davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
LET US KEEP COOL.

The American people are rather too prone
ID get highly excited for sentimental rea-
sons over matters that do not involve their
interests or honor. and which are really
none of their business except as they
choose TO make them SO. We should al
ways be quick to defend our rights. our
interests or our honor but we do not want
to earn the reputation of being the Don
Quixote of nations and of undertaking to
right all the wrongs in the world. There
has been a great deal of sentimental gush
in Congress over the Turkish outrages in
Armenia. there was a large amount of
buster and bravado over the Venezuelan
business. and now there is a fresh out
break OF warlke talk on the Cuban ques-
tion. Before proceeding to get violently ex-
cited over these questions We should re-
member that none of them involves Amer
lean interests or honor to any appreciabe
extent, and that our concern in or about
them is purely sympathetic So far as
the Armenian and Venezuelan questions are
concerned they did not affect even re-
motely, and although the Cuban question
comes nearer home and affords a much
thies. 1T has not involved any such viola
tion of American rights interests as
requires would Justify going to war
for their protection. There is abundant
room for sympathy and for the expression
of popular feeling, but il is sometimes far
| wiser for governments to resist and oppose
such expressions than to yield to them.
War Is always a serious and costly mat
ter 1t should be the last resort of re-
publics as well as of kings. War with
Spain would be greatly to be deprecated
because 1t would be serious and costly. and
We could not get any glory profit out
of 1t. OF course, in such a war the United
States would come out victorious, but the
victory would probably cost a great deal
more than most people imagine. and, when
gained, would not be worth the price
There would be glory to the United
States in whipping Spain, and when We
came to foot up the debit and credit sides
| of the account we should probably dis
cover that the practical enforcement of
our sympathy with Cuba had resulted in
| large addition to our public debt. Of
course, such a war would result in the
| liberation of Cuba, and equally. of course
| the present recognition of Cuba by this
| government would result in war, but be-
| fore taking that step We should ask our
| selves very seriously if we are called upon
to do it by considerations of national in
| terest or honor. and If it would pay. Be-
cause the Cubans are striking for inde-
pendence it does not follow that the United
States should engage in strike of SYM
pathy.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

President Gompers, of the American
Federation of Labor, said in his address
in Cincinnati:
Whatever else the enemies of our move
ment may urge against it, no one can dis
pute but that the organizations of labor
have very largely. If not entirely, pre-
would have otherwise taken place Hence
the world owes to the tradeS-uniGn move
ment debt of gratitude which il can
never repay, for the miserieS ii has pre-
vented and the opportunity that ii pre-
SentS for the natural and gradual progress
of industrial, social and moral influences.
Mr.. Gompers did not state who 1.-The ene-
mics of our movement are and probably
he would find it difficult to do so. So far
as the Journal knows, everybody approves
of trades unions and all the legitimate OBJ
jects at which they aim. such as higher
wages, shorter hours. better conditions and
the Improvement, advancement and eIeva-
ton of labor generally. These are legiti-
mate and worthy objects. and so long as
labor unions are entitled to universal SYM
pathy. Organization and cooperation are
among the most obvious of such means.
1t is only when labor organizations resort
to violence or other means involving dis
regard of the rights Of others that they
meet with public condemnation, and that
does not argue hostility to the unions, but
only to wrong methods.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

third-class cruisers and forty-eight torpedo
boats. This throws our naval programme
completely into the shade. France this
year voted s46.00OOOO for her navy. of which
S,S0O.000 is TO be expended on account of
fourteen new vessels whose total cost will
be sl9.O0O,OOO. The naval construction pro-
gramme on which France is now engaged
will cost. when carried out. about $40. .000-
coo. Germanys naval programme includes
one first-class battle ship. five frst-cass
cruisers and fleet of torpedo boats TO cost
$13.0O0000 when completed. In addition to
. this. in the next three months she will lay
down three battle ships. to cost between
$5000.o0O and So 900 each. and seven cruis-
ers 10 cost from 81 800 900 to 50, 200 600 each.
Russia's naval construction programme
has been arranged TO cover a period of
seven years. and to cost, when completed,
So, 100000. For this year S45,00000O is au-
100000 year until, in 1902, it amounts to
s47. 100000. Even Spain, notwithstanding
the depleted condition of her treasury, has
authorized this year the construction of
new battle ship of 11,OOO tons. two 6OOO-ton
cruisers and two torpedo vessels. Japan's
naval programme is the most extensive of
any, covering a period of seven years and
providing for the construction of III war
ships. a large number of them armored.
These enormous naval expenditure by
other countries show that the ocean is be-
coming more and more the field where ma
tions are to contest for supremacy, and
that it is of the first Importance that the
United States should have a navy sufficient
for self-defense and. if necessary, for Of
fensive operations.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
SEA POWER.

