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Social-Labor party-For Governor, John A. Rugemer.

The Prohibitionists met at Baltimore in June. Their platform, after “acknowledging Almighty God as the Supreme Ruler of nations, to whose law all human enactments affecting our welfare should conform," made the following declaration of principles:

"We favor the absolute prohibition of the manufacture, sale, importation, exportation, and transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes.

"We believe that the practice of bribery of voters in this State, and the consequent corruption in politics, has become a menace to our free institutions, second only to that of the legalized liquor traffic, and merits the condemnation of every honest voter, and that we believe this practice ought to work the forfeiture of the offices gained by it.

"We condemn the army canteen, the cause of the debauchery and death of countless numbers of our soldiers, and we deplore the nullification of the law by the present administration in continuing the canteen in spite of the act passed by Congress prohibiting the same.

Believing the liquor traffic is the barrier to every reform, and that its overthrow is the supreme issue now before the people, we invite the co-operation of all good citizens who agree upon this question, assuring them that a party composed of sober men, and uncontrolled by vicious elements, can be safely intrusted with the solution of all other questions."

The Democratic State Convention was held in Baltimore in August. The platform declared “unfaltering allegiance to the fundamental principles of the party as formulated by Thomas Jefferson," announcing the belief that "the practical and constant application of those principles to Federal and State government is essential to the perpetuation of our free institutions," and then continued:

"We declare our unalterable opposition to the creation and maintenance of a large standing army in time of peace, and we insist upon the supremacy of the civil over the military authority, and we demand the strictest economy in the collection and disbursement of the public rev

enues.

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We view with alarm the multiplication over the land of such gigantic industrial and commercial trusts, the outgrowth of Republican legislation, as stifle competition, threaten popular government, increase the cost of living, and curtail the individual rights of the people, and we favor vigorous measures by the States and by Congress to repress this great and growing evil.

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We favor a nonpartisan administration of the police department of Baltimore, and such a thorough and careful revision of the laws in relation thereto as will emancipate the force from partisan control or intimidation.

"The laboring classes constitute the main part of our population. They should be protected in all orderly efforts to assert their rights, when endangered from any source, and all laws on this subject should be framed with a view to improve their condition.

"The Republican party depends almost entirely for its success upon the support of the large negro population in our midst, and relies upon them for the election of its ticket and the continuance of its supremacy. Without their votes it would be a hopeless minority.

"This fact has created the belief by large numbers of the worst elements of this class of our

population that political influence will readily be exerted to secure for them immunity from punishment for violations of law, has accordingly led to an alarming increase in many species of crime, and is a constant menace to the peace and good order of the State.

"Such a deplorable and dangerous condition of affairs can not be ignored or treated with indifference, and, while we distinctly pledge ourselves to do equal and exact justice to all, without regard to race, and to guarantee to the colored people of the State the fullest protection in all their rights, we are not insensible to the perils which such a situation involves, nor unmindful of the obligation which it imposes."

The platform adopted by the Republican party, which met in convention in Baltimore in September, primarily asserted that the return of the Republican party to national power on a gold platform, aided by the Dingley law, was followed by a return of confidence and prosperity, industrial activity thus proving that the people were wise in rejecting an unsound financial system; it charged that the Democratic party "still clings to the financial heresies which brought panic on the business of the country "; that "in many States that party has reaffirmed the Chicago platform, with its anarchistic tendencies"; that "in Maryland the Democratic platform is silent on silver, in deference to the platforms of the Democratic party in the other States "; and declared that a victory for the Democratic party in Maryland upon a platform silent on the money question would be a victory for silver and a blow to prosperity." The platform continued with these specific declarations:

"We believe in the gold standard, and that all our currency should be made by law redeemable in gold coin at the option of the holder. To this faith we confidently pledge the influence and votes of the Maryland Republican members in each House of Congress.

"We continue to favor such a system of import duties as shall protect American industries and provide sufficient revenue for the expenses of government economically administered.

"We commend the record made by our country in the late war with Spain. We accord to the soldiers and sailors who survived that war our unqualified respect and esteem. For those who laid down their lives we hold the tenderest memories.

"While we deplore the insurrection in the Philippine Islands, wherein, by cession from Spain, we acquired the right of sovereignty, duty demands that we retain and pacify them, and safeguard the interests of commerce until the problem of their final disposition be solved in such manner that the glory of our flag be not sullied, nor the liberty it stands for restrained. We repose our trust for such a solution of the problem in our wise and patriotic President and the Republican majority in Congress.

