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The CoHsT!T’JTio!t
I'-ntwl at tbß AUanta rcrt-»ffice as •econd-dasi
mail matter November 11. U7X
The Weekly Constitution SI.CO Per Annum.
CMa of Ove. fl.® e»rt: date of ten ft.® <*a*'b and
acopy mgrtter ip of ciutx . .......
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fwitoffire tn AmerlrtL. Ayvnt "a outfit free and good
term*. If yoa are not In a dob we want you to
art a»ac»nt al yoar office. Writ'*»*■
< b«»<e of Addreoa.
When w-rne ad.«"e« of your paper rhsnged
alwaya give the oU aa wv.l aa the le w addreaa.
Always five portnffice, ronnlr and rtate. If your
paper t» nut tvwrtved rv.-nlariy. notify ir*
If yvownd uaan orW tor r-'w ec'-.r*l»T» plaave
aft a o» a week to get tie names on th* ll<and paper
Marl'd before you w rite a complain:, aawv are very
Do not forget to make your renewal* in time. W.rt.h
yvnr d rertion tag and we when your » •<wr.rt*' n
rapier*. The next Mr mor«h» will b? fail of int-rvrt,
ar»l ynu abocld not miasa »tn»te rvpy of The Con
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tiro to make euro. It may mA lake a week in every
bartaca v; wt 3 art ttwtn on aa e.<oc ■■ p-reiKe
Mr. Olney’s Contention.
The amazing contention of the secre
tary of state, speaking in behalf and en
the authority of Mr. t'let ejaml. that
ii«e president has the power to nulli
fy a law jittssod over his veto by con
grtws. is arousing considerable interest.
Ii 1* apparent that the official class, if
we may so term those who depend on
Mr. Cleveland for their jot*, and others
whoso innn -t* lie In silencing the voice
of the ixople as it is ekiueasrvl tlirotigb
congress, have made up their minds that
the offi. o of president carries with it
functions am! |<owcrs not mentioned in
th« rt»:i«titution- powers and functions
which not only make him th** chief exec
utive. but the sole and exclusive legis
lator.
A- an example of this A’eling, we have
an e ho of Mr. Olney’s claim in some re.
marks of Amlossador Kayanl. who,
while he refused to express any oniuion
in an offi- ia! capacity, said that “Mr. <»L
ury had only quoted from the constitu
tion of the United States, which gives
to the executive - de i«»wer as ex-officio
commander-in-chief of the army and
navy. a:««l the making of all federal ap
point meets.'*
Asa Matter of fact. Mr. olncy did not
quote the constitution. lie sdmidy made
an assertion that has no precedent on
wh-.h to rest, and no constitutional in
timation to s«n iigt!«c;i It. Ife says that
"the power to recognize the so-<-ill>d
republic of Cnlu as an independent
Mate re*?* exdti-rdveiy with the
executive." ami that legislation by eoa
. press looking to that ei.d is imqwrative.
That, of r-ourse, is merely Mr. Olney’s
opinion. There I* no warrant for it in
tire frd« ral constitution. If there is—
then, without suspecting it. the
people have been living for a
hundred years aid j »re under
the «»[w ra’i- :t- Os an .i-trtim»*nt wh: h
vest* in the president tin* jkiwcfs of a
dictator. This, would be alisolutlsin. It
would l>e giving the president of tie
juxipte's government more power than is
today ex- rrised by a y cfv’ iz< I mon
arch. It is certain, therefore, that the
warrant for Mr. Olney's amazing con
tention is not to he found anywhere in
the •> •c.tftntlon \ r<-t»!ii't •:< r- ■•gniz-
Ing the ind.^w-ndiU'T ««f i’li’-a '*><om<s
n law when It i« passed by congress
over the president’s veto, awl the execu
tive is commanded bv the consti
tution and pledged by his oath of of
fice to “take care that the laws l»e
faithfully exc**uted.” That «s«mmand
tak>-» pr.ssdci • of any theory on which
Mr. Olney may dej* ad to snH»ort h«s
.'on:en<. n that, so far as the president
Is coi>--vrued. •-••ng 'is “only a Issly of
eminent g-atkus- n’’ whose advice is
only entitled to great weight.
Mr VvM. ’. .I’. Tt will be r
hen-d, bluntly remarked. “The jmldie l»e
damnedT* Mr <»lney is more refined in
h-s remarks, but h - meaning is not less
clear. In eff«s-t. he says, “Congress and
the people l<e damned!"
The New York Sun calls ai tent ion
tn the fa tha ju.-t sixty years r.g».
on the 21st of Iks-eml**r. INW». Andrew
Jackson • • w: •■in Mr. • [••viand hits
lesst absurdly conjured) wrote a mes
sage to •- tigress refervitig to that ls>ly
the qn» sti«»n of recognizlhg the indepen
dence of the republic of Texas. The
scntlmo n* was strong for re>-«»gnition In
both hous* s of congress. Ju-4 as It is in
the «»f < f a lb ! ut ions of recog
nition wore i • .idlug. just as the < a:re
r»>n n-olutior s are pending in the sen
ate.
