Potter County Journal

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ESTABLISHED 1848.
COUDERSPORT, PA., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1898.
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 34
Pres. McKinley Stands Firm.
While HopitiK for the Best the ministration Prepares for the Worst.
Ad-
THE   STRENGTH   OF   OUR   NAVY.
Washington, Feb. 28, 1898.
Few men occupying the position of President McKinley at this crit¬ ical time would be able to withstand the temptation to do a little spread eagle posing by catering, in talk, at least, to the unmi.stakable fighting sentiment   of the country.
Whether he has been tempted to do so, I cannot say, but that he has not done so is known toall the world, and it reflects great credituponhim as a man and as an official and has, beyond a doubt, increased the re¬ spect felt for the U. S. by all civil¬ ized nations. Not a line officially in¬ dicating what the verdict of the naval court of inquiry will be has been received by either the Presi¬ dent or Secretary Long, but the -vei'y fact has tended to convince the ])ublic that the investigation has al¬ ready shown the court that the ex¬ plosion, which wrecked the Maine, was not accidental and that it did not occur inside the vessel; whether it has convinced   tbe   President and
Cabinet, their active preparations for war show better than anything said for publication by any of them. Preparations are for the purpose of putting the country in a condition to hold Spain to a strict accountability, if the verdict of the court shall be that the Maine was blown up from the outside, as nearly everybody now expects that it will be. Holding Spain responsible is likely to cause war. although not one warlike word has been uttered, either by the Pres¬ ident or by any member of his cab¬ inet, this country is quite well pre¬ pared for war.
Our Navy is equal to that of Spain in guns and armament, and as su¬ perior to it in fighting qualities as an American is toa Spaniard; and the following remarks made by a War Department official will give some idea of our coast defenses: "From Portland, Me., to the south¬ ernmost point on the Atlantic coast, big guns and mortar batteries have been planted, and, in case of war, an invading force eould not land on Uncle Sam's soil, without suffer¬ ing severely. The Pacific coast has not been neglected by any means, and a hostile Heet seekiii^j an en¬ trance to a harbor anywhere along that coast line, would find violent opposition. One good result of the present critical times, if it only amounts to a scare, is that there will be less opposition to appropriation for coast defenses and for needs of the army and navy. "
.Justice Harlan, of the U. S. Su¬ preme Court made the following re¬ ference to the loss of the Maine, in a lecture to the law students of Co¬ lumbian University: ''It is idle for any man to say he knows how that calamity occurred, any man belittles his nature and lowers himself in the estimation of his fellowmen when he expresses the anxiety that it will turn out that it was not un accident, but that it was treachery rather than an accident. Brave, generous men do not want to think so badly of there fellowmen. We don't want to believe that was an act of treach¬ ery and duplicity; we hope it will turn out otherwise. And we ought all to have this feeling that if it turns out not to be accidental, we will not hear any more of North, South, East, or West, no more of republicans, democi-ats or populists. We will hear only of Americans. "
The President and the Seci'ctary of the Navy believe that it would be both fitting and patriotic for Con¬ gress to authorize the building of a new warship, to be as good as it can be made, to be named Maine, but they also regard as wise the opinion of the men in Congress who have studied this subject, that it will be best to wait until full par¬ ticulars of the loss of the Maine can be carefully studied before decid¬ ing whether it would   be  advisable
to build anymore vessels of the  bat¬ tleship type.
Representative Pearson, of N. C, indignantly resents the imputation, made in some quarters, that the fight made by the Republicans of the House to secure modification of the civil service law and rules, in which he has been conspicious among the leaders, is a sham, and says he intends, if within his power and he thinks it is, to see that every member of the House is put on record on this question before the close of the present session. There is reason for the belief that President McKinley would have is¬ sued an order materially modifying the civil service rules before this, had not his attention been so fully taken up with matters following up the de Lome letter and the destruc¬ tion of the Maine.
