THE COURIER
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ENTERED AT THE LINCOLN rOSTOFFICE AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER.
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w. MORTON SMITH, Editor.
LUTE 11. MORSE, - - Business Manaoer.
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Lincoln, Nebraska, November 25, 1894.
Special attention is called to the illustrated features of The
Courier which we have lately adopted, and which we believe to be
a most valuable addition. The Courier sketches are by Zitu,
Fithian, Newell. Lucas, Sheppard, David, Chip, Daggy, Richards,
Gootles, Rahn, Budd, Griffin, Douglas, Boyd, Johnson, Hick-Este,
Cooper and others, this list including, as our readers will observe,
the best known comic illustrators in the country. These artists
who are illustrating for Tun Courier are tho same, who do most of
the work for Puck and papers of that class, and their services are
secured by us at a very heavy expense, deserving, we believe, of
cordial appreciation.
. Pursuant to custom next Thursday, the Twenty-ninth of
November, will be observed throughout the country as a day of
Thanksgiving. A year ago when tho proclamation of the president
of the United States and those of the governors, were issued, it
seemed, to some, almost like a mockery to appoint a day of Thanks
giving when at least two million working people were out of employ
ment, and when distress was generally prevalent, and at this time
doubtless the same thought occurs to many There may be said to
be soiito substantial improvement in the condition of the people
since last-November; but the hard times still oppress us; thousands
of men. women and children are homeless wanderers on the face of
the earth, hungry and well nigh naked; it is still tlifllcult to obtain
employment, and there is much suffering on every hand. And tho
misery is not all confined to those who have hitherto been known as
the poor. The last twelve months have sent poverty in'o many a
household where, formerly, there was plenty. Few havo entirely
escaped. But withal, there tq much to bo thankful for and this
great national holiday will be a suitable opportunity for thoso who
have an abundance to make glad tho hearts of the suffering whom,
in times like these, we do not have to seek. It is not hard to find
something to be thannful for. and. with so many in need, it ought
to be easy to manifest our thankfulness in some tangible way that
will cause a widening of Thanksgiving praise.
The principle laid down in Judge Brewer's decision declaring the
maximum freight rate law inoperative, is susceptible of illustrations
that do not reflect any particular credit on the wisdom or justice of
this most remarkable finding, a decision quite as unique and grotes
que, it seems to us, as the letter of Mayor Wei: approving the street
railway ordinance on the ground that the republican party was
successful in the late election. Judge Brewer made tacit admission
of the fact that the existing charges for freight in this state are ex
cessive; but he maintained that a reduction such as imposed in the
maximum rate law is unjust and unreasonable to those who have
their money invested in railroad property in this state, admitting
further, that these companies have been fictitiously or fraudulently
capitalized. In another article on this subject tho editor of The
Courier illustrated this idea that the common people must bo com
pelled by law to assist a certain class of investors in earning interest
on their money, regardless of tho rights of tho former robbing
Peter to pay Paul in fact, as follows: "This maximum freight rate
law which Judge Brewer now annuls is exactly paralleled on tho
statuto books of Nebraska ' y a law lLing tho maximum rate of
interest on money, known commonly as, tho usury law. Suppose A
should go to tho town of Alliance and start a bank and actually
spend 8500,000 in the erection of a magnificent bank building, and
then open up business with a cash capital or 8100,000, a part of
which he must keep in reserve. There are no deposits to speak of,
and in order to got a return on his investment of 8600,000 ho is com
pelled to chargo 85 per cent, interest on tho 875,000 which he loans.
After while one of tho borrowers objects and goes into court and
asks that th bank be restrained from charging him more than 10
per cent., the maximum rato prescribed by law. Tho banker re
plies: 'That law is inoperative. Judge Brewer has settled that
point. I have invested 8000,000 in my bank, and law or no law, I
must be protected. You mu&t pay me 85 per cent, becauso I have
to have that amount to give a fair return on my capital. If I havo
expended my money foolishly or extravagantly that roesn't make
any difference to you. You've got to pay me interest on it just tho
samo Tho usury law is inoperative in my case.' Mr. Bryan, in
tho World-Herald, says: "If a man buys a farm for 810,000 and
gives two mortgages upon it, a first mortgage for 85,000 and a second
mortgage for 82,500, and the price of agricultural products falls to
such an extent that the income from the farm will only pay interest
on 85,000, after paying running expenses; in such caso tho second
mortgagee loses his interest and the owner loses his profit on tho in
vestment of 82,500 tho difference between tho sum of the mort
gages and the price paid for the land. The law does not protect tho
farmer from tho effects of falling prices, nor does it guarantee tho
second mortgagee against tho loss of his entire loan, if falling prices
reduce the land to a point whore it is only worth tho amount of tho
first mortgage." There is no limit to the number of applications of
this sort that can be made of the principle that is tho essence of
Judge Brewer's decision. The maximum freight rate law may con
tain some very unjust provisions we are not arguing on the merits
of the law, but this decision of the federal court, the more it is con
pidered, gathers in ridiculousness, and we believe it will take its
place in history as one of the greatest judicial outrages ever perpe
trated in this country.
THAT CONFIDENT AIR.
"He doesn't behave as if ho belonged to tho best society," said one
young woman.
"No," replied the other; "he behaves as if the best society belonged
to him."
PLAINTIVE.
"A human life," said the sentimental young man, "is a poem
tragic, comic, sentimental, as the case may be."
"Yes," sighed Miss Passeigh, "and so many of us are rejected
manuscripts."
Dear Public: Whether I am scratching the epidermis of a re
publican or pricking the cuticle of a democrat, the vascular system
of the genius will quicken under the irritant: that the swing of the
political pendulum from 1886 and 88 to 1890 and 92, and back to 1894
and 9G(?) is ample evidence that tho American people are capablo of
selecting their governments. AIs their diamonds, watches and jew
elry. In marking prices we are goverened by actual values. Correct
styles. Want to trade on that basis. Darkest Africa yields to tho
world tho rarest of diamonds. Are you an admirer or beautiful first
water diamonds? I display a splendid show or the finest stones 6et
in tho latest styles or finger rings, studs, pins, etc. Would like to
sell you a pretty one. I only repeat what we hear every day, that
is, that our stock is simply incomparable. Prices always right. E.
Hallett, jeweler and optician, 1143 O street.
