Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1902 — Page 3

ARE WE PATRIOTIC?

FREE-TRADERS WORRIED ABOUT THIB QUESTION. They Argue that We Love Onr Country Leaa Because We Are Prospering So Greatly ■ Under the influence of a ProtectlvlflßSC^-: s This is the caption of the last article •ent out by tije. Free Trade League ©rer the signature of Prof. John Itascom of Williams College. The two words, Protection and Patriotism, certainly go well together and are closely related. But, says Prof. Bascom, “Protection as developed in the United States, Is profoundly opposed to patriotism.” And yet he does not prove it, or even attempt to. He tells us that it beget 6 personal strife, but does not tell ns wherein personal strife and ambition become inimical to patriotism. Continuing, the professor says: “The little kernel of sound theory that may In the beginning have lain at the bottom of protection was shortly lost sight of in a greedy struggle between ever-increasing claimants to retain old and win new advantages.” JLt Is encouraging to see an old-time free trader admitting that there was ever even a kernel of sound theory in the principle of protection, though it has been lost sight of in the struggle for advahtage. Does the professor mean to say that the strife to excel is unpatriotic? Would he have our inventors stop thinking, our miners stop digging, our farmers stop planting, our mechanics stop fabricating, and so cease to retain and gain advantage not only among themselves but over the peoples of other countries? Does he want us to go back to the habits of the aborigines and live the lives of savages? He complains because “we have set no limits to individual enterprise.” Why should We set a limit to ambition, to attainment and accomplishment? And then he complains again because “the policy of private thrift, which gained such a foothold in protection, has spread everywhere.” If the professor is preaching socialism or anarchy, that Is one thing, but ts he is preaching free trade because It would do away with competition and destroy commercial advantages, that is another. He concludes his little “piece” as follows: “Patriotism cannot thrive in the atmosphere we have provided for it. If we would restore and strengthen love of country, we must get back to the prosperity of the masses of men—the people and the nation—as the true aim of government.” Does the professor question our love of country? Was he awake during the Spanish war, when millions were angry only because they could not light for the Stars and Stripes? Did he not for months see Old Glory waving from every flagstaff, from every building, and from every house? Who is there, outside the little band of American Oobdenites, that does not think we could lick any country on earth, or, if needs be, all of them put together? Does not the professor see any other paper but the Springfield Republican? As for “getting back to the prosperity of the masses of men”—back where? Back to 1837, or t0'1857, or to 1893-G? When have “the masses of men—the people and the nation”—been so prosperous as they are to-day? It seems incredible that a man of average enlMghteninent could put forth such twaddle as this paper of Prof. Bascom’s. It is not worth noticing except to show to what pitlnble ends the Free Trade League is obliged to go to get matter to send out to the few country papers that will print its stuff. Surely the free trade Issue In the United States is at a low ebb indeed when it must depend on such argument for support. Prof. Bascom knows no more about patriotism than he does about protection. He knows no more about the ambitions and national characteristics of the people of the United States than he does about the uncivilized tribes of darkest Africa; or else, for the sake of his pet theory, he would do away with all exertion and all labor, of mind or body. He should study the strenuous life of his countrymen, from the President down to the urchin with his bundle of “extras.” He should take a trolley ride out of Wlllinmstown to Milllvllet>r Furnace Plains, and look at the wheels go round. He should take a progressive daily or weekly paper and read the current history of his country. Or, he might take the President's message by installments and gather a few Ideas concerning the progress nnd achievements of our institutions. He should get a little American flag nnd count the stripes nnd then the stars. He should get a portrait of Washington and of McKinley, and little by little study the lives of our other great men. It may be a hopeless case, hut it would seem as If even Prof. Bascom might be Injected with a little American spirit and patriotism. American Economist.

Reciprocity with Cuba. Washington dispatches Indicate a decided change of sentiment regarding the proposed reciprocal arrangement with Cuba. Members of the Ways and Menus Committee are reported to have changed their attitude from that of opposition to one of acquiescence. This Is ns (t should be. That portion of the people to whom the majority In Congress .should give heed are decidedly In favor if reducing the present duty on the products of Cuba Imported Into the United Rtates so as to give the people of the Island an advantage in our market. Only one Republican pnper of any promlnenee In the country assails tbo proposition. A few periodicals In the Hast which always advocate a pro-