The estimates of appropriations submitted
by the secretary of the treasury for the fis-
cal year, July l, 1897. to June 30. 1898, call
for So. 434. 773 for the navy. The appropria-
ton last year was $40 97l6,O77 These are
large figures and may well excite atten-
ton. Moreover. they are apt to continue at
about this rate for several years to come
yet they do not necessarily imply any mis-
appropriation or waste of public funds In
large field for economy. but in spite of all
that can be doIe in this direction a mod
ern navy is an enormously costly plant.
The time has come. however when, if this
country is TO take and hold place among
great powers, it must have modern navy
At present the United States has a re-
spectacle navy. including few of the fast
est armored cruisers and best fighting
machines In the world. but our navy is
considerably surpassed by those OF some
other countries, which are also expending
much larger sums in strengthening their
navies than we are At present the United
States has twenty-eight armored war ships,
England has eighty-five. France fifty-eight.
Italy twenty-nine, and Russia thirty, and
each of these countries is expending more
money on its navy than We are. An off,
cial statement recently issued contains in
teresting information on the subject. 1t
shows that. Notwithstanding England's s
navy is already much the strongest in the
world. she is spending more I'm strengthen
ing her navy than any other coultrv. She
has appropriated for her navy this year
sios. 100. She is now building thirteen
first-class battle ships. ten first-class cruis-
ers. sixteen second-class cruiserss seven
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

Yesterdays Journal contained accounts
OF the suicide OF two men for the reason
that they were poor and unable to support
their families. Suicide Is always more or
less OF a mystery to persons of healthy
mind. and this particular variety of it is
especially so. Nothing is more distressing
or pathetic than the sight OF a man anxious
TO work and unable to obtain employment,
but when he has wife and child de-
pendent upon him these hostages 10 for
tune usually inspire him to such deter
mined effort that he does not 20 idle long.
To abandon the struggle and leave his
family helpless signifies the existence of an
inherent moral weakness. He may not
have been to blame for adverse conditions
but ne was at fault for not fighting them
until death overlook him. Under such cir
cumstances 1t is cowardice to-.seek death
as a refuge.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
N,KINLEY'S VISITORS.
VIII CumbaclS and John w. Lo"et'
Among Those at Canton.

CANTON O. Dec. l5-Major Mckinley
excused himself to callers Tuesday morning
for an hour or more to place himself in
the hands of his dentist. He was driven
hack to the house about IL o'clock in COM
pany with Mr. Charles G. Dawes, of Chi
cago. who arrived in Canton from New
York at 1926 this morning. He lunched
with the major and consultation followed.
Ex-Governor Will Cumback, of Green's
burg, Ind, accompanied by Mr.. John w.
Lovett, of Anderson, Ind, paid their re-
spects to the President-elect during the
morning Mr.. Brutus j. Clay, of Rich
mond KY. son of the famous old Ken
tuckian Cassius NJ. Clay ard Brigadier
General James l.. Botsfcrd, OF Youngs-
town. formerly quartermaster general on
Governor McKinleys staff. also paid their
respects to the President-elect to-day. Gen.
eral Botsford was a member of the famous
Twenty-third Regiment o. V.
National Chairman Hanna and lieuten-
ant Governor Saxton, OF New YORK, were
here to-day, but returned TO Cleveland TINS
evening. The latter's visit was OF social
nature Chairman hanna came 10 confer
| on Inauguration arrangements. particularly
those decided on during his recent Visit
to the capital. The location OF the IN
augural ball is not fully determined and
the library building is still in view n h
Kohlsaat, of Chicago, was In conlerence
evening. He came here from Cleveland to
| take the evening Pennsylvania tram Tor
| home Daniel Ryan. ex-secretary Oh state,
| and former Lieutenant Governor Lyons.
| personal and political friends OF Major Nc
| Kinley, were with him while this even
! ing.
When Major Mckinley goes to Chicago.
| as he now expects TO do this week, starting
on Thursday night, no special arrange
\ ments for travelling will bemade. and in all
Droba bilities he will occupy a berth in one
| Of the regular trains leaving here during
| the early evening. The object of the trip
| Is TO join Mrs. Mckinley for a few days
| visit With her cousins. Captain and Mrs.
| McWilliams as well as TO obtain some rest
| from the continuous strain OF receiving and
! entertaining callers. which he has been
doing Almost incessantly since returning 10
Canton at the close of his gubernatorial
term nearly a year ago. Ii Is also be-
| lieved that Major Mckinley desires some
diversion and rest from the routine or MS
life in Canton, the better 10 prepare Tor the
drafting Of his inaugural address, TO which
he Is now giving some attention. This doc
ument IL is now believed. viii be Wei un-
der way before the work Of forming
| Cabinet takes more tangible form kest
and quiet II is thought, will be found at
the McWillams home and IL Is understood
here that politics has no part OF the ar
rangement.
dispatch from Chicago says: An Invi-
tation was extended TO President-elect No
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

