TIIE OMAHA
DAILY BEE:
MONDAY. DECEMBER 1f, 1907.
. 1
Hie Omaha Daily DEfc
FOUNDED BY EDWARD ROSKWATER.
VICTOR ROSKWATER. EDITOR.
Entered at Omaha Postoffloe aa second
class matter.
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Sunday Be", one year
Saturday Bee. one year I W
delivered bt carrier:
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Communications relating to new and edi
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REMITTANCES.
Remit by draft, express or poet a 1 order
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Only J -rent atampa received In payment of
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STATEMENT OF CIRCULATION.
State of Nebraska, Douglaa County, aa.:
Charles C. RoeewaUr, geaeral manager
of The Bee Publishing Company, being
duly aworn, aaya that the actual number
of full and complete copies of Tha Dally.
Morning. Evening and Sunday Bee printed
during the monta of November. 1J, waa
aa rollowa:
i at ,600
I ST.SS0
1
4 t7A9
1 39,S0
St.690
T 9784
I S7,S4
t 9790
1 SB.SOO
ii rr.eso
If 17,730
II 87.380
14 27M9
It S7.S00
14.......... 7,480
IT... f .
It M.IW
T,4ao
St 70
21 3,70
12 ST.S00
21 S7.380
24..... Se.100
St .9T.BSO
It S7,0
17 37,340
21 3,40
II St,BM
10 ST.ae
Total Mt,90
Lena unaold and returned copies.
10.1M
Net Total
Dally average 87,10
CHARLES C. ROBE WATER,
Oeneral Manager.
Subscribed In my presence and aworn to
before me this 2d day of December, 1W,
ROBERT HUNTER.
Notary Public.
WHEN OUT Or TOWN.
nhaerlhors leaving; tha city tola
porarllr shoald kare Tha Be
Mailed to them. Addrma will ho
changed as often aa rett4.
Senator Jeff Davis' anti-trust bombs
ire loaded with gas.
"Third term talk should atop," say's
the New York World. It has.
Will the city authorities take notice
that all of the Omaha ministers worked
yesterday T
The senate Is convinced that Jeff
Davis' argument is fully as' good as
hla grammar. '
"E. 11. Harriman Is Buffering from
a cold." says a New York dispatch,
fiead, chest or feet? ' '
It U a lucky thing for that White
House doorkeeper that Mayor "Jim
did not have hlg lariat along.
liter President Roosevelt's decision,
aa future president will ever consider
talk of a third consecutive term.
Speaker Cannon Is said to be having
trouble with his teeth. He ought to
quit indulging in biting sarcasm.
"Buy good land," says the Chicago
American. That's Just another way of
advising folks to buy Nebraska land.
An Oklahoma Indian named John 11
Air Is a candidate for office. The initial
"H" undoubtedly stands for "Hot."
There will be real fun In the senate
if the occasion ever arises for Tillman
anfl Jeff Davis to match Invectives.
A. Meal has announced himself as a
candidate for mayor of Harrlsburg, Pa
The floating vote may be relied upon
to vote for A. Meal ticket.
Senator Bailey is trying to earn the
gratitude of tha country by confining
his official vocal exercise to answering
"Present" when tha roll Is called.
Secretary Cortelyou has changed hla
plans - for Increasing the circulation
Ha has discovered that he waa prepar
log for something that didn't happen
The University ot Nebraska debaters
woa from Iowa and lost to Minnesota.
leaving the score a stand-off. This Is
not quite aa well as the foot ball team
did.
"Is too much money harmful to
American women?" asks the Saturday
Evening Post. The question cannot be
answered. No woman ever had too
much.
The Japanese appropriation for
naval purposes la f 11,000,000 leas
than for last year. Japan evidently
takes the Hobaoa war scare at its real
value.
"Hogs drop IS cents," says a Chi
cago dispatch. That's not surprising
la view ot the fact that a hog Is not
built with facilities for carrying small
change.
If Omaha cannot la4 la the In
creases in the clearing bouao compari
sons, we have the satisfaction of know
I lag that Its record ot decrease is very
nearly tha smallest "
i
The Portland Qregonlaa serves for
mal notice that it will ns lonjrar be
, the organ of the republican party In
the state, but, will express it convlc
tlons without fear or favor, refusing
to obey the dictates of any party ma
:nln. The' Oregonlan will, acoord-
iBKivS-e better republican paper than
ever. : '
TRE STATE I) EPA RTMITIT 13 RifJrTTM
Secretary Root of the Department ot
State bag refused to take any action
for the relief of a score w more of
young bloods In New York who are
anguishing In prison down In South
America because they conceived the
deluded notion that they were soldiers
of fortune and It was up to them to
overthrow the government of Brazil
nd rescue an oppressed people who
had not found out that they were op
pressed. '
The scheme, It appears, originated In
the brain of one Magall, a Brazilian
exile, who enlisted the services of 100
are-devil Americans for the purpose
of capturing the standing army of
Brattl, overthrowing the government
nd taking charge of affairs of the
most prosperous country In south
America. The plan looked simple and
Alluring, as explained by Afaga.ll, but
some difficulties attended the execution
of It. The expedition landed at Bahla
and the members of It found them
selves In Jail the next morning. Now
tearfal pleas are befog made to the
State department to save the fools from
the penalty of thetr folly, and Mr. Root
has declared that the affair is one In
which the United States has no con
cern. An appeal Is to be taken from
the secretary's decision to congress and
urld speeches will doubtless be made
relative to the duty ot the United
States to protect its citizens tn foreign
countries. The fact remains that such
talk will come under the claaslfl-catlop
of "moonshine." The men who be
came members of Magall's crazy expe
dition at one forfeited their right to
protection by the American govern
ment. Their expedition was one of
piracy and loot, and if they are treated
as pirates by (he Brazilian government,
as now, seems probable, they will have
none but themselves to blame.