At this Jure* :re. namely, on the 21st
of Oe**t»nil>er. Itsltk I*n sid<-nt Jackson
*• nt a ni« -' 40 !o« , ongr -s frankly tent
ing his brief ti n the r. adution*
wen* premature and giving hist reason*
for so 1« 11.-v’t g. I* :’ !-•• d- bir d that
the dc' islon » ts with congr- -s. Here
Is what he said. ;•• l we •vm tmnd It to
the careful aitention of those who arc
Inclined to believe with Mr. Olney that
♦he president is an autocrat:
Nor ha* any del Iwate U • rv r rl» • n
*nrtltut.-l tn eongres-*. or In n * of e r
I'g st.vtiv* bod!. «. to v oni I•! the
of originally r .l «h W
state -a poster the cxerv’.te rs which Is
eu’dvabr.t. under is-int • Ir< .siiist .:v-es, t<»
a .tr.-lArat'on of war- - pe-w-'r 1; •vhere <-x
--->v d-W if •. • 1 t ■ - I ti the
rot Miintlnn, as It is ner,« •ar:’: Involved tn
son- of the rr vt |*.w< -s glv. n to eon
gn *»; In t?»at given to th' y- ' nt and
senate to f .-rm treat • » « t’> foreign pow
ers. and to am*»'nt amhr.- ■ .’..rs a: 1 ..th -
public ministers; aid In th■ rr« I
ui«>n the pre* - . lent to res iv 1 :, • rs
from other nations.
In the preamble ’o the r- ‘ • ■ rff* •
haw* of representatives, t Is >! st • t!y
ttmated that the expediewey of r- - : g-
t _- the tndej-r-t.. •*« of Tes ts h .U !e
I It to th- of cone- . K* this
view, on the ground of • xi--H -n-y, I atn
dl-ie.se.l to •-Mr -.:r; 1.:.d do not. th •■ f- :e,
consider » necessary to express an: opin
|«»n «« to the srtrivt c«M#Mtrtfc»»«al rittJu of
the executive either apart from or in < >n
pmetion with the senate, over the subject.
It Is to be presumed that <n» n-» future oc
casion wJI a dispute arise, as ts »:;•• has
heretefote ocemred, l» tu en th- «-x«*« utlve
ard the legtslaiure. in the exercl'e of the
power Os r«s-e<n4tior. Il will always he
emundened const®’-‘nt With the spirit of
the coost.tuticn, and most salt-, ttuit it
should »«e exercised, when prohaldy l<’.««llng
to war. with a pr?vt»nis under®sarelimr w ith
that ts-ly by whom war alone can bo de
cfaued and by whom all the lu-ovisiuus f. r
s ista ping its peril* must be furnish. I. It*
aut-m seton to congress• wl lch npre.-enta
>;n . Its • vies of thia
uni .n ard la tfc- other the «ple of ti®
I rl:»d Stnt.s. v.r : ihere nu lie riasun
able grte.- i to *.>; r-h s < crave a conae-
I q-i. n. e. would certainly afford the fullest
satisfaction to our own country, and a per-
- le.t guarantee to all other nations of the
justice auj prudence ul the m ,% asuivs which
nileht !» adopted.
ir. making the** 'osv-sti »ns it is not
my purpose to relieve myself front tho
respt Lsibility of expressing my own opin
ions of the course the inten sts of our
country prescribe and its honor permits us
tv follow.
Let every intelligent reader contrast
I the position taken by this great demo
crat and leader of the people with the
attitude of absolutism assumed by Mr.
Olney. President Jackson concluded his
menaage with this patriotic statement:
Having thus discharged my duty, by
pr.-s. nl'ng with simplicity and directness
the views which, after much reflection. 1
' have been led to take of this important
1 subject. 1 have only to a Id the expression
1 of my confidence that, if congress Shall
• differ with me upon it. their judgment will
l>e the result of dispassionate, prudent and
wise deUberation; with the assurance that
j during the short t il>* I shall continue con
. nected with the government 1 shall protnpt
’ ly and cordially unite with you in su»-h
measures as may be deemed best lilted to
men ase the pro«i« rity and perpetuate the
peaco of our favored country.
ASIHIKM JACKSON.
Washington, Ihcembir 21, IKK.
The resolution recognizing the inde
pendence of Texas was adopted on
Wtslnesday. March 1, 1537. and that
resolution, adopted by congress, consti
i tuttd the recognition of Texas by the
I United States government. It is true
it was signed by President Jackson, but
■ if it had Iteen vetoed by him and hau
then Iteen passed over his veto, Texas
would have Iteen recognized all the
I same.
When Andrew Jackson expressed the
opinion that no dispute would ever arisa
between the executive and congress in
1 regard to exercise of the jtower of re>*-
J ognition. it never oe< iirnsl to his mind
that an Olney would arise in our history
and show a dirposit on to deviate from
the only safe, prudent and constitution
al course, especially where tho proba
bility of war is involved, namely, to
leave the whole question with <*ongress
as the war-making iwwor.
- >1 . " -
According to late ac«*ounta Spain neea
no cause for war in the recognition of
<’ul>an independence by this govern
ment. If it had been a cause for war,
Sjiain would have been wip«*d tip by the
Unit’d States thirty years ago.
■ —-< • ■
They Continue to Agitate.
'Hie William Street Itefonu dub,
which through Home of its memlwrs.
is deploring further agitation of the
silver question. ha«. through others of
its memluTs. Iwgiin to make arrange
j ments to renew the agitation. Thus,
w hile iicw.sj>ajH-rs like The New \ ork
Evening Post are declaiming loudly
against “agitation of the silver que*-
• tion.” Mr. Lawretwe E. Sexton is send
ing out cireul;u*s to the news|>apers of
the country announcing that he has per
fected arrangements for the renewal of
the agitation on a larger scale than has
heretofore bc< n attempted.
