MARION PROGRESS
WBLIBHSD BVKBY THUBSDAT BVENINO
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McQOWELL PUBLISHING CO.
Marion, N. G.
S. E. WHITIEN, Editor and Prop.
Entered at the Postoffice at Marion,
N. C.. as second class matter.
TBSMS:
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Strictiv In Advance!
MARION, N. C., DEC. »1, 1916.
A Merry Christmas.
We wish each, and every one of
you a Merry Christmas and all
ihat ^oes therewith calcalated^ to
produce !real happiness. And in
this connection we recall the
beautiful thoughts of the late
Isaac Erwin Avery in “Idle Com
ments.'’
“Christmas is almost here—
Christmas, the saddest sweetest
time of the year. It is a period
for entertainment and family re
union, and a time when one re
members how old one is, how
worthless, and how little he has
really accomplished. Heaven here
belongs to the tender world that
doesn’t know the truth about Santa
Claus, and beyond that world
happiness is feverish and fitful.' To
the young Christmas is a million
miles away, but as one grows old
er time’s circle moves more rapid
ly, and finally Christmas follows
Christmas too hurriedly. The
old people say that only the world
is old; that man is eyer youne; and
the mere space of yesterday is be
tween the young heart that yearn
ed for the filled stocking and the
old feeble heart that may never
throb another Christmas day.
“One wonders what Christmas
^eans to the other fellow. To
children it is Paradise transplanted,
but men and women view it differ
ently. To some it is a time for
love and charity; to others «
time for envy and discontent. To
some it brings the jubilation that
came finally to old Scrooge; to
others it brings boredom.
“You see there is such a hue and
cry over Christmas, and when the
day comes it may easily bring un
sweetness—that letrdown feeling of
disappointment. A few weeks be
forehand life mav be in placid
waters, but as the time of celebra
tion draws nigh the stream becomes
a swift current and then a vortex
that whirls to and fro the universal
multitude clutching holiday gifts.
When the storm ceases, if you are
a woman and are satisfied with
what you’ve got you are a miracle;
if you are a man and can pay for
what you have given you are a
blessed exception. This is Christ
mas with the varnish off—Ch^ist-^
mas described in rememberance of
homeknit socks that didn’t fit; in
evitable indigestion; wet fingers
th4t plastered pink candy, useful
donations that weren’t useful, and
the same old snowbird on the same
old white card.
“All this is intended as a bare
touch of realism—kindly, though
maybe a prissimistic, silhouette.
The setting may be tiresome, but
it will be gorgeous if you have
that happy heart. The man who
wants the day to give him some
thing will find it a failure. It is a
success when the individual t
sumes that it is his duty to bring
to the day love, charity, sympathy,
peace.”
President Wilson has sent a check
for $2,500 to Treasurer Marsh of
the Democratic National Commit
tee, as his contribution toward
meeting the deficit in the commit
tee’s campaign fund.
The Anstralian Ballot System.
The Progress wishes to givd it’s
approval of the Anstralian ballot
system,which the Asheyille Citizen
so strongly advocates, and in fact
the press generally has given ap
proval of this system of voting.
The Citizen rings clear on this
subject, when it asks:
Is it not rather a painful
spectacle to see the people of a
great commonwealth practically
pleading for rights and privileges
which are virtually granted t6
them under the national constitu
tion? Is there not something pa
thetic in the thought that ^ree
white men of North Carolina, pos
sessed of as much intelligence as
the men of any other section of
the country, should be begging
for the privilege of casting a free,
fair and untrammeled ballot? Is
it not enough to arouse one’s in
dignation when he considers the
f»ct that while other states have
enjoyed the blessings and advan
tages of the Australian system for
twenty-five and thirty years. North
Carolina’s citizens have been voted
under an obsolete and inadequate
election system, while the “floater”
and the vote buyer have flourished
at will? Political corruption has
stalked unchecked through the
state at every election, and now
the great majority of our citizen
ship, realizing that it is high time
to throw off the shackles of politi
cal slavery, asks that fraud and
corruption bi0 wiped forever from
the political slate.
“Our people are asking for the
same rights as are enjoyed by the
rank and file of American citizen
ship; they are asking the North
Carolina legislature, supposed to
do the will and bidding of the
people, to give them the Austra
lian baliot so that they may vote
as free men, conscious of the fact
that when their ballot is cast it
shall be so counted. They are
asking our senators and representa
tives to surround the ballot with
that sacredness and secrecy which
the United States constitution
provides, but upon which the pro
fessional politician and the ward
heeler have trampled with impu
nity.”
The Australian system originat
ed in the British Colonies about
1870, probably being first used in
New South Wales about 1858, and
subsequently in all the subdivisions
of Australia. It is now in use in
nearly all the countries of the
world where the elective franchise
is recognized, and in the United
States it is used in various modi
fied forms in all the more prog
ressive states.
