The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-16

church, which has been immensely mis-
chievous in State. 1t encounters also,
the obstacle of finding wise and catholic
and unselfish men to "put in charge of
this business"
1t is somewhat confusing to the av-
erage citizen, now that the war is over,
to observe that Congress is absorbed
with hearings preparatory to the making
of a new tariff. while reports Of failed
and closed banks echo along the wire g.
The battle was over the question of
money. apparently. Everything else re-
tired into the background. Now the
money question has been sent to the
rear while the tariff holds the field. The
initial motive appears to have been in
crease of revenue; but careful attention
to the testimony and arguments of those
who come before Mr.. Dingley's commit
tee convinces one that they are not con-
sumed with desire to pour money into
Uncle Samuel's pockets. They are ask
ing for personal favors, and when ques-
toned, are uniformly hazy as to the
method by which helping them is to en-
rich the government.
There is to be great banquet, with
covers for nearly thousand persons, to
celebrate the election of senator by
the legislature of the State of New York.
Why the event should be so elaborateIy
and extravagantly marked does not ap-
pear. The opinion is general that Thos.
G. Platt. who from his throne in New
York City rules the governor and the
legislature, even to the dictation OF COM
mittees, will be the choice; the opinion
is equally general. that il the choice
we're made by the voters of the State
Mr.. Platt would be in minority among
the people as emphatic as will be his ma
jority in the Legislature. That such a
triumph of the machine over the popular
will should demand 1.-The biggest affair
of the kind ever known in the Empire
State" proves that the era of Catonian
virtue and simplicity. was long since
passed.
If it is true, as some students of our
domestic trade figure out, that the Am
erican people expend S625. 100000 an
nualIy for tobacco, and over $3.50, 100000
annually for liquor and beer, the econo.
my and virtue of these things should be
abundantly tested. Those of us who
contrive to get along without either of
these sources of inspiration look upon
the vast expenditure as a-nesdless waste
of substance. 1t is sometimes argued
that human beings demand stimulus
and that the consumption of tobacco
and liquor subserves an end in vital
chemistry. But this argument collapses
the moment the non users are polled.
They comprise some millions of our pop
ulation. and in health. energy, capacity
of labor and endurance. longevity and
personal comfort, they compare favor
ably, to say the least, with the users. To
describe the expenditure of our people
for these articles as waste is to draw it
mild; but it is sufficiently appalling to
view it just at that.
The Independents annual collection
of reports from the different denomina-
tions is this year more full and compre-
hensive than ever. The Christian Sci
entists appear as new denomination.
The Salvation Army and the new evolu.
ton from it, the Volunteers. tell their
story. The Friends, the Jews, the Nor
mons are in the list. The various mar
rative is interesting and instructive, but
it might be much more useful and trust
worthy. II the facts we're presented
under one scheme instead of according
to the differing plans of fifty writer's
there would be a basis of comparison.
The editor has undertaken to tabulate
the statistics with curious results in
many instances. The facts reported to
him in his own columns are often dis
carded in his tables. and mystifiyiDg
tumble rewards the seeker after religious
information. What purpose but confu-
sion is subserved by reporting side by
side the number of societies for one de-
nomination and the number Of churches,
organized on a wholly different basis for
another? Whose knowledge is ministered
unto by putting under the same classifi-
cation communicant members and con.
gregations? And is it any gain to the
public intelligence to print in the same
column the actual count Of membership
of some denominations and the proven
bially liberal estimates" of others?
What does it signify to tell that the
Christian Scientists have 5000 ministers
313 churches and 5000 communicates.
and that the German Evangelical Pro
testants have only 45 ministers and so
churches but have &c, 500 communicates?
IL this is the best that can be done is it
worth while to draw up the misleading
array?
CANTON THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL.