Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-11-06
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There are said to be ut least 10000
members of the Reformed Presbyterian
or Covenanter Church in the United
States who, while perfectly qualified as
citizens, will not vote at the coming cleo
ton on principle. Their quarrel is not
with the candidates nor principles OF any
party. As a matter OF conscience they
do not give allegiance TO the constitutions
of the United States, and therefore re-
fuse to vote under its provisions. The
position they take is that the fundainent-
al principle upon which the constitution
rests-namely, that 'we the people" are
the source Of authority-is wrong. Ae-
cording to their belief the law of God ma.
revealed by Christ is the law to which
ell nations should bow and is the only
source Of legitimate authority. 1T Is not
through lack of interest that the Cove
nanters deny themselves the use OF the
ballot" said the Rev. Fleming NJ. Fos-
ter pastor of the Third Reformed ffcs-
byterian Church in New York, NOR is IL
because of what is or is not in party plat
forms But the Covenanter has "A con-
tention with the constitution Of the ma
ton, and as matter of conscience is
forced to deny himself the right OF spf-
frage under IT, 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 Chrisn
rs the authority for law"
80
One of the first measures to be pre-
scented to Congress for its consideration
upon its meeting again is an enabling act
fn,. "a o1t.AfceiAn nf (llsi0 hama
as a State The territory now has pop
ulation of about $4,000. with taxable
property to the amount Of over $4,000,
600. while its area is about equal to that
of Ohio. When it is considered that Okla
homa was only opened up to settlements
in 1889 and 1890 this progress is mar
velous. In the story Of the building OF
States none surpasses that Of the western
territory now knocking for admission to.
the sisterhood of Columbia. Within the
past ten years her people have built 700
churches and there are now 100 Dewspa-
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
stances are on record where n single
wheat crop paid for the land and all the
improvements upon it. 1t has also es-
tablished schools. 20 that every child has
the advantage Of free education Three
great railroads cross its borders, yearly
adding to It's wealth Cotton also can
be raised in this new land and ~ crop
Of this staple now brings annually So
100000 to the people.
-:-:-
AT;.,,.eto hos a ION, s-r tbn ,ravo,tf,rx
and suppression Of forest and prairie
fires. has regular fire wardens," and, as
a result. the chief fire warden is able to
report that there were only ten forest
fires IN 1899 These burned over Z,6SS
acres and damaged timber TO the extent
OF only Sl.54l. The whole number OF
prairie fires the same year was thirty
four; acres burned over, 24,616; damage
done. $4,SJ6. The chief difficulty thns
has been found in the application Of tho
laws TO save MinnesOta's fine forests
arises from the fact that people do not
like 10 report against a fellow-townSma
or neighbor, and the machinery Of tho
law is not extensive enough TO depend
upon its own workings independent ~
the cooperation OF the people. Mime
sofa has about 100000 acres OF idle
land well adapted to the growth Of pine
49,
Ex-Gov. Pillsbnry OF Minnesota and
his wife are going 20 build a home for
poor girls in St Paul. The ex-GoyernOs
says III girl is thrown out OF employ
ment. or for any reason loses her bread
earning power. we want her to feel that
she is not without friend She need
of,r.a. "a .tse 81 nd
There she can find food and shelter, bc
as comfortable. 80 far as her surround
ings are concerned, as she would be any.
where in the world"
-s-:-
Some Porto Rcans, who have lived in
Baltimore more than year, have sought
TO l5ecome voters on the ground that they
are citizens OK the United States. The
general counsel OF the Board Of Super
visors Of elections, ~ whom the question:
was submitted. has delivered an exhaug-
tive opinion. holding that they are Amer
lean citizens and must be permitted TO
register and exercise the franchise
-.-:-
The present population Of the United
States as estimated BY Director Merriam
or the census bureau, - Tar DeiOW aura
ham Idncoln's estimate Of what il would
be. Ia his second annual message. Dec
i. 1862, President Lincoln. discussing a
plan he had for Offering compensation tc,
the seeding States for slave property,
in order TO i.aince them to return 10 the
Union. entered sipon an interesting cal
eulation as to the future growth OF tho
country In 1850 the population was
81 .443, 100. In 1900. he thought. the pop
ulation would be f03, 20s.415, which 10
now seen 70 be about 100000 too
much.