The Evening Star MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1901.

Evening Star, Issue 11655, 16 September 1901, Page 4

The Evening Star MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1901.

Wk question whether any news of late rears has been received with Tlip Mnnloreil more genuine expressions of President. regret am \ llm ,tterable sadness than that which was made known to the people of Dnnedin yesterday morning. "President MTvinley is dead." As the words were uttered both those who spoke and those who heard them felt a choking in the throat and a quiver of the eyelids. The whole ghastly story is beyond measure heartrending. The death of our own revered Queen Victoria created no such emotion. We felt then that extreme regret that the messenger of death had at last knocked at the portals and demanded admittance was in her case out of place. Old and full of honors, surrounded by her dear ones, she entered peacefully and gradually into the world beyond amid her subjects' tears and blessings, and few would have had it other than it was. Xor did Lincoln's sudden taking off at the hand of Wilkes Booth have in it that element of pathos and horror, perhaps, that the murder of President M'Kinley has. The passions aroused by years of internecine hates and civil war had not ceased to be when Lincoln fell a victim, and the possibility that such a crime might happen was* bruited in many quarters, while there were not wanting men whose moral make-up was so abnormal that the emancipation President's death would be regarded by them as a deed worthy of honor. No such spirit exists to-day. North and South are one and indivisible, and a generation has arisen that knows not, save by report, aught of the bitterness of hatred of their fathers' day. The last man in the wide world among the great ones of the earth to whom the insane mouthings of Anarchistic trash could logically point as a victim to their Hell-hatched logic was President M'Kinley. He represented admirably what his fellowcountryman Winston Churchill has termed " the era of the plain man." He was of the people, selected by the people, and ruled for the people. Short of a direct popular vote—that is, without the intervention of an Electoral College—the election of a ruler entrusted with vast powers is, in the United States, absolutely in the hands of the people. Whatever may be distasteful to the individual in a President's policy can be directly protested against through the medium of the ballot box. The necessity—if there ever can be a necessity—for the dagger of Brutus is, in the case of the United States Presidents, non-existent. The deed of horror that has thrilled the world during the past week stands unique in its naked hideousness, and without a rag or tatter wherewith to justify its being, even to the most brain-besotted of mankind. 'Tis said that

A little ere the mightiest Julius fell The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets. But no portents heralded or accompanied the murder of one who administered the affairs of a mightier and greater people than ever trembled beneath the autocracy of a Ca:sar. No "obscure bird clamored the livelong night," nor "strange screams of death" were heard. President M'Kinley was foully stricken down as he stood, the chief magistrate of a free people, surrounded by tens of thousands of his fellowcitizens, in the broad light of noonday at a reception given in his own honor. There was a complete absence of those accessories poetically affirmed to wait on deeds without a name. But the dramatic horror of the crime was only intensified by the contrast, and at this hour there is to us an especial mournfulness as we recall the manifestations of great joy exhibited throughout the United States last week as reassuring news was flashed from east to west and north to south. It was as though the whole nation stood, with hushed lip and straining ear, waiting for the messages of life or death. All clamor and clang of business were silent beneath that strain, and the people stood as rapt in their dominant thought as did they in Axgos when Agamemnon fell beneath the assassin's knife under the shelter of his own roof. "List! List! mat cry is this of wounds and death?" And the answer from within the palace aptly foreshadows the cry that may have oome from the chamber of the dying President: "Wounded again, oh, basely, basely murdered."

Words, however, on such, happily rare, occasions are djfficult, and we feel the impotence of the attempt to even moderately echo the sentiment that to-day binds the whole civilised world in one common bond. Our thoughts, our prayers, our sympathies are with the mourning ones; they are with the wife in her cruel widowhood; the relatives robbed of their greatest pride; the comrades who fought with "the dear dead" side by side on the battlefield, in the Senate, and on the platform ; and with the millions of plain people whose sense of loss is akin to that felt by the Dutch when " their William" succumbed to the fanaticism of Balthazar

