Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1904 — CURRENT COMMENT [ARTICLE]

CURRENT COMMENT

The United States government loaned t>4,G00,000 to the Ixmisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis. The total amount tefunded so far is $2,408,147, which is more than half of the original loan; and there has been no difficulty in meeting the monthly payments. In all these expositions, the early months showed the smaller attendance, and the exposition at St. Louis is no exception. The receipts have shown a steady increase, due to the enlargement of the daily number of admissions. The exposition is the greatest the world has ever seen, and it is probable that it is the most magnificent fair the world will See for the next half-cen-tury, at least. From the Centennial Exposition of 1876, these world’s fairs have been increasing in extent apd scope/ until we have this year the culmination in the St. Louis exhibit. That there will be another of equal scope and value within the next half-century is hardly to be expected. The Louisiana purchase centennial closes a long list of anniversaries, beginning with the centennial of the Declaration of Independence.—Toledo Blade. For the presidential candidate the period between his nomination and the decisive day upon which all interest centers usually proves extremely trying. Wherever he passes the summer and autumn, reporters and photographers are incessantly alert. So many people desire to see a nominee for the presidency, especially a new one, that he is constantly receiving visitors, and he frequently has to entertain incongruous groups of callers. Great discretion must be exercised by the candidate, for he can never feel quite sure of the effect of anything that he does or says. Every chance remark, every letter, every formal speech is'closely examined by the opposition, in search of statements that may be used against him. In six contests during the last half century one candidate was already occupying the White House and running for re-election. Not since 1896 have both candidates been storming the citadels from without, although this was the case for three campaigns in succession, beginning with 1876. Five of these contests between the candidate in the presidential chair and the one outside have gone into history. The sixth is now in progress. Lincoln, Grant and McKinley were successful, while Cleveland In 1888 and Harrison in 1892 were defeated. The chances thus seem fairly even on this score. The battle is more evenly matched, certainly on its personal aspects, when both candidates are drawn from the field, because then they can do the same things. One is not restrained by the proprieties of the presidential .office, nor is the other held back from efforts in which his rival cannot meet him. Although the man in office obviously has some advantages, he clearly labors under many obstacles. He must make decisions on the troublesome questions of current administration, when the outside aspirant need tell what his policy would be only where it suits him to do so.— Youth’s Companion.