The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-12-14

CONGREGATIONS.
When we come 20 daal with great
corporations the need for she Govern
nlcht 10 act directly Is FAR greater than
in the case of labor because great cotrl
poraiions can become such only by en-.
gaging In Interstate commerce. and
intcrstete commerce IS peculiarly the
field OF the Generai Government IT is
ain absurdity co expect to eliminate the
abuses in great corporations by State
action. 1t Is difficult TO be patient With
an argument that IS such matters
should be left to the States. because
more than one State pursaos tho policy
OF creating on easy terms Corporations
which arc never operated within that
State at all. but in other States whose
laws they ignore. The National Gov
ornment alone can deal adequately with
these great corporations 70 try to deal
with them in an intcmpcrate, destrue-
tive, or demagogic spirit would, in all
probability. mean that nothing what
over would be accomplished. and. with
absolute certainty, that If anything
were accomplished il would be OF
harmful nature. The American people
need to continue to show the very quail
tiles that they have shown--that is,
moderation. good senss, the earnest de-
sire to avoid doing any damage, and
yet the quiet determination to proceed.
step by step. without halt and without
hurry; In eliminating or at least in min
imizing whatever of mischief or of evil
there is to interstate commerce in the
conduct of great corporations. They
are acting in no spirit OF hostility to
wealth. either individual or corporate.
IEey arc not against the rich nan any
more than against the poor man. On
tne contrary, they are friendly alike to-
ward rich man and toward poor man.
provided only that each acts in spirit
OF Justice and decency toward his fell
lows. Great corporations are neces-
sary, and only men of great and sinGU-
lar mental power can manage such
corporations successfully, and such
men must have great rewards. But
these corporations should he managed
wlth due regard to the interest of the
public as whole. Where this can be
cone under the present laws it must
be done. Where these laws come short
others should be enacted TO supplement
them.
AGRICULTURE.
The Department OF Agriculture has
Grown into an educational institution
with faculty OF two thousand special
lists making research into all the scien-
ces of production. The Congress appro-
millions of dollars annually to carry ON
this work. 1t reaches every State and
Territory in the Union and the islands
fthe sea lately come under our flag
Cooperation is had with the State eX-
pertinent stations. and with many other
institutions and individuals. The world
is carefully searched for new varieties
of grains, fruits. grasses. vegetables,
trees, and shrubs. suitable to various
localities in our country; and marked
cement to our producers has resulted.
PENSIONS.
The veterans of the Civil War have
n claim upon the nation such as no
other body of our citizens possess.
The Pension Bureau has never In its
history been managed in more sat.
isfactory manner than is now the
case.
JAMESTOWN TRIcENTENNiAL.
In 1907 there will be held at Hamp.
ton Roads the tricentennal celebra-
tion OF the settlement at jamestown.
Virginia, with which the history OF
what has now become the United
States really begins. commend this
to your favorable consideration 1t is
an event OF prime historic Significance
in which all the people of the United
States should feel, and should show,
great and general interest
POSTAL SERVICE.
In the Postcilice Department the
service has increased in efficiency,
and conditions as to revenue and eX-
penditure continue satisfactory. The
increase of revenue during the year
was $9,358, ,lS1.10. or 90 per cent. the
total receipts amounting to $143,3S2.-
624.34 The expenditures were $152,-
362, 1870, an increase of about 8 per
cent over the previous year, being
thus $500 1925 in excess of the
current revenue. Included in these
expenditures was total appropriations
OF $l2,956 ,637.35 for the continuation
and extension OF the rural free-deliv.
cry service. which was an increase
OF $4,9O2 ,23735 over the amount ex.
pended for this purpose in the pre-
ceding fiscal year. Large as this ex.
penditure has been the benehcent re.
suits attained in extending the free
of mails to the residents
OF rural districts have justified the
wisdom OF the outlay Statistics
brought down to the 1st OF October.
1904. show that on that date there
were 27138 rural routes established.
serving approximately 10000 900 of
people in rural districts remote from
postofices, and that there were pend.
Ing at that time 1859 petitions for the
establishment OF new rural routes,
Unquestionably some part Of the gen.
eral increase in receipts is due to the
increased postal facilities which the
rural service has afforded. The reYe-
nues have also been aided greatly by
amendments in the classification OF
mail matter. and the curtailment OF
abuses of the second-ciass mailing
privilege. The average increase in
the volume OF mail matter for the
period beginning with 1902 and end.
ing June, 1905 (that portion for 1905
being estimated), is 40.47 per cent.
as compared with 25.46 per cent for
the period Immediately preceding.
and 1892 for the four.year period i'm
mediately preceding that.
CURRENCY.
The attention of Congress should he
especially given to the currency ques
tion, and that the standing committees
on the matter in the two Houses
charged with the duty, take up the
matter of our currency and see wheth
er it Is not possible to secure an
agreement in the business world for