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The Pension Enormity. It became customary to impugn tbe patriotism of those who objected to making the pension system a means wSfrf 8wiodling the government If . anyone objected to swelling the pen ?iou Hst by admitting unworthy clai? mants to the bounty of the gov-i einmenta clamor was raised against' bim as being no better than a rebel j 111'; As a consequence the pension . manipulators hare been allowed to bave their own way Honest ob jectioo to their proceedings has beeu stifled by a mistaken idea of patriot? ism, and the result bas been that the . American pension system has been perverted into ihe most gigantic fraud that was ever practiced upon a nation. It bas become so great an abuse that the want of patriotism may be charged against those ?bo refrain from representing it in ita .true color . and denouncing it accordingly. From no other evil is tbe republic - sustain j tog so great an injury as from the J fraudulent perversion of a system thal was intended for tbe benefit of those wbp fought lor tbe Union, f There ls really 6 omet hing startling in the information given in the eecre ' tary of the interior's report that, with the , pension rolls already con? taining more names than were enroll- ? ed as soldiers during the war, there are 290,000 claims awaiting adjodi cation, a majority of which the seer? tary soya will be admitted, with an increase of $5,000,000 to $7 ,000,000 to the pension account ; and this, it should be remembered, will happen after more than- thirty years have . passed since the close of the war. It is not difficult to understand the processes by which the pension rolla . are made to contain, as reported at ; the end of the last fiscal year, 976. 014: names with material in reserve sufficient to add thousands to the Hst, ; annually, for au indefinite period This frightful abuse which last] year was-attended with the enormous expense of $141,990,936 75. not io eluding the cost of the service, has been practiced for two special objects, either of which is a pnblic imposi? tion and a menace to our free inet i to tiona The one object is to attach to a particular, political party a large body of voters who are made to look to it as the source of this personal benefit, which is in effect a gigantic .method of political, bribery. Another object is to create a vast expenditure of public money that wiil necessitate the continuance of taxation through : the. agency of tariffs required for the promotion of monopolistic inteiresi. The pension system has been brought to a degree of perversion that randers it a public duty to denounce the abuses connected with rt. and to expose the purpose of those who have ' made it the medium of their nefarious designs. Instead of its being what it waa originally intended to be, a means of justly compensating those who bad rendered their country real service in ita time of peril, it has been con verted into a colossal scheme of pub i He plunder Tor the political benefit of the Republican party and the per? sonal profit of the pension ring The rascals who have profited from j pension abases are sure to represent opposition to their methods as spring? ing from hostility to pensiona, but tte true friends of the pension system are those who desire to keep off the rolls those who are not entitled to government bounty, and confine it to veterans who really served their couorry io the field.-Democratic Watchman. ? 1 - I 3oomerang Effects. ?be cotton mau??a?ture of New Eng land is not io prosper?os condition lt suffered a slump ?hen thc bowness depression strack the country in 1893. bot its trouble at that time was con? veniently charged to the Wilson lew tariff, which was rather a singular cause for a break down that came on a year before that tariff bill was passed It was expected, however, that after the higher duties of the Dingley hil! should begin to show their effect the New England cotton msoofsctarers, whose claim to increased protection was well looked after in that measure, would fiod a great improvement io their busi? ness This expectation is not being realised, although the Diogley sot bas been io full play for nearly four months. As a remedy for this defective situa? tion, whioh tb" high tariff has failed to eorrect, a general cot in wages is re? commended as the only expedient that will maintain the profits of the mill owners. Following closely opoo the passage of a tariff bill avowedly intend? ed to benefit labor this would he a most remarkable result of an alleged protec? tive measure. Bot the great trouble with the New England oottoa mills is overproduction. They aro producing more goods than they oao find markets for. Uoder the lower Wilson bill trade conditions were soch that foreign markets took a con? siderable part of this New England prodoet. lo 1896 nearly 20,000.000 yards of these cotton goods were sent to Canada, which, io 1897. were in? creased to 30,000,000 yards, bot the discrimination of the Dingley tariff against Canadian producta has driv?e T Canada to retaliatory measures, the ef feet of which is shown hy the fact that the Canadian importation of American cotton goods, which ? io July, the mooth be? fore the Diogley bill was passed, amounted to $1,447,538, fell to $809, 86*5 io September, tbe mooth after that measure went toto effect, a failing off of nearly 50 per eeor. The New Eogland mill owners are experiencing some boomerang effects from the tariff policy. Foreign mark? ets, which were being opened to their goods ander a lower tariff, are now being closed against them, and with a diminished demand for the oatput of the mills they will endeavor to make op their loss by ootting the wages of their workmen. Is this what was promised the labor? ing people as the effect of a Repobli can protection?