SKETCHES FROM AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 82

SKETCHES FROM AMERICA.

By Maorilanua

Much talk regarding the "late panic" anc l the "vecent money stringency' is the order ol the day, especially among the thousands who are doing their level best to restore confidence in the minds -of the people, but the people themselves feel little difference in the situation. True, there is lees demand for money, but that is because a lessened business is being done. The factor which really seeing to have worked a slight impiovement is the issuance of the "local currency," by means of which purchase of necessities is again made possible without difficulty. Already firms and individuals have forgotten to look askance at the queer shaded pieces of paper. It was hoped that the issue of 50,000,000d0l worth of Panama Canal bonds in popular amounts would draw forth the money that had been secreted in teapots aad stockings, and thus put it into ciiculation again, but from the amounts offered all are beginning to realise that the shortage has not resulted through actions on the part of the "little" people. The issue of the certificates is good, despite this, as it renders possible an issue of bank notes up to a maximum of 150,000,000d01, as they can be used as security for national bank circulation, inasmuch as they are interest-bearing obligations on the Unite* 1 States Government.

<3oLd i& still pouring into- the country at an unprecedented rate, two ships bringing a total of eleven million dollars' worth of gold Ln one day, but currency is still at a premium. One of the Boston banks made a bid of 38dol per thousand for the gate money taken at a great ball game. A vague hope 'has been expreeeed that the banks may find themselves able to cash cheques by the beginning of the New Year, but it is only voiced by the- most sanguine. Meetings of the clearing-hoiifce committees have been held in the centres, and they have 6ent out typewritten iequests to all the bankers throughout the country asking for expressions of opinion on the general situation and views as to wher a siafe return to a cash basis can be made.

A few days since a report was current that John D. Rockefeller had a hundred million dollars' worth of Government bonds stowed away in certain vaults. If this were true it meant that he owned one-ninth of the interest-bearing debt of the people, and would readily account for the pliaint of the bankers, that they are unable to get sufficient security upon which to raise currency. The talc is complete even to details as to the size of the vault, its location, etc., but all, except the most credulous, doubt the tale, though Rockefeller's recent denial of the story has done little to assist this disbelief.

The blue-ribbonites ; or, as they are called here, "Prohibitionists," are scoring almost daily triumphs in America. Almost all Kentucky and certain parts of Tennessee aTe absolutely "dry." The women of Alabama have made a veritable war on all intoxicating liquors, and have just achieved a victory in their State. A vote put/ting Alabama on the prohibitionist list has passed the Senate by 32 votes to two. Women and children clad in white, and carrying white flags and ribbons, flocked to the Senate from great distances. A delegation from Mobile, the only really "anti-prohibitionist" town, hardly managed to squeeze into the gallery, and when their senator read a telegram saying that if siich a Bill were passed Mobile ■wfus prepared -to s^oe<<}e from iHe S"t-ate of Alabama and organise home government, it was hardly noticed. The voting proceeded, and as the result was made known, the women in the gallery lifted their voices to sing "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. ' Amid their cheers and enthusiasm the little delegation retired. The reason Mobile fought the bill with such bitterness is that her schools are almost entirely supported by revenue received from saloon licenses.

Oklahama has joined in the crusade, and has followed the example of Indian territory. At 12 o'clock on the Saturday following her admission to statehood she closed down 560 saloons. Some idea of the loss tha-t will be occasioned to certain industries may be gathered when it is known thai the gross income of each saloon, taking them on an average, is put at 40dol a day— practically 3,696,000d0l in the course of the year.

The war has now spread to the middle West. St. Louie is waging a bitter fight, and the Chicago brewing interests ara also combining to fight the campaigners. The Law and Order League and the Purity Reformers are in the forefront of the battle. Thanks tc their efforts, concentrated action is to be taken on a specific Sunday by all the churches in thp city. Forms are being issued to all who wish to aid the cause, which are to be filled in and then returned to the fighters, to be used as evidence. There are 29 spaces on these lists, and they call for such details as the time you entered and left the saloon about which you are giving evidence, its location, and how entry was gained, how many people were present behind and before the bar, tbeir personal description, what the drinks were and how much was paid for them. There is also a space for the names of witnesses and a blank under the heading of "State anything else you saw." Truly, it will not be" for lack of detail if the crusade fails.

America is not entirely satisfied with the ediication accorded her youth, and suggestions on the subject have been welcomed for some little time past. The most recent was on the advisability of including Thomas a Kempis's "Imitation of Christ" in the list of text-books for retrular v. c c ! Another, which has occasioned considprable comment, is a proposition to teach the elements of courtship by means of such books as "Enoch Arden," "Evangeline."' and "Silas Marner." "Courtship ar.rl Marriage," says the superintendent

of the schools and the father of the movement, "should be subjects of instruction in our public schools as much as reading and writing." "Why," he asks, "do we spend years and millions of dollars teaching them things of secondary importance and leave vital matters untouched upon? After close study of these works and any authors the teachers considered suitable, dramatic interpretations should be given, and then examinations held on the studies. The children should be asked which of the heroes was the best lover, and for what reasons the choice was made." One wonders how long the school hours will need to be if half the subjects now being seriously considered are incorporated in the curriculum of the American child !

For some years pact a thriving trade has been done in relics discovered in the soils of the States of Michigan and Wisconsin. Indian copper implements, battle-axes, and spear-heads have been unearthed in artistic succession, and often in the presence of citizens of such prominence that their testimony has been unimpeachable. Museums and collectors have rejoiced in the fruit fields. Then bronze tablets inscribed with hieroglyphics and symbols were discovered and, crowning wonder of all, Noah's Diary itself ! It was the last straw. "How," cried the multitude, "could Noah, after cruising about for 40 days, have landed in such a state as Michigan?" Inquiries were ruthlessly started, with the result that a perfect manufactory of "relics" hna been uncovered and collections of hitherto prized articles of Vertie are being overhauled in hot haste. It is now clear that the treasures were carefully planted, and the eminent citizens guided to the spot, and that tlte yerdigiis, hitherto taken as proof of age, is due to corrosive acid and mould !