davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

COUNTY TREASURER BoLLN is said
TO have subscribed two thousand dollars
to Jim Creighton's jefferson square
Doodle fund. In other words, County
Treasurer Bolln is contributing fifteen
or twenty per cent of the income he will
get this year out Of loaning the public
funds of this county for the purpose of
promoting a scheme of downright re-
pudiatlon and bare faced imposition
on citizens of Omaha and nonresident
property owners, who have invested
hundreds of thousands of dollars for
lands and improvements nea upper
Farnam street on the faith that the
city had located the city hall and voted
two hundred thousand dollars in bonds
for its construction. 1t is bad enough
for private citizens to countcnance the
reputation of public obligations, but it
comes with very bad grace for a public
officer to lend himself to such work.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
TIE OMAHA DAILY BEE, WEDNESDAY,. JANUARY %. 1889.

but sadly, IT don't think you will. And fur
thermore, Daniel, let me impress this upon you,
before we part forever; In the future, when
ever you have anything TO say that is loaded,
don't say it. Label it, Daniel, and lay it
away carefully, so that, when we are dead
and gone, 1t may appear in your %posthumous
papers, where, IL it does go off, it wont hurt
anybody. In my opinion, Daniel, public
Office is a d."
"Sirel" exclaimed Daniel, throwing up his
hands in Mortified interruption, and the pres
idcnt. startled into silence, strobe up and
down the room, a ~fettered monarch, crown.
less upon a lettering throne.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

Major c. c.. Bennett write The BEE that
he is confined in st. Joscph's hospital and is
in INDECENT circumstances. He has been par
italy paraly2cd for twenty-sevcn years, but
has managed to support himself up to the
present time. He was q resident of the
Sandwich islands for sixteen years, and has
prepared a lecture dealing with life there,
including a history of the Hawaiian race.
Major Bennett wishes to deliver this lecture
in Omaha before some church or benevolent
association, charging a small admission fee
in order to gain means Of support. He claims
to be alone in the world, his relatives having
died, some of them having been killed in the
war, and makes a fcrvent appeal especially
to the journalistic profession.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
A BIG ADVANCE IN RATES.
Freight Rates VIII AXE an Enor-
nous JMmn UpWnrds in the West.

FEttsbt IshtcS WIN i"hC All u
nous jump Upwards in the West.
Another big advance in freight rates will
take effect on the following lines February |:
Union Pacific, Burlington, Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fc, Denver & Rio Grand, Denver,
Texas & Fort Worth, Kansas City, st. Joseph
& Council Bluffs, Missouri Pacific, st. Joseph
& Grand Island, and Utah Central. The
new rates will take the place of the old
rate, west to the coast, from the following
points: Council Bluffs, Omaha, Pacific
Junction, Plattsmouth, Nebraska City, Rulo,
Boswell, st. Joseph, Atchison, Leavenworth,
Kansas City and all points in Kansas and
Nebraska east of the l03d meridian; Ogden
and Spanish Fork, Utah, are intermediate
points between the Missouri river and the
Pacific coast. Commodities VIII be advanced
as follows on the scale of 100 pounds; First
class from SOB TO -, 30; second, from $50
to S2.l5; third, from sl.55 to Sl.75; fourth,
from Sl.30 to Sl.45; fifth, from sl.l5
to $l.25; class a, from Sl,0j to IL. 10.
no change will be made in freight classified
in class b, c., ID and h, the rate ranging 92,
50, ~ aud ~ cents as before. The old rates
were made some time ago when the North
ern Pacific and Manitoba were cutting rates
to Helena. Now the matter has been ad-
justcd, and the Northern Pacific and Mani
toba have agreed TO institute a new tariff TO
correspond with the one to take effect here
Feb. l, 1t is an advance of about AZ per cent
on general freight.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
A SERIOUS QUESTION.
The Legality OF the Equalization
BOards' Work Doubted.

