Dr. Maclean's Letter To The Regents

tendering bis resignation.showsainuch fairer feeling toward the University than most people give him credit for. The shortage in the Dakota wheat cropwill, no doubt, cause a considerable increase in the price, much to the advantage of Michigan farmers whose erop seems to be at least fair. It is unfortunate, however, for the new settlers in Dakota who. much less able to stand a loss of this kind than are the farmers in our own state. A few more men like Judge C. B. Grantwould improve the moráis of the Northern Península. He made some of his political enemies hot beoause he would ot let beer-selling go on at aMenomineeFourth of July party; but he has the grit to enforce good laws in spite of opposition, such as every law maker and public officer should have. It is too often the position and not its duties that engross the interests of our public "guardians." The appointment of Dr. C. B. Nancrede, of Philadelphia, and Dr. FlemmiDg Carrow, of Bay City, to Bucoeed Drs. Maclean and Frothingham eeems to give very general satisfaction to University people. They are men of wide reputation ' and vrill, no doubt, ably maintain he high standing which the former occupants have given to these chairs. The other appointments made by the board of regents, yesterday, were all exceptionally good. The settlement of the great strike at the Carnegie Iron Works has doubtless averted much euffering on the part of the employees, and prevented a great loss to the owners of the milis. While it is unfortunate that such conflicts should occur at all, it is gratifying to see that a spirit of compromise is found to exist among the contestants. It is to be hoped that this feeling, which makes each party willing to make reasonable concessions, may develop into a more friendly one between employers and their men. Until such a condition exists, strikes and lockouts, and their attendant evils of suffering and loss of property, will occur. It is, however, a hopeful sign to see a compromise so readily made between a great manufacturer who has usually shown a desire to wring the last dollar possible from his workmen, and an army of employees, ■who, at first, showed a disposition to disregard all law and order and with brute force to compel their employer to grant their unreasonable demands. If there is one thing which more than another deserves the attention of the next congresa, it is the growth of "trusts" in this country. The existence of such combinations is directly antagonistic to the principies of our government and to the people who make up our government. That such things are dirficult to deal with is true, not only because of their being organizations of a late development and seemingly in harmony with the spirit of our laws, but also because of the liberal use of money which these organizations will make in order to prevent any interference with their affairs. The Republican party cannot afford to let pass the opportunity it now has to very greatly strengthen its hold upon the public confidence by grasping with this problem in a determined way and in some manner curbing the growth of these corporations. Here is an excellent chance for some patriotic congressman to make himself famous by introducing a bilí that will appeal to the common sense of thinking people and créate a public sentiment which will compel the majority of our law makers to vote for its passage. TnE flood of English capital which haa turned toward American industries is naturaly causing considerable comment. Not satisfied with controlling the entire brewery, and possibly the patent medicine business, large purebases are being made of the more important branches of industry. Now it is the manufacture of gas, the inilling interest f the North-west, and our iron and steel works that are threatened. Just what will be the result of such an influx of foreign capital it is not possible to say. Tbe almost unveirsal opiniou seems to be that the effect upon our institutions will be bad. This may be so, but we are disposed to doubt it. Tbere is abundant.room ior me mnoer aeveiopment of almost every industry in the county, and the proper enlargement of these will certainly bring good results. The only danger which can arise from his use of foreign capital is the undue ontrol of our industries by combinactons or "tmstB" which may result from au abundance of English money. This .state of affairs can come about only by the failure of our foyernment to properly restrict the privileges of the monopolies likely to result from this infiux of European gold. The same legislation which is needed to keep within bounds the "trusts" formed by our own capitalists might easily be made to cover foreign corporations as well. Until this is done there is just reason for fearing ihe results of the investmenta of so much foreign capital ; but with proper Jaws in regard to such monopolies the Ameiican people should be glad to welcome the investment of English money ■which must necessarily increase our trade and wealth. The sale of one of Millet's pictures in Paris and the disadvantage at which American bidders were placed because of the duty on artists' goods, brings up an important qaestion. The high duty on such works makes it almost impossible for American buyers to bid successfully against their European cornpetitors. There are two points whieh naturally arise inconsidering the advisability of placing aduty on the importation of art eoods. In considering these points thoroughly even the strongest protectionists would readily admit that they should be placed upon thefree list. One is that the tari ff, in sueh a case, cannot in any sense be termed a protective tariff for the simple reason that there can be no regular market price and no real competition in the Bale of such goods. There is but one Millet's pictures in the world and his individuality is what givesthe real valué to his work. The same is true of every other artist whose pictures are worthy of consideration. This being true there is no one to be protected by imposing a duty upon such goods. In the second place, by keeping such masterpieces out of our country, the growth of art and of the refining influences which the works of such ma6ter8 have upon the people is Kreatly retarded. The National Art League accepts this view of the question. In a circular recently issued by that organization appears the following: "The present tariff upon works of art is not in the nature of a protective tariff. The price of a work of art depends upon the individual reputation of the artist and a cause which enhances the price of foreign works of art ha no beneficial effect upon domestic production." To say the least, it scarcely seems good policy to restrict, in any way, the introduction of works of art, since their existence aniong our people is sure to have only the most beneficial resulte, not only by benefiting the artista themselves by giving them higher ideas of art, but also by giving all who may have access to them higher ideas of life.