THE SCH ANTON TRIBUNE SATURDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 24, 1896. 11 POLITICS BREEDS NUMEROUS THEORIES Bat Our Interest la the Subject tin a Beuellclal EHect JEM0CRAT1C GOVERNMENT ON TRIAL lome of Itt Wont Danger Arise from Itt Early Suecesses"Tet of a Scholarly Paper Read Last Krenlnj by Howell Harris Before the Robert Morris Lodge of True Ivorite. It li hardly necessary for me to offer in apology for the choslng; of a theme, t subject, that today overshadows all ithers, unless It be that you are al ready weary of political discussion and txpect, at this, our evening- entertain ment, something of a different order. In seasons like the present it would teem that we are devoting an amount If attention to politics that is entirely tut of proportion to its importance. Yet such a .conclusion la the result If superficial observation; for man is, is Aristotle says, "a political beltiB by nature," and the earliest and wisest ' records of his existence emphasize this (ruth. The opening chapter In human history records a political revolution. Dur first parents, yielding to the ora torical blandishments of Satan, became imbltlous to share with the powers of heaven the authority of government. For those among us who sturdily cham pion democracy, it may not be pleasing to rellect that democratic principles were first Introduced by his Satanic majesty. In the midst of a great num ber of good people, Satan is still an Im portant factor in the world, and a pro lific source of Inspiration for many of pur modern political movements. How ever true this may be, the fact remains that man has always manifested a deep Interest In politics, an interest Which no form of government could wholly suppress, although It might prevent any active participation In its (flairs. In defiance of great penalties, and even at the risk of life man has scrutinized and criticised the acts of his rulers. This was the case In the old Hebrew theocracy. It was the same un der the Imperial despotism of Itome.and It Is the same today in our enlightened land, where we are accorded the fullest liberty, and sometimes paid a hand some salary for doing It. Through the labor and sufferings of an Innumerable multitude of martyrs, man has finally succeeded In making good the proposi tion, "that governments derive their Just powers from the consent of the governed." POLITICAL FREEDOM. Political freedom is the birthright of every American. It would argue a monstrous unworthtness on our part, were we, as a people. Indifferent to the obligations which that birthright Im poses. The great work in which the people of the United States are now en gaged Is the development of demo cratic government. For the last one hundred years, we have been occupied with the world's first experiment In this work on a large scale. Before our time there have been attempts at es tablishing governments called demo crat!?. There have been, too, In the government of some' great nations other than our own, some single dem ocratic features, but It was reserved for the framers of the American Con stitution to lay down the fundamen tal principles of a government that Is Intended to be thoroughly democratic. The experiment has been a great suc cess. We have demonstrated for all time that a stable, vigorous government for a great people, can be formed on dem ocratic principles. But the growth of this government is not fin ished; we must go on with the experiment. The conditions under which our progress has thus far been made have been exceedingly favorable to the healthy growth and development of the nation. A virgin soil of extreme fertility yield ed rich rewards to labor. A varied cli mate and an abundance of mineral Statistics which WAGES PAID ON A SOUND MONEY BASIS. Average weekly wages paid to the general trades in countries with currency on a gold basis. Complied by the Department of State from the United States Consu lar reports published September, 1895. Australia. France. n J. . v u , a "3 iM h i i h I $ ? I 4 ! "as "i I a sg a i 3 jj a a I l a 9 a ;q z o w a & a & S o 1891. 1894. 18S4. 1881. 1884. 18W. 1894. issT J8sT 18ST "1884J188T IM 18847 "1884": TSt BHyer $16.32 $14.60 $7.90 $4.58 $7.00 $7.82 $5.74 14.21 $7.86 $7.22 $7.55 $4.20 $3.80 $5.21 $18.00 $21.18 carriers 9 20 9.60 6.00 3.22 4.30 3.13 2.92 4.94 3.48 4.50 1.7(5 2.99 S.40 1S.J8 Masons 13.W 16.30 6.85 5.22 5.36 7.25 6.33 4.67 7.68 7.12 7.10 8.00 3.30 6.27 13.50 21.00 Tders. . 9.20 9.60 3.28 3.00 4.30 3.23 $.16 6.07 165 4.70 1.70 3.60 8.40 1.60 Pterers 15.00 15.30 8.30 4.66 6.97 11.00 6.31 4.43 7.80 7.12 6.73 6.04 5.10 5.05 13.50 23.10 Tden 9 20 9.601 3.2$ 3.02 3.86 3.22 2.91 6.27 3.53 4.95 1.70 3.40 8.40 Slaters 16 75 15 30 8.25 4.98 9.00 6.65 4.20 7.10 6.85 6.86 4.20 4.35 21.00 Hoofers' 6.34 4.98 8.00 6.65 4.2s 7.35 6.57 7.13 4.20 2.99 13.60 17.30 ders 3.28 3.28 6.34 2.81 4.24 3.40 6.10 1.70 3.18 8.40 Pbers .. 13.35 13.40 7.92 6.46 6.70 6.10 4.25 7.90 7.47 7.00 8.60 8.25 6.18 13.50 19.00 Assist ants .. 9.20 9.60 8.60 2.93 4.30 3.61 2.72 4.69 8.38 4.10 1.70 3.36 8.40 Carpen- ters .. 14.15 14.60 7.13 4.07 7.00 8.00 6.20 4.11 7.G6 6.97 6.91 4.00 8.90 4.74 11.60 16.25 0ters.. 13.30 13.40 7.02 6.00 6.90 6.07 4.08 7.C6 7.47 6.86 3.40 6.0 13.50 11.90 Bakers 12.65 11.65 5.73 4.28 2.25 7.15 3.50 6.17 6.53 6.51 4.00 4.50 3.88 10.50 Black smiths . 