"What is your opinion regarding the point
brought ont in THE BEE with ref.
erence 30 the BOARD of equalization!" asked
Councilman Lowry this morning as Hon. w.
j. Connell joined him and Il BEE reporter.
what point is that2' queried the CON
gresham.
"As to the right of the city council to dele
gate the powers of the board of equalization
to a committee of three?n
SWELL" responded the ex-city attorney,
"like doctors, lawyers sometimes disagree.
City Attorney Webster, see, is quoted as
saving the action is perfectly legal. | don't
agree with him. | doubt the right of the
council to 50 delegate its powers, and, as a
consequence, question the legality of the
whole proceedings
How did you get along with the city clerk
yesterday, Mr.. Lowry?' asked the reporter.
'Everything was harmonious during the
day." responded the councilman.
When The BEE representative looked
in at the sessions of the
board, the discovered that Councilman
Burnham was the only member of the COM
mittee present. G. w. Hamilton and j. j.
Brown, two of Omaha's heaviest property
owners, were in consultation with him.
"Queer proceeding, isn't lt?' remarked an
other heavy property owner. 81 received a
notice to appear before the board at a GER
tain hour. ! came and found nobody but
Mr.. Hahn, the clerk, present. | can't see
why | should transact any business with Mr..
Hahn when the charter distinctly states that
the city council shall hold sessions as a
board of equalization"
"Since you called my attention to the state
ment that the city clerk had informed a tax
payer that the board of equalization was in
secret session and he could not see them, /
have heard other complaints of the same
character, ~ said a city official occupying ohi-
ces in the county building. what an alb
surdity. The board of equalization has no
more right to hold a secret session than have
the county commissioners.
Tho alleged board of equalization is holding
sessions daily. Sometimes one'of the com
mittee is present, sometimes two. Council
man Bailey is ill, and has not attended a ses-
sion for ONE time.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
PROHIBIT AND PUNISH USURY.

FftDf1IbII hND IDII - 4
The present legislature should enact
q stringent law prohibiting and punish
ing usury. The Importance Of this mat
ter to our pc ople cannot easily be over
estimated. They are annually being
plundered to the extent of tens of thou
sands of dollars by s%oulless and merci-
less mortgage sharks who take every
advantage of those whose necessities
compel them to become borrowers. The
usurer is without sympathy or sense OF
justice. He goes about his business
with the most cold-blooded calculation
and the most merciless purpose, His
heart is steeled against every kindly or
generous impulse, his ears are deaf to
every appeal. He lives only to feed his
Unsuitable greed, and no influence but
that OF the law can check or restrain
him. The whole country warns with
these cormorants. We do not know
that Nebraska is worse off than many
other states, but that is not a reason
why we should tolerate the surer and
give him free scope to plunder the un-
fortunate and fatten upon tho necessi-
ties of the farmers and others whom ad-
verse circumstances from time to time
compel to become borrowers.
The state has no higher duty than to
protect the people from the heartless
greed OF usurious money lenders. These
people have been under the ban of the
law in all ages and IN all countries
where there was sufficient enlighten-
mcnt to understand the unrighteous
and unjust character of their eXactions.
and there Is no reason why they should
be given liberation now In some of
the states there are strong antl-usury
laws, and so far as we know their effect
has never been found other than ad-
~vantageous. But in any event Ne
braska should try the experiment of a
stringent law prohibiting and punish
ing usury. A bill for this purpose has
been introduced in the legislature, and
that or some like MEASURE should be
passed. Doubtless any attempt at legis-
lation Of this kind will encounter the
covert and active opposition of the
class of money lenders whom it would
affect, but if the farmers in the logisla-
ture. who represent the element of our
people which suffers most from usury,
and who know of the wrong and ruin
that result from the extortion of the
usurors, will be vigilant and earnest
the required legislation can be secured.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
AIMED AT HIS HEAD.
How a Cool Head Saved MIR. Shank
er'S Life.

vi - All
Monday evening a very exciting episode oc-
CURED in Bars dry goods store, at the cor
ner of Sixteenth and Douglas streets. AS is
customary the employees of the institution
were paid off. and among the envelopes was
one addressed to J. T.. Franklin. AS it was
handed him, he was informed by Mr..
Shanker, the manager, that his services
were no longer required. Mr.. Shanker then
returned to his desk, and a short time after
wards was followed by Franklin, who asked
for a reason for his summary dismissal. MIR.
Shanker stated that they had made some
changes in the different departments of the
store and that it was desired to
make some in the parcel department
with which Franklin was employed,
and that for that reason his services were no
longer required. Franklin took exception to
this explanation, and applied offensive cpl
thets to MIR. Shanker, who was seated within
his railed-Otfice. The abuse became violent,
and Mr.. Shanker walked out into the cloak
room to try to placate Franklin, when still
more offensive cpithets were applied. Mr..
Shankcr offered no resistance, but FRANKLIN
moved back ana drew a revolver from his
pocket and swore that he was going TO shoot.
Mr.. Shanker, however, remained composed,
and looked ~squarcly into Frantlin's
eyes with the effect of deterring
HIM from raising his revolver; but
it was for a moment only, because
Franklin jumped a few feet away to a pillar
which stood near by, and raising the weapon,
aimed 1t at Mr.. Shakers head. Mr..
Shanker was unarmed, but steadily continued
to look Franklin in the eye with the deter
mination that If the latter should fire he
would grab and disarm him. His GOODNESS
unnerved Franklin, who put up his weapon
and made a hasty retreat from the cloak
room to the streat, and succeeded in GLIDING
some of the clerks that started in pursuit.
Word was sent to the central station
and a couple OF officers were dispatched
to investigate the circumstances but they
found that Franklin had disappeared. 1t
was known that he was in the Bluffs last
night but it is thought he will not remain
there, and in the event of his returning to
Omaha he will be recognized Immediately
and made to suffer for his crime.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
COUNTY JAIL STATISTICS.
The Unofficial Record of tbs institu.
ton or Fiftecn Months.

