davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
THE PASSING OF 4 BLUNDER.

Globe Democrat: The republicans of both
Iowa and Kansas have entirely ignored the
prohibition question in their platforms this
year. 1t has taken them some time to fully
comprehend the danger of foolng with such
an issue, but the lesson has been learned at
last, and they will never again repeat the
blunder
New York Evening Post: The Iowa re-
publicans have followed the example Of their
brethren in Kansas and entirely ignored the
liquor question in their platform. There is
not even the perfunctory declaration in favor
of temperance which is the last refuge Of the
timid politician. The incident is a striking
proof of the decadence OF prohibition. Only
three or four years ago the party was declar
ing against a compromise with the saloon"
and pledgng Continued opposition to the
behests of the saloon power through the
maintenance and enforcement of the prohibi-
tory law" Last winter republican legisla-
ture virtually repealed that law by establish
ing a kind Of local option system, under
which saloons may be started in any com
munity which votes to have them, and now
a republican state convention by its express
slve silence, announces that the party has
abandoned all preence of further belief in
nrOhibitiOn
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02

1t could not withstand. Every candidate and
every party leader on the stump would be
compelled to champion the candidacy of a
man who is tattooed with a record of In
dellible infamy. They would be confronted
at every crossroad with the story of the
forged census returns that scandalized the
state at the national capital and placed a
stigma upon the man whom the people of
this commonwealth had honored with a place
in the halls of congress as their representa-
tive. They would be confronted with the
more recent msbehavior of that same ex-
congressman while acting in capacity Of
president of the state senate.
During two sessions of the legislature in
which he occupied the responsible and honor
able position of presiding officer of the upper
house by virtue of his election as lieutenant
governor, Mr.. Majors was notoriousy tool
and capper for the corporation lobby, and
eXerted all his power and influence during
each session of the legislature to promote
jobbery and assist Doodle schemes and OBJ
struct sidetrack and defeat all railway reg
ulation bills and measures to curb the rapac
ity of corporate monopoly.
SCANDALIZED THE STATE.
During the session of 1891 the state was
scandaliZed by the abduction Of Senator
Taylor, populist, who had been elected on
the anti-monopoly platform. which pledged
him to support maximum rate law. 1t
is notorious that Taylor was confidential
terms with Lieutenant Governor Majors,
and especially with his private sec
retary Walt M. Seely. There is
no doubt whatever that Majors and
Seely must have known of the plot to abduct
Taylor in order to keep him from casting his
vote for the Newberry maximum rate bill.
Taylor's abduction created such a sensa-
ton that even if Majors had not been ad-
vised about the plot he could not have been
ignorant of the fact that Taylor had disap-
peared. The fact that Majors directed the
sergeant-at arms to have Taylor arrested
shows absolute knowledge on the part of
Majors of the disappearance of Taylor.
The records of the auditors office show
that Taylor had drawn $262.40 as his pay
and mileage for the session up to the time
of his abrupt departure in the middle of
March.
On March 81, when the session closed
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
WAR DECLARED,

Japan has formally declared war against
China. In reality state Of war has existed
for more than week, but the formal an
nouncement of it by one of the parties was
necessary to establish the relations of other
international law. declaration of war
alters the status of neutral nations toward
the nations at war, creating conditions and
requiring obseryances that would not exist
without such a declaration, even though
there was actual war. OF course this an
nouncement by Japan that a state Of war
exists between that country and China Will
put stop to the efforts of other powers to
bring about a settlement of the trouble. 1t
is a notice to the powers that Japan pro-
poses to maintain her rights by the last re-
sort of nations, and having given this no.
tice no government can with propriety inter
pose.A proffer Of mediation now could properly
be regarded by Japan as an affront, since
in effect 1t would imply that that govern
ment had made mistake or that dts course
was unwise and unwarranted. Possibly as
the war progresses Japan or China may ask
the intercession If friendly powers with
view to settlement. but until one or the
other does this neutral nations will stand
aloot.
That the conflict will be prolonged now
appears to be more than probable. for the
hatred between the countries has. OF course,
become greatly intensified. Thus far the
advantage is largely with Japan, which has
surprised the world by the fighting quail
ties exhibited. The common idea is that
there is no essential difference between the
Chinese and the japanese. but this is mis-
take. The latter are more intelligent and
more progressive as a people. are more in
sympathy with the enlightenment OF the
age. and have 3 better idea or what is
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02

