American Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 1, 27 April 1888, Page 3

American Notes.

HtNBY George and Dr. M'Glynn are sinking rapidly to their true level. Mr. George, finding that supporters must fail him, and that a United Labour party could not be kept together in sufficient strength to enable him to support with sufficient eclat a third candidate for the Presidency, falls back on Mr. Cleveland, with whose views as to Freetrade he declares himself to be in sympathy. Freetrade and denunciation of the Catholic Church are the especial points upon which Mr. George has come to grief. As to Dr. M'Glynn, having finally relinquished all hope of being restored to his position at St. Stephen's, New York, to which he had long clung in a completely unreasonable manner, considering what his conduct had been, he now descends still lower, and promises to become a second Chiniquy. Such an undertaking, however, cannot be of more than momentary assist* ance to him, and the moral ruin he already exhibits will ere long be equalled by his condition generally. Want of self-restraint, conceit, and arrogance, are the faults that have brought both these gentlemen to their fall.

An eventful career was brought to a close at Waterbury, Con., on February Bth, in the death of Stephen Joseph Meany. Mr. Meany, who was a native of the County Clare, had taken a prominent part in every movement in connection with the cause of Ireland, from O'Connell's days up to the present. In the earlier portion of his life he had, as reporter for the Dublin Freeman, attended O'Connell's meetings, and among his memories was the proud one of having occupied a seat m the carriage of the Liberator on his release from Richmond prison. He was actively engaged in the attempt of 1848, and was then sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Belfast Gaol. He afterwards worked on papers in Liverpool and London, and from the latter city came to America, where he was most successful as a journalist. As a writer he ranked high, being a finished scholar, and possessing an admirably polished style. He was involved in the Fenian outbreak, in connection with which he went to Ireland, and incurred a sentence of ten years' imprisonment, one of which ho actually served in Kilmainham Gaol, being then liberated on the claim

of the United States Government, not, however, before he had endured suffering whose effncts remained with him for the rest of his life. Daring the agitation for Home Rule now in progress, he again visited Ireland two or three times, being again arrested, and again released, on the demand of the American authorities. At the time of his death he was editor of the Waterbury Evening Democrat. He died in harness, havi-jg written the leader for the very day of his decease. In accordance with his last wishes his remains have been taken to Ireland for burial.— B, l.P.

The result of the Fisheries Commission has been variouslyreceived. The organs of the Democratic party proclaim it a marked victory for the United States, but those of the Republicans declare that England has had a triumph . The fact, howerc -\ seemsto be that the confirmation of the treaty by the Senate will be a humiliation and loss to the Republic. No compensation is to be given to those American fisher men who have been sufferers from the action of the Canadiau authorities. The purchase of bait is still interdicted, and the only privilege granted is that of purchasing provisions in extreme distress. The limits allowed to American vessels are restricted, the claims as to the three miles distance from the headlands being admitted with some alight modification, and American fishing vessels are to be marked by numbers so as to facilitate the detection of any breach by them of the regulations. The imposition of tonnage dues and licenses is also placed in the hands of Canada. And, in addition to all this, the question of the seal-fishing in Behring sea has been left untouched. There is a good deal of doubt, therefore, entertained as to whether the Senate will ratify the treaty, and general opinion tends towards a contrary conclusion.

The action of the Senate in attempting to discuss in secret session the extradition treaty with England has been loudly condemned. Men of all parties are agreed in the opinion that the more important a measure is the more reason is there for its open discußsion. — The whole aim and object of the proposed treaty is that of enabling England to deprive Irish political offenders of their refuge across the Altaotic, by being authorised to fol.ow them there and drag them back within reach of her vengeance. The provisions of the treaty, while pretendiDg to deal only with offenders who had been guilty of some open act of violence, are so cunningly worded as to bring within their range obnoxious persons of all degrees. Owing to the determined opposition of Senator Riddkberger, whose name deserves to be held in honour, the discussion of the treaty has been postponed until after the Presidential election, that is until next December — but the matter is believed to have finally come to an end. It is altogether out of harmony with the tenour of the American mind.

The condition of the saleswomen of New York is just now beginning to attract attention. It is statsd that there are employed in the city some 40,000 of the class referred to, who are at work from ten to fifteen hours a day, and very many of whom are able by such labour to earn only two dollars fifty cents a week. Employers have the matter in their own hands, as the competitors for employment are innumerable, and, in consequence, all sorts of oppressive and vexatious rules and penalties add to the hardships that in any case must be undergone by these unfortunates. An organisation, is, therefore, proposed by which these saleswomen may unite in self-defence and without incurring the danger of immediate dismissal, which mußt overtake any individual or united number &mong them, who should act independently, and seek to better their condition.

The appropriation system, which was substituted for the contract system of employing convict labour, when that system was abolished some four or five years ago in the State of New York, is now the object of an inquiry appointed by the Senate. Uuder the appropriation system the prisons have been turned into manufacturing establishments, entering into competition on unfair terms with private enterprize, which gives employment to honest workmen. The question has been raised by the introduction of a Bill for an additional appropriation of 1,000,000 dols., 3,000,000 dols. having been already appropriated in purchasing the machinery and plant of the contractors, from whom the legisla'ure, in compliance with the agitation of the workingmen, had withdrawn the aid of prison labour, as well as the additional appliances required to carry on manufactures in the gaols. The Bill was passsd in the Assembly, but the Senate cut down this amount to 250,000 dols, and. on the motion of Mr. Russell of Albany, appointed the inquiry referred, to. This is expected to result in important revelations. The appropriation system, it is stated, is even more severe in its effects on private enterprize than was the contract system, besides involving a heavy expenditure of public funds.

The strike of the Reading coal-miners has terminated, both parties making concessions. PopulaT sympathy was all along very largely on the side of the men, who were understood to have a good case, and the exami ation of one of the superintendants of the mines, before the CoDgresaional committee appointed to inquire into the matter, did much to justify the view taken by the'public. The witness admitted that the corporations were in the habit of regulating the output so as to keep up the price of coals, that in doing this they showed no consideration whatever for the necessities of their employees, and that they were ready, if necessary, to rely on starving these employees into subjection to them. The strike was conducted on the whole in a quiet and or.lerly manner, being distinguished by one outbreak only. This occurred on the part of the Polish and Hungarian miners, people nnder ordinary circumstances, of a most peaceable and patient disposition, but capable, on occasion, of wild excitement. It arose from the attempted employment of non-union men, but was aggravated by the armed servants of the corporations, known as " coal and iron policemen," or " Pinkertons," who fired rashly on the crowd. The English speaking miners, who are, nnder all circumstances, most averse to

violence, and some of the wiser leaders among the Poles, however, managed to induce the rioters to go quietly to their homes. The itrike has terminated just in time to prevent the occurrence of one which seemed imminent in the Wyoming Valley, and it iB believed by some that its settlement will also have the effect of bringing to an end that long enduring one at Lehigh, as it is stated the Company there are willing to pay at the same rate as has been agreed to at Reading.