Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-03-15
The Story of a Year.

The story Of the first year of the pres
ent Administration is unquestionably
one Of the most dismal in the history of
American politics. 1t constitutes
record Of plumbers and disappointments
for which there is no parallel, and no
explanation but that of general in
efficiency. The work of substituting
Democratic for Republican rule had
hardly been fairly started when mis-
takes began to be made and troubles to
be introduced Cleveland had a mag
nificent opportunity TO distinguish him.
self, TO vindicate his party, to promote
the welfare of his country; and be let
that opportunity slip through his fingers
like so much sand. Instead of rising to
the demands of the occasion, he adopted
policy of peculiar narrowness and
selfshness, arrogance and supercilious-
ness. He apparently inflated himself
with the idea that the way to be great
was to be disagreeable. The men to
whom he was principally indebted for
his nomination and election were treated
with systematic Indifference, and in
some cases with positive rudeness.
They were not consulted as to any of
his plans, and were not allowed to offer
him any suggestion. He selected a
Cabinet that represented nothing but
his personal contempt for the rules of
fitness and consistency, and the advisers
thus eccentrically chosen have each in
turn helped to discredit his undertak-
ings and to make enemies for him where
he needed friends. Every step that he
has taken has been in some sense i'm
prudent; and even when he has been
in the right he has shown it in the
wrong way.
This would not be so bad if it had
simply complicated matters of strictly
political nature; but the effect has been
most unfortunate in other and more
serious respects. The material interests
of the country have suffered from it in
q degree not before experienced since
the war. A condition of general de-
preston has ensued in all branches of
business and all forms of industry. The
list of commercial failures has exceeded
all precedent; the sources of employ
ment have been largely reduced; the
number Of idle workmen and destitute
families has been increased to an eX-
tent that has taxed the resources of
public and private charity to the utmost.
There is no class that has escaped mis-
fortune. The better times that were
promised as the result of a change Of
Administration have not come; but the
good times that previously existed have
disappeared. All Of the projects that
have been tried for the purpose of i'm
proving the situation have turned out
to be iniserably futile. Monthly deficits
in the national revenue have been the
regular order, and bonds TO the amount
of $50, 100000 have been sold to replen-
ish an almost bankrupt treasury. Not
single thing can be cited that has
served to benefit the people in any re-
spect. It is from first to last story of
evil disturbance and multiplied disas-
ters. Such another year has not been
known in a time of peace except by
those whose recollection goes back to
the days of Buchanan. Democratic rule
has proved to be the same blighting in
fiuence that history shows it to have
been in former cases; and the lesson is
one that will not fail to restore the Re-
publican party to power as soon as
possible.
DoNT ToBAcco SPIT OR SMOKE YOUR
LIFE AWAY.
Is the truthful, startling title of little book
that tells all about No-tO-bac, the wonderful,
harmless Guaranteed tobacco habit cure. The
cost is trifing and the man who wants to quit
and can't run no physical or financial risk in
using "No-to- bac." Sold by all druggists.
pOO IL DrT1C Nv