12.65 14.60 13.42 6.38 4.82 6.00 5.81 4.00 7.37 7.07 6.56 2.60 3.90 6.20 1 0.50 16.02 Strikers 9.20 7.65 3.29 4.82 4.72 2.94 6.30 3.79 4.61 3.40 4.40 7.00 10 32 Book binders 10.25 16.54 3.58 6.35 4.12 6.75 4.20 6.77 7.22 6.70 3.80 4.68 10.00 Brick makers 10.48 10.00 4.23 5.00 6.00 6.33 3.98 7.00 6.41 6.97 6.00 fi.40 4.40 8.10 Brew'rs 23.00 11.90 4.5i 4.87 3.75 4.43 5.00 6.85 7.30 6.8-1 2.70 3.78 15.00 Butch's 13.07 9.07 4.31 4.37 3.22 5.50 6.81 5.95 3.90 4.66 9.60' Brass- found'rs 16.35 16.00 7.0o 6.02 4.82 6.64 4.38 7.47 7.34 6.31 4.00 4.92 Cabinet makers 12.25 12.20 6.01 5.00 4.58 8.10 6.14 4.25 7.68 7.22 6.73 3.40 5.25 6.59 11.40 13.32 Confec- ttoners . 33.40 9.75 7.86 5.03 12.00 4.85 3.40 6.84 6.46 3.75 3.55 6.84 11.00 'Cigar makers 11.45 7.30 7.00 6.28 6.00 6.90 4.C5 3.03 6.07 6.11 8.00 4.80 3.00 9.00 Coopers 12.90 13.86 6.45l6.17 4.82 6.22 5.58 3.97 7.50 6.81 6.GB 2.60 4.78 9.00 16.08 Cutlers . 9)75 5.28 6.70 6.16 3.90 7.50 8.03 6.73 3.80 4.50 4.93 Distil lers 9.75 10.48 6.00 8.90 6.96 8.56 6.00 6.11 4.20 4.25 4.02 Dray men and team'rs 8.25 10.94 854 8.77 8.22 7.92 6.57 2.96 6.37 4.26 6.28 1,60 S.40 10.80 Drivers: Cabs & can-g 9.25 3.86 8.92 4.80 4.82 J.21 5.15 4 26 5 161 2 60 7 70 8 40 St. car. 12.00 6.89 4.09 3.3U 4.47 3.44 ..... 4.26 6.161 si 300 3.84 WOO Enl " 6.16 4.80 5.40 4.88 3.45 .i8 4.86 60g J00 3.30 4-9I 7-00 ,,M P,"?," " ft? J-Jg 6.12 8.38 8.27 8.46 6.00 7.65 6.25 15.00 Sard- VM 8,82 8 03 1M 4-40 3 00 4-63 UM H"e: ,n! Hi ISS'k' li1, 3 78 6 80 4-86 4 8 4.00 4.95 3.83 8. J 13.60 Hatters 13.83 10.32 4.59 4.00 6.50 6.0O 4.30 6.10 7.30 7 88 6 25 3 84 H orse- "hoers T-02 5.63 4.12 7.80 6.89 3.61 6.32 6.21 6 88 8 20 4 50 4 63 12 00 Jew'ers 22.80 13.10 12.90 6.94 6.3610.30 6.2 6.21 iM sioi ZOO iM I) M UM.. "Y. labor- I ers. por- Llthol" 9,20 9-80 lK lV 430 6,00 4 00 3,11 4'70 100 M 8M 173 363 7- ,SS grap'ers 13.35 18.40 12.90 5.86 5.50 12.00 7.17 5.C3 7.07 7.71 7.33 3.00 6.51 12.00 Mill- I wrlghts 15.00 15.00 6.00 5.87 7.00 6.74 4.81 6.97 7.30 6 76 6 30 12 00 16 80 rrinfrs 14.10 12.00 4.86 6.36 8.22 6.64 7.17 8 52 7.27 4 60 4 50 6 92 ... KM sMi.6" K 387 488 4,82 636 4-78 8 60 szo 4:38 6 if? 8hoke!r 10 83 10S2 4 M 4-82 6 W 285 8 03 6.50 2.80 190 glL -80 4 82 t S0 600 8.00 8.30 fidores . 14.60 17.52 7.75 4.36 6.00 6.72 6.70 S.S1 5.40 6.07 2.00 8.30 cutters . I 12.60 8.00 5.13 4 . w m S; if S 12 -w? Ill 600 vn iw'isiii ftttiio i m -is.?:!? Toleg tM 1M TO s" 4 00 4 90 6 30 9M $nVr" SB 0 6.11 11.00 8.87 12.00 6.20 7.00 7.50 tq'?!?lJjPj!Ltt40 7.02 4.40 7.00 6.50 3.55 6.50 0.04 6.67 6.60 X 00 4.03 6.00 14.35 JVl V Paperf which 1. that labor Is paid In paper currency, It KIEL' WIt'iyJ'" l only about - . . ' ... iiiu 11117 uutviiBBiiig uuwvr ui ine rates K?tlut!li.ta,rt'W l th" . W wealth gave to each man ample scope for the exercise of his physical or in tellectual energies which should at last be crowned with alhuence or prosper ity. TOO SUCCESSFUL. But these conditions are rapidly changing. The population becomes more dense and the struggle for exist ence, more severe. Under the changed conditions a democratic form of gov ernment is peculiarly adapted for breed ing all manner of strange political the ories. We spoke a moment ago about the success of this great democratic institution. Perhaps we have been too successful. The people have wielded the sceptre of government with such marvelous results, that now a great number look upon it as a wizard's rod that will remove mountains, divide ths seas, transform human nature, or re verse the laws of trade and commerce. The people are conscious of their power but not conscious of its limitations. This misapprehension of the nature and functions of state is probably at the root of many of the new political the ories of these latter days, the growth of which is a menace to the whole social fabric. Though the present aga boasts of its practical turn, it is dom inated by some of the wildest vagaries that ever hair-brained specutytors con ceived. A natural anxiety therefore prompts the thoushtful to Inquire, whether conservative democracy will be able to ride the storm that is every where rising around It. Political crit ics of the highest order regard the out come with doubt and uncertainty. It Is not my Intention tonight to gratify or offend the party bias of any one by discussing the issues of the present campaign. Yet It may not be time wasted to note briefly a few of the theories that animate many of our mod ern political movements. POLITICAL CLASSES. Among the swarming masse of our fellow-citizens who participate in those periodical though peaceful revolutions called national elections, can be found every variety and shade of political opinion. If we should attempt to class ify these opinions and form those who hold them Into separate parties the fol lowing dUlslons might be the approxi mate results: First, and perhaps numerically the strongest division, would be, the party that has for its political creed the de basing sentiment that "to the victor belong the spoils." The adherents of this party are very conspicuous In each of the great political organisations of the day. They have been potent In de termining the result of many