hlbitory tariff are standing oat. On the other side to the last declaration of the late President McKinley, the argent recommendation of President Roosevelt and the'masg of people who believe that Cuba has claims upon us. Instead of $30,000,000 of merchandise "wETcITwe how selTCuba we can 7 under reciprocal arrangement, sell $30,000,000. —.—— Reciprocal Reciprocity. Reciprocal reciprocity, that which shall help, but not hurt, domestic industry appeal's to be the opinion and desire of the majority of the members of the national reciprocity convention at Washington. Many of them would like a treaty that would reduce the tariff on the products of other Industries, and thereby gain Increased sale for their products in foreign countries, but all of them are opposed to reduction of the tariff on their own products, just as was expected before the reciprocity convention assembled. The present prospect is that the free traders will be defeated in their efforts for reciprocal treaties that will enable the American trusts to sell their goods still cheaper in foreign lands! That is about all that can be gained by reciprocal treaties on products that will compete with American labor, and it can be safely said that every such treaty will be injurious to American labor and business, because all such would create doubt and distrust as to the future, and doubt and distrust have always injured American labor' and business. Every honest American citizen desireß to see all the trusts destroyed that sell their goods at higher than competitive prices, but they cannot be exterminated by reciprocal treaties, nor by free trade. The American people have the power to crush all such trusts by refusing to purchase their products, and every trust of that character will be annihilated within a few months or years. Reciprocity that will reciprocate on noncompeting products will be satisfactory to all the people of this nation, and there are sufficient products of that character to enable all the free trndc the American people desire. The protective tariff has made the United States the greatest nation on the earth, in all great and good respects, within less than forty years. No other nation in all the history of the earth can make anything like the showing of progress and wealth made by the United States since the Morrill tariff was" enacted in 1861, for since that tariff became the principal law of the nation the United States has made greats.progress than all the remainder of the world combined. It was that tariff that convinced the world that steel rails can be made in the United States, and It was the same principle of the McKinley tariff that convinced even the free traders of this country that tin plate can be made in America. So it has been with the many thousands of articles now fully supplying the markets of this country and seeking increased sale in foreign lauds through reciprocal trade in the products of others.—Des Moines Register.

One-Sided Reciprocity.

To illustrate one-sided reciprocity, let ua name Canada. Canada wants free access to onr markets, and in return will cheerfully give us free access to hers. Canada has 5,000,000 people; the United States has 80,000,000. Her people can buy of us, provided Great Britain does not demand her trade, onesixteenth of what we would naturally buy of her. Though her soil is American and she controls a great deal of the North American continent, the wages paid by her for labor are 20 to 50 per cent lower than in .the United States. She would, of course, fill our markets with cheap goods to compete with better paid American labor. Such a condition would undoubtedly help Canadian immigration, of which there has been practically none for half a century. It is better for the United States tu attract this immigration to her own States and territories, where, despite tne fact that we have sixteen times as many people as Canada on a smaller area, there is yet room, with only a small fraction of our magnificent resources developed.—New Haven Palladium.

The Defeat of Cantrill.

The defeat of Judge Cantrill, who was an aspirant for the United States Senate before the Kentucky Legislative caucus, by the emphatic vote of 02 to 37, does not indicate that bis travesty of Justice In the trials of the men accused of knowledge of the murder of Mr. Goebel has met with that unbounded approval of the Democratic party which expresses itself In promotion to higher position. It is probable that the Democratic party is not so proud of Judge CantriU’s Judicial antics that it wishes to have him pointed at In Washington as the bent exponent of Kentucky Justice.—lndianapolis Journal.

Caban Tariff Redaction.

judging from Washington reports, the sentiment In Congress Is fast crystallising In favor of a 25 per cent reduction of dut/ ou . all products of Cuba imported luto thla couutry. There is uo reason why It should not be done, since no Interest In the United States will suffer by such n reduction, while the concessions mnde the United States I>y Cuba will give us the valuable and growing markets of the Island.—lndiana State Journal.

A Stubborn Fact.

That reciprocity convention was a cruel disappointment to the tnflff reformers. They are now up against tbo fact that the end of protection Is not yet In sight, and as Sam Jones says,<fa fact cannot bp gotten over nor around. It must be “camped’* by and “sot” up wKb.—Clyde (N. C.) Journal.

DANISH WEST INDIES NOW BELONG TO UNCLE SAM.

MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF THE DANISH WEST INDIAN ISLANDS.

