Smyrna times., 1891-04-29
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, April q. 1891

| 'AShAN0IONi april u, 1891.
Senator PETER is certainly as active
missionary as the Farmers Alliance
could possibly have sent to Washing
ton to spread the dOct rines of that or
ganization. He was the principal
speaker at public meeting held under
tne auspices of the knights of Labor,
night or two ago. He said "Under
the old dispensatiOn it was criminal to
teach slave to read. This appears
rather harsh, but according to the
standpoints of arbitrary and despotic
power, it was logical. 1t is not a very
difficult task to enslave an ignorant
people, and it is easy to keep an illite-
rate people in bondage, but an intelli-
gent and educated people or nation
Will never permit themselves to be de-
prlyed of the boon of liberty. Thus it
Is VnaC there is so much agitation, so
much discomfort in the industrial
world.
Men are being educated to know
what their rights are, and knowing
tnem they are going to have them. It
Is not SO many hundred years ago since
Che iaOorers on an estate descended
from father to son like other chattels.
but that time is gone forever. The
farmers, the mechanics, the wage wor-
kers of this country, planted civiliza-
ton on this soil, constructed railroads.
oullt sridges and created a mighty in.
dustnal empire in what was before a
wilderness. Have not they and their
children right to the product of their
tollY The people are becoming tired
OF sending petitions to Congress to
have them disregarded Hereafter.
living petitions, like myself will be
sent and they will get what they were
sent after. The great trouble with
many people is that they look up to |
and respect authority too much, and |
pay too much heed to worm eaten ira
dltions. Even men high in the govern |
mental authority, who should be the
exponents of great industrial princi-
pies, handle them as if thev were
afraid Of being scorched by the con-
tact. All of that will be changed in
the near future, as we'll as the practice
OF the United States treasury in fur
nishing the Wall Street sharks with
mopey, interest prepaid, for the ask
ing, while American citizens are
forced to pay the banks exhorbitant
interest for Government money"
The favorable conclusion of the ne
gotiations with Spain, providing for
trade reciprocity between Cuba and
the United States, is matter of con.
graduation, as Cuba is already a very
large purchaser from us and under the
treaty it is expected that her markets
will be practically mOnOpolized by this
country.
For the second time interest in the
italian rumpus has died completely
QUO. The opinion is general that it
will be hard matter for the Italians
to get around Mr.. Blaine's last des-
patch, which is regarded as that gen.
tleman's ablest state paper.
AccOrdingtO Representative Springer
Of Illinois, New York, under certain
has another candidate
Tor the Democratic presidential nomi-
nation besides Messrs. Cleveland and
Hill, in the person of Represent ative
Flower. Mr.. Springer says, but he
Doesn't tell how he found Out, that
Mr.. Flower is going to be nominated
or governor of New York this year,
ind that if he is elected by a large
majority nothing can prevent him from ,
eceiving the Democratic nomination
lext year. Mr.. Flower has lots of
money that he is always willing to $
pend to accomplish his own ends, but 7
N the tariff he stands too near where f
ne late Samuel ]. Randall did, to
ommand the support of his party in a
atiOnal convention.
Owing to the illness of Attorney. :
ieneral Miller, the Sayward (Behring !,
'ea) case, which was to haYe come up =
the Supreme Court, was postponed 6
or a week. ;