elections, not on the ground of principle or party policy but for the Bole purpose of per sonal nggrandlzment. This party looks upon the state as a stupendous machine for the distribution of offices and official favors. Like Esau, they will sell their birthright for a mess of pottage. To tliein the privilege of having a voice In the government Is worthless unless in some manner It brings immediate re turns ranging from a cabinet portfolio to a night's debauch at the expense of Borne candidate. Fortunately this par ty cannot attain any permanent power. It Is at war with Itself. It will, how ever, be an Important factor in shaping the ultimate results of democratic government. Another class of opinions might be formed Into a party that could appro priately adopt for Its platform the words In which the old counsellor, Gon zola, in the Tempest, draws his imag inary state. "I would by contraries Execute nil things; for no kind of traffic Would I admit; no name of magistrate; Letters should not be known; riches, pov erty And use of service, none; contract, suc cession, Tlourn, bound of land title, vineyard, none. No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil. No occuintion; all men Idle, all; And women too. All thlnKs in common, nature should pro duce Without sweat or endeavor. Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any enplne Would I not have, but nature should bring forth Of Its own kind an abundance To feed my Innocont people." This party at present is in a hope less minority. It manifests Itself oc casionally by Inflammatory pamphlets and speeches, and sometimes by throw ing dynamite bombs at organized so ciety. In contrast with this party that Show that Wages are Highest Under the the gold nitlreJfl 1m worth G4.8 cents. follows that the purchasing dow. i one-third the purchasing power of tr most likely DWi r of th would strip the state of all power there is another class which demands that the state shall do all things. This party Is growing more formidable every year. In its train you wilt find the preacher and the vagabond, the philosopher and the fool, all of whom unite In declaring that society as it is now constituted Is a failure. It has a multitude of political theories, each of which is a specific remedy for some ailment or other of the body politic. It proposes to bring about a social and Industrial millennium, by the abolition of private ownership of property. The state, they say, must control all railroads, telegraph lines, steamships, mines, mills, etc. By this means they claim there will be an equal distribu tion of wealth and each member of so ciety shall enjoy the maximum of com fort and luxury In exchange for the minimum of labor. The old notion that formerly prevailed was that the bless ings of life were obtained by the prac tice of certain simple but di ill cult vir tues, such as industry, thrift, skill, economy and .patience. But we are as sured on the eminent authority of the state socialist that under the system they would Inaugurate, these qualities are not necessary; that everyone shall partake of the comforts of 1'fe with out exercising the same difficult vir tues, or manifesting the same degree of ability. This alluring programme Is not likely to commend Itself to practi cal Americans, however inviting It may appear to political dreamers. There are, no doubt, nodal questions to solve, but these questions cannot be settled off-hand, by ready-made solu tions deduced from abstract socialistic principles. HOBBY RIDERS. In addition to this there Is a multi tude of other reformers, each bearing a hobby that they are anxious to fasten upon the shoulders of the state. Some there are who would transform the government Into a vast reformatory for the purpose of enforcing upon society their own particular moral or ethical code. In connection with this, I regret to notice that It has b?come exceeding ly fashionable tf lute years, to lower the pulpit to a level with the political plat form. Christian ministers Instead of instructing their people In the truths of a holy religion arc frequently found lecturing upon current topics of mu nicipal and national administration, or advocating the adoption or enforce ment of civil law. It Is the glory of Christianity that the Ideal It offers to mankind is a righteousness which Is above the restraint of law. To incul cate moral truth into society Is certain ly the duty of the church, and for this work It has received a divine com mission. The church and state, how ever, are two distinct and separate communities. When the church at tempts to use the machinery of the state to enforce upon society Its own particular principles of morality, It Is stepping entirely beyond its legitimate sphere. The mission of the church may be to the whole world, but Its juris diction is limited to Its own members. The clergyman who uses his ministerial office for political ends is guilty of a great breach of trust. He creates and stimulates the sentiment that the Christian religion is mere conformity to outward rules. The church received the Holy spirit, with which to conquer the world, and when it depends upon any other weapon It acknowledges that it has lost that which gained it former victories. When the church ceases to lean on God, and asks the state to fight Its battles, It confesses to a weakness which will never gain the submission or even the respect of the world. Then again, there is the prohibition ist with his hobby, but there may be some among us tonight, so 1 shall re frain from comments. In a treatise on Morals and Legisla tion Bentham discusses the elements of time and place, in legislation. It Is just In neglecting these elements that the most delusive employmentof new-fledg-d ethical and economical propositions takes place. I shall now dismiss this phase of the subject trusting that the political cranks of the nineteenth cen tury will be ridiculed into oblivion by the cynics of the twentieth.