Gerard. " Never," it may with fitness be repe&tcd, "was a more extensive, un- " affected, and legitimate sorrow felt at the "death of any human being." Colonel Thbodobe Roosevelt, VicePresident of the United The Sew States, through the act of President. Czolgosz, is now President. There is no alternative to this course, the succession being fully provided for in the Constitution. On the death or resignation of the President the Vice-President assumes the office of the latter for the unexpired portion of the four years for which the President is elected. In this particular, Colonel Roosevelt enters upon his high office through the same melancholy way as that taken by General Arthur after the death of President Gartield at the hands of the assassin Guiteau. In other respects the parallel is not very close. Colonel Roosevelt is a mau of whom any country may feel proud. Although still a young man (he is forty-three next month), he has held many of the highest posts in the gift of the people. He has been a, member and was the some-time-Leader of the New York Legislature; a Civil Service Commissioner and president of the New York Police Board; AssistantSecretary of the Navy in air M'Kinley's first Administration—a post he resigned in order to personally participate in the fighting in Cuba; Govertor of the empire State of New York; and last year, against his own wishes, was, amid an outburst of enthusiasm rarely excelled in political conventions, nominated for the Vice-Presi-dency. This latter post affords little scope for a man of genius. His official work is confined to the Presidency of tho Senate and laying foundation stones or opening young ladies' seminaries, when the President is not available. Prior to the day of election, however, the Vice-Presidential nominee does a vast amount of electioneering, and under tho organisation and personal magnetism of Roosevelt the Republican party hist year were able to meet the people face to face in a manner not often attempted. The election once decided, however, the Vice-President is practically lost. It is an office rarely desired by the more ambitious and brainy men of either party, and Colonel Roosevelt's acceptance of the Republican nomination was admittedly a further expression of his whole-souled, absorbing love of his country and his country's institutions. With the new Presidentpatriotism is a passion. He resigned his post as Assistant Naval Secretary in order to raise his now famous troop of Rough Riders, and himself led them, "through shot and shell," up the heights of San Juan on that scorching summer's day when a fresh page was added to the world's history and to the fame of American arms. President Roosevelt is a great sportsman, a vigorous essayist, an entertaining writer, a good husband and father, a splendid allround man of the world, in its best and highest sense, and one in whom the American people can have perfect trust and absolute confidence to direct them wisely and well.

Very general regret will, we feel assured, be felt throughout the proThe Late viucial district at the death Mr Scobie „f J| r Scobie Mackenzie, Mackenzie. wno i ias i )een associated for so many years with Otago, and whose name has been familiar owing to the political activity which for a considerable period he displayed. At one time parliamentary distinction seemed to be within his grasp, and but for the dominance of the.Labor ticket at the last General Election would probably have been achieved, since he had given good promise of being a power in the House, and possessed qualities which pointed him out as the only possible member of the party under whom the Opposition could bu effective. Mr Mackenzie was animated by vigor and courage, had great knowledge of affairs, and was an adept in the science of politics. Ho entirely realised that Ministers and their adherents must be fought with their own tactics, and that rose-water methods in dealing with them were absolutely absurd. He was not conspicuous for tho highest gifts of oratory, but could make slashing speeches on occasions, being more successful, however, on the platform than in debate, and even when out of Parliament he continued to be a force to be reckoned with. Apart from his political position, Mr Scobie Mackenzie was he'.d universally in esteem; he recognised and acted up to a high standard of citizenship, and was ever ready to aid in the promotion of measures for the public good and the improvement of social conditions by every means he considered legitimate. A man of culture, ability, and not inconsiderable talent, he was from the first, by conviction, the firm friend of the established system of education—free, secular, and compulsory— as being essential to the safety and prosperity of the State under a democracy. His views generally were of the advanced school and subsequent events have'proved that in respect to the laud question his attitude was misrepresented and misunderstood, and that in principle- ho was at one with the late Minister of Lands, whilst disapproving of many of his methods. The justification of his action in regard to Pomahaka, which brought him into such odium at the time, is now history. On behalf of his late constituency and the community generally of tte City and district we desire to express deep sympathy with Mrs Mackenzie and the family. The death of Mr A. J. Bums will come as a shock upon the crowd of Another friends in the City and disPionecr laid trict whom he has gathered to rest. round and associated with him in a long and useful career, during which he has been from first to last exclusively associated with Otago. The inheritor of great traditions as the grand-nephew of the poet and son of the pioneer minister of this settlement. Mr Burns has in every way during a busy life acted np to them, and leaves to his descendants his distinguished name without o. shadow of reproach. The present generation only knew him as a private citizen and moat estimable gentleman, who carried with him an atmosphere of cheerful cordiality and was the very soul of charity nt the most extended significance of the word. But Mr Arthur John Burns has in /lis time done good service to the State bb a member of the House of Representatives and of the Provincial Council and Executive. He -was, up to the abolition of the local system of government, one of the stalwarts of the Provincial party, and had much to do with founding those educational and charitable institutions ot which Otago has so much reason to be proud. To him, in conjunction with the late Mr W. H. Reynolds, is mainly due the! setting aside and conservation for the people of the public reserves for recreation and enjoyment of which the alienation has been from time to time unsuccessfully attempted. The workers of Otago especially owe Mr Burns a debt of gratitude, in that he was the real author of the eight-hours' day in this province, his exertions to bring this about being dictated by pure good feeling and benevolence, and not with the object of making political capital out of class support. He was a politician of the old school, who displayed bis quality by deeds

