News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-01-07
IN THE YEAR 1913

During the year just closed this country
has witnessed the complete transference
of the national government from the
hands of one national party TO those Of
another.
! In the main this has been done with a
spirit and purpose in pleasing contrast
to the conditions which attended such
trainers less than thirty years ago. The
country has reached point in its history
where the integrity of its Civil Service is
regarded as above the clamor bipartisan
claimants for office.
One important exception must be made.
1t seemed necessary to the President to
appoint as Secretary OF State William !.
Bryan. The State Department, in marked
contrast with other departments under
the Administration, has suffered during
the past year by the use made of it by
Mr.. Bryan as means of clearing his po-
litical debts, by appointing men OF no ex-
perence and few apparent qualifications
to positions which can be filled properly
been remarked that the list of appoint
ments to foreign consulships. etc., reads
| like subscription list to The Commoner
President Wilson in spite of this coudi
ton in the State Department and in spite
of bad mistakes made by his Attorney
General with reference to certain cases
tried in the United States courts, has
made an impression upon the Nation
as an executive OF strong personality sue
cessfu in carrying plans into effect. The
Tariff Bill and the Currency Bill of 1913
must be regarded as his work. Their ef-
feet and the result which they will have
for the nation as well as for the President
must await the action of time.
The year 1913 has been most prosper
Gus when measured by success in material
things:in richness of harvests and in vol
ume of trade. The barvests of the coun-
try have been larger and more remunmera-
tive to the farmer than ever before. At
the same time the year leaves a record of
unusual disaster. Never before have so
many people in widely separated parts
of the country suffered SO severely from
floods and from hurricanes. happily we
have been to a considerable extent free
from those violent struggles between la
borers and capitalists which are worse
than hurricane, flood or earthquake.
The only nation towards whose affairs
the United States holds relation which
seems to involve danger is Mexico At
present it seems that the Huerta govern
ment cannot long main ain even its pres |
ent show of power. When it falls, the
attitude that must be taken by our own
government will be question of serious
Importance.
In Europe the nations nleague against |
Turkey well. nigh succeeded in driving the
Turks into Asia; but fell into dispute
over the spoils of victory and so lost, as
they deserved the best fruits of victory,
besides establishing record for cruelty |
which is a shame to humanity.
China has maintained during the past
year at least the outward forms OF Re.
publican Government and its President,
or practical Dictator Yuan, has shown
himself able to suppress rebellion. a long
time must doubtless elapse betoreits peo-
pie develop the capacity for union and
seltgovernment.
Death has been busy as ever among
the wisest and most helpful OF the sons OF
earth, but for one fact we may be CRATE
ful-the year 1913 has closed without the
stain of the assassination of any national
ruler save in dark and troubled Mexico.