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Legitimate business interests, fairly capitalized and honestly managed, have built up our industries at home, giving employment to labor as never before, and have enabled us to successfully compete with foreign countries in the markets of the world. Such industries must not be struck down by legislation aimed at the dishonestly organized trust, which stifles competition and oppresses labor.

We are opposed to legislation merely for popular effect in reckless disregard of business revival after prolonged depression. We strongly favor laws to successfully suppress trusts and all combinations which create monopoly. It was the

Republican party which passed the Federal law against trusts, and which is enforcing it so far as State's rights permit.

"In this State the Republican party has redeemed every pledge made by it at Cambridge. Under its rule elections have for the first time in a generation been fair and free. It equalized the burdens of taxation by reassessing the taxable property of the State. It placed on the tax books $60,000,000 of stocks and bonds never before assessed. It gave free schoolbooks to the children of the people. Ignoring partisan considerations, it conferred upon Baltimore city a new charter. "All the party promised for the better management of State finances has been accomplished. Under the able direction of the Republican State Comptroller and Treasurer the State finances have been put in better condition than ever before. The public debt has been consolidated and refunded at a lower rate of interest, with the result that thousands of dollars will be saved to the taxpayers annually; nonproductive assets have been disposed of and the proceeds applied to the reduction of the State debt. If we are continued in power we promise to wipe out the entire State debt during the ensuing four years and to reduce the tax rate from 173 cents on the $100 of assessable property to 16 cents, this being a reduction of 10 per cent.

"We favor a nonpartisan administration of our schools, with minority representation on the school boards of the State, and point to the record of our chief executive in his retention and reappointment of competent men of different political faith on the boards of educational and eleemosynary institutions, never before done in this State.

"We declare our belief in the wisdom and justice of a reasonable increase in the salaries of the school teachers of this State, which is hereby recommended to the favorable consideration of the Legislature and to the proper State and county authorities.

"The oyster and crab industry gives employment and support to a large part of the population of Maryland; therefore we declare our opposition to all efforts to deprive the people, of their independent and ancient rights to a full and unabridged use of the oyster and crab bottoms in the tide waters of this State.

"We pledge our party to a nonpartisan reorganization of the police department of Baltimore city, by passing a law embodying the essential features of the two bills prepared by the same organization which prepared the election and registration laws passed by the Republican Legislature in 1896."

The Democratic ticket was successful at the polls in November, the official announcement of the vote being as follows: For Governor-Smith, Democrat, 128,409; Lowndes, Republican, 116,286; Swann, Prohibitionist, 5,275; Jones, Social Democrat, 432; Rugemer, Social Labor, 420; Hill, Union Reform, 367. For Comptroller-Hering, Democrat, 127,604; Goldsborough, Republican, 116,043; Ball, Prohibitionist, 5,302; Fowler, Social Democrat, 452; George, Union Reform, 368. For Attorney-General-Rayner, Democrat, 126,593; Findlay, Republican, 116,273; Hendrickson, Prohibitionist, 5,649; Bachman, Social Democrat, 496; Walling, Union Reform, 454.

The proposed amendment to the Constitution was defeated by a vote of 42,927 against 12,630. By the result of this election the State Senate is composed of 11 Republicans and 15 Democrats, and the House of Delegates of 25 Republicans and 66 Democrats.

MASSACHUSETTS, a New England State, one of the original thirteen; ratified the Constitution Feb. 6, 1788; area, 8,315 square miles. The population, according to each decennial census, was 378,787 in 1790; 422,845 in 1800; 472,040 in 1810; 523,159 in 1820; 610,408 in 1830; 737,699 in 1840; 994,514 in 1850; 1,231,066 in 1860; 1,457,351 in 1870; 1,783,085 in 1880; and 2,238,943 in 1890. By the State census of 1895 it was 2,500,183. Capital, Boston.

Government.-The following were the State officers in 1899: Governor, Roger Wolcott; Lieutenant Governor, William M. Crane; Secretary of State, William M. Olin; Treasurer, Edward P. Shaw; Auditor, John W. Kimball; AttorneyGeneral, Hosea M. Knowlton; Secretary of the Board of Education, Frank A. Hill; Adjutant General, Samuel Dalton; Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, J. W. Stockwell; Insurance Commissioner, F. L. Cutting all Republicans; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Walbridge A. Field, who died July 15 and was succeeded by Oliver W. Holmes; Associate Justices, Marcus P. Knowlton, James M. Morton, John Lathrop, James M. Barker, John W. Hammond, and William C. Loring.

