Governor Tillman, Look Here!

If Governor Tillman claims the distinction of being the author of his liquor diapensary system, as he probably does not- for we suppose that he borrowed at least its rnain features from the Korwegian or Gothenburg system - he had best lay down his claims right away. Or if the far off Scandinavian country thinks she has any claim to originality in the matter, she may cease to congratúlate herself. The scheme comes from Michigan and is so old that it is a chestnut. Of course, we don't object to Governor Tillman or the Norwegiaus using our old and exploded theories, hut when they come to elaiming originality for the thing it is time to kick. Thua far the Courier has refrained from saying anything about the matter out of mnate modesty and in the vain hope that either one or the other of the parties mentioned would feel a little asliamed of themselves and confesa plagiarism. But neither seems to be nclined to acknowledge their shorteornhi!,' and so we feel in duty bound to show them up in the interest of our great state. The plan originated in Michigan before she had her eyes open and before she was named. It was just a little way we had to limit the supply of "fire water" that the Indians of those days demanded. Of conrse, if the Carolinians or the Scandinavians care to apply to themselves a method Michigan used with her redskins some two liundred years ago, we have no objection, but let's have no chicanery about the ownersliip of the scheme. It is a little hard on the aforesaid people to let out on them for it virtually places them on a level with our Indian population of the aforesaid length of time ago. But the honor of the state must be upheld and we herewith submit the proofs When Monsieur Cadillac, who settled Detroit in 1701, was having one of lus periodical disturbances with the ons, the Ottawas, the Iroquois tod a few of the others, he noticed that the French "fire-water" was too irritating for the uninitiated reds, so he devised the disperisary plan that Governor Tillnian has arrogantly appropriated. We have the documentary evidence to substantiate this and here it is, in the words of Monsieur Aigrement who was sent by the French government to inspect the work of Cadillac, and who sent the foilowing report of the commandant to bis king. This is a translation of the report: "In order to prevent the disturbance which would arise from the excessive use of brandy, M. La Motte Cadillac causes it all to be put in the storehouse, and to be sold to each in bis turn, at the rate of twenty francs a quart. Those who will have it, French as well as Indians, are obliged to go to the storehouse to drink and each can obtain at one time only the twentyfourth part of a quart. It is certain that the savages cannot become intoxicated on that quantity. The price is high, and as they can oniy get the brandy each in his turn, it sometimes happens that the savages are obliged to return home without a taste of this beverage, and they seem ready to kill themselves in their disajjpointment." Tweuty francs a quart ! That's as good as prohibition. Now Mr. Tillinan, come off. o The democratie party has long relied chierly upon its pretended devotion to the interests of the common people for its support at the polla. In 1892 it obtained control of all departmeuts of the Federal Government, except the Supreme Court, by harping upon its hostility to rich monopolista and promising to work for the good of the poor and the wage-earners if given charge of the offices. The systematic effort of democratie leaders has been to make the masses believe that there was a natural and eternal antagonism between democracy and great corporations and all large aggregations of wealth. Yet now the democratie House of Representatives, a body in which the republicana are outnumbered almost two to one, has passed, by the large margin of 166 to 110, a bilí to permit competing railroad companies to apportiou amoug different lines fixed percentages of their total aggregate earnings. There is to be no adequate supervisión of the pooling by the Interstate Commerce Commission, an amendment giving that body full control of the whole matter haviug been voted down. The railroads are to be f ree to use their combinations to advance rates and increase the burdens of the public, and there are no new guarantees that the government will g'ain anything from the common carriers by its surrender on the pooling question. That is a magnificent way to take care of the interests of the people. It is refreshing to notice that the great daily papers of this country are beginning to talk business in regard to the recent terrible outrages in the East. The Detroit Free Press says: "Sucli afl'airs as that at Port Arttaur and that in Armenia, should not be passed by with mere criticism, however liarsh. Civilized governments are as derelict in duty if they do not combine in a determined effort to prevent a repetition of these horrors as would be the members of the comniunity standing by without active interference while the family of one among their number was beiug tortured and killed by an enemy. Wlien humanity is being outraged as it bas been in the east, international courtesy should be brushed aside and a halt called with suflicient emphasis to insure against such atrocities in the future." Says Julián Ralph in the January Harper's: Whatever advantagesof commerce or population belong to other American cities, there is an atmosphere of distinction over Charleston that is unique. It is the typical southern city, both in aspect and in history, and is to the Carolinas what Paris is to France, the centre of social lite and intellectual influence." It is possible that New Orleans will question that assertion, and claim for itself the distinction given Charleston No other city can boast of a Creóle population; no other city is built on a delta; no other city has such prize fights - such killing ones ;no other city has such grand midwinter pageante to attract northern people;no other city ever allo wed a lotteryto exist until it accumulated millions and millions of money ; no other city ever compounded a