People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1896 — Will Build a $100.000. Shell. [ARTICLE]

Will Build a $100.000. Shell.

Congress will probably authorize the building of six of the largest size war ships and fifteen modern torpedo boats. One bill before congress -asks for $87,000,000 for new battle ships and torpedo boats. It will hardly become a law this session. Cleveland does not favor the recognition of the Cubans as belligerents at present, though congress in both houses is nearly unanimous in asking him to do so. McKinley will undoubtedly be the next Republican presidential candidate, and he is on record as opposed to the free coinage of silver by the United States except by international agreement. That is the exact position of every gold standard advocate. International agreement was the straddle planks in the old party platforms of 1892 and will be again in 1896. The United States army, which for years has been fixed at 25.000 soldiers, has commenced its steady growth to the mighty proportions of the arm ies of monarchial Europe. The beginning is small: being only about 20 per cent for the artillery and infantry, or 5771 men and officers. The additional cost is but the trifle of *1.757.073, and the government borrowing gold to meet expenses.

Commissioner Mart ind ale made the statement a few days since, that it was their (the commissioners’) intention to expend *IOO,OOO on the new court house and leave it in an unfinished condition, omitting the heating apparatus, furniture and minor details. The Pilot has maintained that the commissioners intended to violate the law by involving the county in debt beyond the one per cent limit. Now we have it direct from the John Bull of the commissioners court himself that they will build as much of the court house as they can with SIOO,OOO and let the future provide for its completion. Why, certainly a very respectable shell can be put up for SIOO,OOO. The windows, which are to be of the finest French plate, according to Commissioner Martindale, can be temporarily fitted with wooden shutters and- nailed up. What the care if it does take a few more years to get the building ready for occupancy? there are plenty rooms that can be rented for the officers and the opera house will serve for a court room; Jasper county is r ; ch and the blessing of hard times will enable the bonds to bring a good price. But then the state legislature is accommodating and perhaps some special favor may be granted to Jasper, as was done for White, and another issue of bonds authorized. In any case the taxes will get on the top round of the ladder to prosperity and stay there.

The proper way for the government to prevent deficit in its postal revenues is to abolish the franking privilege entirely. Let all official matter be paid for just the same as private business. If that was done there would be a handsome surplus even in these hard times. It is the “deadhead” stuff for campaign purposes that is swamping the department. If the 16c postage rate on merchandise was re duced. one-half it would take millions of dollars annually away from the express companies and put it where it rightly belongs. The express monopoly is attempting through its immense lobby at Washington and its pliable instruments in con gress to have a law enacted that will exclude from the United States mails as second class matfer all periodical, books and many other publications, thus depriving the people of the existing opportunity to get the very best literature a marvelously low price. It will be a greater calamity to the nation than war with England if it. should pass.- • 'B' *Y '