The Washington herald., 1908-02-23

life of Lincoln. showing that Washington
influence on the man was second only TO
the influence Of his mother. - whom nc
gave his promise 10 never drink intONi-
cants Tie kept this promise as sacred
as the memory Of his mother, which 60
him was dearer than anything in the
world"
4 Lincoln Prediction.
He was one Of the most enthusiastic
prohibitionists in the country. and you
viii hear him quoted more as prohibi-
tionist IN the next few years than even
before his death. on the morning Of the
day Of his assassination he said 10 an In
innate friend that after the abolition of
slavery in the United States. the next
great change would be the overthrow Of
the liquor traffic In the last few years
YOU have seen how true was his predic-
ton
The Columbia Historical Society held its
Tooth meeting in commemoration OF Wash
ingtons natal day in the Shoreham ban
quet hall in the afternoon. At the JET
ferson School WashingtoRs Birthday ex-
ercises and the presentation OF a picture
of Frances Z. Willard by the Hopeful Y
branch OF the Woman's Christian TEN
perance Union, were combined Prof g
y. Thompson. principal of the school
conducted The birthday exercises ana
Mrs. Don p. Blaine presided over the
services in honor OF Frances =. Willard.
Rev. c. F. WinbigIer delivered an ad-
dress.
Government Ownership.
IF to-day we shall undertake govern
ment ownership OF railroads. we viii take
step backward, set aside every princi-
pie of the Constitution. and trample upon
every tradition of the republic"
This declaration is taken from a speech
against government ownership OF rail-
roads by Senator T. J. Burkett, Of Ne
George Washington University. held yes
terday. in the Belasco Theater. in COM
meTnoration of the patriots birthday.
Senator Burkett was the principal
speaker on the programme. and an
nounced as his topic. THE protest OF
Americanism against government owner
ship OF railroads" The speaker declared
the people of this country would, within
a few years be called upon 70 decide the
question. whether it was function Of the
| government to participate in the struggle.
Of trade and commerce, which for a cen
tury have been left to the individuals.
/ The speaker said that in eonsiderins
/ the question. he had come to the con
ciusion that the government would not b.
able to run the railroads as cheaply a.
the private owners.
speaks OF Railroads.
''The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Informed me that 81 per cent o
Tie railroad stock paid no dividends las
year. and that some were in the hand
tof a receiver" said Senator Burkett
Those railroads. every mile OF them
have been paying taxes into our treas
uries Under government ownership the,
would not be taxed cannot imagln
a more distressing event to the tax-pay
ing public. unless II would be one of thos
years when the railroads under gov
ernnnent ownership failed to pay ex
penses. and the people not only lose tn
railroad tax, but must tax themselves al
additional sum TO make up the deficienc.
OF railroad expenses. In that time Tn
expressive. that there was some despisei
and sometimes abused railroad capitals
upon whom to unload the deficiency
Senator Burkett drew attention to th
fact that government ownership woul
not be advantageous to certain section
OF the country on account Of the poitica
log rolling that would ensue gsebraska
he said, had an area bigger than all NeS