davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The advocate., 1894-08-29
THE MORAL OF 1T.
A Fellow Democrat and Anti -Paternalist
Writes David Overmyer.

ence in point of dignity between the
person nominated by a party for gov
ernOr and which would elevate him to
that position if it had the votes, and
the person actually so elevated by the
party in the majority Without per-
sonal acquaintance with you, but from
long and thorough sympathy with
your fundamental principle of anti
paternalism in government, take this
method of informing you of my deep
disappointment in respect to the pros
poets and prevalence of such principle
with our electors and in the admins
tration of our several governments,
and to suggest the conclusion that
have come to in the premises. And
should be glad to learn how my senti-
ments correspond with yours as to the
proper course to be pursued under the
discouraging aspects Of the case. For
while ! have hitherto entertained a
high respect for your abilities and
general sentiments, | must say that
the latter suffered serious discount
the other day when you denounced the
thousands Of hungry common people,
tramping in lieu of work not to be had,
as Vagabonds, if not worse, etc., and |
needn't say that it didn't sound very
democratic to one Of the old school
originally dyed in the wool. And
those so derided by you were hereto
fore unquestiOnably large majority
democrats; as that party has ever
bOasted that it was made up from the
common people and belonged to them.
Your opponents, the republicans, will
tell you that they were all democrats,
as they are constantly throwing it in
your teeth that "of such is your
party" AT any rate, whoever they
were, they were brought to theirpresent
condition by no fault Of their own, but
by the legislation of the country, as
admitted by Senator Cameron of
Pennsylvania in his recent important
letter, in which he says, owe (republi-
cans) made the one fatal mistake
mind, fatal mistake. And Hackney,
In his letter to Blue, admits the same.
And Colonel Van Horne, of the Kansas
City Journal, ditto every day. And
Sherman, Cleveland Il Co., as you will
remember, held that the Sherman law
had produced all our woes, and that its
repeal would relieve us, etc., but not
yet. So this fatal mistake in legisla-
tiOn is why 3 millions of men are
tramps on our highways and in the
land. And now you step forth to
slander, and abuse, and curse the poor
victims of that fatal mistake as ad- |
mitted by men who know what they
are talking about and who scknowl-
edge themselves to have been unWit-
tingly parties to it. 1t is sad to con-
template. If it had been an old
federal, whig, or even republican talk.
ing in such strains, there would have
been no surprise. But you, a demo
crat, speaking of your fellow demo
crats-the rank and file of the partyl
1t is inexplicsble and l fear will stick
to you in the hereafter, like the
poisoned shirt of Nessus. True, the
best of men occasionally commit a
blunder. But democracy, like re.
ligion, shouldn't be only skin deep
with a person. 1t should pervade the
The advocate., 1894-08-29

