Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1897 — Page 2

PRESIDENT HAS CARE

-NO EASY TASK TO BE THE HEAD OF THIS REPUBLIC. Four Years Oar Chief Executive ' la the Greatest Barden Bearer of the Nation—Mast Suppress All Personal Inclination and Assume Dignity. ’ Troubles of His Own. > Washington correspondence:

TO be a President of the United States is by no means an easy task, and there is probably no man in the vast republic jftk* who carries such a fgft load of care os the SI chief executive of Hgr the nation. From January till the time ntfKjof his election in NoPHjBB vembor lie has to en'yT dure a physical and 1 mental strain that *®™" KrP would wreck the |Ahjv| constitution of most ]rj| ]l men, and he emerges (it*' from the struggle bearing not only the

palm of victory but also the thousand and one weighty details which are pressed upon him as the presumptive occupant ■of the executive mansion. Front the time of his election till the morning of his inauguration he is the most watched, the most sought, and the most worked man in the country. And the cares already borne are only an intimation of those that come after his inaugural address has been read and he has taken possession of the executive mansion. Not the least of the things which require the attention of the new occupant of the executive mansion is the care which must be taken not to say or do anything that would not be in accordance with the dignity and traditions of the great office he is endeavoring to fill. As in great things so it is with innumerable small affairs. He must many times a day ask himself the question if this or that suggested action is in keeping with the dignity of the President of the United States. Personal impulses by the thousand must be suppressed. The man must to a great extent make himself over. Almost without exception every American who has occupied the presidential office has risen to it, risen in character and dignity and manner, no matter how much below it he was at the outset. It is an office which demands that a man shall sink himself and become almost another entity. The wonder is that so many of our Presidents have retained their personal characteristics and habits, their naturalness and simplicity, while in office. All the tendency is in the other direction. Unconsciously to the man himself he is drawn out of himself. He ceases to be as his friends knew him, as he knew himself, as he takes on a new consciousness. He is “the President.” This fact he is never permitted to forget. It follows him everywhere. It bobs up impertinently at the simplest dinner in a country house as well as in a cabinet meeting at the executive mansion. In monarchical countries sovereigns are reared. They are to the manner born. From infancy they are trained to be rulers. They approach gradually, step by step, the station which we thrust a man into almost without ■warning. It is a fact ■that the greatest, most stupendous transition which comes to any man in the world is to him whom the people of the United States take from his law office or bis home or his modest official station and thrust into the presidential chair. A distinguished foreigner said not long ago: “It is amazing that you get as good Presidents as you do, and it is a remarkable thing that your public men are adaptable enough to rise so easily and naturally' to the heights of your sovereignty. But they cannot be happy.” This foreigner was right. Probably not one President in ten is happy while in office. A Weight of Care. As if this were not enough, our political system makes the President the center of party activity, of personal ambition and desire. Not only must all appointments be made theoretically by him as chief executive, but actually by him in person. Before making them he must »ee and talk with all the interested persons, no matter how great their number. If they come again and again, for the avowed purpose of “bringing the pressure of persistency,” they must be seen and mollified. Crossroads politician*! must bave access to the ruler of the American people about seven-by-nine postofflees. The President must keep open house to all the Senators and Representatives in Congress, of whom there are something like 450, and the most of whom are professional office broken. Through all this the President is expected to maintain his dignity and his equanimity, keep his patience unruffled and his sense of justice and of the fitness of things unwarped. During the whole four years of his administration he bears upon hie shoulders the responsibilities and cares of the nation. In the case of moot Presidents there is no cessation of toil. The cares of the chief executive are rarely dropped when he leaves the office. They accompany him to the social function, they are Us constant companion as he attempts to enjoy a few days’ outing, they ate hie most intimate associates even in his family circle, and they even follow him into bis bed chamber and there minister to the discomforts of his slumber. Americans are not always a considerate people, but it is doubtful if they ever had a better chance to see themselves as they really are than in the book which ex- President Benjamin Harrison has just published, in which he devotes a chapter to telling of his own experiences in the tour years he passed in the White House. There seems to be no danger of the chief magistrate of the nation forgetting that he is, in the most literal sense of the words, a public servant, paid by the public for the public to enjoy at its leisure. During the first three weeks of his term the President of these United States has to shake hands with not less than 40,000 of his fellow citizens. If any one has ever seen the Auditorium when 10,000 persons have been packed into it, and will multiply that number by four and contemplate shaking hands with all of them, he will form a notion of what infinite nuisances hand-shaking folk can make of themselves if you can only get enough of them together. Mr. Harrison records that every one who ever had to undergo the ordeal suffered acute physical torture until President Hayes discovered tjat if he reached forward and grasped the hand of M approaching "shaker” before the