The above is fac simie of the certificate
signed by Lieutenant Governor Majors and
approved by the auditor, as now on file in
the Office of the auditor of state
The warrant for $75 was cashed by Walt
NJ Seely, private secretary of the lieutenant
governor, and pocketed by him. Taylor
never received penny Of this money fraudu-
lently procured by the connivance of the
lieutenant governor.
This act alone stamps Thomas j. Majors as
a dangerous man in any public Office. When
he certified that Taylor had served through
the entire term he knowingly and wit
tingly committed a grave crime that laid
him liable not only to impeachment, but to
prosecution in the criminal courts
Had Majors certified to a fraudulent
voucher in the army. or duplicated his own
pay in the army pay roll. he would have
been court martialed and cashered in dis
grace. Where the offense was as fragrant
as the Taylor voucher fraud, he would have
been made to serve a sentence in a military
prison. Is this the kind of a man the re-
publicans of Nebraska are asked to make
chief executive of state and commander-in-
chief of the military forces of the common
wealth?
THE SENATE OIL ROOM.
The climax of infamy on the part Of the
lieutenant governor was the conversion Of
his private Office adjoining the senate cham
ber into legislative oil room in which
liquor was dispensed freely to members of the
senate who were addicted to drink, and to
lobbyists, male and female. who resorted I'd
the room for debauchng the law makers.
Every fellow who belonged to the gang
carried Yale lock key in his pocket so as
to have access at all times, night day,
when the senate was in session or at recess,
to the demiiohns and decanters filed with
choice brands Of liquor, with which the lieu
tenant governors room was generously sup
piled regardless of expense by the corporate
concerns whose bills were to be logrolled
through and whose interests to be
protected by the bland, affable and accom-,
modatnS lieutenant governor.
Can republicans stultify themselves and
jeopardze their cause by placing man with
such record at the head of the ticket?
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
U-IfO BEARS THE BURDEN?

The most 1agrant injustice to which the
real estate owners of this city and county
subjected is the vicious system of as
sessments. 1t is not so much because of
the low valuation of property as the marked
discrimination against owners of real estate
and in favor of the class that has it's in
vestments in personal property mortgage
loans bonds, moneys in bank, merchandise
and above all things the franchised corpora
tons. AS consequence the brunt of the
burdens of taxation falls upon people who
have done most in building up the city and
the great mass of home owners.
glance at the figures on the assessment
rolls Will suffice to convince any intelligent
person of the grevous wrongs imposed on
real estate owners. Out of total of s24,-
701, ,140.62, $40, ,2S3, ,24O is assessed against
the owners of lots and lands in the county
and only S4,417 ,90O.62 is assessed against
personal property. This includes bank de-
posts, mortgage loans, taxable merchan-
disc, manufactured products, live stock
household goods and all movable articles
Of value. The amount of deposits in Omaha
and South Omaha banks ranges from $12,-
100000 to $15,0O0,00O. The value of goods
in the jobbing houses, retail stores and COM
mission houses cannot fall short of S10,-
100000, and it is safe to estimate the value
of taxable live stock, household goods and
other personal property at $4,000, 900 more.
Add to this the franchise corporation prop
erty and the railroad property and we
would have in round figures fully $40 900, 900
OF taxable personal property. :
the street railway company, the waterworks
company, the gas company, electric lighting
company and telephone company are cap
italZed, that is stocked and bonded, in
round figures, at SIS 900, 900, but they pay
taxes on a valuation of less than $500, ,000
The terminal facilities of the Union Pacific
alone are claimed to be worth $15, 900, 900.
Assuming that the terminal facilities of all
the other roads in Omaha and South Omaha
were included in that estimate and we
would be entitled on an assessment of one
tenth of that amount to at least 81, SOC, ,OOO
while in fact these terminals are practically
dumped in as mileage and credited for less
than 100000 all told.
The men and women who own store
buildings, warehouses, hotels, factories or
dwelling houses cannot cover up their hold
ings from the assessor. They bear the
brunt, not only of the general taxes, but are
compelled to pay special taxes for every
dollars worth of improvements. The own
ers of personal property either manage to
escape altogether or make returns that are
scandalously low. The present assessments
in this county are virtually the single tax
system. The lot and land owners nav four-
hfths OF the general taxes and all the
special taxes. which constitute almost as
heavy burden as the general tax
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
FORECLOSE THE MORTGIGE.

