The Press. POLITICAL. THE REFORM CLUB DINNER. The annual dinner of the New York Reform Club last Saturday evening was a very notable affair. The Reform Club is the chief organization of the revenue tariff, anti-free silver, and civil service reform Democrats, and has always been known distinctively as the special factor of the so-called Independent Democracy. The Club has long been conspicuous also for its very sympathetic feeling for Mr. Cleveland. It left no one in doubt that economy, fidelity to | is merely an opportunity to serve the people tion. The President-elect spoke with the ut The speeches of Grover Cleveland and Carl New York Times (Ind.-Dem.), Dec. 12. Schurz at the Reform Club dinner on Saturday evening were of a character which every honest American can regard with the deepest satisfac-dismay that this sentiment embodies his belief. Preparations for the dinner were begun immediately after the Presidential election, with the purpose of making it a great and memorable the same spirit as the distinguished represen- and gone. Mr. Cleveland has made his speech. most simplicity and earnestness, in precisely political dinner so anxiously awaited has come Hartford Courant (Rep.), Dec. 12. The dinner was in the banquet hall of Madi.tative of Independents in politics. Both made | What has he said? He says that he has nothson Square Garden, and more than five hun- very plain that the power given by the elec-ing new or startling to say"; that his election occasion. remarkable. dred guests were present. All the newspapers describe the enthusiasm for Mr. Cleveland as Speeches were made by the President of the Club, E. Ellery Anderson, Mr. Cleveland, Carl Schurz, Roger Q. Mills, ex-Governor Campbell of Ohio, Congressman It is - The He Tom L. Johnson, ex-Governor Stone of Mis. Posed by popular confidence, and when a says they have a task before them the difficulty souri, Senator Carlisle, Congressman Breckinridge of Kentucky, and General Patrick A. Collins. Senator Hill was not present, and it is said that no invitations were sent to him or any of his particular friends. Mr. Cleveland, in his speech, said: The sentiment suggested by this occasion, which should dwarf all others, has relation to the responsibility which awaits those who now rejoice in victory. If we redeem the promises we have made to the voters of our land, the difficulty of our task can hardly be exaggerated. Conditions involving most important interests must be reviewed and modified, and perplexing problems menacing our safety must be settled. Above all, and as the ultimate object of all we do, the rights and the welfare of our people in every condition of life must be placed upon a moral, equal plane of opportunity and advantage. I am confident the wis work in the least spirit of resentment nor in heedless American interests. ་ He tions of November carries with it a correspond-is" one of the grandest and most complete to the many able and upright men with whom Philadelphia Times (Dem.), Dec. 12.-The personality of the Democratic candidate nomi- 46 Cleveland's address contained, as he himself dom of the Democratic party will be equal to the absolute assurance of no violent shock in any, the speech which our Democratic friends have emergency, and I base my confidence upon the belief of the legitimate channels of industry and that it will be patriotically true to its principles and trade under his Administration, and they will been waiting for auribus erectis, and which traditions, and will follow the path marked out by true American sentiment. We should not enter upon our note with peculiar pleasure that the coming was to illumine the whole political situation. President plainly accepts country as paramount It will be interesting to see what they make disregard of the welfare of any portion of our citizens. The mission of our party, and the reforms we contemto party. It was the admitted patriotism, of it. animosities nor a destructive discrimination between that won the victory of 1892. It was not plate, do not involve the encouragement of jealous integrity, and courage of Grover Cleveland either the Democratic party or the Chicago Much comment has been excited by the fail-platform that triumphed. It was the singular ure to include Speaker Crisp among the orators. The Speaker, supposing that he would be called on, had prepared a speech and furnished copies of it to the news associations. His friends declare that he was treated with deliberate discourtesy on account of his supposed identification with the less "progressive' elements of the party; and it is asserted that this discourtesy was made the more objectionable by the prominence given to Mr. Mills, his rival in the Speakership contest of last year, and by the significant words which Congressman Johnson used in his speech. "The will of the people will be thwarted, and the next Congress paralyzed," said Mr. Johnson, "if we again put half-hearted men in the lead. In organizing the new House let us remember that party honesty is party duty, and party courage is party expediency, and put in the lead men who will not palter with Protection. We need not fear the Free Trader or the single taxer. The its councils is the sugar-coated Protectionist. man whom the Democratic party has to fear in The quicker he goes elsewhere the better. We need his room. The masses trust honesty and love courage. They despise a trimmer and hate a coward." MR. CLEVELAND'S SPEECH. Brooklyn Eagle (Dem.), Dec. 12.