W. MURRAY CRANE, GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS.

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Finances.--The net debt of the State at the beginning of the year was $13,598,964, an increase of $1,136,585 in 1898. In four years the net debt has increased more than threefold.

Of the $500,000 placed by the Legislature at the disposal of the Executive for war purposes, $326,071.43 was spent in 1898. Under the act granting $7 a month from the State to volunteers in the Spanish war $161,103.53 was pended in that year. The Volunteer Aid Association, with the Ladies' Relief, received $215,000 in gifts from citizens.

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Banks. In September, 1898, the national banks in the State carried loans and discounts

amounting to about $272,000,000. The deposits in savings banks were $474,000,000.

In November Lewis Warner, who wrecked the Hampshire County National Bank and the Hampshire Savings Bank by embezzling $500,000, was sentenced to a term in State Prison of not more than twelve nor less than nine years.

The Broadway National Bank of Boston failed on Dec. 16, and on Dec. 21 the Globe National Bank of Boston closed its doors. Ex-President Cole was arrested, charged with having embezzled $900,000 in the course of a period covering many years.

Railroads.-Boston has now the largest railway station in the world. This is the new Southern Union Station on Summer Street, at its junction with Federal Street and Atlantic Avenue, on the west bank of Fort Point channel. The land included has an area of 1,524,600 square feet, and the buildings cover 566,280. The total length of tracks is about 15 miles, and the number of tracks entering the station 32. The whole number of trains to use the station when it is

fully opened will be 710 a day. Upon the railroad routes within 50 miles of Boston about 50,000,000 passengers are carried to and from Boston each year, nearly equally divided between the north and south stations. The close approximate population within the 50-mile limit is 2,392,000, New York only exceeding. It is probable that the total cost of the new station will be not less than $14,000,000.

Industries. The official report for 1898 on manufactures shows 4,700 establishments, with invested capital of more than $413,000,000. The wages paid amount to $2,800,000 a week. The same year there were in the State factories 7,799,872 spindles and $110,655,603 capital invested in the manufacture of cotton goods.

In April 130,000 operatives in 120 New England cotton mills had an advance in wages averaging 10 per cent. voluntarily granted by the manufacturers.

There were strikes this year at Marlboro, Whitman, Lowell, Gloucester, Rockport, and Fall River.

Education.-Harvard had 4,860 students in all departments this year, Radcliffe had 411, and the Institute of Technology 1,171.

In regard to coeducation at Harvard the following was published in July: "President Eliot says that the recent action of the Harvard law faculty, in voting to allow women to attend Harvard Law School courses, has been misunderstood. He says the idea has obtained that both Harvard and Radcliffe are seeking what is called coeducation. He adds: That is not true, to the best of my knowledge and belief, with regard to either Harvard or Radcliffe. On the contrary, for what is called undergraduate work the two institutions agree in providing separate education. In arts and sciences graduates of Radcliffe are admitted to a limited extent to the instruction which Harvard provides in that department for graduates. As to professional education, neither institution has had occasion seriously to consider the subject.'"

Historical.-Marblehead celebrated its two hundred and fiftieth anniyersary May 2, the Legislature having established it as an incorporated town May 2, 1649, after its separation from Salem.

Malden also celebrated its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary in May.

In December two bronze memorial tablets were placed in Doric Hall in the Statehouse. One is in memory of Charles Bulfinch, the first New England architect, and the other is commemorative of the preservation and renewal of the Massachusetts Statehouse. The tablet to Charles Bulfinch gives the dates of his chief designs, that of the Statehouse being 1795. The reconstruction was begun in 1896 and finished in 1898.

Legislative Session.-The Great and General Court assembled on Jan. 4, and on June 3 was prorogued to the first Wednesday after the first Tuesday in January, 1900. George E. Smith was President of the Senate and John L. Bates Speaker of the House.

The ballot for United States Senator, taken Jan. 17, resulted in the re-election of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Mr. Bruce was the candidate of the Democratic and Mr. Porter of the Socialist-Democratic members.

The Governor signed 479 bills and 103 resolutions, and vetoed 3 bills.

One of the vetoed bills exempted certain trades unions from the operation of the laws relative to fraternal beneficiary organizations, which are designed to protect the insured from unregu

lated and irresponsible management. The bill was passed over the veto.