= ~ ReAAAAOV4NO
can change the operation of law, and
no effect ever ceases until its cause is
removed; nothing but the destruction
OF the system can prevent the continu-
alton OF present conditions, conditions
which are disorganizing society and
dehumanizing man, conditions which
have raised the idler to princely opu-
lence and plunged the worker into the
most abject squslOr and wretchedness,
conditions which have already cor
rupted legislation, perverted Justice,
and If longer continued must end in
the overthrow of government, the de-
struction Of civil liberty, and the erec-
tlon upon the ruins of government and
people of the most tyrannical because
the most irresponsible oligarchy chron-
icled in the annals of conflict.
The decline of wages, the cheapening
of men, is the dry rot of civilization,
the unfailing precursor of national de-
cay and death. We have entered upon
that era, no prophet can foretell the
result. The possibilities are suggested,
however, by Edward Atkinson in his
articles showing how cheaply the la
borer might subsist on diet of bean
soup. That it should be necessary to
devise means to enable the laborer to
live more cheaply in a society in which
the efficiency of labor has been in
creased hundred-fOld, is suggestive
commentary on the justice (?) of this
progressive age. That it is necessary
the deserted mine, the silent loom, the
ruined merchant, the abandoned farm,
the homeless millions who thrOng our
highways, all bear witness. That his
Ideas are in harmony with the age is
proven by their general acceptance in
circles where the orthodox economic
theories prevail, 1. e., in the aggrega
tlons OF political corruption commonly
known as the republican and demo.
cratic parties. That the American la
bOrer must not expect a wage much in
excess Of the European is doctrine he
industriOusly inculcates.
Naturally there are many reasons
which suggest themselves as a cause
for his not proposing the Chinese diet.
Possibly it was because he thought
our country better adapted to the
production of beans than puppies and
rats. He may not have had the cour-
age to encounter deep-seated preju-
dices, or if we consider the fendish in
humanity so thinly Veiled, we may be-
lieve it was simply desire to appear
original. Such is the elimination of
political and industrial system which
recognizes selfishness as the main
spring of human action, which immo-
lates man on the altar of ayarice and
destroys liberty at the behest of greed.
To establish and maintain equitable
relations between employer and en-
ploye would require system of sur
Veillance almost unbearable, but it
would not be difficult to destroy nat
ursl monopolies, make natures oppor-
tunities free to all, and thereby make
each man his own employer.
No right is so fundamental as the
right to work, but how changed is So
ciety when / must seek as a privilege
that which should enjoy as a right;
when 1 must share the fruits of my
labor with another as the price of the
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14
..,.na democrats staid At Homc.

Thc total registered vote OF the s'aoe
4 Il round numbers, 100000 oi 'hese.
10 600 are probably republicans, nu'
NJ hiphcs. republican vote poiiea ~
,he state was in 1883. when harr'so"
for president got 100000 votes Allow
IN Cor n reasonable increase IN tne
vn,e since then. and we have ioo'ooo -
The full republican vote OF the s"..
=, ,nalate election the republican vote
for the congressional candidates Wa
ahou, o.. 600 or 1000 less than IN iese
I, seems. therefore. that even an ~
,,hl;cans did Of vote for protecticn
ma leu,ocrati.; vote in isos for Clevs
,ana nav he regarded as full vo'c
, the party. 1t was about iis'oV
/. d.,,ncr,tic vote on the 9th was APO,
: az ooo or $4,000 short OF the par
! strength. Why did these 5000 de.
!. ,crats remain away from the poll
!. they staid away from the polls 70
), ,,,l,e the democratic party for
I, hrokcn promises. for its failure to "a
= IA, measure Of relief from odio
a .a.;e .xactions which had been pro
- led and denied to the people. II III
!. have been mistaken method OF We
" inu their displcasure, but that was
~ heir mind. baltimore SIM.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

the New York press that re,or"
-" So, "a defeat because ] have no.
.nyxhere found republican cano'u@oo.
as a repeal Of the new law
They have denounced u III pe".'.s
ard acclaimed against some 49,
which they deemed locally ooJeos'on
allie but nowhere presented an an
tive nlatform demanding It's rePea'
"a return TO prior conditions ~
.ar;e reform. as in reforms generai,y,
!, = The first step that is hardest an" ,
have always contended, in congress nv
an the hustings, that II we couiu one'
-. = substantial breach in the pro-
.a.,;va system. the momentum OF .nc
a.. r.form and its visible beneh's
would carry with them inc E .,,h
overthrow OF the entire sys's"' 49,
ont any general agitation such ~ nus
,recede and mark first victory'
r., non, the turmoil and uncertaih''
hitch array against such & move"."
ia, mart OF the business commuhi'
,,hich breads nothing SC mucn
, change. -. r.sen
Inv 1896 let US hope that prescn
clouds. already breaking. VIII M.
.n;shea from our skies. The new =,
: vii then have shown its merits %
! temporary scare ana resr ,a sa.e
i. AGAINST il will have spent the'r ~
, and | do not believe the repuo,'ca
(, programme will call for its repea. "a, .,
= relapse TO McKinleyism and 'm'
r,,action. Everyone knows IN
y such a reaction would not mean peas
. hut fierce and unrelenting rene"
80. ~ strupple
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