—The address by Mr. Cleveland at the Reform Club dinner on Saturday night was such as a Democratic President-elect ought to have made. It was general, not minute; suggestive; not spe. cific. Although it had these characteristics, it was not evasive or double-tongued in any sense. But he left Springfield Republican (Ind.-Dem.), Dec. 12. Boston Globe (Dem.), Dec. 12.-The chosen Boston Herald (Ind.-Dem.), Dec. 12.-From first of the interesting things said Mr. ClevePittsburgh Times (Rep.), Dec. 12.-One of the land as he arose, and presumably with a bow to Mr. Anderson and a quick glance at the representatives of Tammany, was that if there are any who "regard their Government as a depository of individual benefits, to be importuned and threatened and despoiled," let them know from what is "before their eyes that there is still abroad in the land a controlling be- the idea that the Government is everybody has presumably given up looking Providence Journal (Ind.), Dec. 12. As New York Evening Post (Ind.-Dem.), Dec. 12. That was a very good speech that Speaker Crisp intended to make at the Reform Club dinner on Saturday evening, and would have made if he had been called upon. Mr. Crisp says the time has now come for a complete revision, and not a piecemeal one. This is important news to the party, whether Mr. Crisp is reëlected to the Speakership or not. He has put himself in line with the party on its chief issue. There is an We are to Mr. Cleveland's public utterances in these | urday night shall have no more serious result | this opposition? It is not based on the idea days for any definite statements of his opinions than the unpleasant impression which it proon the leading questions of the moment, and duced. more especially his views of what, specifically, the Democratic party ought to do now in the matter of tariff changes, there will probably be no disappointment with his speech at the New York Reform Club's banquet Saturday night. But some persons will be disposed to ask why it is that he is still so very chary of definite statement and why he, whose political courage has been so much vaunted, should hesitate even to hint at the particular duties which he arrangement of customs would have his party in Congress make. His generalities regarding political duty and party obligation are unexceptionable, but the country would like to have something The election is long past, its meaning is well understood, the commission given by the people to the Democratic party is plain. But Mr. Cleveland still omits to say whether, so far as his influence goes, his party will discharge its duty in its entirety or try to shirk rosponsibility by timidly conpromising with Protection. Congressman Johnson's speech was much more pointed and to the purpose; it showed that there is at least one wing of the Democracy which is aware of what the country wants in the shape of tariff reform, and ready to meet the demand. Is this wing to rule the party or are we to have more of that shillyshallying on the tariff question, ill-concealed by pleasant phrases and proper forms of words, with which Mr. Cleveland has of late allowed himself to become identified? more. THE CRISP INCIDENT. Dispatch from Washington, New York Tribune, Dec. 13.-A remarkable scene was witnessed in the House of Representatives to-day. In fact, it was without a precedent in the history of that body, and it was as unpremeditated as it was unprecedented. When Speaker Crisp appeared in his place at noon and raised his gavel to command order, his hand was stayed by an outburst of applause from both sides of the chamber which quickly spread to the galleries, and would not stop until it had spent its force. For the first time since this House was organized it was unanimous. If any Democratic sulkers and skulkers that Speaker Crisp is not a tariff reformer, for he goes as far in that direction as Mr. Cleveland. He is quite as keen for tariff reform as any genuine Democrat, and is anxious to take prompt advantage of the popular endorsement of the Democratic programme. What, then, is the trouble? It is simply this: That Speaker Crisp is in favor of the free coinage of silver and the Reform Club is in favor of the policy of money monopoly, having been organized, in fact, to further that policy. That is the secret of the studied insult offered to the Speaker of the House of Representaattempt making, ap- tives. Well, we are glad it has come in that parently, to show that a slight was put on shape. If the gold idolaters and the money Mr. Crisp by the Reform Club in not calling power propose to control, that fact cannot be on him for a speech on Saturday evening. made apparent a moment too soon. of course no such slight was intended. The glad that the issue is to be squarely made. It only question is whether the omission to call deserves to be fought out on its merits. We upon Mr. Crisp was a piece of awkward- thank Anderson for his methods of beginning ness-what the French call a gaucherie. the new campaign, and are glad to note that We cannot SO consider it. It is usual Mr. Cleveland is disgusted with the treatment on occasions of this importance to give notice of Speaker Crisp. With Cleveland, Stevenson, in advance to those who are expected to speak and Crisp in charge, we are perfectly content and to put their names on the printed pro- to rest the case of the people against the monopgramme. If any not on the programme are olists. invited, they will naturally be those who have been conspicuously identified with the cause that is under celebration. Nevertheless, we are sure that if the gentlemen who had charge of the dinner had known that Mr. Crisp expected to be called upon, they would have called upon him gladly, and we presume that they share with us the regret that things turned out as they did. New York Times (Ind.