PEACE IT CtXTRjL AMERICA.
The five Central American states
that have attained the highest average
In the world's revolutionary contests
for many years past have finally
agreed, through a conference at Wash
ington, to sign an agreement which
provides that all differences which may
arise tfmong them for the next ten
years shall be settled by an interna
tional court. The provisions of the
agreement may furnish a hint to the
members ot the peace conference at
The Hague, who labored all summer
and accomplished nothing. Under the
terms of the treaty, a court is to be
established, to be composed of one
member from each of the five states.
If this court cannotdeclde a case in a
way to meet the approval of the con
flicting parties, the matter is to be
referred to the Joint arbitration of the
United States "and Mexico. ,
The decision is one of the most im
portant that has been reached in many
years, tending as it does to bring peace
to these Central American states that
have lived In more or less open conflict
since the days of Cortez. With the
opening of the Panama canal and the
development that must follow in the
southwestern portion of this continent,
peace la absolutely necessary in the
Central American region. The succes-
tul negotiation of the treaty means
much to the parties to it and a great
deal to the commercial and industrial
Interests of the United States and
Mexico, the two republics that have
stood sponsors for the conference and
must act as guarantors of the enforce
merit of the peace provisions.
H.1LL1SQ UF BORS SARAFOFF.
The scriptural adage to the effect
that they who live by the sword shall
perish by the sword has found another
demonstration in the assassination of
Boris Sarafoff, the young Macedonian
leader, who has lately been confining
his activities in the vicinity of the
blood-stained throne of Servla. Sara-
fofT's history was one of conflict and
trouble. According to one of the
stories, he was a school boy In Salonlca
when one day he saw a file of prisoners
In chains march Into town, under the
guard of Turkish troops. He recog
nized his father and grandfather among
the prisoners and the next morning he
drew his sword and started a campaign
against the Turkish forces,. -vowing
vengeance on the entire Turkish race
Sarafoff was railed a bandit, but tha
record shows that be made good his
declared determination to live as
thorn in the Turkish flesh. He headed
a gang ot devoted followers and made
the mountains of Macedonia his refuge,
capturing prisoners, collecting ransom
and perpetrating atrocities that even
made the Turkish sultan shudder. Evl
dently fascinated by the love of loot,
Boris forgot his determination and did
not confine his operations' to the Turks
alone. He was the acknowledged head
ot the bandits who captured Miss Ellen
M. 8tone, the American missionary, in
ltyt, and created an international dis
turbance that baa a monetary, reiig
lous and political significance, before
the Incident was closed. Jn that way
America became acquainted with hint
and has some Interest In his taking off.
After he had accumulated a competence
by highwaymanry, he retired to Servla
to meet death at the hands of an
assassin.
Tha only lesson apparent in the kill
lng of Sarafoff Is in the impoteney ot
his methods in accomplishing reforms
la Turkey. The need of such reforms
as ha planned has been felt for 400
years, and movements such as he led
have been In progress for four cen
tuiie. Alt of them have resulted sim
ilarly. The leaders. Inspired at first
with a hatred of Turkey and a desire
to free Macedonia from, Turkish rule
have started their bandit campaigns,
yielding In the last to the love of
plunder and retiring when they have
amassed funds sufficient to buy peace
nd protection from the hated sultan.
There is no hope for the future of
Mwfdonla in the actions of reformers
nd avengers of the Sarafoff type.
A rR'irKR UXPEItTAKlSU.
The dinner given to the surviving
members of the directory of the Trans
mlsslsslppl and International Exposi
tion association remind one very forci
bly of the flight of time. It Is ten
ears since that orsanlzatlon was at
the height of Inactivity, and in the
business whirl and bustle of this de
cade much that was then considered
vitally Important has been lost sight
of or forgotten entirely. Therefore,
the proposition that a history be com
piled for publication Is an eminently
proper undertaking. 1
It Mas been said that history should
not Be written by contemporaries, but
this is a case in which an exception to
the rule may be noted. The efforts of
the exposition association may well be
preserved in chronicle form by some
one of the men who aided In bringing
the great project to its successful con
summation. The record compiled by
General Manderson waa not Intended
for, circulation, but to be deposited In
the archives of the city as a mine of
information for future Inquirers. Mr.