The main features are that bal
lots used in voting are printed at
public expense, and all party candi
dates’ names are printed on one
ballot. The voter on entering the
polls is supplied with one ballot,
after entering the booth. There
is a legal provision against elec
tioneering near the polls, and
secrecy is guaranteed by prohibi
ting under penalty the exhibition
of the marked ballot. Separate
voting booths are provided in
which the voter must by himself
mark and prepare his own ballot,
if he is capable to do so, otherwise
it may be marked at &is direction
by two of the judges who must be
long to different parties, after
which it is handed to the proper
officer, by whom it is deposited in
the ballot box.
The system of course cannot be
expected to be a pan-a-cea for all
evils connected with the ballot box,
but it will do much toward elimi
nating the corruptness and wretch
ed conditions that exist under the
present system.
Christmas Gifts For
We have a beaatifal selection of Shirt Waists. We have Mine pre ^ ^ gome
plain white and fancy stripes at 75c and $1.00, some China Silk wais in Chine
wash silk waists in beaatifal candy stripes at $2.45 and $2.76, some rea pre y
waists in pink, blue and white embroidered at $3.50.
LADIES BATH ROBES and KIMONAS. We have some real KimonM ma e o
Domet flannel at $2.95 and $3.50. some pretty Kimonas made of Duckling fleece at »l.is, »i. ,
$1.39 and $1.50.
LADIES HAND BAGS. We have a good collection of L^im Hand Bags and Parses
priced at 50c to $2.00; some in pretty Holly Boxes, that make nice gifts.
T.AnrRS HANDKERCHIEFS. There is nothing that is more acceptable and appwiat^
as Gifts than a pretty Handkerchief. We have them by the gross, at 5c, 10c. 16c and 26^ in
plain white, and dainty embroidered and hemstitched in colors at 10c, 15c, 26c, a so
Crepe De Chine at 25c. We also have a pretty lot of Handkerchiefs, 2 and 3 packed in Holly
Boxes at 25c and 85c bo;.
We also have a pretty line of Hose in lisle and silks at 15c, 25c, 50c and $1.00. Ladies
Kid Gloves at $1.00 and $1.50. Parasols, Traveling Bags and Suit Cases, etc.
Useful Gifts for Men
We have Bath Robes at $2.95 and $3.60, Sweaters at $1.16 to $3.00, Half Hose at 25c to
60c packed in Holly Boxes. Men’s Umbrellas at $1.00, $1.25, $1.50and $2.25. Travsling Bags
and Dress Suit Cases at $2.50 to $12.50. Men’s Hats in the latest styles at $1.50 to $4.00.
Neckwear. We have a beautiful selection of Ties, and Scarfs at 25c to 75c.
You will find in our big stock many articles suitable for gifts for the entire family.
Regular Santa Claus Tricks
We have a big display of Toys for the Children and other Seasonable Gifts for the whole
family. We have Dolls, Pianos, Tea Sets, Doll Beds, Carriages, Books, Pictures, Balls, Horns,
Cap Pistols, Air Rifles, Trains, Pop Guns and hundreds of articles to please the children.
L
Gaston & Tate, Inc.
“The Square Deal Store.”
Now, all together! “Buy it at
home this Christmas.”
A Merry Christmas
Givable Gifts.
Right now, buy one of our good Suits or Over
coats and be “prep^ired” for the Holiday season.
SUITS and OVERCOATS
$10.00, $12.50, $15.00, $18.50, $20.00, $22.50
Our stock of Gift Ideas is complete^ ready for
your selection. Be wise, do your Xmas shopping
early.
Clothing, Hats, Caps, Shoes, Underwear,. Sweaters, Silk
Hose, Rain Coats, Riding Pants, Neckwear, Collar Bags,
Gloves, Suspenders, Garters, Silk Shirts, Mufflers, Silk Handkerchiefs, Linen Handkerchiefs.
J. H. L. Miller Clothing Co.
THE QUALITY SHOP
[OmSl OC3IOC3 E30E30E301
Cotton Mill Rally 27th.
The cotton Mill rally at Glen-
wood will .take place next Wednes
day, Decembek* 27, instead of on
the 21st as announced last week.
The citizens of Glenwood are
especially invited to attend the
meeting.
To Citizens of McDowell County.
. I take this method to extend to yon
my heartfelt thanks for the kind treat
ment .that I received at your hands dar
ing the six years that I served yon as
youi' Register of Deeds, and which I
shall ever look back to with the greatest
pleaiiore. I haye left all deeds and other
papers on which fees are due with Mr.
Millard Poteat, Treasurer, which yOn
will please call for when in town and
pay the fees due thereon to him.
Wishing you all a happy Christmas
and a prosperous New Year, I remain
resi>ectfully yours,
R. L. C. GIBSON.
Renew your subscription to The
Projjress promptly, please.
Levitt’s Levitt’s
Don’t Forget The Pace
For late Christmas Shopping, and for Holiday por-
chases in Keneral. you will be well pleased if you come
here. Our prices, and the valhe and style of our offer-
ings, will delight yon.
Oar Holiday Sale of StyKsh Ladies’ Suits, Coats and
Dresses is attracting wide attention, and nwUng satis
fied customers throughout Western North Carolina.
To make more friends for the Store is our Aim—and
your assurance of good treatment.
3 Biltmore
yVvenue
Levitt’s