-Dem.), Dec. 13.We have the deepest sympathy for the wounds inflicted on our sensitive Republican friends by the "slight" offered to Speaker Crisp in neglecting to call upon him for a speech that he had not been asked to make. We should have sympathy for Mr. Crisp also did we not cherish the hope that he is a man of too much sense to take offense where none was intended or given. But the Republicans deserve the most, because they have not only been grieved by the fancied wrong of Mr. Crisp, but they are doomed to still more bitter grief by the failure of their little scheme to get up a quarrel in the Democratic ranks. New York Sun (Dem.), Dec. 13.-After the New York Morning Advertiser (Rep.), Dec. 13.-Mr. Cleveland's attention is respectfully invited to the fact that when Speaker Crisp entered the hall of the House yesterday the members assembled, Democrats and Republicans alike, received him with enthusiastic cheering, the waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and other warm-hearted demonstrations intended to convey to him the depth of loyal devotion to his personal fortunes which had been aroused by the account of the coarse and brutal insult offered him at the Reform Club dinner last Saturday evening. The Mugwump friends of the President-elect, united with the Calhounists, assume to have control over him, and to be, therefore, in position to dictate to the party. There will be, if our judgment is not at fault, a brisk, bitter, and successful revolt with Judge Crisp as its central leader. Boston Transcript (Rep.), Dec. 12.- - This Reform Club banquet emphasized the acerbity which really exists between different factions of the Democratic party. Speaker Crisp was bidden to the feast, and he believed that he was expected to speak. Fully impressed with remarks, and handed them to the Associated Press, but he was not called upon to deliver them by Mr. E. Ellery Anderson, a prominent anti-Hill Democrat, and Crisp's friends all con were in the hall, they succeeded in obliterating Opponents of Speaker Crisp have spent their the gravity of the occasion, he prepared his themselves for the time being. As for the Republicans, they were not silent. The dullest Democrats present of the Cleveland, antiCrisp variety could not fail to understand what the demonstration signified. They knew that relations of Mr. Cleveland to the tariff-smash- sider that he was snubbed outright, particularly it meant, first, the hearty resentment which men of all parties in the House felt on account of the indignity offered to their presiding officer by the managers of the Democratic Reform Club in New York on Saturday night, and, second, a defiant challenge from the party friends and supporters of Speaker Crisp, who more numerous in Washington to-day than they were three days ago. were New York World (Dem.), Dec. 12.-There was only one Democrat present of greater prominence than Speaker Crisp, and that was the President-elect. The Speaker is the third officer of the Government. He is the official leader of his party in the popular branch of Congress. The Club had an undoubted right to choose its guests, but having invited Mr. Crisp, it was a marked discourtesy to omit his name from the list of speakers. It was something worse than a discourtesy to add to the slight an invitation to other speakers who antagonized and even insulted him when he had no chance to reply. As far as Speaker Crisp's views upon the tariff were involved in this matter, it deserves to be said that those views, both as expressed in the remarks which he had prepared and in the bills passed at the last session of Congress, are more nearly in accord with the sentiments of Mr. Cleveland's speech and letter of acceptance than were some of the opinions declared at the dinner-notably those of Congressman Johnson. It will be fortunate for the Democratic party if the episode of Sat superfluous enthusiasm for criticism, a few Atlanta Constitution (Dem.), Dec. 13.-The as Senator Roger Q. Mills-Mr. Crisp's rival for Troy Times (Rep.), Dec. 12.-When the Speaker of the House of Representatives is present at such an affair it is customary to call him out, and Mr. Crisp was so sure of a speech that he gave out his proposed remarks before sitting down to the spread. He remained to the end of the festivities, but no call came from the Chairman. E. Ellery Anderson, who presided, is quoted as saying that the Club is accustomed to seek speeches only from those who are known to be in sympathy with its policies. 