davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
TEXAS AMENDS HER CONSTITUTION.

The amendments to the constitution of
Texas, recently adopted, are eminently
practical and sensible, and reflect cred
it upon the good sense of the legislature
and people of that state.
Tho first OF the amendments requires
that all popular elections in the state
shall be by ballot, and that the legisla-
ture shall provide for the numbering of
tickets and make such other regulations
as may be necessary to prevent and pun
ish election frauds. 1t also authorizes
legislative provision for the registration
of voters in cities with population of
10000 or more.
The second amendment provides for a
permanent school fund, and that no part
of the school fund can be diverted from
its proper purpose.
The third amendment fixes the legal
rate of interest at per cent, and makes
all contracts at higher rate than 10 per
cent usurious.
The fourth requires the legislature to
pass a "local option" law in regard to
the sale Of intoxicating liquors.
The fifth and last deals with the judi
cial system with a view to expeditlng
the dispatch of business before the ap-
pellate courts. The jurisdiction of the
supreme court is henceforth confined to
civil cases, and the court of criminal ap-
peals is to have exclusive appellate juris-
diction of criminal cases throughout the
entire state.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
Padding a Kayak.

When Point Barrow Eskimo is simply
travelling along and does not care to make
any great speed, he uses an ordinary
paddle with one blade, like those used IN
the umiak, but somewhat lighter. As he
has to sit in the very middle of the boat, he
cannot use this as an Indian would, wholly
on one side, driving the boat ahead with
straight strokes and overcoming the ten
dency of the canoe TO go of to one side by
feathering his paddle in the water or by an
outward sweep of the blade.
First he makes three or four strokes. say
on the right side, and then as the boat
begins to sheer off TO the left, he lifts the
paddle out of the water and makes three
or four strokes on the left side till she be
gins to sheer TO theright, and so on. They
do this pretty skillfully, so that the boat
makes a tolerably straight wake" and
goes through the water at a pretty fair
rate, but of course can make no great
speed.
When the time comes for hurry, out Is
drawn from under the deck the double
bladed paddle, such as we are all familiar
with from the writings Of Captain Ross
and Captain Parry, Dr. Kane and all the
explorers who have visited the EskimOs OF
the eastern regions. Ihis Is about SIX feet
long and has at each end a broad, oval
blade, far more serviceable than the mar
row oar blades Of the eastern kayak
paddles. The man grasps this by the
middle and dips each blade alternately,
regulating the force of his strokes so that
the canoe goes straight through the water
without veering to right or left. With the
double paddle the kayak can be made to
fairly fly through the water.-John Muir
doch in Popular Science Monthly.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
OKLAHOMA OUTLINES.

This settles it. That is, the new country.
A German farmer near El Reno has built
81 600 barn.
The Cheyenne and Arapahoe lands will
make five bug counties
Kingfisher needs new depot TO accom-
modate its increase in business.
Hey, you boomer. Don't forget to set
yonr watch right to the minute.
Now, if some fellow had balloon with
the wind from the west next Tuesday.
One of the Dalton boys has been captur-
ed again There must be an awful biz
family of them.
There are no railroads in the new
country. That makes it different from
the other opening.
1t was funny nobody thought of the
twenty second. 1t looks like We all should
have guessed it now.
There is more jam on the Oklahoma
streets than there is on Oklahoma bread
and butter just at present.
1t will be a relief not to hear so much
about intruders. You can intrude all you
want after noon, Tuesday.
Tecumseh is the name of the county seat
of Pottawatomie. Captain Baker OF Sallna
has been appointed postmaster.
One Sac and Fox family turned up last
week that had not been allotted. Inc
agent fixed them up all right, however.
Horses are scarce Just now. But what's
the matter with mules? 1t was Capt Ca
hos mules that made the big run in 's9.
In Oklahoma corn that was planted on
the wheat stubble, after the wheat was
harvested, is now in roasting ears and
looking fine.
1t will not be sufficient for A man to say
he is an Oklahoma boomer after this
People will ask him if he is an eighty-niner
or nlnety-oner.
Last opening was on Monday. This is
on Tuesday 1t would be just like the gov
ernmeut to open the Cheyenne and ArTap-
ahoe country on Wednesday.
Breakfast will be taken in Oklahoma
proper next Tuesday morning, bnt heaven
| only knows if there will be any dinner
eaten at all in that new country.
There is not the skullduggery about this
opening as there was about the last Pres
| ''nut Harrison is one of the cleanest men
who was ever IN the White House.
oklahoma Times-Journal: W. D. Rust
| and T. q. Burns leave this morning with
! two corps OF assistants--in all twelve men
to survey and plat the new townsite IN
| Pottawatomie county, on section 1898.
| They are given six days to do the work,
| and W. r. Asher of Cleayeland county Is
| in charge of it. The Sac and Fox county
seat is being surveyed under the super
| vision of Judge Allison of Guthrie. Sol
| diers are guarding the approaches to the
! townsites and will keep everyone off until
the day and the hour of the opening.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20