-Democratic Watch? man. Misconstrued Law. The gold bog journals and speak? ers have succeeded in creating the impression that the credit of the gor eminent is involved in gold payment, and apon this false representation the humbug bas boen worked off on the public that payment in silver would be a breach of faith and a violation of the national honor. Nothing bot the incorrect im pres sion that the government is obligated to make its payments in gold could give rise to the report that among other measures of currency reform which the President will recommend in his message will be one advising "the passage of a law repealing the act requiring greenbacks to be re deemed in gold " There could not be a more mislead ing statement than this. It is based on a thoroughly, false assumption. There is no law requiring the pay? ment of greenbacks in gold There fore there is no occasion for a repeal ing act. There is no law specifically requiring the government to pay ob ligations, whether notes or bonds, in jgold. The law calls for their pay? ment in coin, and as an unmistakable interpretation of the meauing of the term: .'coin*'in this connection Con? gress has made a specific d eel ar at io D that it means either gold or silver. At any time when the speculative cormorants were raiding the treasury with the presentation of greenbacks for payment in gold the treasury au? thorities could have lawfully paid them in silver.. There would have been no breach of the public faith in such payment, as the government was not pledged to pay in gold. Secretary Foster, under the Harri? son administration, commenced this unlawful system of exclusive gold payment, even going so far as to de? cide that treasury notes, specifically payable in silver, should be paid in gold if the bolder required it Cleve? land betrayed bis Democratic faith by continuing this unlawful system, with the result that gold payments, unauthorized by law, necessitated tbe borrowing'of gold, and occasion ed th? issue of bonds which imposed upon the people an increase of the national debt amounting to $262, 000,000 It was by the arbitrary ruting of treasury officials that the law has -been violated/ in this matter for the benefit of the gold interest. This bas been a breach of fbe national faith pledged to the payment of the public debts with the lawful coin of I the country, silver equally with gold ; and yet these violators of the law, backed by the supporters of gold monometallism, make the outrageous ly impudent charge that the advo? cates of silver entertain a terrible de sign against the public faith, and na? tional honor.-Democratic Watch man Stow Tax Faying. No Probability T?at the Pen? alty Will be Remitted. Ooty twenty days remato :n which taxes may be paid without thc penalty beiog added. Treasurer Timmeraian says that money ia coming ic even slower thao it did a week or two ago aod that be is not getting enough to p*y the current expenses of the govern? ment. There ia never any grsat alaority displayed io payiog taxes, that duty beiog pot off to the very last, but this year the people are slower than ever The explanation is five ceot. ootton, bat it is pointed out by state officials that if the people are not abie to pay their taxes now they will oot be in any bet ter shape later on In view of the scarcity of money no doubt many people believe that the time will be extended. There is little possibility of anything of the kind be ing done, by the governor and the comptroller general who have tbe pow? er to do so. The legielatare might ex? tend the time and remit the peoalty where it bas beeo imposed, bot there is a general disposition to have all taxes paid wheo due. Only ander tbe most extraordinary circumstances is tbe power to exteod tbe time exercised. It m*y be that the legislature will con? sider five oent cotton snob a cooditioo bat delinquents or those who may possi? ble be such bad better oot count oo snob a oontiogenoy Uoless there is an extraordinary j mah io the next two weeks it looks as if the nambcr of delinquents will be larger than ever.-Colombia Regis? ter. Take JOHNSON'S CHILL & FEVER \ TONIC. COLUMBIA'S PROFITS. What is Said About the Threat to Withhold. The threat of the State board of cootrol to withhold Columbia's share of the profits was talked about con? siderably yesterday Mayor Sloan de? clined to have anything to say, for ther than that the city officials were doing ail they could to enforce the law, and that he bad so instructed the police. A gentleman who hulda no public position but who is interested in everything that pertains to the good of the city, in speaking of the mat? ter, said that it wocld be impossible for the police to stop blind tigers, so long as the dispensary sold the deal? ers liquor to dispense ont of the pocket by the drink, behind doorways and al ley s Even where it is sold io buildings, it is a hard matter to de? tect, for only small quantities are kept on the premises, which if seized, is immediately claimed as being for private ose, and there is no way of disputing the statement. No officer would be allowed to detect the selling of a drink. The tiger always keeps one eye open. As to the original package stores, if they violate the law it is done in such a way as to defy detection. They may get in a case containing four kegs, each holding a certain quantity. The dealer, if he is so disposed, can sell each of these jugs to separate parties, which is contrary to the order of Judge Simonton The police could not possibly detect anything of the kind unless he stay? ed around the shops all the time, and they have more important matters to attend to than that. As a matter of fact, the chief of police has stopped several places which be suspected of violating the law, and if liquor is sold in them cou trary to the law, it is done so secret? ly that the dealers cannot be detect? ed That there are blind tigers in Co? lumbia, nobody denies, but those in official position and those who are familiar with the facts, say that the city ie no worse in this respect than any other city, and in some cases, not so bad.