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it is because the Socialist deputies have been solidly arrayed on its side.

Several labor measures have been enacted, and tax reforms have been instituted. The supremacy of the civil power has been asserted and vindicated, and the intriguing generals whose anti-Dreyfusism was carried to dangerous lengths have been reduced to obedience. The so-called Nationalists are still sowing discord and disaffection, but their influence is small, and the stability of the republic is greater than ever. A general election is shortly to be held, and all the indications are that the country will return a decisive majority of gua to the United States. Republican deputies and repudiate the enemies of the existing régime. The recent elections for the councilsgeneral in the departments resulted in overwhelming Republican success. In but four departments are the new councils anti-Republican. Evidently France is in favor of peace and the policy of the coalition now in power.

SENOR LUIS F. COREA,

New Minister from Nicara

daily wages. The employer will be required to contribute an equal sum in each case. The money will be paid to and invested by the government in national or local securities. After the age of sixty-five any workman can demand a pension based on these payments. To workmen disabled before the age of sixty-five the state will pay a bonus not exceeding one hundred Workmen who are sixty-five at the time the law goes into effect will receive a pension not exceeding one hundred francs a year if they have worked for thirty years. Those under sixty-five will be similarly dealt with on reaching that age.

francs a year.

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It is estimated that the state will have to contribute 7,000,000 francs the first year, and that the amount will steadily increase thereafter, reaching a maximum of 90,000,000 francs in the eighteenth year, and then decreasing gradually to an annual charge, on the average, of 45,000,000 francs. As taxation is heavy in France and the expenditures are increasing at a rather disquieting rate, some statesmen believe the pension scheme to be impracticable, if not ruinous. But few deputies venture to oppose it, and there are Radicals who criticize it as falling short of the requirements of justice and humanity. The act will undergo modification, as the trade unions have been invited to offer suggestions freely and the cabinet is ready to entertain friendly amendments. The essential provisions, however, will stand, and a landmark in "social legislation" will have been established by the Republican ministry of Waldeck-Rousseau.

The last, and perhaps the most important, It might not be entirely correct to say that act of the French chamber of deputies prior the present general movement throughout to the prorogation was the voting of the first the country in behalf of public libraries is article of the government's bill for work- due to the liberality of Andrew Carnegie, but men's old-age and invalid pensions. This it is undoubtedly true that widespread interbill is an extraordinary one in many re- est has been aroused because of his gifts. spects, and while it has encountered much In many places to which his generosity has opposition, it is certain to pass parliament not extended movements are under way for and become law. Great Britain has been the higher development of the people through discussing "universal" old-age pensions, the medium of the public library. In fact, but the South African war has banished that great social reform from practical politics. France will be the first great nation to follow the example of New Zealand and Denmark in the direction of making provision for the industrial army of the state.

The act applies to all workmen, including agricultural laborers, but not to small merchants or other independent non-salaried elements. The beneficiaries of the pension system will number about 8,300,000. The details of the plan are summarized as follows: Every workman under sixty-five is to be required to pay one cent a day if he is under eighteen and earns less than two francs. For those above eighteen the compulsory deduction will be two cents a day on wages between two and five francs, and three cents on higher

this movement has become one of the greatest educational developments of the generation.

One of the chief fostering influences of this movement is the woman's club, which in various parts of the country has made a special effort in this direction. There are now between thirty and forty state federations of women's clubs in this country, and these comprise a large number of individual clubs, representing many thousands of women. nearly every one of these organizations there is a standing committee on library extension, and this committee is specially charged with the duty of urging the establishment of free public libraries wherever possible. The

result is that in many states the traveling library has become a part of the library system, and in several states where the traveling library system has not yet been adopted, the federated clubs have put in circulation traveling libraries of their own. Eighteen state library commissions are now in existence, and some of these owe their existence to the coöperation of the women, as for instance that of the state of Iowa, which was established last year largely through the influence of women's clubs, of which there are 224 in the state, representing 8,000 women.

