davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

nearly every part of the empire i have
never seen them described in letters of
travel They are a peculiar feature Of the
modern Japan and are the product Of the
old feudal system married to the modern
civilization. Japan. you know. was twenty
five years ago much like Europe during
the middle ages. The Daimios, or mobiles OF
the country, owned the greater part OF the
land and each had a number of soldiers or
Samurai about him. These Samurai were
all soldiers, and the Daimio was expected
to support them. When the revolution came
and the Daimios gave up their estates. these
men were out of a job. They took up with
different branches of trade. large number
went into the army. Some were employed
In the new government. and today the class
is practically wiped out. Springing from 1t,
however, are these bands of SOshi, who
are young men. many of whom are ready
to sell themselves and their swords TO the
highest bidder. Every politician has
number of them connected with him, and
every political meeting is filled with them
They carry sword-canes, and during cleo
lions the papers are full of the attacks OF
one band of SOshi upon another. and of
statements as to how one prominent man.
accompanied Dy his Soshi. was met by an
other statesman, with his SoShl. and how
the two fought the matter out on the street.
During my stay in Japan one of the
members of parliament was waylaid by the
Soshl of his opponent and well pounded;
and another iran, Also a member of parlia-
ment WIS attacked about o'clock In the
morning, while on his way in jinriksha
to the house of representatives, by ten of
these Soshi. One of them threw a bottle
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

Soshi to attack him. He stands fully six
feet in his stockings, and he weighs about
two hundred pounds. He has lived in Japan
for years. having been sent there in the
first place through the influence of ex-
Senator Allan G. Thurman, who is his
uncle. He speaks the japanese as well as
the English. and he was employed in the
legation as interpreter and confidential
secretary for some time before his APP
pointmeut as minister. Last New Year,
when out driving, with his coachman and
footman on the seat, he saw three of the
most desperate Soshi with sword canes In
their hands on the road in front of him.
lie knew they did not like him, but he
told the coachman to drive slowly on. As
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

condition of Japan at the time Of the war
was perhaps as good as that of any other
government In the world. The debt was
practically nothing and the treasury had a
surplus of more than twenty million dol
lars. AS soon as war was declared the peo-
pie began to send in contributions, and
patriotism exists to such an extent that the
richest men of japan would impoverish
themselves rather than see the country lack
money. Japan has for the past genera
ton been on the up grade. and its people
have been fast growing wealthy. A look
over the japanese stock reports shows that
nearly every Institution in the country Is
paying dividends, and some pay as high as
10 and - per cent. The railroads have all
been giving good profits to the stockhold-
ers and the stock is not watered there as
1t Is here. There are now about 1900 stock
companies in Japan, the most Of which have
sprung up within the past ten years, and
some of which began in 1871
These companies embrace mines rail-
roads, silk factories, cotton factories, banks
and all sorts Of mercantile firms In about
900 OF the factories steam Is now used, and
In something like 800 the power is steam
and water combined. Every institution
publishes reports as to its business, and 1t
Is possible to learn Just how the country
stands financially. Since tho war prices
have gone up everywhere, and on the top
of all this the rice crop and the tea crop
OF the present year are about one-third
larger than usual. This fills the pockets
Of the farmers with money. and 1t adds
TlililohS 10 the wealth or the country. In
estimating the expenses Of the present war,
the economical living Of the japanese must
be taken into account. The clothes for their
soldiers cost less than ours. and they can be
fed on one-third the amount required for
any army Of the same size in Europe The
government has considerable available prop
erty outside of that which she Is getting in
the way OF leans. She owns many good
paying industries, and among others. a
large part of the railroads, which paw a
good interest above their cost and operat-
ing expenses, and which could be sold 7
am told, for something like $4,000 600 In
case Of necessity.
!"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10


ons and engines of
war employed by the
Chinese in their pres
ent conflict with ia
pan can hardly be
m ore odd a n d
strange than a thou
sand and one devices
for similar purposes
contrived by inge-
NOUS Yankee inven-
tors. New ideas fo-
arms, ships, &C., are
constantly being sug-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
Where the soshi Come From.