The hr8t Whipping P .t-~
wo 8 erected in front Of the old meeting
house. This old meeting house, 'ns
Srst church OF Boston. was an nnplc.
,entious structure Of wood, ana wa
situated on State street, on the groun-
which Is now occupied by braz,er
Suildiur, and in it preached the , mrs.
ministers OF the town-John wilson
md John Cotton-and thither wens
- worship John Winthrop ana
Richard rockingham and all their zea, ,.
On. Purita meal followers Inc cnuroH
rs-na;ned here until i64o, when II was
removed to that part OF what we nov :
call Washington street, nearly op 'l.s -
H.. head OF State street. on the ste =.
the prese mt Rogers building. bu' .nS
whipping post remained in its oris'na =
position for some years afterwaro ,v nn
III Il was removed to near the WA ,;,
y, rect rate OF the common, ana pupl.'
whippings, whether deserved or No.
continued to be inflicted as ia'e .
1908
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14
r.,a,rrlvilegc- to All.

rr.l-s IN n few incompetent anu
dishonest leaders. the democratic pa
must take a back seat for the heN'
INT The democratic princip,e'
soupa rs ever and must, IN the
not distant future. become ,he ,o" a..
zion for all legislation El"ai =
for all. special privileges Tor none
one ~ the fundamental doctrines '""
49, hold the party together since JET
ss.n t;rst gave it birth. This aPpar'
,.lv simplc statement means ever.
.t,;nr IN the science of government
!. or. made the test for all legisiation
,vould cease to make miilionaires "
and paupers of others all oil whom
are equally deserving. f'otec',on 49,
bc no more for it is made up OF no''"".
lint special privileges. itconiers upo'
fau favored Industries the specia
~;v;lage 81 taxing all other industries
Everv industry should be compeiieo
.,and or fall entirely upon It's 2"
merits. To aid some at the eVe"s,
a,hers i 10 depart from the sate ~
, - .ct;on to the dangers OF legisia''o
: in favor of selfish interests. ),
5 some day we will fully reaiiN. '
= ,ac.ssitv Of denying special privi'cR
G 90 any individual or industry. ~
o ~. way and the only way by whicn
n can obtain their equal and exact riEh
% =, ,,.,nsthe greatest good to the gre
l. est number. and therefore u ,or
fl other reason than that OF enlig n'e,
it ss,f-;ptercst. it must finally wceive
r. fun approval of the people. w u
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14
WHAT MAJoRlTlEs CANNOT 90
r,.x cannot Change Facts or MAKE A'"''
''' out Of FaIsehood.

,.;,;as can't make wrong right |
rhav can't change facts or make 'ru'n
a,t ~ falsehood. 1t is probapie tna'
;fau ~ the inhabitants of TINS ear.h
,yerc 10 vote on the question. Is inc
..,n ,onnda'' a majority would vote
~, /, * not. But would such
declaration make the WORM n"'
CHANGE the opinion of geographers any,
: astronomers who can demonstrate ~
,ha satisfaction Of all intelligent men,
that the earth is glooe'
supposing that the overwheini'"s
;nr;,v AZ the last election was III
favor ~ hiph protection--which ~ GER
..;,lv was not would that IN any way
sI,anga the fact that protection j. an
, ,,u,;se and costly police? Nonio ~
G shal,a the faith Of any Of the great au-
r thorities in political economy IN 'non
: ,heorv that trade is oiessihs 49,
v sho,,d I've left as free as possible lhes
:. III .rree upon this theory ana car
e aamonstrate its truth as fully as 'he.
ia Ia demonstrate that the stones u
r ,,h;ch many heather pray do not an
r. -. ,,ravcr But the heather continu
a TO worship false gods ana the pro''>
40 tionists to worship iaiSe -,
ly Ignorance and superstition in""' tn rb'
If. 80 trouble and lots Of majorities- IN
SIX could be a better and happier wor'
MS 70 n were more intelligent we are
re- arl;gbtened people in many ways, al
lry have solved many scientific prooien'
AN IN, n Is only in recent years that 'ar
the numbers of people have begun To s'u'
',;,;.al economy. and the malosi
re- p nav not yet have arrived at the CORE :.
in an,,,ion Of the tariff question. As G
N tain rs twice two are four will prov
not t;on be discarded when the peop,v
non aerstand their own interests
pose w;ll then be great democrauc
the tory. We won't have to wait long
kle- this tariff question is a simple one
tent millions of intelligent persons ar.
No have clear ideas on the subject ana
hor- instructing their neighbors- ~
,cus- BYRON W. hoL
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

