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VOlo. 10, No. 16.
PRIGE FIVE CENTS.
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LINCOLN, NBB., SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1895.
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When a rascal is introduced or
recommended by a friend or eomo
one in whom we have confidence
and we enter into business dealings
with him and ho defrauds us, we
complain of the rascal's sponsor.
This remark iB apropos of the
brilliant exploit of an accomplished individual aptly if not elegantly
described in the women's edition of the Call as -A Smooth Duck."
We refer to one H. F. Atherton who a month or two ago established
himself in this city as the representative of well known book and
art publishers. Atherton, it seems, was a convict, and had been
released from the state penitentiary on parole. Ho was allowed by
those who were instrumental in securing his release on parole to
prey upon the public and we cannot help admiring the ability and
alacrity with which he made use of his opportunities. The parole
system has been widely commended as a reform measure, and we
believe it was favorably discussed in The Courier on the occasion
of the publication of the annual report of the warden of the peniten
tiary. But tho victims of Convict-out on-Parolo Atherton, and we
are of their number, have reason to find fault with those who open
ed tho prison doors to him, and there are people in Lincoln who do
not regard tho parole system with the favor they once did.
People are wondering if there really was a Civic Federation.
There is a growing feeling that tho whole affair was a newspaper
myth. Mr. Raymond and Mr. Hall are lending encouragement to
this belief.
Judge Broady is said to be happy that ho was not elected. Here
is one of the queer things in politics. A man will strive with might
and main to get a nomination and, once nominated, to be elected,
and then if he is defeated he iB glad of it. Both George Woods and
John B. Wright feel so good over their defeat in the convention that
their happiness sticks out 'all over them, and now comes Broady
with rejoicings because he was not elected. The friends of these
gentlemen are glad that they are glad.
Shrewd observers comment on the fact that the JournaTs regard
for Mr. Graham was decidedly more enthusiastic the day after elec
tion than it was during the campaign, when many reputed good
judges thought Broady would be elected.
Brownville, having been disturbed in that serenity which it has
enjoyed for so many years, and made an issue in tho lato campaign,
can now relapse back into tho blissful stato in which Judge Broady
left it.
The railroad companies and summer resorts that are sending
beautifully illustrated circulars and pamphlets to the peoplo of
Nebraska in the hope of inducing them to leave homo during tho
coming summer are dropping their tickets at tho wrong door. Last
year large numbers of peoplo went away for a part of tho summer,
aDd while they were gone tho corn crop was lost. This year most
of us are going to stay at home and watch and pray.
The women's edition of the Call was a distinctively creditablo
achievement. Considering the short time in 'which tho work was
done and other difficulties with which tho wonwn had to contend
the editors did remarkably well. The portrait of Prof. Easterday
about which so much has been said was not without its use, making
all the other portraits appear to advantage.
It is to bo hoped that long before The Courier reaches its read
ers the legislature will be a thing of the past. The closing days were
marked by the How of boodle, and the cries of some bills that were
killed at the last moment will long echo the disgrace of this body of
"representatives'' of the people.
In last week's Courier Miss Harris had something to say about
young poets who write melancholy verses. Mr. Dunroy in this issuo
maintains that a young poet writes as he feels from experience;
if his lines have not fallen in pleasant places filled with bright sun
shine, but instead have taken him along a dark and stormy way,
he sings perforce, not in tho high and happy notes of joy but in a
lower and moro serious key. Miss Harris continuingher discussion,
maintains that happiness is not a matter of circumstance or envir
onment, but of temperament, and instances poets who from a bed
of misery and lives of suffering and disappointment have lifted their
voices in mirthful song.
A correspondent who is impressed with the objectionableness of
the present system of nominating candidates for public ofilce gives,
in another place, his views as to how the system might bo improved.
There is certainly a great and growing necessity for a radical chango
here something that will reduce the three or four self-constituted
captains of the party and bosses of the city to the ranks, and give
the people a chance to say who shall be nominated and elected to
office. Tho Australian ballot system dealt a powerful blow to a
great and vicious industry. A corresponding reform in the manner
of nominating candidates would effectually cripple the industry and
possibly force a few of these practical politicans who subsist on the
proceeds of skullduggery to seek some honest occupation. The
Civic Federation, if there ever really was such an organization,
might well be revived for the purpose of assisting to bring about a
genuine reform of this sort.
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