Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-03-29
ZEN And THINGS At WASHINGTON.

nEN And THINGS At WASHIn0T ON.
During the past week the Senate has had under
consideration the antitrust bill reported by Senator
Sherman, and it was demonstrated beyond any reason
able doubt that the question is in great
within the jurisdiction of the States and is therefore
not suoec: for legislation by Congress- This admis
sion on the part OF the leading Democratic senators
pretty complete answer to the structures made by
Democratic orators and the Democratic press during
the past three years in regard to the responsibility of
the Republican party for the growth of these Large
corporations. 1t is also complete answer to the
assertion that the tariff is responsible Tor the
growth Of the trasts and combinations which have
sprung up during the period named. Ii the states
have the power to egisate forthe suppression trusts
would seem eminenty proper that the states under
Democratic control should have taken active steps for
their suppression instead OF charging their existence
upon the Republican party.
The Agricultural Department has recently published
an important document relative to the low prices OF
agricultural products throughout this and other
tries. 1t shows that the depression is greater in other
countries than it is in this The reason assigned by
the Department for the prevailing low prices is the
tact Of over production During the last years five
million foreign emigrants have landed in this county,
and have changed millions of acres of new land into
cultivated farms, whilst the extension of railroads into
uncutivated regions has opened up large section OF
new country and Increased production in much
greater ratio than the increase Of population during
the same period 1t appears that the crop in 1874
reached about forty one millions of acres whilst in 1876
an increase of IS per cent, whereas during the
period population increased only thirty six per cent
In suggesting remedy for the prevailing distress in
the agricultural sections of the country the Depart
ment suggests that farmers divert their attention from
the cultivation of heat and into other channels
such as sugar. tobacco and fruits 1t seems that agr
cultural products to the value of 240000000 of dol
lars are imported into this country from foreign lands,
and the Department reasonably suggests that this vast
sum could be saved to the American people by
diversified cultivation OF the soil on the part of our
own farmers. Another cause OF the depression assign
ed by the Department is the exorbitance of the middle
men and common carriers. 1t seems that the produc-
erS OF beef receive from twenty five to thirty per cent
less than formerly, whereas consumers pay the same
price, These facts should receive the earnest attention
OF the farming community, and there is some hope
that this result may lie obtained through the Farmers
Alliance which has recently sprung into existence over
the country The trouble about the matter is that the
farmer has been induced to vote upon strictly political
grounds, whereas the manufacturer and the merchant
pool their issues and vote protect their
ests. Once the farmer realizes that his bread and
butter are of more Importance to him than the election
OF his party candidate to Congress brighter day will
dawn for him.
The Committee on Elections in the House has de-
cded three of the contested seats favor of the Dem
ocrats among the number being that of Anderson, of
west Virginia. This leaves Mr.. McGinnis out in the
cold, and as personal matter it is of regret
among the Republicans, but the question should be
viewed in broad light, and if the action of the
mittee was based upon facts which presume it was
all tarminded men should cheerfuly aud cordially
sustain their action. The charge has been made in
every Democratic newspaper in the country that the
Republicans in the present Congress were determined
to nnseat all the Democrats whose contest
ed regardless OF the merits OF the case but this action
SHOWS thd this charge was grOnndleSS. The Republi
cans can in no manner do themselves greater credit,
or render their country greater service than by de.
Gliding these contested strictly in accordance with
the law and The facts 1t Democrat has been fairly
elected to Congress he should have his seat, and no
one should bc willing accord it to him than his
Republican opponent.
There is dissatisfaction in various quarters the
ton of the Committee on Ways and Means in recon-
mending certain changes in the tariff law 1t is not to
be expected that the Committee will please every in
tereSt and every ndvidu affected by the tariff, but
the pledges made by the party bind it to fair and
equitable revision of the tariff and If any particular
interests unfavorably affected they should give
way to the general good and accept what public sent
ment and the changed condition of business demands
American manufacturers and American labor should
be at all times protected from the pauper labor of E
rope, and at the same time the toiling masses in
America should be relieved far possible from the
burdens of taxation. These true Republican prin-
cples and is evident that the present Congress in
tends to adhere strictly to them.
Washington bids fair to become in time great edu
cationa as well political centre. The great Catho
lie University is only fairly begun and already the
MethOdists have taken steps for the establishment of
large University here. Every is glad to wei
come and encourage all shades of religious belief D
these audabe and praisewOrtby efforts, and it is to be
hoped that they may be followed by others of "A SINH
lar character. The national capital possesses many
attractions for TIE student, and he can here mbibe
lessons of patriotism well as those of religious be
lief.
If there still fingers any bitterness among the North
ern peope toward those who waged for the disso
luton of the Union it should be oblterated by the
generosity and magnanimty displayed by Southern
senators and members the question of pensions for
ex Union soldiers. They not only vote hundred
millions in one bill for the veterans who the blue
but they rise in their seats and approve the policy of
When it is remembered that the Confederate soldier
who lost all honor in that mighty struggle cheer
fully gives of his substance to reward those who pre-
vailed over him in battle, the act rises to height
which should elicit graceful acknowledgement from
every manly heart. G. w. u. BLACK.
THE DECAY OF REVENGE