THE HESPERIAN.
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All 'round dc oyster bowl we wandered,
While she was true,
L)en many happy hours we squandered,
Before sue said adieu.
When I was winking at my maiden,
Happy was 1;
Oh come to me with oysters laden,
Come, Oh come before I die.
Cho. But de world will not be dreary,
Everywhere I roam,
And my heart will be more cheery,
If ever my girl comes home.
If dat girl of me is singing,
Dc one dat I love,
Still fondly to my memory clinging,
Den will I cease to rove.
When will I hear dat maiden humming,
Again to me;
When will de parson hear us coming,
Will dat ever, ever be?
Clio. Vet all night upon the pillows,
When I cease to roam,
I dream, my hut among de willows,
Will be dis maiden's home.
CURRENT COMMENT.
The craze for journalism secerns to be prevalent among
graduates ot the U. of N. Among the latest who have
launched out in this line may be mentioned. A. II. liigclow,
who is at present editor of a paper in one of the western
counties. We never expected to see Mr. Bigelow managing
a country newspaper, but after recalling the famous saying
that the highest success is attained by beginnng at the bot
tom and working up we were not surprised when we learned
of his venture. His success in this.line is easily accounted
for. lie was an editor in chief of The IltiSl'UKlAN, when
he drank in his first draughts of journalism and laid a foun
dation for future greatness.
The Wesleyan University of this city, we arc informed, will
open early next fall in order to catch those who may be look
ing for a suitable place to secure an education. We are glad
to sec this new institution offering such grand inducements
to new students, but are inclined to believe that such offers
will be of no avail. The Weslevcn University with its present
endowment cannot afford to support a full corps of competent
instructors, neither can it afford to equip the building in suit
able order. We venture the assertion that the average
young man or woman when they set out lor an education will
seek those colleges that can offer the best inducements in the
way of equipments, instructors, etc. This the Wesleyan
University will not be able to do, notwithstanding the
statements of Chancellor Creighton to the contrary.
One of the leading questions to be considered by polili
cians, for some time to come whether or not the state
shall pay election expenses. Politics are becoming so corrupt
that some kind of a change is deemed necessary, and that as
quick as possible. This scheme of letting the state bear the
expenses seems to be the best method of effecting a change,
because it will do away with the assessment of candidates,
and give worthy and honest men a chance to compete with
skilled politicians for the lucrative offices. As it is at pres
ent, a candidate is assessed for campaign expenses, enough
to eat up the major part of his salary, and he has to be con
tented with what honors he gets. Then, again, this will
make it plain when large contributions are levied by any
party, that they are simply for corrupt purposes, and will
tend to do away with what is known as the "party machine,"
and place politics in honest hands. This is not a party ques
tion; it is infinitely broader and more comprehensive, extend
ing alike to all parties and all classes that have the welfare of
honest government at heart, and is bound to be a leading
issue before the people until corruption in politics ceases.
The heavy losses experienced by ranchmen in the western
part of this state during the present winter has opened the
eyes of many disinterested parties, and will probably result
in the adoption of, measures compelling ranchmen to provide
shelter for their stock in sections devoted to that interest.
Stock raising is very profitable, where proper attention is
given to it, but where large herds arc compelled to take what
shelter the bleak praties afford, it becomes no longer a source
of profit. Besides this the protection afforded results in
about the same thing as cruelty to animals, and the ranch
men should be compelled to provide shelter or quit the busi
ness. The question too has another aspect which is of pub
lic interest. The turning of these vast unimproved ranches
into cultivated farms should be encouraged. It would be
much better for the whole state to have the great west filled
up with actual settlers than by cattle kings. We believe
this matter should be looked into by the next legislature, and
some means devised to protect the range animals from the
severities of the weather.
Another national election is approaching, and in every city
and hamlet the two great parties are beginning to organize
clubs which will help to set the machinery in motion when
the ptoper time arrives. The light will undoubtedly be
made on the president's message alone. One party claiming
that the principles therein advocated will defeat the party in
power without much of a struggle, while the party in
power is equally certain of success on the strength of the
message. We are inclined to believe that both parties are
anticipating an easy victory. If this be so, it will perhaps
do away with much of the useless expenses of a hot campaign
and leave the voters to prepare their ballots according to the
dictates of their consciences and not according to the pocket
book or the silvery dressed speeches of political bosses. We
like to see parties accomplish what lies within their reach
without forcing ignorant voters to rally under the party lash
by offering inducements in the way of bribes. Every voter
should have the welfare of his country at heart enough to
vote his sentiments and nol be forced to kneel at the feet of
the party bosses.
The threatening attitude of Russia of late has resulted in
bringing About an alliance between Germany and Austria,
backed by Italy. The treaty provides that in case either
country is attacked by Russia, it will be regarded as an
attack on the other also. This practically unites the military
strength of all powers opposed to Russia, and leaves her with
France as her only sympathizer in Europe. The publication
of this treaty seems to confront Russia pretty forcibly with
the issue of war or peace and may cause her to choose
immediately which she prefers. We are inclined to believe,
as many others do, that everything depends more upon what
Bismarck regards as best for Germany than upon anything
else. If he wants peace, he is able to check any rash move
ments on the part of Russia, by emphasizing the enormous
opposition that he could command agains.t her; while on
the other hand, if he wants war, he is an adept at provoking,
and hi& powerful influence would be sufficient to goad Russia
on to fighting. "The only fact that can be regarded as a
certainty is that the great European war that has been fore
shadowed so long, can not be delayed much longer.
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