Conservative.
cheap sorts substituted , thus giving the
contractor great advantages.
"Second. No varieties whatever are
named on the printed packets , only the
words 'A selected variety , ' thus giving
the contractor great advantages.
"Third. The stipulated weights
named in the specifications of the 27th
of January , 1900 , have not been given ,
but reduced quantities from 10 to 50
per cent less than the specifications ,
thus giving the contractor great advan
tages.
"Fourth. Because of other irregular
ities , which can be named , giving the
contractor extraordinary advantages for
enormous profits.
As the Wholesale Seedsmen's League
is composed of men of standing in their
line , it is the duty of the government
to make a prompt and rigid investiga
tion of these serious charges. Such
action is the more imperative because
the secretary of the league is reported to
have made statements , in an interview ,
which may be taken as implicating the
department of agriculture in the
charges , as to the manner in which the
seeds have been put up and sent out by
the contractor. The department cannot
afford to have the suspicion of either
negligence or implication in irregulari
ties rest upon it. Hitherto , it has
only been regarded as the helpless me
dium for the distribution of cheap and
sometimes pestiferous seeds of the type
of the Russian thistle , congress being
the responsible and ordering body. Im
plied irregularities , or gross negligence ,
in connection with the contracts , is
another matter which it behooves the
department to take cognizance of. It
should promptly free itself from any
suspicion , if it can. The free distribu
tion of seeds , as it is carried on , under
the direction of congress , is a disgrace
ful exhibition of paternalism , without
the shadow of an excuse. But , since
the department of agriculture is com
pelled to superintend the distribution ,
it should insist that the specifications of
the contract are fully lived up to. Pub
lic Ledger ( Philadelphia ) April 24 , 1901.
ECHOES OF ARBOR DAY.
DEAR MB. MORTON :
Greetings to the Prince of Arbor
Lodge. This Arbor Day is your day by
right of inception and introduction ,
while it belongs to all Nebraska and the
whole country. Many other noble
things you have done may be forgotten ,
but Arbor Day will be linked to your
name for all time. It is worth a life
time , and many times more , to make
possible such a holiday. Many holidays
are kept in memory of a person who
lived in the near or distant post or in
commemoration of some notable event ,
but Arbor Day is an active holiday , and
every year multiplies its usefulness by
what is done on that day. Well , Goc
bless you and all at your home. May
you have many more years of a happy
and useful life , and , at each returning
Arbor Day , may your heart be made glad
not only by direct testimonials , but by
many times greater testimonials , in the
yearly planting of trees by the million
lands , with happy hearts , to afford
multiplied happiness to others , as well
as themselves , as the years go by.
Your friend ,
ROBERT WEIDENSALL.
Fremont , Neb. , April 22 , 1901.
After Forty Years.
OMAHA , NEB. , April 28 , 1901.
MY DEAR J. STERLING MORTON :
It must be a source of immeasurable
and calm satisfaction to you to look out
upon the assurance , which the whole
country appears to have given yester
day , of your enduring fame , by the cele
bration of Arbor Day. The highest
rational ambition of intelligent and
rational men , next to the spiritual hopes
of the hereafter , is that their deeds and
names may live after them. Astor ,
Peabody , Cooper , Girard , Tilden , Car
negie and others , have sought to pur
chase its gratification with money de
voted to worthy objects of philanthropy.
The Napiers , Napoleons and Grants
have struggled to find it on ensanguined
fields of human slaughter , and in the
rich red blood of war ; poets have sung
and orators have filled the world with
eloquence ; philosophers have floated
upon every metaphysical sea their frail
barks , in search of the solvents of the
impenetrable mysteries of life and
death , that they might win imperish
able renown. In fact and in fine , in
every human walk and calling , among
civilized men , the great object of sur
viving themselves and conquering the
doom of oblivion , has been the para
mount aim of human endeavor. It is
your supreme fortune to have won it all
by a single thought , by one beneficent
master-stroke , and it is yours of undis
puted right and possession for unques
tioned transmittal to your own poster
ity , to your state , to your country , and
to mankind. I write to congratulate
you upon your work and fame on this
bright and beautiful morning , and all
who have an inherited share in the
unfading honor which they reflect , and ,
to assure you that not one person , living
or dead , in all our broad land , more
heartily rejoices in the blessings that
have crowned your long and importanl
life , than I do.
Most truly yours ,
GEORGE L. MILLER.
The friendship which , after nearly
half a century of vicissitudes , can , with
such partiality of kindness , endorse
one's goings , comings and doings , is cer
tainly cause of self-congratulation. The
recipient of the compliments is too
proud of them to keep them out of THE
CONSERVATIVE.
A Voice From Williams College.
MY DEAR MORTON :
Our "Morton's Elm , " set four years
ago now , has nobly grown in size and
symmetry. It came to careful trim
ming lost fall. It stands in our front
yard just about where yon stood to take
the hack to leave our house on your
prized visit several years ago. When
you come East again , you must come
and see us sure.
Very kindly yours ,
A. L. PERRY ,
.The above from the famous author
and teacher of political economy , who
leld the chair of that science at Wil-
iams college for more than thirty years ,
is exceedingly gratifying to the editor
of THE CONSERVATIVE. Prof. Perry 4s
known , admired and believed wherever
the English language is spoken. He is
a brave , true defender of commercial
freedom. His works will live forever.
Democratic Truths and Trees.
EDITOR CONSERVATIVE :
Accept my sincere thanks for the
"Arbor day edition" of THE CONSERVA
TIVE , which is a most excellent paper.
I have taken much pleasure in reading
it. It voices my sentiments to the let
ter. I truly believe its healthful words
will have a beneficial influence through
out the country , morally , socially , and
politically. Yes ! I believe in the kiud
of democracy it advocates. I have faith
to believe , in 1904 , with the sentiments
Tire CONSERVATIVE is placing before the
people , democracy will win. Let us all
labor for the best , and not be content
until we succeed. Again thanking you
for kind remembrances , I am ,
Yours Truly
N. 0. GAULT.
Suucook , N. H. , April 24 , 1901.
The demoneti
THE CRIME OF 1901. zation of Aguin-
a 1 d o , by the
crime of General Funstou , is another
pang to the heart of the sincere popu
list. It almost throws the crime of 1878
into the shade. The bullion value of
Aguiualdo , in political currency , has
depreciated so rapidly that he is hardly
good for small change now , even among
the rankest advocates of Bryanarchy ,
who lament , with great gobs of woe ,
and floods of tears , his declared alle
giance to the imperialism of MoKinley.
Wanted , a new woe , with which to
awake the American people to the im
portance of electing a Bryanarohist to
the presidency in 1904. The candidate
must be only four years older than the
late lamented leader of Bryanarchy
was , when McKinley was elected the
second time , and must have been twice
before a candidate for the presidency.
No other need apply. "The principles
of three parties" must be advanced , *
even if Agumaldo has deserted them.
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