davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
The Valley of Death.

Secretary Of Agriculture Rusk is
organizing an expedition to explore
the famous death valley in California.
This region is averitsble terra ,ncognita.
The heat is so intense that dead ami
mails do not decompose. Water in the
valley is unknown and the expedition
will carry water for human beings and
animals. Two of the chief botanists
Of the department are now working
their way into the valley from southern
Nevada, while another expedition is on
the march from southern Idaho. The
expeditions are expected to meet at a
point previously decided upon in the
valley.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

The president has vetoed the bill ap-
propriating SIS, 900 for the erection of
q public building at Bar Harbor. He
says that place is not much but a sum.
mer resort and intimates that the gov
eminent can hardly afford to go into
the business Of building postofices for
summer boarders. The western dem
Ocratic papers which have been howl
ing themselves black in the face for a
week because according TO their exclu-
sire information the bin was bound to
becone Law wiz now please hedge.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

For the next fifteen days we are going to
give the people of Abilene aud Dickinson
county great benefit by holding a Grand
Cost Sale in our Dry Goods Department.
By a cost sale we mean a bare per cent.
added to wholesale cost to cover transparta-
ton charges. We will reserve nothing in our
grand Stock. We have far too many heavy
goods to carry until next season and this is
our reason for this grand cut Nothing re-
served.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
THURSDAY, JAN. l, 1891.
The REFLECTOR extends to its read

The REFLECTOR extends to its read
ers the best wishes for a Happy New
Year and hopes that 1891 may bring
nothing but prosperity to any of its
constituency. As a starter on the year
it will be noticed that this issue con-
tains several news beats on our es-
teemed contemporaries, a proceeding
which We propose to keep up in the
future as in the past. The REFLECTOR
claims to publish more news than any
paper in central Kansas-and does it.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

The Topeka Lance says that Lord
Scully, the Parnell man who was de-
Tested in Kilkenny the other day, is
the alien owner of land in Kansas over
whom so much fuss has been made.
His possessions amount to $1,000 acres.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
Strikers Likely to Suffer.

New YORK, Dec. 3O.-At the meeting
Of the Central Labor Federation a dis
patch was received from Patrick Nc
Bride, representative of the miners on
a strike in Alabama, stating that before
the end of the year the miners would
be suffering from hunger. A commit
tee was appointed to collect funds for
their relief and another committee was
appointed TO prepare plan for raising
e great strike fund IN aid of the mi1srS..
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
Wilder's 0mniscienne

The state press is fulsomely parad-
ing the fact that D. w. Wilder at a
recent collegiate Oratorical contest
marked the speakers so and 60 per
cent while the other judges marked be-
tween so and 100; and some of the ed
itOrs are tumbling over one another to
bow in sublime admiration to this one
of the Kansas te-grasshOpper jOsses.
As a matter of fact Wilder did it
to advertise himself and has been blow
ing abOu. it ever since. No one sup
poses for a moment that the other
judges meant that the speakers were
within few points of perfection, or
that Wilder knows more than his con-
freres. Per cent marks are but for
comparison and the higher figures are
generally accepted for the purpose.
Wilder wanted to exhibit his fancied
supreme omniseience- instead he
showed his itching for notoriety.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

The reports of the railway postal
clerks that Kansas people have sent
east more Christmas presents than any
season in fifteen years is one of the
best indications of a substantial pros
perity. Kansas prides itself upon be-
ing new" and somewhat frontier-like
but it is nevertheless fast becoming an
"old" state with settled and prosper
Gus population.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

1t appears that the constitutional
amendment authorizing fve-sixths of
= jury to render verdict in all civil
cases has been adopted in Minnesota.
The practical working of this idea,
says the Globe Democrat, will be
watched with general interest; and in
the event Of its reasonable success, it
will soon be adopted in other states.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

Iceland three columns and the rest
of foreign lands six inches, is about
how the news is dished mp to the long
suffering readers Of American news
papers in the present stage of the Kill
kenny cat fight.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

With the alliance house of represen-
tatives cutting down salaries at one
end and the republican senate saving
them of ut the other there will be lit
tie fun in running for Office in Kansas
hereafter
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

Ex- President Cleveland has made a
conditional promise to lecture before
the Albany, Ga Chautauqua this wiR-
ter. The promise is probably condi-
tional on the brilliant and resourceful
gentleman's ability to get enough out
Of the encyclopedias within given
time to make a lecture of sufficient
ionrfb
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
a SAD CHRISTMAS.
The Wreck of a ship and Crew sad News
For Four Households.