Ti>e Evening Post cries “Let us have
< peace on tho money quesiion," and Mr.
' Sexton, bv nu ans of private circulars,
li'itorn - the various .-diters and puldish-
*
propos ■« to k< ep up the tight for the
gold standard by means «»f plate matter
! a:.d j -’t metal. As a means of bribing
j the w<‘<kiy ivlitors. and of lending an
1 air of muniliectu e to the scheme, the
reform dub announces that “during this
winter and spring.” they will probably
issue a page of gold standard arguments
every thnv w«Tks. and they offer these
plates, free of cost, to any newspaper
whi<-h is imjM*<sinious enough to believe
in the free coinage of |m»i metal, but
w hich yet has a sufficient income to pay
the cost of transportation.
As an evidem-e of go<«l faith the re
form club cnclos’s a proof of one of its
plate pag. -. as a guarantee of good faith,
ami in order that all would-be pot-metal
: lists may see the < hartU’UT of the goods.
Tiio scheme is an entrancing one. ami
the liojH* is that a great many weekly
l»ap< rw will feel like taking advantage
of the benevolence of the reform club.
He that as it mar. we call tho atten
’ion of Tile Evening Post. Tin* I’otjton
lb raid ami all those organs of the go d
! standard, which are crying on: so lusti
ly for p< a<-o on the money question, that
I this movement of the reform club p.»t
metallist-- Is not only agitation in itself,
b it will result in the active renewal of
the discussion.
We are quite willing to agree with
those who regard the renewal of tho
discussion as untimely and unmxs-s
--sary, but when the reform < lub deelaix s
it purpoM to continue the tight *mtU
,e ranks of the free silver and tiat
money forces are so thin that they will
n.»t l»e a Ivarrier to industry and pros
jierity,"’ it issues a challenge to those
who stal'd for tl.noO.Ottd voters that is
• .re to lie taken on. <’onsc.|m ntly tho o
who are in favor of remitting this dis
cussion to a later period w< old do well
to put a strong curb on the isit-metal
lists of the reform club.
Th- < >n-titution s not at all in favor
of the di“cus®ion at this time, for a
majority of the people have declared
that they are willing to submit to the
results of the gold standard until the
republicans shall have an opportunity
to Hthem the pledges they l ave made
and restore prosperity.
And this i< wh:.’ the country is wait
ing for prosperity. It is waiting for
th.- republicans tn op-n the mills to la
b and - ■ the -vhr 4s of industry in
I is vvai tig f- r tho r.-p iblt
i ■ ins to r-.K«- yri. i-s ind w.ig<-s so that
,;.i i,v-;noss 1 ly thrive, a It was
t« ginning to il rive in
The oily way for the reform club to
male tho ratiks f th< silver men “thin"
• ans in ci • .re-s ;.r-l urge them to go
• •! w;*h the .v • ■}; of redeeming ths
|p'< '4o®' of t . - party ami thereby bring
almut a restoration of pneperity. AVhat
.■■■;• • . ble ■ f«»tmen? 11 ay think of
the matter, we assure them that the
gold standard, wlr h t . y are still ad
ting for (tho igl ■ vir■■ 0 it alreadj >
will not survive’the failure of the repub
lican party to restore prosperity. Cense®
‘ qiteutly they are simply wasting money
I by pushing forward at this time their
scheme of pot-tnetalU>m.
I’ttt what is strangest <»f all, is the
sis*, taele presented bv those members
of the reform club who are also metn
bets of congress. They are holding
THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION: ATLANTA, GA., MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 189 G.
'.ack and trying hard to prevent the re
publicans from carrying out their con
tract with the iHuple. And yet they
must know, if they are men of intelli
gence, that the only way to “decrease
the nunilver of free coinage advocates”
is to demonstrate to tho people by means
of prompt republican legislation that
they can have prospcrit.v under the sin
gle gold standard.
Sjicaking for the free coinage men.
The Constitution would b«* glad to sec
the republicans restore prosperity. If
they can iMTform that feat -and they
have entered into a <-onira<-t with the
people to do so—there will lie no need
for the reform club to Iwcome the ac
tive agent of jtot-nietallisni. There
will lie no need of sending out plate
matter io “thin’ the ranks of the free
coinage forces. There will lx* no such
forces to convert or attack. They will
melt away umh r tin* intluem*e of pros
perity. and bo heard of no more; for the
return of general and substantial pros
pcrit.v under the gold standard will l»e
a pra<«tical demonstration that the
money question is not at the root of
the evils that the people have licen com
pelled to endure during the post few
years. The silver men will gladly ac
cept tho results of such a test.
The reform club is engaging in the
scheme of pot-meitailisni on tho ground
that there is “great need of education
on the fund:*menial principles of money
and currency.” But what the people
want is an object lesson. They are tired
of arguments, theories, assertions and
assumptions. They want to see the re
publicans restore prosjverity. They
want to see tin* mills opened to lalior,
tho wheels of industry humming, the
farmers getting good prices and labor
ers good wages. These results will be
a complete answer to tin* arguments of
the silver men; hut they are the only
answer the people will accept.
it is a matter to l>e regretted that
Lawyer Joe Choate is not on intimate
terms with Platt.