felony by compromising with the evil, and excepting a part of the blood money it swindled the people out of to pay off its debts and run its government. There are many claims to distinction that New Or'-leans can present that the respectable Charleston never possessed. The following sensible wordsare from the pen of Perry F. Powers in the last bulletonof theM. P. A. : "The use of books and mapa and pictures and such like articles in connection with securing and retaining newspaper subscribers has persistently tended to niagnify the value of the adjuncts and to minimize the value of the newspaper. I have never believed in such schemes, and now I know they do more harm than good. I have the best paper in the state, and will own up to that f act, but I liavn't as much confidence in the good judgment of the editor and proprietor ol the aforesaid best paper as I used to have." The proposed new constitution of New York, will if adopted, do away with fair grab baga and games, and even outlaw progressive euchre prizes, so strict is it in regard to gambling. The people better adopt it. Mrs. H. M.Plunkett, in a very interesting artiele in the January Popular Science Montbly, upon "Twenty-iive years of Preventive Medicine," gives considerable prominence to the work of ;he Michigan State Board of Health and ;he grand work it has accmplished in preventing scarlet fever, typhoid fever, smallpox, and other contagious diseases. The public in this state do not realize the amount of the 'work done. The coroner's jury down at New Oreans has rendered a solemn verdict that the floor was the cause of the death of ;he pugilist who was recently killed in a jrize fight in that city. When he was struck his liead hit the floor and the loor killed him. Great jury, that. Great city that can produce such a jury. One very sad thing about the affair is ;hat the murderer hails from Michigan. "Feed the animáis well" is a most excellent motto and its application is extended into all the classes of animal ife, both men and beasts. Nothing sooths an outraged husband's feelinrs Detter than a well cooked meal ; and a uicy beefsteak with well browned potaMes bas often averted a family row and brought out the desired seal skin sack. [t is the greatest harmonizer on earth ; it is oil on the troubled waters, and the sweetest solace that that beast, man, cares for. Try it, my tired sisters ; don't ;alk about dresses, or bilis, or balnes, uit feed the animáis well. - Ypsilanti Commercial. A scientist of note informa the people that if they will only live a few million vears they will see the mountahis and lilis leveled, and the entire world a vast plain. Don't care to stay to see it, thank you. If Secretary Gresham succeeds ico getting Spain sufficiently angry to do ïomethiing of a retaliatory nature, the price of sugar may advance still more. It looks ias if that was the next thing to be tlone jiow. Lord RandolpJi Churchill is rapidly declining and his death is only a questiom of a few days. Having an American wife his death will créate more than usual attent ion and comment on this side of the Atlantic. The sultan of Turkiey has refused to allow Mr. Jewett, the man selected by Ifchis goveriwnent to go to Armenia and investígate the outrages there, to act in that capacity. Thiis is iproof positive that the infamous governmant of that reprehensible country is afraid to nave an honest, and disinterested person look into the affair. It is pn-oof positive of guilt. The baniks In this state show a better feelLng existing in business viróles, amd (the expansión oí the ir loans deïïote that the tide huis coimmemced to turn. Everyome liopes this is true. Tlie tide can not turn too soon. It must.be confessed that the outlook for the 'next three months i.s not encousragiwg, in a business way. TJiere is óne thing true, liowev;r as a general thing business men have prepared lor a 'd'ull seasou, and are in better conditioiii to aneet tlie inactivity of January, February and Marcli. than they wereiast year. The legislature is to comveee on Wedinesday of next week, and on the Tuesday foUowing balloting for United States senators will be the order o! tlie day, and be coatinued each da y uditil an election slvall be had. The workers for the v-artous candidates aio doubt realize that the time is growing short, and they aro making a vigorous canvass. It is the belief of thO Co'urier tliat Senator Jlo Millan will be re-elected unanimously, and that the short tern senator will be cJiosen after a Very few ballots. TliiB legislature, of all others ever cboisen, must realize that the people expeot oi tliem a eolid business sesstom, with no bickerings or no dallyiings. Few new laws are needed, gome o ld ones neel remodeling, but it will not be neceeeary to pirolong the sessin as is usuaJly done. If tlie amliorities at Detroit can not ■bell wliich onO oí the five young ruftiane killed Eanll Noseck last Sunday, for attemptiaig to protwt: a respectalile Asoman from Itlieir dranken insults, tïuen the proper tliinji to do is to send them vill up for life. Their deed was cruel and unprovoked, and tliey all had a hand im it, and it would be 6imple justice and a warning to otJiers, to send them all to sta les prison for a term of years, at any rale. The professioa of base ball playiug does not appear to be one conduciTe to lomgevity. At least we notice that thoee who have attained any degree oí prominence tJiereln have been taken away early in life. All except Capt. Anson. Tlie great reaper lias not been able to knock him out of the box so far. Ther 1,549 members lío gooil standing oí tlie Michigan Knights of the Grip, and each and everyone want the privilege of purcliasmg a 5,000 mile raJlway ticket. And eacli and every one iirmly believes that it is oinly a questioin of a siioit time when he wiil haie that privilege. A writer in Harper's Monthly is endeavoring to prove that a great deal of the slang of the street is derived f rom Shakespeare, and it has been heretofore proven that the very best of Shakespeare is taken frorn the Bible, so the gentleman betterbe careful or he may prove more than he wants to - or more than he should.