“shaker” had a chance to grasp his and squeeze it to show his good will he could escape serious discomfort and all actual pain. President McKinley—the Ohio man is fertile in resource —lias another way; he holds his hand level with his waist with the back of it up and in this attitude it is only possible to get a firm grip on the fingers, which does not hurt nearly as much as pinching the rest of the hand. But the handshaking lasts through the term, though not in such exorbitant quantities, it is not the only trouble. The letter writing fiend gets in his direful work—to the extent of some SOO letters a day. They ask all sorts of things, from an autograph for a log cabin quilt to the loan of money enough to buy a poor girl a piano. Then, if the President is not prompt to send them ail they have requested, they write again to tell him what a mean man they have now learned he is. Private citizens take their turn with charitable and religious organizations in liegging for money, and a woman in North Calolina telegraphed one morning: “I have six little children and they want to throw me out of the house. I have nowhere to go. I want protection.” The autograph collector is numerously in evidence —scores of them every day of the 1.4151 which make up a presidential term. A pile of cards and a bushel basket full of albums are the first things that greet a chief magistrate’s satiated eyes every morning when he comes into his office. Then there is the man who wishes to have the opinion of the President of the United States on the best method of keeping calcimine from coming off on the clothing, or the woman who has just discovered a new process for fried cakes or sally lunn, and is willing to involve the White House cook in her joys. Think of four years of that sort of thing!

IS CAPT. DREYFUS INNOCENT?

All Paris Excited Over a Story of Blackmail and Corruption. The allegation that Alfred Dreyfus, former captain of French artillery, was falsely accused and convicted by a court martial of selling French military plans to the agents of a foreign government, continues to be widely discussed in Paris and throughout France. The presentation of the prisoner’s case to. the French

THE BARBARIC CAGE BUILT AROUND CAPTAIN DREYFUS’ HUT.

Government, which caused the present agitation, reveals a romance with the “gang” of so-called “journalists” and stock jobbers who beset the late Max Lebaudy, the millionaire conscript. The plot, it would further seem, was conceived in 1893, when the wave of “Jew baiting” swept over Europe. Dreyfus is of Jewish extraction, and these jackals of Parisian society, easting about for funds, determined to “bleed this wealthy Jew.” A beautiful adventuress, whose house was the resort of a number of French officers and foreign diplomats, is said to have acted as the go-between I in these transactions. By invitation Dreyfus was a frequent visitor to her house. In due course of time the plan fee the mobilization of the French army, which had been drawn up in a handwriting which cleverly imitated that of Dreyfus, was produced and money was demanded for its surrender. Dreyfus, however, it is said, refused to i*ty' the sum demanded, knowing that the purchase of the document would be an admission of -Ms. guilt and would furnish ground for future extortion, and being aware that the fact that he had been friendly toward the woman, who herself was a party to the plot, would be considered part of the strongest evidence of his guilt. Friends of Dreyfus assert that the newspapers have constantly maintained & warfare ogainM Dreyfus, even up to the present time, and that in consequence the prisoner’s wife and family are obliged to keep secluded. Alfred Dreyfus is now enduring the most terrible punishment indicted by a civilized nation upon a human being. Four years ago he was a rich, brilliant Parisian, a captain in the army, attached to the general staff. Suddenly he was arrested and without legal procedure condemned by a council of war to exile for life in French Guiana. He was charged with betraying French military plans to a foreign government, understood to be the German. The sole evidence against him was a brief note, alleged to have been found in the waste paper basket of the German embassy. Although the trial of Dreyfus was absolutely secret, his condemnation was of the most public character conceivable. The unfortunate man was taken to the Champ de Mars, the largest parade ground in Paris, where 4,000 troops were drawn up in line. Dreyfus stood in the midst of them. After the judgment of the council of war had been read, a lieutenant took the sword of Dreyfus and broke it across his knee, and then cut the buttons, epaulets and other marks of military rank from him. Then he was sent to his place of exile, the Devil’s Island, off the coast of French Guiana, in South America. There yellow fever is permanent. On this island he is condemned to spend the rest of his life, watched day and night by three old soldiers, not one of whom may ever speak to him. Latterly his hut has been indoa-

ed in a large iron cage, in order that an possibility of eseaiie may be removed. Compared to this the life imprisonment of an ordinary criminal is merciful. Dreyfus is certainly being tortured to death.

NOVAK IS FOUND GUILTY.