Wattles, who was president of the
exposition association, gives assurance
that he will guarantee the publication
of an abrtdsed edition of the chron
icles of the association.
It was scarcely possible that many
of the thousands who have come to
Omaha to establish their business and
make their homes since the day of the
exposition should understand just how
Vital this event was to Omaha. It
more than marks an epoch in the city's
career. It was the turning point and
divides enthusiastic progress from dis
couraging depression. -The patriotic
effort made by the people of Omaha in
taking up this affair, in providing the
money with which to carry It on and
giving loyal and unswerving support
to the men who directed it, cannot be
overestimated or praised too much. It
Is one of those rare examples of civic
pride and devotion on which great
cities are firmly founded. It will be
pleasant task for the historian to
write of this phase of the exposition.
at least. Of the work and worry ot
the men who composed the directory
and the executive board much may be
said, but the half will never he told.
That all of this should be prepared in
proper form for the edification of the
present and future generations Is an
undertaking which all will endorse.
TUB DUKE AND HIS MEAL TICKET.
Eugene Zimmerman of Cincinnati,
who achieved a fortune by brewing a
rather high grade of beer and fame by
becoming the father-in-law of the duke
of Manchester, should have no diffi
culty In getting a Carnegie hero medal
or any other fitting token of recogni
tion for an American citizen who
knows his rights and, knowing, dare
maintain. The story comes in a cable
from Belfast to the effect that Zimmer
man is personally auditing and paying
the bills of his aristocratic son-in-law,
and has ordered his grace ot Manches
ter to evacuate Tangeradee castle, the
historic home of the Montagues, and
to remove bag and baggage to Kyle'
more- and to cut his expenses. In the
meantime, Papa Zimmerman Is living
at the castle and enjoying luxuries ot
high life that would make his old col
lege chums In Cincinnati turn green
from envy.
The duke of Manchester, it must be
remembered, married the beautiful
Helen Zimmerman and began to cut a
splurge. One of the paragraphs In the
marriage settlement provided that the
duke should become an active man In
American business affairs. Mr. Zim
merman bought a railroad for his son
In-law and aaw It soon go into the
hands of a receiver. Aside from
capacity for kicking at the equipment
of bis private car, the duke displayed
no positive genius as a railroad presl
dent. After other ventures had pro
duced unsatisfactory results, the duke
and his bride retired to Tangeradee
castle and devoted his time and ener
gles to deVlBlng plans for perforating
Papa Zimmerman's bank account. Now
the Irate father-in-law Is going to live
in the castle himself, place the duke on
half rations, rebuild and renovate the
estates and give the Income to his
grandson, the future duke.
The story must prove gratifying to
the average American. It shows that
there is at least one citizen ot the
country whose head has not been
turned because his daughter chanced
to marry a title. It simply shows that
red blood will triumph over blue blood,
If It has half a Chance.
Treasury advices show that the court
try has been suffering from a lack ot
confidence rather than a lack ot cash
Only $11,000,000 of the flOO.ODO.OOO
authorised In certificates of indebted'
nesa will be issued and the Panama
canal bonds, Instead of being used as
a basis for new circulation, will be
used to secure federal deposits, dis
placing municipal and state bonds. The
change in plans is tn the direction of
conservatism and offers evidence that
the bankeraeof the nation were scared
more than they were hurt by the cry
of a money panic.
Corn shows la progress tn different
counties are developing the fact that
not only are the farmers' boys and
girls deeply interested in the competi
tion, but they -are making much Im
provement in the quality as well as
the quantity of the corn raised. Cora
breeding a little while back was looked
upon as a fad, but is now accepted as
s very proper part ot farm work, and
Its effect on the yield In Nebraska Is
more than Justifying the attention
given It.
Police Jjidge Crawford's plan may
be the right one for solving the vice
question. It has the merit, at least,
of showing that the police force Is not
seeking to protect anybody In that
district, but is ready and willing to
promptly execute all orders from
proper authorities and serve all war
rants Issued, wtbout regard to any
body's feelings.
Colonel Lowden of Chirago indig
nantly denies the report that he has
raised a fund of $3,000,000 for the
election of Mr. Cannon to, the presi
dency. The denial will have to stand.
In the first place, that amount of
money could not be raised for cam
paign purposes this year, and In the
second, it would not help the Cannon
chances any.
The democrats In ( Nebraska are
working up quite a frenxy over the
question of which republican aspirant
will get Nebraska's support, but, as
usual, are doing it not to help the re
publicans, but to cause confusion, with
the likelihood of having about the
same effect that they have lately had
In making other choices for Nebraska
republicans.