rather than by words, aiixious to do good in his generation, and losing no opportunity of doing so in pubb'c or in private. In Otago, and especially in Dnnedin, his memory must deservedly be held in honor as- a patriotic colonist, a worthy citizen, and a gentleman -srho in private life set an example of all that is gracious and honorable. - The Conciliation Board trill hear +he grocers dispute at two o'clock in the afternoon instead of the morning on Wednesday next. Mr E. H. Caiw, S.M., held a sitting of the Magistrate's Court to-day, and disposed of thirty-two cases. I n seven of these judgment was given other than by confessum, ten were confessed or paid into court, and the remainder were adjourned or struck out. Messrs J R Monson and J. Morgan, J.P.s presided at the Port Chalmers Police Court this forenoon, when a prohibition order was issued against a man on the application of his daughters, and one first offender, for drunkenness, was convicted and discharged. The number of patients admitted to tho Dunedin Hospital last week was twentythree, and twenty-four were discharged kaving 106 inmates in the institution ou Saturday mgnt. There were four deaths —Katie Henderson, John Hunter, Eva Heed, and Richard Lambert. The news of President M'Kinley's death was received by us at a few minutes before ten yesterday morning. An intimation was at once given to the Town Hall and to the various City churches prior to their forenoon services. The fact"of Mr Seobie Mackenzie s death was also conveyed at the same time'. Colonel Penton came to Dunedin on Friday last, and next day paid a visit to the local defence works, accompanied by Captain Moore, the garrison artillery officer who replaces Captain Mackenzie at 4uckZl V,, °£ Satui ; d 7 wwing the Colonel met the officers of the Otago district at the Garrison Hall, and said good-bvc to them. Colonel Penton left this morning for the North, and we understand that, unless instructed meanwhile that the Colonial Offices recommendation to employ him m .South Africa has been acted upon, he will irom Auckland embark for England. Our Christchurcli correspondent advises that the secretary of the Christchurch branch of the ISew Zealand Institute of Journalists to-day received a letter from fcir J. U. Ward acknowledging a com- of the report of the last general meeting of the branch, at wmeh reference was made to the assistance rendered by the Government, and especial v by Sir Joseph Ward, in connection with the tour through the colony, on the occasion of the Royal visit, of tho representatives „f English newspapers Sir Joseph concludes his letter: "I can only say that I am amply repaid if anything I did m any way added to v the enjoyment of the visit of your confreres of the Old Land. The Trades and Labor Council's social has been unavoidably postponed, in consequence of pressure of business. 4«<««.e Everyone interested m artistic house decoration should inspect the metal ceiling* and wall covenngß at Briscoe's.—TAdvt.] During the opera season the cars on tho Dunedin and Kaikorai line will run till after the close of the opera. The Court Pride of the Forest, Juvenile Foresters, meet in the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday nest, at 7.30. Members and friends of the North Dunedin Band meet in the Albany street Gymnasium Hall to-morrow evening, at eight o'clock. The Vincent Extended shareholders are reminded of the extraordinary general meeting at the Dunedin Stock Exchange room on Tuesday evening. Tho latest book! ' Queen Victoria: Her Life and Times '—the history of a glorious reign—is given away by all grocers with 61b of the famous "Book Gift" tea.—tAdvt.] Mr Morris, photographer, Princes street, Dunedin, finds it is not generally known that his charge is one guinea per dozen for cabinet portraits cf children. Any extra charges are lor vignettes, groups, largo mounts, also tho various methods of printing.—[Advt.] Country storekeepers interested in the proceedings before the Conciliation Board are requested to attend a meeting in the Agricultural Hall Board Room on Wednesday, at 11 a.m. " • Frank Hyains, of 14 Princes street, has come forward ivith a new departure in order to clear the balance of his stock with as little delay as possible. It consists of a 20s and 40s window display. An inspection of these windows is necessary to understand the marvellous bargains offered.—fAdvt.]