New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1899-03-22

fact that wages are being increased in.
tile eastern cotton wills and in the iron.
and steel working districts. It is mat
ter for gratitude in these times that these
wage earners are being paid more than
they were last year. But when the Re-
publicans cite these advances in wages
as an evidence of property it is time to
remind them that the wages are only
being put back to the point where they
were at the beginning of McKinley's ad-.
,ministration. The cut came a year ago
and the present figure IS simply what 1t
was at time Of great depression and
when we were told that the free silver
agitation was responsible for the un-
settled condition. They will have to do
something better than restore wages be-
fore the people will accept the property
yarn.
With the Democratic situation clear
ing, the Republican difficulties pile up
thicker than ever. Mckinley has gone
down South as much to find out sswhere
he is at" as to take rest. Every one
knows that if it had not been for the
Southern delegates to the st. louis con-.
vention which Hanna bought up by the
hundred st so much a head Mckinley
could not have been nominated in 1896.
The southern patronage was distributed
exactly as Hanna agreed to do it. No
one can say that he did not keep his
pledges, though race riots ami all man
ner of trouble from one end of the south
to the other can be traced up to his ne
gro appointees, But for every one who
got a job there were fifty who got m ad !.
And this southern trip may lead to the
discovery as to whether the fellows who
got mad or the fellows who got jobs are
going to control the delegates to the
next National convention. Hanna has
no doubt of his ability to manage things
but he taught game in the last cam
palgn which two can play at.'
Out in Ohio there are some strong in.
dications that Charles L. Kurtz, whom
Hanna pushed out 0: the National Com
mittee is going to make strong run for
the gubernatorial nomination. Hanna
may beat him but it is going to leave
the Republican party organization in
bad shape. To strengthen Mckinley Is
chances it is proposed to drop Hobart
overheard and throw the Vice presi-
dental nomination across the Mssissip
pi. Hobort would like to be re-nomi-
mated but is not particularly fond of
Mckinley whose weakness he despises
and will make no serious fight. The
bait will be dangIed before the eyes of
several states in order to strengthen Nc
Kinley's chances with their delegations,
but which one is to he allowed to take
it will not he determined until the last
minute
Hobart was nominated to make the
trusts feel literally inclined toward the
campaign fund This sop will not Le
needed the next time, Mckinley turned
out much better than they had antici
pated and the Republican campaign
fund Of 1900 Will not be a cent less than
$40, 0,000,00O. In the meanwhile, Speak
er Reeds candidacy is being carefully
nursed and Representative Sherman has
gwen quiet assurances that he will not
take the administrators hint and op-
pose Reed for the speakership.
The Civil Service Commission regrets
very much that the selection of employ
es, of the 1900 census was not put in its
hands. It promises itself to have lots
of fun with Director Merriam before he
gets through. The taking of the census
will employ thousands of people. It
will be big machine that can be used
for political purposes. The Republicans
intend to so construct and handle this
machine that it will do them good SER
vice in the coming Presidential election.
They are at least frank. They have not
sought to put the Civil Service cloak
over their designs.
Under the law authorizing the census
there will be certain percentage Of
minority appointments. Merriam will
.sstote fan" on this. The value of concili-
ating political opponents and nothing is
SO likely to keep man from pernicious
political opposition as chance to feed
at the public crib.
Theoretically only merit counts under
Civil Service Reform. In practice, the
Senatorial and Congressional 'spulp'
manages to make itself felt there as well
as elsewhere The last cansue undnr