- TRUE AMERICANISM. Let us now turn for a moment to the true American party. A party that has EUldcd our destinies in the past, WAGES PAID ON A SILVER CURRENCY BASIS. Average weekly wages paid to the general trades In countries with currencies on a silver basis. Complied by the Department of State from the United States Con sular reports published September, 1895. " "Austria. China, Ecuador. . : a . 9 . a i S S 4 f d o S a p, s " 1891. 1884.11891. 1884.1 18S4. lgirnmlSsTTRSTTssTTlM. 1884.1 18T $3.58 $1.64;$1.20 $ 7.41 31.44!$ 7.5,) J2.oi!$10.00 $2.40 $ 9.00 $4.32 $ 9.00 2.05 1.13 8.90 72 4.50 1.14 3.60 1.00 6.40 1.45 4.63 . $2.63 8.73 !. 7.74 1.44 7.50 2.1S 10.8(1 1.80 14.76 6.72 9.74 1.92 75! 3.90 72 4.50 1.14 3.50 i.ju 4.90 2.8S 3.81 4.00 1.6UI 7.74 1.44 7.60 1.56 4.25 2.40 9.00 4.00 9.40 TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS. Bricklayers . Hod carriers. Masons Tenders Plasterers . . Tenders Slaters Hoofers Tenders Plumbers Assistants Carpenters Gasll Iters Bakers Blacksmiths Bookbinders Brickmakers Bre wws Butchers Brass founders... Cabinet makers... Confectioners .... Cigarmnkers Coopers Cutlers Distillers Draymen and team? teis Drivers: Can and carriage Street car Dyers Engravers Furriers Gardners Hatters Horveshoera Jewelers Laborers, porters. Millwrights Potters 1'rlnters Bailmakers Shoemakers .... Stevedores Stonecutters ... Tunners Tallora Telegraph opera' tors Tinsmiths 4.00 7.74 1.44 4.201 13.20 4.20 1.60 7.74 1.44 7.50 1.80 8.40 1.80 3 75 8.70 2.80 75 3.'J0 72 4.50 8.25 1.20 2.00 4 82 4.11 1.66 ll.iiO 1.44 10.00 4.32 2.41 75 7.14 72 6.00 2.3'J 9.60 . 2.85 5.10 2.15 7.74 1.441 10.80 1.50 2.40 9.00 3.3U 9.S4 6.00 11.50 1.44 8.U0 3.70 18.00 4.72 2.80L.... 4.M 1.44 10.M 7.C0 3.72 3.0) 2.95 12.00 . 2.67 8.18 1.25 1.25 9.06 1.44 9.00 1.S3 8.00 3.01 16.30 3.72 12.83 4.00 4.84 1.44 7.50 6.50 13.Su 3.12 10.25 . 2.24 3.10 1.04 1.00 4.84 1.44 7.60 6.00 3.78 9.0 2.601 9.10 , 3.09 5.87 8.5u; 7.50 6.00 20.00 4.00' 3.00j 2.25i 3.84 1.44 6.40 1.6S 12.30 2.9! i 11.75 . 3.31 4.40 1.621 1.41I 9.00 3.00 10.00 4.20i . 2.85 3.00 2.251 1.80 7.74 1.44 10.001 10.00: 14.70 o.76' 14.45 . 3.20 3.041 2.W 1.32 4.84 1,441 io.ijo: 5.00 2.88 4.20 3.30, 10.3-4 3.04 1.401 4.84 1.4 H 8.001 4.50 1.68 7.5 6.M 12.59 3.90! 1.631 1.00 1.44 8 00' 7.23 7.501 3.0G . 2.20 3.00 2.13 10.00! 3.01 .. .. . 2.30 3.00 3.50 3 S4i 12.UO' 4.00 1.25 4.00! 13.50 2.00! 3.S4 I I 72 9.00! 3.00 3.50 3.50' 4.00! 3.84 9.00 1.50 8.W 1.75 3.:.0' 3 .') 3.08 4.S4 li.uu 3.U0; 7.40i. 2.93 8.50 . 2.42 3.80 1.75 2.00 1.44 3.I0 2.40 3.1 10.W 1.75; 1.44 9.00 1.52 4.6iil 3.00 19.75 4.0'J! 3.67 2.50 9.00! 3.00! 3.(!'J 12.ii:) 1.50 3.SI 1 3,(kiI 1.48 fi.uo 3.uj (j.Ju 3.85 1.50! 3-84 1.44 8.001 5.10 3.81 9.00 5.10; 3.43 LB, 9.00 1.44 12.00! 3.75 1.68 3.75 4.74 1.881 1.9S 9.0-i 12.001 4.13 6.3ol 13.00 4.1ii . 2.37 3.00 1.00! 1.20 3.84 72 8.0)1 1.44 2.90 1.92 3.50 2.8a. 7.S3 3.101 1.88! 2U.W 3.30 1 3.0j , 2.80 4.85 I.881 1.44 4.81 1.44 2.751 1.80 6.701 3.00 5.701 a -J!i -1 ill y i K4 I 1 II la mkl 17:1 E ?.! 1 u a J-i r i. Uo I 1.44j s-wl ---vl S.St I I 10.00 7.40 1.881 6.92 1 9.001 O.lftl I 4.92 2.8S 4.151 1.73 I I.411 2.181 : I I . 2.41 3.001 1.50; 6.1I2, l.Jij 8.O0! 1.701 3.00 3.54' 4.931 4.90, 12.00 4.03! 2.5o; 4.S4; 1.44( 10.00! 2.93 I 7.11, 2.88; 4.821 3.42. 12.50 i I I I I ! I I I 6.75i U.00; I 12.00 i 27.00 li.." ! 12.00 5.2.V 3-70jUO.-... 5.9.'! 1.41, 10.0o! I 7.50j 1.821 7.50 3.S,Ci Although the gold standard now prevails In Auxtro-Hiingary. the sliver stnrtnrd prevailed up to August, 1892. As will be noted In the tables prini-..l In Cor.subir re ports, showing the value of forc-:),-n coins, t ho Austrian Hllver florin, the ul I money unit of the Kinplre, fluctuated in value from 47.6 cents In 1871, to 32 rents In Julv, 1892, when It was sujpressed by the gold crown, with a fixed value of 20.3 ci-nts. The downward course of the old silver ftorlti must be taken into account In the Austrian wage rate, thus scaling still further the very low rate which prevulled In that country. RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION. For Eight Year It Has Decreased, Eipaanlon Bciug I'nnrccssnry. From the Railway Age. For eight years the mileage of an nual railway construction In the Unit ed States has been steadily decreas ing. From nearly 13,000 miles of track laid in the wonderful year 1887 the totals have gone down by thousands and hundreds, until 1895 touched the lowest round for twenty years by add ing only 1,803 miles to our railway sys tem. Hut this does not mean that the demand for railways