The failure to secure unanimous consent for the House to take up the bill, already passed by the Sen¬ ate, providing for the enlistment of two additional regiments of artillery in order that the government might properly man the batteries of heavy guns which have been planted in connection with our seacoast defen¬ ses, owing to Democratic objections, speaks much louder to observant persons than do the war whoops which certain Democrats have re¬ cently been indulging iu. This temporary delay will not affect the bill, which will be passed this week
but it should serve as a pointer for all intelligent persons.
Local Strife Depreatel
A Breezy Letter From Our Waynes-
burg Correspondent with Some
Pertinent Criticisms.
"Worry comes from a lack of faith his duty to see that no harm should iu divine providence, and they who come to the Vizoaya while in the would eradicate the evil, announce [harbor of New York, and the people two distinct purposes. First, to I will commend him for doing it. substitute faith and peace for Had it not been for this "angry bull doubt, anxiety and unrest; second, | sentiment" no one would have to study religious truth from the scientific standpoint.''
If War Shall Be Declared.
A H0PELE55 PROSPECT.
If "hope deferred maketh the heart sick," how utterly miserable must be those iu Potter county who started out a year ago to reform the Republican party along new lines. What have they remaining to cheer them on in a fight against the party organization? They antagonized the National administration, criticised the Congress in the hour of its severest struggle, broke with the Congressman of the 16th District, and are not greatlv applauded by the people of this county. Whence cometh their delight and where is hope to be found?
It is a dismal outlook for those who arrayed themselves ou the side of Wanamakerism (with Wanamaker left out) and tried to secure political preferment through what they be¬ lieved to be a popular movement. It is now apparent that the man who broke with Quay, for reasons best known to himself is not able to carry the ticket through which he has selected, and the poor old Erderprise is already turning its back on the contingent that can promise it noth¬ ing but a little county printing.
No New Party Needed.
PenasylvaaiaRepublicanism must uphold the McKinley administration and the St. Lous platform in this contest. We cannot afford to repu¬ diate the honest, noble man who is bending his every effort for the na¬ tional good at Washington. Senator Quay realizes this, and we have no doubt he will do everything in his power to secure the desired end.
In the meanwhile the Republicans of Pennsylvania should be careful not to listen to the frothings which are likely to characterize the politics of the next six months in this state. There are many hypocrites who seek ofhce under the guise of re¬ formers. There are many false pro¬ phets abroad, filling the air with the sound of their voices. Neither listen to them, nor believe them. The duty of every sincere Republi¬ can just now is to forget his per¬ sonal differences and prepare to work and.vote for the party which represents the national sanity and well-being. Stick to your guns!— Allegan J/   Record.
There Are Others.
Down in Allegany county a cer¬ tain citizen who was a candidate for school director at the recent election issued a proclamation to the voters announcing that he would furnish no beer to voters. The re¬ sult was wLen he came in under the wire he had just three votes. A poor neck of woods for a cold water candidate  that.—Cannonsburg Notes.
GOOD WORDS FOR W. A. STONE.
It is now 2 o'clock in the after¬ noon of the 23rd day of February, in the year of our Lord 1898. I have just laid down the Potter County Journal, after gleaning from its ever welcome pages all that is possible of the welfare and hap¬ piness of my old home and its as¬ sociates.
There are a few word-pictures on its pages that stand out in my mind's eye in such bold relief, as to rather cast into the background any such insignificant affairs of every-day life as births, deaths, marriages, etc. etc. Some of the pictures are in thiswise: "Quay," "anti-Quay," "Boss," "Business Men's League," "Wana¬ maker." etc., etc., so then I just wondered, you know, how many of my old friends that live away from railroad communication and other facilities for obtaining daily news of the world-great events, know that two great nations stand aghast and horror-stricken atthe awful disaster they have to face by the blowing up of the battle-ship, Maine, and nearly
three hundred brave seamen hurled into eternity in the twinkling of an eye? Spain and America gazing into each others' faces across this awful wi'eck and asking, "Must it be war ?''
We know that life is made up of little things, but when we stand in the presence of such an awful calam¬ ity as this, how it dwarfs into insig¬ nificance all our little petty factional strifes!