A Frenchrnan and German IN plain
gArb happened 20 occupy adjoining seats
under the shadow q one Of the Brooklyn
bridge towers Sunday. The German held
an unlighted pipe 10 bis hand, and ths
Frenchman a cigar that was Dot burning
in his They were glazing fsrcely a. each
other when a Yankee came slowly along,
and stopping near them pulled cigaretis
from a box and then began searching hia
rockets for a match A. he rummaged
frat in one and then another be noticed
thai the two forslgBsrs bad ceased % rs-
gard each ether % iOok - BIN eagerly. a
moment later. IN The last pocket, be found
one match. The look Of Interest on ths
fsees of the German and French ulan Eas
not % be mistaken
The Yankee bowed % sAeh of them. hold-
ing uo the match. Both aross ssd with
bows zad smiles stepped 70 his side. Zach
adjusted hls tobzooo % Eis mouth sad
looked expscfaut While the Yankee liEhts1
tAs match o. his trousers, eaEzht tss
Game between his hands. bowed oEos more.
smiled and sxtsnded the haass midway -
tween the eiz4r ssd TIE pips Tssz zzss
of wind came around = corDsr - tns tower
and sxtinzuished ths mztoh Tie inter
national peaos oeEmiasi0n E4s q fa-larss-
New YORK TTHta-
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
THE PENSION SYSTEM.
From the Globe-Democrat.

From the Globe-Democrat.
The letter of Commissioner Raum to
Congressman Enochs is interesting and
instructive in the way of showing the
magnitude Of the operations of the pen
sion system. On the 1st day of July, it
seems, there were 523,7S7 claimants
prosecuting original cases. and 395, ,669
asking for increase of existing pensions
an aggregate of 929, ,426 pending claims.
These claims are now being adjudicated
at the rate of $4,000 per month. 1t Is
easv to imagine what vast amount Of
work this implies, and how many points
of evidence must be scrutinized In order
to carry out the beneficent purpose of
the law and vet not permit any wrong
to be done. The presumption IS always
in favor of the claimant, OF course, and
the claims as rule are honest
and proper; but it is necessary all
the same to investigate each one in. a
thorough and systematic way. 1t IS not
true. as is sometimes alleged. that favor
iteism is shown in the matter, and that
certificates are issued for other than
legal and appropriate reasons. The fact
is that the officers of the pension bureau
have little or no discretion. They are
late what testimony they shall require
and under what conditions pension
shall or shall not be granted. 1t Is not
in their power to do as they please IA a
given case. They must make certain
inquiries and ascertain certain facts be-
fore the law authorizes them 10 Issue a
certificate.
Where there are so many claims there
must necessarily be a good deal Of delay
and uncertainty; and it Is not TO be
wondered at that claimants frequently
become impatient and permit them
selves TO suspect that discrimina-
ton Is practiced. The commis-
sioner saws that dun z the last
fiscal wear he received 1.170. 666 letters
from claimants and their friends and
attorneys making inquiry as to the con
dition Of their claims; and in the same
time 154.S17 communications were
received from members of congress in
regard TO such claims. Il was not posi-
ble TO hunt up the information desired
in each of these cases and send il 10 the
writer: that would have involved almost
as much labor rs the ordinary business
Of the Office. So these letters pouring n
at the rate Of 3. 600 to 4. .000 per day. were
simply acknowledged and referred 20 the
proper division. That was all that could
be done without interfering with the
ad iustment of claims in such
way as 70 do great injury 70
those concerned IN their rapid
examination. The present policy =
TO give preference 70 those who have not
received pensions over those who are
seeking an increase. and the justice Of
this arrangement viii be readily coaced-
ed. In cases where claimants are IL
such condition physically or financially
a. to render early action desirable y IS
CUSTOMARY 70 expedite Them, st the re
quest Of members Of congress II = rec
essary for the veterans 70 have patience
Tney laAy De sure that eTeEything IS BE-
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20

