The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-12-28
A CONSPIRACY OF FALSEHOOD.

There is going on today. in this coun-
try, an astonishing conspiracy to make
the people believe that they are in the
midst of great prosperity.
Nothing is said about the price of
real estate. which has fallen to almost
nothing; but great parade is made of
the bank exchanges, made necessary to
remove the products of the continent
from one place to another.
Can continent produce less than con-
einental crops? Must not seventy-fv
million people consume an enormous
quantity OF breaa and meat and clothes?
The question is not how much does a
country produce, but what is the condi-
ton of the people who produce it?
During the Irish famine ships by hun
dreds carried beeves and grain from ev-
cry port, and yet million people died
of famine or famine fever. and the pop
ulation of the country was reduced one
half
While the Minneapolis papers are bio
Waiting extensively over the wonderful
prosperity produced by the gold stand
ard, such glints. OF light as this are
found. HD
1.-The present unusual dullress in business
here in Fergus Falls at a season when
everything should be activity u.s. or should
be, proof conclusive even to the most obtuse
business intellect in town that the present
administration Of affairs is a failure, and
that at the present rate of less they can not
long continue free men."-Fergus Falls
Globe.
And here is another item:
'Washburn, Wis, Dec. 24.-Judge Bum of
the United States district court at Madi-
son today appointed George M. Seward Of
Chicago, receiver for the Washburn. Bay
field & Iron River railway. Mr.. Seward
qualified Immediately and took possess ion
Of the road through his attorney, Judge
Charles B. Wood OF Chicago. This was I'M
expected, as it was understood that a deal
would be closed this morning with number
of wealthy lumbermes and the money was
deposited at Ashland, but owing to a differ
ence in regard 20 details it could not be con-
summated today. Feeling that their prop
crty would have been in danger had the en-
ployes not been paid it was decided to have
a receiver appointed who would advance
funds. The m,n are being paid this after
noon"
Here are three little gems:
New York. Dec. N.-Robert l.. Boyd to-
day filed petition in bankruptcy showing
liabilities $210 1872 and no available assets.
Louis Sternberger filed petition In bank
duptcy with liabilities $57,525 and no avail
able assets.
Michael Cohen filed a petition In bank
ruptcy with liabilities $54,539 and no assets.
These fellows will not need receivers!
And here is a news item which shows
the condition of real estate in this city
of Minneapolis, at this time of 'unex-
ampled prosperity"
The controversy over the Pond estate in
the probate court yesterday developed the
fact that the original apprasement of
about 100000 was far in excess of the act
ual value according to present prices. An
estimate on the estate at the present time
by an authority places the value at about
S42. coo. The deceased. in making his will,
proceeded upon the larger valuation. Now
it turns out that the estate is unable to pay
the legacies of the will, the claims against
the estate and the income directed by the
will for the widow, not. however, as Judge
Harvey distinctly states, through any neg
lect or failure on the part of Judge Pond
as executor. The same condition that ex-
lists in the Pond estate, Judge Hareey says,
may be found to exist in many other
estates, values having fallen off to such an
extent as to make it practically impossible
for the time being to meet all claims and
legacies. 1t has, therefore, been the usual
thing for executors to ask for delay in Or
der that values may be given chance to
recover. In the meantime, however, inter-
est is piiing up at per cent on all claims.
The result has been that heavy sacrifices
have been necessary in a number of cases.
How can that be period of prosper
ity when real estate in one of the finest
cities in the world (the greatest flour
and lumber market on the globe) shrnks
in the hands of the owners to dead
leaves, shards and pebbles.
A great sham covers the world, and
how soon it will explode, no man knows
In the meantime every fool grabs his
neighbo by the coat collar, and whis-
pers in his ear:
did you see the report of the bank
exchanges? Times are better"
l. D.