Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-28
HEARD IN PASSING.

lt is estimated that the Taft inau- gural ball will cost $l00,000, and two-thirds of that amount is already pledged. What a lot of good that amount of money would do, if care fully expended to relieve distress in this country? Sentinel.
 No one could wish to deny the fact that Governor R. s. Woodruff of this state will retire with honor In the first of the new year. He has had a somewhat discordant and stormy administration, but his pur- poSeful endeavors although not cor dially seconded appear now to be promisingly secure-Norwich Bull letin.
 It's inconsistent in Mr Bryan to be shaking his fist at the commercial interests of the country. Hes commercial interest himself, and by all accounts a very successful one. Look at his ChautauQua lecture bookings, and his prosperous weekly paper, and the thousands on thou sands of dollars they pour into his bank account every year-gold basis dollar at that. Courant.
 John Hays Hammond was actively interested i'll the election of Mir Taft, and has been making suggestions about the cabinet. Of course, they say that he is looking for cabinet position. What he himself says i4 l, in the cabinet or elsewhere under MT Taft's appointment, but has enough to do just now to manage his own affairs. To those who know John Hays HammOnd-and there are many hereabouts who do-that is sufflcient-New Haven Register.
 At the present rate of increase the mineral wealth of the United States will soon approximate the az ricultural and manufacturing output. The Geological Survey reports the annual value of all mineral articles to be $2,0o0, 0,000 This Is an increase of more than one hundred per cent in ten years. The figures also help to explain the remarka ble growth in national possessions and the large banking power which is a source of such amazement to the old world.-New Haven Palladium.
 Senator Brandegees friends insist that they have votes enough prom ised for him to elect him sure and if that is the fact then it is all over but the shouting. At the same time it Is always a good game in advance to claim everything. We have the whole thing, boys,' something pulls over some wavering ones who wish to be on the winning side. Judge Banks of Fairfield and Representa- Malone of Bristol, have both enough members pledged for an election. Some mistake somewhere; but we imagine that Judge Banks with his long experience, has not calculated very far amiss. s.-Bridgeport Stand 1 ard.
 The unsatisfactory collection of ! military and poll taxes in Connecti- cut is one of the subjects discussed 1 at lerqtE in the biennial repO't ol : Tax Commissioner William H. Cor 1 hin to Governor Woodruff and which 1 is now made public. He says that g majority of the taxing officials are of the opinion that the present laws l should be enforced, and if in nc other way, by the depriving delin- 1 quents of the right of franchise. The | method of strict enforcement il some towns and practically ignoring l them in others, the commissioner holds is unjust and indefensible, and weakens respect for the law.-Meri den Record.
 Fifty-eght years ago, the Rev l William S. Waith then newly or dained 10 the ministry. became pas tor of the Presbyterian church O Lancaster, \. Y. This week, ole and full of honors. he asks leave tt resign his charge into the hands o younger man. He is still hale anC hearty. but he believes that he ha: l reached the place where he ought tt cease from the active work of tho ministry. It is said that his con ! gTegatiOn receives his resignation with great reluctance and would b' willing that the ties between tho church and its beloved pastor should remain unbrUken as long as he lives Bridgeport Telegram.