Jnry Returns a Verdict of Murder in the Second Degree. Frank Novak, on trial at Vinton, lowa, for killing Edward Murray, has been found guilty of murder in the second degree. The jury returned its verdict recommending that his punishment be ten years in the penitentiary. Counsel for

FRANK NOVAK.

the prisoner said he regarded the verdict a great victory for the defense. A serious mistake on the part of the State in the proceedings of the trial was discovered at the very last moment, and Novak’s counsel fought persistently to prevent its rectification. After the evidence had been closed on both sides it was discovered that the county attorney had omitted to show that the village of Walford, Novak's home and where the tragedy occurred, was in Benton County. County Attorney Tobin requested a short stay in the regular proceedings of the trial until he could go upon the wit-

ness stand and swear that the town of Walford was in Benton County that the evidence might lie incorporated in the case. Both Attorneys Ney and Milner strongly opposed this plan, but Judge Burnham overruled the objection and permitted the State to make correction of the records. The Charles Wood story from Seattle was exploded. It is alleged that the part Wood played was carefully arranged by Novak’s friends.

LINCOLN’S GRANDDAUGHTER

I Is a Happy Bride, but Papa Will Not Forgive Her. Miss Jessie Lincoln, daughter of Col. Robert Lincoln, and granddaughter of the immortal “Abe,” is a happy bride, but mingled with her happiness is much sorrow. She is a bright and handsome young woman and a favorite in Chicago society. A few days ago she married without her father's knowledge, a youth named Warren Beckwith. The young husband is a fine-looking fellow, with some means and a liking for athletics. But he has never been thrown on his own resources and therefore has not as yet displayed any business ability. Papa Lincoln was furious when bis daughter returned home

MRS. JESSIE LINCOLN BECKWITH.

ami told of her marriage. He sternly refused to give her his blessing and the bride left home and is now living with her husband at Mount Pleasant, lowa. She is deeply in love with Mr. Beckwith and will remain with him. while hoping that her father’s heart will relent. But the colonel shows no sign of forgiving her. Commissioner General Powderly of the immigration bureau has received a telegram from Inspector Baldwin in Mississippi stating that he had secured the arrest 6f nineteen others of the party of Austrian stove cutters, recently brought to this country under eon tract.

NOTABLE OPINIONS.

SENATORS TALKON THE HANNAf ' OHIO QUESTION. they Believe that the Legislators Elected on the Republican Ticket in Ohio Are in Honor Bound to Vote for Hanna for Senator. Won’t Go Back on Hanna. Special Washington correspondence: The various statements which have been published in leading papers of the country indicating that members elected to the Ohio Legislature are likely to refuse to vote for Senator Hanna, after instructions of State and county conventions in his behalf, is leading members of Congress, irrespective of party, to some frank expressions upon this subject. Senator Carter, discussing this subject to-day, said: “In my opinion it would be for the good of the republic to amend the Federal constitution by providing for the elections of Senators in Congress by popular vote. The nearest approach to the enactment of the popular will with reference to a Senatorial candidate has been obtained through the designation of the intended Senator by the State convention, constituting the highest authority of the party and the people who compose it within the State. The Ohio State convention having clearly placed Mr. Hanna before the people as the candidate of the Republican party for the Senate, thereby deprives every Individual elected on the Republican ticket to

1894.

the Legislature of every semblance of right to exercise individual choice in defiance of the party wish, as clearly expressed by the election.” Senator Mason, of Illinois, said: “I do not believe there is perfidy enough to induce one Republican to vote against Mr. Hanna for Senator. Every Republican in the Legislature is Instructed to vote for him, and to violate that instruction would be such a betrayal of party trust as to put the betrayer outside the pale of civilized politics. It would be exactly the same as if he had been sent to the Electoral College to vote for McKinley, and then, under some pretense of personal disappointment, had voted for Bryan. I am proud, as an American citizen, to say that no such person has ever been found In American history on either side or In any party, and they will not find him in Ohio.” Senator Burrow’s said: “I give no credence whatever to the newspaper reports from Ohio that the Republican Legislature will not select and return Senator Hanna to the United States Senate. First, he was indorsed unanimously by the State convention, which amounts tacitly to an Instruction to the Legislature from the highest possible political organization in the State. Hanna led the fight for the party for the whole ticket, and won a high place in the affections of the people of Ohio and of the country for his splendid campaign, and I cannot believe that any Republican member of the Legislature will disobey the instructions of the party or fall to recognize the splendid service of the Senator. I am confident he will be re-elected by the solid Republican vote. Any other result w'ould overthrow the Republican party in Ohio for a quarter of a century, and do incalculable harm to the party at large.” Senator Fairbanks said: “I cannot believe there Is any foundation in fact for the report that, there Is to be any opposition within the Republican party to the return of Senator Hanna to the Senate. His indorsement by legislative conventions and by the State convention and by the Republican press of the State was unqualified and enthusiastic. He has made a campaign characterized by exceptional bitterness on the part of the opposition, and in all fairness he should now enjoy the fruits of the victory he has won.” A. B. CARSON. A Work of Supererogation. Never was there less cause of apprehension of radical changes to tariff legislation than now. The majority of the people of the United States, regardless of party or of Southern or Northern residence, now are protectionist at heart. The Democratic platforms may denounce “Republican protection,” but the denunciation Is likely to be, for the next six years at any rate, a work of supererogation. It will be long before the people again elect a Democratic President and give him a Democratic Congress to enact his theories. —Chicago Inter Ocean. Better Make It Unanimous*. Only the wealthy can now afford to buy imported carpets, rugs and tapestries.— Leavenworth (Kan.) Standard. Very well; then don’t buy them. If you cover your floors with American carpets and rugs and your walls with American tapestries, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are getting far better value for your money than if you bought Imported goods. With the single exception of oriental rugs, which are made to Asia chiefly

