davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
THE INTERSTATE BRIDGE.

The arbitrary action OF the Union Pa
cific in repudiating its contracts with
the Rock Island and Milwaukee roads
has awakened Omaha and Nebraska to
the absolute necessity OF bridge that
shall bc owned by a company whose in
terests are identified with the growth
and prosperity of the city, and will be q
guarantee that the bridge shall be ac.
cessible on equal and reasonable terms
to all railroads that are willing to make
use OF 1T.
THE BEE has insisted on the incor-
poraton OF these conditions In the bridge
charter, and demanded that no charter
be granted which does not contain them.
We are pleased to note that the amended
charter, which we are informed is salts
factory to the Interstate bridge com
pany, embodies these provisions. To the
amended bill The BEE can and does
give its hearty support.
Among several provisions OF particular
interest to Omaha the following is ex-
plicit and fully covers the demand OF our
citizens: "All railroads reaching the
Missouri river near said point shall have
unobstructed approach to and passage
over said bridge for engines. cars and
trains at reasonable charges"
Another excellent section OF the ch ar
ter provides that ''in case the owner or
owners OF said bridge and the several
railroad companies, or any one OF them
desiring its use, shall fail to agree upon
the sum or sums to be paid and upon
rules and conditions to which each shall
conform In using said bridge, all mat.
ters at issue between them shall be de-
cided by the secretary of war;"
This precludes the possibility Of dis
elimination for or against any road OF
roads and provides tribunal for sum
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
GEORGE BANCROFT.

George Bancroft, one OF the most dis
tinguished Americans of this century, is
dead.
The life OF this venerable man had
been coeval with the development of the
United States in the period succeeding
the establishment of the union under the
constitution. He was born under the
presidency of John Adams. He was
about to enter Harvard university when
the war of 1912 broke out. He was
already prominent in public affairs
when the second Adams became presi-
dent. He published the first volume of
monumental work while Andrew Jack
son was in the white house. He served
as secretary of the navy in the cabinet
OF Polk. He was minister to Great
Britain in 1916, and was successively ac-
credited to Prussia, the North German
confederation and the German empire in
1867, 1868 and 1871. He pronounced the
euogy upon Abraham Lincoln before
congress in 1866 He has been the spec
tator at close range of every national
event that has occurred since the close
of his active public life.
Thus George Bancroft, for nearly the
whole Of his great age of 81 years, was
personally acquainted with every i'm
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

portant public man, every historic
event, every national epoch. He could
say OF almost the whole Of the present
century, "All- Of which l saw and a part
Of which WIS"
But the great service OF this remark
able man was not rendered as n states
man or diplomat, though he won laurels
In both OF these exalted fields He will
be rememberetf as the historian of the
United States above and beyond all COM
parison, as Macauley was the historian
OF England and Gibbon of Rome This
was the chief work Of his life, and it is
his true title toiame. No man ever APP
preached the great undertaking with
better preparation or carried it out with
better opportunities. The splendid edu-
cation which he had gained at Harvard
he polished by a subsequent course at
Gottingen, in Germany. He had access
to the best materials for his history that
existed in the new world and the old.
He was personally acquainted with the
localities and many Of the survivors Of
the events he described. He enjoyed
the confidence of every person and asso-
citation possessing any of the records or
relics OF the past Thus equipped and
surrounded, he produced a work that is
the brightest ornament of our historical
literature and that ranks with the best
works of the world.
Mr. Bancroft lived far beyond the al
lotted age of man and passed away while
in the enjoyment of all the comforts and
satisfaction that wealth, friends and
fame can bestow. Like Emerson, ''he
died first at the top" but his marvellous
mind lived in full vigor until less than q
year ago. His name will endure as long
as his work, which is immortal.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
SOUNDING THE SILVER POOL.