A captured chicken thief promised
the man who held the shotgun refor
mation if he would not shoot. Many
another sinner has been brought to
book by similar methods, but the ef
fect of the lesson is likely to be for
gotten as soon as the pressure is re
moved.
The expedition with which the police
executed the warrants sent out by
Judge Crawford must have disap
pointed some of the earnest "reform
ers" who have been trying to make
it appear that Chief Donahue and his
subordinates are "protecting vice."
Messrs. LaFollette and Cummins
are said to be looking to Nebraska for
assistance In connection with their
presidential booms. All asptrants are
welcome to come to the state and
make a showing.
A Pittsburg minister resigned be
cause a member or his congregation
said to him, "Let's' go and have a glass
of beer." The report does not state
whether the original invitation was ac
cepted. New York reports that another orig
inal Van Dyke has been stolen. Those
original Van Dykes mnst have been
as numerous as federal soldiers who
participated in the capture ot Jeff
Davis. i - o
Cheap C'laiauaat Trad Dovra.
Washington Posf.
The chernlBt who declared that Chicago
has tha purest drinking water in the world
need not think that he helped to bring the
republican convention to that city.
Craoe for the Pitchfork.
Milwaukee Sentinel.
One ot the ominous things about Senator
Jeff Davis Is that he may apur Uncle Ben
Tillman to an extraordinary effort to re
gain the lead.
Smoke Wreaths of a Frolle,
Philadelphia Record.
If Evans' squadron shall eacao the
amoke of battle It will be wreathed with
smoke of a different sort. The aupply ship
la at Havana loading 700,000 cigars. That
la a rather small allowance for lK.OOu en'
listed men if they are to be kept on Havana
cigar, but It Is certainly a very liberal
allowance for the officer.
Trarlaaj the Troable.
New York Bun.
The name of the native chief,' Dlnlslulu
who is stirring up revolt against the Brit-
lah la In the Orange River colony, recalls
Kipling's Intractable, red-haired HUleman
whoae family devotions Included the chant
ing of a Eurasian version of "The Wear
tng ot the Green." The Natal chief's name
needa only an auto-suggested aufflx to ea
tabliah a hereditary cauae for hla anti-
British proclivities: Dlnlsuluvan.
Sorrow Deeka Daty's Path.
Baltimore American.
Secretary Taft'a trip abowa the lights
and shadows of life. With the great ones
of the world vying for the honor of enter
talnlng him, and acclaimed on all sldea, he
Is hastening home to a scene of private
sorrow and domestic losa. The grief from
which no human power or position can
ahlrld men, la In hla case Intensified by the
brilliancy of hla tour, so mournfully end
lng. He will have the eymputliy of tha
nation In hla aad homecoming.
Peril of a Patriot.
New York Bun.
There la a base republican attempt to
dethrone one of the moat Uluatrloua of
Kentucky character. Ctolonel Jack Chlnn
Is a member of the Kentucky senate. He
la also a member of the Kentucky State
Racing commission. Of the latter body be
waa. Indeed, the creator. The republicans
pretend that no man has a right to hold
two stata offices at once. Possibly they
are right. Colonel Jack Chlnn, however, I
more than a man. He la a hearty and
heroic character, endeared to the world by
his spirits, hla humor and hla abounding'
nesa. We ahould say that about thirteen
Jobs would be needed to keep him fairly
busy.
WHKHS THtt SHOU FITS.
New York Editors Held t aa Irre,
BRuaalblo Pa ale Maker.
Springfield (Mass.) Republican.
Praident A. B. BUckney of the Chicago
Great Western road, speaking in New
York Monday night, took the shoe con
structed by the newspapers which are hold
tng Mr. Roosevelt reaponslbte for the panic
and fitted It to their own foot fitted It
closely aa they had fitted It to the presi
dent. He declared that "cunningly worded
editorials" In denunciation of the presl
dent had been spreading a feeling of die
trust among country bankers, and men
tloned one up in Minnesota, woo never
needed wore than 12,000 or xs.ooo on hand
to do business with, but who grew more
and more panicky (aa he read certain
New York paperaT) until he had called In
about tr.OuO. This he placed In the
bank's Jlttle box of a safe, "with a dog
and a man to watch It. air. and now I'm
aafe" -a he told Mr. BUckney. It waa
hard question hen asked by the latter of
hi New York audience how an emer
gency currency waa te remedy such
panio aa that.
ON PRKSIIKTI 11. r lHIMi 1.1 Ml.
Onieraor Johnson of Minnesota I ader
the potllaht.
Kansas City Btar (Ind.l.
It Is exceedingly Interesting to note Un
favorable impression made In Washington
by (lovernnr John J. Johnson of Minnesota
Although he went to the capitol only ss a
visitor, without occasion or circumstance
to mako him conspicuous, he bus become.
In a few day, the leading topic of political
discussion. This spontaneous recognition
of Oovcrnor Johnson's personal points will
not be a surplso to those who have made
themselves famlllnr with the Individuality
of the democrat who has been twice
elected governor of a normally atrong re
publican! state, and by tremendous plurali
ties. It only needed a close observation of
the man. taken with hi well known poli
tical record, to define him to the politicians
ns a political factor of great possibilities.
