The morning call., 1891-04-18
EDITORIAL NOTES.

get Committee of the French Chamber OF Depu-
lies recently caused Senator arthelemy Saint
Hiiaire to declare il was more and more evident
that France was on the hIghroad TO bankruptcy.
Ii was often said that France was one OF the
richest countries of Europe. This was quite
true; but each year she spent more than her in
come. The upshot of the whole thing must be
the Reputation OF her debt, as in tile first revo-
luton, and TO start atresh. He believes France
ought o initiate In modest way the American
example. But several obstacles were III the way.
In the FIRST place the waseiuness OF tie great
departments was some ling frghfui. While it
could not be said that there was any outright
stealing OF the public funds, the extravaganza
was tremendous, and no Government dare Incur
the anger OF the politicians In cleaning out the
AugeaD stable. Then the military system was
so expensive and Kept OH growing more SO
every day. France could ROT reduce her army
or there stands the Alsace-LOrraine difficulty
still undecided. France VIII never abandon
AlSace- Lorraine without struggle. which, when
IL comes, win he deadly one. France must win
or be eifaced from the map Of Europe like PO-
land. She will fight 10 The last man. for she will
see that her very existence as nation depends
gu victory. Aud if she comes of yicor in what
an exhausted state viii she probably be left.
Then Tue ordinary financial situation, rendered
still more oppressive by the increased expeu-
ditures of the supreme struggle, viii weigh down
upon The bleeding nation and bankruptcy will
lucH UC lHeflldptS. linus spoke tHe SCHdlOT duu
his declarations are backed by some startling
figures. lie total expenses OF the republic dur
ing tie last two decades have amounted to
S14307 900, 600. and II Ole ADDS the expenditures
outside OF the budgets, including the war fn-
demnity, the grand total reaches S15,744, 445,-
600 raised by loans ana taxes
The farmers OF the country can thank the anti
trust law passed by the last Congress for the
dlseouraging prospects Of the great combination
for the manufacture OF agricultural Implements,
which intended to issue stock TO the extent of
$50 ,o0o, 600 Some OF The shrewd business men
invited TO become identified With the enterprise
did not like the provisions OF the law which de-
eares "every contract. combination, IN the form
OF tIuSf or otherwise, or conspiracy iu restraint
OF trade or commerce between The several States
or with foreign nations" Illegal, and Furnishes
everybody who enters into any such contract
combination or conspiracy with fine not eX-
ceedIug $4,000 Or IMPRISONMENT not over one
year, or both, in the discretion of the court, and
imposes like penalty ON every person who shall
moHopolize, or attempt to monopoiize, or conf
bine or couspife with any other person or per-
sons to monopOliZe any part of the trade or com
meree among the several States or with foreign
nations, and, as ii that was not sufficient, pro-
vldes further that any person who suffers injury
in consequence of the formation OF any such
trust may recover Triple damages, costs and at
tofney's fees from The parties engaged in the
trust.
There are 1918 railway corporations In this
country, operating LOG. 400 miles OF road and
giving employment to a vast army of 6S9, 912
persons. Six hundred OF these corporations
practically control the freight and passenger
trade OF this country. ouses are furnished to
trackmeD, watchmen and section-hand by 149
of the 600 principal roads, 10 support benef-
ciary institutions for their employees 10 others
contribute n OUTSida beneficiary m stiff
contribute TO railroad branches of the Young
Mems Christian Association, 81 contribute to
the expenses OF hospitals. aud many others pro-
vide ealing-h houses and have established reading
and club rooms incidentally il may be NEIL
iloned that The life Insurance department of the
brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has dis
tributed $4,000 900 TO Tie widows and orphans
OF members OF the organization. The benefit
associations OF other branches of the railway
service are also doing very good work. The
urgent necessity OF adopting improved counters
and other safety appliances is demonstrated by
the fact that so many brakemen meet with
violent DEATH an estimate showing one out OF
every eighty eight Is Killed during the year.
Slgnor NIcotera, the Italian Minister of FL
nance, Is confronted with about as unpleasant a
task as any allotted to an Italian statesman. bar
ring RudinPs struggles with Blane's notes, and
that is how TO counterfeit the continuous and
alarming falling of in lie revenue during the
past nine months. In that time the customs re-
ceipts were 1900 900 francs less than during
the corresponding period of 1SS9-9O and there
notable shrlukage IN other sources of rev.
enue. Among the unpopular expedients under
consideration Is the authorization of a match
monopoly and the levying OF additional taxes.
American iron 1t appears is driving Scotch
iron out OF the Canadian markets. The London
Iron Trade Circular thus sums up the situation:
When Southern iron first began to find its way
over the border 1t attracted but little attention.
but though that event is only about year ago,
the largest importers OF Scotch iron are said now
to b. convinced that the American article has
proved victorious. week or two ago Mon
treal Importer offered old customer lot OF
welIknOwn brand Of Scotch pig; but 1t was de-
cIlned on the plea that equally good American
could be bought at shiliIngs per ton less.
The late p. T. Barnum was the greatest adyer.
tiser the world has yet produced. II IS estI-
mated that in the last twenty years lie spent up
ward of 100000 in newspaper advertise
ments. He understood the benefits to be de-
rived from such expenditures, and made them
pay to a remarkable extent
.-@--@-=.----s~
Young James Levin.