Nv hhN''t w VIZ
ton for Fiftecn Months.
LET not Your Heart be Troubled" Is the
motto that hangs over tho iron door OF the
county Jail, and yet statistics show that up.
wards of 5000 prisoners ave been troubled
to "a greater or less extent since October l6,
1857. Doc Berghof has kent the records
since that date, and the books show that
$3.50 prisoners have been admitted. or these
scventy-onc went to the pcnitentiary and
nineteen to the reform school. Thirty four
were discharged by the order of physician,
29l2 served out their sentences, aud ninety
four are now doing the same thing, Eleven
of them were tried for murder, aud ten of
them were acquitted, the only one convicted
being sentenced FOR life, Among the other
prisoners sent to the pen, ono went up for
twenty years, aud three for fifteen years.
Only one death has occurred during the tif
teen months, and that was Tommy O'Boylc,
who died from alcoholism a little more than
a year ago.
Yesterday the county commissioners fur
nishcd additional comforts for the ninety
four prisoners now behind the bars. Six
suits of heavy clothing for outside work., six
pair of rubber boots, SIX pair of shoes, six
light duck suits, sixty denim suits, sixty
pair of four pound blankets and 100 bags to
hold the clothing of the prisoners, were in
speCted and accepted by Jailcr Miller.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
Oppose the INAUGURATION Hali,

The following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted yest9sday by the Methodist
ministers of this city.
Whereas, The dance, rs a modern %institu-
ton, is unscriDtural, and anti-christian and
demoraliAlng in its tendency; and,
Whereas, We believe the inaugural ball
given Quadrennially at Washington in con
nection with the inaugural ceremonies of the
president of this nation is contrary to the
christian sentiment ann civilization of this
republic, and, therefore, detrimental TO the
moral elevation of society and tue highest
good of the nation; and,
Whereas, This demOralizing Institution
has been Haunted before the people Of this
city in all of its tinseled drapcry under the
sacred name of charity therefore,
Resolved, That the Inaugural ball should
be condemned by all who love good morals
and honor the dignity of this great republic
and should be RELOCATED to slumber with its
kindred associates Of the dark ages and cor
rupt courts of Europe,
Resolved, That we sincerely demur against
the effort that is being made by a few de
voices at the shrine of solfishness and vanity
to bolster this demoralizlng institution into
responsibility under the sacred name OF char
ity and O p~retense Of Deneyolenco.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

Yesterday morning the following list OF
board of trade committees was obtained:
Arbitration-H. II. Mcday, w. j. Council,
G. NJ. Hitchcock, f. w. Gray, and Il. c..
Patterson.
AudttIng-D II. Wheeler, Max Meyer, and
n. Merriam.
Freight Burcau-C. o. Lobeck, j. S.
Brady, L, Il. Bruce, G. b. Ravens, A. n.
Rector, N. Merriam, B. j.. Troxell, G.. Nj.
Nattingcr, S. A. McWhorter, and f.. h.
White.
Live stock-P. T.. Her, John +. Boyd, w.
a. Paxton, }. A. McShane, and Edward
Cudahy.
Manufacturers Bureau-C. T.. Goodman,
Otto Lobock, Thomas f.. Tuttlo, Edwin
Davis, T. g. Drummer.
Membership-Max Meyer, p. L. Her, and
Euclid Martin.
Memorials-C. S. Chase, John Evans, j.
NJ. Woolworth, a. 7. Gibbon, and Il. Rose
water.
Meteorology-John Evans, George L. Bar
ker and J. G.. Mills.
Pr~opcrty-Euclid Martin, Max Meyer and
w. n. Mason.
Provision-H II. Midday, Edward A.
Cudahy, b. +. TroXell, w. w. Brigham and
j. f. Shelley.
Transportation-J. A. Wakefield, Joseph
Garneau, A. 7, Rector, Benjamin Gallagher
and Il. j, Rogers.
Ways and Mcans-H. S. Clark, IL. kountze
and a.. =. Hopkins.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
ANXIOUS OFFTCESEEKERS.