The Iowa traveling library is in some respects a unique institution. There are now between eighty and ninety fifty-volume sub-libraries, made up of miscellaneous books, and a number of juvenile libraries. The plan is to make it possible for an individual or association deprived of the advantages of a good local library to secure at the simple cost of transportation any book or collection of books. This idea has been eagerly seized upon in many villages of the state, where a club, for example, interested in the study of art, history, criticism, or household economics, or indeed any other subject, is enabled to borrow from the state a well-selected collection of books such as it may need, and to retain it either three or six months.

The value of such a system is readily seen, especially in its relation to the higher development of the rural community. In Iowa there are a large number of small libraries of less than two thousand volumes, and it greatly increases the value of these libraries to secure fifty additional books from the

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state as frequently as they may desire. In isolated villages and school districts, where there are no public library advantages whatever, the traveling library is of especial value. It would be well if every village could have its own collection of books for free distribution, and it would seem that such a result might be achieved at the expense of a little enterprise and public spirit. As a remarkable instance of this sort, the village of Greenup, Illinois, might be mentioned. This place has a population of about one thousand, and the citizens decided to create a library, depending wholly upon their own resources. This scheme also originated with the versity of West Virginia. woman's club, and it was not long before every resident of the village was interested. A "book shower held at one of the churches brought out 282 desirable books as a beginning, and in a little while this was increased to one thousand volumes. Later five hundred more were added, and many contributions of money were received. A room in the schoolhouse was fitted up as a library, the local carpenters furnishing the shelving and the work of construction as their contribution to the good cause, and the librarians served without compensation. The village has now a good library, and the public spirit of the community has been greatly quickened.

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DR. DANIEL PURINTON,

New President of the Uni

An interesting experiment is being tried by the American Publishers' Association, in accordance with a plan formulated a year ago and discussed in these pages. The condition of the bookselling trade has steadily gone from bad to worse in late years, owing to severe competition, lack of uniformity in prices, and the rivalry of the department stores. Many of the smaller dealers have been forced to add other "lines" to their trade, and the old type of bookseller - the purchaser's guide, counsellor, and friendhas nearly disappeared. The public, too, has suffered through the absence of a fixed price on books, for each dealer charged what he pleased and thought "safe."

After a great deal of intelligent discussion

HORATIO J. SPRAGUE,

Late United States Consul

at Gibraltar.

the reputable publishers of the country evolved a scheme designed to help the retail dealer without injuring the book-buyer. On May 1 it went into effect for a year's trial. If successful, it may be renewed. Here are the main features of the plan: all copyright books except current fiction, school books, and subscription books are to be listed at net prices, and at a twenty per cent reduction from the prices heretofore claimed in catalogues and advertisements. There is no gain to the public or loss to the publishers in this reduction, for the real price of the books not marked net has been twenty per cent below the advertised price. The dealers must maintain the net prices, illicit cutting of them being punishable with rigid boycotting. The discount to the dealers is to be twenty-five per cent, but any publisher may grant a higher or impose a lower discount. Libraries are to receive a discount of ten per cent from the retail price. When a publisher sells at retail, he must not only sell at the listed price, but must add the postal or express charges to all customers ordering books from out of town. There is no injustice to any of the parties concerned in this arrangement. Its benefits would be much greater if fiction were included, for it is notorious that the booksellers dispose of more fiction than of any other kind of literature. Department stores must observe the new rules or find their supplies cut off. Some of them are opposed to the plan, and at least one store in New York is selling the net books below the publishers' prices. It seems to have no difficulty in obtaining all the books it wants, a fact which indicates laxity and breach of agreement somewhere. There has been some talk of appealing to the courts to enjoin the recalcitrant store from underselling the regular dealers, but it is doubtful if a case for judicial intervention can be made out. The publishers' agreement involves no monopoly and no restraint of trade, and they would probably be upheld in their refusal to supply with books those who dec'ine to accept their conditions. But he who, in some way, has

managed to get the books is clearly at liberty to sell them at any price he may see fiteven below cost. Some department stores may go into the publishing business on their own account. Whether it is possible to rehabilitate the book trade and restore its former dignity and importance to letters is decidedly an open question.