HE treaty of cession of the-Danish West Indian Islands from Denmark to the United States was sighed at the Jl State Department Friday by Secretary Hay and Constantine Brun, the Danish minister. The treaty was submitted to the Senate for ratification Immediately. The Danish West Indies consist of three small islands lying southeast of PoTto Rico, St. Thomas having about 12,000 people, St. Croix 25,000, and St. John the smallest and least important. St. Croix Is the largest, but commercially and strategically not as important as St. Thomas. To the United States St. Thomas has been of great value. With a safe and easy entrance, a roadstead deep and almost land-locked, affording safe anchorage to more than 200 vessels at one time, It has become the chief port of call and the chief coaling point in the West Indies. More than 100,000 tons of fuel, all of which comes from the United States, are handled there each year, and such is the business of the town and Its close connection with America that English has been the language generally spoken there for the last fifty years. Moreover, the harbor can, by fortification, be easily made impregnable. All of these things have made for annexation. Vitiations for tlhe sal© of the islands to the United States were begun by William H. Seward, Secretary of State, In 1869, when a treaty between Denmark and the United States was concluded. An election held in the islands resalted in practically unanimous ratification, but when the treaty reached the United States Senate It was turned down. This country was then in the throes of the reconstruction period, when many of the Southern States were without representation at Washington. There was a heavy public debt which many thought could be wiped out only by repudiation, and the people were unwilling to add to their burden. They rejected at tile same time the proposition to anaex San Domingo.

COST AND ADVANTAGES OF THE TWO CANAL ROUTES COMPARED.

In view. of the fact that the Isthmian canai discussion is again embracing the feasibility of adopting the Panama route, the accompanying map is given to show the proposed course of the two V-"! waterways, and also statements of cost, etc -> which were made by the government , w commission. „ HONDURAS Panama Canal fHHH Constrnctton price, Including /' I'iSJU $40,000,000 t 0 he paid French / bondholders, as estimated by / —•»._-/ ruSSI Government $184.000,C00 /NTru-rt n {,1311 Cost of maintenance (annual)... 2.000,000 ffipipiC jagga Length of route 40 miles iAire hamar,,* a I Time of passage for ships 12 hours id**W ipsa Locks b Cl htaihithimlAk. r'iiii’nSimn

Nicaragua Canal. Constru-tlon price, estimated by Government commission $190,000,000 Cost of maintenance (anuual)... 3,350,000 Length of route 184 miles Time of passage for ships...... 33 hours Locks (estimated number) 8 Climate—Healthful. Harbors —Must be constructed. Nearer New York than Panama Canal by 200 miles Nicaragua’s Advantages. Climate more salubrious. Shortens distance between Paelflc cities of the United States and also cities of the Orient, when compared with Panama route.

DR. RIXEY PROMOTED.

McKinley's Family Physician Now Surgeon General of the Navy. The President has named Dr. Presley M. Rixey to be surgeon general of the navy. Dr. Rixey was President McKinley’s

DR. RIXEY.

Dr. Rixey has been a capable and a popular officer of the naval service since 1874. He is a native Virginian, entered the navy when 24 years old and has served in numerous positions in the medical department of the service. Dr. Rixey was a close and warm friend of President McKinley, whose confidence and esteem he enjoyed in the highest degree.

STIRRED UP A STORM.

Prof. Chas. W. Pearson's Attack on the Bible Itambfoands Methodists. Charles W. Pearson, professor of English literature in Northwestern ‘University, a Methodist institution, who lias

published a paper declaring that the Bible ia not infallible, has long been an advocate of the revision of the creed of the Methodist Church. Two years ago, in a paper read before the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he stated that the* story of Eve was a

myth and that the Christian churches should abandon all creeds. I’rof. Pearson la all probability win be brought before the university board of trustees for trial, and, according to the opinion nf prominent Methodists, he may be expelled from the church. The attack hna created consternation among Methodists and Northwestern University has been dumfounded. Dr. I’earson announced that Ills views bad atirred up just the sort of storm he had looked for. He said be expected to be dismissed from the church. Mr. Pearson's life has been one of practical experience. At the age of 14 he left hia home In England and became a aailor before the mast lie apent several months In India, and then went to South America and taught In a mission school. Later he entered the academy Of Northwestern University and was graduated from the College of Liberal Arts In 1871.

j a Old papers for sale at this office.

family physician and attended Mrs. McKinley during her illness which interrupted the late President’s trip through the West. It was the purpose of Mr. McKinley to give Dr. Rixey the office for which President Roosevelt has appointed ed him.

PROF. PEARSON

Climate—Not so heatthful as Nicaragua, Harbors—Already built. Shortens distance to west coast of South American ports over Nicaragua route by 300 miles Panama’s Advantages. Saving on construction $6,000,000 Saving on maintenance (annual).. 1,350,000 Length of route 135 miles shorter Time of passage for ships 12 hours less No locks necessary. Harbors already built. Shortens distance to west coast of South America and also to Samoan Islands, when compared with Nicaraguan route. Less danger from earthquakes than in Nicaragua.