Washington is said to be rapidly fill
ing up with officeseekers. A majority
of these are OF the chronic class, many
of them being men who lost positions
after the present administration came
in, but there is also considerable num-
Der of new aspirants for the patriotic
privilege of serving their country in
ONE public Office Or clerliship. These
people are an almost insufferable an
noyance to members of congress-, and
particularly the old ofiiceholders, who
are the most persistent in urging their
claims to consideration on the ground
that they suffered for the party in being
turned out of office by an opposition ad-
ministration. 1t is said of these men
that the officeholding passion has taken
such strong hold on them that they are
unable to shake it off. Some Of them
have a plausible excuse in the fact that :,
having long held public office, they
have found it very difficult to recover q
foothold in their former vocations, for
it is Il fact that public Office units most
men for other callings. Having become
thoroughly accustomed to The routine
methods of department WORK, the aver
age man cannot thereafter readily I'D
just himself to duties which
require him to think for himself and to
arrange his practices and policy to
changing circumstances. Having cast
aside self-reliance and become a mere
machine, it is with no small difficulty
that most men can resume satisfactorily
the relations they gave up for public
Office.
But this excuse serves only a small
minority of oticeseekers. BY far the
larger number are attracted toward
public Office by a glamour Of their w
creation. 1t is not only that they look
upon it rs an easy life, they regard it
also as giving u certain distinction. To
be in the service of the government is
u source Of pride to most men, and par
ticularly those who are new in the scr-
vice, entirely out Of proportion to the
emoluments or the advantages, the fact
being that the government is by no
means generous to those who serve it,
while as already observed otilceholding
tends generally to the deterioration
rather than the improvement of the
oificeholder. 1t is necessarily most
monotonous, and until a man acquires a
liking for e~asy-going routine, no life is
duller or less inspiriting than that in a
public Office. But the business OF the
government must be done, and the men
who are willing to do it should not
be condemned for what to those
at all familiar with ofiiceholding APP
pears n rather pitiful ambition. The
greater the number seeking office the
better will be the opportunity to select
thoroughly capable officials. There APP
pears to be no DOUBT that the next add
ministration will not, have to invite
applications.
1t may be remarked hat Nebraska
and Iowa appear to be well represented
among the anxious of~ficeseekers now at
the national capital, and it can also be
sand that no other states deserve more
generous consideration from a republi-
can administration.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

GOVERNOR SwINEFoRD, Of Alaska,
still relterates before congress that the
charges made by him of the cruel and
unjust treatment of the natives by the
Alaska Commercial company and its
agents, are literally true. The recent
investigation committee appointed by
congress is likely to arrive at a different
conclusion, judging from the testimony
of the witnesses appearing before it,,
But this is to be expected in view of the
fact that the majority of the witnesses
have been recipients of the Alaska
company's favors. For that reason
Governor Swineford's plea should have
more weight in determining whatever
action congress may take upon the
subject.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
Young Married Folks, Club.

On Thursday evening OF this week the Sc
lect party to be given by the Young Married
Folks Social club will taxi place at Good
rich hall, on Saunders street. This being an
~''extra'' aside from the regular series Of
parties given by thisc club, the uninitiated
friends of the members will be given an OPP.
~portunity to enjoy themselves. Excellent
music will be furnished and ali appropriations
for a jolly good time have been made. Dur
ing intermission supper will be served in the
banquet room. AS this party promises TO be
one of the pleasantest events of the season,
a complete account will appear in the society
columns of Sunday mornings BEE.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

JIM CREIGHTON is willing to sacrifice
all his relations for the public good. He
is very bitter on John A. McShane and
actually tells his son-in-law that he and
every democrat must get out Of the
postoficc just as soon as Grover Cleve-
land ~retires. We are not prepared to
announce definitely whether Postmas-
ter Gallagher will resign and retire on
the 4th of March, without waiting for
the appointment of his successor. That
probably will depend upon the out
come Of the Jefferson square Doodle
m ., ,,ir,
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

tions. A fairssample is DR.. Graddy's
block on ST., Mary's avenue,
which had to be taken down after more
than twenty thousand dollars had been
expended in its construction. As
against the opinion Of this wonderful
architect we have the opinions OF S. s..
Beeman, architect of the Pullman
building in Chicago and half a dozen
structures costing from half a million
dollars upward; and e. E. Myers, whose
ability nobody dare call in question.
We have also the opinions of architects
and builders Of Omaha who are known
to be fully as competent as MIR. Smith,
and more SO.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
Our French Critic.