After many weeks of delay commit.
tee of the lower house of congress has
begun TO sound the depths of the silver
pool in which it is alleged that congress S
men we're interested.
The first days testimony brought out
little of real Importance. The future
developments will be watched with in
terest. All that the public knows is that
the men who were heavily interested in
creating an inexhaustible market at a
fixed price for the products of their
mines sent large lobby to Washington
to help the bill through. A few weeks
ago there was the gravest doubt
about it's chances in the house.
1t is claimed now that the
tide has turned. II it has
certain men and interests will profit
largely as a result. Members of con-
gress who knew the fate of the measure
had chance to speculate advantage
ously on the strength of their informa-
ton, and it is claimed that the expect
ant billionaires helped them to do so.
A few newspapers and members boldly
claim that it is perfectly proper for a
congressman to buy silver if he wants
to. The people do not think so. They
want grave public question like this
settled by men who have no speculative
interests involved in the result. And
they want to know now just how far this
interest influenced them in their votes.
Congress can turn the present
investigation into success or
farce, as it chooses. If 1t Ii
an honest Investigation its find
ings will be cheerfully accepted, and the
more so if they are creditable to the
country. II it is merely a process o
whitewashing it will neither remove the
suspicion that exists, or silence the de
mand for knowledge of all the facts.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE phenomenal mildness of the
weather this season gives force to the
belief that the climatic conditions of the
west and northwest are undergoing a
radical change. II is needless to seek
causes or discuss theories. 1t is enough
to know that the people OF the trans
Missouri region have been especially
favored. Had the, winter been one of
average severity the distress resulting
from partial failure of crops would
have been intensified and the conse-
quences littleg short of calami-
tous. These are strong reasons
for congratulation and thankful
ness. Our good fortune is rendered
more conspicuous bv contrast with less
favored regions. The north Atlantic
states have been ravaged by a succession
OF billiards., in many places the mercury
registering 400 below zero, and great
damage inflicted on business. The win
ter in Europe is record breaker. The
Oldest inhabitant cannot recall its equal,
for no winter since 1913 can approach it
in severity and extent. From London
TO Vienna and from st. Petersburg tc
Marseilles, empires are in the clutch oi
the north king, rivers are frozen, traffic
suspended, incalculable damage inflicted
on trade, and the miseries OF the poor in
tensified. What little distress exists in
this region OF the footstool is insignifi'
cant compared with the acute suffering
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
STATE PRESS COMMENT.

Tekamah Burtonean: THE OMAHA BEE in
creased its circulation over six thousand last
week.
Grand Island Independent: Nebraska can
boast of one "defacto governor one "de-
functo governor and Quartette of expecto
governors.
Kearncy HUB Speaker Elder continues to
show the right kind Of mettle. While not up
in parliamentary usage he has honesty and
good sense, and is not IN the least disposed to
put his foot in any mess before knowing that
he is right. The Hub repeats that Speaker
Elder is all right.
Hastings Nebraskan: OF all the CORE.
spondents on the Pine Ridge battle ground
the one representing The OMAHA BEE is head
and shoulders above the rest. His pen pic
lures of the situation show the masters
hand. He is certainly the Archibald Forbes
of the western war correspondents, and THE
BEES enterprise in securing man Of his ca
pacity for this work cannot be too highly
recommended.
Seward Reporter: Hon. William Leese
has closed his six years Of service as attorney
general, in which he has done very much that
is entitled to credit. Nebraska never had q
luOiS ldtIi VI VI SuCI ScblO pupliO SSiNaiiV' -
his long term of official life Mr.. Leese has
made many warm friends, and necessarily
many enemies also. But his worst enemy
cannot point to an official act that was not
inspired by an earnest desire to do what was
right. His work may be criticised but the
people of the state, irrespective Of party
unite in pronouncing him an honest man.
Beatrice Democrat; AS might have beer
expected, the passing Of the Union Pacific
railroad into the hands of Jay Gould has inn
, pressed the people of Nebraska with the
necessity of Immediately foreclosing the gov
ernment mortgage upon that concern. The
Nebraska legislature is considering a con.
current resolution asking the delegation in
congress from this state to take immediate
steps to have this foreclosure pushed and oui
congressional delegation can in no way better
serve their constituency than by having that
road sold and operated upon its actual valu
alton,
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
-@-@-7~@-l@@-7
CAUCUS OR CONSPIRACY.

The right OF the independents who
constitute majority of our legislature
to follow in the footsteps of the old parties
in enforcing discipline among members
cannot be called in question. 1t is true
they have often and bitterly denounced
and opposed the party caucus, but 1t is
their privilege to change front and be-
come ardent supporters Of methods which
they and the people who elected them
have heretofore condemned. IT. was q
matter of military necessity when they
organized the legislature, to hold their
members together by caucus rule. 1t
may be necessary and will be eminently
proper for them to invoke the power OF
the caucus in the future whenever they
want to harmonize upon measures which
they deem essential to the welfare and
prosperity of the state, or to the politi-
cal advancement of their party.
But there is broad line to be drawn
between political actions and the dis
charge OF judicial duties. A party eau
Gus may pledge members to support cer-
tain candidates and they may pledge
members to oppose or support certain
measures. But King Caucus has no
right to swing a club over any mans
conscience. A caucus that would seek
to bind members of a legislative body to
expel any member or convict any officer
on trial before it when sitting as court
of impeachment would be a conspi 'acy
And the same is true of any attempt to
pledge or bind members to unseat any
state officer whose election is contested,
Such a thing as o caucus forestalling
the verdict of the United States senate
or the house of representatives on the
admission or unseating of any member OF
| either body has never been heard Of.
| The republican party as body was bit
terly opposed to Andrew johnson but no
caucus ever dared to dictate to repub-
| lican senators how they should vote on
the articles of impeachment preferred
against him.
1t is highly creditable to the indie.
pendents of the legislature that they re-
sent the attempt of interested outsiders,
who intend to tilch thousands of dollars
out of the state treasury for lawyers
fees, to pledge them in advance through
the caucus as to how they are to vote in
the pending contest cases regardless OF
| the evidence or the law.
The highest prerogative OF the law
maker is his right to vote according tc
his honest convictions. Around each
member the constitution has placed the
most ample safeguards. The lawmakel
is free to say what he thinks about any
man or measure and cannot be made ac
countable in any court for his utter
ances. He is exempt from all civil pro
cess and all criminal prosecution except
for treason, felony or breach OF the
peace. not only during the session but II
days thereafter.
No self-respecting member will sur
render his prerogatives and obey the
behest of any caucus on questions tha
are to be determined by him when he Il
called upon to act both as a Judge ant
juror, nor can he do so without violating
the obligations of his official oath.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
Of the people in other sections Of the

