Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1899 — PULSE of the PRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PULSE of the PRESS

South American Alliance. A South American alliance is all right on paper, but—-—.-—Providence Telegram. It would be suicidal for the little republics to combine against the greatest of all republics. Closer relations and not the cold shoulder is the policy for thiscontinent.—Troy Times. The South Americans do not know enough to run better governments than, they have. Their lack of political sense is shown in their rather imprudent distrust of the United States. —Terre HauteExpress. Soon or late we shall probably discover that there is a European meddler behind, this nervousness that seems to be affecting our Latin-American neighbors. They will get over it in time.—Washington Times. Don’t fret lest the South American, countries are going to unite against the United States. It is difficult for any one of them to “unite” for any considerable length of time, to say nothing of the whole.—Boston Transcript. The whole history of the country would have to be reversed, and we should have to seek the things which we now abhor and abhor the things which we now admire before we should threaten the independence of these republics, for the mere sake of expansion.—Brooklyn Eagle. Relief for Porto Rico. Now that Porto Rico is ours, it surely behooves us to promptly relieve the destitution brought by the hurricane.—New York Herald. As a part of our new possessions the people of the island have a claim on our generosity which should be met to the fullest extent.—Philadelphia’ Press. The President and the War Department have acted with commendable promptness, but the bounty of the Government should be supplemented by the benevolence of our citizens. —New York World. The news that Porto Rico has been raised from her misfortunes by American good will and restored to prosperity and comfort will show the people of all our new possessions and of all the neighboring lands that incorporation into the United States is the most desirable thing that can happen to any small community. —New York Journal.

Marriage and Money. Let us have more young marriages—early marriages if you will—and less talk of the future, and of the necessity of. having a “pile” before we can be happy. —Waukegan Sun. A young man, who is any kind of a man at all, and who is willing to cut out all useless extravagances and do his part kindly and generously, will find that a wife who has his interests at heart is not a weight to him, but his most valued helper.—Galesburg Republican-Register. The Chicago Tribune says that the current discussion of marriage in that city leaves the question where St. Paul left it. Don’t jump at conclusions, neighbor. St. Paul hasn’t left it yet. They are still marrying and giving in marriage up here.—St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Britons and Boers. The more the Boers concede to the English the more the English demand.— Buffalo Express. Experience has taught us that all news coming from the Transvaal, from whichever side, is to be regarded with suspicion.—London Chronicle. President Kruger has expressed his gratification that the Volksraad has agreed to stand by the Lord. But will the Lord stand by Kruger?—Boston Transcript. The Boers must yield. It would be better for them to do so gracefully before a shot is fired than to have to do so after suffering frightful losses.—Savannah News. It is once more looking warlike over in the Transvaal. But there will be no war. Oom Paul is an obstinate old man, but there are some things that he knows as well as any one.—Peoria Herald.

Dumdum Bullets nt Joliet. After the dumdum bullets the exploding bomb, perhaps. Anything to “stop” enemies of fugitive prisoners in these days of civilization, you know.—Baltimore Globe. Dumdum bullets will hereafter be used to shoot convicts who attempt to escape from Joliet penitentiary. This comes of not giving the convicts representation at the international peace conference.—Buffalo Express. The guards at Joliet penitentiary have been armed with Mauser rifles carrying dumdum bullets. The only excuse offered for the use of these bullets in warfare Is that, In meeting a charge of overwhelming numbers of savages, it is necessary to have a bullet that will produce shock enough to stop the rush of any man it hits. There is no such emergency . to be met in shooting a runaway convict In the back.—New York Journal.

Chicago Assessments. If the St, Paul assessor things his lines have fallen In hard places let him interview one of his Chicago brethren.—Minneapolis Times. According to some of the tax returns in Chicago one is led to believe that there is a large class of people who think there are no blessings of government 1 worth mentioning when the assessor comes around.—Sioux City Tribune. This is a blue summer for the Chicago millionaire. For the first time in his history he has learned that the law is actually stronger than the power of his wealth. Another astounding fact presented to him is that all officials cannot be corrupted.—New York World. Bugs. La Salle has a kissing bug club. So far that enterprising little city is in the lead in this matter.—Peoria HeraldTranscript. This is a great year for bugs. A new kind of potato beetle has put in an appearance out in Illinois, and he eats like a soldier just home from the Philippines. -Boston Globe. The kissing bug has begun to frequent camp meetings, and there is a faint hope that it may be brought to see the error of its ways and reform.—Chicago Tribune.