TWO THANKSGIVING DINNERS.

by woman and girls who receive 10 to 15-cents a day In wages, there Is no need to buy a dollar’s worth of carpeting from abroad. No one knows this better than the wealthy, who are among the best patrons of the American carpet looms. They know what Is good, and they buy it. About 75 per cent, of the carpets used In America are made In America. Better add the remaining 25 per cent, and make It unanimous.

TREMENDOUS LOSSES.

What Five Years of Free Trade Has Cost the American Farmers. Some remarkably impressive figures are set forth in a series of articles published by the “lowa State Register,” on the subject of “Farmers’ Losses by Free Trade.” From figures taken from official statistics of the Treasury Department and prepared under a freetrade administration, the “Register” obtains some startling conclusions. For example, it finds that In the four years of 1893 to 1896, Inclusive, the decreased consumption of wheal and corn directly attributed to “hard times” amounted to a total of 3,257,416,072 bushels, representing a farm value of $664,558,239, or an export value of more than $1,000,000,000. The loss on farm animals for the same four years is shown to be $2,560,422,968, and on oats and hay over $600,000,000. These are monstrous prices to pay for the experiment In free trade covering the period between March 4, 1893, and March 4, 1897. If to the losses of the farmer, .estimated at more than five billions of dollars,

1897

are added the losses of the country In other ways, such’ as the decline in wages and in values of real estate, rents, merchandise, manufactured products, and profit-producing property of all kinds, the grand total reaches appalling proportions. It Is an object lesson which the people of the United States are grasping the full significance of as the shadows of adversity gradually give way to the sunlight of prosperity. In a recent issue the Economist drew attention to the extraordinary increase In the wealth of the farmer as shown in the effect of protection upon the values of the sheep and wool of the United States. Ewes which in 1894 sold in Ohio at 69 cents each now bring $3 to $4, while lambs and bucks have advanced in equal proportion. The Madison, Wis., Journal has the following to say about the report of the secretary of the Kansas City Live Stock Exchange on the great Increase in the market values of Jive stock: It is not from wheat alone that the Western farmers are reaping prosperity this year. The values of live stock of all kinds have increased on an average of about 25 per cent, and from the gTeat stock yards of Kansas City $40,000,000 more than in 1896 will be distributed among the producers. This is a statement made by the secretary of the Live Stock Exchange of Kansas City after careful calculation, and taking into consideration both the rise in values and the increase in receipts. Every steer now sold at the stock yards in that city brings from $6 to $8 more than the same kind of a steer brought a year ago; every calf, from $2 to $3 more; every hog, from $3 to $3.25 more, and every sheep, $1 more. The total value of all the live stock handled at that market this year will reach $125,000,000 and more. With these increased profits,from his live stock, added to the large returns for his wheat, the Western farmer is enjoying a season of remarkably good fortune and prosperity, and has good cause for rejoicing. The whole country has good cause for rejoicing, for prosperity begins at the farm and extends through every branch of human activity. When its harvest for the year 1897 shall have been fully reaped and reckoned, there will be a grand showing for protection.—American Economist. Calamity Croakers. An increase of about 40 per cent. In the customs revenue for October as compared with the preceding month of August ought to quiet the deficit apprehensions of any but the most hysterical among the calamity croakers. Nothing can quiet the apprehensions of that class of cranks. They would Joyfully welcome a bankrupt national treasury, no matter from what cause, if they could only twist it Into a free trade argument. Uncle Sam's Choice.