The whole body Of water Is AZ the sane
time cooled 70 belOw the freezing point.
and the substances AZ TIE bottom-the
stones and gravel CT the river OF lake oed-
serve "a point Of eongelation or Crys-al-
lization for the water.
Ground ice may be the lowest stratum
Of the once completely frozen mass Of Va
ter. retained a. tne bottom By the natural
cohesion 20 the rough substances OF the
river bed during the thaEiug and melting
Of the ice on the surface, or ]. may eTea b
formed under favorable conditions beneath
briskly flowing water, probably By tns
ACTON Of e1dlss. which draws TIE slrfacs
water down tbroEgh t5s warmer Sut
aenser LIQUID. thEs cooling the rocks a. tas
bottom. forming base for IS formation
This remsrEaose SPECIES of ice usually
gathers On 4 clear, cold night. when the
sarfaoe Of the wafer IL nOs froEen--=t
Louis Republic
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
Hono for tn. PubIio servant.

All the present tendencies are in the di-
rection of greater stability in public life.
The man who enters a Washington depart
ment through one of the lowest clerkships,
after passing a competitive examination,
can count upon keeping his place indeti-
nitely if he continues efficient, with tie
prospect of promotion to higher grades
from time to time The man who aspires
to a congressional career. if he once secures
an election 10 the house from a district
controlled by his party, may in most OF the
states expect a series OF reflections as
reward of conspicuous merit, with the
chance of some day changing his seat 70
the senate chamber.
The man who would leave a name as
Judge may reasonably hope that, II be
reaches the bench OF an inferior court, he
will not suddenly be turned adrift after
brief term, but that he will be advanced to
a higher rank as vacancies occur, and so be
able to spend all his active years in the
employment which be would most enjoy.
In short, the republic seems TO be steadily
recovering from its strange delusion that
public life is the one occupation in the
wcrld where experience is Of no value, and
where the best service is TO be secured by
the most frequent changes. p.
Clark in Forum.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
HYDE & Humble Sta Go.
ia North Main.
why psrsllst. rro., Bottom Up.


Nearly every incoming vessel which
reaches this port reports having passed
some derelict tossing about the north At
lantic. The popularity Of the reports Lies
in the fact that nearly every one Of tha
wrecked vessels is reported as floating bot
tom UP. The cause that induces crafs
which is built TO float keel downward. TO
assume the unnatural attitude Of pointing
il to the skies as soon as abandoned. Is a
point on which seafariug people widely
differ.
1t Is easy enough TO comprehend how an
abandoned and helpless vessel. drifting sc
the mercy Of wind and wave. can DO thrown
on her beam ends and even entirely capsized
VIXEN struck broadside on by an Atlantic
wave But why subsequent waves do nos
Eend them back to their normal floating
position appears % be a vexed question.
An old sea captain, who Is too modest 70
have his name mentioned, accounts Tor the
persistency with which derelicts insist on
floating about bottom up with the reason
that the bottom Of vessels are always wa
tertight When suddenly capsizsd. be
thinks that a quantity Of air is caught in
the vessels hold. and being confined In
that space has tendency 70 keep the craft
in an inverted position
An eminent naval constructor. when
questioned on the subject, explained thas
the phenomenon Is caused By the vessel
filing with water, and says that any shift
ing cargo changes the center n gravity of
a vessel and Affects It's stability. Expsri-
ence has proved this true in coliers and
grain laden ships. Free water Is said % bs
worse than either. and It's influences on the
stability Of an abandoned hulk. combined
with excessive rolling In the trough Of tbs
sea, Is often sufficient 20 carry the derslics
beyond the safe angie - keet Once beyond
that point, the constructor says, It will
never return New York TimeA
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20