Indiana's Phenomenal Record.
The political hisiory of Indiana fur
nishes a very interesting study.
\lthough the Hoosier State has par
tici|»atcd in twenty presidential con
t< st®, since first entering the sisterhood
of American commonwealths, she has
cast her vote on the losing side only
four times. There is no other state in
the union which can boast of a similar
record
In 1S“I th-* vote of Indiana was given
to the losing candidate, and also in
is.’s. ls|S and I>W. but with these ex
ceptions the state has always named
the winning candidate.
James Monro<*. Andrew Jackson, Wil
liam Henry Harrison. James K. Polk
and James Buchanan all received the
vote of Indiana in their n*spective races.
In I'ski Mr. Lincoln captured the state
from the democrats, and again in isill
secured the electoral vote. I'rom that
time until IS7« tho state remained in
the republican column, vofing for <Jen
oral Hrant in Imth of his campaigns,
lu IK7G. however, tho state returned io
its former democratic .illegianc*' and
voted for Saniuel J. Tilden by a hand
some majority. Although Mr. Tilden
was not allowed to take his seat he was
neveriholes*; tho pronounced choice of
the American twople, and in the popular
sense of the term 'lndiana was still on
the winning side.
In ISSO the vote of the state was cast
for Garfield: in I>*M for Cleveland; in
isss for Harrison; in 102 for Cleve
land again, and in ISSH! for McKinley.
Sime Indiana has bet n a state it. has
vote<| twice with tho whigs, seven times
with the republicans and cloven times
with the democrats
The Boston Journal has an article on
“Americans in Turkey. ’• We suggest
as a seasonable <*ompanion piece “Tur
key in Americans."
e ,
Redemption of a Campaign Pledge.
The most, comfortable theory we have
yet s<-en advanced is that which has its
origin with the Carnegie steel company.
Tl ;:t company lias issued a notice to the
effect that it will cotrtlnm* to pay the
same scale of wages during IW7 that
it has paid during is’w;.
Tiie comfortable theory that g< es along
wiih this notice is the announcement
tha: the refusal of the company to raise
wages is, in itself, a virtual increase of
the wages of <»,(«*> men on m-eount
of the reduction in tho price of prod
ucts. 'l'his reminds ns of the agricul
tural genius who tied green spectaeh s
on his mule and in that way Induced
him to »at shavings. The idea was or
iginal and uneouvt tn ional, and we hat e
heard nothing to equal it until the publi
cation of the Carnegie announcement
that a refusal to increase wages is, in
fact, when regarded rightly, a virtual
increase.
It is to be hoped that the nim will
take the theory as kindly as the spec
tti -ied mule is said to have done, for 't
would be sad indeed if there should be
any doub or dubiousness in regard to
the theory whi< h the Carnegie <*onipa
nv ha.; presented to its workmen as a
<’ ,ri mas gift. Discontent at this time
would be a poor return to make for the
g >: victory that las been won for
■■ , nd" mm. y ami protection a poor
return for tin* great wave of prosperity
:l t i: >d <> he lire, taring to flood the
country, having already liegun its work,
if the New York newspapers are to lie
believ. d. the day after Mr. McKinley’s
election.
< onsequcntly. wo would advise the
< rne. h> men not to examine too closely
i r i m been thru®t upon
tin - attention, but to take it seriously,
. nd go alKMit their business feeling that
they are richer and better off than they
v •* before they discovered that a d<-
< i-ion not to reduce wages Is, in effect,
an increase.
It may now bo claimed, ami with ex
cellent reason, that a reiluction of wages
is no reduction at all, but merely a sub
stantial evidence that although a reduc
tion has been made, the wages remain
pr.M’isely the same. M«* trust it will be
long Itefon this logical deduction from
the Carnegie theory is put into actual
operation.
In the oast they are making light of
the heroic efforts made by some of our
Georgia legislators to protect Brer ’Pos-
sum. This is because the east has
never made the acquaintance of Brer
’Possum, smoking hot in a dish sur
rounded by taters and sop.
Speaking for himself and those who
believe with him. Editor Watterson
wants Jackson day to beoitserveil as a
day of humiliation ami prayer. All the
Palmer and Bucknorites ought to join
Colonel Watterson in this good work.
Bryan in Atlanta.
It is gratifying to note that the hon
ors paid to Mr. Bryan by the democrats
of Atlanta were not fa<*tional in their
character. Those who had differed
with him as to the best methods of
remedying the evils that beset the bus
iness and Industrial inten-sts of the
country, joined with their fellow demo
crats in doing honor to one of the
greatest of modern democrats, a man
who is as broad and as catholic in his
conceptions and sympathies as the
principles of the democratic party,
which concerns itself with the wvlfare
of all tho people without regard to par
ty. class or condition.
It was a titling moment for all demo
crats to lay aside their differences and
come together for the purpose of pay
ing tribute to a man wlio is the most
typical political leader of his time and
the most, unselfish advocate of the peo
ple’s cause, and our citizens took ad
vantage of it. Gold ami silver men
joined together to welcome Mr. Brvan.
It was <*hara<*teristie of tho great
leader of the party that he should
seize tho opport unity to declare that,
he was not wedded to any parti<*ular
method of rea< lung tho end and aim
of democratic government, but would
welcome any method that producoil the
desired result that result being the
prosperity ami happiness of tho people.
