OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 11890, 19 May 1903, Page 2

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

THE END OF CONGRESS.

The work of the recent Congress of the United States, which expired by legal limitation at noon on March 4, has Men, on the whole, satisfactory to the country. No preceding Congress has encountered more ’ parliamentary obstruction. A cabal of little Republican Senators, backed by the entire strength of the Opposition party, held up legislation for weeks, in order to compel the passage of a Bill authorising the admission of three new States—Oklahoma, Arizona, and New. Mexico.. Senator .Morgan, . of Alabama, chairman of the Canal Committee, championed the Nicaragua route to the bitter end, and prevented a vote from being taken on the Treaty with Colombia at the regular session, and compelled an extra session of the Senate for action on necessary business. All the great Appropriation and Supply Bills were passed earlier in the session. A great many bad measures were defeated, and a few wise Rills were left over. The Ship Subsidy Bill and Statehood measures were sidetracked. The-Philippine Islands have been given a government and a currency; the regular army has been reorganised and made more efficient; a general militia law was passed, and provision was made for its equipment on a footing equal to that of. the standing army. The navy is to be strengthened by the construction of six new first class ships. The enlargement of the schools for the education of naval officers was agreed to, and more training ships for sailors and marines were sanctioned. The .1 duty on coal has been suspended for a year. The last vestige of the war taxes of 1898 has been swept away. A Department of Commerce, and Labor has been established, with Mr George B. Cortebyon as its chief. Provision lias been made for the reclamation of desert lands by irrigation. Laws have been passed for the control and limitation of the large aggregations of capital—called trusts. The Senate, by the almost unanimous vote of 75 to 5, confirmed, without amendment, the Treaty with Colombia, as agreed upon by the State departments of the two countries. This event marks an epoch in the progress of the United States and the prospective development of the world’s commerce. It matters not whether the Panama Canal will be a profitable venture or not, or whether Nicaragua would have been the better route. The fact is established that tbs canal will be constructed. Action will soon begin. For half a century the construction of an isthmian waterway has been an aspiration of the, American people. No possible lack of funds will stand in the way now. All the science and skill which moneycan enlist will bo at the service of the builders of the canal. No one can tell now how much it will cost, nor how much time will be required for its completion. The Cofom-bi.-in Congress have not yet approved of the Treaty, but they will assuredly do so. President Roosevelt will then select the Commission, under whose direction the work of construction will begin. HIE CUBAN RECIPROCITY TREATY. , The last act of the extra session of the Snate was the passage of an emasculated Reciprocity Treaty with Cuba by a vote m 50 to 24. Of the twenty-four who voted ■gainst the measure seventeen were from ihc Southern States and Democrats, every 'nr of whom would be offended to be called a Protectionist. But the Treaty was objectionable to them simply because it lowered the duties on sugar and tobacco onefifth from the Dingley Tariff now in operation. They also compelled the adoption of an amendment making tho Treaty of no effect until it is approved and ratified by the House of Representatives. As Congress will not meet again until December the Cuban planters will be denied the benefit of the Treaty for this year’s crop. The House may then refuse to ratify, and at least prolong discussion, add a few amendments, and send it back to the Senate. By that time tho Cuban Senate will have adjourned by limitation, and the benefits of the Treaty for the next year’s crop will be lost to the Cuban planters. Tho Cubans may justly complain of the dilatory policy of the United Stares toward them, but they are a patient, goodnatured people. They are jubilant over the ratification, though it will be of no bene-

fit to them for some time to come. THE COAL STRIKE COMMISSIONERS’ AWARD.

