The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-19
COMMENTS.

New York Times: The proposal to
purchase the big Krupp gun which has
been on exhibition i'm Chicago is one Of
much interest. our own ordnance au-
thorities very naturally prefer to con-
struct a si%xtcen-inch, l2o-ton rifle. IL one
is to be mounted here: they think. too,
tina they could improve on the Krupp
gun, and this can readily be believed.
Yet. i'm the present condition OF the
Treasury, there is little probability Of
their being authorized TO do more than go
on with the t~welve-inch and other cali
brcs now being supplied. whereas the
purchase Of this Krupp might perhaps
be added as n single extra item. after a
provision had been made for keeping the
Watervliet fully at work next year. 1t
is TO be assumed. Of course, that this
powerful gun can be got.
Philadelphia Record: The effect Of the
"hard ines" has been made manifest,
both I'm the volume ard the character
Of the holiday sales. The testimony OF
store-keepers generally is hat the peo-
Pile are spending less money than they
did last year. and that they are disburs-
ing it I'm a different fashion-the call thus
far, having been for articles of utility
in preference 10 those Of luxury. But
the holiday trade started in earlier this
year thar usual and there is another
good week of it TO come-perhaps the
bcst week Of all. The aggregate of
business for the season Of Christmas
tide promises to afford to most dealers
ample cause for satisfaction.
Philadelphia Press: James J.. Cor
bett. the California pugilist, says
that while in training he eats just
.I,sst u+Eat no 10 accustomed 10 eat
when he is not in training. but he does It
carefully and Systematically. A great ma
iority of the people of this country are
opposed to pugilism. but as there IS, prob
ably, no one OF them who does not value
good health, they may be willing TO learn
a lesson even from a pugilist. There is a
great deal Of preaching about healthtul
and uLhealthfui foods, but aside from
those that are VIGOROUSLY harmful it IS
probable that more injury comes from the
manner in which food is eaten than from
the kind of food taken.
Augusta Chronicle: How a man
can be a heightened gentleman
as an individual, but a rascal
as politician. is a conundrum 10 a man
who has never tried being a politician.
Baltimore Herald: Some weeks ago
delegates went 10 Washington n
laid before the Ways and Means
Committee of the House Of Repre-
sentatives a memorial on the soft-coal
question. They made IL evident 20 per-
sops Of unprecedented mind that the pro-
posed abolition of the tariff on this COM
modify would result in crlppling, II not
destroying the bituminous coal trade or
Maryland and West Virginia.
-
New York Sun: Friendship between the
swiss republic and ours has never been
broken, but another tie seemed to be fur
nished during the past week i'm the cleo
tion OF Emil Frey as President Of Swift
zerland. A native OF that country, and
OF a family devoted to popular rights in
forum and In field, while making a tenn
pCrary stay in the United States. he en-
listed In 1861 I'm an Illinois regiment, and
was made a sergeant. He served through
out the war, West and East; rose to be
a captain, and being among those cap
tured at Gettysburg. passed \ long time
In Libby and Salisbury prisons. being at
one time held as hostage. under sentence
OF death. I'm prospective retaliation for n
Confederate officer also so sentenced, but
never executed. His brevet Of major. for
gallant and meritorious services, proved
a stepping stone 10 the grade OF colonel
hrigadier in the Swiss Federal army. and
honors and duties as editor. as Speaker
In the National Council, as Chief OF the
Military Department. as the first Swiss
Minister Plenipotentiary TO Washington.
and as Vice-President, followed. rwo
weeks from to-day Sergeant Frey. OF the
Twentey-fourth Illinois, will be President
Frey OF the Swiss Confederation.