A wear or so ago banker was the
most unpopular, not to say heartily de-
spised, person known to the agricultural
community, or at least TO that portion Of
it that Chimed in with the calamity
howl. But things have changed and
with them the feelings and sentiments of
many of the people, especially towards
the banker. This is readily explained,
though. in the mere statement of the
fact that very many farmers have be-
come interested in banks. either as stock
holders or depoSitors, their shares or de-
posits representing the profits they have
realized from the generous yields of
their farms and orchards and pastures
and herds. As in the fable, YOU see it
makes all the difference whose OK is
gored, or in this instance, who gets the
plum.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
How VIII Vacations Affect EduoatIon1

do not know that an effect OF summer
migration on the country school is often
observable Exceptional instances exist,
and cases may be numerous. The increas-
ing disposition Of families TO proioug their
stay IN the country beyond the limits OF
the city school vacation suggests that the
time may not be far distant when those
who control the village schools Will adjust
the terms and studies 50 as TO enable chii-
dren from the city 70 continue work during
a portion Of their stay.
The similarity Of courses IN all graded
schools favors this transfer. and by pains
taking fair adjustment might be reached
This would take away from many city fam
lies chief obj-ction 20 prOlOuginE their So
journ, and would result 10 a positive bene-
ft % the inhabitants Lacking sofns such
arrzngenent. the migratory habit must
soon lead 70 the establishment u privats
schools il some districts % Accommodate
empoEary residents. - Edward Hunger
ford n CsatuFy.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
vh.r. Dentistry i. B.b,pah.nd.

The physician Of today fully recognizes
the infinite Importance Of strict antiseptac
methods in surgical practice, and adheres
to rigid rules in cleansing his instruments.
his hands. the parts to be operated upon.
etc A wound made by surgeon careless
In this respect is sure TO be painful; pus al
most invariably forms, healing is tedious,
and many other unfavorable conditions
follow in consequence. Moreover, such an
operation is more than likely at times TO
convey from one patient to another grave
diseases which are generally termed blood
disorders. Every instrument, no matter
whether it is used for cutting or not. after
being employed by one patient is put into
a germ destroying solution, and so rem
dered perfectly safe before it Is used upon
another.
The antiseptic methods applied to sur
gerry are as yet almost wholly confined TO 1t,
whereas in dentistry they are scarcely less
urgently demanded There are very many
affections of the mouth that can be trans
mitted from one patient 20 another by the
means of dental instruments, and some og
them are Of a most loathsome and de-
structive nature. Beyond this these dis
eases often exist without the knowledge OF
the victims, and the signs that they pre-
sent are more than likely TO escape the av-
erage dentist.
Considering all the possible dangers, It
is evident that in the various operations be
is daily called upon to perform be should
take special precautions, and not only
thoroughly clean and render his instru-
ments antiseptic, but also his hands and ali
else used about the mouths OF his patients
There are some dentists who recognize
their duty in this direction and fully
observe it, but very many OF them dis
regard it, either through Ignorance or
neglect. Probably where one carries out
the details as he ought ten others are
content with the most primitive meth
ods of cleanliness, such as merely wiping
the instruments on napkin. The latter
are clearly culpable, and subject their pa
tients TO risks, and without the shadow Of
an excuse, except laziness.-Boston Herald
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
SOME NEGLECTED FARM STATISTICS
From the Chicago News.