After all, we are all one at heart. When the real danger comes, then we show the metal we are made of. There are no jingo speeches for fu¬ ture campaign material being made in Congress now. Only one poor, misguided Senator has been foolish enough to try it yet.
Every patriot in the land feels that we have justice and wisdom at the helm, and will do all in their power to uphold and strengthen our Ad¬ ministration in this trying hour, and above all, ask for honorable peace if possible.
I am truly sorry that a factional fight has sprung up in the ranks of the good old Republicans of Potter. Don't you know the third dog is al¬ most sure to get the bone ? and the third dog is always on hand to en¬ courage the fight.
Here in Greene county we don't begin on anything so small as a Sen¬ ator. We begin on the Governor. So far we have no fight, for we are all in favor of William A. Stone to a man—and woman, too.
We have not even inquired whether he has a "boss" or not, for we like him collectively and individ- nally. We don't believe he could be anything but a good man after being a disciple and pupil so many years of one of the purest, noblest men the sun ever shone on, the sainted Prof. Fordyce A. Allen, of whom we cannot, even after all these years, think without a heart full of grati¬ tude and tender emotion.
Then, too, Mr. Stone is au old soldier, which counts for a great deal. I notice that old soldiers are not so blood thirsty as the young "tender-foot" that knows nothing of the awful horrors of war and ex¬ perience in that line during these troublous times would be a good thing.
Now, I am like Mrs. Spoopendike, —all for peace. You know she thought it would be "just lovely if Garfield and Hancock could both be elected."
Can't you effect some sort of a compromise ? Say Stone for Gov¬ ernor and for U. S.   Senator.
Ten rules are given for conquer¬ ing the habit, but we only need the first if we make all else subservient to it, viz: "Consider what must be involved in the truth that God is in¬ finite and that you are a part of his plan."
Then, others follow: Cultivate a spirit of gratitude for daily mercies; help and comfort your neighbor; forgive your enemies and conquer your aversions; realize that worry never has andnevercandoany good; it wastes vitality and impairs the mental faculties.
What a glorious fullness in our lives if we would only practice these rules! Yours for peace,
Florence Stevens Sayees.
P. S.—I forgot to say that Greene county will still continue to furnish the handsomest man in the Pennsyl¬ vania Senate, the President pro tem. of that bodv.
thought it possible   for    harm   to i The First Battle Would Evidently be come   to   the   Spanish   warship, in | Fought on the High
New York harboi or any other port \ Sea5.
in the  United   States, while   on a
You can supply the dash yourselves. I see the literary folks of Couders¬ port are making preparations for a Club Home. That is true progress. Have you a "Don't Worry" club? They are as contagious as small-pox, and spreading fast, though it is not to be wondered at when we consider the object.    As some one truly says,
THE JOURNAL WAS RIGHT.
The article from John H.  Ryan, "formerly the U.  S. Navy," is of itself sufficient to convince any rea¬ sonable person  that  the  Journal was justified  in   saying   that  "the American   people may   thank their stars that the old veteran McKinley is at the head   of   the Government, instead of the hotheaded Bryan." Though it would be difficult to con¬ ceive of Bryan  being as devoid of judgment as Mr  J.   H.   Ryan,  for¬ merly   U.   S.  Navy.      Mr.   Bryan maj' be supposed to represent the sentiment of   his adherents.     Fur¬ ther, the trite and applicable figur¬ ative language used by the  writer sh<iS,.- that Mr.   Bryan   has  been taken as his exemplar.     As for in¬ stance, take the expression, "The an¬ gry bull of public sentiment." What could so  clearly  express the   wild, bellowing,   unreasoning   onslaught the writer, and such as he, have been making   upon  President  McKinley in trying to force him into a prema¬ ture declaration of war with Spain ? Then that "fence of political corrup¬ tion" by which he is being stopped, which he "has not the stamina to leap over."     How  redolent of the bull-ring it all  is!     And how sug¬ gestive is the fence of the inclose- ure in which the bulls are bellowing and rushing about to create public sentiment!     How Bryanistic! How Populistic it all is!     We congratu¬ late the writer upon his command of figurative language, and  wonder if the   sensational   papers  that have bee«  telling so much they didn't know anything about, did not get a hint for their scare  headlines  from the bellowingof these  "angry bulls of public sentiment.''