The Wreck of ship and Crew sad News
For Four Households.
LAUREL, Del, Dec. 30.-Ten days ago
Captain Henry Whetley, with a crew
consisting of his son and three sailors,
left Salisbury, a point ten miles below
here, on the faSt-sailing schooner Mary
Ellen, laden with lumber for Baltimore.
1t was the intention of the sailors to re-
turn and spend the holidays with their
families. but they now occupy wRtery
graves while their families, instead OF
the greeting of merry Christmas from
beloved fathers and husbands, are
drsped in morning and four homes are
deprived Of maintenance and twelve.
little children are fatherlesS. While
fears for the safety of the crew
have been entertained for
week past, not until yester-
day was positive evidence Of their fate
received The schooner was found hoab-
ing bottom upward, and the hats and
coats belonging to the unfortunates
were picked up. Captain White, the
owner of the vessel, is unable to give
any account of the disaster or the cir
cumstances attending it. His version
of the affair is that the boat was cut In.
two by some unknown steamer. This
is the second boat Captain White has
lost this year. A few months ago tho
steamer Dart, laden with bricks, went
down at the mouth Of York river. II
will be remembered that her crew, con-
sisting of five men, abandoned the sink
ing craft and reached the light house,
when the fury of the wind and water
overturned their lifebOat and the whole
crew were beaten to death against the
iron railing around the light house In
the presence Of the helpless keeper.
PINCKNEYvILE, ILL.,, Dec. 30.-Karl
Roth. a young German citizen Of this
place. was found frozen stiff at $3.50 yes
terday morning. laying beside the side
walk. The last seen of him was about
IL o'clock at night, when he was on his
way home. He was intoxicated, and Il
is supposed he fell from the sidewalk and
was unable to get up. The street upon
which he lives is not much Travelled, and
it is probable that no one passed atte1
he fell. He died within ten feet OF
house.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

The Dickinson county high school
has had during the fall term an atten-
dance Of $50, an increase of SO per cent
over last year.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

A Reno county man paid out $50
for trees which he planted sixteen
years ago. Today they are worth
SlO O0O
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

"SOckless" Jerry Simpsons senator
ial boom is growing.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

Abilene's mineral spring water will
he the finest used for public waterwOrks
in the west.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

A wholesale famine is said to be
raging in SOudan.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

By the uaJ, w@at has become of Mr.
O'5heR?-l Clay Center Times.
Gone 10 join Mr.. Lease.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

II makes a good deal of difference
whether political enthusiasm costs so
cents head or is free.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01

The Hessian fly will not do any more
damage to this seasons wheatfelds.
The morning call., 1891-08-18
COMPROMISES.

THE CALL referred to the compromise be-
tween the Native Sons and the managers OF
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in
respect to the price to be paid for passage
TO and from Santa Cruz on the occasion of
the celebration. We expressed the belief
that the adjustment OF the difficulty would
prove advantageous 10 the public. we also
referred 10 the adjustment of freights upon
California green fruits. and expressed the
hope that the railroad company would make
a schedule of reduced rates, which would
promote their own interests as well as those of
producers. The fruit products OF California
are becoming so large that even small diff
ference in the price If carriage means pros
Dsrity or adversely. THE CALL expressed
the hope, in view of the losses which have
been incurred by shippers the present sea-
son, that new schedule would be drawn
up which would foster an industry of vast
importance TO the State. In connection
with the subject of compromises THE CALL
may be excused for referring to the diff
Guilty which has now existed between the
workingmen and the managers of the
foundrirs of this city for upward of year.
We all realize that the difficulty has been an
injury not only to the foundries and the
workingme but to the inhabitants of the
city and State, for whatever depresses one
interest, and particularly great one reacts
upon the business of all The public would
therefore be pleased to see an effort made
to settle the trouble in such way as to be
mutually satisfactory. 1t is surely for the
interests of all that our manufacturing in
dustries should be successful and that pros-
perity should follow every pursuit. VIZ
then, should not an effort be made in gooo
faith TO adjust the foundry troubles? 1t
would be The part Of wisdom, so it seems to
us, for the parties concerned to try and make
N cntflnunnnt
The morning call., 1891-08-18
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