Denver Republican, The debts of the
Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads
to the government should be settled by fore
closure. In that event the government in
all probability would be the purchaser. This
would involve the government operation of
the roads named, and there is no doubt that
they could be operated by the government
with much greater benefit to the public than
they have been by their present owners.
New York World: Mr.. Boatner does well
to file a minority report in opposition to the
Reilly refunding bill. That bill is simply
a device to swindle the government out of
scores of millions OF dollars. to release men
and estates from their obligation to pay
back money which has been filched from
the government by fraud and theft. The
whole matter has been laid bare in the
World. Huntington, Stamford, the Crockers
and Hopkins managed by trick and device to
put into their own private purses nearly all
the millions contributed by the government
for the building Of the Central Pacific I'm
der the law they or their estates may be
made to disgorge. The Reilly bill is intended
to release them from this obligation and to
leave the government with practically no Sc
curity for a claim amounting to a hundred
millions, where now it has a security that is
ample. 1t is bill to legalize an accomplished
theft. Mr.. Boatner is rendering a great
public service by insisting tnaL the bill shall
be defeated and that suits shall be brought
to recover the money wrongfully diverted to
private uses.
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
A sE4sONIBLE FITORITE.

Oh, for lodge in the garden of cucumbers
oh, for an iceberg or two az Control!
Oh. for a vale which at midday the dew
oh, for a pleasure trip up to the pole!
oh. for little one-story thermometer
With nothing but zeros all ranged IN
row. -
TO measure the moisture that rolls from
my brow.
oh, that this cold world were twenty times
CThats irony red hot 1t seemeth to mel;
Oh for turn of its dreaded cold shoulder!
Oh, what comfort an ague would bel
Oh. for a grotto to typify heaven.
Scooped In the rock under cataract vast
Oh for winter OF discomfort even!
Oh, for a wet blanket judciously cast!
oh. for a soda fount spouting up boldly
From every hot lamp post against lhe not
oh, Tor proud maiden to look on me
Freezing my soul with glance of her eye!
"cold pizen,"
And, oh. for resting place in the cold
with a bath in the styx where the thick
shadow lies on,
And deepens the chill of its dark running
wave.
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
WHAT Is TO STOP THEM?

The address Of the Democratic Free Coin
age league to the "felow democrats of Ne
braska" is noteworthy not for the platitudes
in favor of free silver coinage at the old
standby ratio of 16 to l. but for the recon-
mendations which it offers to those who pro-
fess to adhere to democracy to free silver
coinage and to Congressman Bryan, all at
one and the same time. The whole burden
Of the complaint Of the free silverite demo-
Gratis is that they have lost their hold upon
the administration that they were unmerci-
fully routed at the last democratic state
convention and that their efforts to control
the machinery OF the democratic party in
this state for the purpose of manipulating
the next democratic state convention to
declaration in favor of the free coinage of
silver have thus far been stubborny and sue
cessfully resisted. Finding themselves among
the outs In whatever direction they may
turn they have determined upon ''war of
conquest" against the supporters of the ad
ministration and thus to force recognition at
the hands of the federal authorities The
scheme incidentally includes the nomination
of Mr.. Bryan for the United States senate
and anything else that may seem calculated
to further that asprants senatorial ambl-
tions.
There is nothing to prevent the free silver
democrats from going ahead and holding
state convention. They may call 1t the dem
ocratic state convention II they wish and no
one will be able to stop them. This seems
to be what their present manifesto is likely
to lead to- although its trainers have been
afraid to speak out and tell exactly what
they want. They say to their followers:
Call your county conventions Let them
make their nominations and appoint dele
gates to higher conventions" As IL 1t were
not against all precedent TO call county con-
ventions before the higher convention has
been called and to name delegates before the
apportionment has been made. What con-
vention will admit as members lot of float
ing delegates who have been hanging around
waiting for a convention to be summoned to
which they might accredit themselves? AS
a matter of fact, there is no reason whatever
why the present manifesto should be issued
at this particular time. The members Of the
Free Coinage league must have known what
they intended to do as soon as they organized
six weeks ago. But they are apparently
afraid TO adopt any decisive measures. II
they want to control a state convention Of
their own what is to stop tbem7
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02