.rurnr was lovely lot Of fe ..WSy didn't d
1.-THE beach home sas engaged, then asked he he,
friend ..why. my dear, Just let me CON e n
s Emulate YOU. Which Of the n men 81 ana
kSI Its ali Of IN. They dubbed .'f Bazar.
haught this solitaire. '-harPeA
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14
..o,,r A GIRL CALLED BUNNY

Happy little bunny
Rnmps through all the day.
xsnds the world q funny
Good old place 70 play.
when she's tired her mother
Rocks her girl to sleep
Ana the blessed angels
watch her slumoers deep
when she wakes she laughs ana
Tumbles from her bed
with her bright eyes smiling
From her tousled head;
Isn't very patient
while her hair Is curico-
wants 10 hurry and renew
Friendship with the World
world Is glad TO see her.
Missed her all the night
while she roved in dreamiaha
with her eyes closed tish@
rtsn't very strange that
Hearts. howe'er so wiia,
Open wide their doors 70 he
sweet and happy child. .n
-philip |. Barker, In Chicago ne0e'~
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

rr,-.How did you like the play lass
r,Iht - Maud-"Ohl above every.m .hss
Harry with NE %s and ,ae yeu w as0 nothing
COMPANY in IN the play TO distract my auen-
w s:nn and lust revefed in Harry's conSeE
sation. "-Boston Transcript
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

=. had smile. for the cat is very m ,rsax
lar ron Salescen, after wasting and N PfS.
a aSaeed disease is to be weak indees conya
Ing in the way Of tonic Rr0 Strength, like
essence, ess stamach Bitters u increases
mo nSti,e beps digestion and induces SLEEP.
N Ne beneft It cures malaria, rheuma'ism'
consultation.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14
q child Enjoys

~. ,,,.o.,rt favor. gentle action and sootn =,
I'm Of syrup Of Figs, when in neer ~
a." laxative, and IL the father OF v;r re-
costive or bilious, the mos. s X Is the best
suits sum;,r ror remedy known and every fanny
.hould have q bottle.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14
- GUIDE coNCEIT."
~. Prcdominating Trait OF tn" Sor'"'.
Brit0n.

BrttOn.
W.. hear much OF the Scotchmans
.,r,f, his caution. his perseverance,
~. dogved resolution, his faculty io'
..,,.h;ng his way in the world. ana IN
aorh,edlv these are strong reP'e
tentative constituents in ms co"pos'
t;on. But think it may DC assc' wv
:.,,o,,t fear of challenge that tne
,,,.s,one OF his mental structure anu
a;.nas,tiou is self-cstecm. Inc oco'
primary form OF prayer nas as, n,s
waggishly described as; ~ Lo'u' 81,
-. rude conceit o oorseives' o..
~. answer to the petition wheh pu'
m Is. II must be confessed. se'1o
, asr,ed. The thing may be hidden y
a..rve OVERLAND by shyness, a'gnine'
,,nder gravity OF demeanor, ont az ~
am. Il Is there, sort OF OF inwaf'
. orv;ction of that superiority IN "u"
A dane affairs we have just no'e"
= Won may soften it down oy nau'"
:. ,sIt-nossess,on or self-contidcnce,
!, ~, ,y,il but draw northern br'.o
= 80 conversation in any rank OF III
Z, below the gentle, and the s'rc"s :.
- ,he sentiment will soon MAKE w.
~ annarent The history OF ms cou"s,
as liz sanguinary and patriotic s',uss'
h, against the hated southern . IN aas'
-, b;s extraordinary success
~ v.rv quarter OF the globe, tne ron
~ 49,, statesmen. distinguished W
an al E,vs and proconsuls. soldiers d'y.n
,,.y..,; merchant princes, ne -
-, =, hoast of--all these are
VII .a.'uS havs in the garland Of laurel
~, Il ever ready to cntwine rou"' !, !,
80 tional brow, to minister " -
80 .e,f-satisfaction --Scottish
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