This characterization of the senti¬ ment that is clamoring for war with¬ out waiting to learn the truth in the matter of the wrecking of the Maine in the harbor of Havana must have occurred to the writer either by in¬ spiration, or by a close study of Populistic declamation. Neverthe¬ less, people who can think outside of the bull-ring, may rest asured that McKinley, in harmony with both Houses of Congress, has the stam¬ ina and good sense to wait and know he is right before he goes ahead. Nothing can be lost by this course. The good repute of the government of the United States for patience, fairness and justice, is at stake in this matter. Secure in her strength and good intentions in dealing with Spain as with all other nations, this government can wait until assured of the approving con¬ science of the civilized world, that the action that may be taken on learning the whole truth of the mat¬ ter is demanded in the interest of national honor and public   welfare.
The fling at McKinley for protect¬ ing the Spanish war ship in the harbor of New York lest the "mad bull sentiment" should incite some one to blow her up, suggests a warped moral sense of what is right and wrong.    President McKinley is
peaceful visit.
What might have happened had Bryan been elected, the people care very little, farther than to note the danger threatened by his future can¬ didacy for President backed by the "angry bull sentiment" that is bel¬ lowing and pawing, in the interest of the silver kings, and labor agita¬ tors who live and thrive by inciting discontent and strikes among labor¬ ing men. Every indication of the approach of real prosperity is like waiving a red flag in the face of this "mad bull of public sentiment" rep¬ resented by these traducers of Pres¬ ident McKinley. Whatever devel¬ ops, McKinley and Congress will protect the honor of the nation.
And when the time shall come if come it must, that war is necessary to maintain onr national honor, no better man nor truer patriot than Major McKinley could be found to direct the forces of this great coun¬ try against the enemies of America. Then our sword, bathed in the heaven of eternal justice, will com¬ mand the respect of the civilized na¬ tions of the earth, who will behold with admiration the victories of a free people. "Thrice armed is he that hath his quarrel just."
A 5AMPLE FALSEHOOD.
The Philadelphia /Ves« of last Thursday contained a dispatch from this borough which deserves atten¬ tion mainly as a fair indication of the manner in which Colonel Stone's enemies are carrying on their cam¬ paign against him in ffeis.part of the State. It is currently reported ana generally believed here that this fake dispatch to the Prehs was sent by the editor of Indicted Reformer Van- Valkenburg's local organ. Here it is :
Wellsboro, Feb. 16 (Special).— The Republican County Committee of Tioga county met here this afternoon. Thirty-nine of the forty-two districts were represented. Count}' Treas¬ urer Ross A. Mitchell,an uncom¬ promising anti-Quay and anti-W.A. Stone man, with a large following, was elected chairman unanimously. H. A. Monroe, of Morris Run, was named secretary, and J. E. Hazlett, of Nelson, treasurer. This is the native county of William A. Stone.
It is probable that every member of the County Committee who was here last Wednesday will be ready to bear witness to the baselessness of this precious bit of "special" polit¬ ical misrepresentation. As a matter of fact, no man who was an "anti- W. A. Stone man" could have been elected Chairman of the Committee, unanimously or in any other way, for the reason that a large majority
THE SPANISH NAVY AND OURS.