IF the action OF tho British govern
ment in approving the appeal of the su.
preme court of the Canadian minister OF
justice for writ Of prohibition in the
case OF the decree OF forfeiture against
the vessel seized three years ago In
Behring sea was derogatory to tho dig
nifty of the government and people OF the
United States, congress should promptly
express its judgment to that effect. Res
olutions have been presented in both
the senate and house declaring that tho
action of the imperial government of
Great Britain is not in consonauce with
the dignity Of the government and
people of the United States and the re-
spect that is due to the president of the
United States, and il there is good
ground for this view there ought to be
no hesitation in giving it the strongest
possible proclamation. The proceeding
it is generally admitted, is without pre-
cedcnt; but, on the other hand, it has
the appearance of very important con-
cession which this government could
hardly reject without having the most
conclusive reasons for doing 80. Doubt
less the judicious course is to allow the
matter to rest where it is, subject to the
decision OF the supreme court regarding
its jurisdiction. Denunciation OF the
action, in the event that the court as
sumes jurisdiction, would not be alto
gether creditable to congress or the
country
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE proposition to increase the dis
trict judges to thirty, instead of twenty,
should be carefully considered in all its
bearings. 1t would add S25, ZOO to the
expense account of the state, but it would
furnish relief to suitors that is undoubt-
edly demanded. Nebraska courts are
crowded with business, and the people
refused to increase the number of su.
preme judges at the last election. The
present measure deserves to be we'll de-
bated, however, before it is accepted.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

mary settlement Of disputes without the
tedious delays Of legal litigation which
are so annoying and damaging to public
interests With these provisions In
serted we sincerely hope that the Ne
braska delegation will take prompt,
united and active measures TO secure the
granting Of the charter at once.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

COINCIDENT with the encouraging
news from France that there is promise
OF an early modification or removal of
the restrictions upon the importation of
American meats into that country comes
the statement that the pork packers of
Canada are demanding an increase of
duties ON pork products from the United
States, The packers of Canada claim
that under the existing tariff rates there
they have no protection whatever from
the competition of the American
packers, and that as conse-
quence the latter practically control
the Canadian market They will
therefore bring all possible pressure to
bear at the coming session of parliament
for higher rate Of duty on all pork,
and there will also be an effort made to
put some restrictions upon the competi-
tion In mess beef, which is largely in
favor Of American shippers. In view OF
the strong sentiment in Canada in favor
OF a policy Of tariff retaliation, it would
not be at all surprising il the packers
succeeded in obtaining the protection
they want, with the result OF materially
reducing our Canadian beef and pork
trade.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE old guard is gradually resuming
control of the operating departments Of
the Union Pacific. There is an element
OF retributive justice in the change.
Many of those called back to their old
positions were dismissed under former
managements merely to make room for
favorites. Their return is a tribute TO
their ability and faithful service.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

IT is a wise political party that cheer
fully bows to conditions as they are, and
actively works to fulfill the pledges
made to the people. Any party which
attempts to override law and the popu-
lar will is doomed to early death.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

IT is a grievous waste of energy for
Omaha to send missionaries to China
while the state capital affords such a
vast uncultivated field for human en-
deayOr
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

SIDNEY DILLON is at Washington,
working for the extension OF tire Union
Pacific debt. There is some probability
that Mr.. Dillon will find that he has
fallen upon evil times.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
Our HonOr Safe.

IJtWUtT IttpUDtttIF0.
Confidence in Secretary Blaine's ability to
cope with British diplomacy appears to be
unlimited Even Blaine's democratic enemies
concede that he can be trusted to maintain
the honor of this republic.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
Church and State.