'Speaker Crisp," he says, 44 was in opposition to us on silver legislation, and he has never been as pronounced on the tariff as the Club or Mr. Cleveland or Mr. Mills or Mr. | Breckinridge." It is also hinted that his name would not have appeared on the list of guests it Mr. Cleveland had not objected to such a discourtesy. The Mugwump appears to feel that he is in the saddle and therefore is entitled to run things as he pleases. one the State divided its Electoral vote by the choos- | communities of foreigners who resist AMERICAN DELEGATES BRUSSELS. companies would have their mercenary reason for opposing it; corporations looking for the cheapest unskilled labor would be dead against it; priests more interested in foreignizing and would be busy in antagonism; politicians who Romanizing than in Christianizing the country can do more with naturalized or unnaturalized foreign voters just over than with the legiti mate labor forces would fight the exclusion of their raw material, but the people at large would welcome rigorous restrictive measures, as they have approved the restrictions already adopted. The advantages of immigration are now almost wholly on the side of the foreignis entitled to demand the cream of the Euroers. The country does not need them, and it THE ELECTORAL VOTE. Springfield Republican (Ind.-Dem.), Dec. 10. -It is extremely fortunate that the Presiden- THE tial election was not close. Had it been, we should not have known until now how the country had gone, and we should ere this time Ottomar Haupt in the Kölnische Zeitung have been subjected to a repetition of the (Cologne Gazette), Nov. 25.-The most disconrscenes of 1876, and no doubt to violent partisan aging fact on the eve of the Monetary Conoutbreaks here and there. As it was, however, ference is that it is impossible, even privately, the country has scarcely known or cared that to extract anything from the Americans as to the vote of California has all along been in their intentions. They wrap themselves in doubt until the latter part of this week; that it impenetrable silence. To-day there is not a has only just been learned that the Kansas single member of the Conference-not even Electoral vote was divided-one for Harrison, Finance Minister Beernaert, who interests and nine for Weaver; that the vote in North himself in the most active manner concerning Dakota was so close that it now appears that everything related to the Conference-that has two Republican Electors were chosen by ma- the faintest idea what these individuals jorities of about eight votes, and will propose to-morrow. This is the more Weaver Elector by a majority of fourteen; noteworthy when it is remembered that that the result in Oregon is even now in the Americans certainly have had sufficient doubt with one Weaver Elector chosen on time to prepare themselves and decide upon a the face of the returns ; and that the programme. They were together for eight days exact outcome in Ohio was made clear on the voyage, and most of them spent five only a few days ago when it appeared that one days in London. Surely time and opportunity pean populations if any more immigrants are Cleveland Elector had been chosen there, so for conference were not lacking. Moreover, to be admitted. close was the contest. It is now possible for they have descended upon Brussels with a large the first time since the election, however, to retinue of servants and secretaries-eighten make nearly accurate statements of how the men strong. They have made the Hotel Belle- is so pressing as the erection of proper safeCleveland Leader, Dec. 9.-No other subject Electoral College stands. The later develop- vue practically their own, and have domestiments do not serve to modify the overwhelm-cated themselves there. Apparently they are guards against the pestilence. The continuing character of Cleveland's victory. Giving disposed to prolong the Congress indefinitely, Petersburg, Moscow, Warsaw, and other popance of the cholera during the winter at St. to him eight votes from California and one and the circumstance that their Government ulous centres of Eastern Europe makes it very from Ohio, and disposing of the other votes has appropriated not less than $100,000 for probable that it will reach many western ports that have been in doubt as above indicated, the their use may be regarded as an explanation of the continent before midsummer, and unless Electoral College will be divided as follows: of this disposition. It goes without saying the strictest quarantine is enforced the dread Whole number of voles.. that such a prolongation would naturally be visitor may be in New York by the middle of Cleveland. distasteful to the other members. If I may July or before. These are not sensational hybase a prediction upon much conversation Harrison................... 444 ... 277 21 The na Cleveland's plurality over Harrison....... 131 with the Americans and the most prominent potheses, but plain forecasts of what is feared Cleveland's majority over all.... ..... IIO representatives of other countries, as to the by every well-informed physician in the counThis is the largest plurality given to any ultimate policy of the United States in the try. Of themselves they justify the complete Presidential candidate in the Electoral College Congress, I will say that, well-nigh incredible suspension of immigration for six months at since 1872; and barring this and the two Pres- as it may seem, this policy is likely to be noth- in the bill in 1oduced in the Senate Monday by least, if not fr: an entire year, as is proposed idential elections held in which all of the States ing less than a demand for the acceptance of Mr. Chandler, Congress cannot afford to negdid not participate, it is the most sweeping vic- simple and naked bimetallism by all the lead-lect this subject or delay action. tory that has been effected in a Presidential ing nations. Naturally, neither the French contest since the election of Pierce over Scott coinage ratio of 1 to 15% nor the American in 1852, when the Whig party went to pieces. ratio of 1 to 16 is advocated, but a new ratio It is also notable as being