Is nearly supplied and that construction will continue to decrease. On the contrary, there Is room and will be need for additions for greater than the entire present mileage of the country. We have now some thing over 181,000 miles of road. To and which we sincerely hope will tri umph over all opposition In the future. A party that will not sutler our coun try to be betrayed Into the hands of a plutocratic ollglarchy nor to plunge impulsively Into the abyss of anarchy, nor to be misled into the labyrlnthian mazes of socialism. A party that be lieves In the normal development of democratic government, but will re quire that every forward step we may take shall be dictated by slow com mon sense. Under the direction of this party our country will take on new glories and wield a power that will dominate the civilization of the world It was for such a country and such a party that the illustrious patriot whose honored name this society bears be stowed his love and service, Kolert Morris, he who "sandled the feet of liberty with the silver from his own purse." In him we have a type of the Ideal American citizen. I commend to you his lofty example. It is after all in the personal char acter of Its people that we find the roots of a nation's life. Institutions, laws, manners and customs are the outward manifestations of national character. There is a deep political significance in the words of the poet: "What constitutes a state? Not hbfh raised battlements or labored mound. Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned. Not starry Biflnt'lert court Where low-browed baseness wafts per fume to ;rlde. No! Men. hlmh-mlnded men! These constitute a Btate." A stream cannot rise higher than Its source. "Men do not gather grapes from thorns, nor figs of thistles." These facts In the material world have their analogy In the world of politics. The nation's progress or decay is deter mined by the personal character of its citizens. This Is the power that guides Its history and is at work beneath all surface movements shaping its career. Here, then. Is a field where all can labor and render to their country the highest political Bcrvlce. Let the church, the school and the family each perform their legitimate functions In the forma tion of character; then will emerge through the clash of parties and the haze of old political traditions a truly democratic state whose functions shall be established In righteousness and whose years will he measured by the span of time. WORLD'S t:OLl PRODUCTION. The United States Leads in the Pro durtion of the Yellow Metal. The officials of the Mint Bureau ex press the opinion that the world's gold production for 1896 will equal the ag gregate production of gold and silver prior to 1873. The Iron Age .has the following to say on the subject: The gold production of the world has been steadily climbing upwnrd Blnce 1S90, when It stood at $118,849,700. The figures of 1892 were IH5.815.100; of 1893 $157,287,600, and of 18.H $180,626,100. The figures for 1895 have not been fully verified by Director Preston, but a pro duction of $203,000,000 is considered a conservative estimate. The production of 1896 is still, of course, a matter of conjecture, but the Increases reported from nearly cvety countty over 1895 are regarded as a safe basis for putting the production of the year at not less than $220,000,000. The United States Is ex pected to show an increase this year from $47,000,000 in 1S95 to $50,000,000. This Is regarded as the lowest prob able production, and $54,000,000 is con sidered a not Improbable figure. This will keep the United States at the head of the gold-producing countries. True Liberality. Old Millionaire George, I've just sent a dollar to the "Veterans' Home." His Only Son and Heir A dollar, father? Why, I've sent more than thut out of my miserable half -pay. O. M. Ah, but you've got great expecta tlons, George; I've got none. Exchange, An Apprehension. We've called you "new woman" quite fre quently now; We have studied and sung you the best tv knew how Till we fear that you'll be and our hearts It leaves sore A misnomer complete In a year or so more. Washington Star, Gold Standard. 1US 11.00 equal Great Britain lit Its ratio of rail way mileage to equare miles, we should have a total of 492,000 miles: to equal the abundant supply of Illinois we must have 522,000 miles, while If Massachu setts, with Its mile of railway to every four square miles of territory, be the standard, the United Btates will even tually boast of 772,000 miles of lines. That there is much railway building yet to be done, the records prove be yond a doubt. When It will be done depends on conditions yet to be de veloped. A considerable amount of work Is already under way. During the first three months of this year 253 miles of track were laid on twenty lines, and including these our books already show sixty lines on which It seems reasonably certain that 1,750 miles of track will have been laid by the end of 1896, with a possibility of much more. It all depends on the times, not on the question of finding room or demand tor more railroads. 1.82 75 8.90 72 4.60 3.50 1.20 6.40 2.55 4.63 3.80 4.50; .'..!.. 