in the house of Pompeiian SOUP y,
-. ,,sre found thirty-two mallets' nj,
teen compasses, three levers sever !"
chisels together with jacks for raising
hlocks' and nearly thirty statues ano
hrs,s in every stage of manufacture
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

An examination Of the carmen
-.sss found at Troy and elsewhere
shows that they must have been 'u .nls.
on potter's wheel, just as are '"o's
nowadays.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

Ale is often told without sayingA
word, by putting he rotton app u.n
the hot tom of the basket.-hanhs no"
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1894-12-14

u. may be well to smile in the ' &c
,.nr.r hut il is neither well nor
..;ss TO let danger approach uncns''
,..r.a and unannounced. --Garhelo'
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-08-25
SUGAR IN CONGRESS.
1.-THE POOR MANS SUGAR" WORRIES
THE HEAD OF THE TRUST.
Mr.. Havemeyer's Evidence Before the Conn
mittee Is Torn to Shreds-FaIse and Mis-
leading Statements Designed to Deceive.
Not one-third of poor Mans sugar"

spoke of the different grades of refined. the
higher grades of refined being made from high
RI grades of raw, and the lower grades OF re-
hned-the poor mans sugar-being made from
the lower, it not being possible TO he made out
bfthc higher grades of raw.
The discrimination was against the article
which supplied tho poor man with sugar and
against the article on which the greatest
amount of capital and labor is employed in its
manufacture and the cost of manufacture gen.
rally is expended.
The foregoing paragraphs are taken
from the testimony of Mr.. Henry ..
Havemeyer, the president Of the Sugar
trust, as reported in The World, June
10, in answer to questions lxeopounded
by Senator Gray and Senator Davis Of
the senate investigating committee.
Those We're the statements Of Mr.. Have
meyer.
The facts are that over 20 per cent of
the sugar imported into tie United
States is high grade and less than 80 per
cent is low grade sugar 1.-THE poor
man" uses high grade granulated sugar,
which can be made out of both high and
INV Sltuo law sugars. lAlC yClicW
sugars are not found now on the tables
of the people, and the darkest colored
sugars are used mainly for tobacco cur
ing and such purposes, very little in
deed going into direct human consump-
ton.
From Mr. Havemeyer's testimony it
is plainly inferred, and was meant to be
inferred, that 1.-THE poor man" would
be oppressed by specific tariff ON raw
sugar, and there is further inference
that the poor mans sugar eonsti-
tutes the bulk of the sugar refining bust
ness, as not one person in half million
out of the total population of the United
States knows to the contrary.
The American Economist has been to
the trouble of compiling statistics to
show what were the aggregate imports
Of raw sugar, according to each and ev-
cry grade by which the duty estimated
under the tariff act of 1883 was col
lectable 1t compiled these imports for
the whole period under which that
tariff was i'll operation, beginning with
the year ending June 80, 1884, and
closing with the year ending June 80,
1891, and gives the aggregate imports
for the eight years and the average inn
ports for each year, according to each
degree, as follows:
IMPORTS OF RAW SUGAR FOR EIGHT YEARS
ENDING JUNE ~, 1oe4-9l.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-08-25
coat, IRON AND SUGAR.