This is democracy of the highest type—
the end and not tho means.
The illustration of this is simple. If
the republicans can restore prosperity
to the people, the result will warrant
the moans employed, and w hatever le
gitimate and just method is used to
bring that result about will l>o indorsed
by .Mr. Bryan, the democratic party and
all t lii-people. It is for this reason that
The i'onstfuition lias boon urging the
republicans to get together and con
vince the people that their methods of
reform will accomplish what, they are
pledged to accomplish. People may dif
fer about these methods, but there will
Im* no difference alxrnt them if they
sneered in doing what tho republicans
say they will. The money question
silver and gold, or gold alone is not
worth talking about merely as a theory.
The great object and aim of tho con
tention on both sides is to restore pros
perity to the people.
Tho Washington Post Is getting in
some deadly work by printing portraits
of congressmen.
A Bird’s-Eye View.
In the current issue of Harper’s \Ve<*k
ly appear two notable contribuiaons
bearing upon different phasi-s of the
Cuban question. Dm* is entitled " I’lie
Attitude of Spain toward the United
States," by Arthur Houghton, the Mad
rid eorresitondent of Tho London
News; while the other is from the pen
of <’. E. Akers, the Havana <*orrespon
dent of I’he London Timett, and deals
with the Cuban uprising.
These articles should be thoughtfully
perused not only because of the bird's
eye view of this paramount subject
which they furnish in a brief and con
densed form but also because of tho
disinterested and non-partisan spiriit
in which they are written. Dealing
with the various phases of tho ques
tion from the stand|*oint of English
men, neither correspondent is biased in
favor of this country, and yet the light
which they throw upm tho subject
amply justifies the stand taken by tho
p ople of the United States.
With resjtect to the attitude of Spain
toward this country, Mr. Houghton
says that a bitter feling of hostility
has long existed among tin* Spaniards.
While various causes may no doubt en
ter into this feeling, the writer ascribes
it in a large measure to jealousy and
distrust. Spain labors imdcr the idea
that both her political and material
interests clash with those of the Unit
<*d States in Ouba. On account of the
close proximity of the island to the
markets of this country she has been
in constant fear of losing her Unban
trade, which, until the present uprising,
amounted to nearly $22.01 mi.imhi annual
ly. This feeling of jealous apprehen
sion is not of rexent birth. It began
as far back as the reign of Isabella
II when public opinion in Spain credited
the United States with having Inspired
the agitations that resulted in the great
Cuban uprising of isds-7'.i. It is even
claimed that the present revolution on
the island owes its existence to Unban
refugees in the United States, who
have acquired the right, of citizenship
in this country merely for the purpose
of aiding tin* insurgents. With the prog
ress of hostilities during tho last few
months this hatred lias steadily in
creased until now it constitutes a bond
of union between the various political
factions of the kingdom.
But while the sympathy existing
betw<*(*n the United States and Cuba
has had the effect of uniting the i»oli
tical organizationfl of Spain, there is
no disposition on the part of the govern
ment. says Mr. Houghton, to engage in
a difficulty with this country. Scnor
f’anovas. prime minister to the queen,
is hopeful of bringing tho Cuban re
bellion to a successful issue, and be
lieves that, while tho people of the
United States are tn sympathy with
♦he Cubans, there will l>e no Interven
tion on the part of the government it
self.
Says the writer, in speaking of the
prime minister:
Ho stake*; his popularity, the stability
of his governnu-nt, the prestfiro of bls
party, on nn earlv success of the mili
tary efforts of Spain tn Cuba, as he
well knows that lie lias nothing to ex-
I eet from European diplomacy, Europe
an sympathies, and mon.a.rehial govern
n«nts beyond pur. ly platonic wishes of
uccess and upofflofal expressions of
regret that the courts and cabinets of
the old world cannot afford to quarrel
v.-lth the United States, ifo discover
ed this feature of the situation hist
summer when his minister for foreign
affairs. Duke Tetuan, consulted the am
bassadors of the great powers on the
wel ome that a Spanish memorandum
on the relations of Spain with Cuba and
tiie United States was likely to meet
at tho hands of their governments.
The memorandum was shelved, not only
because It was so coldly received by the
representatives of the powers at tho
summer resort of the Spanish court,
San Sebastian, but also owing to tho
very peremptory representations that
were instantly made, on August 12th,
to the duko of Tetuan by the United
1 States minister. Mr. Hannis Taylor, as
. soon as he was accidentally informed
that the Spanish government contem
plated making such an appeal to
European powers. Since then Don An
tonio Canovas del Castillo ceased to
look to Europe for assistance, anti
he has trusted to the sole resources
of Spain for a final and decisive effort
in Cuba, to use his own words.
From the above citation it is evident
that Spain is in no condition to engage
in a difficulty with the United States.
She will do well if slit* subdues the Cu
ban and 1-hiiippine uprisings; ami from
present indications she is not equal to
either task, in spite of the hopefm
views of the prime minister-the Span
iards are beginning to realize the gravi
ty of the situation and to doubt the
ability of the government to extinguish
the revolution in Culm.
Such in brief is Lite substance of Mr.
Houghton’s article. Whatever the at
titude of the United States may be
in dealing with the Cuban question
hereafter, he is satisfied that
Spain is not willing to risk
the consequences of a war with
tills country. As to tho possibilities of
losing Cuba he bilievcs that such a
national disaster will not only be a
grievous blow 1o the Spaniards, but
that it will also endanger the stability
of the empire.