Where the Soshi Come From.
1 asked number of the prominent men
of Japan, including Count Ito, whence the
Soshi came and was told that they were
in most cases disaTected and unsuccessful
students. Thousands of young japanese
have been studying professions, and there
are hundreds upon hundreds Of lawyers and
doctors more than are needed. The govern
ment places are all overcrowded. and the
universities have been turning out their
graduates by the hundreds year. The
brightest students have been picked out by
the government and sent abroad to finish
their educations. When they have come
back they. have been given positions. and
those who were not so fortunate have had
to stay out The outs have banded to-
gether and they have formed these CT
ganiza tons which are, to certain extent
insurrectionary in their tendencies. They
would be a bad element in case of revolu-
ton, and they form one of the worst fea-
lures Of the new Japan. They nang around
parliament, and they have been growing In
numbers rapidly up to the time of he pres
ent war This will probably carry on
good many of them II the Chinese had
enough nerve to kill anything outside Of
their own troops, which they seem not
to have.
The Japanese Parliament.
Speaking of the Japanese parliament. 1t
is the baby congress Of the world. and it is
bodies in existence. 1t has two houses,
which sit in a building not unlike a great
seaside hotel In its architectural structure.
1t is made of frame. and is Of two stories.
1t is situated in the center of Tokyo not far
from where the Shotgun laid down the bar
barous laws of the past, and just outside Of
the meats which run round the palace
grounds.
There Is a wall around IL. and when the
houses are In session you see about 500
black jinrikshas with bare-legged men in
butter bowl hats sitting in them and wait
ing for their masters, who are inside. You
have TO go through a narrow entrance, so
small that only one man can get through
at time in getting to the reception room
and also in going into the hall, and this
is probably to prevent the danger of
rush by Soshi or others. There are plenty
of officers dressed in uniform, and there is
much red tape as about the houses Of
parliament In London. The two houses do
not look much unlike our Senate and
House. The desks run In concentric circles
back from the rostrum on which the presi-
dent and vice president sit, and they are
more like school desks than like those OF
our Congress. The seats made so that
they can be turned up like opera chairs.
and some m ambers from the back districts,
who have been more accustomed to sit
ting on the floor than on chairs, now and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

do work in the fields
'over here. But, note
this, they work on
their own farms. The
minute dividing up Of
land in France Is the
chief mark of the
whole country. The
peasant owns a little
plot of farm land.
His chief desire, which
Is also the chief desire
of his wife and daugh-
tiers, is to buy up the
plot adjoining 1t.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
Japanese Finances.

Speaking Of Japanese finances. 1t Is Won
derful how the people have come to the as
sistance of the government in this war.
The bonds have been subscribed for even
more eagerly than they were during our
civil war, end millions Of dollars more mon
ey has been offered than Is needed. The
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

~ w AN w
China is taking away
from Japan, for a
time, a class of men
who have materially
disturbed the govern
ment. 1 refer to the
Soshi. These are like
. no ether men on the
face of the globe.
They are a kind of a
cross between an
anarchist and politi-
cal strik er, and
though they exist in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

the Soshi saw him they ranged them
selves on both sides of the road. so that
his carriage would have to pass between
them, and as 1T came opposite one of them
yelled at him the Japanese word for FOOL,
never supposing he would understand It,
Mr. Dun raised his hat, and in the politest
and most polished of japanese paid him
the compliments of the New Year. The
Soshi was thunderstruck. He looked very
sheepish and turned away.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
No Further Questions.

No Further Questions.
From Judge.
Woman Lawyer-What Is your agef
Woman Witness-I was born in the same
year as yourself.
Woman Lawyer-witness excused.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
The Two Houses.

The membership Of the two houses Is
about the same. The upper house Is called
the house Of peers. and 1t contains about
three hundred members. 1t comprises the
aristocrats Of the japanese empire and
contains IN the first place, all the male
members of the imperial family of the age
of twenty and upward. Thus. the crown
prince will be a member Of this house when
he gets to be twenty: 1t also contains
members selected from the eleven princes
and twenty eight marquises. eighty counts,
three hundred and fifty-ive viscounts and
twenty-nine barons of the empire. These
men have to be elected by their own order,
and their number Is restricted. In addition
to this, there are some whom the emperor
has made members on account OF their
learning and of the services which they
have done for Japan. and II Is probable
that the present war will largely increase
this number.
Then there are certain members who come
from the different counties and districts in
Japan, who have been nominated by the
emperor. and who are chosen by the vote
of the fifteen men in each district who pay
the highest taxes. Those who are members
on account Of their blood, or have been
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

The emperor has great power over par
lament, and the constitution is 80 adroitly
worded that he can act independent Of It,
The laws provide that congress shall vote
all the money. but that the last budget shall
be in force in case a congress Is dissolved
without passing new appropriation bills
The emperor can veto all laws, and he can
proclaim a law when parliament is not sit
ting. He still holds the chief command Of
army and navy, the right TO make war or
peace and to conclude treaties, and he can
confer such titles and pardons as he pleases.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
The Frugal Prosperity of the Nor
man Peasants.
AMID PICTURESQUE SURROUNDINGS
The State Extends to the Farmer
PaternaI Aid.
INDUSTRY AND ECONOMY

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

Parliament has no right to interfere with
his household expenses, and his cabinet
go before the different houses and defend
the Administered / don't know that the
laws provide where congress snail meet
but the fact that the emperor has called
them to Hiroshima, which is, l judge, near
ly 400 miles west Of Tokyo. shows that he
can do as he pleases in this matter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
From Puck.

