OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11924, 24 December 1900, Page 8

OUR AMERICAN LETTER.

(Fnost Oun -Own Correspondent.) -

CHICAGO, ILL., November 17.

t Even the Republicans themselves were surprised! They expected M'Kinley to win out in the election of November 6; but they did not look for quite such a. Republican landslide as that which was chronicled on the morning of November 7. The Republican candidate secured six more States than in 1596, and had the satisfaction of knowing that tlio majorities in States which again went Democratic were greatly reduced. It is pos--1 siblo, that the election in Kentucky will again be contested, for the struggle is a close one. The exact returns have not boon received, but tho Republicans concede the Slate to Bryan on tho National issue, and are also losing hope upon the State issue. One of the greatest surprises of the election came when it was known that Nebraska, Bryan's home State, which went strongly for free silver in the last campaign, had turned Republican by a small majority. The following estimate is taken from the unofficial count—the official count will not be known until about Ist December : — Electoral Votes. M'Kinley. Bryan. Alabama- 11 — ii 1 Arkansas 8 8 Calfornia !) D Colorado 4 — 4 * Connecticut G G — ! Delaware 3 3 — Florida ..- 4 _ 4 Georgia- 13 — 13 Idaho 3 — 3 , Illinois 24 24 — • I Indiana 15 15 — lowa 13 13 — Kansas 1(1 10 Kentucky 13 _ 13 Louisiana 8 — 8 Maine .. .. '.. (i G — Maryland ...... 8 S — Massachusetts .. .. 15 15 — Michigan .. .. .. .. 14 14 — Minnesota ...... 0 9 — Mississippi 9 — 9 Missouri 17 — 17 Montana 3 — 3 Nebraska 8 8 — Nevada 3 — 3 New Hampshire .... 4 4 — New Jersey 10 10 — New York' 3G 3G rNorth Carolina .... 11 — 11 North Dakota 3 3 — Ohio 23 2'i — Orcou .... 4 4 — Pennsylvania 32 32 — Rhode Island 4 — South Carolina .... 9 ■) South Dakota.'. .'. '.'. 4 4 —. Tennessee VI — 12 Texas 15 — 15 Utah 3 3 - Vermont 4 4 — Virginia 12 1-. Washington 4 4 — West Virginia .. .. G G — Wisconsin 12 12 — Wyoming ...... 3 3 — Totals 417 292 155 . M'Kinley's majority, 137.

As a result of llio election, both (he Senate mid the House will be strongly Republican. If tho legislature? of the various Stales fulfil their duties in accordance to the wishes of their various constituencies, as expressed in the election returns, the Republicans will have 201 members in the House, against 156 for the Democrats; and in the Senate there will be— Republicans 49, Democrats 27. and dependents 9. The President will make no changes in his Cabinet, unless compelled to do so. ft has befln hinted, howevor, that certain of tbc members have privnt'? mi-rests which will prevent thorn from accepting (he honour for another term. The present cabinet is regarded as the most harmonious that the country has had in many year.--, and that the President is well satisfied with the records of Mi; Cabinet during the pn"t four years is evidenced by his formal request that they may remain with him during his second term. Ho .spoke for about five -minutes, expressing his appreciation of their devo'.ion and assistance in the past, and lii« hope that they would share with him the cares and responsibilities until the md of bis administration. Secretaries Hay, Oago, Hitehcojk. and Wilson, and Attorney-general Griggs responded in an appropriate manner. The President looks upon (he overwhelming victory of the Republican party as an endorsement of his past policy, and as a command from the Ani-n-ican people to "go ahead with the Thus he lias mapped out for Ihc future. Senator Mark A. Hanna. who has directed the affairs of the Republican campaign, takes this view of his parly's victory: —

The result is more than satisfactory. It expressed a continued confidence in the'tulminis'tration of the party, which is certainly gratifying to all Republicans and friends of'the administration. It assures the continuance of present prosperous conditions. It is a triumph of the principles of good government over the heresies of Bryanism, which is the product of a combination of elements of irresponsibility, instability, and incompetency. It strengthens the very foundation of the Government. It is a rebuke of the demagogy of the campaign of the Opposition, and a clear, cool diagnosis of a situation which was for a lime clouded by methods of evasion and misrepresentation. Above all, it gives to every American absolute confidence in the good judgment of the people and their readiness and ability to protect their own interests by deciding aright those great questions which of necessity come up in a government by the people.

