The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-12-23
60 Cbristmas THOUGHTS.

brings. we have in this country mucn
especial ground for exultation- We are
eniaving a wonderful season of prosperity
0nr ,,seful energies are all employed to
advantage, and our people are reaping a
harvest Of rich rewards for their active
industry. 1t is true that the shadow OF
war is not wholly removed from our flag,
but BY comparison with some OF our
n~eighbors who are heart stricken by con-
stantgy recurring Slaughter. and by COM
parison with stiH others which are groan-
ing under the continual apprehension OF
murderous strife and bearing the burden
Of unceasing preparation for it.
In the last weeks of the year we have
additional cause for satisfaction in the
sobriety and patriotism shown by Con-
gress in dealing with a great question af-
fecting the National onor. The passage
of the gold standard bill by the House of
Representatives. without delay and with
out hesitation, will do more to build up
our credit abroad than a hundred years
Of good wheat crops, and it via go far
besides to restore sanity to our domestic
politics. The measure may be regarded
as the final settlement of the troublesome
silver question. A few fanatics and axe
grinders may continue to rave, but it will
he iuapossfble to induce the public to in
teress themselves in a matter which IS
determined beyond recall, and obviously
to the public profit. So long as there was
no decision of the case, so long as the Re-
publican party refused to act upon it, it
always remained an active ferment in the
political situation. Now It is about as i'm
poftant as Mr.. Blaine's regards to Mrs
Fisher.
The State of New Jersey has not been
left out of the general prosperity. It has
reaped a rich harvest in the past two
years, through it's liberal. Democratic cor
poration laws. But whether this is an IN
mixed blessing remains to be seen. With
the Wall Street collapse Of the past week.
we rather think the epoch of corporation
b%allooning comes to an end, and If it does,
we are losers by many hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars per annum, basing the
comparison upon the Incomes of the last
two years. The slump in our resources
will now find us with a wildly ~extravagant
system of expenditure. The Republican
party. taking advantage of the boom in
come of the State Treasury. has sweiled
The expenditures Of the State year after
year, without the least regard to the in
evitable turn of the tide. The result is
that with an income run back to
something ike its old normal proportions,
we will nave to meet expenses on the new
abnormal scale. and the inevitable con-
sequence will be a deficit, perhaps to be
followed by a direct tax upon the people.
While this may not be exactly a matter
for t~hankfuIness. it will not be an abso-
iuteiy unnnixed evil, because 1t will in
Ct4tdtty 4Cdu ~ Lie OfCAld4OH u AeOP0C
licanisrn in the State. and thus bring our
government back to economy and to an
attitude of regard for the peoples rights.
Jersey City has much to be merry over
this Christmas. The city grows and pros
pers. Our credit is higher thar ever be-
fore. Public improvements progress
rapidly and private enterprise supplements
them. The city is growing beautiful in
many parts. Tasteful streets, lined with
tasteful homes, are becoming a feature Of
the Hill. Our new parks are centres Of
aesthetic development. the new Public
library would be an adofnment to any
city, a new High School Is contemplated,
and the new school building in Greenvi1le
VIII be a handsome structure. All our
people are well employed, at good pay.
II the local business men are doing
profitable trade. Finally. under Demo-
cratic administration, the laws are vel
administered. Class persecution has
ceased. while good order and property in.
tarests are wisely conserved.
So, it liz a merry Christmas for US as 9
community, and for the vast majority al
individuals. Let as make the most of It
Let Us get the fun enjoyment u of ths
present.
Let US keep an eye on the future. too
Let IS study the principles which raw
brought our present advantages into ex
istepce. The assertion Of the Nationa
aense of honor BY the popular vote Of iss
is the beginning Of 1t ali-not the election
Of the Republican candidates. but tn
]. FepudisFion Of the free silver dishonor ans
the subAersive doctrines Of the Chicag'
platform. Then came the revival Of bust
hess ENTERPRISE through restored conf
dence. a rsAteration due to the firm IS
tAblssq1men6 M the value Of our currency
our Stare PROSPERITY has been due to wis
and liberal Dlmoeratic legislation. enacte'
many years Ago. but wisely upheld by tn
c~oassrsatfset spirit of our people. On
local GOOD fotrtune il also due to the 81
prdanaey OF 1 parry which has the nelfar