The finding of the Anthracite Coal Commission was something of the nature of a compromise, but very generally a triumph for the miners. They contended for an increase of wages; they are awarded an increase of 10 per cent., and the same to all the employees of the mining companies (the increase to begin with last November), and their hours of labor are also reduced. The Commission adopted, a sliding scale, providing that with every increase of five cents above 4dol 50c p«r ton in the selling price in New York sb ill add one cent to the miners’ reward. The wages will not be decreased if the price of coal falls below Adol 50c per ton. There is no likelihood that this will happen very soon. The Commission directed that in case of disputes arising in the future, settlement which cannot be otherwise adjusted shall be made fay arbitration, and provides for the setting up of a Board of Conciliation, and that no suspension of work shall take place pending adjustment. The Commission further recommended that the laws against child labor shall be more rigidly 'enforced, assuming that the miners, with their increased pay, will not be under the necessity of putting •.mail children to work. The Commission directed that there shall be no discrimination against union men on the one hand, and no interference with non-union men on the other. The Commission believe in collective bargaining, but they say; “The present constitution of the united mine workers does present the most inviting inducements to the operators to enter into contractual relations with it.” The miners do not get all that they asked for. They were most anxious to have their organisation recognised, but the Commission made no award thereon, for want of authority. T-he operators ore told that trade unionism is becoming a part of onr business life, hut the miners are warned that when the majority of the employees of an industry form a union they do not acquire any authority over those who do not join their organisation. These are the main features of the award. The operators will no\V appreciate the fact that they made a mistake when they refused to compromise with the miners on the basis of 6 per cent, of an Increase. They would not have lost a year’s business had they done so, nor have had to pay a higher rate of wages, which must continue for three years at least. The public would not have suffered as they have done for lack of fuel. The decision of this Commission seems to have greatly pleased everybody notwithstanding how difficult it "is to please everybody in such a controversy. The mine operators are described as looking cheerful and satisfied because the unions are not recognised in set terms. Mr John Mitchell, the unions’ leader, is quoted as being satisfied that the things he contended for in the matter of wages and hours are fixed to his liking. President Roosevelt ig smiling broadly at the successful and satisfactory work of the Commission which he appointed. The public were well pleased when the miners returned to their work, and find now additional cause for joy in the fact that the award made by the Commission is to lust for some years to come. A TEMPERANCE CRUSADE IN TEXAS.

The Local Option elections in the State of Texas are attracting more than nsual interest,.. because of. the ..fact that a temper* ance agitation of a unique kind has begun there. Under the Local. Option laws cf Texas saloons have been wiped out in 104 out of the 236 counties. In the elections of last week the ratio of “dry” counties has been largely increased, and, encouraged by it, the temperance workers are pushing for a State prohibitory law. In anticipation of this move the liquor dealers’ organisation of the State have drafted a Bill and sent it to the Legislature, now in session. Curiously enough, this Bill is intended to restrict the evils of intemperance and to curtail the volume of the saloon business. Under its provisions any saloon-keeper who sells to minora or to students, who allows his place to bff nsed for gambling or any unmoral purpose whatever, who permits disreputable characters or criminals to patronise or loaf about his saloqn, or who keeps open or “sells on Sunday, shall forfeit his license .for. two. years. The license must be renewed at the end of each year, and an pa£K must be filed with each application

that nothing of this kind has happened dux-' ihg the preceding year. If it can be shown that the law has been violated in any particular the offender is* to be punished with imprisonment at hard labor. This Bill has been drawn up by the saloon-keepers of Texas, not because of any insatiable longing lor temperance, good order, and peace in the conpiunity, but because crime has become rampant, and the people are becoming exasperated. It remains to be seen which side will win. BARTENDERS AS TOTAL ABSTAINERS. The world is moving; the wonderful has transpired. On the 15th inst. the Bartenders and Saloonkeepers’ Total Abstinence Society of Chicago were organised 11 to promote total abstinence among bartenders; to set a good example to customers; to protect the cash register and the stock; and to devote the calling.” President Dorgan, who lias been connected with the liquor business for more than thirty years, is eloquent over the organisation. “ Bartenders and employers too should be total abstainers,” he says. “If a man drinks with one customer he must drink with all. He must become a total abstainer or ultimately become a drunkard. I have never taken a drink since I have been employed m a saloon, and I never expect to.” Prom figures presented at the meeting it was shown that fully one-third of the bartenders and saloon-owners of Chicago sure abstainers. Many of the larger saloon proprietors will not employ a man who drinks. TWO WOMEN’S PARLIAMENTS.

American women will not hereafter be obliged to wait for fashion plates from Paris, or London m order to obtain the fashion fur the ensuing season. New York and Chicago will dictate the fashions for this continent in future. Two parliaments—the Dressmakers’ Association in New York and the National Milliners’ Association in Chicago—have been held recently, and throw a strong light upon the advancement of women. The decisions of these two gatherings will be regarded in the nature of edicts in every household in this land, and will be held in greater reverence than even the Federation of Women’s Clubs, It is pleasant to note that the Dressmakers’ Congress have settled some things —to wit, the supremacy of the tailored suit and the voille gown, whatever that may be. Babies are to have silk coats and hand-embroidered caps, while two-year-old girls will be allowed to have long-waisted frocks, with a shaped flounce. The most taking things are chiffon motiffs set in show net frock, surrounded by a delicate tracery of lace, and “ sparse patterns done in tiniest iridiscent palliettes, and long slender motiffs of ecru lace run over skirt and bodice.” Shirt waists and separate bodices have lost none of their popularity. The Chicago national milliners have, determined the kind of hats American women, shall wear this summer. The most novel way was devised for coaxing money from customers, for keeping their patronage, and astonishing the army of husbands, fathers, and admirers. Every sort of woman with every sort of nose, mouth, ears, and hair is informed what kind of a hat will best agree with her facial peculiarities. The president, in subdued voice and quiet humor, advised widows how to mourn by rule, and has warned them that, even though they may wear a sad look of depression and swathe their heads in mourning veils, it will be of no use if they go to entertainments dressed in crepe and do not discard jewellery. The heart can mourn more sincerely if the long veil is discarded! It is a great comfort to those who are bereaved to be told with authority how long they are expected to wear signs of sorrow, what they should wear, and how to adjust it while- in the vale of woe. When one grieves it should be in an orthodox manner. A NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO.

