The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-09-03

A Spanish officer has recently
been all along our Atlantic coast
examining the defenscs. He was
permitted co visit all the forts and
is now prepared, Of course, to make
a complete report of the methods
of defence for all the cities on the
coast line. This amounts to moth
ing so far as Spain is concerned,
and was probably intended as a
bluff. Spain's fleet consists prin-
cipally Of old wooden ships with a
few armoured cruisers, and the
country has no money even to man
them. but the habit of allowing any
foreigner, or any American who is
not well known, to inspect our
forts is most reprehensible and
should be stopped.
O 0
The alien tax law Of Pennsyl-
vania, which very justly and prop
erly placed higher tax on the
property of aliens than was levied
on that of citizens, has been declar-
ed unconstitutiona by the Supreme
Court of that state. A man who re-
sides here and refuses to become a
citizen should be made to pay for
the privilege. Every state should
have an alien tax law and endeav-
or to avoid the errors made in the
Pennsylvania law.
The West answers the East. We
all know how Professor Andrews
was removed from the presidency
of Brown University because he
dared, as a private citizen, not in
his official capacity, to declare in
favor of the financial plank of the
Chicago platform. Now comes the
news that Prof, Edward A. Ross,
professor of economics in the Stan
ford University, California, has
been removed from that position
for the same reason that President
Andrews was removed. The gold
bugs do not intend to permit free
speech if they can prohibit it. But
the people will answer them at the
ballot box.
For over a quarter Of century
have the farmers of this country
been crucified between the two
Wall Street bull and bear thieves
who have long feasted and fattened
upon their hard earnings. These
Spectators, acting in concert, begin
by bearing down the staple pro-
ducts of the farm until they are
forced out Of the hands of the far
mer, and the bulls run up prices,
after which the two scramble over
the spoils, piling up the gigantic
fortunes of the Goulds, and Sages,
and Rockefellers to evade taxation
and breed swarms of anarchists to
imperil the peace of the Nation
and threaten the destruction Of our
rraa aipCtifufinpS
Our farmers should not accept |
market reports as indicating prices
which they are likely to reap for
heir spring wheat crop of this
year, nor for. the prospects for the
crop of 1898. There is too much of
a speculative factor in the situation
10 make agricultural conditions, in
respect Of prices, safe on the basis
If existing conditions.
0 O
The present tariff act prohib bits
he importation of hides into the
United States, except from coun-
.ries which the Secretary of Agri-
culture may designate as free from
cattle diseases. In view of the in
formation received from Falls
Creek, Pa, that four employees of a
.annery at that place had died from
drinking water contaminated by
lrainage from the tannery, where
4 large number of hides, imported
rom China, infected with the dead
y disease known as anthrax, the
treasury officials have in prepara-
ton le ter to the Secretary of Ag-
riculture recommending that the
matter be further Investigated, and
f the facts are found to be as stated,
hat he issue an order prohibiting
The importation of Chinese hides
INTO the United States.
0 0
Mr.. Fishbach, personal represen-
tative of Wayler's friend Hanna,
mas been selected by the admins
ration to make tour of Cuba in
with Consul General Lee.
When the service is completed, let
is hope that Fitzhugh Lee will be
,lIomad IN cone hnmp and fell tho