Omaha daily bee., 1893-12-31
THE CLOSING YEAR.

The year 1893 has been prolific in
lied world and in all departments of
human activity. To the American peo-
plei it has been a year of extraordinary
experience, and it is not easy to now
determine whether it has been more
notable for its triumphs or it's disasters.
Among the former all thought will at
once center upon the unparalleled
Columbian exposition, the splendid
success Of which, as an exhibit of the
worlds achievements commanded uni
vcrsal wonder and admlration. To have
outstripped all other nations in an
enterprise of this character was a vic
tory of which the nation is justly
proud. The right outcome of the
contest in behalf of u sound linan-
signal triumph of the common sense,
the conscience and the patriotism of the
country, the great Importance of which
is not yet fully realized. Under this
head should properly be placed the
escape of the nation from u false posi-
ton in regard to the Hawaiian question,
for the defeat of the scheme of anneXa-
tion was q victory for the established
policy and the wise and safe traditions
of the republic.
In financial and industrial misfortune
the year has been one of the most
disastrous in our history. Almost from
its beginning distrust and depression
have prevailed, reaching to every part
of the land and affecting every interest.
Capital and labor have suffered
to an extent almost beyond computation.
Frustrated industries and idle labor are
found everywhere, the army OF the I'M
employed being estimated to exceed
1000, 900. Hundreds of thousands of
our people who a year ago were fully
employed at good wages are destitute.
Communities almost everywhere are
perpleXed with the problem of how to
provide for their poor who can get
nothing from which to earn subsistence.
Charity and how it shall be most wisely
dispensed is the uppermost question
with the philanthropic and those who
interest themselves in the welfare of
their fellow beings. Never before, it is
safe to say, have so many American
citizens been forced to depend upon
public and private bounty, so that in
this respect the year 1898 will be es-
pecially memorable.
Looking abroad, it is seen that very
generally the people OF other lands
have had a seyerer experience thar our
selves. Great numbers of people are
idle in Great Britain, and widespread
restitution and suffering prevail there.
In France the situation is not so bad,
though there is a great deal of social
interest there and many French indus
tries find it harder and yet harder to
hold profitable foreign markets. Ger
many is struggling to overcome the i'll
effects of a shrinking foreign commerce
and German agriculture is greatly de-
pressed. Italy is nearly bankrupt and
on the verge of a financial crisis which
threatens disaster not only to the people
but to the government itself. Spain
has an empty treasury, and the condl-
ton of the people, long bad, does not
improve, atfording al invitation to an
archistic demonstrations. Popular dis
content pervades Austria-H Hungary, due
to the increasing poverty of the people.
Belgium is far from prosperous. Boz
hemia is torn by political strife, and
there is a conflict between Sweden and
Norway which threatens the dismem-
berment of the kingdom. Russia has
not yet recovered from the horrors OF
famine and pestilence. In all the lead
ing countries of Europe tho burden of
taxation to main great military and
naval establishments grows heavier and
harder to bear, provoking the people to
protest and compelling the govern
ments to adopt greater precau-
tions against the menace of anarch-
ism. In South America the con-