The Portland daily press., 1874-02-18
Current Notes.


Since the explicit declaration of the gran
gers that their order has no political charac-
ter, the Democrats have not been so anxious
to help the farmers remove their burdens.
This prompt and peremptory withdrawal Of
the offer of Democratic assistance will con-
vince the most skeptical that the tender of
aid was made in selfish spirit.-N. Y.
Times.
Livingstone is dead, Stanly lost, and the
Ashantee war ended, a happy combination of
circumstances that should naturally draw
from newspapers sigh of relief, but if said
sigh has been already drawn, we fear it is
just little premature. Post.
According to a Washington correspondent
General Buffers idea of reformed civil ser
vice is to divide the appointments in Wash
ington among the congressional districts, and
then, in addition, to give each member or
congress the right to nominate for all the fed
eral Offices within his own district. Before
congress agrees to the plan it will require
guaranty from Benjamin that he will be sat
isfied with one district.-HdrtfOrd COurGnt.
M. Waddell of South Carolina wishes the
nation to "arouse up the waters that well up
in every patriotic heart" making use of the
Centennial of Philadelphia as pump for the
purpose We are not sure but this would be
a good idea, as too much water in the beart
is bad thing, almost as bad as having it in
the head Boston Globe.
If the story is true, the Centennial is
doomed. 1t is rumored that second Gil
more will gather al the sin9in9 societies aud
concentrate them at Philadelphia in 1875,
with intent to unite them in one harmonious
howl. Is it for this that we have suffered one
hundred years of freedom ?-ChicagO Times.
The merchants of Boston and those who
have the best interests of the Republican par
ty at heart will be actuated by a very differ
eut feeling. Whatever may be the personal
merits of Mr.. Simmons, no man could have
been named for the place more likely to eX-
cite adverse criticism, and the administra-
tion can hardly afford to hazard again the ia
vor of its supporters in this quarter. In the
first place, it was hardly becoming to spring
upon us so suddenly an appointment so near
ly affecting the commercial interests O. this
city. The meithants OF Boston had right
to have their wishes consulted, but there was
no opportunity allowed for ascertaining, di-
rectly or Indirectly, the preferences of the
people.-Boston Globe.
If Mr.. Dawes is wrong in his arithmetic,
his errors ought to be made clear 1t is bet
ter sense and better craftsmanship to dis
prove his figures than to find fault with his
sentiment. For whether his figures be right
or wrong, whether the expenditures be few
millions greater or less, the principle of econ
omy is just as gooG, and the more thoroughly
it is converted from sentiment into hard fact
the better. Mr.. Dawes may be partially
wrong in substance, but he is right in spirit.
Albany journal.
The Democratic organs say the Republ-
cans of Congress, in affirming the right of
regulating Interstate railroad traffic, have as
serted new and dangerous doctrine simply
to please the grangers. At the same time
they say the Republicans have asserted the
same doctrine in former years and that it is
in harmony with the I'm form teaciin IS and
tendency of the party. Which statement is
C 1rrect?