Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-04-18

them. The other candidate was also in
favor of municipal ownership, though
not in favor of proceeding SO rapidly to
accomplish it. As the street railroads
represent capitalization of about
500, 900, 900, it is easy. to see that Chicago
has something of contract on its
hands.
A member of the British parliamen,
proposes TO reduce the evils of divorce
by making all trials private. Such
procedure might be in one way gain
for public morality, as it would cut of
the public airing of unsavory cases
but is it not safe TO say. as general
proposition, that the more secret divorce
can be made, the more it will be en-,
couraged?
As lar as reliable news is concerned,
the status of the naval operations be-
tween Japan and Russia at present
seems TO be about the same as that OF
all the military operations in the early
days of the war. That is, it is safe to
believe about one-tenth of what is re-
ported, after you know it is true. The
news service from the land operations
got down to a basis of pretty good
accuracy before the armies got lost to
communication in northern Manehuria,
but the present news from the naval
operations is largely roorbacks.
1t is asserted that the Lewis and Clark
exposition at Portland, Ore, will be
complete when the opening day comes
June lst Seems as if there is familiar
sound about that assertion. Probably
il is true as similar assertions regarding
previous fairs.
The Democratic papers are processing
great concern for their Republican
brethren, because the last named have
got to shoulder the responsibility fol
the passage of the Sturgis Law. Nc
Republican has yet been heard from
who feels very badly about his share oil
the responsibility.
Minister Takahira, the Japanese en-
voy, has invited the members of the
government party of about fifty, who
are going to the Philippines in July, to
extend their journey TO Japan, and re-
main there q week at the expense of the
Japanese government. Such a visit
would be pleasant little junket for the
congressman, but if the war is still
going on at that time, it might not be
good policy for government party to
go.
IL would be too bad to strike dis
cordant note amidst the harmony of the
presidents warm reception in the South
still, there is in the friendly comment OF
southern newspapers an undertone OF
suggestion that the president has had a
change of heart regarding the South's
most vital problems. The president is
privileged, like any other honest man,
to change his mind for good reasons;
but if the intimated change involves
anything different from square deal''
for every man, white or black, we don't
believe it has taken place.
Ii may not have been noted by every
one as yet that among the laws passed
by the last legislature was one establish
ing the Office of state highway commits
sioner. He must be civil engineer, and
his duties may be briefly summed up as
the acquiring and imparting of informa-
ton regarding the building of good
roads. He has no authority over any
other officers, his functions being purely
advisory. The practical usefulness of
such an officer is doubtless questioned
by many; but there is no doubt that his
services, if properly made use of, will be
of some value in the improvement of our
highways. Even in building and main
tanning common dirt roads, while COM
mon sense is the most valuable qualifica-
ton, much money is wasted and imper-
feet roads secured by short-sighted
methods and lack of information.
Governor Cobb will not make the ap-
pointment for this office until next
month, as he wishes TO consider the
qualifications of all available men and
choose the best.
And we are moved to regret that Mr.. Qulmby
the Belfast Journals "Our George'') should be
guilty OF these lengthening silences of the pen.
The times have need Of the funny man.-Rock-
land Courier-G Gazette.
Respectfully referred to the considera-
ton of w. o. Fuller, Jr., of the Courier
Gazette.
There was an Oxford county man, who went
into q postofice and asked the clerk II they kept
stamps The clerk with tolerant smile admit
ted that they did. but was little taken back by
the next question. "what sorts do YOU keep"
"Ail the values. sir. that are issued from half
penny to pound" he replied. Whereupon hts
would-be customer shyly insimated that he
would IKE to look at some penny ones. The
clerk with something Of an air produced one OF
the huge sheets which holds some 20 shillings'
worth OF stamps and spread IL on the counter.
"There you are SIR" he said. lfyou want penny
stamps. there are some" The customer appear
ed dazzled with the display and seemed unable
to take his eyes on the stamps. He looked and
looked and at last after q careful examination
which had comprehended every part Of the sheet
he pointed to stamp In the middle and muir
INJURED, 81 think III have that one please"
Oh, come Off Maine papers ought to
know better than to circulate that kind
of stuff as they are doing. Where the
story originated we do not know, but
without doubt in England, as is evidenc-
cd both by the denominations of stamps
named and the elephantine quality of its
humor. Very likely it first appeared in
London Punch, and is one of those jokes
with which that paper draws tears from
its readers. If the New York Sun ever
published anything so fiat, the paragraph
quoted might be accepted as one Of the
gay inventions of that paper designed to
brighten and adorn its columns at the
expense of Maine. But the Sun never
would be guilty of 1t.