Mr. C. E. Akerw, In discussing the
Culmn uprising, states that Spain has
boon a cruel and oppressive ruler. In
stead of cultivating the respect and
lov<* of her subjects on the island she
has Inspired them with feelings of ha
tred and revenge. To each demand for
relief which the Cubans bare made in
recent years she lias responded with
Increased bunions, and tho present revo
lution therefore is simply tin* outgrowth
of a long series of oppressions.
With respect to tho mode of warfare
adopted by tho Cubans, Mr. Akers
suites that it does not merit Ilie hasty
condom nation so frequently bestowed
upon it. He says that tho Cubans can
not obtain tiie means to tight the Span
iards according to the rides of modern
warfare, and that being deprived of
the use of improved weapons, they are
compelhxl to resort to crude, guerilla
tactics.
In explanation of the failure of Spain
with 2oo.<hhi men to subdue the island.
Mr. Akers says that much is duo to the
defective plan of campaign upon which
General Weyler and his predecessors
in command have proceeded. Sickness
is another complaint which has vexed
the Spaniards. Nearly 40,000 men are
now <*onlined to tho various Spanish
hospitals on the island, suffering from
malaria and other disorders. As to the
outcome of the struggle Mr. Akers
makes no prediction although he srema
to Im* deeply impressed with the prog
ress which tho Cubans have made. To
show how the trade between Cuba
and the United Stat»*s has suffered
since tho war «*ommen<-ed the writer
shows that in IS’AI Cuba imported
goods from this country to tiie amount
of S7».4KS.4SA during tho first nine
months of that year, while for the
corresponding months of the present
year the imports of the island have ag
gregated only $22.72<>.2<>5. Aside from
this injury Mr. Akers further shows
that a vast amount of property belong
ing to Americana in Cuba has been
ruthl'*ssly destroyed by tho Spaniards
and that in justice to her own interests
the United States should adopt some
measure of protection.
In Boston a snowfall Is called "tan
talizing," Itecause it is a light, one.
• 1
A Story and Its Sequel.
The pathetic death in Brooklyn a few
days ago of Mrs. Josephine S. Gerocka,
who claim'd to Im* a grand niece of
Count Pulaski, adds a tragic sequel to
one of tiie most, thrilling chapters of the
American revolution.
A member of one of the oldest and
most aristocratic families of Poland.
Count Pulaski was forced to leave home
on account of the conspicuous part
which his father had taken in the Polish
revolution. Although a mere youth he
joined the Turkish army and figured in
several engagements between the 'Dirks
and lUissians. Liter on he went to Par
is, where he made the acquaintance of
Benjamin Franklin, who was there in
the interest of the American x-ause. Be
coming deeply interested in the strug
gle of the revolutionary patriots ho of
fered his services, through Mr. Frank
lin. to the commander in chief of the
American forces. His offer was prompt
ly accepted, and shortly after his arriv
al in Philadelphia ho participated in
the unfortunate battles of Brandywine
and Germantown. In spite of his first
disastrous experience, however, he organ
ized an indep ndent corps of troops and
took part in tho fatuous engagement at
Valley Forge. Although he sustained a
frightful loss of me«i. he reorganized his
corps and started south, where a still
more grievous chapter of misfortune
awaited him. At Charleston he made a
stubborn assault upon tho British lines,
only to be repulsed wltih great slaughter,
and again at Savannah his troops shar' d
a similar fate. In tho latter engage
ment, however, the brave officer fell
mortally wounded, and his long career
of reverses ended on Georgia soil.
With gratitude to the noble count for
his heroic defense of her borders Geor
gia has named ono of her counties in his
honor, while a towering shaft of mar
ble in the city of Savannah preserves
the record of his courageous martyr
dom.
Similar, in point of misfortunes at
least, to tho checkered career of this ill
starred prince has been the experience
of his hapless niece, Mrs. Gerocka. Sev
eral vears ago she filed a suit against
the government in which she sought to
recover the sum of S2.tW.(MM). which she*
claimed that her grand uncle had ad
van<*cd to the American cause. Enable
to substantiate her claim, however, tho
suit failed. Sometime after this she was
given a clerkship in Washington, but
on account of indifference to her duties
it was necessary to dismiss her. Unable
to return to Europe for lack of means
she took up her residence in Brooklyn,
whore she gradually' sank to the very
lowest condition of poverty. For quite
awhile she sold paixrs on the streets,
but growing tired of this occupation,
which little harmonized with the gentle
blood in her veins, she finally resorted
to tiie d<*sporato extreme of self-destruc
tion.
Our American annals contain no sad
der tales of misfortune than the ones
which group themselves about the
names of Count Pulaski and his grand
niece.
Tho objection the people have to
President Cleveland and Secretary Ol
ney controlling tiie policy of the United
States toward Cuba is based on the
apjmrent fact that the Spanish govern
ment seems to understand what flieir
policy is, iH'tter titan the people of the
United States do.
A Gratifying Record.
In a recent number of the Manu
facturers’ Rreord there appears a tab
ulated statement which shows in de
tail the extraordinary gains made by
southern ports during the first ten
months of tiie present year.
While other tables bearing upon
this same topic have been published
heretofore. The Manufacturers’ Record
gives the first complete and accurate
information on the subject which has
yet appeared.