Another bill vetoed was one providing that in appointments under the civil-service law soldiers and sailors of the Spanish war should have preference over all others except veterans of the civil war.

A third veto, which was on a bill to restore the provision for days of grace on sight drafts and bills of exchange, abolished by the Legislature of 1898, was overridden, only 5 members in the House voting to sustain the action of the Governor, and none in the Senate.

It was enacted that all future policies of assessment companies and those previously issued that provide for payments other than stipulated premiums shall be valued and reserve be maintained upon them.

Several provisions were added to the election laws. Ballots are to be counted in view of voters, instead of within 3 feet of the rail as heretofore, and election officers may order a count according to their discretion in towns and after 2 P. M. in cities having fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. When a candidate is nominated by more than one party he may direct in what order the party designations shall be added to his name at any time within seventy-two hours after the time for filing the papers. If he does not so direct, it is left to the board to decide. Nominating conventions must be called at least forty-eight hours before the time for filing the certificates of nomination. The number of persons necessary to a caucus may be determined by the committee, and no candidate may be a caucus officer. It was provided by amendments to the laws regarding dipsomaniacs that the applicant and witnesses for the commitment of such must be examined upon oath. The alleged dipsomaniac must be served with a summons and is entitled to a hearing, and on appeal to a superior court he may ask for submission to a jury. A dipsomaniac may not be kept in the hospital more than two years, and may be discharged sooner if the trustees regard him as cured.

Among the acts in the interest of education were: Establishing 40 scholarships at Worcester Polytechnic Institute; providing that towns may establish vacation schools, the attendance not to be compulsory and not to count on the time required by law; providing that in cities operating 450,000 spindles corporations may be organized for establishing textile schools, the mayor. and city superintendent of schools must be ex officio members, and the city may appropriate $25,000, to be refunded by the State.

The law relating to weekly payment of wages now applies to all engaged in building trades, public works, construction of railroads, street railways, roads, bridges, sewers, gas, water or electric-light works, pipes, or lines. Eight hours is made the limit of a day's work for city and town employees.

The limit of $1,000,000 as the amount to which mechanical and manufacturing corporations may increase their capital is removed, and there is no restriction.

Banks are forbidden to advertise as trust companies. Savings banks may loan on the bonds of the Boston Terminal Company. Trust companies may act as fiduciaries.

A justice of the Supreme or the Superior Court may retire at the age of seventy on three fourths pay after ten years of consecutive service in either court or both courts, or, if he be incapacitated, at sixty years after fifteen years' service, on approval of the Governor and Council. A general

act was passed providing for the simplifying of criminal proceedings.

Other acts were:

Providing that one who obtains by false pretense or converts or secretes with the intention of converting the personal property of another, whether in possession or not, is guilty of larceny; but this does not apply to false pretense of ability to pay, when the payment is due after delivery, unless in signed writing.

Establishing the boundary between Massachusetts and New Hampshire and between Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

To prevent counterfeiting of trade-marks. Making it a misdemeanor for a debt collector to wear an unusual or striking costume. Appropriating $50,000 additional for exhibit at the Paris Exposition.

Creating a commission for the Pan-American Exposition.

Establishing a new board of cattle commissioners, and enacting a general law for preventing spread of disease among domestic animals. Directing that renovated butter be plainly stamped on the top, side, and bottom of original packages and on the outside of every retail package.

Requiring cities and towns to establish seals. Providing for allowances to families of persons killed while on duty at fires, whether they are firemen, or members of a protective department, or others on duty at the request of authorities in places having no fire department.

Prescribing a fine of $5 to $100 against any one allowing an animal to injure a shade tree on a highway-half to go to the complainant and half to the State.

Requiring charitable corporations exempt from taxation to make annual reports to the State Board of Charities.

Requiring that illegitimate children under three years of age-instead of under one year, as heretofore when received for board be reported to the State Board of Charities.

Making the city building-inspection law applicable to towns.

Providing that a guardian may be licensed to sell his ward's realty to pay existing mortgages. Providing that the State Highway Commission may spend $500,000, of which $12,000 is to be used for machinery and $100,000 to be reserved for use after Jan. 1, 1900; authorizing a thirty years' loan; only citizens may be employed.

Allowing commissioned militia officers in service July 1, 1897, who served in the civil war to retire with the next higher rank.

Making it unlawful to deface the United States flag or the State flag, or to use them for advertising purposes.