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The National Council of Women, which will meet in a three days' session September 11, 12, and 13, is a remarkable expression of the modern woman's enterprise. This energetic body, which has created the conditions out of which other federations might grow, is probably the most cosmopolitan body ever formed for the single purpose of elevating and strengthening the legal, moral, mental, and social conditions of a sex. Its scope is all-inclusive; its membership a remarkable aggregation of varying creeds, aims, tastes, and nationalities. For fourteen years its progress has been steady and remarkable. Its first president was the late Frances E. Willard; its present presiding officer is Mrs. Fannie Humphreys Gaffney. Out of the council has grown the Canadian council which, in numbers, is even sturdier than the parent organization, the councils of Indiana, Illinois, Maine, Rhode Island, New York, and Minnesota, and the great International Council of Women. The latter binds the humanitarian and philanthropic women of the United States, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Greece, and Russia. It has already played an active part in the correcting of false social and industrial conditions. trial conditions. Among the most active branches of this strongly organized force is the Universal Peace Union, which works along the lines of international arbitration; the National Association of Women of American Liberty, whose endeavors are for the preservation of public schools from all sectarian tendencies and to see that money set aside for the sustenance and establishment of public schools shall not be diverted to the use of any sect whatever; the National Association of Business Women, designed to aid in every way the individual worker and to protect her rights as trades-unions protect the interests of the masses. Incorporated with the National Council are societies for rescue work among women; benefit societies that issue death policies and are provided with funds for sick members; the National Council of Jewish Women, established for the purpose of deepening and strengthening

the religious feeling and training among children of their race, and especially for surrounding the families of newcomers with the best influences.

Perhaps the boldest step taken thus far by this amalgamated club body is the admission to its councils of the National Association of Colored Women, the first national organization of the educated colored women in America to help their own race. Its primary object is to secure a willing coöperation among colored people that shall work toward a lessening of the disabilities that attend their work in practically all lines; the strengthening of their own lives, and to raise the standards in housekeeping and in the home. Their motto is "Lifting as we climb."

From time to time the progress of woman suffrage has been recorded in these pages. In the United States and in New Zealand the greatest victories have been won by the persistent advocates of political equality and truly universal suffrage, but in Europe the movement is by no means barren of notable and significant results. In Great Britain they have been discussing the expediency of enabling women to serve on municipal governing boards, and even conservative organs have urged this reform on the ground that on questions of education, sanitation, dwellings, housing of the poor, parks, and other local interests the voices and votes of earnest, public-spirited women would be a potent factor for good. But the lead in this respect has been taken by little Norway, that thrifty, progressive, model nation. By a law passed by the Storthing only a few months ago certain classes of women are enfranchised so far as municipal politics and administration are concerned.

Municipalities in Norway are independent in the management of their own affairs. Their governing councils are composed of from twelve to forty-eight members, according to the population. The members serve gratuitously and the term is three years.

Women who are twenty-five years of age, have had fixed places of abode for five years, and pay taxes on an income of not less than three hundred kroner (eighty-one dollars) in the country or four hundred kroner in cities, or live with husbands who pay these amounts, are to have the same rights as men in voting and holding office in municipalities. Many intelligent women are still debarred from the suffrage under the property qualification, but the step toward complete enfranchisement is a long one. The agitation will continue, the leaders in the movement demanding national suffrage as well for all the women of Norway. The Woman Suffrage Association was organized in that country in 1884, and the chief leader is Miss Gina Krog, now fifty years old, a refined, educated, and talented writer and speaker.

Horatio J. Sprague, "the father of America's consular service," died at Gibraltar, July 18, at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. Sprague represented the United States at Gibraltar fifty-three years. He was born of American parents at Gibraltar and lived there all his life, having visited his own country but once. During his official career Mr. Sprague entertained three presidents who traveled abrcad after leaving the White House Fillmore, Pierce, and Grant. Mr. Sprague is said to have successfully met severe official difficulties during the Civil war and the Spanish war. He seems to have been kept at his post because of his efficiency.

