Smyrna times., 1886-01-27
Washington Latter.
Smyrna Yij8es.

"7'al4A9 tVA A0tteE,
a good lnuny Of the delegates to
the Mlssississippi river improvement
convention, which met at the Fhbit
thursday afternoon were at the Can
ltol that day. They talked freely Of
ihelf hopes and projects and of the
large appropriations for the river inn
proVement which they expect to pet
from Congress Tho tenor of their
tax indicated that there IS not harmony
ot thought among them. The del
egates from the upper Niys;ssipni mn
the Missouri complain that the buIl, of
the appropriations has hitherto baan
gwen to the lower Mississippi, and saw
Ihey don intend to submit to il any
longer. some Of them declare that
they intend 20 demand equal shares
with the lower river, and that If this is
refused they will fight against any an
preparation. The river and barbor
COMMITTEES will probably meet Tonight
TO near the views of the DELEGATES to
this convention.
The action of Secretary Lamar in re-
opening the question of the validity of
the Bell telephone patents is in the di-
rection Of the public interests The
secretary does not pass on the merits
oi Jhe controversy, but simply recog-
hlZes that such o controversy exists in
good faith, and provides for its adiudi-
cation by the courts. The office Of the
secretary in the matter was analgous
that IS, to that of a grand Jury. He
decides that the evidence warrants a
tflaI. such contest will now be com
menced, and will be fought on the fol-
loving lines: 1t will be contended
that the invention was not patentable.
ana that the patents were granted
either through fraud or Ignorance
The foundation claim of the Bell com
pany IS assailed rs an attempt to seize
and appropriate one of the laws of ma
ture. 1t Is maintained that the most
the company has the right to hold is
the machinery of utilizing this natural
law, and that in this respect the com
pany's patents were anticinated nv
rival inventions. Unquestionablv. the
Bell company, with its vast wealth
VIII be able to make the best defense of
which its side of the case is capable
IL IS not hardship to the company.
therefore, to have its claims reviewed
and, if just, ratified by the courts
And If any legitimate doubt exists. it is
clearly in the public interest that a
searching and authoritative INQUIRY be |
made.
The members of the Dakota deIeoo.
Iioh, headed by Judges EdgertOn and |
Moody, called on the President yester
day afternoon by appointment, and
presented the claims of that Territory
for admission into the Union. with n
view OF securing his aid and co-opera-
ton IN attaining that end. The Presi-
dent assured them that he would give
the matter careful consideration and
would do what he thought right in the
premises.
lu one respect the Republican Sena-
Tors have reason on their side in ask
ing for information touching removal
from office. Every man has the riobt
TO know and to have it generally
known, that his removal was not dine
10 any discreditable causes. He is en-
ltled to his reputation. If his man
lgement in office has been, from "A bus
ness standpoint. satisfactory. those
who displace him, from outside CON
should state the facts in
lls removal frankly. Just here lies
me OF the drawbacks to Office hoIliuU
whether under the "spOis" of the
merit" system. In either case the
Incumbent is exposed to detraction
rom those who wish to raise them
elves at his expense. Where prefer
nent goes by favor simply these rival.
les take the form Of secret personal in
rIgucs. Where the officer is supposed
o hold his place on his merits the on
iOsltlon finds convenient weaDon in
hargcs affecting his capacity or char
.cter. An honest officer is entitled TO
protection in either case, aud the best
protection is generally to be found in
publicity. Charges should not be :
made IN the dark. Our fundamental 6
principles of law are based on the in
tnct of justice which requires the ac-
user to confront the accused i'm open
ourt. This feeling should not be dis /
eSarded IN political warfare. A dis 5
laced officer whose record is clear F
houh not be sent out of the public b
ervlce under Il cloud of suspicion. I
One who follows the silver cOntro- =
ersy now raging in Congress and the
ewspapers, will not get very flatter n
lg opinion of the American Deople
ccording to the monometalists. the F
3untry west Oft Alleghenies is pop "
lated with fools and knaves. who are
'ying to cheat their creditors out of .,
yenty per cent of their dues. Butac- "
'rding to the silver men, our business C,
,ntres at the East are nests of crime. N
mere the conscientious thieves plot
,ainst the rights of the poor. It is to
, hoped that foreigners will not take Fl
at our own valuation. l.. "
WGsbiu0Ion ID ~ I'm o. 1909 CO