And buck of his personality and his record
are the humble origin, the upward struggle
and the self-made career of the man ele
ments that always have been potential In
American politic.
Of course Mr. Johnson has said that he
does not warrt to beeomo a candidate for
the democratic nomination against tin.
Bryan. Rut even among the strongest ad-
mirera or the Nebraska leader thre are
any who do not believe that he could be
elected. This element, together with that
actively opposed to Mr. Bryan, may make
an unexpected showing In the national con
vention, especially if they can prevail on a
man like the governor of Minnesota to
stand for their united effort. It must be
remembered that In a democratic conven
lion It takes two-thirds of the votes to
nominate. Unless Mr. Bryan should be
chosen on first ballot lie mlfc-ht be defeated
In the breakup of a deadlock.
At any rate, with Mr. Bryan reverting
actively to the free silver doctrine and ad
vocating extreme measures of government
ownership, and with the reactionary forces
of the republican party seeking to defeat
the nomination of Secretary Taft and the
continuance of the Roosevelt policies, it Is
mighty comforting thing to the country
to see a man like Governor Johnson loom
up as a presidential possibility.
. Colonel Watteraon la t amp.
Ioulsvllle Courier-Journal (dem.).
The Courier-Journal wishes to deal fairly
by Mr. Bryan, but it owes the obligation
of candor to the democratic party and of
respect to Ita own character and opinions.
It may be that tho old democracy of strict
construction lias passed from the scene
never to return, and that a new democracy
very latltudlnoua In Its methods and Its
alms has arrived upon the stage to stay.
In the latter event It cannot be doubted
that Mr. Bryan Is Its prophet. He will
surely be in the next presidential campaign
its leader, and so, going back to the mid
summer of lost year, we recall the ac
claim with which we welcomed his home
coming, and In perfect good faith we ne-
neat : 'iHlirmh for Rrvan'"
The readers of the Courier-Journal have
not failed to note that our opposition to
hlg candidacy has turned largely upon
points of expediency and that our efforts
have been mainly addressed to Inducing hlin
to aea what we think we see Uiat he Is
not likely to prove the strongest nominee
In the debatable states. But, next year,
there may be no debatable states; the coun
try may be so tired of the republicans that
It will be swept by any presidential ticket
the democrats may put up. It cannot be
denied that Mr. Bryan has made a stead,
fast fight, that he Is a clean, typical Amerl
ran, that hla following Is compact and cn
thuslastlc, -and that even among the masses
of the republicans he Is well considered and
well liked, all of which may be set down
as so many political assets at a time when
the public mind Is so unfixed and variable.
party lines and discipline ao loose, and the
popular mood, and tense so Impressionable.
The practical and sensible thing for dem
ocrats to do now Is to close ranks and keep
step to the drum-beats of destiny which
announce the third coming of the man from
Nebraska. It Is idle futher to dispute his
leadership. If he wins, all will be forgiven;
If he loses, may the Lord have mercy upon
him. The Courier-Journal has In the paat
had no reserves and has done Its duty as
It saw It. As to the future, casting never
a lingering look behind, It will do Its horn
swaggledest
Angels can do no more.
Seaator Foraker's Achleremeata.
Chicago Journal (rep.).
Senator Joseph Benson Forakcr lias
made formal announcement of his desire
to become the republican candidate for
president next year. He seemed to think
It might be regarded as a Joke, and
therefore declared that he was really iu
earnest and In the race to slay.
How times have changed! Twenty-five
years ago, when he first ran for governor
of Ohio, Forakcr became known aa "Lit
tie Breeches" because It came out In the
campaign literature that his parents were
so poor That papa's trousers were cut
down to fit little Benson. l
Now, at the end of a quarter of a cen
tury In public life, during which Ills sal
ary haa averaged about 10,000 a year, Sen
ator Foraker finds himself recognised as
one of tha richest men tn the senate. Ills
expenses In Washington have averaged
from $30,000 to 150,900 a year the while,
but by the practice of those sturdy
economlea he learned so well in boyhooU's
happy days back on the farm, Senator
Foraker la now worth somewhere between
$3,000,000 and $6,000,000. Nobody but a
smart man could save so much money
that quick on a small aalary. ,
Senator Foraker's last big battle in con
gress waa when he attempted to defeat
the rate regulation bill, which put a
limit on the rapacity of railroad officials.
He waa defeated, but he fought gallantly
to the last for the railroads and against
the people. Naturally his course in tha
aenate haa endeared him to corporate In
terests, and the senator can count with
confidence on the hearty support of Har
riman, "Divine Right" Baer, W. K. Van
derbllt and Ylm Hill.
The Flaht oa Taft.
Kansas City Times (Ind ).
