The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-05-29
SMattbmam 4 Journal.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 1895.

HERE is another opportunity for our
too optimistic-or too unseeing-con-
temporaries to congratulate the state on
its freedom from the scourge of bovine
tuberculosis, and, incidentally, TO
ascribe what may be found to exist to
the high feeding of the delicately-built
and pampered Jerseys. DR.. Rich, the
states skilled veterinary, has just ex-
amined the Holstein herd of Chaffee
Brothers in Rutland and found twenty
five infected with the disease, which
were to be killed yesterday.
HAS the University of Vermont con-
troll over its students, or do the stu
dents control the University? If the
former, could not the faculty interfere
to prevent the playing of a matched
game of baseball on Memorial Day?
The University receives large sum of
money from the state. The state re-
quires the public schools to devote
half day before Memorial Day to in
struction in patriotism and "to exer-
cises commemorative of the history of
this nation during the War of the Re-
bellion." The requirement ought to be
extended to the University, accom-
panied by the prohibition of any sports
or games out of harmony with the hal
lowed character of the day. The Uni
versity should voluntarily set the
schools of the state better example.
THE descendants of the Green Noun
tain Boys who resisted the hated
Workers and fought the foreign invader
at Bennington wish the Cuban rebels
success in their fight against the
Spaniard. Spanish dominion in Cuba
is relic of medieval conditions. The
island is an orange that has been
squeezed for some 400 years for the de-
location of Spanish grandees. While
the whole civilized world has been ad-
vancing, Cuba has stood still. She is
without railways or other modern
means of communication. This de-
tracts much from the success of the
planters. The failure Of Spain to re-
deem her pledges of internal improve
ments and political reforms is in some
large measure the cause of the existing
revolt. Americans, remembering the
experiences of their forefathers with OPP
pressive European dynasties, will wish
the Cuban patriots hearty God.speed
in their contest for freedom. America
for Americans, is an inspiring and
patriotic cry. 1t will resound through
the decades of the next century till
neither anytpart of the main lands nor
the islands of the sea are under the
dominion of European power.
POSSIBLY the real test of Japan's
power in war and craftsmanship is yet
to be made. The difficulties which
environ her after she has conquered
her big antagonist and dictated the
terms of peace are greater or more
trying than those which confronted her
at the Yalu or at Port Arthur and
Wei-Hai-Wei. The great Northern
Bear has wstful eye on Corea, or
some part of China, which may give
him favorable place for powerful
naval station on the Pacific coast and
an advantageous terminus for his trans
Siberian railway. Japan must uti-
mately make some sort of deal with
Russia or fight. The combatants might
not be limited to Japan and Russia, and
the war might take wide range.
Russia's desire to acquire commodi-
GUS port for an outlet to her gigantic
enterprise and the safeguarding of her
interests in the extreme East is not
unreasonable. Any other European
power in her position would find means
to crafty this desire, and might not be
exceedingly scrupulous as to the means
employed. Russia's hereditary enemy,
Great Britain, who might become the
ally of Japan, has afforded ample pre-
cedents for the worst Russia may at
tempt.
THE pardon by Governor Woodbury.
of notorious rumseller Of Burlington,
who had been sentenced to thirty days.
confinement in the house of correction,
is exciting comment. The governors
action was taken on the petition of GER
tain citizens of Burlington and was
conditioned upon his forsaking the
traffic in liquor. The theory of the
pardon was that the purpose of the law
had been accomplished in closing up
the offenders saloon and withdrawing
him from the ranks of violators of the
law; or, as some one has stated the
case, the purpose of the law had been