The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-02-21
CURRENT COMMENT.

EVIL begets evil. South Carolina has
usurped for the state a o.
the liquor business. Now a p-ropositioo
comes before the legislature to establish
a state fertilizer factory, and
bly, that viii be made a also.
In Kansas-where any crazy scheme,
Ii it does not originate there. finds a
greedy welcome, they are talking of a
state oil refinery. Any state monopo-
ly leads inevitably 10 anu
oppression. and, If allowed to continue
10 the destruction of the freedom, of the
people and the abolition of republican
forms and principles of government
News Leader.
Russia enjoys no monopoly of the new
things. Think of a son of Louis Kossutn
in conference, by invitation, with the
Emperor of Austria, and receiving re-
spectful consideration for a PROPOSE
ton for the economic independence of
hungary The man who twelve months
ago had predicted such a meeting
woul have been ticketed as crazy.
Francis Joseph, it is true, is an old
a and the succession to the throne
is a source of anxiety as to the future,
hut nevertheless, the situation which
brings the emperor to this course plain
ly shows the working of new agencies
in public affairs in the old governments
across the water. The visitor is de-
scribed as bearing himself with dignity
and composure, and as discouraging
n hurrah ON the part of his friends
and supporters. A good sign in a man
who has delicate business in hand
Washington Star.
It is reassuring to know that there is
not the slightest friction" between thu
President and the senate. LOYAL AID.
ministration organs hasten to enlighteu
the country on that point. There has
been no struggle" there will be no
fight" the whole incident is Closed"
everything is harmony in the most har-
monious of possible worlds. Such mag
nanimity on the part of the President
towards those who ave been too strone
for him is touching. He will not chal-
lenge them to knock him down again,
It is. in fact. not his. but the serate's
fghtiDg blood that is uD. Senator's
seem to be aware that there has been
q contest. if the f "esiceI ut is not. They
appear also to have a dim suSplciOi
that the victory Dies not rest with him.
Yet Mr.. Roosevelt's good nature in de-
feat is wholly admirable. 1t argues
welt for ais meeting cheerfully the very
diff cult situation he has created. But
good nature may be o~verdone. Suppose
the senate adds to the burked treaties
a defeated tariff bill and frustrated
railway Iegislation-win the President
go on smiling and saying, This is nota-
ing?-New York Post.
1t a. in Mr.. Cleveland's coz term
that he found himself working at cross
purposes with his party in congress-. a
situation that led to the disruption Of
the Democratic party and to Mr..
Cleveland's total loss of power in that
party. Mr.. Cleveland was-and is yet,
no doubt-a stubborn a determined
,ropn having his own way. He may
have been more stubborn than Thee
dore Roosevelt, who has some of the
wisdom of the boxer and knows how
&c give and take, but he did not and
he does not like to have his WI way
anv more than does h present occu-
pant of the presidential chair. But
MIR. Roosevelt has not been having his
own way lately, n there is yet an
other block in his path. In regari
to the arbitration treaties the president
has been distinctly turned down" by
the senate. I'm reference to the con-
structive recess, his position has been
utterly r~epudiated; and in the matter
OF railroad rate legislation it is promis-
ed that the presidents demands will be
defeated. lit is to be revealed just how
long a clash of this sort can continlie
without injuring either the irresistible
force or the immovable body.-Colum
bia State