Boston Globe.
Emma Abbott bequeathed $1,000 apiece to
eight different churches. This should help
towards building bridge across the bloody
chasm that separates church and stage.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE honors and attentions paid to ex-
Lieutenant Governor Meiklejohn are the
more gratifying because they evidence
public regard for the official who fear
lessly upholds the law and faithfully de-
tends the will Of the people legally ex-
a,rancnd
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE fact that every corporation in the
railroad syndicate carries a keen-edged
toothpicll in its sleeve foreshadows a
spirited cutting match before the pool
becomes thing of life.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE legislature should not forget that
IT is an expensive luxury at $1,000 day,
and that it would be becoming to give
the people something for the money.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE prohibitionists have decided to
publish daily newspaper in Boston. 1t
is to be feared that even free coinage
will hot increase the currency fast enough
to meet their demands.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE news Of Ex-Governor Thayer's
serious illness will be learned with re-
gret by all the people OF the state, with
out distinction of party.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE hatchet is buried on the frontier.
1t is to be hoped that it will never be
dug W again this side of the happy
hunting grounds.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

MINNESOTA claims the biggest land
slide of recent years. If it is bigger than
the landslide OF a certain cold day last
November we don't want to see it.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

FARwELL, 10th to say farewell, is said
to have an optic on the Chicago mayor
nlty, a place tor which the supply al
ready exceeds the demand
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
Goes by Tllrees.

Washington Post.
Nebraska gains three congressman under
the new census. Everything seems to be
running in threes out that way.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE United States senate worked
80 hours Saturday. Even the heathen
Chinese will take off his hat to that per-
formance
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19
Wyoming.

wyoming.
Only one failure In Evanston last year
The German Luthcrans of Laramie have
dedicated new church.
The Sweotwater mining company has con,
tracted for lumber to complete its bed rock
fiume
A public test has been made of Shoshone
basin oil at Lander. Raw petroleum burned
readily in an ordinary lamp.
The Wyoming Baptist Quarterly is new
pu ALLEGATION issued at Buffalo. Rev. W. j.
McColom ID. d., is the editor.
Paxton Il Arnold are taking out excellent
coal from their mine eight miles from Evans
ton, but the Union Pacific won't furnish
them cars.
The Evanston Knights of Labor held
meeting and made "a request that men in the
Union Pacific shops receive their back pay.
Last pay dag only 40 per cent of the wages
due was paid.
thirty men employed by the Union Pacific
are gathering q nice quality Of thrty-two-
inch ice from Bear river at Evanston. They
have filled the cOmpany'S houses there and
are now sending ice to Ogden for storage.
The Sbawne coal mines, owned and at ono
time operated by the Chicago a. Northwest
ern railway company about twenty miles
east Of Douglas, are to be again reopened
and extensively operated by that company.
Two Newcastle men named Mouck and
Campen went driving. The horse was balky
and backed over the edge Of a thirty-foot
bank The animal was killed, buggy smashed,
Mr.. Mouck broke leg and MIR. Campen had
three ribs broken.
Laramie is trying to get up stock COM
pany to build telephone line to North Park
and Gold Hill, a distance of 100 miles. The
line would cost about 81, ,00O The ranchmen
along the proposed line are expected to con-
tribute toward the project.
The Bessemer oil well is down 1900 feet,
500 of which is cased. The lower part has
begun to cave and work has been stopped 1t
will take good deal of money to put the we'll
in shape again, and it is dou btful if the COM
pany win feel equal to the emergency.
Colorado.
The San Luis bank at Antonito has discon.
tinued business.
The state bank Of Monte Vista has In
creased its capital stock from $50, 900 to
| $4,000.
| Trinidad is boring for oil and gas. A glass
factory and woolen mill are among the possi-
| bilities
A rabbit hunt about La Jara resulted in
slaughtering $50 of the animals. Fred Shaw
To-,
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

Harper's Bazar; cousin Ethel, want
you to be my wife" 'Family history es-
tablishes quite another precedent, Henry;
my mother was a sister to your father. L
think we'll follow the precedent
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

Epoch Taxpayer (shivering)-I can't af-
ford to buy sufficient underclothing at Nc
Kinley prices and I'm all in chill.
Great Statesmen-Got chill, ehl Well,
ther's no duty on quinine
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

Milwaukee Sentinel: "Look out" howled
the impatient victim in the barber's chair
"Do YOU think you're carving in woodl"
''No, sir; more like etching on brass.''
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

DIR. KOCH confesses that he smoothed
his way to fame with glycerine.
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

Good News Scientific Guest-'What do
you think of Prof. Kochs great discovery
for the cure of consumption ~ Hostess (who
is not much of a newspaper reader) well
u tell We tn truth, l hain't much faith in
any o. these ere patent medicines
Omaha daily bee., 1891-01-19

THE plumbing superintendent has the
floor.