the first Presidential that will correspond as near as possible to the election in thirty-two years when a third party present value of silver. I will not speak too has succeeded in getting into the Electoral Col-positively upon this point; but one of the lege. And there has been no time in twice that number of years when so many States have divided their Electoral vote. The evidence that we are now in a transition state as regards the organization of political parties is thus of a striking character. American gentlemen bluntly expressed to me SOCIAL TOPICS. Its attention was All immigration, except from North and South from March 1, 1893; the law to be so framed as not to American countries, shall be suspended for one year hinder the free return of American citizens or the easy admission of visitors. Chicago Herald (Dem.), Dec. 9.—If the theft of a Presidential Elector in Kansas by the Republican canvassing board is permitted to stand the vote of six States in the Electoral College IMMIGRATION. will be divided when the Electors assemble in Northern Christian Advocate (Syracuse), Dec. January. California will give Cleveland eight 7.-The United States Senate's Committee on votes and Harrison one; Oregon, Harrison Immigration had some important deliberations three and Weaver one; North Dakota, Weaver at New York last week. two and Harrison one; Kansas, Weaver nine, finally concentrated upon the following propHarrison one; Michigan, Harrison eight, Cleve-osition offered by Senator Chandler: land six; Ohio, Harrison twenty-two, Cleveland one. In Michigan a division of the vote was expected, as the Electors were chosen by districts. In North Dakota the successful Republican Elector has a plurality of only eight votes. In Kansas all the Populist Electors were chosen by an average majority of 8,000, but the name of one of them was not correctly printed on the ballots in two counties, and the Republican canvassing board rejected these ballots as defective, thus counting in his Republican opponent. The Supreme Court has been asked to prevent the stealing of this vote, and the certificate may yet be given to the Populist candidate. In only one other Presidential election since the war has a tional health must not be trifled with. New York Journal of Commerce, Dec. 13 The particular ground upon which this action The trades unions are opposed to any addition is recommended is the probability that cholera to our wage-earners. They will not permit will take a new start in Europe in the spring, any to learn their handicrafts if they can preand the steerage passengers would bring it to vent it. The number of apprentices is everythis country. While such a real and concrete where restricted, and the children of capitalistsperil might be needed to justify entire exclu- who desire to acquire a trade for the purpose sion, there are other reasons equally strong, if of being more independent of those whom they not equally obtrusive, for some thorough- employ have been obliged to go out of the going measure for greatly restricting im- country for the purpose! The most bitter opmigration. When the class of immigrants ponents of further recruits from abroad is constantly becoming more lowlived and are those who have been here the shortest vicious; when there are already here large time. Having safely landed and found a. place to work, they would limit all com- COW. JAY GOULD. REFLECTIONS OF LABOR ORGANS. The THE PITTSBURGH FALLEN WOMEN. Journal of the Knights of Labor. Dec. 8. Though more unscrupulous than others, he was only, after all, a gambler like the rest of them, Pittsburgh Christian Advocate, Dec. 8.-The engaged as they are in possessing himself by conduct of these women in flocking to the business trickery of other people's earnings. Mayor and crowding to the homes of the His may have been a somewhat deeper and ministers of the city was an unmitigated insult darker shade of business villainy, but theirs is and outrage; and the men who instigated business villainy too. Of Gould it can be said, these proceedings are the more guilty parties. as it cannot be said of some of his fellow- Why should these respectable people be thus plunderers, that he never played the hypocrite: insulted? They were in no way responsible never offered back to his victims a percentage for the founding and protection of these dens of of his stealings and demanded a place in the infamy. They had not brought these women roll of philanthropists for doing so. If he stole to their ruined condition. They had simply the products of other men's labor, he never asked to have the awful curse stopped, so far as posed as an endower of colleges, a builder the police power could stop it, and thus shut up of churches, or a donator of libraries, and the dens which were ruining both girls and boys. it may be remembered to his credit that They merely asked the city authorities to get he has not arranged to have the world away from the side of these evils and put references to his nauseated by fulsome themselves against them. That was all. And memory from pulpit, from platform, and for this they must be grossly and publicly infrom press-a thing which, as a rich man, was sulted! Let it be observed that these women easily within his power, for, though it may still have not appeared in any place, either before be difficult for rich men to enter the kingdom the Mayor or at the homes of the ministers, in of heaven, they find little difficulty in getting the attitude of penitents