-Columbia Register. - Bradstreet's Review. New York, Dec 10.-Bradstreet's to-morrow will say : Mild weather throughout most of the country has interfered to some extent with the distribution of win ter-weight clothing and otL . seasonable goods, and trade from first bands is quieter eveo than last week Jobbers sod re? tailers, however, report a steadily in? creasing sod in some sections very active business in holiday goods, gro Oeries and kindred products Reports from the south continue as a whole very good, with specially favorable ac? counts from New Orleans, Atlanta, Nashville and the central (tooth Col? lections are, as a m?e, generally very satisfactory, ie spite of the lower price of cottoo. Favorable reports come from Chicago, Kansas City. St. Louis and St. Paul. The prie? situation is one of sustained and even aggressive strength. Wheat is higher, partly cn improved statistical position, but largely in sym? pathy with the Chicago squeeze, which bas advaoced prices 15 cents per bushel in that market within a week. All the other cereals have sympathised with wheat sod coffee. Cottoo, leaf tobacco and raw sugar are also among the prominent staples wbioh have been enhanced io v*loe. The deorca?c: have boen few. Carrai exports contiene very large, though showing a falling off from last week's heavy total Total exports of wheat and flour from the United States and Canada this week aggregated 6,005,638 bushels, against 6,699,000 last week and 4,122 OOO iu the week a year ago. Corn exports also show a falling off. aggregating 3.068,000 bushels this week, against 4,585.000 last week and 3,541,000 la*t year. There are 292 business failures re ported throughout the United States this week, as opposed to 250 last week and 381 in the week a year ago. Take JOHNSON'S CHILL & FEVER Great Postal Robberies. New York, Dec. 10.-It was learn? ed to-day that ooe of the biggest robbe? ries io the history of the New York postoffioe occurred on November 9. Tho amount involved is s*id to be in the neighborhood of $100,000 aud wa? taken from registered letters in the railway service on that aeotion of the Central railroad cf New Jersey known a* the New York, Somerville and East ern branch. Ou November 9 it was stated that two bags containing $30, 000 were taken. How long the defal? cations had gone on before that date has not yet been ascertained M^jor Cnarlen F. Lt-wis, of the Philadelphia branch of the government secret ser? vice, was if this city to day, invest'ua! icg the robbery, which has been kept secret until now by the postal authori? ties. Washington Letter. Washington Deo. 13.-The man who woald have predicted the preseot condi? tion of the Washington ead of the re? publican party a little more than a year ago, when it bad just elected a Presi? dent and a majority of the House, would not haye beeo giren credit for sound judgment, even by the bitterest eua my of that party Io fact, it is now difficult for one not io Washington, to believe the extent of thc disruption of the party. Nothing cao better illostrate this than the attitude of the republicans in Congress towards the recommendations made by Mr McKin? ley's message. Not a single one of them has the support of anywhere near the solid republican vote io either branch of Congress. Mr McKinley asked indirectly, Seoretary Gage direct? ly, for the retirement of the green? backs, but if the democrats and popu? list refrain from voting, it is doubtful whether a bill providing therefor could pass either braooh of Congress; Mr. McKinley's Cuban policy is constantly and openly assailed by republicans; be asked for the immediate ratification of the treaty for the annexation of Hawaii, but not a move bas been made in that direction in the Senate, and abandon? ment of the treaty is looked for ; he defended the civil service law, aod one half of the republican members of the House are openly engaged in an effort to break down that law. In fact, everything is tending towards a restora? tion of the democratic party to power, and the oooe boasted solidity of the republican party, which was for years its most ooted trait, has gone, apparent ly forever. The House Basking and Currency Committee is laboring hard to produce a financial bill, but it is only another csse of "Much ado about nothing," as there are about as many different opin? ions in . the Committee as there are members, and each opinion is represent? ed by a bill framed by its owner. It bas been said that Czar Reed, in select? ing this Committee, chose men whom he knew would never agree on a bill, and it looks that way Representative Sullivan, of Miss., in bis speech against the payment of pen? sions to wealthy men quoted extensive? ly from Gen. H. V. ?oynton's recent arraignment of the injustice of the Pension laws as now administered, be? cause be endorsed what that gentleman