on the breakfast Table.
The president Of the United States.
Mr.. Grover Cleveland, has seen Git to.
recommend to congress thar coal and
iron ore should be admitted into the
United States free Of duty. and that
sugar should be taxed. The extent Of
such an evil may be briefly stated as
follows:
The coal product Of the United States
in 1892 was 1870, COO. 600 tons. worth
Sso7, 5G6. 38l at the mines mouth. 1t
afforded employment to 81. ssS work
crs. who each found rumnnerative oc-
cupation on 2i2 different days in the
year. Their earnings amounted to sla4,
500, 1875, and oil expenditures to SAG.
$50. $50. The total amount OF capital
invested III the coal mines was $500.
600, 900. The principal states of pro-
duction, IA their order of importance,
were Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, West
Virginia, Alabama, Iowa, Colorado,
Maryland, Indiana. Kentucky, Kansas,
Missouri, Wyonair sid Tennessee. The
United States ser from these states
are interested in tie welfare and pros
perity of their state enterprises and in
dustries.
The iron ore product of the United
States for the year ended June 80. 1890.
was IA, 51S.o4l tons Of 2.a40 pounds
each, worth s33. 35l, 97e at the mines
mouth 1t afforded employment to IS. :
227 workers, who earned $14, 400. ISL.
The total amount of capital invested
was $l09, s66, 1919, and the total years
expenditures were $24, ISL, COS from
500 different mines. The principal states
of production, in their order of impor-
lance, Were Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ala
baina, Illinois, New York, Virginia,
Tennessee, Michigan, Wisconsin, New
Jersey, West Virginia, Missouri and
Maryland The United States senator's
from these states arc interested i'll the
welfare aud prosperity Of their state en-
terprises and industries
Thesugar consumptica of the United
States on basis of GS, 600, 600 people,
at "a per capita consumption of 65
pounds, is 1920, coo, GOO pounds of
sugar. The value of 4. 42o, coo, o0c
pounds at 8 cents per pound is Sl32, 6oo,
Geo. An adj valorem tax of 40 per cent
upon this 1892, GOO, 600 win be $50, :
04o, COO This tax of S53, o40, 900 di-
vided among the 6S,GC0, eco consumers
of sugar will be IS centsupon each man,
woman aud child. or So. SO upon each
family OF i've persons.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-08-25
CUMBERLAND VALLEY r. R.
In effect July o, 1904
DOWN TRAINS.

No. 2. Mail leaves Winchester I 80 a.
n, Martinsburg 8 IS, Hazerstown . 90
'ambershurg 0 AZ. Carlisle 10 80, arrive
1t harrisburg 1 80. Phila. 90, BALTIC.
} 10, N. Y. 8 SO, p m.
No. g. Leaves Winchester IS, Mar
.insburg 8 %, Hagerstown at d is y.
m. Chamber urg 5 10. Carlisle6 90, ar.
Harrisburg 10, Phil. Ii IS, BALTIC. 10 40,
Y. Y. 3 90.
No. TO- Mail. leaves Winchester 5 90,
.. M. MART ahnrg 90. Hngerstown
, DC. ChambersburR 8 AS. Carlisle 0 ~,
,r. Harrisburg II 40. Phila. 80, Balti-
more 90, N. Y. z 80,
Through coach from Hagerstown TO
philadelphia GU train Nod
UP TRAINS.
No. 1. Leaves Harrisburg 5 90 a. M.
Carlisle 5 AZ. Chambersburg 0 A a. M.
figerstown 2S. Martinsburg s 50, ar.
Winchester 10 49,
No. g. Leaves Harrisburg 8 Is a. m.
,rrive Hagerstown 10 81. Martinsburg
II 80, Winchester l2 25 p. m.
No. 5. Leaves Harrisburg at f2 10 %,
n. ar. Hagerstown so.
NO. Z, Leaves Harrisburg 8 As o. m,
ir atHagerstown 1873, MartInsburg 10,
Winchester at 90.
Through coach from Philadelphia 10
ha2erstown ON trains Nos and 0.
Additional trains between Harrisburg,
Carlisle and Chambersburg. Connec.
ions for all trains on Mount Alto and
P. r. system. J.F. BOYD,
w. A. GUARD, Supt.
Agent.