While in the main our predictions have been fulfilled,'l may say that in many cases our expectations have been exceeded. As yet final reports cannot, of course, be made; but some of tlio States wliioh we considered doubtful are surely Republican, and some which we classified as Democratic are doubtful, with a possibility of being Republican. M. A. Hamna. The Cabinet has just decided to recommend Congress to so amend the War Tax Act as to reduce the revenues, which are still being collected under the measure. The proposed reduction will amount to some 15,000,0Q0d0l a year, and this will be an item of supreme ii. terest to the. business worid. Some of the revenues, provided by this act are not particularly popular with tlio people. For example, tl-.o public does not like to be compelled to affix a revenue stamp to every telegram or express receipt. It was originally ir.teudecl that these revenues should be paid by the te'egraph and express companies, but the latter easily shifted this responsibility upon tlio pubic by advancing their prices to cover the amount of the tax. The cutting off of this more or less irksome duty will be hailed by tlifi majority of business men with a sigh of relief. The patent medicine tax, however, is most complained, of. The law requires a stamp upon every medical preparation made by a private formula, and the makers of patent medicine.) nay this takes off nearly onefourth of their profit?. Tt is not easy for them to shift the burden upon the shoulders of the public. Otlier objectionable provisions are numerous, and an effort will be made to reduce the Tax Act to an equitable basi* It is complained that the Dingley Tariff Law stands in need of correction, but'it is thought that there will he no reduction of the duties on imported goods. Probably the most offensive ciauee in the law is the one which prohibits people from bringing into thN country more than lOOilol worth or wearing apparel. This feature was incorporated in the law through the influence of the Merchant's Association, but the (lovcrnment lias never been able s!nelly to enforce it. An order has gone' out from the War department to (ho effect that the depirtme-it of Porto Rico will be discontinued on December 15. 1900. This means that the island of Porto liico and all the islands and kovs adjacent will be relieved of military rule with the exception Hint the native regiment consisting of 850 men, a battalion'of the 11th Infantry and Batteries F and 11 of the sth Artillery will be retained for a time as a part of the district of the cast. This order wiu> made after a consultation Uy cable- with Governor Allen, of I'orio Rico, who believed this course would be particularly satisfactory to the people of the island, and that it would be a stroke of good government as well.

At. a recent meeting of the Cabinet it was decided to prosecute aggressively the campaign in the Philippines to suppress the insurrection. The insurgents will be afforded ample opportunity to accept American occupation, and a reasonable lime will be allowed them to lciirn the results of the election. In fact, (Jeneral MacAi-tliur will spread the news throughout. Ihe islands, and the natives will be informed thai they must abandon all hopes of any chanue in the policy of the. Administration. It is probable thai, a plan to conduct an active movement against the insurgents will delay the. departure of the volunteers now Nerving in the 'Philippines. It had been intended to start the. homeward movement about OecemlnM- 1. The. enlistment of 65,000 soldiers, including 35,000 volunteers, will expire within the present fiscal year. Most of these sliort-tinie men aro now in (he Philippines, and the President in his Me.ssago is expected to prei-cnt an appeal for tho permanent increase, of the army to a strength of 100,000. Congress will be urged to net uijon the mallei- at once, and the volunteers will be held in the Philippines in the hope thai by Christ mas Confess will authorise the President to enlist 65,000 soldiers to relieve them. Many prominent Democrats who look upon Bryan as a Populist and not as a supporter of the true Democratic, principles, agree thut their party will have to be reorganised along the old lilies set down by Thoman .InlVerson if they expect, to hold a place in the history of American politics. Upon this subject exSecretary of Agriculture, .1. Sterling Morton, a " truc-hluc " Democrat, said : If the Democratic party ever acquires the confidence of the American people again, it '"ust be after its reuunciiiVon of all the money

fallacies which the populist, Colonel Bryan, adit must also hold itself a respecter and will servant of the law as administered and interpreted by the constitutionally-established courts of the Untied States. Any party which advocates dishonest money must either die or succeed to power after recantation of errors and a long probation in attempting to maintain the honour and integrity of the national faith and credit. Perhaps since the debauchery of democracy by Colonel Bryan has been so flagrant a new party, made up of the best intelligence and patriotism of the people, might do more good for the Republic than one carrying a name which since IS3G hns meant only dishonesty repudiation, and antagonism to the constitutional administration of the hiws. No party preaching fallacies in finance, denouncing the writ of injunction and advocating the initiative and referendum ought to succeed in a representative Government like this. The National Civic F-ederalion lias called n convention to be held in this city December 17 and 18, for the purpose of discussing the labour problems. This is the organisation that called and successfully carried through the big Trust Convention lapt year. Prominent men from nearly every State in the Union were present at that time, and the trust problem was given a most thorough airing. Now a similar convention is called to discuss the best methods of securing conciliation and arbitration in the settlement of industrial disputes. Thinking men are becoming alarmed at the great waste of human energy attendant upon strikes and lockouts, and the convention is generally regarded as a move in the right direction. The object of the National Civic Federation may be found in the announcement of the call: "Strikes and lockouts are perhaps a greater waste of human energy, and responsible for a greater loss of wealth to society as a whole, than any other obstructive factor connected with modern industrialiEran. Public opinion itself has been indifferent and uninformed as to requirements of this new ago. with its rapid and wonderful development in every department of industrial life. It is the object of the National Civic F-.dera.lion to make, the coming conference as practical as possible hy bringing together both the labour leaders and captains of industry who are the most directly concerned. ■ The experiences of the papt will be drawn irpoivand a critical examination of all methods for conciliation and arbitration at present hv Vogue will be made."