Making it a misdemeanor to deface a monument or tablet commemorating an historic event. Creating a commission to publish records of soldiers and sailors in the civil war.

For purchasing for the State 500 copies of any history of State organizations in the Spanish

war.

Establishing a standard for milk analysis. Allowing the informant in cases of infraction of the fish and game laws, unless he is a paid deputy, to receive half the fines, the other half going to the State.

Providing that every Sunday shall be a close season for birds and game.

Providing for continuance of the publication of province laws.

Appropriating $12,000 for buying portraits of State governors.

A bill requiring railroads to carry bicycles as baggage was defeated, and one requiring them to carry racing rowing shells free was reported against by the Committee on Railroads.

The Committee on Constitutional Amendments reported adversely on the resolution for woman suffrage by amendment to the Constitution, and the House rejected a bill giving to women the right to vote on the subject of liquor licenses by a vote of 94 to 51.

The following petition and resolution was introduced:

"Whereas, The General Court of Massachusetts Bay, at their session in Cambridge (Newtown), passed a sentence of banishment against Roger Williams, Oct. 19, 1635;

Whereas, Hon. John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts Bay, requested that Roger Williams be recalled, his sentence revoked, and be duly honored, which was refused;

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Whereas, Roger Williams's doctrine of religious liberty, for advocating which he was banished, has become the fundamental sentiment of Christendom; be it

"Resolved, We, the citizens of Cambridge, Mass., petition the honorable Legislature at your earliest convenience to pass an act revoking said sentence of banishment, and your petitioners will ever pray God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Political. The first party to hold a State convention this year was the Socialist-Democrat. The 56 delegates, representing 25 branches, met in Boston, May 28. The ticket named follows: For Governor, Winfield P. Porter; Lieutenant Governor, Isaac W. Skinner; Secretary of State, Charles H. Bradley; Treasurer, C. White; Auditor, A. McDonald. The principal demands in the platform were:

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Revision of our antiquated Federal Constitution in order to move the obstacles to full and complete control of the Government by all the people, irrespective of sex; public ownership of all industries controlled by monopolies, trusts, and combines; reduction of the hours of labor to eight hours per day, and further in proportion to the increasing facilities of production; labor legislation to be made national as well as local and international where possible; equal civil and political rights for women and the abolition of all laws discriminating against women; abolition of war as far as the United States are concerned,

and the introduction of international arbitration instead; the right of trial by jury in case of contempt of court; a more efficient employers' liability law; self-government for cities and towns in all local affairs; the State to assume life and fire insurance."

The convention of the Prohibition party was held at Worcester, Sept. 13. The ticket was: For Governor, John W. Baer; Lieutenant Governor, James H. Roberts; Secretary of State, John B. Lewis; Treasurer, Herbert B. Griffin; Auditor, Franklin A. Palmer; Attorney-General, Sidney Perley.

The essential points of the platform were the declaration in favor of the abolition of the liquor traffic and against the saloon as the deadliest enemy of the laborer. On the issues of commerce, currency, and territorial expansion no stand was taken, the platform considering them "too important to be dealt with merely as party footballs, and kicked by scheming politicians backed by saloon interests." The platform favors woman's suffrage and denounces the army canteen, which, it asserts, is retained by the Government against the judgment of the superior army and

navy officers and in defiance of the laws of Congress.

The Democratic State Convention, in Boston, Sept. 21, nominated the following ticket: For Governor, Robert Treat Paine, Jr.; Lieutenant Governor, John H. Mack; Attorney-General, John H. Morrison; Auditor, W. L. Ramsdell; Secretary of State, Harry Lloyd; Treasurer, Joseph J. Flynn. Later E. Gerry Brown, a Populist, was nominated for Auditor, Mr. Ramsdell having declined.

The platform declares that the Chicago platform of 1896, "like the Declaration of Independence, stands as a part of the fundamental code of the Democratic government."

The financial plank of that instrument is particularly reiterated, and the financial ills of the five years prior to 1897 are ascribed to "a contracted currency, for which Republican financial legislation had provided no form of relief."

The Republican party is accused of planning to surrender to the banks the governmental functions of issuing paper money and controlling its volume.

"To-day our trust magnates are our bankers. They hold the bank stock, they sit on the boards of directors; they select the officials, and they will apply to their command over the supply of the nation's money the same merciless and extortionate methods which they use in turning to their own profit their present monopolies." The war in the Philippines is characterized as criminal aggression, wanton, needless, and wasteful, and incompetently and corruptly prosecuted. It is demanded that to "the Filipinos as to the Cubans shall be said to-day that they are of right and ought to be free and independent."

