The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-04-14
VOL. XIV. New Series Vol. 2
THE EDITORS LEISURE HOURS
Points and Paragraphs Of Things
Present, Past and Future.

The graduating OF the class from
Annapolis two months ahead OF time
and assigning them to places in the
navy, was confession of unreadiness
on the part of the United States to go
to war. No doubt already Spain has
construed that to mean that the
United States is badly scared.
The bill prohibiting false statements
in advertisements passed both branches
of the New York Legislature. Wonder
how the officers of the law will find out
whether advertisers have made mis-
statements or not? Such law would
not trouble many business men in some
North Carolina towns we know; tor
they do not advertise at all.
North Carolina has not seen such a
mammoth farce in many years as has
heen played on the railroad stage With
| Governor Russell as manager. 1t has
been the biggest TEMPEST in the small
sst teapot that has eyer been witnessed
| in the State. After all the stir and
sputter over railroads and railroad
passes and the like, the matter is about
as it was when the fuss was commenced.
It has gone out to the world that at
the last session of the North Carolina
Legislature more money was paid to
the employees of the Senate than to
the members of that body themselves
This Is credited to the Auditors re-
port and some one has remarked that
the members of the Senate were over.
paid.
All of which means that the money
consideration before that august body
was about the first and last thought.
One of the calamities of war, aside
from the butchery of human beings, il
ft.s burdens that ars heasea upon the
spared in the matter of taxation. Wal
excitement raises prices even before
hostilities commence and the effect il
felt long after they cease. The Phila
delphla Record pertinently says:
"The war of the rebellion was
terminated over thirty years ago; bu
the country Is still paying direct wa
taxes to the amount OF nearly $2OU,
100000 per annum, and has not re
covered from the calamitous conse
Iauences of war finance"
History is being made in this coun
; try at a rapid rate. The incidents o
diplomacy and possibilities of war be
tween the United States and Spain fc
the past few weeks have laid the out
line for the work of the historians pei
years In the future. To those wh
note we'll the passing events OF tn
times there will be an interest in al
this history, as 1t shall be written In th
future, that Is little dreamed OF now.
At the writing of this paragrap
every thing is still unsettled and ther
Is nothing certain as to what eithe
country will do. President McKlnle
is still hoping and striving, it seem
to avert war ;and may he succeed Br
whether War comes from the preser
strained relations between the tw
countries in question, or whether tt
whlte-wingea angel of peace shall ia
). away the e,war-clouds, it is all materl
for history of the future.
Young men who propose to kee
abreast of the times Will do we'll to no
things as they pass.
We do not in this advise them
talk tco much. It Is not always II
man who comes nearest blowing tt
-ltop of his head off by his loud and co
tinued talk who really knows mo
about things. That's no sign OF mut
knowledge.
y. 500 Reward 800.
.. The reoders of this paper will