The Portland daily press., 1874-04-01
Current Notes.

The New York Post says that the bill Ito
regulate commerce among the several States"
recently passed by the House, has negative
merits,' in that it does not contemplate for
the government to build, buy or run railroads
and canals but only exercise control over
them so far as the rights of shippers and trav-
eflers are concerned. II concludes that if the
bll;is really another step toward the paternal
system of government, it is much less danger
GUS than other schemes which have preceded
it.
The Hartford Courdnt calls upon the Pres
ident to remove Secretary Richardson as the
wisest political action he can take. 1t says
that Richardson is cypher and the country
has no confidence in him.
OF one thing we may be sure. There will
not be found as many OF Charles Summers
autog rapbs attached to uupaid proraissory
notes as was the case with Daniel Webster.
Mr.. Sumner in this matter did not follow in
the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor.
We saw on Saturday Webster autograph.
of only few lines. which cost lis possessor a
clean thousand dollars. 1t Was one of the
''godlIke's' old notes.-N. Y. Mail.
The New York Times continues its war up
on the Albany lobby and the members OF the
Tribune, on the other hand, applauds the
Vanderbilt schemes and finds no fault with
the lobby.
The New York Times gives an account of
the Universal Collection Agency in that city,
which is, we infer, an organization to enforce
the payment of fraudulent demands of a
small amount which the poor busy man rath-
er pay than contest.
The Boston Post says that "Old Baldy'' is
making more converts than Chaplain Sunder-
land. This isn't fair comparison. The vol
cano is preaching to simple untutored rustics
while the Chaplain has to tackle the hardest
kind of unregenerate Congressmen.-N. Y.
Commercial.
We have sometimes thought that Washing
ton must be good place to emigrate from,
since, according to hearsay the local govern
ment is all composed Of robbers, and accord
ing to the organs, all who oppose it are unfit
to live in Christian community.-N. Y.
Post.
The Boston Herald concludes that Dio
Lewis, from his Sunday explanation in Music
Hall, is in favor of prohibition but opposed
to its enforcement.
In reply to the question of the Springfield
Republican. How the man spells his name
who can beat Mr.. Dawes for the House in
1874? The Boston Advertiser replies
ST EARNS and he is Democrat. This an
swer is rather peculiar in view OF the fact that
Dawes majority in 1872 was 1894.
Cannot men remember that even the best
instrumentalities are matters of time and of
occasions-effective to-day and in one set of
circumstances, and out of place tomorrow
and under different influences? The old
Washingtonian movement was glo ious in its
day, SO glorious that many have constantly
hoped to see it revived, but in vain. Prohi-
bition in certain communities, at times, has
worked well; and several of the temperance
organizations, like the Templars have accom-
plished excellent work. Those who really
have at heart the reform of their fellow men,
degraded and almost brutaiized by drink, and
would bring back happiness to the blighted
homes on every side of us, should keep the
great object in view, and should seize upon
whatever suitable means the times may pre-
ent to their hands.-Boston Journal.