had said and knew that nobody could raise any question of Gen. Boynton's right to criticise Althoogb the Pen? sion bill passed by tbe House, carries ao appropriation of more than $141, 000.000, something like $2 for each man, woman and child in the US - it was rushed through the House in an hour or two aod every amendment pro? posed by democrats waa voted down. Representative Dingley's remark tbat of every $5 paid oot by the govern meat $2 went to pay pensions and fifty cents to pay interest oo the public debt, although probably not made for such a purpose, ought, in view of tbe probable pension deficit of $10,000.000 io tbe next fiscal year, and the announced desire of tbe administration to increase our hooded indebtedness, to cause many persons to put on their thinking cap?. It is practically certain that at the caucus of the democrats of the House, to be held thi? week, it will be decided to make Cuba a party question, and tn use every opportunity to attempt to get the Senate resolution, declaring for the recognition of Coban belligerency, adopted by the House ; also that the caucus will declare the party opposed to each aodevvery financial recommenda? tion made by the administration It is not likely that tbe caucus will say any? thing about the Ml??r question. The position of tbe party is too well known tb need any new d?claration in favor of tf?ver. The caucus will probably de oUre against the annexation of Hawaii, either by treaty or legislation, and it may also declare against the enactment of the bankruptcy law, but there is doubt about the latter action, as there are some strong advocates of the bank? rupt law among the democrats, and others who doubt the wiidom of trying to make it a party question. Tbe report that Czar Reed is in sym patby with the fight on civil service re? form, because be recognizes in it a means of lessening Mr. McKinley's chances for a renomination, was partial? ly confirmed by the attendance at a canons of republican Representatives called to consider Vi ays and Means of fighting the present civil service law, and bring about its modifactioo or com piete repeal In view ot tbe absolute control Mr. Reed has over the re pu b 1 i can members of tbe House in about everything else, it does not seem likely that as many as seventy two nf them could have been persuaded te take part in this movement unless they knew that Mr. Reed had no objeotion to it The averago democrat bas never favored tbe civil servios law, with its one part real reform to nine parts of the most a,rrant humbuggery, so it will not be surpris? ing to ace them vote with the kicking republicans, if their kicking goes as far ai a vote. Cbina to be Divided. St. Petersburg Dec. 13 -The Nov osti says tbe absence of proteas fn>m the niher powers at Germany's evidett determination to reioain at Kia-' Chou bay indicates that the partition of Chit.a ha? actually begun and will pro? ceed quickly. Another newt-paper ex pr.<?cd the belief that the United States, among otber powers, may ob? ject ro the permanent occupation of Kiaj Chou bay by Germany. Russian official circles, however, appear indiff ( at to the step taken by Germany. Mrs. McKinley is Dead. Canton, 0., Dec. 12.-Mrs. Nancy Allison McKinley, mother of the President, died at 2:30 this (Sunday) morning, after lingering in an un? conscious condition, as the result of a stroke of paralysis, for 10 days. Representative Gaines, of Ten? nessee, has introduced a bill appro priatiog $228,000 for the relief of the book agents of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sooth, for property taken during the civil war. Result of Southern Compet? tion?n Lowell. Lowell, MASS , Dac. 10 -The re? ported d?cision of the Fall River manu? facturers to red noe wages bas not aroused muoh comment to Lowell. The increasing competition of the southern plants bas long been seen fore? seen here and bas been discounted to as great en extent as possible. Several mills bas already installed expensive linen plants and others have changed over their machinery to run on special? ties. To Christmas Buyers* We selected our stock of books for the holiday season with greater care than usual, and we feel confident that our patrons and "the public in gen? eral will find that in this line we lead the town, both in quality and low prices. We have a choice assortment of HANDY VOLUME CLASSICS, Several style bindings to select from, at 50c to $1.25 For 25c we are selling a better book, cloth bound, good paper, clear print, than we have ever seen offer? ed for the same money. The list of titles includes all of the masterpieces in the world's lit? erature, and many of the 'popular hoohs of recent publication. We mention these only as an illustration of the character of our book stock. We have large stocks of Two Volume Sets, Lupton and Caldwell Handy Volume Editions. Of Christmas Cards, Calendars and Booklets, we have a large Assortment in artistic and beautiful designs. This line has been oar pride ever since we have been in busi? ness, and we offer it this year to the public as the very best that could be obtained. We have the genuine Oxford Bibles, not imita? tions or inferior reprints, and our prices are no higher than asked for the inferior editions, v Also Oxford Editions of Prayer Books and Hymnals. Children's Story Books, Toy Books, Chatterbox, Games, Dissected Maps, Etc , in variety too great for enumeration. Medallion Pictures, selected subjects, cheaper than ever before, nothing more handsome for th? mantlepiece or center table. 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