In comparing the   seagoing ves¬ sels of war in   the   service   of the United States and Spain it will  be found that the  United   States has nine battleships of   the  first-class, while Spain has only one,  the   Pa- layo, with a   displacement  of 9900 tons.    Uncle Sam's  nine  first-class battleships have an average tonnage of something  over 11,000   for each vessel,  five   of the largest having 11,525 tons.    The destruction of the Maine leaves this country with only one battleship of the second class, the Texas, with   a displacement of 6315 tons.     Spain   has two battle¬ ships of the second-class,  one hav¬ ing 7035 tons displacement and the other 7000 tons.    In armored  cruis¬ ers Spain has the   advantage.      She has nine vessels of this  class,   and the United States has only two,   the New York and Brooklyn,  the first of 9135 tons and the second   of 8840 tons.    The   Spanish  armored  crui¬ sers are good ships from every point of view, having two guns  that are heavier than  any    carried  by the New York or Brooklyn,  but either of these two vessels would be more than a match for the Vizcaya or the Almirante Aguendo, her sister ship, which are 6890   tons,   there  being two others of 7000 tons and one of 7900 tons, and still another, the Era- perador Carlos V. of 9089 tons. This vessel is supplied with ll-inch guns in turrets and  .5.5  inch  rapid  fire guns.    The Cristobal Colon is a sis¬ ter ship to   the   Argentina cruiser Jose. Oarabaldi,  purchased   by the Spanish government.    She is a U840 ton cruiser and is one  of the  most modern vessels of ber type.
Spain outnumbers the United States in torpedo boats, and she has several torpedo boat destroyers of the latest make. The destroyer Prosperina, which is now ready for active service, is expected to shortly arrive in Spain, where she will be placed in commission. The speed trials of the Dona Maria De Molina have taken place and she has been accepted. Spain has also arranged to man immediately the two remain¬ ing destroyers in the Clydebank yards, Scotland.
Spain has more men in her navy than the United States.     She   has   a
total of 1009 officers, and the United States 982, including those of the marine corps. Spain has 16,300 sea¬ men, the United States, 12,600. The total active list in the Spanish navy is 24.629, and that in the United States navy 13,582. Spain has 25,- 000 naval reserves, or as many men in that department as  there are  in
of the Committee are in favor of j the army of the United States. The Colonel Stone's nomination for Gov-i total number of reserves for the ernor.    This statement is made on j United States navy is 2800.
the authority of Chairman Mitchell himself. He assures us that he talked with a good many commit¬ teemen before and after the meeting, and they were all in favor of Colonel Stone for Governor.
As a further matter of fact, we have the best possible authority for saying that Chairman Mitchell is not an "anti-Stone man," as falsely stated in the Press's precious "special.." On the other hand, he is himself in favor of Colonel Stone's nomination for Governor, and he believes that is the over¬ whelming sentiment of the people of the "native county of William A, Stone." Nothing more is needed on that point at present.
With the exception of her armored cruisers, Spain's navy is far infer¬ ior to that of the United States. In addition to the above we have 33 protected cruisers, all steel, but two; Spain has only 13, eight of which are of iron and three of wood, leav¬ ing only five that are of steel. We have six sea-going coast defenders and 13 coast defenders that are non- seagoing. All are ironclads. It will be seen that Spain can have lit¬ tle chance to break through the fleets that would opDOse her on the American coast.—Buffido Neics.
That   Settles It.
The anti-Quay forces in Tioga county are justly indignant at Sena¬ tor Quay's last move.    Before start-
r rom this quoted    sample of   the  . ^^    . ^ , - .    ,
1 „4. *  4.v,^   0+,.+^   tn^ for Florida on a fishing trip last
unscrupulous nature of  the   state- i    *= ,     ^^r, .      X
ments sentabroad by the manager of j ^^^^'^ he called at the  White House the Indicted Reformer's local reader | ^"^J^^f ^ long talk  with  President will be able to estimate the value of i McKinley other outgivings from that quarter. —Agitator.
He    left   for
Miss Wiilard's Successor.
Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens, of Dover, Maine, vice president of the Woman's Christian temperance union, will succeed the  late  lamen-
not the man to act as   though two ted Miss Frances Willard, as presi- wrongs could make a right.    It was [ dent of that organization.
Florida with the understanding that he should have his say in all postoffice contests, where the applicants are Quay and anti-Quay men, no matter what the Congressman of the dis¬ trict had to say about the case.— Wellsboro   Gazette.
Wheat sold in Chicago the other day at 1.09, and it was not the result of the free coinage of silver either.