Including twenty-eight ports on the
South Atlantic and Gulf coasts tho
table is as follows:
T'*n tnos. Ten mO3
ending ending
October October
ixlta. IS";
Baltimore. Md. .... $ F. 71" **:> $ Ct._»* '»'>
Beaufort. 8. U. ... .
Brun hk. Ga. ....
<’harleston, S. ... 7.":>.'*tl
Fi rnandin.i, Fla. ... J,3l:t''-’7 I.? I '-. I>'
Georgetown. S. U . . . 4.S’_"t 7.152
N'-wport News. Va. . . 11.131.'?'., 14,3.7?.275
Norfolk and Ports-
mouth. Va 6.3M.SST
Pamlico, N. . ■ ■ - • ■
Richmond, Va 7'.'7. t't
'i- he, t.a
St. Augustin-', Fla. . • 4 31?
St. John’s, Fla 52,:'14 77.1? l
St. Man’s. Ga -’'.Gt -t.4"S
Savannah. Ga .... t" 7«' 13.71',*-l
XV IrnfngU.n, N. <’. . . 3,121.111 4.*7?..f'
Apalachicola, Fla. . . . 242,3X5 211.7U4
Brazos de Sa n t i a g o,
Tex 224.418 2fil>,fil7
Corpus Christk Tex. . 2..'e.7.71S 4."'>;.'45
GalV ton. T. x23,12»:.2':3 36.477,144
K. v West. Fla ?f.?'o .'.?'.'.221
Mobile, Ala 4.5'?.' *? 6.223'c5
N.-w Orleans. 1... . . . 4>.4 ■- .2 G»,417.7‘N
Paso del Norte. Tex. . 2,641,323 3,465,272
Pearl Hirer. Miss. . . . 3G..253 1.341.,'CJ
Pensacola, Fla 2..V.4.'*«t 4.325.9E
Saluria, T.*x 1.2?".742 l.;-,2 t it
Tanip.l, I'l I. ?77,.'41 0 •:.7"3
Totala 8M347.746 1247.392.73)
These figures show a total gain of
in the value of southern
ex]K>rts for the first ten months of
the present year. 'I he total value of
exports for the entire country during
the same period of time was $77t>.558,-
4.”2, against $iUr»,OlS.4.’W for the corre
sponding months of lSf>s. While tho
exports of the countrj show an in
crease of only 2t» per cent, the south
ern exportfl show an increase of 23 per
'•ent.
For the month of October alone
South Atlantic and Gulf ports show
a gain of slS,ooojkM> as opposed to a
gain of only Ss.OOO.<XiO for the re
maining ports of the country. The
heaviest gains were made by Galves
ton and New Orleans.
These figures not only disclose a re
markable progress for the south dur
ing the past year, but also furnish a
.gratifying evidence of what the fir
ture has in store for this section.
A public office can be filled by a pri
vate bust.
An Extraordinary Requirement.
One feature of the proposed Greater
New York charter which is mon* than
apt to prove a Ixme of contention is the
one which provides that after fifty years
all rights and franchises granted un
der the new charter shall revert hack to
the metropolis.
The evident purpose of this section of
tho charter is to ultimately transi t r the
ownership of these valuable prop rti-s,
including not only the franchises orig
inally granted, but also the improve
ments made thereupon, to the city gov
ernment. The exact language of this
feature of the proiiosed charter reads as
follows:
Hereafter no franchise or right to use
the streets, avenues, parkways or high
ways of the city shall bo granted by the
municipal assembly to any person or cor
poration for a longer period than twenty
live years, but such grant may give to tho
grantee tho right, on a fair revaluation,
to not more than ono renewal for a further
period of not exceeding twenty-five years.
Upon tho termination of tho fra-nehise or
right granted by the municipal assembly
the plant or property of the grantee in tho
streets, avenues, parkways or highways,
with its appurtenances, shall become tho
property of the city without further or
other compensation to tho grantee, and
operation thereof by Itself or by lessees.
There can be no doubt as io the mean
ing of the foregoing paragraph, its lan
guage is perfectly clear and simple, and
only one interpretation can be placed
uiK>n it. in a nutshell, it means that it
is proposed that before the twentieth
century reaches the meridian, the city of
New York will be owning ami operating
some of its most important public fran
chises.
Aside from tin* serious question which
this feature of tiie charter rais*; with
respect to municipal owners.Tp, ’t is
likely that the section under dis. ns-ioti
will also Im* attacked on the ground that
no provision is made for the purchase
of the improvements propos' d to be tak
en by the city. Tiie charter simply pro
vides that all franchises, together with
appurtenances, in the streets or public
places, shall become the property of the
city without extra compensation io the
grantee.
Without going into the merits of the
question, it api’ears that in thus provid
ing for a reversion of all rights md
franchises, without compensation, tje
framers of tiie charter have committed
themselves to tt very extraordin.tt v re
quirement. instead of encouraging the
grantees of tlnse various franchises to
build tip handsome prcpertms. ir seems
that such a provision is calculated to
produce the opp"<t*e effect. No indi
vidual or corporation is apt 10 b'-stow as
much upon a franchise which
is d<*stined in a few years, with super
adrled improvements, to revert to the
city, as uion a franchise wbicn. if not
indefinite, is at least granted for a fixed
number of years with the understand
ing that when the fram hise expires all
improvements are to be purchased In
1 good faith. Some provision s'tould be
made for compensating giantees the
amount justly due them. O'herwtse this
Batture of the charter is apt to meet
witli vigorous if not successful resist
ance.
