The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-11
svRMMI

me Reed 6moot investigation. now
In progress before the senate commit
tee In Washington, Il bringing out
some very interesting facts regarding
the Mormon church. 1t Is scarcely
necessary to go into details concerning
the matter. but President Smiths
frank confession that he had lived In
open disregard OF the state laws since
1890. may be taken as In evidence Of
what any Mormon elder would be ex-
pected to 10 in q crisis between his
duty to his church n his duty TO his
government, state or federal. The e1-
ample OF Mr.. Smith. the cad OF TIE
church. a scarcely be regarded ss
one calculated to inspire Apostle Smoo.
with that regard for the highest civic
virtues which we expect TO find at leas.
professed, IL not uniformly practicei.
by members of that most digni1ei
body In the world" the United states
senate.-Auanta Journal.
Representative Webb was more
graphic than grammatic when he de-
clared On the floor of the house on
Thursday that Mr.. Cleveland was a
friend of the negro, but not a fool
friend-" 1t is doubtful whether better
rhetoric could have added anything to
the general understanding of the idea
which Mr.. Webb meant to convey TO
| his auditors and to the public at large.
| Nor Is there a reasonable question that
the speaker correctly portrayed Mr..
Cleveland's attitude towards the negro
race. The former president is far too
intelligent, fair minded and big-think-
| ing a man not to be "a friend Of the
negro.' He as we'll as every one eiso
is aware that there are somthing like
nine million colored men and womea
in America. For the present at least
they must be reckoned with as a cor
L gfftInnt mart Of the nation Az cIca
they are entitled to the friendly consid-
Grafton Of Mr.. Cleveland as well as of
every n else. But this in nowise OBJ
ligates Intelligent people to disregard
the rights. the wishes and the racial
interests Of the other seventy million
American citizens in order that the
negroes may enjoy a few more coveted
privileges. We do not wish to inquire
whether MI. Webb had In mind any
n particular man whom he thought
entitled to be considered pre-eminently
"a fool friend" to the negro.-News and
Courier.
A week or two ago Bishop Arnet ana
other high dignitaries Of the African
Methodist Episcopal church desired to
journey from Cincinnati to Mobile
and wishing to travel in luxury thew
attempted to engage seats and sec
lions in q Pullman car. Here they
were thwarted. Even in the state D.
Ohio the Pullman authorities denied
this high privilege but permitted
n prelates to charter a car for their
exclusive use. And TO- several news
papers of the north have, perforce of
habit. begun firing at the Pullman
company. but the attacks are by no
means spirited; they lack the vigor
which has heretofore characterized on
slaughts upon southern authorities
which proposed %curtaihng the privi-
leges of negroes.-Columbia State.
It seems to be admitted in political
circles in New York that the talk Of
Mr.. Murphy, the Tammany leader. for
Mr.. Cleveland for the democratic nom
! nation for president isn't sincere. He
has been talking Mr.. Cleveland. 50 81
Is claimed. to mask the real candidate
he has in view, namely. Mayor NcClel-
Ian. 1t is said to be his plan to keep
the New York delegation from being
instructed SO as to prevent instructions
to delegations from other states AMI
then have Bourke Cochran nominate
Mcclellan in one Of his powerful
speeches as the choice Of New York.
and thus effect the latter's nomination
The friends OF Judge Parker are not
inclined to permit him to carry out Lha
programme. Their claim ls that they
will ave a majority OF the state con-
v%ention. and hat there will be instruc-
tons for Judge Parker. 1t is their
purpose at the meeting OF the demo-
cratic state committee to have the
state convention called at a. early a
day as possible. for the reason that
In about every state democrats are
waiting on New York. Democratic
leaders in the west and in the south,
when asked as to the choice of their
(; respective states for president, say
: that they are waiting on New York
Savannah News
, Judging from the report OF surgeon
Perry just submitted to Surgeon Cen
eral Wyman. it appears that we will
be compelled to spend q few million
dollars in putting Panama In a san,-
tary condition before we can safely
proceed with the work Of digging the
canal. Surgeon Perrys report being
just what it is. it is more than difficult
to understand why the authorities
should regard It as hopeful" 1t
shows h a conditions could hardly be
worse and that the only hopeful fea-
that through the expenditure Of an
enormous sum OF money n the loss.
perhaps. OF a large numbe Of lives.
the canal route may be cleansed sufh-
GENTLY to make it comparatively safe
!, for the white men who are compelled
, to go there. According to DR.. Perry,
! Colon the town which will doubles.
be the base of operations, is "woefullly
: unsanitary and unhealthy" 1t is sur
rounded by a swamp which is cover
t ed with dense tropical vegetation and
stagnant water. furnishing admirable
{ grounds for millions OF mosquitoes
Aalarial " exists throughout ;he
. whole year, being especially vfruIent
In the rainy eason when the rate o.
mortality is often extremely high. A
I, few OF the camps along the PROPOSED
!. route are described as being somewhat
: more h~ealthful. but even there l. is
plain that men engaged IN the con.
struction OF h canal must take thei,
= lives in their hands. As far Colon It.
self. Surgeon Perry says it's redemp.
: ton Is possible. but that it will be ar
: immense task.'-HouSton Post.