Of all men in the world, drug clerks and railroad engineers should not ba so overworked as to imperil their pres ence of mind, observes the New York Tribune. Science having demonstrated tliaf! the stomach is superfluous, dyspeptic gentlemen who contemplate a trip to the Klondike region this spring should be careful to check all unnecessary 0 baggage at home. The loosening of white doves at the launching of the Japanese cruiser prompts the Philadelphia Press to suggest the appropriateness of setting free a young eagle when a United States war vessel first meets the water. Philatelists are protesting against the proposed new issue of stamps commemorative of the Omaha (Neb.) exhibition. They say the issue will serve no good purpose, and speculators will buy the stamps and hold them for a high price. The pastor of a London church, in order to popularize his service, per mits the male members of his congre gation to smoke, and furnishes the tobacco. New Jersey is bound to keep pace, Rector Stoddard of Jersey City having started a dancing class in his church. Prussia's paternal government has ordered two private schools in a little town near Potsdam to be closed be cause they interfere with a rival es tablishment. One may be kept open -o,' a year longer provided the pro prietor engages to take in only twenty pupils and to teach them no foreigu languages. Early morning exercise is denounced nowadays by the majority of hygienic teachers. At that time, they say, vi tality is at its lowest ebb, and needs the stimulation of food. About mid afternoon is the best time for gentle outdoor exercise. At this time, too, it is most desirable that mental labor should cease. A great improvement has been madt in Parisian duels. The seconds in au affair of honor between a dramatic author and one of his critics made a mistake iu the plaie of meeting, there by sending their principals to op posite ends of Paris. This made p subsequent meeting at close quarter unnecessary. A recent writer on the Chinese cot ton industry states, as a remarkabk fact, that in China cotton yarn can be produced for ten cents per pound. Ii our southern mills cotton undershirts can be produced for a fraction ovei ten cents apiece. There is hope foi our cotton manufacturers, even in competition with the Chinese. The chief aid-de-camp of Don Car los is quoted as saying that all his master wauts to enable him to get the crown of Spain is the help of "God and His Vicar-General." Being in terrogated as to the individuality ol the latter, without whose aid even Divine help is vain, he frankly ex plains that the Vicar-General is nc other than—money! A potent vicar truly! exclaims the New York Tribune. England's scheme to get Chins heavily in her debt is shrewd in more ways than one. By that course Chins can be made to leave her customs in British hands, which implies that the great trade ports are not to be ceded away, nor territorial relations changed Then by insisting that part of the loan shall be used to pay off Japan, the lat ter power is given the means to buy more ships and guns in the British market. The thrifty side of British diplomacy was never more apparent than it is in this Chinese undertak ing, which sufficiently accounts,thinks the San Fraucisco Chronicle, for thi alarm in other quarters. The present year will not be lack ing in political interest. In twenty live states of the Union elections for governor will be held, and these elec tions will servo to throw much light upon national issues. Governors and stutehouse' officers are to be electee? in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Co nnecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In the above list of states every section of the country is represented. Rhode Isl and's state election will occur in April, Alabama's in August, Arkansas's in September and Georgia's in October. The remaining ones will all occur iu November. With this outlook ahead, there is not apt to be much idleness among the politicians. The number of school children in Connecticut showed a greater increase last year than iu any other year in th« history of the state. The census gave a total of 184,355. Men who are thinking of going to China for the purpose of seeking rail way employment are warned bj United States Consul-General Good uow to keep away, as there are only 235 miles of road in the whole empire. A ton of American flax straw, raise