Mr. Wiley, acting for the Thomgon-Ij0rs-
ton company, refuses outright to coa'ri'ie
the contract which he has made with the
city to supply all the electric strttt lamps
reeded at the rate of $11l5j until the ex-
piration Of the present year He bases his
refusal upon the ground that his company
will not come in under the general fran
chse ordinance. whose passage he insti-
gated because it gives all other companies
the right to use the poles upon the payment
OF reasonable compensation Mr.. Wiley
knew Of this feature of the general ordi-
nance at the time he made his bid What
is more, his original contract with the city
contains the very same stipulation. Evil
IDENTIFY this obligation is bearing hard upon
the electric lighting managers and they are
doing their best to throw 1t OFF. Nothing
else, however was to have been expected of
Mr.. Wiley. His dealings with the city have
been two-faced and fraudulent from the
start No member of the council has any
right to rely upon his promises to act fairly
with the city If he had conducted himself
In negotiations with any reputable busines:
man as he has in relation to the relScting
of the city's electric lighting contracts the
latter would be justified in refusing to have
anything more to do with him. But so
long as he practically owns the city council
bids for electric lighting, to dictate read
vertising when he is underbid, and to re-
pudiate his contracts with impunity.
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
NEBRASKA AND NEBRdSKASS.

The Tangemann roller mills at Talmage
were sold at mortgage sale to DR.. l.. b.
Lutgen of Brock for So, ,40l.
child of w II. Fling of Dubois stepped
in front of its fathers moving machine and
lost one foot besides receiving a cash In
the thigh.
There is an apparent shortage in the ac-
counts of the treasurer Of SCOTS Bun
county amounting to about $780, caused by
q failure to keep the receipts of road over
seers
The sixth annual reunion of the old set
tiers of Cass and adjoining counties VIII be
held at Union August and g. An extensive
program has been prepared for the occasion,
one of the features of which Will be PIC
mic dinner and a general good time
On the top OF a high bluff in Dawson
county there had always been spot where
grass did not grow, and couple of boys
thought they would investigate the cause.
SO they secured spade and dug hole. A
few feet below the surface they struck a
coffin and a skeleton, and then they QUIT.
The remains were evidently those of man
who had lost his life while crossing the
country on the overland trail.
During the storm at Brunng heavy
wind came up and did considerable damage
to property in town and in the surrounding
country All of Fergusons corn cribs, Ca
pacity so, 900 bushels. were twisted ana lev
eled and some of the lumber carried 800
rods and driven through the gable end and
ceiling of a dwelling house. Mails lumber
sheds were unroofed and carried RODS away
Telegraph lines were broken by flying lum-
ber, stables smashed and other outbnlidings
picked up and thrown down on nelghborng
premises. The Columbian art gallery was
caught up and carried away a considerable
distance, balooning DR.. Dempster, VINO was
assisting the prOprietOrs in protecting the
outfit into a distant pile of machinery. Es-
timated damage in town, 81 900.
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
THE TRIUMPH OF WOMIN.