The friends of Secretary Taft now know
the combination they will have to fight If
they secure the republican nomination for
the secretar of war. That combination
represents all who are opposed to the
Roosevelt admlnstratlon. together with
some who are not directly opposed to the
president and Mr. Taft, but are In favor
of such candidates as Mr. LaFollette or
Mr. Hughes, who cannot be classed as re
actionaries unless their supporters choose
in the end to align themselves with the
retrogresslves a against the progressives.
Unquestionably the people a large deslro
that tha policies of the present adminis
tration ahall be continued. It la up to the
people to sea to it that a small minority,
composed very largely of politicians clostly
allied with selfish Interest, does not con
trol the next national convention.
Tha President's Stateaaeat.
New York Times (tnd ).
Mr. , Roosevelt's statement that he haa
not changed, and will not change, the de
cision announced by him on the night after
hla first election to tha presidency, that
"the wise custom" which limits tha presi
dent to two terms "regards the substance
and not the form," and that he would un
der no circumstances "be a candidate for,
or accept," another nomination, la what
those who respected Mm most and knew
him best expected him to make. No dif
ferent statement was possible.
HII.HOAI) A WATKIlWtYs.
Wlsard of Transportation" aa a Xav
laatloa Prophet.
Cleveland Ioader.
James J. Mill, the president of the Great
Northern Railroad company. Is not only n
"wlxnrd of transportation." a business
prophet and an adviser to the farmer, but
lie Is also a source of the unexp.t'te.1.
In a sjech he made before the rivers and
harlior convention In Washington, he snlil
that the railroads must depend, In the fu
ture, on aid from the waterways. The
transportation needs of the country had
grown beyond ttie capacity of the ratl
roaUs. A series of prosperous year. Mr.
Hill declared, would make what is now
considered a wonderful network of Hues
appear an inadequate as the coaching sys
tems of colonial dnys. The existing traffic.
In bis opinion, called for the buidlng of
75.000 more miles of tracks, at the cost of
$5,6JU,UW00, counting terminals. All this,
he said, the railroad people realised.
The history ot economic has seen no
sharper reversal of attitude than this. The
opposition ot the railroad to waterway
has been quite consistent since their be
ginning. Competition with canals and riv
ers and lake has not always Wen above-
board on the part of the railroads. Some
of them have labored In rongresa and the
state legislatures to defeat the develop
ment of waterways. The Influence of the
Pacific railways Is credited with holding
up the Panama cansl project for years,
and, even after the beginning of Work
there, with seeking to convince the country
of Its ultimate failure. In one New York
election In which the deepening of the Erie
canal was voted upon, the Vanderbllt lines
fought the proposal, tooth and nail. Har
bor work has languished, has been de
layed and sometimes utterly abandoned.
because the railroad lobby had sufficient
strength to crush appropriation measures.
The new light which some of the trans
portation lines have Been bears a curious
relationship with the defensive position
Into' which they have been forced In recent
year. For a while they were concerned
only In the protection of their pooling and
trust arrangement. Now they must strug
gle against the flood of business, which, in
Mr. Hill's horoscope, threatens to keep the
roads in a chronic condition of blockado.
We have more than we can do, they cry,
will not some kindly water transportation
lines come to our relief and help us move
these moutalns of grain and coal and mer
chandise? President Hill is not merely a sage. , He
Is a leader. If the waterways sre to aid
tho railroad, depend upon it the railroads
Will aid In the legislation and (he construc
tion which the waterways require.
ATI EMEHUKNCV CIRCVLATIOX.
Tho Proper
Thing; to
Do and Da
Unlckly.
Wall Btreet Journal.
While President Roosevelt might easily
have said more tn regard to financial legis
lation, what he did say was excellent1. The
critical nature of recent financial evenla
would have warranted a prealdental mes
sage which would have gone deeply Into
the qifestlon of banking and currency re
form. President Rooseyelt has not seen
fit to do this snd the question Is treated
only as one of many problems, some of
which Mr. Roosevelt evidently regarda aa
of equal or oven greater Importance.
It la quite true that any comprehensive
reform of banking and currency cannot be
expected from, this congress. The subject
Is too large to be disposed of tn a hurry,
Practically all that can reasonably be ex
pected Is just what the president himself
recommends. Nevertheless, It Is to be re.
gretted that the president, while putting
forward 'that ' proposition ' which seems
most practical under prevailing conditions.
had not at least laid before tha country the
Idea of a more comprehensive reform.
reform which might be worked out after In
vestigation by a high class special commis
sion, each member of wbjuh would be fa.
miliar with monetary history and compe
tent to deal with the subject not only upon
broad national, but upon still broader Inter
national, lines.
The president's recommendation Is for an
emergency circulation with an effective
guarantee and based upon adequate securi
ties Issued under a heavy tax so that the
notea would be retired as soon as tha
emergency which called them forth had
passed. The Wall Btreet Journal haa
long held an emergency circulation to be
practical and necessary In order to make
our currency system elastic enough to pro
vide for the sudden requirements of great
crises.