asking help to a bettheir names enrolled among the saints here. ter life. Oh, no! That they can find at once, The world is worse rather than better for Gould if they want it. Institutions, both Catholic having lived, but he was, after all, a perfectly and Protestant, are open to them, if they will natural product of the competitive system. reform. But what they asked was money. What he was thousands have tried to be, are They wanted to know what they were to do. trying to be, and will continue to try to be. There has been a vast amount of the most The men under the harrow curse the Goulds, miserable nonsense uttered on this subject but they continue to support the system that since the matter has been before the public. puts the Goulds to riding upon the harrow When ministers of the gospel and other lawwhile they are tortured by its teeth. All that abiding citizens have asked the enforcement of Gould was he became through the operation of the law against these places the authorities have laws. His enormous wealth was won by the said: "Well, what will be done with these wois folly for those who support that law to blame people open your homes, and take them in?" working of a system sanctioned by law, and it men? They must live. Will you Christian him for taking advantage of it; still greater What stuff! Many of these women are rich, folly to expect that other Goulds will not con- have grown rich by their nefarious practices. tinue to take advantage of it. In many instances they have made their money of their debauched sisters. Let them use some of their money to help such as may be poor. They have no claim on Christian people to help them in iniquity. If they are willing to leave it, they will find all the help they need. And we protest in the name of justice and decency against the effort to put Christians in this false attitude before the public. When, some years ago, a raid was made on the gambling dens of this city, why was not this plea made then? Why was it not said that these men must live, and asked if Christian homes would be opened to receive them? The reason is manifest. There is room for a little maud Boston New Nation (Edward Bellamy's paper), Dec. 10.-Jay Gould is dead. He will be remembered in history chiefly as an extraordinary illustration of the facilities afforded by the present chaotic industrial system to the commercial soldier of fortune. The conquest New York People, Dec. 11.-His example of Mexico by Cortez and the conquest of Peru was quoted as an instance of how wealth and a by Pizarro have figured large on the page of commanding position are the rewards of the history; yet measured in actual cash secured skill put forth in their pursuit. The capacity these famous freebooters were in the baby for a Captaincy of Industry," it was claimed, class compared with Mr. Gould. Cortez and pointing at him as a striking instance, brings Pizarro started in to win backed by ships and the mortal thus gifted to eminence and power; steel-clad battalions. Gould started on noth- the "station in life" of such a leader is the ing. He first entered New York as a peddler, fruit of his own efforts; the place he fills in a peddler, as is related, of a patent mouse- society is, therefore, natural, proper, and necHe died, one of the half-dozen lords essary. trap. While Jay Gould lived, color was who have mastered the material resources of given to this dangerous misconception. His an empire, to which the wealth of the disappearance removes the cobwebs from Montezumas and the Incas would serve the popular eye. Even though the errobut as vest-pocket change. There are those who neous notion should continue of imputing commend these times because men are able thus, his leadership in industry to his capacity by no other capital than their shrewdness, therefor, instead of, as it should be, to his no other desert than their devotion to self, to previous appropriation, by hook and by become princes, kings, and emperors of men, crook, of the capital requisite to figure as such, like this Mr. Gould. And yet these same per- no such notion can henceforth be entertained sons who boast of the opportunity for clever with regard to his successors in leadership; men to master their fellows call themselves they simply inherit what he has left; their democrats and say they believe in a republic. station in the capitalist world will be self-eviSurely there is here great confusion of ideas. dently the attribute of the capital they comA system which makes possible such a career mand; even the least thoughtful will not now as Gould's is not a democratic system, but on incur the error of placing the cart before the the contrary, one which lends itself to irrespon- horse, and considering their capital the attrisible tyranny as no other ever did. Why is it bute of their capacity. In a country so young that this system, while professing to be demo- as this, figures of the stamp of Jay Gould could cratic, proves such a nest of Cæsars? It is not, at one time, be rare. The species to because it refuses to recognize, to regulate, which he belonged, and of which he was the and to repress the power of money, which, in most perfect type, is, however, rapidly disapmodern times, is the greatest of all powers pearing. With his own disappearance the and the basis of them all. The economic equal-field becomes wonderfully clear. The dan ity of all citizens is the necessary corner-stone gerous and perverse fallacy that industry of any social structure that shall be truly and ability are or can be rewarded under democratic. Mr. Gould has been much abused the capitalist system will henceforth exerby people who thought they thereby showed cise less and less power over the public themselves reformers. The New Nation has mind. With greater and greater clearness will never abused Mr. Gould or any other individual. He and his like are the results of a stupid and wicked economic system. We at tack the system and we strike at its root, which is economic inequality. Give men a chance the truth henceforth break its way through lin sentiment in the present case. Letter from Boston, New York Voice, Dec. 15.