If the Farmers Alliance managers
were not so busy fixing the finances OF
this nation, arranging to elect themselves
or their friends to political offices and
otherwise fulfilling the great law under
which mankind attends to those things
that it knows the least about, perhaps
they would not deem impertinent sug-
gestion that they devote their time to
urging the improvement of country
roads.
When the great Mr.. Simpson or the
ineffable Mr. Peffer stands before an au-
dience in public place and rolls under
his tongut statistics relating more or less
remotely to farm mortgages in Kansas
or some othe shrieking commonwealth,
he gives absolutely no figures showing
the average dept of the mud on the
highways. He can tell how far the val
yes of farm lands have fallen within a
certain period, but he is silent in regard
to the distance farmers Wagon sinks
into the earth while hauling a load of
produce to market.
The reason for this discrimination in
subjects is not far to seek. There is no
politics in a bad road.
While the farmer with the mortgage is
abusing the government at Washington
because he is not prosperous, because his
land is not as valuable as he thinks it
should be and because of his lonely and
neglected condition, he should bear in
mind that the wretched road which sepa-
rates him from his market is responsible
for many of his ills. If he and his
neighbors-many of whom probably are
members of the Farmers Alliance and
take a deep interest in free silver coin
age and sub-treasury schemes-were to
turn their thoughts hOmeward and there
construct for themselves good, solid
highways they would raise the value of
their lands more than could be done by
all the acts of congress that Mr.. Simp-
son could suggest in half day.
Prosperity begins at home. If the
farmers waitup it spreads frem Wash
ingtou to their farms they may find
after long delay that it is roosting in the
towns because it fears to wade
through the muddy roads to the
dwellers in the country. That Ameri-
can roads are desperately bad is beyond
dispute They add wretchedness to
country life. That they could be made
good at a cost far below that paid by the
farmer for idiotic road-patching and for
teams worn out by dragging heavy loads
through the mire has been shown fire.
quently by competent engineers. Those
who desire to see full discussion OF this
subject by an authority should read
Isaac 3. Potter's article in the August
number of the Engineering Magazine.
There Mr. PETER and Mr.. Simpson may
obtain plenty of statistics showing how
farm values may be raised without
knocking the bottom out of the nations
/ finances.
If the leaders of the Farmers Alliance
really desire TO improve the condition OF
/ the farmer, why do they shut their eyes
/ 10 plain facts which are before them il
order TO grasp at the moon: Either the
/ leaders are incompetent or else they are
deliberately using the farmers dIscon-
tent merely TO boost themselves into poll
I ffPS
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
WE ARE IN IT.

The old saw, SIT never rains but 1t
pours," seems to be having an object ex-
qualification of more than ordinary clear
ness, both in this country and Europe ar
the present time. The abundant harvest
now about secured, which American
fields have produced this year, IN con-
nection with the increased demand and
consequent advance in price, is more OF
the good thing than the farmers could
have reasonably asked or hoped to
receive. In addition to this display
of generosity at the hands OF
nature, Uncle Sam, through his
agents, has opened up'a broader market
for American pork the product of King
Corn. Hog raising in the western states
is the most profitable poor mans indus
try, the one which brings the surest,
quickest and largest returns. Anything
which tends to increase the market
value of the staple crop-corn, or its
product, pork-is a benefactor to the
western farmer. The sudden change
which has thus come, especially to Kan
sas farmers, from almost nothing last
year, to an abundance this, is what in
spired the opening sentence of this arti-
Gle. Exactly the reverse being true of
the old countries makes it equally appli-
cable there, but not in so pleasant a
,nannnr
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20
The silence of the American packer

The silence of the American packers,
concerning the removal of the German
embargo against the admission of Amer
lean pork, is virtually an eloquent decla-
ration that they are satisfied with the
result. If they were not the country
would have heard howl which would
have drowned the squeal in the killing
department of the biggest abattoir in
America. And, it may be added, when
the packers are satisfied there is no
cause for nroducers to complain.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20

The Golden Club of London will
throw all the weight of its wealth and
political and social prestige into the Ohio
campaign. in a desperate effort to defeat
Major Mckinley. American protection
evidently does not suit British free trad
ers, which is the most convincing evi-
dence that it is good thing for this
country. English manufacturers would
be very clear of fighting Mckinley if
they had the slightest idea that his
famous tariff ideas would injure Ameri-
can trade prospects.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20

Atchison Champion: 1T is claimed
that the people of Kansas viii this year,
as the result Of their Zig crops, have a
total of about Sl04, ,000, 00Q-surplus
above all expenses. This amount, large
as it is in one lump, when subdivided,
viii be about $110 for every man, woman
and child in the state, our population
being something more than ], 400, 600.
But as IN many families there are five to
seven members, it is safe 10 say that each
family, if the total were distributed
among the families. would have on the
average about S550-s snug little sur
plus. And this $3.50 to each family viii
enter into active circulation, the bulk of
it, which is enough to insure busy times
and a season of prosperity such as has
not been enjoyed for years.
The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-20

The recoinage of abraded silver coins
and trade dollars, both of which are
counted in the aggregate volume of cur
rency. but are in fact only so much bull
lion, will restore something like S9,OOO,-
900 to the active circulating medium of
the country-enough to lubricate good
many stiff joints in the industrial and
commercial machinery of the country.