The Nome nugget., 1904-01-06
"TEDDY'S GOLD BRICK"

restocking railroad in all kinds of practical and impractical machinery, etc.
 On his return from the isthmus de Lesssps found Panama stock standing nearly at par. An unfavor- able report by him would have caused panic which, under the circumstances then existing in France, must have resulted in disastrous and tragcal revo- luon. It is therefore, more than charitable to as- sume that it pro -patria' that he sacrificed his honor by suppressing his unfavorable report and by letting the glowing accounts go forth to the world unimpeached.
 Maybe the first intent to break the gently and to let the investing public down easy but let such large stock selling proposition get once started the downward course of swinde, it was bound to prove itself hard matter for the promoters to step down and out and then there must have early oomed up before these sharpers the possibility of chance to pass off the brick the United States. For year two salaries were continued to be paid in Panama and work carried spasmodicaly to keep up appearances, but the corruption at the head of affairs reacted largely all subordinates One after another the members of the staff returned to their homes either hopeessly insane from drinking absinthe to excess physical wrecks as fever vic tins. Valuable excavating machinery sold much old iron in Panama and shipped to San Fran cisco. Then money ceased to come altogether. The unsuitable of the subsidized French press and of the debauched chambers took every dollar which could be raised until the final denouement came, y 15 years later which shook the French republic its very foundation.
 It has always been with me matter of opinion that the French senate to some extent influenced to quash it's investigations of the Panama swindle by ts wish not to spoil the chances of the promoters to sell out to the United States To unprejudced observer it must be obvious that for years past sys tematc campaign has been carried on in America, with the help of large number of our newspa- pers and periodicals by the French canal company to induce the United States to take hold of the canal project. Their experience in France had made them past masters in such work and insinuatvely have the American people been drugged by the dope of the Panama pipe, that without hardly any protest, the president authorized by the United States Con- gress to purchase-what? An alleged franchise, a decrept railroad, lot of old and tumble down build ings, long abandoned works and an immense grave yard for the magnificent sum of $40OOOOOO, not to mention the $1O,OOOOOO which is to be given to the bunko steerers pal in Central America for standing pat. What wonderful package to tender our Uncle Sam!
 According to our latest accounts President Roose- welt has got himself entangled with the gold brick that he forced to keep it and pay for it whether he wants it not. What the American people will think of their bargain when they awaken from their pipe dream, and the late Panama incidents are bound to let the cat out of the bag" will learn at our next presidential election.
 Why do the American people want to build an lsthmian canal? By the light of clear and cold req son unable to think of one substantial cause to justify us to spend two-hundred millions of dollars or any part thereof, on such proposition. Is it the oarioo ,>sr,<< failed? Then it is the most stupendous piece of quixosm. Or is our Republican administration with its high protective tariff with its more money thetreasury do-wth" ready to take to canal building like Eric O. Lindblom has taken to automobiling? Quien sabe?
 CONRAD SEEM.