The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-10
CURRENT COMMENT
.Aldrich Once More a, wo-.

~
Nelson W. AIdrich's resignation as Senator
did not mean his retirement from politics
tie had been too long In the limelixht had
SHOWN his hand too tonspicuously In control
ing Congress known the representative
o1 the oenefeiaries of the high tariff and law
less combinations. the masses began to sus-
pect every measure he advocated. Bills bear
ing MS name were marked for defeat This
vas Recognized when the Republicans sought
10 minimize his part In framing the tariff bill
AIR. TAFT and other Republicans have ALWAYS
called II the Payne" act. when 1t is well
known that Aldrtch was the author of the law
as It was finally adopted. The Monetary Com
mission was Aldriehs own idea, the currency
plan fathered by the commission Is his own.
But the Aidrfch name is handicap to Its
adoption. So the Secretary Of the Treasury
and the President bring the project forward
under new name. with the Aidrich in it
carefully concealed
In the coming campaign the Aldrichs and
Cannons. the Balngers and Morgans, will be
kept In the background. But they be-
hind the scenes pulling the wires and man
aging the show Aldrich himself. though pro-
fessedly "out OF politics." Is still the big chief.
Tartn manipulation. disturbance OF business"
protection of laber--ail the old devices will be
worked tor all they are worth. High tariff
interests were never more Tin politics'' than
they are to-day, though great care Is taken to
conceal their purposes and operations
II Aldrich can play Roosevelt against TAFT
he and the interests behind him stand to win
no matter which the Republicans nominate. II
GENTLY to kill off La Toilette and then be
quietly dropped. 1t will clear the way for the
denomination OF Tiff If Roosevelt II noni-
mated, It will be because the protected inter-
ests believe they can depend upon him to pre-
vent real tariff reduction and work out some
: seAeHar to give combinations an unfair ativan-
tage. But In every move in the political game
you the hnc italian hand OF Aldrirh
He is a good man to watch.-Baitmore Sun.
Needed In America.
Manuel, sometime King of Portugal, Io&IB
around the throne Of George V. In London and
perhaps there are other fugitive sovereigns
they are interesting creaturesind object lessons
enhancing. too, the pictuesqueness OF the land
scape.
China would be an excellent acquisition TO the
collection OF curious objects in this republic
II ne could be- had. Many Chinese youth are
already here and studying diligently in our uni
versities forgetting all that they possibly can
Of tho habits Of their own country. and 1t is
not unlikely that Prince Chuns boy would take
kindly to Yankee ways
There are millions or Americans who would
esteem themselves blest by having the oppor-
tunity of seeing frequently royal parsonage
though he were a yellow kid.--Columbia State
.sFoily' That Became Fruitful.
According TO estimates that have been made
by the United States geological survey mining
activities in Alaska, with the exception or coal.
showed a large advanse during the present year
The value of the territory's mineral production
for 1911 is placed at 2o.37o.ooo. OF this amount
SiTf50, 600 Worth was OF gold AS against a gold
production last year Of $t6,12S.74s.
This year Alaska produced 22.SoO00o pounds
of copper more than FIVE times the output in
1910 The coal. silver, tin. marble and gypsum
mined during the year was valued at only $780,
900.
OF the total value Of Alaska's mineral pro-
duction since 1880. when mining first began
there which total 10 1905, 100000. the gold pro-
duct was worth $1e5.s50.o0o. Since copper
mining in Alaska began ten years ago. 66,7o0.eO
pounds have been taken out, 10 per cent or
this amount beins this year. -
Alaska bought from Russia in 1857 by
Secretary Seward for 100000. During the
heated debates In Congress over the trans
action the term Stewards folly was very
often applied to II. 1t IL seen now. however
that II was no folly at all but paying invest
ment-Greenville Piedmont.