The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-18
FRON OTHER PENS
THE INNOCENTs.

Mr.. Harriman's plea for the
innocent purchasers of railway Sc
curities demands much praise because
he did not mention widows and
orphans. Beyond that, commentator
will be suspiciously withheld. There
is an innocent public as well as there
are innocent purchasers and THOMAS
Osborne of the New York state pub
lie service commission takes the side
of the innocent public.
In an address to the National
Municipal league Mr.. Osborne said
that from his Investigations ne was
convinced that IN the adjustment of
rates and services of railways, street
railways and other like corporations,
either the public or the holders of in
fated stocks and bonds-and probably
both-would have to suffer. He ex-
planned that the reason for this was
that the promoters and manipulators
of the stock watering schemes usually
took mighty good pains to sell out be-
fore a possible investigation. Citing
the case of the Metropolitan and IN
terborough street railway scandals,
this expert from the peoples stand
point asserted that when one of the
chief promoters died it was discovered
that all of his holdings had been
shuffled off to innocent purchasers.
His widow and orphans did not own a
watered share.-Kansas City Star.
WHY THERE IS NO ALARM.
1t is very certain that the present
revision will include some important
changes in the schedules. Neverthe-
less, manufacturers business men,
Iaboring men and consumers are in no
way agitated. There is no alarm and
no worry. Never was there an
occasion when the people looked with
more condolences to congress than at
the present time. They seem alb
solutely willing with little argument or
protest to await the outcome of the
tariff changes.
the committee by various interests as
have been presented by the textile
trades of Philadelphia. But there is
a well-def1ned sentiment throughout
party, which is in control at Washing
ton, will do the square thing and the
fair thing.
This proves the wisdom of the vot-
ing on November 8. Radical tariff
changes with the Democratic party in
control would have meant business
paralysis, for the simple reason that
that party's tariff policy is destructive
of protection. The country would not
delegate to that party the handling of
so grave an economic problem
Philadelphia Press.
JUDICIARY RETIREMENT.
Retirement in the judiciary should be
compulsory just as IL is IN the army
and navy. In exceptional cases (and
that of Judge Harlan is one) the pub
lie would be the loser by the rule, but
1t is not safe to leave aged men to be
the measurers of the decay of their
powers. The salutary results of the en-
forcement of such policy is well illus
trated, we think in the Methodist
Episcopal church, north and south The
superannuation of clergymen and bish-
ops by conferences and general confer
ences is frequently a painful thing to
all concerned, but that it is sound
and expedient policy is. we think,
amply established. At any rate, the
Methodists have adhered to it for many
years and show no disposition to de-
part from it. Certainly it will not be
disputed that the administration OF
their church affairs is invariably vigor-
Gus and progressive.
Perhaps a day Will come, when hui
man nature Is less selfish and sord1d
than in this twentieth century. that
the servants of private corporations
and individuals will be pensioned in
old age. Indeed, the rule has been
adopted already by some of the ran
road companies and a few other en-
pIoyers.-Charleston News and courier