The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-06
ers were mlstaken In this Judgment Of

1T took the form Of shooting Dreyfus,
who was present at the ceremony OF
the man who had SO warmly
espoused his cause. THE Incident IS
as surprising as 1t Is deplorablc. What
the consequences may be 1t is inpos-
sible TO predict. AS long as Dreyfus
lives the possibilities for disturbance
would seem to be unlimited. For the
present II is only to be observed that
during a ceremony so full of solemnity,
has maintained the reputation of his
countrymen for theatrical actions.
-------.:----=.=-------.
GEO1G1A'S REBUFF TO I,EiOTM.
Whether for himself personally, or
for the policies which he stands for,
Hoke Smiths defeat for reelection to-
the governorsllip Of Georgia Is n crush
ing rebuff. Smith was elected two.
years ago on tidal wave of reform.
His majority over five opponents was
$4,000 votes. He was turned out of
office on Thursday, after barely twelve
months occupancy, by $4,000 votes.
toratc of some 100000, in SO short
space OF time. is a striking enough
thing in any case. In this case 1t is
peculiarly forcible, for Smith was EN-
titled" to recollection. A we'll estab-
lished precedent in Georgia gives the
Governor a second term almost as q
matter of course, II lie wants It.
Whether the event means that Geor-
gia is decsively weary OF reform re-
mains to be seen. Present Indications
are strongly in that direction. Cover
nor Smiths program has won the hos
tility of both railroad and liquor inter
ests. Governor-elect Brown is said to
be agreeable to both. Brown, in fact,
started his campaign with rather direct
intimatlons that he was favorable to
reversed himself weakly enough. and
declared that he would veto any leg
islative amendments looking to TINS
end Whatever the sources. 1t has been
evident for some time that his strength
was steadily growing. Once his candi-
dacy was greeted by the Smith camp
with open derison. The campaign is
described by the Atlanta Constitution
as "uneQualed for bitterness and IN
tenslty in the post-bellum political his
tory Of Georgia." The possible effect of
the result Of it upon the liquor situation
is distinctly significant; for other COM
munites have Interested themselves In
prohibition, and Georgia's experience
may be typical.
TWO-CENT POSTAGE TO ENGLAND.
Postmaster-General Meyer announces
the long expected and desired agree
ment whereby letter postage between
the United States and England Will be
reduced from to 9 cents. Such an ar
! rangement was bound to come, sooner
or later. Cheap postage has won ou'
| on its own merits, at one time IL, the
| teeth Of savage criticism. Rowland
| FIilrs earlier arguments for the penn!
| post were largely derided. but very
| few years after his plan was adopted
in 1889. he found himself with place
among the great English reformers
The scent rate among all countries II
| the Postal Union was adopted by the
Lisbon Congress in 1885. rhis was
still In the days when there was ono
rate for prepaid le,.ers and another
/ for letters c. o. D. In 1910. wncn the
first American post-oftlces were estab
lished, 1t cost shilling TO send {
letter from New York to LoEdon.
TO establish 2-cent rate for tina
service to-day must tighten the bond
between these two great English
i speaking countries and effect real ant
large benefits. The step is in thu
direction that Golden argued for 81
powerfully in his thesis that all trades
should be as unrestricted as possible
intercommunication meant hishe
I standard OF personal and national wei
fare, a greater increase Of wealth an
! an advancing civilization. So Tar
2-cent postage is concerned, Post
master General Meyer Is assuredl
right in saying that it viii help bus
iness relations between England an
America. But what folly It is to bull
up an understanding With enlarge
possibilities for the exchange CT goods
and then render such exchange inpos
sible by maintaining tariff who's
prime object Is to keep out competin
goods. Pcs tmaster General Meyer
no doubt a high protection!s., seem
that he is sturdy Republican. but !
/, extending the scope OF clenp posta
service he is building for free trad
, better tl:an lie knows.
------=
Travellers returned from the dar
: Southwest ten us that those giant Bel
muda onions, of which we find tn
r Houston Post talking so much nav
adaYs, are the most feroclous Nese