Undoubtedly it would ba to the advantage
f the country If we had a comprehensive
change In our monoy system. We have too
many kinds ot money. The establishment
of a great central bank would be of enor
mous advantage to the country, or If public
opinion were opposed to this then such an
enlargement of the powers of the secretary
of the treasury as would practically make
the Treasury department a central bank of
reserve and Issue.
It Is not, however, the Ideal, but the prac
tical that we must hope for. The present
thing to do, the thing which congress, as
the session which has now stsrted, might
and ought to do, is to provide the country
with a strictly emergency circulation in
accordance with President Roosevelt's
recommendation.
LOW FAHfels) lACKEASU BLSIXEWS.
More Kvldence of Wisdom of Passen
ger Rato Redactloa.
Minneapolis Journal.
Thomas Yapp, expert statistician of the
Minnesota Railway commission, who fig
ured out that the railroads were making
more money than ever out of the 2-cont
fare, was roughly handled by the lawyers
for the railroads. They Intimated that
Thomas did not know much more than his
name suggested. They threw logarithms
all over the courtroom to show that bank
ruptcy stared them In the face as the re
sult of the t-cent fare law.
Tha state of Minnesota waa Impressed.
It almost feared it had mad a mistake.
But It It did, another mistake has been
made. This one was made by Uie mana
gers of the Philadelphia 4 Reading rail
road. They have allowed the passenger
earnings of the road to mount up under tha
t-cent fare until they seem dlatined to
eclipse anything a railroad ever did before.
The New York Times, which apparently
considers It news Just fairly to print, re
ports: "Philadelphia, Dec. $. The monthly re
port of the Philadelphia A Reading Rail
road company for October, 1907, compared
with the same month laat year, shows an
increase tn net earnings of $152,4-16. not
withstanding the 2-cent rate law. The net
earnings for October, 1!M. were $1.5Ti6,9uO
and for October, 1907, $1.7"v,fc5. a gain of
$152,405."
There la no doubt that In trying to kill
off 2-cent legislation the companlea were
genuinely alarmed at the prospect. There
Is no doubt that the most conservative
public servants felt that the reduced-fare
movement was being pushed too fast.
There was scarcely any criticism of Oov
crnor Hughes' veto of auch a bill in New
York, though there. If anywhere, the lower
rate ahould make money for the companies..
Nevertheless, tha public Is seeing some re
markable results from t-cent fares. The
Minnesota figures showing gains were at
tacked aa being baaed on insufficient data.
But it la a remarkable fact that wherever
figures have been made they all tend one
way, toward ahowiug that tha lower tare
is good for tha road In bringing about Us
largest possible utilisation for travel.
nAiTiciMa vii at it rnKAciip;
Katolllna tonMdence In Worde and
Hnrklns It vtllh tush.
The Saturday Kvening S1 of Philadel
phia has lccn preaching confidence all
through the recent llnnnclal flurry. Now
It has stepped down from tlie pulpit long
cnoiiKh to practice. Its publisher,, Cyrus"
Curtis. hn Just spent tj'i.din In advertising
a single Issue of the niagaxlne the Christ
nins number.
The Pnturilay Kvcnlng Post believes that
this will be a bad year for Inflation, hut a
good year for business. It believes that,
with speculation checked, and the weak
spots In tno currency system bared, busi
ness Is already started toward a stronger.
sounder, safer position than It held six
months ago. And It knows, through thou
sands ot clear-cut. Intelligent reports from
bankers, merchants, manufacturers and
farmers, that tho country aharoa theaa be
liefs. They are -solidly founded on good
crops, empty warehouses, an unsatisfied
demand and a public with money- In tha
banks.
These condition mean business,, and th
Saturday livening Post has atarted out for
Its share, of It with the most effecthra
weapon In the merchant's, arsenal adver.
tlsing. Summer and winter He publisher
is alwnys In action, going after business
with everything from rapid-fire batteries
ot small ads. to slxteen-tnch g-un which
cost a fortune every time they are dla-a,
charged.
No business man burns up $."i0,O0O for the
sake of the resulting noise and hot air,
but because there Is business In sight. Tha
publisher of the Saturday Evening Pos
sees bustnesa ahead, and Is aiming at It.
Competition was, advertising is, the life of
trade. .
PERSON A I, MOTES.
Senator rhllnnder Chaso Knox has a
storehouse of high-class literature at his
finger's end; more so, It Is said, than any
other senator at Washington.
Assistant Si-cretary of Stnto Bacon haS
been awarded a bronxc medal by tho Mas
sachusetts Humane society of Boston for
saving the lives of two Harvard students
tho last race between Yale and Harvard.
A Chicago doctor of nervous disposition
and defective eyesight recontly operated on
a little girl, severing her . Jugular. Thera
ought to be aomo method of persuading that
gentleman Into doing his carving by proxy,
"How Vice President Fairbanks ever ac
quired the reputation for coolness I can't
Understand," aald a recent visitor to" hla
Washington office. "As a matter, of fact,'
thero aro few, more cordial men on either
aide of the capitol than tho vice prealdent."