2M.. tLMl UM WHY SILVER DECLINED. It Has Been in Direct R:ponss to the In roducllon of Improved Methods of Mining. From a Letter by Q. Wilfred Pearce In the New York Sun. The annual consumption of sliver In the United States during this year will amount to a sum $7,000,000 in excess of the gross value of all the sliver coined in the world fifty years aso. In 1876 re fined silver cost tiie makers of silver and plated ware $1.20 per ounce. At thut time the best mines In the country were plodding along with antiquated machinery, and were far from lines of railways. The cost of conveying ma chinery and food from the east to the west was greater than the present cost of sending freight from Halifax, X. S., all rail to San Francisco, Cat., thence by water to Melbourne, Australia, and by rail to Hallatat. Twenty years ago the mining of silver was hurt by pro moters who worked the foreign inves tors with false reports of the condition of mines, and who worked exclusively ns stock-Jobbing schemers. They cared nothing about running mines as legiti mate industries, conducted by educated mining engineers familiar with the pro gress of Inventors in the making of Im proved machinery for producing large quantitieo of metal ut low cost. In 18S0 the bottom dropped out of mining speculations, and the foreign nnd domestic Investors would not in vest save in gilt-edged and well-managed mines, of which there were hun dreds run on business principles. Then the engineers began to equip the mines with rock drills instead of hand "Jump ers" pounded with sledge hammers, steam hoists Instead of rope windlasses, ah- exhausts, minnture railwnys Instead of mules, nnd miles of lisht mine rail way were built to run to and from the trunk and local railways which were built all over the west In the prosper ous decade from 18K0 to 190. Vs a mat- i tcr of course, the cost of producing all- ver was lessened, a'nd the mine owners ; wisely gave the makers of silverware the benefit of the reduction In cost In order to stimulate the demand for largj quanties of stiver. , nB:TTER METHODS USED. The makers of plated ware from 1S73 to 1880 hud been adopting the deposition of silver by electric dynamos In place of the liquid batteries which had been In use since the time when close plat ingsilver applied to hard metals with a soldering Iron became obsolete. The superior finish nnd economy of dynamo plating drove batteries out of use In factories, and the falling prices of sliver made it possible for makers to reduce the pi-Ice of sliver-plated ware, so that makers of britanln, 'spelter, and bur nished copper nnd brass wares Installed plating plants, and then silver-plated wares were sold for the prices former ly asked for unplated wares. All the while the makers of mining machinery were adding Improvements and making it possible for miners to produce silver, copper, lead, building stone, and coal at prices shading downward every year. It began to be the case that silver mines equipped with proper machinery turned out products at prices ranging from thirty to sixty-five per cent, be low the cost of production In mines working by antiquated methods. It was as Impossible for the mine with old methods to compete with new as for a man with n hand cart to compete with steam railroads in carrying cotton hales for the South to New England. Still, Improvement of machinery nnd build ing of railroads went on, and silver came to a figure which Induced the makers of silver-plated ware to put In presses, tools, and machines for mak ing solid silverware for domestic and foreign trade. The great Increase In the output of silver and silver-plated ware in the United States In ten years is a triumph of industrial development without par allel in the world. Since 1890 the total annual output in that line of manufac ture has been octupled. An army of highly paid and intellectual artisans of both sexes has been added to our In dustrial enterprises, and the exporta tion of the products Is going on to every country In the world. There are more men and women making silver end plated wares In the United States today than were employed in all the gold and silver mines of America, Australia and Africa twenty years ago. FALL WILL CONTINUE. Every mining expert who Is connect ed with a good silver mine and every manufacturer of silver and sliver-plated products Is of the opinion that the tendency of silver will be downward for years to come. It must be so, for the reason that mine owners, railways, makers of machinery, and workers of silver are willing to work on very close margins for the sake of increasing out puts and thereby adding very material ly to the value of their plants. If all the nations of the earth should get to gether and back their credit to boom the price of silver, that metal could not be sustained for any length of time, be cause not more than three per cent, of the. silver veins of the earth have felt the touch of the rock drill. Before the first decade of the next century shall have ended, It Is almost certain that silver will be more plentiful than tin, nnd ns chenp as copper. We are mak ing steel, iron, and copper products cheaper than any other nation on earth, and within five years we will be selling solid silver culinary utensils at about the present price of stamped