Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-10-31
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There are said to be at least 10000
members Of the Reformed Presbyterian
or Covenanter Church in the United
States who, while perfectly qualified as
citizens, will hot vote at the coming elec-
ton on principle. Their quarrel is not
with the candidates nor principles OF any
party. As matter of conscience they
do no. give allegiance to the constitution
OF the United States, and therefore re-
fuse TO vote under its provisions. The
position they take is that the fundament-
al principle upon which the constitution
rests-namely. that I'VE, the people, are
the source of authority-is wrong. Ae-
eording to their belief the law of God as
revealed by Christ Is the law to which
all nations should bow and is the only
source of legitimate authority. II Is not
through lack OF Interest that the Cove
nanters deny themselves the use Of the
ballot" said the Rev. Fleming NJ. Eos
ter. pastor of the Third Reformed Pres
byterian Church in New York, nor Is II
because Of what is or is not in party pla:-
fOr-rs. But the Covenanter has COZ.
tention with the constitution Of the ma
ton. and as matter Of conscience Is
forced TO deny himself the right Of snf-
frage under il. We think that the law
of Christ should be the law Of the land.
Everything that Christ's law forbids
have the nation forbid. Accept Christ
as the authority for law"
-:-:-
One of the first measures 10 be pre-
scented TO Congress for its consideration
upon its meeting again Is an enabling act
providing for the admission Of Oklahoma
as State. The territory now has n pop
ulation Of ahout $4,000. with taxable
property 10 the amount OF over $4,000.
600. while it's area is about equal to that
of Ohio. When IL Is considered that Okla
hema was only opened up TO settlement
in 1889 and 1890 this progress is mar
velons In the story Of the building OF
States none surpasses that OF the western
territory now knocking for admission to
the sisterbood OF Columbia Within the
past ten years her people have built 200
churches and there are now $50 newspa-
pers published in a territory where ten
years ago there was not one. This
beautiful land" as Oklahoma means In
the Indian, is remarkably fertile and in
EAdHffE NAat OA tNAflA W INV a FfiANAN
wheat crop paid for tho land and NIL the
improvements upon it. 1t has also es-
tablished schools so that every child has
the advantage Of free education. Three
great railroads cross lis borders, yearly
adding 10 its wealth Cotton also can
be raised in this new land and its crop
of this staple now brings annually So
000,0O0 to the people.
.:-:-
Minnesota has q law FOR the prevention
and suppression Of forest and prairie
fires h. regular fire wardens." and. as
a result the chief fire warden is able to
report that there were only ten forest
iires in 1890 These burned over 2,635
acres and damaged timber 20 the extent
of only 81 Sal The whole number Of
prairie fires the same year was thirty
four; acres burned over. 24Gl6 damage
done. $4.SJG. The chief difficulty that
has been found in the application If the
laws to save Mime sofas fine forests
arises from the fact that people do not
like 10 report against fellow tgwnsman
or ncighbOr. and thc machinery Of the
law is not extensive enough 70 depend
upon it's own workings independent If
the cooperation Of the people. Mime
sofa has about 100000 acres Ok idle
land well adapted 10 tho growth o. pi.s.
.--;-
EX-Gov. Pillsbnry Of Minnesota and
his wife are goirg 10 build a home for
poor girls in 81. Paul The Ex-Governor
says: IF girl is thrown ont Of employ
inert, or for any reason loses her bread
Earning power, We want her t. feel that
she is not without a friend. She need
never despair 50 long as our home stands
There she can find food and shelter. be
as comfortable. so far as her surround
Bgs are concerned. as she would le any
where in the world"
-
Some Porto Ricans. who have lived ia
Baltimore more than 4 year, have sought
10 become voters. on the ground that they
ave citizens Of the United States The
general counsel Of the Board Of Super
yisoFs Of elections, to whom the question
was submitted. has delivered an exhaus-
tive opinion, holding that they are Amer
lean citizens and must be permitted 10
register and exercise the franchise.