemed to fall on the audience. Inger-' soil Stood with, a smile on his face t« watch the effect of his words. Gradually it faded away. The entire Indiana delegation got up and left the house in a body. There was no applause, in some way the great orator had entirely spoiled the chances of his favorite. Finally be put on his bat and went out, a thoroughly disappointed man. It seems a little strange that yellow fever should make its appearance at Hampton, Vt., w hile no cases are reported from the Gnlf States. Onee during the ’sos Norfolk and Portsmouth were visited severely by yellow fever, both places being then in filthy condition. Since then Virginia has been free from the disease. It is not agreeable to learn that in spite of all the precautions which have been taken yellow fever has found Its way into this country. But it is much better the disease should break out at a place like Hampton, off the highways of trade, than in New Orleans or Charleston. In the great amount of matter which has been printed in regard to the transSiberian railroad which Russia is building, the fact has been almost overlooked that she is also constructing one of the greatest ship canals in the world. It will reach from the Baltic to the Black Sea, a distance of 1,080 miles, or more than a hundred miles further than from Chicago to New’ York. It will be 217 feet wide and 29 feet deep, so that the largest war vessels may stean* through without danger of stranding. Its estimated cost Is $125,000,000. 1