New York World: When at Vineland a
strapping negro woman led her paier and
less muscular sisters in their charge the
ballot box, when In spite of police and cleo
ton officers she succeeded in deposting her
ballot the emancipation of woman was prac-
tically accomplished. There may be some de-
lay in details, but the work is over and
woman has been set free at last from her
long age OF enthraiment.
Philadelphia Times The women of Vine
land failed to follow Wolseys advice to
Cromwell and carry gentle peace In their
hands when approaching the polls. The mis-
take was fatal. When grlm-yisaged war rears
It's horrd front the women are not In 1t to
any extent In a stand-up and knock-down
tussle for the privilege Of stuffing the ballot
box and counting the votes the husbands and
brothers of the women possess advantages
which make the contest a very one-slded
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
The Board of Health has finally secured ,

The Board of Health has finally secured an
additional allotment of rations to sustain II
for the rest Of the year. The board must
not imagine, however, that thisets to be
taken permission to give free rein to its
extravagances and then apply for another
appropriation when another deficit stares it
in the face. The practice of allowing de-
partments to exceed thei. regular appropria-
tions and to draw ON the general fund except
in extraordinary cases is a pernicious one
and ought not to be encouraged The Board
of Health should be given to understand dis
tinctly that in the future the garment must
be limited by the CLOTH
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02

"The United States Strike commission" is
a rather big name for three men to assume
who have been selected to serve temporarily
in investigating the facts of single desig-
mated strike. From the name one would
imagine that the commission was perma-
nent body, with authority over all strikes
past, present and future. But we suppose
that President Cleveland's appointees on
this commission are no different from other
men who rejoice in trying to make them
selves appear more important than they
really are
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02

meant by p1rrInusm The tendency OF these
conditions is to make them letter soldiers
and all the testl lmony is to the effect that
they take tAtterNto military duties than the
Chinese any rate, up to this time, they
have shown themselves the better fighters,
both on the land and on the water. They
have succeeded already in seriously Grip
pling Chinas naval strength, and II they
can continue as they have begun the out
come OF the war is not uncertain. Its pro-
gress will now be watched with growing in
terest, and so far as the American people
are concerned their sympathy and hope will
be with the smaller and more civilized en-
Dire.
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02

1t may well be admitted now as some
time later that the brick pavement, as
tested in Omaha, is not success. In fact
1t is but one degree above the cedar and
cypress block. There are only two kinds of
pavement materials that commend them
selves for use. On streets of moderate
grade, outside of the jobbing district, as
phalt is the most desirable. 1t combines
the elements of smoothness, cleanliness and
durability when properly laid. On heavy
traffic streets Sioux Falls granite is the
best as well as the cheapest while for
streets of high grade, where traffic is not
too heavy, sandstone is the best adapted
These conclusions are based on the expert
ence and costly experiments with all sorts
of paving materials in this city during the
past ten years. It goes without saying that
we should give preference 70 brick pavement
over all others If the brick pavements that
have been given abundant and fair trial
had been a success.
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02
soandalous violation OF Law.

Such treatment Of rebate payments as
have been disclosed in the case OF the
Atchison Railroad company Is very prop
erly condpmned because IL misleads stock
holders and others who desire TO invest
money In railroad stocks as to the real
earnings Of railroad corporation and the
real value OF its securities as indicated by
its earnings. liut there is another aspect
of this evil which deserves more attention
today from the people generally and from
congress and from the Department OF JUS
tice than the misrepresentation OF rail-
road cOmpany's real earning capacity, and
II is that this persistent, systematic, ana
wholesale payment OF rebates 10 favored
of the federal law dhe interstate commerce
act), which was enacted for the prevention
of such unjust discrimination.
Omaha daily bee., 1894-08-02

We are pleased to note that the street rail-
way companies whose lines extend to Court
land beach propose to put into force a l5-
cent round trip fare from the city In the
event OF the consummation of the arrange
ments now pending for a grand spectacular
exhibition at that point. This would be
liberal enough. But why confne such
liberal policy TO the contingency in question? ?
AS the transfer system now operates the
aninformed visitor is compelled to pay 80
cents for the same ride simply because no
transfer ticket is given unless the pas
senger knows enough to ask for 1t. No such
penalty ought in fairness to be exaeted. If
the street car companies can supply the
service during the proposed exhibition at 15
cents they can do 1t regularly for 20 cents.