The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-27
CURRE 1T CUM MENT.

yerS' objections to the presidents ap-
pointment of a negro as third assis-
tant district attorney at Boston, the
New York Sun says: 1t is rather abb
surd that Massachusetts should AVE
an unnecessary official foisted upon it
for the sake Of supplying an argument
as to the impartiality of the admins
tration.' But in the absence of such
arguments they must be m~anufac-
tured. The taxpayers foo the bills.
and absurd arguments are regarded
by the administration as better han
none.-Louisville Courier-Journal.
Dr.. Ware is beginning to have help
and consolationI Not only is the anti
kissing bill defended in influential
quarters, but DR.. ]. NJ. Hirsch. of Chi
cago, has drafted a law which he in
tends TO submit to the Illinois legisla-
! ture, making it unlawful for any per-
son to shake the hand Of another I'M
less he be certified by his family phys
ician to be free from any infectious or
contagious disease. DR.. Hirsch has
Investigated this question and The re-
suits are published in the Columbus
State Journal Of last Sunday, together
with e~ngravings showing the vari-
nus bacilli that have been found on
the human hand.-Richmond Dispatch
The blishment of close reCipro-
cal trade relations between the United
States n Cuba, while essential to
the prosperity of Cuba, for whose pro-
ducts this country furnishes the near
est and natural market, will be of
hardly less advantage to our w
manufacturers, farmers and mer-
chants. To repel this nearby trade by
hostile tariffs instead of inviting it
by preferential rates would be a pol
icy alike so injurious to the Cubans
and to ourselves as to pass under
standing. Were there no other induce
ment han the mere advantage of
good neighbOrhood and the preserva-
ton of peaceful and sanitary condi-
ions in q populous island almost
within sight of our shores, this great
nation could not Xcu itself from
lending a helping hand; but our
pledged faith no less than our self
interest binds us to the adoption Of
the reciprocity treaty now under con-
sider4tiOn III the senate.-Philadelphia
Record.
made a six days speech on the Omni-
bus statehood bill providing for the
admission of Oklahoma, Arizona n
New Mexico. He Oppose the admis-
sion of the two last named, and de-
sires to form one state from Oklahoma
and Indian Territories. This is the
attitude of a majority of the repub-
NSAll W. lllS u
emand in the republican platform
for the omnibus bill. 1t is interest
ing to note the recent antiDathy of
republicans to comforting statehood
upon sparse populations composed OF
illiterate persons and individuals Of
foreign descent. Nevada, Idaho n
Wyoming are evidences of a former
lack of conjunction as TO sparse pop
ulatiOns while the acknowledgements of
the slaves and the present attitude of
republican leaders as to the disfran-
chising clauses of southern constitu-
tons show that there is no inherent
repugnance to making an illiterate
voter provided he casts a republican
ballot-Columbia State.
The p~istol-carrying practice is
abomiable and cowardly. 1t is a con-
slant menace to a community, and is
largely responsible for the crimes Of
assault and murder. The man who
habitually Tugs a pistol in his hip
pocket in a peaceful community is not
only a deliberate viOlator of law, but
he is a threat against society. Con-
scious of his unfair advantage. he is
more inclined to be provocative and
insulting under excitement of the
stimulus of drink, and in a difficulty,
which is often encouraged by his re-
lance on his concealed weapon, there
is more likelihood of violence and
bloodshed. The pistol habit should be
suppressed as far as possible by a
rigorous enforcement of law. The law
should be made more effective in its
administration and if need be in its
provisions. But the question, whether
the making of the punishment by I'M
prisonment compulsory upon the
courts. would accomplish or promote
the desired end should be seriously
cnsidered.-Nashville Banner.
Citizens of Birmingham. Ala, have
given fifty carloads of coal for distri-
button among the poor Of New York
and Chicago. The blizzard is n rare
visitor in the land of Dixie, while the
cold wave of the sunny south would
be regarded as merely bracinS wealth
er in northern attitudes. While
southerners seldom suffer from arctic
blasts, they have no lack of sympathy
Tor those who live in a more rigorous
climate and endure privations which
are practically unknown below Mason
and Dixon's line. The scarcity of fuel,
which has caused great inconvenience
and suffering in the north, has been
felt to q very slight degree in the
SOUTH, and only IN the cities of that
section. In the country districts wood
is almost the sole article of fuel. An
| open fireplace piled high with oak and
pine. with an abundance of light
wood knots to start a flame when the
fire is low is a cheerful spectacle and
a revelation to the town-bred man,
whose heating apparatus, while con-
| duCive to comfort. is very matter OF
| fact and unaesthetic. In southern
| cities the open CRATE is the rule, and
there is no lack Of fuel, ven if the
| price of s soft Goa has Increased lin
| sympathy with the advance in the
north" On the whole, the south, with
its mild climate and its abundant
! fuel supply, can get along very com
fortably despite coal famines' IN
other parts OF the country. Still, the
| good people of bike sympathiZe deep
~ with the suffering poor in the north
and the action of citizens Of Birning-
nam in sending coal for the relief O
distress among the destitute indicate:
tina their sympathy is of a very prac'
tical nature.-Baltimore Sun.
CncOnsciOus From Group.