The Democrats are busily casting about
for new Presidential candidates. The lat
est aSpirants prominently spoken of are
Whitney OF New York and Pattison of
Pennsylvania. Campbell of Ohio will not
be much considered until he can show Nc
kinley's scalp at his belt. Ii he bestS the
man who gave the present tariff its name
he will take place in the front rank Of
asprants. While the chances are still in
favor of Cleveland as the nominee, he has
relatively lost ground within year. Demo-
Gratis are doubtful OF success under his lead
ership. II he should he nominated an eff
fort will be made to carry three or four
Northwestern States for the Alliance and
thus throw the election into the House.
The greatest danger to Republican success
lies in the fact that a coalition between
Democrats and the Peoples party in States
in which that party has the most strength
may prevent choice by the people. Patti
son Of Pennsylvania is a Reform Demo
crat of the Cleveland type. He has won his
political battles on a non-partiSan basis.
While always claiming to be Democrat,
his personal record has secured him many
Republican votes in local contests. In a
Presidential campaign he could not hope to
carry his own State, and it is doubtful if his
local record would give much strength to
the national ticket in other States
Among the Republicans there is not much
talk OF looking for leader out of the pres
sent administration. Harrison and Blaine
are both identified with the measure upon
which the next campaign will be made and
the nomination of either would be, in the
event of election, the continuation of the
policy Of the administration. IL Mr.. Blaine
should withdraw, or clearly announce that
he would not accept the nomination if of
fered him, the Republicans who fancy that
Harrison has not treated them with the con-
sideration to which they are entitled would
ind some other aspiraut than Blaine to OPP
pose to Harrison. 1t might be Reed of
Maine, Mckinley Of Ohio or Depew of New
York. The general summing up in regard
TO Mr.. Blaine is that he will be in the hands
of the people. He certainly will not seek
the nomination. Having once been nomi-
mated and been beaten he can only desire q
second nomination if it comes to him on
the spontaneous desire of the party. If
his health Is as nearly restored as now
seems probable he viii doubtless wait the
voice of the people. The admission among
Republicans is quite general that success
next year depends upon the effect which
the two nominations will have upon the new
Peoples party. The Republicans must
nominate ticket and adopt a platform that
viii cal! back a large proportion of the Re-
publ!cans who wandered off la st year. The
Democrats are more independent OF the
third party since its success in two OF three
States would assure the election of the
Democratic candidate by the House.
The morning call., 1891-08-18

