The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-09-09
EDITORIAL COMMENTS.
PHILADELPHIA EVENING BULLETIN.


PHILADELPHIA EVENING BULLETIN.
1t is not to be wondered that the pow
ers should be indignant at the recent work
of the car in Bulgaria, and that some of
the cabinets should be contemplating the
formation of an alliance against the un-
scrupulous ambition of Russia. There is
not one of them to whom the attempt to
overthrow Prince Alexander could have
brought an advantage, and hardly one OF
them to whom it was not bold infringe
ment of treaty stipulations. Certainly II
there is desire on the part of any of
them to provoke hostilities, it will not be
difficult to find a pretext for gratifying 1t.
While none of the powers have, as yet,
openly exhibited any temper on the ques-
ton, doubtless because the exact facts in
the conspiracy at Sofa have not yet been
made clear enough for diplomatic contro-
versy, yet there are some observers OF
European affairs who confidently predict
that this Bulgarian episode will lead to a
general war, in which England, Austria,
and possibly Germany, will be in alliance.
In the meantime, Prince Alexander has
been received in his province with all the
honors that the Bulgarians can bestow
upon him, and he, too, will now, doubtless,
do all that he can to stir the enemies of
Russia into action.
X
1t can hardly be called an encouraging
sign when woman is elected to the posi-
ton of master workman, as has just been
the case with one of the assemblies OF the
Knights of Labor in Chicago. 1t is posi-
BILE that in this particular instance she may
have more brains than the men who will
follow her guidance, but the general influ-
ence of such an anomaly is not likely to be
beneficial. The women who are permitted
to figure in organizations of this kind are
for the most part the most violent OF aglta-
tors. They are rarely satisfied unless they
go to extremes, and they are apt to goad
on the men rdther than to restrain them
Any one who has ever seen the workings
) of strikes in large mills or factories where
r the employees are of both sexes, knows
that the girls are the noisest and most
, audacious in their demands and move
ments. In the excuses of the French
{ commune the women distinguished them
. selves by the frantic fierceness with which
they Joined in every work of destruction
The only effect of pushing women to the
front in the order of the Knights of La
Dor will be to demoralize the organization
and give it a tendency to drift TOWARD
excuses.
MISSOURI REPUBLICAN,.
Mr.. Blaine has thus far made hi'
cham pion, Frye, no public declaration O.
thanks for the statement that there Ii
only small smirch on Blaine's coat-tails.
hut h.
will never equal Burchard in compelling
attention until he masters the art of al
liberation.
4 X
The Sedgwlck affair has now resolve
itself into banquet with great deal o
gayety in which Mr.. Sedgwick partici
pated" as Senior Mexia puts it. Seno
Mexia is undoubtedly a gentleman of dis
i elimination, capable of distinguishing tn
}, amount of gayety that may properly b
participated in by an envoy who sis COZ
sidered a thorough and accomplished ger
tleman in Mexican society" We are gla
9 to be convinced on such excellent author
u ity as that of Senior Mexia that Mr.. Sedl
J wick was not drunk, but only diplomati
10 II appears that the whole opposition
t., the employment of convict labor in trac
y contracts does not come from workingmel
The manufacturers themselves are quit
s. as united and earnest against the polio
d as the mechanics. meeting of mani
# facturers, called to consider the subjec
= was held at Chicago last week, six state
J. being represented in the gathering.
s was stated that the rate of wages pal
n for convict labor under prison contract
y varies from Is to 60 cents day, and, @
II course, manufacturer fortunate enoug
l. to secure the labor of several hundre
, convicts at these low prices, possesses
d great advantage over competitors VIII
e employ honest mechanics at three to fv
Is times higher wages. The favorite pla
for the solution of the problem was tn
!, employment of convicts in road-buildin
|. and other public work, in which their Ii
Il Dor would not be brought in competitio
s. with that of honest workingmen.
20 Behring'S sea, in which the recent sci
a ures of British vessels were made by tt
le United States revenue cutter Corwin, Il
|, alleged encroachment upon our seal-bea
4 ing domain, is long distance from Wasl
lie ington and London, but it is certain I'll
le British government will make 'dete
mined protest against the seizures, and
Of is very probable that we shall have to di
lie avow them. They were made under trea
lg ury regulations issued long ago under
e. republican administration, claiming so
ne ereignty over large part of Behring
m sea-a wide body of water, as large as ii
gulf of st. Lawrence. This claim, thoue
es derived from the Russian governmer
is, cannot be maintained. 1t would weakt
IT, our cause in the fisheries dispute with Il
IS Canadians, for with what consistency ca
p we claim for our fishermen the right
as take fish three miles from shore i'll SIN;
bays and inlets, when we are seiziI
mt British vessels for taking seal in Behrine
sea 100 miles from shore? The col
IN mander of the Corwin did his duty
an obeying the treasury instructions issu
several years ago; nevertheless it seer
de pretty clear that the instructions claim
he more than we are entitled to, and {
IS, seized vessels will, therefore, have to
We returned to their owners.
rs,
, Il PHILADELPHIA RECORD.