The lower branch of the Georgia Legisla-
ture recently defeated by three votes "a bill
to protect ''possums." This spelling of the
word is adopted in accordance with COM
mon usage in the United States, although
photographers have sought to give it Gel
tic origin by calling it Opossum. The men,
ber of the Georgia Legislature who intro
duced the bill to protect the animal re-
ferred to it IAN agricultural product -
but as he also classified it with game -
members were at liberty to take their
choice. The 'possum is known in Indiana.
but " seems to be better understood and
to command more respect in Georgia. The
Atlanta Journal says:
The 'possum is a good thing. He is es-
teemed highly by large part of our popu-
lation and the stranger within our gates
always rejoices when he makes his ac-
qualntance under proper conditions But
the 'possum has enemies-cruel. rapacious.
insatiate enemies-who attack him unfairly
and who: If they are not checked by the
arm of the law. will speedily exterminate
his species within the limits of Georgia.
The friends of the 'posSum ask that he be
protected and their request should be
granted. No poSSum should be killed or
captured during the season for which pro-
lection is provided in the pending bill. He
is not then in good condition. Let him
alone during the time suggested and in the
fall he will come forth fatter, finer. better
fitted for his true mission and far more
numerous. The extinction of the possum
would be a misfortune to the State. His
scarcity is now justly deplored and he
should be given chance to recruit his
depleted forces. The House has reconsid-
cred the possum bill and we hope to see
ii pass both branches of the Legislature.
Submitted TO a popular vote ii would un-
doubtedly receive an immense majority.
The Indiana 'possum is known as an en-
emy to hen-coops, and his characteristics
are not such to entitie him to be ranked
among game" animals. The only speech
made against the bill in the Georgia House
was by colored member and it seems to
have turned the scale against the possum
by narrow margin.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

1t seems that the Cuban junta has re-
ceived many offers of financial assistance
from citizens of the United States. People
who wish TO express their sympathy for the
insurgents in the practical way have per-
feet right to do so; no reasonable objection
can be offered. even by the Spaniards, to
their exercise of the right, and this form of
aid while not so powerful as government
recognition, must undoubtedly be very ac-
ceptable to the Cubans. Such expressions
of sympathy involve no one but the indi-
viduals Immediately concerned. and if the
fiery champions of the cause of Cuban lib
erty cannot await the deliberate action of
our government in the matter, or disap-
prove of it when taken, they do a far
greater service to their insurgent friends
by letting their sympathy take the shape
of cash contributions than by railing at
Congress or the President for not declaring
war against Spain instanter.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
HOar as Josh" WhitcOr,b.
Washington Letter

