The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1904-12-08

gives some curious figures In an ef.
fort TO bring within average compre
henslon the magnitude aud value Of
the farm products Of this nation. The
farmers OF the United States are nov
producing yearly commodities worth
nearly s .000.000.o0o. To most OF ms
such figures really mean little. Our
minds cannot grasp what they stand
for. Only by comparisons can we get
any definite idea Of their meaning. The
farm products OF the last two years
I'm the United States exceeded In value
the output OF all the gold mines OF the
world since Columbus discovered
America. American farm products OF
the last year were worth four times
the value OF all the minerals produced
In this country; three times the gross
receipts OF all the railways; six times
the combined capital OF all a nation
nj banks. With their corn crop alone
American farmers could ut c pay
or the entire national debt. principal
and accrued interest. and have nearly
enough left to pay national expenses
for another year.
The secrets Of the Mormon endow-
ment house may be revealed when the
hearings In the case Of Senator Reed
Smoot are resumed by the Senate Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections.
The opposition TO Senator Smoot will at
tempt to show that the Mormon people
in this ceremony u allegiance
20 the United States. The robes worn
will be exhibited, and 30 far rs posi-
BILE there win be a reproduction OF the
ceremony itself. During the previous
hearings all Of the Mormon witnesses,
including tho apostles, refused to re-
veal the endowment house secrets. In
sisting that they were bound by secret
oath, but admitted there had been NJ
change in the oath and ceremony since
the foundation OF the church. Now
the opposition will produce witnesses
who were once Mormons, but have re-
nounced the church. three OF whom
have been through the endowment
house ceremony, one as late rs 1895.
-
There In a determined move among
Republican leaders now In Washing
ton 10 suppress and discourage all talk
OF tariff revision ut this time. Only
the most guarded statements are be
ing made by men known TO be In fa-
yor OF revising some OF the tariff
schedules. 1t Is believed that the Re
publican House leaders will take up
the question on the quiet soon after
Congress convenes. however. and that
IL a feasible plan for revision M be
devised and an agreement reached
among themselves as TO what Is eces-
sary and how it shall be done. Presi-
dent Roosevelt may then be advised
and a special session OF Congress call.
ed to carry out the program.
-
Second Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral challenger and his assistants are
cleared OF any suspicion OF wrongdo-
ing in connection with the award or
railway mail contracts as n result OF
the investigation OF his Office recently
completed. No illegal collision has
been found between any government
Official and the railway managers. but
n recommendation may be sent TO Con.
gress as a result OF this inquiry TO ef-
feet changes In the method OF award
ing these contracts. There Is q we'll
grounded opinion that the system OF
competitive bids should be introduced
so far rs possible.
-
An extra session OF the F%ifty-ninth
Congress Immediately after the adj
journment OF the Fffty-elghth In March
Is now known to be the wish OF the
President. He will o insist upon Il.
hut will make an appeal for Il to the
leaders I'm Congress. Aside from the
tariff it IL said that some special legis-
ladon for the Panama Canal strip will
be necessary which cannot be consld-
cred nc the regular short session. On
the tariff question ID Is said the Presl-
dent has declared that II there 10 20 be
any change In the Dingley act II should
be made rs soon as possible.
-
The case known as the Faycrweath-
er will case was decided by the Su-
preme Court OF the United States In
favor OF the colleges. The cas- In
wolves n bequest of about $2,50o.000.
made 20 twenty different colleges by
the late Daniel g. Fayerweather. n
leather merchant Of New York, who
died In 1890. The viii was attacked
by Mr.. Fayerweather, widow. and 1--WE
nieces. fraud being charged.
-
An earnest effort will be made at
this session OF Congress 10 secure the