Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1908-01-31
By WILLIS j. ABBOT.

By WILLIS j. ABBOT.
One day recently l culled from Re
publican newspapers, which for more
than ten years have been preaching the
great increase in the prosperity Of the
country, due to successive Republican
administrations, these headlines:
'Coxey Army In Cincinnati Calls
on the Mayor to Ask For Aid and
Work.
''One Hundred and Thirty eight Thou
sand Nine Hundred and Fifty Idle In
Chicago. Business Depression Blamed
For $3.50 Persons Out Of Work"
"Coxey Army In st. Louis. Eight
Hundred Men March to the City Hail
and Ask Mayor For Work"
These assertions could be paralleled
in almost every American city. The
most forceful one-the Second-comes
from the Chicago Inter Ocean, which
throughout its entire existence has
been the leading advocate of the high
est type Of protection in the middle
west. 1t goes on to add to it's figures
Of idle workingmen the statement that
the normal number Of men out OF en-
ployment at this season in that city is
$4,000, so that the number this year is
almost treble the usual one. But the
tariff is in no immediate danger. Prac-
tically every Republican is insisting
that it must not be touched until after
the presidential election, and the sus-
picion is rife that it will not be touched
then unless to increase it. If the Dem
ocratic party wins, it can do but little,
for the senate must for some time to
come remain Overwhelmingly Republic
an. The hard times in the country,
which are not yet passed, amount to
the complete breakdown of Republican
policies and particularly to a repudia-
ton of the present administration.
When 1000 men in st. Louis march
ed through the mud and snow to the
mayors office to beg for employment
it was reminiscent of the darkest days
of 1893. The demonstration gave a
peculiar significance to the statement
made by Senator Gore of Oklahoma
before a crowded audience in Cooper
Union, New York, a few weeks ago
that when during Cleveland's admin
istratiOn siXty-ive national banks clos
ed their doors the newspapers called it
panic. This year, said he, they clos
ed by hundreds in every section of the
country, and the papers politely refer
red to the interim as a holiday. His
allusiOn may necessitate some slight
explanation to some of my readers.
In several of the western and southern
states at the very outbreak of the
financial stringency the governors in
order to save the banks declared legal
holidays ranging from three to ten
days in duration, during which, period
no money was obtain9ble.
The Blind Orator of the Senate.
BY the way, Senator Gore is likely
to make a hit on the platform, though
in the senate the precedent that a SEN
atOr shall not be heard during his first
term may hamper him. This precedent
has been badly warped during this
session, but is chung to rather tena-
ciously by a number Of the statesmen
of that dignified chamber. Gore has an
interesting personality. The fact of
his blindnes from boyhood is of course
familiar to newspaper readers through
out the country. That he has fitted
himself for such high official position
indicates a strong will and mind well
disciplined. Students know that the
loss of one faculty is very apt to de-
velop and sharpen the others. With
Senator Gore it has developed his
memory to an amazing extent. His
wife, who is his chief helper and
guide about the capitol, or his secre-
tary has only to read aloud docu-
ment once for him to master it.
A Misleading Poll.
The Washington Post and the New
York World have been affecting the
country with polls of the members of
the house of representatives as to their
presidential preferences. Nothing has
so long and $50 thoroughly been dis
credited in politics as a poll in which
names are not mentioned. The aver
age statesman is very prone to say to
the reporter: 'FWell, I am really for
So-and-so, but you mustn't quote me.
You might say, if you want to fill out
your article, that the people of my state
are generally for the other fellow, but
my name mustn't be mentioned in any
case The Post and the World, being
bitterly opposed to Mr.. Bryan, were
able to find fifty-three members, names
crixr divided fhoin
among several other candidates. Mr..
Bryan, of course, however, had more
than a two-thirds majority of all the
Democratic members. While not at
taching much significance to polls, I
secured one Of the delegation from Vir-
tile This state had been mentioned
in the newspapers aforesaid as being
practically certain to cast its vote in
the convention for Senator Daniel.
The Next Secretary of the Interior.
OF all the states or territories of the
Union the new state of Oklahoma
brings the most business to the interior
department In time doubtless it will
be rivaled by the great territory Of
Alaska, which has wonderful natural
resources, but today Oklahoma leads all.
A strong effort is being made by the
people of the state, irrespective of par
ty, to develop sentiment in both parties
to appoint some Oklahoman secretary
Of the interior There is scarcely a
oubt that the state will go heavily
Democratic in the next election. But
even so and should the nation be lost
to the Democrats the claim of the ma
terial interests of the state for repre-
sentation in the interior department
would be just and a strong one.
Mr.. Clarence B. Douglas, owner of the
Muskogee Phoenix, Republican pa
per, is pushing this movement strong
ly. Mr. Douglas, 0ao was the Re-
publican caucus nominee against Sena-