Theat INSTRUMENTATION my curiosity. SIR
but that is nost-er-remarkable hair OF
yoursi
His Neighbor-Great. amt II? Boughtu
at a costumer's for four dollars. These
women with big hats have made me sun8
for years, and now I'm getting square!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10

Congressman, you know receive 5000. The
presidents of both houses receive 1000 yen,
and the emperor appoints the officers of
the house of peers, and he selects those OF
the house of representatives, from three can
didates who are elected by the house.
All of the voting in the Japanese parlia-
ment is done in secret ballot. There Is a
great deal of speech-making, and the repre-
sentatives grow very excited when they
discuss the measures relating to the govern
ment. The emperor has the right to dis
solve parliament, and he mas dismissed the
last two houses because they seemed in
clined to cut down the expenses beyond the
possibilities Of running the government.
The dissolution caused great deal of eX-
element over the country, and the new
election was much feared by the administra-
ton. The country seemed to be torn up by
the different factions, but this has been all
done away with by the war with China,
and the emperor will get all the money he
wants from now on.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
ORIENTAL STRIKERS
The Glass of Men Who are En-
plOyed by japanese Politicians.
an AMERICAN MINISTER'S EXPERIENCE
An Interesting Account Of a Visit
to the Parliament House.
A PROSPEROUS COUNTRY

(CopErightsd. 1894, by Frank @. carpsntcr.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-10
WAR INVENTIONS
America 0utdoes China in Queer
Ideas for Fighting.
LIKE an ARABIAN NIGHTS STORY
Steam and Carbonic Acid Used in
Place Of Gunpowder.
A GUN THAT SHOOTS WATER

Written for The Evening Star.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-06-20
The Nations Floral Emblem.

The National Floral Emblem Society,
which sprang into existence beneath the
shadow of the old liberty;bell at the World s
Fair in Chicago, has doubtless solved the
problem as to what we shall have for our
national floral emblem. The objects and
aims OF the society have been printed in
circulars and sent broadcast all over the
country. 1t was decided that, since there
are so many favorite flowers in the United
States, it would be impossible to agree upon
any one blossom, but Mrs. Harriet w r..
Strong of Los Angeles, by happy inspira-
ton, suggested the garland of flowers"
which was enthusiastically Endorsed by the
society, and which has since found favor
everywhere. Her idea was that the nation,
being an aggregation of states, should be
typified by a collection of flowers, selected
by vote from each state and territory. The
arbutus, or Maytlower, is connected with
the country's history, as the rose is with that
Of England, the lily with France, the
thistle with Scotland and the shamrock
with Ireland. The golden rod is much adj
mired in the East and North, as is the poppy
in California. The pansy, columbine and
sunitower are favorites, as are the magno-
liza and cotton blossoms in the South. A
chairman was selected for each state, she to
select her co.workers, one from each con-
gressional district.
Mrs. Cornelia Drew Russell of Burlipg-
ton was chosen chairman for the state of
Dillingham; of Waterbury as her co-worker
for the second congressional district. Mrs.
Russell requests that each lady in this dis
trict send her preference to Mrs. Dilling-
ham by letter as soon as possible. Schools
and colleges throughout the country are
taking unusual interest in the matter and
are heartily cooperating with their state
chairman and assistants. 1t is to be hoped
that the ladies of Vermont will be equally
interested
1t is suggested that the matter of final Sc
lection be made the business OF ladies
week. at the next session Of the legislature,
and that the selection be submitted to the
general assembly TO be clothed with the
authority OF its high sanction. The fur
Their suggestion is made, in order to give
the state of Vermont something more than
a merely ratitying voice in the matter, that
at least the three flowers having the high
est number of votes be submitted and the
legislature asked to make its selection from
this list. Forward your votes Meantime
the columns of the WAToHMAN are open to
the discussion of this interesting subject.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-06-20
CONTINUED PROM First pAaR1