ment imagine that the recent Russo-Frank-
ish connubiation at ST. Petersburg concealed
a purpose to break the peace of the world,
the ukase would be easily understood. 1t is
an elementary principle OF war that the
food supply Of the enemy should if possible
be cut off. If war should break out be-
tween France and Russia on one side and
Germany on the other the latter would find
itself Inconvenience by the stoppage of its
usual supply Of rye from Russia. 1t would
be compelled to increase its consumption of
wheat, which, under its present tariff,
would add considerably to the cost of the
war. The state of the Bourse at Berlin
indicates that this Interpretation of the
ukase has not escaped the attention of the
German bankers; but their apprehensons
do not seem to be shared by the Exchange
at London or the Bourse at Paris.
The situation Is much mixed. From the
mass OF eanards and exagserati0ns which
are appearing in the papers about the Con-
dition of the German Emperor it is possible
to disentangle the fact that he is a sick
man and in no condition to conduct a con-
tinental campaign. 1t seems ungenerouS to
take advantage of one so afflicted. But ma
lions are not guided in their foreign policy
by sentimental considerations. If France
thinks the hour appropriate for an attempt
TO recover Alsace and Lorraine she will be
rather encouraged to do so than deferred by
news of the Emperor's ill-health. Nearest
TO the heart of every public man in Europe
must be the wish that the time could come
for general disbandment of the armies
which are eating the subsistence of the
producing classes. There is but one obstacle
in the way of that consummation. and that
is the retention of TWO French provinces by
Germany. If Alsaee and Lorraine were re-
stored 10 the French flag France. Germany,
Italy, Austria and Russia might cut down
their armies to the cadre of mere police
force, many millions would be saved in tax
alton, peace would be assured by the alb
sorption of fighting material in the mass of
the people. and the whole force Of the Eu-
ropean peoples might be directed to works
of production and civilization. 1t is pos
sible that this idea may have been present
in the Cars mind when he issued his ukase
prohibiting the export Of rye.
The morning call., 1891-08-18

istence before the 1st of July, 1899. the
United States supplied Cuba with about
one-half the flour it consumed. At that date
Spanish flour was made free aud the duty
on American -four increased 30 per cent.
Against 255, $50 barrels of flour sold in Cuba
in 1890 we sent in the first half oflS91 only
40,764 barrels. The difference between the
cost of Spanish -four admitted free and
American flour under the increased duty
was So 62la. Under recipro city the duty on
barrel OF flour of 1856 pounds is about 81.
If we could export 90, 800 barrels previous
TO July ], 1890, with difference in the way
of duty between American flour and Span
ish flour of s. 6215, is it not reasonable to
suppose that with the difference reduced to
81 American -four will very nearly supply
the market? 1t is probable also that the re-
duction of the cost of American -four by
81 90 a barrel will increase the consump-
ton. Flour is the American product upon
which the heaviest duty is retained. There
is long free list and long list of reduc-
lions of % 20 80 per cent.
The morning call., 1891-08-18
THE JURY SYSTEM.


Mr. Charls a. Thatcher, writing to the
North Americon Reuielc, says: Chance
stands at the head Of the jury system, and
Ignorance follows in the footsteps Of chance,
since the man who has formed opinions on
the topics of the day is liable to challenge"
In the same sense in which chance stands at
the head of the jury system it stands at the
head OF human existence. 1t is not by de-
sign that MI. Thatcher himself is man in
stead OF woman, Il white man instead of a
negro, Chinamaa or an Indian. 1t is not
by design that one child is born of rich and
healthtul parents while another nherits
poverty and ill-heaith. 1t is not by design
that one child Is born in community which
educateS all its citizens while another is
born to ignorance. The chance in the jury
system consists in the fact that a jury is
drawn by lot from number of persons who
possess the qualifications required by law.
a few days ago, when there was an appar-
ent purpose to substitute design for chance
in selecting a Grand Jury, the protest
against the change was prompt aud positive.
The law establishes the standard OF Qualifi-
cations and lets chance select the individ-
ualS, subject TO examination as to personal
bias in each particular case. The objection
that man who has formed opinions on the
topics OF the day Is liable to challenge is an
unfair arraignment OF the right afforded
both parties TO a case to exclude from the
jury persons who have either personal pref
udices or opinions which would prevent a
verdict warranted by the law and the evil
dence. For example, man who has con-
seientous scruples against capital punish
ment would be excused from trying a muir
der case. The aim of the law is to secure
jury whose conclusion will not be warped
either by personal feeling or by conviction
that would not yield to new presentation
of facts. Jury trials have not always pro
duced satisfactory results. Neither have
the decisions of judges In cases submitted
to judicial determination. The bench has
as often come under suspicion of being
swayed by improper influences as have
JurieS. The change Mr.. Thatcher proposes
is permanent tribunal composed of three
or five Judges. With all due respect to the
honest and independent men on the bench,
the profe sion from which Judges are Sc
lected have mighty task to perform before
the people will place the determination of
both the law and the facts in a case in their
hands As rule, neither Judges nor
lawyers have shown that devotion to Justice
and that disregard of other influences which
might justify writer in assuming that a
trial by Judges would produce better re-
suits than a trial by jury.
The morning call., 1891-08-18
PARIS AND NEW YORK.

