Natchitoches populist., 1898-04-01

and got judgment against the corpora
ton. OF course. the case was at once
appealed, but after it had been dragged
up to the higher courts the judgment
was affirmed, and, as the railroad re-
fused to settle, the sheriff undertook
to levy upon the property In sight.
There happened to be nothing in sight
but some trains, and upon these levy
was duly made. The sheriff seized
three trains, and, to make sure that
they would not get away, he chained
them to the track. Then the company
had the sheriff arrested for obstructing
the United States mails, and the fed
eral judiciary decided that the point
was well taken. Therefore, the sheriff
Is in trouble, and the man who recov-
cred the judgment Is not at all likely
to see the color OF his money on this
side OF the grave.
Here we have a practical instance Of
the way the system Of obstructing the
mails works. The United States mails
are not only great source of revenue
for the railroads, but they afford con-
venient bulwark to fight behind when
ever the corporations want to get out
Of doing their duty. Any man with
common sense can see that the real
INSTRUCTORS OF the mails are the corpor-
ations. The companies refuse to pay
wages high enough to prevent strikes
and thus bring about an obstruction OF
the mails. In the present case, the OBJ
struction Of the mails was brought
about by the refusal Of the corporation
to pay the amount of the Judgment
against 1t. But the true view Of the
situation Is disingeniously evaded and
upon mere Quibble, the railroads are
permitted to defy the courts of a sov-
ereign state. Had the judgment been
against some poor man, the sheriff
would have levied upon all he had and
the money would thus have been OBJ
tanned. 1t seems that corporations,
backed up by the United States mails,
can do pretty much as they please.
The labor situation in the cotton mill
district has completely changed, and 1t
Is more than probable that great
strike will agitate all New England,
says the Twentieth Century. The cap
italists say that there may not be a
strike after all, and that anyhow the
shutting down OF the plants has no
terrors for them. The mill hands are
the only ones who will suffer to any
great extent. But the administration
is not likely to contemplate with eQuan-
unity the prospect of a strike at the
time when preparations are necessary
for the congressional campaign. II the
strike assumes great proportions there
will be an immense amount Of suffering
throughout New England, during the
coming six months.
The great cotton corporations of
New England demand that the laws
regulating hours OF labor should be
modified with the intent of longer
days work for women and children.
New York city has about $4,000
workers idle and the appeals for char
ity are more urgent than ever before.
The Carnegie company have notified
their several thousand employees of a
10 per cent reduction in wages.
Miss Helen Gould and William Rock
efeller have become rivals in the mat
ter Of raising flowers. Roses and Or
rhids are the hobby Of BOTH and each
is trying to excel the other. Miss Gould
received palm Thursday, from her
agent in Egypt, 1t is over 100 years
old and cost in the neighborhood of
$4,000.
How the American sovereign is cour-
teously treated in his search for work!
A we'll known gentleman of Phoenix,
Ala, applied to the Columbus CONNER
cial Fertilizer Company several days
ago, for a job. He had previously ap-
preached the superintendent of the
company in regard to the matter, who
told him he would need man soon,
and to call again. He was met by the
general manager, whose first question,
accompanied by an oath, was, What
do you want here" Il came out to see
the superintendent about job" CD
d-n 1t, We don't want any one. and
you had better get off these premises"
Weary of a hani-to-mouth struggle
Tor existence and respondent because
ME could not secure work, Thomas
Weber, Of Pittsburg. Pa, deliberately
planned for himself a horrible death
He knelt on the tracks Of the Fort
Wayne railroad at Eleventh street and
Exchange alley and let the wheels of
shifting engine pass over his neck,
severing his head from his body Web
ber was one Of the best known walters
In the country. He had record among
Pittsburg hotel men extending back Cor
aearly decade. and in addition had
worked in leading hostelries in New
York, Chicago and Philadelphia. Web
Der was 40 years old.