The platform favors direct legislation, the initiative and referendum, the election of United States Senators by direct vote of the people, and the enforcement of an eight-hour work day, the abolition of the law granting a fe tenure to members of the judiciary, the public ownership and operation of street railways, water works, and other municipal enterprises.

Delegates were chosen to the National Democratic Convention of 1900.

The People's party made no nominations, but in October the Executive Committee approved the Democratic platform. The position of the party in the State was defined as follows: "Having for three years indorsed the Democratic State Convention candidates for State offices, and having voted for them, it is well to continue doing so until the next national convention shall decide whether the national alliance of 1890 is to be continued or a new and independent departure inaugurated."

The Republican convention was held in Boston, Oct. 6. Following is the ticket: For Governor, W. Murray Crane; Lieutenant Governor, John L. Bates; Secretary of State, William M. Olin; Attorney-General, H. M. Knowlton; Auditor, John W. Kimball; Treasurer and Receiver General, Edward S. Bradford.

The platform opens with felicitation upon "the results which have followed the restoration of the Republican party to power in all the branches of the Federal Government." On the subject of national finances and the currency it says: "Bonds and notes payable in coin must be established by law to be payable in gold and provision made for supply of gold when required. The Republican party stands unreservedly pledged to maintain the existing gold standard, and we look with confidence to the Fifty-sixth Congress for the enactment of measures to so perfect our

monetary system that there shall be ample money for the expanding business of the country, and so arm and guard the Treasury that it can at all times protect the national credit."

The platform further urges the opening up of new markets for the manufactured products of the United States, the development of the merchant marine of this country, and such improvement of the principal harbors of the United States as shall make them accessible to the largest vessels afloat. On the subject of trusts the platform says:

"The Republican party of Massachusetts is unqualifiedly opposed to trusts and monopoly and the capitalization of fictitious and speculative valuations."

Confidence is expressed in the national Administration, and belief that the war in the Philippines can be brought to an early termination. Civil service reform laws are commended, and strict naturalization laws and further restriction of immigration are urged. Lynching is condemned. The resolutions close with commendation of Gov. Wolcott's administration.

The result of the election in November was the success of the Republican ticket. The vote for Governor stood: Crane, Republican, 168,902; Paine, Democrat, 100,802; Porter, Socialist-Labor, 10,778; Baer, Prohibitionist, 7,402.

In the cities, especially Haverhill, Brockton, Quincy, and Newburyport, the Socialist-Democrats made large gains on the vote of the previous State election. In the municipal elections in December also they showed strength, electing the mayor in Brockton. As a rule, the Republicans were successful in the city elections.

The Legislature of 1900 stands: Senate, 31 Republicans, 9 Democrats; House, 166 Republicans, 68 Democrats, 4 Independents, 2 Socialist-Democrats.

Following is the Executive Council: David F. Slade, William W. Davis, Oliver H. Durrell, Charles I. Quirk, George F. Harwood, S. Herbert Howe, Martin V. B. Jefferson, Parley A. Russell. Mr. Quirk is a Democrat; all the others are Republicans.

METALLURGY.

At the thirtieth annual meeting of the Iron and Steel Institute Sir W. C. Roberts-Austen, referring to the present condition of practical metallurgy as compared with that at the beginning of the century, said that there were now blast furnaces which would produce 700 tons of iron daily, with a consumption of 15 hundredweight of coal per ton. The gases from blast furnaces are used as sources of heat and directly in gas engines. There are Bessemer furnaces that hold 50 tons of metal and openhearth furnaces that also take 50 tons, while 100ton furnaces are projected. The open-hearth furnaces are fed with one ton of material in a minute by the aid of a large spoon worked by an electro-motor. There are gigantic mixers, capable of holding 200 tons of pig iron, in which, moreover, a certain amount of preliminary purification is effected. Steel plates are rolled of more than 300 feet in area and 2 inches thick. Girders are made which justify the belief of Sir Benjamin Baker that a bridge connecting England and France might be built over the Channel in halfmile spans. We have ship plates that buckle up during a collision, but remain water tight; steel armor-piercing shot which will penetrate a thickness of steel equivalent to more than 37 inches of wrought iron, the points of the shot remaining intact, although the striking velocities are nearly 2,800 feet a second; wires that will sustain a load of 170 tons per square inch with

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