The criticism of Brother Jonathan's dress,
his manners, his newspapers, his humor and
his lovely daughters in this book will arouse
some resentment. no doubt. But IL will all
be read with interest. There is nothing
which does a conceited people so much good
as to be criticised by even a prejudiced for
elgner. Our faults need to be shown to us
occasionally. While Max O'Rell has only
seen us casually and has pictured us super
fcially, it must be admitted that he has told
considerable truth, and has, upon the whole,
rendered us q service. Thanks.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

OMAHA, Jan. 22.-To the Editor of The
BEE: ] AIN pleased to see that this country is
TO have u corn palace at the Paris exposition,
but | especially favor the exclusive corn pal
ace that has been suggested for Nebraska.
| think this would do more to advertise our
state and call the attention of Europe to Ne.
braska, than anything else we could do at
the exposition. The legislature ought to
grant sufficient money to pay all expenses. /
trust this matter will be advocated, and the
wisdom of the ching seen by the citizens of
Nebraska, | would be glad to subscribe, as
far as | am able, TO the advancement and
completion of the palace. We are all in
dcbted to you for advocating, as you have,
the project. }. l.. MILES.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

WE COINCIDE for once with Mr.. Nor
rison, that it is not advisable to COM
plicate the school bond proposition with
the city hall and other propositions sub
mitted at the election on February 9Th,
Unless double polling lists were kept
by the judges and clerks the validity of
the school bonds might finally be called
In question. There have been several
decisions on that point recently which
show hat duplex elections are not safe
where any issue of bonds is authorized.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
Public Office is a :

"Daniel," remarked the president this
morning as he gazed out upon the dull gray
sky, which hung its leaden canopy down on
the dusky distant Virginia hills and gave a
semI-tone Of sadness to all the world, dan.
iellr
"Yes, SIRE - responded Daniel quietly.
81 understand yOu were the first man 10
say Public Office Is a Public Trust.'n
'Yes sire" replied Daniel, alphabetically;
~ did it in a moment of thoughtlessness sew
eral years ago in Albany. But Ell not do it
again, sire"
"No, Daniel - said the president kindly,
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
Tho Flying Wheel.

Jack Prince said yesterday that Read
ing, the "Unknown,'' would not enter the
three hour six-day bicycle race which begins
at the Colosseum on the 18th of February.
Reading is very anxious TO go in and thinks
he could win, but Prince and his other back
will be too fast for Reading. Prince will
enter himself and as the receipts to the WIN
ner Will be about 81, 900, judging from the
eight hour race, he will ride hard to win.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23

ing his ornaments by placing them in a per
pendicular glass case on the sidewalk in front
OF his establishment. About,9 o'clock Monday
night some unknown Individual smashed the
glass and grabbing q quantity of gold chains
and watches, TO the value of $50, made on
with them. This matter was at once re.
ported to the police, but no clue to the prop
crty or the thief has yet been obtained.
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
Father-in-Law and son-in-Law.

John SIlber sued his son-in-law, George
w. Spurrier in Justice Krueger's court Mon
day for SO for a Job Of work and got
judgment. Yesterday Spurrier got even by
inducing his wife 10 get some quilts in her
fathers possession repleyined. All the
trouble appears to arise over Mrs. Spurrier's
refusing to leave her husband at the urgent
request OF her father and mother, although
as they claim Spurrier deceived her by
claiming he was wealthy when he is not,
Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-23
An Electric institution.

Mr.. c. d.. Coyell, the manager of the newly
organized Nebraska Electric light and Motor
company, has just returned from Boston
where he has completed arrangements for
beginning work in Omaha. When IN run
ming order, the works will give employment
TO about one hundred men. The business
will be the manufacture of individual cleo
iric light plants and storage batteries for
the running of street motors. An exhibit
tion will be given in q week or SO.