thought that, while the Sunday newspapers
are taking the place of the magazine, the
newspaper men know no Sunday or day of
rest. In becoming language she elaborated
the idea that the press is king, it is the
greatest power on earth to-day and should
be held responsible that its mighty power
is exerted in the right direction.
In the essay on " Hypocrisy and Cant Z"
that followed, Miss Nellie Sloan acquitted
herself very creditably. Her production
was packed with good sense, and her
ideas were expressed in fitting terms
She referred to hypocrisy as the parent Of
many vices, and enforced the idea that
cant has much larger progeny. Her def
milton of cant was that which tries to make
words supply the place of deeds, and she
aptly illustrated this in the realm of re-
ligion, patriotism, BIRTH honor and criti-
cism.
One of the most pleasing and interesting
productions OF the evening was the essay on
Our National Songs by Miss Anna
Phinney. Her clear, strong voice could be
plainly heard in the farthest corner of
the hall, giving an added charm to her
carefully-prepared essay She referred to
many of our national songs that were
written in war time. The Star Spangled
Banner has been, and always will be- very
popular, because it calls attention TO the
flag. Old John Brown" has cheered
many weary march, and when set to the
ringing words of Julia Ward Howe's Bat
tie Hymn of the Republic" it has gone
singing round the world. Grandest of all
is our America" The essayist prefaced
a reference to each song with a short his
tory of the incidents that led to its birth.
1t was but natural, and most appropriate,
that the rising young musician, Ray Huse,
should take for the subject of his Grafton
The Violin in Italy" The subject was
handled in an intelligent manner, that
showed the authors perfect familiarity
with it, Delivered in an easy, graceful
manner, it instructed as well as entertained
A bright essay by Miss Kate Smith on
The Rip Van Wrinkles of Our Times -
came next. The essayist paid particular
attention to the masculine Rip of the pres.
ent day, as found in the small villages, and
pictured him transported to the midst of a
large city The educational Rip of the
times was very caustcally handled, and the
assertion was made that almost every man
is asleep on some phase of life. Those in the
audience who were hit by some of the sharT
thrusts of this young essayist were willing
to forgive her because of the happy and
entertaining way she had of doing IT,
The class made no mistake when it Sc
lected Miss Margaret Dewey for its vahLdlc-
! torian. She read a charming essay on
Fiction, New and Old, " that showed care
| full study and research as well as a thor
ough knowledge of the subject, and then
| gracefully babe adieu to the friends, trus-
! tees teachers, principal, and her classmates
! Miss Dewey's valedictory was a model OF
| conciseness and good sense. Comforting the
diplomas, by Mason S. Stone, state super
| intendent of education, and the benedic
! ton, by Rev. A. n. Lewis, brought the
interesting exercises to close
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-06-20

the grand list has made net increase
of some $4,000.
Herein are embodied certain impor-
tant and indisputable facts. 1t is de-
sirable that Montpelier people should
themselves know them and appreciate
their full significance. 1t is right and
just that the rest of mankind, seeking
for home in a place where taxes are
low and where all the blessings of a
well-appointed aud administered NUM-
cipality exist, should know these things.
The business man, the manufacturer,
looking for a spot having such advan-
tages as Montpelier possesses, in con-
nection with existing low, and prospec
lively lower, taxation, should know the
real facts of the towns splendid fnan-
cial condition and be disabused of preju-
dices begotten of misrepresentation or
Misrepresentation.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-06-20
The State Convention.

Several hundred delegates, repre-
senting the republicans of Vermont,
are assembled in convention at the
state capital to-day to nominate candi-
dates for governor, acknowledgement,
treasurer, secretary of state and auditor
of accounts. BY popular assent, to
which the convention will give formal
expression, Colonel Urban A Wood
bury of Burlington will be placed at
the head of the ticket by reclamation.
The treasurer, secretary of state and
auditor of accounts will also be renom-
mated without opposition. All have
been faithful and efficient officers, and
the interests of the state could not be
advanced by change at this time.
All the interest of the convention
centers in the contest for the nomina-
ton to the office of acknowledgements
Hon. II. G. Bates of st. Johns bury, a
veteran of the late war, is supported by
a considerable number, if not the entire
body, of the delegates of Caledonia
county. His friends estimate his
strength at about fifty votes. Hon. B.
F. Lincoln of Lyndon has friends in
whose hands he places his political for
tune.
Hon. H, W. Vail of Pomfret has a
large following, particularly among the
farmer delegates. His strength lies in
Windsor county, which is practically
solid for him, as are also Bennington,
Orange and Addison counties. He has
also a considerable following in Wash
ington and Chittenden counties, and
has assurances of support from Rut-
land and other counties.
Colonel Z. Nj. Mansur's friends
count among his sure supporters Es-
sex, Orleans, Windham and Franklin
counties, with substantial unanimity.
They also claim delegates in all the
other counties of the state. This was
the state of the canvass, as nearly as
could be judged, last evening, Many
delegates will arrive this morning.
There is prospect of an exceedingly
lively and interesting, but entirely
friendly, contest in the convention.
When the nominations are made, let
the voters of Vermont forget that this
is the off year in Vermont politics, and
prepare to give the ticket a rousing
majority in September.