The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette. (Starkville, Miss.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-08
p" What's The News?"

* ENERAL INTEREST was taken in the New
vT York conventions last week, as much be-
~ cause of the eminent men taking part in
them as because of the political uncertainty in the
Empire State this year Mr.. Roosevelt domnat-
ed the Republican convention from start to finish.
The candidate, Harry F. Stimson was his per-
sonal choice, and the whole party machinery is
now virtually in his hands. The platform, how
ever, was remarkably conservative and on such
vital issues as that of direct nomination de-
cidedly ambiguous. After Mayor Gaynor's pos
tive refusal to be candidate, State Chairman,
John A. Dix, was made the Democratic nominee.
The platform is explicit on State issues than
the Republican, but much of it is devoted to an
attack on Mr.. Roosevelt and the New National
ISM" 1t has been said that New Workers must
have boss, and Chas F. Murphy filled that
place for the Democrats.
During the recent Georgia campaign Thos e.
Watson vigorously attacked the Congressman who
went to Speaker Cannon's aid when the first fight
on the House rules were made. He also fought
Congressman Hardwick for personal reasons.
Since the primary Mr.. Watson has been making
speeches OF the most extravagant nature, full of
bitterness and personal abuse. It is nothing less
than tragic to see one of the most brilliant men
OF the South thus wasting his energies and sacri-
fcing his influence because he lacks the philoso-
ply to endure defeat patiently and permits dis
appointment to blind him to the real Importance
of events
Louisiana has certainly made wonderful educa-
tional progress in the last dozen years according
to a report just issued In 1898 the school reve-
was $1,000 900, now it is $4,000, 900; then
the school property wasnot considered of enough
Importance to justify valuation, it is worth
$8,OO0,O00; $500 white teachers were employed
then for six months in the year, the men averag-
ing Sal and the women $31 per month; now 5000
M U0d for he md h4,
age SIS and the women $51 per month. This is
surely splendid record.
1t is reported that Senator LaFollette expects
to be a candidate for President on an insurgent
platform, but the present state Of his health
makes it very unlikely. Senator Tillman is also
seriously i'll, and it is not expected that he will
ever again be able to take active part in legis-
iation. Both these men we're regarded as freaks
or cranks when they went to Washington, but
both have established themselves in popular esti-
nation as among the most faithful and efficient
in the Senate.
One public official who is doing really valu-
able, If rather unpleasant, public service is Coec-
tor of Revenue Loeb Of the port of New York.
Most people are just beginning to realize how
much revenue the Government has been defrauded
of by travellers returning from Europe. Wealthy
women the chief offenders.
The plant of the New Orleans Times-Democrat
was destroyed by fire last week; and on Friday
night the Los Angeles Times building was blown
up with dynamite. The Times owners. place the
blame on the labor unions with whom they have
been at war.
Senate committee is now investigating the
election of Lorimer. Of Illinois. 4
China is reported to be in state Of turmoil
again. and a repetition Of the Boxer outbreaks is