The new White Star liner Celtic reached her dock in New York August 4 after her maiden voyage from Liverpool. The Celtic is the largest boat in the world, being 700 feet long, 75 feet broad, and 49 feet deep. Her gross tonnage is 20,880. She can accommodate 2,859 passengers and a crew of 335. At the same time she can carry 12,000 tons of freight. She has nine decks. It is interesting in this connection to note

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that the Great Eastern, launched more than forty years ago, was nearly as pretentious in size. The Great Eastern, the disastrous history of which is familiar to all, was 692 feet long and 83 feet broad. Her gross tonnage was 18,915. She was propelled both by paddles and screw. She could accommodate, though not in accordance with our ideas of comfort, about 4,000 passengers.

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Readers of this magazine will notice that in this issue a portion of the contents bears relation to the subjects of the Italian-German year of reading for the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, which begins in October. The subjects of the nine-months' reading course ensuing appear in four books: "Men and Cities of Italy" in three parts, by James Richard Joy, Elizabeth Wormeley Latimer, and J. A. R. Marriott; Studies, in the Poetry of Italy," by Frank J. Miller, University of Chicago, and Oscar Kuhns, Wesleyan University; "Imperial Germany, by Sidney Whitman; "Some First Steps in Human Progress," by Frederick Starr, University of Chicago. A part of the contents of the magazine each month will be correlated with these subjects. "A Reading Journey in Central Europe" will cover Italy and portions of Germany and Austria. A

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series of "Critical Studies in German Litera-
ture" and a series of " Inner Life Studies
of historic figures in Italy and Germany will
be presented. Attention is called in this
issue to "A Florentine Monk's Romance,"
"The Beatification of a Saint," "The Ruin
and Legend of Kynast," "A Pestalozzian
Pilgrimage, and "A Black Hussar at
Waterloo, as features suggestive of the
topics about to be taken up in popular sys-

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tematic form.

In this connection emphasis may be properly laid upon what we are pleased to call the Chautauqua method of studying current events to the best advantage. THE CHAUTAUQUAN appeals to every person who desires to secure a correct perspective of current events. Two years ago the leading feature was a series of illustrated articles on "The Expansion of the American People"; during the past year "The Rivalry of Nations: World Politics of Today," was presented; for the coming year Prof. E. E. Sparks, author of the "Expansion" articles, will furnish the series on "Formative Incidents in American Diplomacy." In such a series the attempt is made to set forth authorita

tively and pictorially the topic uppermost in the public mind, concerning which people want to be well informed. With this series as a basis, the magazine couples special articles dealing at greater length with particular phases from time to time, and in the editorial section of " Highways and Byways " current happenings are treated so as to point out their relation to the great permanent factors involved in the chief topic under consideration.

Most people read a bit here, pick up a bit there, and skim an article somewhere, gaining only a mass of indistinct, unrelated impressions. THE CHAUTAUQUAN, by giving a comparatively brief but comprehensive historical view of the important topic of the day, sets up a standard in relation to which all one's reading on this subject naturally falls into place. The detached, floating, incomplete news of the hour is referred to a standard of comparison, gaps are filled, relative importance is established, and the essentials law of association. In other words, one has are the more easily remembered through the established a base-line of discrimination, from an intelligent student point of view; ing concerning current events. one will get definite results from one's read

This method is not only sound in an educational sense, but we believe it is a real timesaver for people nowadays, for whose attention all kinds of publications clamor.

66

tive Incidents in American Diplomacy" will Specifically, the coming series on "Formahang" on the line " for us, as artists would in the policy which has been pursued by the say, pictures of the significant developments United States in its relations with other countries, from the beginning to the present day of our supreme" international importance. At the end of nine months we shall have learned what contributions the United States has made to the machinery and spirit of international intercourse; how we have conducted ourselves internationally, and why the current history of diplomatic developments is of paramount interest.

From these statements it will be seen that the magazine, by itself, seeks to present the best kind of current events course, for which people who may not care for the entire C. L. S. C. course may be enlisted. A number of clubs and literary organizations have made a reading course out of the magazine alone; for those who wish to specialize further in this direction the C. L. S. C. office has formulated a special course of supplementary book reading.

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