-Prohibition sentiment continues to increase in Massachusetts as the voters become more thoroughly acquainted with the $1,000 license humbug. In 1890 eight only of the thirty Massachusetts cities voted against license. In 1891 the voters placed twelve of these thirty cities in the Prohibition column, and, last Tuesday, of twenty-one cities which voted on the question of Prohibition or license almost two-thirds, or thirteen, of these cities voted to outlaw the saloons and refuse license for the municipal year of 1893. Of these twenty-one cities, last year, eleven voted for license and ten for Prohibition of the saloons. The cities changing from the license to the Prohibition column this year are: Chicopee, Pittsfield, Fall River, Taunton, Lawrence, Waltham, and Woburn-a magnificent victory. Fitchburg, Haverhill, Marlboro, and New Bedford, which last year voted for no-license, voted this year for license. New Bedford, however, partially THE LICENSE VOTE. 1891. redeems herself by electing for Mayor J. C. | crease should not be made in the rate | paid whiskey in the hands of wholesale dealers. Brock, an out-and-out party Prohibitionist, by on fermented liquors. And it is, more- Should the tax be increased 50 cents a gallon, a majority of 233 over Brownell, his whiskey over, from one point of view an injustice as proposed, the holders of this liquor would and saloon opponent. The city of Somerville to impose one rate of taxation on alcohol realize $7,500,000 at the expense of the constill leads with the biggest no-license majority in a certain form, and another rate on the sumers. Before the bill could be passed and cast in any city of the State this year-1,861. same article in another form. Proof spirit signed by the President still more whiskey Following is the vote in detail for 1891 and appearing as whiskey is now taxed at the rate would be taken out of bond. and the profits of 1892 of the 21 cities which have thus far voted of 90 cents a gallon. The same article appear- the Whiskey Ring would be proportionately on the liquor question: ing as ale or beer is taxed at the rate of from increased. As the report of Commissioner 20 to 40 cents a gallon, according as the per- Mason shows, upward of 127,000,000 gallons centage of alcohol varies in the fermented of whiskey are now lying in bonded wareliquor from 8 to 4 per cent. Any increase in houses, or considerably more than enough to the rate of taxation on whiskey without a cor- supply the country's entire demand for a whole malt liquors would year. This whiskey, under the proposed responding increase on divert consumption, in as far as legislation scheme of the Ring, would be subject to the 582 749 could do it, from alcohol in one form paying old tax of 90 cents; and the diminished product 3.428 4,337 a high tax to alcohol in another shape paying of new whiskey under the increased tax would 1,582 I,394 7,326 from 50 to 75 per cent. less tax. An increase linger in the bonded warehouses. In the 2,050 of the tax on fermented liquors to $1.25 a meantime the Whiskey Trust would gather in 2,499 barrel would give us an increase of revenue of enormous profits; and the public revenues 3,180 877 $7,500,000, and of course if it were raised to from spirits, instead of rising with the increase 1,022 $1.50 the increment would be $15,000,000. of tax, would heavily decline. 1,964 This would not be felt by the consumer and would probably be more easily and cheerfully 1,006 1,406 paid than even the increase on whiskey. 835 1,054 3,418 1892. No. Yes. No. Brockton 1,855 2,646 2,181 2,172 *Chicopee................................... 946 890 3.799 1,747 1,091 Gloucester............. 1,448 I,498 Malden.... +Marlboro............. 1,224 +New Bedford......... 2,329 Newton.. 1,256 Northampton.......... 1,072 *Pittsfield... ......................................... 1,726 Quincy ........................................ 1,760 1,100 Somerville............. 3,288 1,427 2,598 3,065 1,377 Totals.. an 973 1,433 1,272 775 46,785 39,409 34,841 *Changed to no-license." Western Broker (whiskey trade organ, Chi- Dispatch from Boston, Dec. 13.