The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-03
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD

ments are promised. The old trick of
candidates winning their way to office
by kissing has been tried before but not
yet has a presidential election conferred
about such an important topic. 1t was
usually the tariff, or the gold standard.
or something else equally hard TO under
stand. But everybody understands ba-
bies-or thinks he does-and If President
Roosevelt were to incorporate a baby
plank in his platform he would be
winner in those states where the ladies
exercise the rights of suffrage Other
candidates have not worried themselves
much about race suicide but most of them
have done their part Perhaps after all,
what the President is after is a large
number of voters for future political bat
ties. At any rate the world knows ex-
actly where he stands on the subject.
Colombia was the cat, Panama the
mouse. and Uncle Sam the mastiff. The
mouse got away, the mastiff kept the cat
off and there was nothing doing for any
body except the mouse and the Panama
Canal company.
little story comes from Orange. N. J.,
that reflects slight credit on the humane
principles of that town. The town coun-
Gil desires to get rid of the chief of po-
lice. William McChesney, after twenty
two years of service, because he is too
old to attend to his duties. The old man
will not resign because there is no pen
sion and he is too old and feeble to get
out of his house. The benevolent council
has decided to summon him for duty, and
since he is unable to report, he will be
discharged. This is not a very charitable
scheme but 1t will prove effective and
the old veteran will be kicked out with
out further ceremony. After a man has
served a town twenty-five years in any
capacity it seems that he is deserving of
some consideration and If there is no
pension provided for him when he be-
comes too old to work longer it would not
be bad plan to give him one Perhaps
the town council of Orange is an econom-
ical body and desires to save some
money. II that is the state of affairs
they have started out with good deal
of determination.
Referees of the Russo-Japanese squab-
BILE are at loss to determine whether
the result is a draw, diplomatic fuke,
or plain backdown.
A German court has decided that teach
ers should not wear red neckties, either
on duty or while shining in polite so
ciety. In Germany the red tie may be
taken as a symbol of socialism and is
therefore more to be abhorred than in
this land of the free, where anybody
can wear a red tie If he desires. And yet,
from an aesthetic point of view, the decis-
ion of this court could be regarded as
wise, for no man can wear red tie
about his neck and maintain his dignity
as an instructor of youth, an orator, or
any other public character. The red tie
is now recognized as a sure make of
plebeianism and the tenderloin. Under
no circumstances is it permitted in good
society and for a man of fashion to APP
pear wearing such an article of dress is
surer ruin than breaking a bank. AS
few people in this country with learning
enough to be professors or public speak
ers have any weakness for red neckties
it has not yet been found necessary to
appeal to court in the matter. PC.