The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-12-15
CURRENT COMMENT.

says the New York Sun, that there is
no analogy between the secession of
Panama from Colombia and the seces-
sion of the Confederate states from the
American union" Of course not. Il
was to the interest of the American
union that the Confederate states
should not secede, while il was to the
interest of those now in charge of the
American union that Panama should
secede.-COurierJ ournal.
James n Tyner. former assistant
attorney general for the pOstoffice de-
partment, has written a sharp letter
to the president criticising him for
publishing to the world the statement
that he was guilty Of wrOng-dOing
while in the government service. ana
Perry Heath, former assistant post
master general. says that he doesn't
intend to resign from the office of
secretary of the republican national
committee. In other words, these
two ex-otticials who are charged by
the president with being Implicated
in the pOstoffice frauds, assert that
they are not guilty, Mr.. Tyner wants
to know by what right the president
conVicts him without giving him a
chance to answer the charges against
him. There is some force in the
position taken by Mr.. Tyner, though
the evidence against him must have
been overwhelming or the president
I would hardly have dared to publish
him as guilty. True, he hasn't had a
chance to answer his accusers, and
if he should be taken before jury
the presidents statement might have
much weight with a jury against him.
Perry Heath hasn't said yet what he
thought of the presidents course in
expressing q wish for his resigna-
ton, but it is safe to assume that, as
there could be no prosecution of him,
even if he We're guilty, because the
statute of limitations bars it, re Will
miss no opportunity to show his hos
tility to the president 1t is doubtful
if he could do the president much
harm. as his influence must neCes-
sarily be limited but doubtless he Will
do him what harm he can.-Savannah
News
The extra session OF congress has
not gone on with the one, two. three,
bang. that President Roosevelt doubt
less expected when ne first decided
TO call it. The close of the extra ses-
sion, with the reciprocity bill still
hanging fire, is rather a baCk-step at
the White house. Still Mr.. Roosevelt
has the satisfaction of knowing that a
date has been set for 4 vote.-Cin-
cinnati Enquirer.
The Medical News mas gone a step
beyond the other newspapers in Urg-
ing precautions to avert the possibility
of accident from the illness or sud
den death of the men having charge
of the motive power of public con-
VeyanceS. LOng-continued warnings
finally drove the New York legislature
into compelling the ferry companies
doing business With New York city
to provide two men for every pilot
house. There has been much agita-
ton in congress at various times for
a law to compel Interstate railroads
to keep two engineers always in the
cab of every locomotive. Our med-
cal contemporary now declares that
the motOrmen on the elevated rail
roads in cities should travel in pairs.
The idea in all these cases is that if
one man becomes incapacitated his
companion can step into his place,
and the lives and property committed
to the care of the company will not
be subjected to so terrible q risk
Washington Post.
Mr.. Roosevelt's third annual mes
sage Is, in some respects, an improve
ment upon the other two. 1t is short
er. It has nothing to say about Iron
in the blood" of 'masterful race"
1t vaunteth not itself about law-made
prosperity. On the contrary, it fore
casts Il treasury deficit, and speaks of
the need of economy. True, the pres
ident proceeds to recommend meas
ures certain to lead to extravaganza.
His programme of navy enlargement
has IN it the promise of endless de-
ficits. He is for economy in the alb
stract, but is also for every concrete
expenditure. Lord Nelson said that
the word "frigate" would be found
written, on his heart. On the presi-
dents is inscribed 'fghting unit"
One part of his message seems to us
ominous and discreditable. It is that
relating to ship subsidies. He urges
commission to report to congress
upon this subject. on the ground that
--differences of opinion" have hitherto
prevented agreement on bill But,
In fact. there are just two opinions
that Of those who want the treasury
to come to the aid of the shipping
trust. and that of those who do not.
The president ought to be able to say
which he favOrs. Apparently, how
ever, he has found that inconvenient
on the eve of election, the people hav-
ing their prejudices. On the other
hand, Senator Hanna has been insis-
tent in demanding n word of encour-
agement for the subsidy-seekers; and
so. we infer. the shift of commits
sion has been resOrted to as a basis
for campaign contributions from the
parties in interest. It is a distinct
subterfUge. unworthy of Mr.. Roose-
velt.-New York Post.
Coincident with the news Of IN up
ward movement in the cotton market
come rumors OF Shut-dOwnS among
the cotton mills because of the high
price of the staple. Assuming, for
the sake Of argument. that high cot
ton IS To be the rule for some time to
come. * this embarrassment OF the
mills to be permanent? In other
words. is twelve-cents cotton. which
IS an undOuhted blessing to the farm
er TO result in a general paralysis Of
the cotton manufacturing industry"
We must face the situation calmly.
There Is nothing to Ne gained by
hySterical statements. That the sud
den rise in cotton has caused no little
| emharra ssment TO the manufacturers
Of the staple cannot be denied. Such
4 result is only natural. But serious
reflection must teach any observer
Ia 4