Bishop Quigley, of Buffalo, New York, has been promoted to the Archbishopric of Chicago. He arrived a few days ago, received a warm welcome, and has entered upon the duties of his office. It is a matter of no little concern to Chicagoans who do not belong to the Roman Catholic Church wha’t kind of a man is at the head of a great religious body in their big city. He may be a progressive, public-spirited citizen, as well as a theologian and administrator. He may exert his influence when the peace of. the city is threatened, or he may restrict his activities to spiritual affairs, and decline to interpose for the maintenance of good order. Archbishop Quigley’s record as Bishop of Buffalo was for good—all that could be expected of him. On grave and trying occasions he came forward as a peacemaker, fie will have larger opportunities in Chicago. For that reason Chicagoans who are not Roman Catholics welcome his advent, and have confidence that in liim the city gains an enlightened, public-spirited, and influential citizen. His first public utterance in Chicago was concise, practical, and pointed, summing up the sources of national power as the fear of God, general intelligence, and prosperity. ST. PATRICK’S DAY.

Our Irish fellow-citizens observed St. Patricks Day in our largo cities according to their peculiar custom. Their parades, as a general rule, were creditable. The weather was fine, and spring was in the air. The spirit shown was that for which the Irish people are noted in behalf of their patron saint. Love for the green isle is a part of the Irish nature, and yet that does not interfere with the other fact—that the Irishman is no less a good American. I am pleased to say that there was less drunkenness, less disorder, and less rowdyism this year than on any former St. Patrick’s Day within my memory. A WINDY CONSUL-GENERAL DISMISSED. The American Consul-General Bittinger, at Montreal (Canada), has been recalled, and properly so, for criticising in an interview the quality of Canadian cooking. He said that nothing fit to eat could be got in Canada, which is not true. So made himseit personally non grata to the people of the Dominion, who are as well fed as any except those who are blessed with the unparalleled cuisine arrangements of the United States. The Dominion complained to the British Foreign Office, which communicated to Sir Michael Herbert, at Washington, who in turn asked for an American representative at Montreal who liked Canadian cooking The disgraced Consul-General doubtless spoke in his wrath; he had been disturbed over something else; but diplomatic and consular representatives must leam to control their tempers, and must not speak in wrath, except in despatches to their home State department. They have no right to say disagreeable things they see in a voice loud enough to be heard .by any except their own countrymen. The offending Consul must have fairly shouted his poor opinion of Canadian cooldng. What would have been •in bad taste in a private citizen was exasperating in a representative official. The President at once called him home, and warned American Consuls everywhere not to speak their minds of the cooking in the countries to which they are sent, unless they can praise it. WINKING AT MORMONISM. Senator Reed Smoot, elected by the Mormon State, Utah, was given his seat in the American Senate, and promptly sworn in notwithstanding the protest at the extra session called to take action on the Panama Canal and Cuban Reciprocity Treaties. UI>T9SE3. Keokuk, lowa (U.S.), March 29.

In presenting a medal to a Crimean veteran at Raglan Barracks, Sir W, Butler said fifty years ago, when the bayonet was the principal weapon, the soldier had to stand shoulder to shoulder and do what he was told; now he had to think for tn'msolf, Jessie Watrous, of Middletown, Oonnectiput, apologised for arriving lute at the school at which she is a student. She ha'd met her sweetheart, William Huxstep, by the way, she explained, and had paused to marry him. ihree children and a policeman were bitten in Liverpool by a bulldog which suddenly went mad in the street, while a man was badly injured by receiving on‘the head a blow intended to kill the dog. The best tea on market is* Warden's Matchless, at 2s per lb. Ybn may pay more money, but cannot act better tea.—JjkdvtJ