nnd re tlnned Ironware. If our free-coinage friends want to do something practical townrd raising the price of their favor ite metal, they would better start In and buy out and shut up the rock drill, holst.nnd other sorts of mining ma chinery makers, and mining engineers out of the country; they are the men who have hammered down the pi-Ice of silver, and who committed the "crime of 1S7.1" and rtf every other year by us ing their brains, muscle, and money for the promotion of the general good of millions of men and women who have found steady york at good wages In hundreds of Industries which depend upon silver sold at n low figure which enables makers to produce salable goods suitable for all sorts and condi tions of men. While theorists, orators, lawyers, editors, philosophers, and persons un familiar with the Fubjicls of mining nnd manufacturing have been writing, talking, nnd arpuihg about the fall in prices of nil kind of products, the In ventors, engineers, and machinists si lently, without pound of trumpets or pounding of drums, have kept upward and onward In their work, administer ing to the welfare of nil mon by mak ing it possible fur the laborer today to enjoy creature comforts and luxuries beyond the reach of kins In the bad old times when the Inventions of Watt, Arkwright, Stephenson, KM Whitney, nnd Robert Fulton were In the womb of time. ON THE LINE OF THt CANADIAN PflCIPIC R'Y art located the finest Ashing and hunting (rounds In the world. Descriptive books on application. Tickets to all points In Maine, Canada and Maritime Provinces, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Canadian and United States Northwest, Vanvouver, Seattle, Tucoma, Portland, Ore., San Kranclsco. First-Class Sleeping and Dinin? Cars attached to all throught trains. Tourist ears fully fitted with bodtllng, curtains and specially adapted to wants of families may be had with second-class tickets. Rates always less than via other lines. For further Information, time tables, .to on application to E. V. SKINNER, Q. E. A.. 353 BrooJtvay, New York. ev. H. llfolcott Hap INTERVIEWED BY A REPORTER FOR "THE IIIDEPEIIDEIIT." He Tells of His Recovery from an Illness that Threatened to Incapacitate Him. Is now Able to Attend to His Duties. Has Nothing but Words of Praise for the Remedy Used. Vom thi Independent, Auburn, IV. Y. It having come to the knowledge of the editor of the Cayuga County Independent of Auburn, that Eer. N. Wsyne Wolcott. Pas tor of tho Baptist Church, of Fleming, N. Y., had been cured of nervous prostration by the use of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, be sent a reporter to that town to ascertain from Mr. Wolcott the truth of the report, and receive from his own lips a statement of bis coso and how he bad been benefited. The reporter found Mr. Wolcott to be a gentlemen some 40 or 45 years of age, in good health, and active in his ministerial duties. lie is highly esteemed as a pastor and a citizen, and is a gentleman of strict integrity, whose statements con be implicitly relied upon as truthful in every respect and devoid of exaggeration. In reply to que tiom as to the truth of the report that he had been benefited by Pink Pills he made the following statement : " Eight years ago while pastor of the Baptist Church in Covert. N. Y., I was stricken with nerve. ns prostra tion. During the winter of 1887-8, I had conducted revival services and delivered a series of lectures in addition to my work as pastor, and became completely run down. I oould not work, and felt as though my days were numbered. I tried a doctor, but did not receive much aid from him. At this time I received a call from the church at Tally, N. Y. At first I determined not to accept it, for I knew that in my weak condition I could not do the work. But hop. ing against hope, I finally decided to try and accordingly went there, iiy health continued to fail and I grew weaker, and I thought I would have to give up entirely my work for Ood which I love. Just then, however, the sun broke through the clouds. Mr. Tall man, of Tully, whom I shall always remem ber at a lienemctor, recommended me to try Dr. Williams' Pink Pills. He had tried them and they had done him good. As a last resnrltol tried them. The effect was wonderful and immediate. From the very first box my system began to tone up, my blood became rich, and once more I became the strong and vigorous man I was before my health failed. " My labors, if yon know of the labors of a country parson, you can readily believe, were very heavy. I had not been able to work, ana was losing my interest in the cause of Christ, but like magic ray old vigor returned and for three more years I labored there and raised $4,000 toward building up the Church in addition to my regular duties. All my friends say of me that I am a very hard working man, but in Covert I could not work. After I went to Tally, and the pills had restored my health, I think I may ay that I merit that name. For three or four yean after I left Tully I did evangelistio work. Two years ago I came here. Since then I have never had any return of my old trouble, bnt am in good health, Mrong and active, with no symptom of nervous pros tration, which was caused by