THE JOKERS’ BUDGET.

j A DEAR GIRD. My love to me is sweet and kind— The hardest winds but closer bind; For these are theatre-times, you know— And she’s a girl that likes to go. A NEW DEFINITION. “What is a pedestrian, Jimme?" “A man what dodges bicycles.” ACCORDING TO DARWIN. Simkins—Softleigh is trying to tracehis genealogical tree. Timkins—l’ll bet he will find a monkey on one of the branches. TQO MANY THANKS. She—Don’t you find journalism rather thankless work ? He—Oh, no. Almost everything I write is returned with thanks. ADD XEPENDED ON HIH. “Will you think of me when I am gone ?” he asked. “I shall be glad to,” she replied with a sigh, ‘ ‘if you will make it pos-' sible. ” Then he went. A SOFT ANSWER. Mrs. Housekeep—What do you mean by coming to the front door, you scalawag! Soiled Sammy—Sure, mum, an’ I knew I wouldn’t find a true leddy like yoreself in de kitchen. AN INFADDIBDE SION. “How do you know that his love dream is over ?” “Because I heard him tell Hetty, as they left church last night, that he knew a shorter way of reaching her home than the route they had been taking. ”

CERTAINDY VERY EXTRAORDINARY. Laura—What was the queerest proposal yon ever had ? Jean—l think it was George Hadley’s. He didn’t threaten to go away and kill himself if I wouldn't have him. ANXIOUS ABOUT THE END. “Sir,” said the haughty Lady Constance, “I can read you like a book.” “Oh, then, tell me,” cried Reginald de Sentless, breathlessly, “do I marry the rich heiress in the last chapter ?” INGENUOUSNESS. New Servant—l found this coin npon your desk, sis, Master—l’m glad you are honest. I put it there purposely to test your honesty. New Servant —That’s what I thought. DUCKY FOR HIM. “Did your husband have any luck on his shooting excursion yesterday ?” “For him, yes.” “Is that so ? Why, I didn’t see that he brought home any game. ” “Of course not, but he managed to get back without shooting himself. ” SHE KEPT HIS DETTEBS. “Do you believe in this talk about discovering a man’s character from his handwriting ?” “I do,” replied Green, with a sigm. _“Ever known of its being tried ?” “Yes, and with great efficacy. Theexperiment is most successful when the handwriting is read aloud in court.”

QUITE DEDICATE. Mrs. Gabb (hostess) —“Your little son does not app ar to have much appetite.” Mrs. Gadd—“No, he is quite delicate.” Mrs. Gabb—“Can’t you think of anything you would like, my little man ?” Little Man—“No, ’m. You see, mom made me eat a hall lot before we started, so I wouldn’t make a pig of myself.” DISCOURAGING. Nervous Philanthropist (on a slamming excursion) —Can you tell me if this is Little Erebus street, my man ?” Suspicious-looking Party—Yus. Nervous P.—Er—Rather a rough sort of thoroughfare, isn’t it ?” Suspicious-looking P. —Yus; it is & bit tough. The further yer gows daowu, the tougher it gits. I lives in the last ’aouse. (Exit Philanthropist). PROOF POSITIVE. Plngwinch—Congratulate me, dear boy ! I’m engaged to the wealthy Mrs. Grabster. Pigsnuffle—So glad, old man ! But —er —are you sure she is really so rich ? ______ Plugwinch—Sure ? I should say so 1 Why, she was arrested for shoplifting: and acquitted as a kleptomaniac. TEACHER AND PUPID. Teacher—What are some of the* natural curiosities of your state—Virginia ? Pupil—Well, Natural Bridge is one. Teacher—For what is this remarkable ? Pupil (thinking awhile) —Oh, it’» where people go when they take their bridal tours.

His Own Trumpeter.

A witty retort was made to the colonel of a regiment on one occasion by an old Quaker aunt to whom he was. complaining. He was an unpopular officer, filled with a sense of his own importance, and most overbearing in. his manner to his inferior officers, whodisliked him heartily in return, and in consequence shirked their duties whenever opportunity offered. “I have a most unsatisfactory set of men under me,” complained the young man, standing before the little old Quaker lady in a pompous attitude. “I am practically forced to do all the work which should be done by them a great part of the time. I am my own major, my own lieutenant, my own ensign, my own sergeant.” He stopped and frowned upon hislistener. “And thee is thy own trumpeter, also, William, I fear,” said the old lady* with a twinkle in her eye.