The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-24


orcer VIII add to the list 321, 900 soldiers,
who would draw $2S,112 2,OO0 The provider
Tor an increase when the veterans reach
Q, thus yer largely increasing the money.
Ip truth this order would put in force
a service pension without Congress
sloLal action. Years ago the brilliant In
gals startled the Republicans by sug
costing service pension" but it was
not pressed, but now, on the eve OF
Presidential election, this service pension
is to be promulgated as an executive or
der. There are some Republican Con-
gressmen from close districts, who would
vote fer a service pension, who resent
the executive order. They wish TO get
the credit for all the money voted to the
soldiers. The present pension appropria-
ton is now nearly $14O, ,O00, 900. The re-
cent order will make $4,000, 900 with an
ascending scale.
Rev. DR.. McKim, the popular rector of
Epiphany, fashionable Episcopal
church here, arraigned the growing di-
vcrce evil. He called society divorces
progressive polygamy''
I'm nothing has American life suffered
such serious damage" said Dr McKim,
''as in the lowering of the ideal of mar
riage which has been seen during the last
two generations. We shudder at the reve-
laticns unblushingly given i'll our ma
tioral capital here recently OF Mormon
ism, the plague spot in the body politie
but it is humiliating to reflect on the
frightful relaxation of the bonds of mat
rimony all over the land. Our courts are
grinding out divorces every day In such
a manner as to build up practically
system of progressive polgamy.'
II is said that Senator Foraker will
press his amendments to the antitrust
law unless the administration lorces think
it unwise to do so before the Presidential
election. In that event, the trust will
get ''the wink that the amendments will
be rushed through next December.
There is a rule at the White House, or
precedent or something like that, by rea-
scr of which Congressman who call at
the White House at night leave at 10:30.
No exception to that rule has been noted
here except on recent night when Book
er Washington was a caller ON the Presi-
dent. Hk arrived rather late--it was
nearly ten o'clock-and found the Prssi
postoffice Inspector was hastily dismissed
and the President hastened to greet the
Alabama negro who remained at the
White House until the clocks were strik
ing the midnight hour.
Professor Washington would not state
the subject of conversation, but it is
given out today that President Roosevelt
has asserted that if he is reelected he
and says he does not do it now because OF
political considerations" This is taken
here to b. a shrewd bid for the solid
negro vote IN the close States. The Re
publicans have been in now nearly eight
years and there have been more lynchings
in the North in these eight years than
in all the previous history, and negro
leaders have become restive because the
Republican administration will do moth
ing. either ins Republican Ohio, Republi-
can Illinois, Republican New York or
here at the national capital. The negro
will go a long was on a promise, and
now the President makes bid by promis.
ing eff [ am elected to stamp out lynch
ing. The negro leaders here are divided
some are elated at the promise; others
shake their head and say fair promises
butter no parsnips."
The Negro Business League of Washing
ton City have determined to compel the
idle members OF their race here to work
or leave the city. While there are many
worthy and Industrious negroes here, it
is said that thero are more idle and
worthless negroes here than in any other
city in America. Certainly there are
more impudent ones who try to live by
their wits. The League is going to pro-
vide work for all who will work and ostra-
cze those who will not work. A meeting
Of the League is soon to be held. The
principal address will be delivered by
Prof. John C. Dancy, of North Carolina,
tha recorder of deeds.
Members of Congress get all sorts of
letters, but the following received by
Georgia Congressman is noted as entitled
TO take the cake:
Dear Mister Kongresnlan: Sum time
ago | writ w, asking if there were any
thing the government cud do to make a
fiten wife behave herself. 1 aint herd
irum yu and things is no better.
Will yu plesa let me nc If yu kin git
me one OF them poison snakes frum
AilIka at the Cultural Department. /
hev alters voted fur yu and this is mitey
little to ask, specially Wen a mans wife
is alters peckin him.
FRED L. MERRITT.