The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-07
CURRENT COMMENT.

Interest in the senatorship made
vacant by the death of Mr.. Quay re-
lates less to whether or not the govern
OF OF Pennsylvania may make an ap-
pointment covering the %unexpired term
than TO the sort OF man likely to be
CHOSEN by the legislature when the time
comes for filling the new term. As tina;
question is decided may we expect ligh,
on the question of whether a new order
in the state has opened, or whether Mr..
Quay is still ruling his party from his
grave.-Washington Star.
The Sultan of Morocco is very likely
to be rid Of a troublesome subject by
the aid Of United States marines IL the
bandit Razouly doesn't very quickly
restore the American citizen he is hold
ing for ransom and threatening with
death We have undertaken some I'M
likely and improper operations in for
eign lands during the past few years
but here is an occasion for righteous
proceeding along strenuous lines, and
President Roosevelt may be sure that
he will have no censure in consequence
of such a course.-Charleston Post.
Young Mr. Rockefeller talked to his
New York Bible class last Sunday on
the subject Of Light and Love-
Zig is a power undefled," he said.
Light is pure. I suppos there is no
force of nature greater in it's purifying
power than the power of light. Dark
cellars, dark alleys n dark places
are full of sin and misery, but let the
light hin in and what a difference
there is" Papa Rockefeller is engaged
in the business of supplying the neces-
sary oil for making light. Does this
plea for more light, for the lighting
up of cellars and alleys, presage anoth-
er advantage in the price of kerosene?
The probability Of Judge Parker's
nomination for the presidency at ST.
Louis is welcome to all who desire that
the democratic party turn from dema-
| gogocracy and defeat to the advocacy
Of sane, safe and conservative princi-
pies. That probability is profoundly
pleasing to The World, which has COM
mended Judge Parker's candidacy and
which heartily commends it now. He
is not only the leader and the logical
candidate. but he is a man of lofty
character, of dignifed presence and
OF judgment too sound to be
warped by the temptations Of vast
power, of viii too firm to be moved by
the opportunities Of politicians.-New
York World.
The great advalee in the cost OF raw
cotton has materially reduced the mar
gin Of profit for manufacture. Thirty
three corporations. Of Fall River, Mass,
operating seventy mills, capitalized at
$21, $4,000, paid in diviaends for the last
quarter s239, $50, which is Ito per cent.
Seven other corporations, ca pitalized at
S4,035, 900, passed their dividends entire
ly and four others reduced their divi-
dendS onS-half of 1 per cent. Some OF
the mills lave gone or a 4 Per cent.
basis in Oeder to pay fSd the COST of
new equipment, and propose to remain
on that basis until they wipe ont all
floating debt In view of tAe- trade con-
ditions, the saowing is not. to be- said
a poor one, afsd it is of interest to note
that the mills ran on pra stically full
time for the last quarter. nheY will,
however, Tedufs their output, so per
cent. in the neat quarter.-Smes-pS-
patch.
If the experiments now being made
by the United States government are
successful, the bsll weevil is doomed
The South American red ant haas been
found to be a deadly foe to the cotton.
avager The theory first advanced
was that the weeviS would be destroy
ed by the red ant There were some;
who Knocked at the declaration, Be4iev-,
ing that the ant ana weeviI would soon
become the best of friends and ere long
1890 - AAAo ms VII
the same cotton s1alk. But expeff-
ments have proved the truth Of the:
theory of the college man who first
brought the wonderful announcements.
20 the cotton world. official tests have
been made in Texas and with great.
satisfaction. The red ant instantly at
tacks the boil weevil- It is a duel to
the death-the death Of the weevil. In
many cotton fields in the south red
ants are now being distributed and ex-
peTts are firm in their faith that ere.
long the red ant will completely tri-
umph and put into the pockets Of the;
farmers Of the south several million
dollars annually.-Atlanta Journal.
New England, which takes it's pleas
ures sadly, is just now gravely discus
sing the question whether Senator
Lodge is "a creditable type of the school
in politics. The Boston Herald and
he Providence Jurnal.. both good
Judges Of politics, scholarship, and,
nat Lodge, have duly weighed the
pros and cons and rendered an adverse
decision. The Herald thinks that if
Lodge were judged by the ordinary
standards for practical. politicians his
case would excite no m The
trouble has been hat people assume
that Mr.. Lodge possesses greater viz
tue and ability, whereas this SUPPOSE
ton Of personal superiority is entirely
g~ratuitous.' In this harsh condemna-
ton The Journal concurs, on the ground
that Lodge has never used his ability
for noble ends; his name is not asso-
ciated with any great movement
Both papers call the Senator to account
for his marrow craftsmanship" O re-
call his effort to make the republican
| party a silver party" n his cheap
lingo policy. In short, the verdict of
the vicinage is that Lodge, who has
| enjoyed all the advantages OF family,
wealth. and education. has neverthe-
less been lacking in both intelligence
and character. There will be a good
laugh over this the next time cabot"
lunches at the White house.-New York
Post.