The New York Times discusses Paris
and New York aud the results of govern
ment in the two cities without instituting a
close comparison between them. In respect
to street payements and the lighting of
streets the American metropolis bears no
comparison with the French. But in re-
speet 10 water supply and the management
OF household waste aud sewage the advan-
tage is clearly with New York The Times
is not much impressed with the revolution of
the city under Baron Haussmann. 1t SAYS:
THAT was the work of despot and was
done with the recklessness of despotism"
1t fastened upon the city debt of $500. OOo.-
COO. which requires annually $40, 100000 of
the city'S revenue in the way of interest.
The debt divided among families amounts
to from $500 to $500 each. The annual tax
is about S25 per head. The revenue is
derived largely from duties levied or neces-
saries of life brought within the city. As
these duties must be paid by the consumer
their effect has been TO make Paris an ex-
pensive city to live in. The feature in the
government of Paris which the Times most
admires is its civil service I'm Paris" saws
the Times, I" the city service is a career on
which men enter with fair assurance of
continuous employment and promotion
according to merit. Hence their experience
remains at the service Of the city. The talent
matured by it is not bought up by outside
corporations as soon as it is made clear that
itexists." If talent in the service of the city
is not bought up by outside corporations it
is because the city does not mature talent
outside corporations want. The pay is less
than one-haIf Of what similar service COM
mands in this country, and there probably
Is not man in the service of the city who
would not better his condition if the oppor-
tunlty should offer. The trouble is that
life tenure of Office does not develop talent.
Men acquire the details of their especial
Ilne OF work and grow old in harness. They
nave no Individuality and might almost as
well be numbered as named.
The morning call., 1891-08-18
Is 1T A WAR nIEAsUREq

Political economy is still an occult science
in Russia, and the recent ukase prohibiting
the export of rye awakens the less surprise.
II there were any prospect Of famine on the
Muscovite Empire it might be explained in
the theory that the Government wanted to
keep Its cereal product for home consump-
ton. But though the Russian harvest
promises to be below an average it is not SO
far below as to justify aDprehensions of a
serious food scarcity. The chances are that
the step was dictated by other considera-
tions.
Russia produces, one year with another,
about 700.o00,000 bushels of rye. as against
$50, 100000 bushels of wheat and 10O, 900, COO
of barley. This is exclusive of Poland and
Finland. Rye bread is the normal food of
the Russian peasantry, the working class
and the soldiery. But the crop is so large
that Russia Is able to spare a considerable
amount Of rye each year TO Germany and
to Danubian countries in which the peo
pie export their wheat and eat the cheaper
grain. Germany produces an average of
100000 metric tons of rye, say 200, coo, 600
bushels. and imports about 81, 900, 900 bushels
besides, chiefly from Russia. The effect of the
recent ukase will thus be to cut off the Rus
sian farmer from the foreign market, which
will make it more difficult than ever for him
to pay his taxes, and to deprive the German
lower classes of one-sixth of their usual
food supply. The question is what does
Russia expect to gain by that?
From the financial standpoint the ukase
appears to be calculated to do mischief all
round. The Russian peasantry live from
hand to mouth; the money which they get
for their surplus rye is quite an object with
them. And, on the other hand. the advance
in rye in the German markets, which is
spreading by contagion 10 other food mar
kets, is certainly calculated to aggravate
the discomfort now prevailing among the
working class. There is no surer way to
provoke European people to insurTection
than to raise the price and reduce the SUP
ply of bread
As war measure, If we can for mo-