THE CENSUS TAKER IN THE PHILIPPINES. —Chicago Record-Herald.

An Oil War on the Seas.

So strenuous has grown the competition between the Standard Oil Company and the many Independent concerns now bnttling for the export trade that measures are being employed which closely resemble those used by the navies of the world In time of war. Whole fleets laden with oil are scouring the seaa bound for ports, the destination of which Is known only to the ship's officers, who leave under sealed orders. Crafts of every character are being converted Into tivakfra. Old wharves are being changed into pier!'and bulkheads for the exclusive Joadtng of oil.

Two Killed by the “Bends."

'John Kohler nnd John Oltcrman, employed in the Cleveland water works tunnel which extends several miles out into the lake, were attacked by the peculiar disease known as “bends,’’ and both died an hour after the attack. This makes flrty-flve deaths In the tunnel since work was begun.

The Comptroller of tbs Currency has approved tha application of the Bank of Yukon, O. T., to convert into the First National Bank of Yukon, with a capital of »25,000. ■. -• * „ . r * ■ * ****- t'V

POPULATION OF PHILIPPINES.

Method of Enumerating the People an Exercise of Mathematics. The census bureau reports with great particularity that the population of ths United States is now 84,233,069, and concludes its statistical summary with ths proud boast that there are but three countries which have a greater population than our own. This assertion would bs true if there had been no expansion beyond our continental area, with its population of 76,000,000, and there is a good deal of guesswork in at least one of the particulars which credits the Philippines with jus.t 6,691,339 inhabitants. Now as ever the method of enumerating the people of those islands is largely through an exercise in pure mathematics. The bureau explains that “a census was in Rrpgress in 1896 when the insurrection broke out,” and that “returns for over two-fifths of the population were found stored at Manila.” Over two-fifths, then, were unaccounted for, and what we have in the census is an estimate based on doubtful and incomplete Spanish figures and faithfully carried out to the unit's place. From time to time the archipelago has been populated and depopulated by the statisticians at an amazing rate. In 1882 one of Spain’s lightning calculators counted 10,426,000 Filipinos without moving from bis desk, the grewsome thought that in assimilating our island wards we must have slaughtered three or four millions of them. But Whitaker’s Almanack, just published, accepts 5,500,000 as the proper figure for 1898, which would seem to show that there had been a remarkable increase while the process of assimilation was going on. Other estimates are: Ecclesiastical census, 1876, 6,173,632; civil census, 1877, 5,561,222; Spanish census, 1887, Christian population, 6,000,000. The figure last named was taken as the basis

for an estimate by MaJ. Gen. F. V. Greene, who reckoned the total population in 1808 at between 7,000.000 and 9,000,000. Amid all the uncertainty It may be assumed that the Hpaolards had a nearly accurate idea of the number of Christians in Luzon and the Vlsayaa, which they placed at 5,422,000. For the rest there is little besides conjecture and speculation, and a shrinkage from the larger estimates was to be expected. Censuses have been known to do deadly execution even In American cities, so that they are naturally inimical to the exaggerations of the Orient.—Chicago Itecord-llerdld.

Telegraphic Brevities.

The Theater Vendonie, at Nashville, Tenn., was gutted bf tire. Loan 150,000. Lee James, a prominent stockman, via ahot and Instantly killed at Nelson, I. T. A 110,000 elettrlc light plant hna Juat been completed at the asylum for tha feeble minded at Winfield, Kan. The next meetlug of tbe United Confederate Veterans' Association will be held at Dallas, Texas, April 23 to 25. Tbe Bank of Butler, Ga.. was robbed Of 92.000 in cash. Dynamite was used to blow tbe vault Tbo burglars escaped.

INDIANA INCIDENTS.