THE resemblance of Senator Hoar to
Deacon Joshua Whitcomb' in The Ole
Homestead has often been referred to-
said a New England congressman the other
day but the likeness never struck me So
forcibly as it did one day last summer In
monty pretty tune. ground out on a hurdy-
hurdy by an Italian. and had requested him
to play il again.
''As the Italians wife came up to me for
the change / had fshed out of my pocke;
a benevolent-looking old gentleman, wear
ing a white slouch hat on the back of his
head. his face round. red and beaming. his
trousers pretty well up on. old-fashioned
boot-legs. came across the street. The
woman caught sight of the kind face and
instinctively held out her hand for dona-
ton. The old gentleman looked at her
through pair of big round glasses,
grasped the outstretched hand. shook 1t
heartily and went beaming on his way. The
old gentleman was Senator Hoar."
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

resentative men. fresh from the people.
appointed through the machinery OF popu-
lar bodies. who shall formulate plan for
bringing an important measure TO the at
tention Of Congress. III this is not ''the in
itiative." what is it? When Populists op-
pose this they show either that they are
not sincere in demanding the initiative or
else that they do not kno~ what ii means.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
Innoc-nt People pardoned.

HEI ENA. Mont. Dec. 15-Governof
Richards has granted a pardon 10 Mr. ana
Mrs Edward Clark. serving seventeen
years each in the penitentiary az Deer
Lodge for the murder Of John r. Stewart
year Of the sentence Stewart was a
wealthy man. and suspicion first fell on
his wife. Mary Stewart. She was arrested
AT Spokene and tried at Missoula. To save
herself she accused her mother and step
father. They were convicted by her tss-
timony of mur1er In the second degree.
RuI remorse overlook Mrs. Stewart. and
she finally confessed to an attorney and TO
Ex-Governor Toole. but committed suicide
before a written statement could be signed.
Governor Richards made what reparation
lnv 4, =, power by pardonlng them.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

So far as the Journal has noticed. the
only opposition TO the proposed monetary
conference in this city is from Populist
sources. This Is very inconsistent. "A lead
ing feature of all Populist platforms is a
demand for .'the Initiative and the refer
endum-" These big words have meaning.
though there is reason to suspect that most
OF those who use them do not know what
It is. The initiative means that the
power OF originating legislation or setting
It on foot should rest with the people. In
a large sense tha. Is true of all legislation
I'm this country. and. therefore. there is no
need OF any change In our system. But
the eurrency-reform movement Is distinct
f<cosnifion OF that principle. IL contem-
DlateS convention and conference of rep
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
AIieged Train Rohber..

ST LOUIS, Dec. 15.-Walter Jackson. q
cigar maker. has been arrested on sus-
picion OF being one OF the men who held
up and attempted TO rob the Iron Noun
tain train in ST Louis on the night OF
Dec. O. Herman Keeney. William Hudson.
George Seeiy and Harry Sylvester were
also arrested. According 10 the police. they
are all worthless characters and belong
TO what is known as the Bates-street gang
and hang about the scene OF the hold-up.
The suspects were taken Defore Chief
Harrfgan who after a short interview.
ordered sylvester released and the others
held for further investigation. The police
have not yet been able 10 hx the crime
upon jackson or any Of the three men.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

The Populist Governor-elect of Washing
ton evidently intends TO furnish his sup
porters their moneys worth of spectacular
proceedings. The illustration he offers in
support OF his plea for free. untaxed land
cannot be of powerful influence. however.
upon those who are familiar with the
Puyallup Indians and their manner of life.
They have untaxable homesteads. it is
true. but make as l.ttle use of them as
possibie and apparently enjoy life in pro-
portion TO the amount of time they can
spend in fishing and hunting away from
their farms. But perhaps this is Mr..
Rogers's ides-that il white men have no
taxes TO pay they can have more fun.
which is undoubtedly a safe proposition.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

The Journal IS pleased TO know that the
twenty delegates from New York to the
approaching monetary conference in this
city will be appointed from the Produce
Exchange, Coffee Exchange. Cotton Ex-
change. Board of Trade and Transportation
and Chamber of Commerce OF that city.
These include the greatest commercial
bodies of the metropolis. They are the
kind OF men who are welcome in Indian
apols. ard 1t will do them good to come
here. They will see the finest inland city
In the country. an architectural monum' ut
unequaled i'm New York, and will have
their ideas enlarged in many ways
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

Senator PETER wants a commission of five
appointed to investigate and report on
the establishment of a permanent monetary
system, said commission to consist of one
National Democrat. one Republican. one
Democrat and one Populist. these to elect
tie ffsa person, of recognized learning on
finance. monetary system devised by
such commission would be a fine piece
of mosaic
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

