The Irish standard., 1900-02-03
BOLD sPIoN KoP>
Observation Point for a Glimpse a
State1 and National Politics.
Reform Press Bureau,
ST. Paul, lam. 20. 1000.

ut the moment OF writing this Spion
kop is good point Of observation
from which to view the situation po!it
lcal IN Minnesota, affording as it docs
opportunity for looking into the Bocr
entertainments on the heights beyond,
or down towards the Tugela whence
the British have come on their. arduous
journey into Republican Ladysnitla!
according as the view is pro-Boer or
pro-British! The Spion Kop of state
and national politics.!
1t is surprising how rapidly develop
mcnts are placing those OF all parties
who favor Liberty and sclf-govcrnancnt
regardless OF what part Of the world the
case is in, or with what nations or pco-
pies on the cne side, ard the Tories and
friends OF imperialism on the other; and
how Democrats, Populists and indie
pcndcnts are to a man with the one,
while the small numbers in the other
are almost to man OF the G.. O. p.
persuasion!
The Twin City Pro-Boer meetings
have disclosed this. 1t is true that
when the St, Paul meeting was held in
which several thousand people partici-
pated, Republicans were present, some
like cx-4Attorncy General Moses T.
Clapp, taking prominent part. But as
it has been more and more clear to
what extent the Mckinley administra-
ton is tied tip witt, England, gradually
prominent Republicans, as il having re-
ceivcd the cue so to do from Hanna or
his underlings, have withdrawn from all
anti-English movements. Thus the
promoters OF the Minneapolis Boer
meetings, who especially aimed to keep
partisan politics out, extending earnest
invitations to prominent Republicans to
take all active part, found it impossible
to secure active Republicans for speak
ers, even after it was known that ex-
Governor Altgcld would be unable to be
present. En- Candidate Eustis formally
declined the invitation to speak while
would-bc candidate Van SAINT found it
convenient to be out OF the state. SO
with Bob Evans, and not only Rcpub-
licans generally declined or lodged, but
the Republican press sought every
means for discouraging the meetings.
How have the mighty fallen, when
Republican speakers refuse invitations
TO meetings whose sole purpose is to
commend a struggle for liberty, or pos
sibly to condemn those who would stihe
it, and destroy two republics? When
in these degenerate days, Republican
administration OF America is itself con,
Quoting war against liberty, also in
distant lands, and has itself destroyed
a republic?
And gazing from that same Spior
Kop, may it not be regarded as deeply
significant that Waterloo" is the name
OF the town to which Van SAINT is aid
to have gone as reason for declining
the Pro-Boer invitation? Is the Glib.
erty' question to be that on which
Captain Van SAINT shall meet his eva
tcrloo? We shall soon see.
Referring to the recent report OF the
state bureau as to wages, we find that
the bureau gathered no details for a
comparison as to increase or decrease,
except upon two industries, lumber and
iron orc production, finding i'll those
cases that there had been an increase OF
9 or 10 per cent. Or course this is
practically nothing, compared with the
boost OF living, and as to profits OF the
lumber men and mine barons, consid-
cring the arbitrary boosts they have
given lumber and orc. The wage scale,
on the average for all Minnesota is dis
trcssingly low. Sixty-fvc per cent Of
male employees in the whole state re-
ccivc under $l2 per week, and the
average pay OF the largest number OF
women is between Sc and 81 week.
In all Minneapolis and St. Paul but
seven women were found receiving over
$50 week, while in the same cities 3S6
females are paid less than So per week!
Other signs OF Hanna cruptions arc
that mud volcanoes are commencing to
sprout in California!
The Tri-Statc Grain Growers associ-
alton chose Hon Z. w. Randall for its
president, the association, as well as the
Minnesota Agricultural society, know
ing a good thing.
No stronger approval OF Inspector
Rcislus' administration and position
regarding inspectors, has appeared than
in the letter OF II. M. Arson of Casscl-
ton, N. D., published in the Minneapo-
lis Journal Mr. Arson cited numerous
large shippers OF grain who approve
the present inspection. When there is
only occasional complaint, says Mr..
Arson, as now, arising from the fact
that grain differs on different land,
you may be pretty sure that the in
spcction is pretty near right. But
when two-tfirds OF the shippers in three
states roar, you may rest assured there
is big steal on, and that was the case
under the Clausen administration. Do
you suppose that elevator men can ac-