The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-06
CURRENT

When the big republican organs of
the country find il necessary to daily
devote 80 per cent. of their editorial
space to criticism OF the democratic
national ticket and the defense OF
President Roosevelt from democratic
criticisms, We may be sure they know
they have a fight on their hands
1t ook very much as If the repub-
leans will now have to institute d
still aunt for an issue. their last re-
naming point of attack upon the dem
ocrats having been remove by Sen
ator Hills open declaration that IL is
his purpose 10 retire permanently from
politics and hat he would have no
position under the democratic admin
istration should Judge Parker be
elected Failing in all their efforts to
find something in Judge Parker's W.
record that was vulnerable, the repub-
lican organs have been aiming all their
editorial and cartoon shafts at David
3. Hill. They have tried to make an
issue of the possibility that Parker's
election would make Mr.. Hill secre-
tary of state and that Is such the AL
bany statesman would be the domi-
nant figure of the administration
Atlanta Constitution.
1t is sad news that comes from New
Mexico Jerry Simpson, now a resi-
dent of the territory. aspired to the
democratic nomination for delegate
in congress, but vas defeated. Mr..
Simpson aDostasized at the wrong
time. Populism. which was his early
love, is getting to be clipper again
under Tom Watson's leadership, and
there may be something in it for its
votarieS. But fortune otherwise has
been good to Mr.. Simpson. When he
set out ten or a dozen years ago to re-
form the world he had plenty of time
for his mission. His theories compos
ed the bulk of his possessions. There
was nothing else to occupy him. Now
he is in snug circumstances and is able
70 look the world serenely in the face.
md it is the same Ole world, withou
q trace of any reform he eve advocat-
ed.-Washington Star.
A republican organ points with
pride to the record showing that Gin
the three months of May, June and
July of the present year this country
exported s12~O,789.769 worth Of man
ufactured articles and s106, 503,133
worth of agricultural products" This
is a fine showing. 1t would be still
finer if the cost of many Of our man
ufactured articles were not enhanced
beyond the exporting point by tariff
duties or their raw materials, a handi-
cap to which no foreign competitor is
subjected. But the question before
the people is why. if our manufacture
ers are able to export their goods at
the rate of nearly 00,000.000 d
year, do they need a so per cent.
tariff to protect" them from compe-
titors whom they are underselling in
the markets of the world? Are these
hoary-headed monoDolieS to be for
ever coddled and fed OF tariff pap?-
, New York World.
Nashville American.
The republican campaign book af-
fords another evidence that it is the
policy of the party to play upon and
gull the negro for all he is worth in
this presidential contest. The publica-
ton contains an exposition of what
The party has lone for the negro in the
distribution of offices. and evidently
much store is set by the showing. AS
we have said before in discussing the
somewhat reawakened republican zeal
for the man and brother. it's object is
90 whooD up the negro vote in the
northern states. There is no danger
of that vote going to the democrats.
The republicans nave 4 lead-pipe
cinch on it; the question is one Of
arousing it and getting it out in full Oh
election day. The exposition gives the
locations of the negro ben~eficiar1es of
republican patronage, and that would
defeat the object in view if the negroes
a any political independence and
were not blind devotees at the shrine
of republicanism. If we except New
York city and Washington, practically
all the negro ofice-holders are in the
South.-News leader.
Talk about President Nicholas MUIR
ray Butler as republican candidate for
governor is. according to the veracious
political reporters, regarded by poll
ticians as a joke; while the aspira-
lions of Timothy l.. Woodruff are
treated with entire seriousness. This
is a singular inconsistency. The name
Of a college president, q man of DR..
! Buffers and attainments, is
greeted with derisive laughter by the
machlnists of the party which as
m to monoDolize the virtue and
intelligence of the state. or else is
passed over in silence. while the name
of u leading favorite in political
vaudeville rouses the enthusiasm Of
the workers from Brooklyn to Buffalo.
h Kings county delegation is, of
course. to be for Woodruff. and he is
rapidly gathering supporters from
other parts of the state. Lieutenant
Governor Higgins and Mayor knight,
Of Buffalo, seem to be rapidly dropping
out of sight. No marvel. then, that
the party organ is sorely disturbed.
AS a last desperate effort to break the
Woodruff boom, it urges a stampede
to Root in the belief that IAN unhesi-
tating, unanimous, imperative nomina-
ton would leave MI. Root without
means or desire to refuse" Between
Root and Woodruff a comparison is
absurd. Presumably the republicans
wish to carry the state. In order to
do so they need the independent vote.
Root would be likely to get a large
share of it: Woodruff. little or nome
New York Post.