Tt is to Im* observed that all the men
• who l»elleve in plutocracy are with Ol
ncy in the matter of executive preroga-
I tives.
Heavy National Debts.
Whilt, it might elicit some difference
of opinion to say that a national debt
is an evidence of progress it is never
theless a fact that some of the most pro.
gnssive nations on the globe are bur
' dened with heavy national obligations.
In round numbers The Pall Mall Ga
zette estimates the present national debt
of tho world at S**.»JMX>,OOOJiOO, in federal
money, as <q>posed to $23,750,000,000
in 1575. During the last twenty years
England, Germany and the United
States have considerably reduced their
indebtedness, and yet within the same
]H*riod of time, the world's aggregate
debt has increased $4.210,000,000.
France is at present the heaviest debt
or nation. In 1875 the national debt of
France was only $4.500.0<>0.000, while 1n
ISHS it had climbed to $6,000,000,000. Al
though reduced somewhat, the national
debt of Faigltrnd is $3,300,000,000, Rus
sia’s debt has been steadily increasing
for several years, and while the exact
figures cannot be given, she ranks fourth
among European powers with respect
to the burden which she carries.
Spain’s indebtedness in 1875 wns
$1.875.000.0'i0. and although she had sue
<f. bd in reducing this amount up to
l<os, he has since incurred obligations
which will iiwrease It to something
like $2.500.0*>0,000. Like England, Ger
many has ivduced her national debt. In
ls7s.it wa ♦LOOo.onO.puO, whereas InlWtfi
it was only $420,000,000. Amrtria-Hun
gary, without evident reason, except to
establish a secure military strength, has
been rapidly increasing its national
debt, while Italy, Brazil and Australia
have likewise borrowed heavily within
the last few* yttrs. The Turkish empire
lias incurred a very heavy debt within
the last quarter of a century, and Is
making no effort to reduce it.
From these figures it will be observed
that the world is heavily in debt. Some
of these obligations have been rontract
cil for the purpose of carrying on mill-
■ tary opcrationr. while others have l>een
, assumed for the purpose of making tn
j ternal Improvements. They show that
while nations may be self-sustaining to
.a very large extent, they are also mu
tually dependent.
♦‘Lofty Considerations.’*
The Springfield Republican is a very
able pai-'r. but if anybody were to
send us word that it is also a very
•
' grounds on which to dispute the as
sertion.
l or instance, The Republican discov
ering that Mr. Carlisle is violating
the law in the most high-handed man
ner, remarks tnat the fact will have
to be admitted and says that "the tem
per of an agent is as well indicated
in small as in large things.” Where-
■ upon it consoles itself with the reflec
j tion that “this administration has
be n animated in all a<ts by lofty
<*onsiderations of the public welfare.
This is a terrible excuse to give for
a plain infraction of the law. and men
tion of the matter reminds us that
“lofty considerations of the public
welfare” could be given for any con
ceivable crime that an administration
might find it profitable to commit.
There is a law which says that the
obligations of the government are
pax able in coin. Mr. Cleveland vio
lates this law and says they are pay
able in gold alone.
There is a law which directs the
secretary of the treasury to receive de
posits of gold coin and issue certift
eates therefor, and this issti*- of cer
tificates is only to bo suspended when
the gold reserve falls below the SIOO,-
OOO.fioo mark.
But Mr. Carlisle now refuses to
carry out tho law*, although the stat
ute leaves bin; no discretion in the
matter, and The Republlean says, in
effect, that tli<* main reason why Mr.
Uarlisle and the administration are in
favor of violating any law that
doesn’t please them is because they
are “animated" -mark the nimbleness
of the word —“animated by lofty con
siderations of the public welfare.’’
Rudyard Kipling’s poem on the Am
erican th<* lived not far from Spring
field! could be aptly quoted here, but
it is too long and too awfully true.
If tho Cuban junta would place their
case in tin* hands of Hanna, accom
panied by w hat ho is pleased to term a
campaign fund, no doubt Mr. McKin
ley could be induceil to take hold of it.
If tho eyes of tho 12.1 W) Ohio offb'B
seekers could bo turned toward Cuba,
Mr. McKinley would be greatly re
lieved.
A Warning for McKinley.
From The New York-Journal
The Journal has no wish to tight the. battle
‘ of last autumn over ag tin just now. but
it cannot refrain from calling attention to
| tho official report of the results of the re
i cent national election in Ohio. This report
should be of comfort and cheer to all
friends of bimetallism.
Tho total vote tn Ohio was 1,020.1<T7. In
1 every county there were both democratic)
and republican gains. The gross republi
can gain was 97>":>, the gross democratic
gain 135.963. Furthermore, according to the
secretary of state, the only counties in
which the republican exceeded the demo
| vratic gain wen* those containing large
cities or Iron making industries. In the
i agr.cultural districts and in the small
I towns, where the voters were not easily
i persuade! by arguments that appealed only
to the cloudy minded, the cause of Bryan
and biine’a lism enormously increased the
vote ov r Cleveland in IS?2, and for Cami>-
bell when Bushnell was elected goxernor
In lite face ot th' -e facts, who '■hall . .y
that d.-tn Tiaey won d liave fared tauter" f
it had renewed its allegiance to the golden
calf? ,