Keeent reports made by the American Federation' of Eabdiir arc most reassuring. It is reported that (inly 2.3 per cent, of the mechanics belonging to the Federation are idle. Kccurns have been received1 from 689 unions, with an aggregate membership of 47,904, bearing out this statement. The officials of this federation believe that those return? indicate mc.nl as" a whole, which, they say, has been brought about by giving practical demonstration to employers thai the unions stand for peace ami net turmoil, and also by the activity of the unions in causing increased demand far manufactured goods bearing the union label, thus making the use of the label of financial interest to the employer. One of the most important bits of litigation with which the United States Supreme Cmu'l has had to do of late is that which has arisen since the completion of Chicago's new drainage canal. The cm?c. is an injunction brought bY the Stale of Missouri against the Stale of Illinois and the snnitavy district of Chicago to restrain the use of ihe sanitary canal as a receptacle for the sewage of Chicago. Tt is c-mlcndfid that the Stale of Missouri has jurisdiction over the Mississippi River to ibo centre, of the chaunol along the shores of that Stale, and the turning of the water into the canal constructed by Hie sanitary district of-Chicasro will carry the sewage of the city to tho Mississippi, and pollute the waters of that river so as to render it unfit for domestic and manufacturing purposes. However, the distance between Chicago and St. Louis is about 260 mile?, and it has been averred by scientists that running water becomes purified long before this distance is covered. The evidence brings out tho fact that St. Louis herself, as well as all other cities along the river, empty their sewage into the Mississippi, mid that the water at New Orleans is considered healthful. The contention is made by Chieaqoaus that the drainage canal causes Ihe sewago to be diluted by mixing it with the great quantity of pure water from Lake Michigan, which now flows into tho canal through tho Chicago River. The case- is the. first of its kind ever presented to the Supreme Court. A decision is expected early in December. Tho sanitary trustees are of the opinion that navigation will be stopped unusually early on the river this year on account of the ice ' In speaking of this, President Boldenv.eck recalled the merry days when Phieagoans enjoyed skating, sleighing, and horse racing on the ice. Ho said:—"The river is certain to freeze much earlier than it has in yeavs past, despite the influence of ihe current, 'because the water is not in its former slimy condition. T think it probable that Chicagoans may witness sleigh riding, skating, and horse racing on the river, such as was enjoyed by us young fellows in old times. I have ridden horses in races on the lake. I was a spectator when old Dexter made tho fastest time ever made on ice in a race from State street to Fifth Ay uuo."

Co.d weather has come early in Chicago and vicinity, and telegrams from various points along the lakes say that heavy snows have fallen, and that trains carrying no snow ploughs, have been delayed. Thanksgiving Bay comes this year upon the 29th day of November, and the peoole of the United States are preparing for their usual frast of turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, and "the thousand other delicacies that belong to the holiday traditions of this country. That many people of the old world still look upon the United States as a wild and untamed country, the scene of pioneer lawlessness, is perhaps not strange in view of the reports of atrocious examples. of mob rule which are given to the, world from time to time. Despite the vigorous protests from justice-loving societies and individuals against lynching, that mode of impromptu punishment is, it would seem, becoming more general. For the most part it has been confined to the South : in almost every case the authorities have done little more than shrug their sjiouldcrs and overlook the offence. In very few instances have leaders of reckless mobs been brought to justice. Now the country is confronted with a problem which, if not met in tho near future and summarily dealt with, promises to sap the very foundations of our boasted liberty and justice. The mobs are no longer content with mere hangings. To-day's papers are teeming with the details of ail awful punishment meted out to a, young negro murderer. The despatch comes from Limo. Colorado; and it is in effect that the offender was burned at the slake in tho most fiendish manner. The frightful punishment was meted out by a mob of 300 men, who made no effort to conceal their purpose. Officials made no attempt to stop the awful proceedings. The sheriff surrendered his prisoner without offerins' more tiian a mere show of resistant.", afler deiiher-

ately leading his prisoner to p. place where it had been publicly announced a vigilance committee- would await his coming. The details of the burning are here passed over as 100 revolting. This is by no means the first time this, mode of punishment—regularly re soried to in oarl.v days by tho ravage tribes of Indian?—has been'adopted by our "civilised" mobs. II is becoming dangerously common. Its very indulgence seems to multiply crime. It is being proven to the satisfaction of main- citizens that the nat'on cannot afford to let lawlessness of this kind take the, place, of justice, and it is to be hoped something may be done to elfaee the custom. Mit.tox li. Makkss.