The Democratic Party

The absurdity of the New York state convention last week is diilicult to grasp all at once ; it is so immense. But when the situation is once understood the abBurdity is easily comprehended. The con-vention was madeup of professional politicians, office-holders and men who want to be office-holders. To such a a gathering, it makes not the slightest difference what they applaud so long as it will bring the spoils. They want Cleveland to be reclected, not because he stands for any great idea, but beeauee he seems to be the most available candidate who will deal out the offices. So they praised him in a general way. But as to the Mills bill which is the practical application of the president's aiessage, their resolutions say not a word. On the contrary the committee on resolutions rejected by a vote of 22 to 4 a resolution endorsing the Mills bill. The Democratie New York World calis the failure of the convention to mention the bilí a "singular omission." It is a striking and singular situation ! Here is a national party which has the jpresidency, one house of congress, and all the federal offices of any worth. That party hopes to keep in power. ] What is it that should entitle a party to anrpRBS ? Clearlv it is the advocacy of some policy of government, and the ability to carry it out. In England when one party fails in any important measure, another party takes hold, although but a few offices are disturbed. Here we have had in power four years party which is utterly helpless. It iasn't worked out any measure of its own, and apparently will not. The president has announced a policy, and the state convention of his party in the largest state of the Union fails to sndorse it while it shouts loudly for his xeëlection. If they don't support Cleveland for his free trade views, what do they support him for ? If they believe in free trade why not say so? If they believe in protection, how can they want Cleveland as president? Of course, they don't care a picayune for anything but success in getting the offices. We don't mean to say that the majority of Democrats are of that sort ; but the party workers are, and the party is placed in a ridiculous situation. The thinking, growing young men of the country, even though they may lean toward free trade, cannot be attracted by Buch a party. Respect can be feit for men who work honestly for an idea, however erroneous it may be ; but when the party is raanaged by men who don't care what idea prevails so long as they keep control, then the party is not entitled to confidence. The proposition to establish a chair of dramatic art in the University might strike most people unfavorably at first. The Register suggested it last week, and still thinks it would be a wise thing to do. In a great University there sbould be room for many branches of learning. Dramatic art has been taught here for some time to enthusiastic students, and as we understand, without compensation to the teacher. That teacher has resigned his position in the University. Xow should the U. of M. lose his lechares? Of course, such a course of study does not produce playwrights, but Bronson Howard has given the most emphatic testimony to the value which it will be to the young playwrights and to dramatic art generally. The making of plays is a paying business in this country. We want good plays, and a chair of dramatic art in the U. of M. could not fail to have much influence on the American stage. The cuiiosities of wills are endless. That of Roscoe Conkling is singularly brief and simple : " I give, devise, and bequeath to my wife, Julia, and to her heirs and assigns forever, all my property and estáte." etc. AVith a few unimportant verbal changes, it is idential with that of the late Prof. Byron W. Cheever.of Ann Arbor. They were not drawn from any form ; but the object in ach being the same, the two legal minde expressed it in alinost the same anguage. t If the title of the late local option av was defeetive, that was sufflcient reason for declaring the law unconsütutional. Certain bad features in the law were pointed out by the suprerne court, and it is safe to say that if the next legislature profits by this lesson, a sound local option law wlll be enacted.