Thirty-two "years ago a Cleveland man,
then 71 years of age, crectdd a monument
for himself, on which was Inscribed' his
name and "died 1 ." His death at 104 oc
curred only the other day, and now tha
chiseling has to bo done ail over again. We
must not be too previous 1n' these days ot
Increased longevity.
An argument In favor of the abolition by
congress of the tariff duties on goods sent
between tho Philippines and tho United
States lies In a magnificent silver and gold
loving cup presented to the president of
the United States by the mayor of Manila,
being tied up In the Georgetown custom
house awaiting release on payment of duty,
or a special order, from President Roose
velt that it be admitted free.- The cup waa
made especially from natlvo metal, and
from it the mayor drank the. health of tho
president at the big banquet lie gave to
Secretary Taft during his recent visit
there.
TRIFLES WITH A POIXT.
"Reginald Meter, the poet, says he lopkg
Into his heart and writes." '
"Has he a weak heart?"
"What bus that gut to do with hU
poems?"
"Well, you know, It might account 1n
their bad circulation." Baltimore Ameri
can. Grumpy Uncle Is the child really pre
cocious? Friend of Family Remarkably ao; 3 years
old and hasn't said a word. Puck.
Miss Koy Ye, ho proposed to me last
night.
Miss Grouch Huh! on his kneca, I sup
pose? Miss Koy I was not! at least, not until
afterward. Philadelphia Press.
"You Always applaud that candidate's
speeches."
"yes," answered Farmer Corntossel.
"Why don't you vote to send him to
congress, then?"
"Because it would be a shame and a
cruelty to keep him so long In silence ait
a new member." Washington Btur. (
Fond Mamma I took Pnlsy to get some
new stockings today and I had to get her
ones several sizes too large. Hhn complained
all of her own slzo I tiled on hurt her.
Knowing Papa My dear. Christmas Is
coming. Baltimore American.
The mermaid waa rummaging the sunken
shin.
"I want to see If I can't And one of those
hand mirrors the comic papers always pic
ture us as using," abe said.
For vanity, aius. Is not confined to that
comparatively Insignificant portion nf tha
earth's -surface known aa dry landl Chi
cago Tribune.
"Young man," said the old merchant ti
hi lazy bookkeeper, "induatry Is the great
virtue in business. It haa been my life
long rule to be at my disk early and lato,
and-"
"Me, too," pjJt In the bookkeeper, "some
times I get here early and sometimes lata."
Philadelphia Press.
A VOICE FKO!t THE FLEET.
Wallace Irwin In Collier's.
Well, It's good-bye, Angevlny, we are off.
upon' the briny.
And It's very glad to go I am;
For It's rare and fancy gravy to be workln
for the navy
On this Cook's excursion tour of Uncla
Sam.
Oh, there Isn't any knowln' where the devil
we are gnln",
(As the admiral remarks to me
"Well, wo won't be solemncolic It's a
fight or It's a frolic.
And we ain't a-earin' which, says ha).
Will we touch at Madagascar or conllny to
Will we stop In 'Frisco bay? asks you.
That's the question what's the answer?
Guess the riddle if you can, sir.
And I'll pass the Information to the crew.
Modern warfare ain't no at ranger to the
Klement of Iianger.
f As the admiral remark to me
"Maybe we'll be shooiln' lilacs with our
gun all draped with sinllux,
Then again, perhaps we won'te"" says ha)
They're a-glttin' awful solemn in each ed
itorial column.
And they're floalln' forty fleets In Ink
Will Japan raise up a holler and git red
around the collar
When she sees us splash In' water In her
sink?
Won't the entire British nation die of nerv
ous strangulation? .
(As the admiral remarks to me
"Jones," sas he. "irfia honest fact Is,
Truth depends od target practise
Talk Is of, tap, but powder's dear," says
he).
But suppose while we're a-floatin'- round
the ocean pleasure-boatln'
We should bump into a war somehow
With a navy sent by Russia, Ireland,
Switzerland or Prussia -'
Which was absolute Insletln on a row
Should we cautiously avoid 'em and be
sorry wh annoyed eru? ,
(As the admiral remaika to mo
"Guess I'd send a line by airless Just to
tell 'em to be careless
And remind 'em we was there." say h).
Well, we're off In foam and laughter,
though we don't know What wan
after.
And e don't know who' a-pullin' of tha
strings;
We are lxvea of Peace all right, sir, with
a coat of peaceful wh!t, air.
And some twelve-inch Iroy W.--stckers
'neath our wings.
Foolish folks has foolfsH' notions big as
continent and oceans.
(As the admiral remarks to toe
"Let the durned old mermaids rollick It's
a fivht or It's a frolic. ... '
nd we glu t e-vami' ahiiU," y bJ
. 4 .