overwork. It is a homely expression, but I felt like a "wrung-out dish-cloth without any starch in it." I owe my present good health to Pink Pills, and want most ncartily to commend the magio remedy to every one troubled with nervous prostration or physical weakness." As a parting remark Mr. Wolcott said : '.' I have often thought that in return for. what Dr. Williams' Pink Pills have done for me, I would like to become a medical missionary to make known their merits." UP TO ?!?!nn!!!!l!l!!!!!!!!!!!!!n!!!!l!!!!!ni?!!!!!!llvl Established 1868. m PIANO At a time when many manu facturers and dealers are making the most astounding statements regardingthe merits and durability of inferior Pianos, intending pur chasers should not fail to make critical examination of the above instruments. E. C. RICKER General Dealer In Northeast ern Pennsylvania. E New Telephone Exchange Building. US Adams Ave., Scranton, Pa. tMnmftTTfHTfTnniTwnnwifHrmn?tTtr!T THE DICKSON MANUFACTURING CO SCRANTON AND WILKES-BAR RE, PA Manufacturers of Locomotives. Stationary Engines, Boilers, HOISTING AKD PUUPING MACHINERY. Qaacral Office: SCRANTON. PA. For sale bv JOHN H.PHELPS. Fharmanla. eon WiiiIm Spruoe Street, Scranton. Pa. GEORGE KOCHERSPBR, OF HECItA M. Y INTERVIEWED BY A REPORTER. from the Sentinel, Home, X. I". One of the well known mechanics of Oneido County is George Kochersper, of Hecla, N.Y. lie is thirty-seven years old and has had extensive experience as an engineer and machinist at Rome, 1 lion, Oneida and else where. For some time he was employed by the Atlas (Inn Company of Ilion, and he holds a certificate from the foreman of this establishment which testifies to bis capabil ity and efficiency as an engineer and general machine hand, familiar with milling and drilling machinery, pipe fitting, soldering and general shop work. A few years ago Mr. Kochersper was employed in the Home Lo comotive Works and later in the copper mill in that city. Mr. Kochersper now enjoys good health, but this has not always been the case with him. Like many other mechanics he hss suffered with rheumatism, and at times this has incapacitated him for work. One winter he was so afflicted that he was confined to his home at Hecla for three months. Ilia doctor aid he suffered not exactly from rheuma tism, but something very much like it. Mr. Kochersper did not care what the disease was called, bnt he was, of course, chiefly interested in having it cured. It felt like rheumatism, being in the form of very severe paint in the muscles and joints of his limbs. He doctored more or less all winter, and although he felt somewhat better in the spring, he was not entirely cured. Later, while working in Home, he had a relapse. He then tried other remedies, but they gave him no permanent relief. - While working in Ilion about a year ago he ranght eold through exposure, and soon had another attack of hit old trouble. Like all in. telligent mechanics, Mr. Kochersper reads the newspaper!, and in one of them he saw a statement regarding Dr. Williams' Pink Pills. He determined to give them ft lair trial and did to. Whatever Mr. Kochersper does he does thoroughly. So in taking the Pink Pills he was careful to follow the directions implicitly, to diet as directed, and alto to continue the use of the remedy long enough to give it an opportunity to lie effec tive. His condition improved from the start, and when he bad taken twelve boxes he was again a well man. A year hat passed since then, and during that time he has not had a tingle attack of hit old complaint. The critical months of fell and spring came and went, with their attendant cold and dampness, bat as he has felt no twinges of rheumatism, he feels safe in asserting that he it permanently cared. He attributes his cure entirely to Dr. Wil liams' Pink Pills, and cheerfully recom mends their use to all who suffer from rheumatism. He placet great stress on only one point, however, end that is that the remedy must be faithfully used according to directions, that the rules for dieting mutt be strictly followed, and that the remedy must be used for a sufficient length of time to effect a cure. After a fair trial he it convinced that Pink Pills will do for other tufierers what they have done for him.' Mr. Kochersper is well known not only in Hecla, where he lives, but in Oneida, Rome, Ilion and Dolgeville, in all of which, places he hss worked. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People are now given to the public, as an unfailing blood builder and nerve restorer, curing all forms of weakness arising from a watery con. dition of the blood or shattered nerves. The pills are sold by all dealers, or will be sent post paid on receipt of price, GO cents a box or six boxes for $3.50, (they are never sold in bulk or by the 100), by addressing Dr. Wil. Items' Medicine Co, Schenectady, N. Y. DATE. Ovf 26,000 In UM. Genuine i C4 t4 li la Nervous Debility, Lou of Power. I a potency. Atrophy .Varicocele and other weaknesses, from any cause, use Sexine Pills. Drains checked and full vigor quickly restored. irMtouI. ma iroaMM malt Ikull.. Mailed fortl.CO;6buxes$S.OO. With l&OO orders we give a guarantee to cjre or refund t tne money. Address rUL MEDICINE CO., CleVeland, U s