One factor in the resources of the United
States for defense or aggression an English
writer Mr.. Stevens, points out. which NO
other Englishman has reckoned with. He
remarks
''At present the United States govern
ment pays S13S0OO. 600 a year TO pensioners
of the civil war. AS the men die these pen
sions fall in AZ the rate of s.. 900 to SS-
900 600 annually: In twenty years or so the,
This means over 900 sterling a year
paid already for military purpose which
can be diverted to arnlaments without Z.
cent of extra taxation. In twenty Year,,
this country will be easily able to turn out
a dozen battle ships a year without taking
a cent out of anybodys pocket. And tha.
means the naval supremacy of the world
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
The present attitude Of the ate candidat

The present attitude Of the late candidate
Bryan and his followers is complete vim
dication of the Republican party in the last
campaign. BY abandoning ''the free COIN
age of silver at 16 TO l. and taking up
''bimetallism' they virtually admit that
their former position was one of silver
monometailism and that the only hope of
real bimetallism-that is. the joint use of
gold and silver-is through international ac-
tion. This was the Republican position in
The recenf ca ampaign
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
Other Deaths.

LONDON. Dec. l5.-John Stuart Bligh.
sixth Earl of Darnley. is dead. He was
born in 1927 Lady May Bligh. daughter
of the late earl. was found drowned in a
in July last She is believed TO have COM
mitted suicide while suffering from de-
spondency due 10 an unfortunate love AZ
fair.
ceived at the War Department to-day an
nounces the death at San Bernarcino
ranch, Arizona. of First Lieut.. Edwin g.
Bullock. Seventh Cavalry. from pneumonia.
PARIS Dec I'm. PHILIPPE Eugene Cuis-
sart Radical deputy for the First division
of Laen. is dead. Nj. Cuissart was born In
1885 and had devoted special attention to
educational matters.
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
League Inauguration Committee.

CINCINNATI. o.. Dec. l5.-Hon. ID. ID.
Woodmansee. president OF the National
Republican League. to-day appointed the
following inauguration committee for the
league: Gen. T.. a. McAlpin. of New York:
Maj. Everett Warren. of Pennsylvania: ].
l.. c. Raymond. OF Illinois; Hon. Frank J.
Higgins. of New Jersey: Thomas +. Bar
rett, of West Virginia: r. j. Miller. OF
Ohio and DIR. l.. B. Booze, of Maryland.
President woodrnansee has called a meet
ing of this committee at the Ebbtt. at
Washington. for Friday of this week. to
perfect plans for the part To be taken by
the league at the inauguration OF Presi-
dent-elect Mckinley
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

The dispensing of official patronage is
getting TO be less and less subject of
permanent consideration with our Presi-
dents. The responsibilities of the office are
so great and its high duties so serious and
onerous that they refuse to become ex-
cited over the distribution or sroils. AS we
become more civilized this feature of Amer
lean politics will grow more and more OBJ
coIoscarf
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

To be claimant or ''pretender" seems
to involve as much distinction i'm France
and Spain as the genuine possession of a
throne or dukedom. The honor is con-
yeyed from father to son with much
soIemnity and ceremony if it really rep
resented something tangible
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16

1t is gratifying to know that the Marion
Soldiers Home is found to be the model
institution of its kind. but 1t is a national
concern, and Indiana has more direct
interest in the State home at Lafayette.
That Is in fair way to be model ins.i-
f,,sfo,,
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
To He i'm keeninr.

Sometimes said the returned Alaskan.
I'VE don't hear from the civilized world for
two MONTHS,
Say" said the youngest loafer. What
do you do then-celebrate Christmas in
February
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
Unstinted Admiration.

"Orayte is the best man at telling an
after-dinner story that / ever heard
That's SO. He tells that story he got off
to-day just we'll he did twenty years
ago; hasn't deteriorated a bit. 1t is some
thing wonderful"
The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-16
Shameful Neglect of Indianapolis.
Chicago Tribune.

Indanapolis's claim TO a population of
$50. .OcO is apparently well-founded. If a par
tial and purblind government would spend
even half as much money in improving
Pogues run as IL has squandered on the
riotous Mississippi. the Hoosier metropolis
would be in a position. look you. to make
faces at ST. Louis.