The true northerner., 1899-11-15
Washington Letter.


Washington, ID. c., Nov. IA, 1S99:-
President Mckinley, upon his return
to Washington, expressed himself as
much gratified over the result in the
several states which voted on Tues
day last. The president journeyed
to his home at Canton and deposited
his ballot FOR the straight republican
ticket, almost Immediately thereafter
taaing up his return trip for the capitol
city, where he arrived just in time to
learn of the complete triumph in several
states for his party. The victory had
been outlined in the dispatches given to
the president while en- route, but the
full force of the democratic defeats in
Ohio, Iowa, South Dakota, Massachu-
sets, Pennsylvania, and New York could
not be learned from the brief bulletins
handed him on the train. Looked at
from whatever point, the results in the
state elections can be interpreted in no
other way than as an endorsement of the
presidents policy in the Philippines and
upon the currency question. While dis
sensions in the party in Maryland have
lost that state to the republicans, Ohio,
despite the work of Mclean and the CO
vert assistance of the enemies of Sena-
tor Hanna and of the president, is safely
republican and may be depended upon
to remain steadfastly in the republican
column for 1900. Especially gratifying
to the president is the outcome in New
York, which once more demonstrates al
legiance to the party of progress and
prosperity, although Greater New York
has not yet shaken off Boss Croker's
rule. The gains in many cities where
the democrats have been wont to claim
strongholds, emphasizes the fact anew
that the Empire state is in line for Nc
Kinley next year, and that her SO cleo
toral votes are not in the doubtful col
umn. In view of the conditions existing
in Kentucky, it is not unreasonable to
predict that the republicans may carry
that state next year. All in all, it is a
pleasant prospect that President Nc
Kinley surveys. The victory will exer-
else a large influence in strengthening
the recommendations of the president
in his annual message to congress, on
WHICH ne Is now working.
j. G.. Monaghan, United States CON
sui at Chemnitz, has recently sent to
the state department an interesting re-
port relative to the resources of Russia,
and make the following quotations of
facts and figures:
Its S,644,OOO square miles of territory
extend over one-seventh of the earth's
surface--only 3,0000 less than the entire
British empire. Its waters cover 293,0l8
miles. 1t has ID souls to every square
square mile, or 100000 inhabitants.
One twelfth of the worlds population
pays tribute to the czar. 1t has IL 100000
men able to fight. 1t can send 1,255,300
men into the field in few days and L.
100000 few days later. Its total pre-
pared fighting force is 100000 men aud
497, ,4l5 horses. The government owns
1851 miles of railroad; private parties
5000 miles. 1t has feet consisting of
% battle ships, IA coast defenders, Is
cruisers, % cannon boats and 96 torpedo
boats.
Russia can be practically indepen-
dent of the outside world for food, since
the opening up of Siberia's gram fields
The export of grain last year was 300,-
100000 quarters. Famine, once almost
unavoidable, is now limited to one or
two districts. Once the railroad reaches |
the interior of these, the danger |
will disappear. Over the empires |
boundless meadows, steppes and prai-
ries, roam, in European Russia alone,
"a ,GO9,2GO head of cattle, A, ,465, ,450 sheep,
9,243,OOO hogs. 1t cultivates 1,09S, ,507, ,7S0
acres of land.
"The country is opening mines, drain
ing marshes, clearing forests, putting
land hitherto held to be of no value un-
der cultivation. Foreign cotton and corn,
tea and tobacco are being tried. In its
efforts to emancipate itself from foreign