, 1900-05-05
POLITICAL NOTES.

Is 1t not about time for the demo-
cratic party to call upon the country
to put them in power, so that they may
reduce the dangerous surplus in the
United States treasury? That is one
of the few promises made by it that
was faithfully fulfilled, and, in doing
so. 1t also reduced the surplus of al
most every citizen in the Union. AS
a surplus reducer and a deficit creator
that party has a record that can not
be successfully assailed.
The free trade New York tariff re-
form club is now saying that the pas
sage of the shipping bill will cheaper
the fare of immigrats, and increase the
number coming to the United States in
order to stir up the opposition of the
labor interests. But, as a matter of
fact. the passage of that bill will de-
crease the foreign ships coming to this
country, and thus reduce the number
of immigrants, at the same time Civ
ing increased employment to our own
citizens in all parts of the country.
Now that civil government has been
granted to Porto Rico, the democrats
would have the country believe thai
a great injustice has been done to that
little island, when the truth Is that it
is to be granted the largest possible
measure of self-government and edu-
Gated in American ideas of citizenship.
Not one cent Of tax, either direct or
indirect, is to be collected from there
that will not be returned in the way of
schools, ports, roads, bridges, light
houses, and all those improvements
that mark the progress of a vigorous
and growing people.
Democratic millionaires are form
ing a trust to buy at least one newspa-
per in every republican and doubtful
state. The u n to be played on these
moneyed organs OF the latest democrat
ic trust will be set to free silver
music.
Last years coal production of the
United States was 25S, 539, $50 short
tons, as compared with 219, 974 ,667 tons
in 1898, and 1870, OOO, 600 tons in 1897.
This was an increase Of more that 40
per cent within two years. In 1892
and in 1898, the coal product averaged
almost 1000, 900 tons each year,
dropping of to 152, 900, 900 tons in the
democratic year OF business stagna-
ton, 1894.
Before adjournment congress intends
to apply an effective legislative stop
gap at the annual payment of 5000, O0O,-
900 to foreign ship owners for carrying
American imports and exports.
Increase in compensation for labor
continues the order Of the day. About
700 members Of the Calker's and Tap
pers' Union in New York, have been
granted SO for an eight-hour day.
Apoul p,Uuu tdllOTS III chicago nave
resumed work with a wage scale fixed
for three years. A small strike among
brewery workers at Lake View, ILL.,,
has been adjusted. Miners and opera
tors at Terra Haute. Ind, have agreed
on new terms. At Pittsburg about 49,
900 men in the building trades have
received an advance in wages that
went into effect May list. The "Freie
Presse," of Cincinnati, has become a
union office after a seven years fight,
wages being raised and the hours Of
labor reduced. Bricklayers have been
granted an eight-hour day, without
reduction Of wages, at Montclair and
Long Branch. n. J. At Fairmont and
Calling, H., miners wages have been
advanced. Carpenters wages at Min
neapolis have been advanced to BIZ
cents per hour. At Joliet, Ill, the
bricklayers and stonemasons have now
an eight-hour day, with an advance of