The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-06
EIIGEENT TOPICS.

The Charlotte Observer reproduces some
remarks of ours concerning the declara-
ton of President Roosevelt that, in max
ing appointments to Office, the question
of a mans locality would have no weight
with him, and ADDS:
Certainly the sentiments which the
President expressed to .'Priva te' Dali
zel, and which he had previously ex-
pressed to certain Senators and Repre-
sentatives, are Just and noble, but he
will have difficulty in living up to them
if he is not the strenuous man that he
is believed TO be- he will not be able
TO live up to them at all There is a
host of reactionaries in the North, like
these New Hampshire people, who Go
not feel that the South is entitled TO
any part in the Government; who regard
it as "a conquered province" unrepentant
and undeserVing. There is an element
in the South which reViles Il Republican
President for outra geously bad Republic
can appointments in the South, which.
when he makes good Democratic appoint-
ments, assails him for trying to buy the
South for his party with offices. And
there he is. A strong President viii be
less affected by the criticisms from the
North than he will be chilled in his good
purposes by the accusation from the
South. But between the two he Will first
be greatly perpleXed as to his duty and
next weakened in purpose to do it after
he sees it.
Good evidence of the prosperity of the
farmers. of the United States is furnished
by the latest report of the English
Mortgage and Debenture Company, Linn
tied This association, whose business
consists in lending English capital upon
announces q dividend of 10 per cent. on
its common shares. During the past
year it has realized a profit of over $780,,
600, and has carried a reasonable amount
to the credit Of the Preserve" account.
Only a relatively small number Of fore
closures have taken place. and consider
able capital locked ND in foreclose6 lands
has been released. The average rate OBJ
tanned on farm loans has been 6.7 per
cent. This situation contrasts very ia
vorably with the history of some of the
older English mortgage companies. which
We're forced to the wall after 1850. It
ought to be added that the more favor
able condition of the Mortgage and De-
benture Company IS not wholly due to
the current prosperity of the United
States. but also in part TO the fact that
it has confined its operations to States in
which the loan market is settled and
the security offered of known value--New
York Evening Post.
Much interesting information in regard
to the railroads Of the country is con-
tanned in the Introduction to Poors
Manual for 1901 the compilation OF which
has Just been completed. OF special in
terest are the many comparative tables
showing the development of railroads
i in this country during a period of forty
years. 1t shows the present total mileage
Of American railroads to have been at
the beginning of this year 194.955 miles.
The net increase in mileage during 1900
was 3,5O3 miles, being larger than in any
wear since 1892. except in 1880, when over
1000 miles We're added to the mileage OF
the country.
The statistics Of onerafinn show that the
total earnings Of all roads for the year
| amounted to S55t,O20. $50, and the payments