\> ■ i ■■■ ■■■ •” - RECORD OP EVENTB OF TH£ji PAST WEflt'' Engineer Leaps to Escape an Imag*-' inary Wreck—Man Goes to State's Prison for Friend’s Crime— Boy, la Fatally Stabbed by Companion. Danger which existed only in a mind overwrought by dwelling on recent railroad wrecks brought probably fatal injuries to J. E. Sible, an old engineer of the Wabash Railroad. Sible was at ths throttle of the big locomotive of the limited train that was traveling at a rate of forty miles an hour when the lights of Attica appeared. The track was clear and the signal lights of the switch showed an unobstructed path. Suddenly the old engineer gave a start and shouted to his fireman, Bert Frick: “Jump for your life, Bert, the switch is turned and we’ll crash into ” The sentence was not finished, for in an instant Sible had applied the safety brake, reversed the lever and jumped to escape the specter his nerves had conjured up. The fireman^followed, but was not injured. The train came to n stop and Sible, who was badly crushed, was taken to a hospital in Peru. Goes to Jail for a Friend. Albert Gilmore, until recently a prominent postmaster in southern Indiana and a member of a leading family, will be received at the Michigan City prison in a few days to serve an indeterminate sentence for horse stealing. Gilmore made no defense. He feigned guilty in order to save the real criminal, who was his friend. Influence brought to bear on Gilmore could not shake him in his decision, to go to prison to save a man who had once befriended him. 1 The court, in view of the plea of guilty, passed sentence, but with the development" oic the facts which will clearly prove Gilmore’s innocence Gov. Durbin will be asked to pardon' him. Lovesick Girl Kills Herself. Charles Pittser, who recently shot hi* young bride to death in Mancie, U responsible for another tragedy. Miss Edna Cook rented a room in the Commercial Hotel and shot herself through the heart. The suicide left a note saying that she could not endure life without Pittser. She had vainly tried to see him at the jail. Pittser stated that he was not in love with her, cared nothing for her and did not wish to see her. Just a month before Pittser tried to shoot Miss Cook at a dance in Yorktown.

Schoolboy Stab* Ilia Mate. The publip school at CamiM-i’ as tha scene of a tragedy enacted by one of tha pupils, who became enraged at bis playmate and inflicted a wound with a pocket knife that will prove fatal. Claude Tin* kle, aged 13, became angry over the result of a game of ball and stabbed Charles Blackburn, aged 15, in the back, the blade penetrating the fle& to a depth of four inches. The wound is fatal. Within Our Borders, Finlay Gray, a tourist, formerly of Quincy, shot and killed himself at Miaoia, Fla. Michigan City’s total fire loss the past year was $91,933. The department answered 44 calls. At Peru Charles Nenthcrly was held to the Circuit Court without bonds for shooting Henry Helmig. Arthur Mcßeth, the Kokomo violinist, has found the $1,290 violin recently stolen, from him. It once belonged to Ole Bulk Frank Pitman has been appointed receiver of the Lawrence County Agricultural Society. The property will be sold. Albert Dolbow, aged 16, the son of City Marshal Dolbow of Carbondale, accidentally shot and killed Carl Stump, aged 17. The postofflee safe at Shirley was blown open with dynamite aud S4OO in money and stamps taken. There, is no clue to the burglars. William S. Marsh, aged 80 years, tho oldest Odd Fellow in the world, died at his home near Acton from a complication of grip and pneumonia. For want of evidence thirty suits brought against oil men in Grant Couuty, for alleged stream pollution, were dismissed in the Circuit Court at Marion. The strike among the passenger shop employes at the plant of the American Car and Foundry Company in Jeffersonville Is spreading. About COO men are now idle. Kirklin township was the scene of a bloody tragedy. Clem A. Pruitt, a young fanner, was shot to death by William Pittsner, also a young farmer. The killing took place at Pittsner’a home, one mile north of Kirklin. Pittsner was arrested. An unknown man about 05 yeurs of age was killed by a Toledo, St. Louis and Western freight train while walking on the track near the depot at Marion. The letters “J. M.” were tattooed on his right arm. In his pockets were found a number of small flics and other tools. The Inst independent rolling mill in eastern Indiana, located in Muucie. has gone into the trust. John 11. Pulmer of Chicago sold the plant to the United State* Steel Corporation for $250,000 cash. Mr. I'almer recently expended several thousand dollars in improving the plant, of which Us was tbs owner and operator. William Hnssey, aged 58, a widely known Noblesville politician and wealthy farmer, la dying from a peculiar affliction,. He put hia feet uosr the oven of a lug stove and doxed away. He allowed hia feet to remain ill the oven until the flesh cooked and dropped off, exposing the sinews and bones of bia feet, befors discovering it. It is believed he became paralysed, losing all feeliug in his lower ilrahi. Tho ludiana Republican State Central ■ Commit tee elected James I*. Goodrich of Winchester chairman and George Rolf of Corydon secretary, bnt the attempt to elect a secretary resulted in a dead- , lock and an adjournment was taken tilt .Jan. 50. In a flash of rage Roscos Meredith, aged 33, of Finday. Ohio, employed In the oil field, near Y’anbured, picked up a hatchet and swung it over hia head. The blade flew off end struck a nearly. ; empty nitroglycerin can. Meradlth was Mown to pieces, one arm being found 1 In a tree top a hundred feet away. ~ 'J