—Boston has reëlected her Democratic Mayor, Nathan Matthews, Jr., by a majority of more than 12,000, a slight reduction from last year's figures, and it seems from the early returns as if the Democrats had secured control of both branches of the city Government. But the vote on the license question astonished the citizens. The first returns indicated trouble, and word was quickly passed around the city that there was a majority for no-license. It caused conster nation that a city so large as Boston could be induced to vote against license. It was error, but the majority in favor of licensed saloons is only a little more than 1,000. The heaviest majorities against license were in the strongest of Democratic strongholds. This was because the "machine," as Boston's Democratic organizafion is known, quietly passed the word around after the November election that the liquor-dealers were to be frozen out at the municipal election in revenge for their supposed support of the Republican candidate for Governor. That support of Haile was given in order that Police Commissioner Osborne might be retained in office. Governor Russell's one issue in Boston was the removal of Mr. Osborne if he should be reëlected. It is not at all certain that the liquor-dealers supported Mr. Haile, but the Democratic leaders claimed that they did and signed their death warrant accordingly. But for the strong vote for license in Republican wards Boston would to-morrow be classed among the "dry" cities. The consump As a general revision of our customs laws is now probable, I do not feel like suggesting any special method for increasing the revenue, though I should THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE which could be collected without additional cost, otherwise think that an additional tax on whiskey, would furnish an easy method. New York World (Dem.), Dec. 13.-To tax whiskey and to untax the common necessaries of life is a policy rapidly growing in favor among Democrats in Congress. To add 60 cents a gallon to the whiskey tax-which is proposed by some persons-will increase the It will emrevenues by $60,000,000 a year. barrass no industry, lay no burden upon the people and harm nobody. It will not even diminish consumption, as experience has proved. The distillers themselves do not object. With the bonding system in force they are not called upon to pay the tax except as they make sales, and it takes nothing out of their pockThe machinery for collecting the tax is already in complete working order, so that the increase will add nothing to the cost of collection. The danger of illicit distiilation no longer exists in anything like the degree it did in the more chaotic time immediately after the war, and frauds of that kind can now be prevented as easily as any others. In brief, here is $60,000,000 of revenue to be had for the taking, and its taking will hurt no interest and offend no sentiment, while it will free the hands of Congress for the work of relieving the people's burdens. Boston Traveller, Dec. 12.-" In addition to the large sum of money now received for license fees which will be lost to the treasury, a still larger amount will be sent out of the city for liquor, which otherwise would be kept in circulation at home. Business will be depressed, rents lowered, taxes will be raised, and real estate depreciated, while many people will be driven out of the city." Thus the Philadelphia Record (Dem.), Dec. 13.-Has saloon advocates argue, and with a certain the Whiskey Trust invaded the sacred precincts class of minds financial and business interof the Treasury Department? In the volumi-ests are of the first importance. class of men it seems to be a matnous and vast report of Secretary Foster ap- ter pears the following brief but significant sugges- that the closing of the saloon would contribute of comparatively tion to the representatives of the people: largely to the general welfare of the community. If no-license is likely to injure their business in any real or imaginary degree, it must the " forthwith be condemned. In other words, almighty dollar" with them outweighs all considerations of a moral, social, or polBonfort's Wine and Spirit Circular (New What makes this suggestion all the more re-itical character. The business interests of York), Dec. 10.-Means must be provided to markable is the fact that in this same report the city they set over against the peace, hapmeet our maturing obligations, and it does not Secretary Foster figures up an enormous sur- piness, the moral welfare of the people. We appear that any more popular increase or any plus at the close of the fiscal year (June 30, confess it is enough to make one's blood run cold whose incidence would be less felt by taxpayers 1894) without any additional taxation. But to read some of these "business arguments," as generally could be devised than one on whis-under the general revision of the customs laws set forth in the liquor press, they are so heartless key. An increase of the rate on this article to and brutal. If it has come to this, that we must $1.25 per gallon would give us an additional have a liquor income to keep up the business of revenue of, say, $30,000,000, and if the rate Boston and run the city government, the were fixed at $1.50 the increase would amount sooner we go out of the business the better. to $50,000,000. It is not supposed that there If the closing up of the drinking saloons is to would be any more difficulty in collecting this kill Boston, as some say, why, then, it ought than there is with the present tax of ninety to die. But that a no-license vote in Boston cents. It seems probable, therefore, that a will injure the business interests of Boston or proposition will be made during the first ses diminish its population cannot be shown. The sion of the 53d Congress to make an increase experience of no-license cities and Prohibition in this direction. If the tax is to be increased States proves quite the contrary. The closing on distilled spirits there are no reasons save of the saloon has everywhere decreased the political ones why a proportionate inpoverty, suffering, and crime incident to the WHISKEY TAX. which he deems probable the public revenues 1 |