davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
"a DOLLAR OR TWO"


AS with cautious steps we tread our way
through
May we still on our journey be able to view
The benevolent face of a dollar or two.
For an excellent thing is a dollar or two
In country or town as we pass up and
down,
+ you get tire, tired Of a baehslor's life,
One thing if you do it will be easy to WOO,
You must freely come down with dollar
For lovers arrows are tipped with dollar
And affections are nipped when no wealth
No rival or lutte in advancing a sui.
Can charm like the chink of dollar or
If you wish to be called dear brother so
true
And enjoy front seat in we.l-cushioned
And stand in the ranks of the church going
You must freely come down with a dollar
For big sermons are preached for dollar
And church fellowship reached with dol
You may sin some at times, but the worst
Is to find yourself short of dollar or two.
If you wish to secure in the paper puff
And be called fine fellow, no matter how
Or how mean you may be, this is what you
must do
Give reporter and printer a dollar or two.
For you can get what you want for dol
lar or two.
If for office you try, their votes you can
buy
For drink of old rye and dollar or two
The lawyers will plead for dollar or two
The doctors will bleed for dollar two;
The farmer sells wheat and the butcher
sells meat
And we're all apt to cheat for dollar or
two.
For the people all go for dollar or two,
And the circuses show for dollar or two;
In spite of hard times they'll take in your
dimes,
And sing pretty rhymes for a dollar or two.
1t has got so the ladies when they wish for
beau
They will look for the man who can make
the most dough;
He must swing big cane and wear a big
chain,
And both perhaps cost him dollar or two.
For the ladies are caught with a dollar or
two,
And they get sadly caught with dollar or
two;
A fellows a pearl in the eyes Of girl
If he's got mustache and dollar or two.
w. A b.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
RESTRICTION OF RAILROAD FRAN
CJTSES

! GfiISES.
The policy that has obtained very
generally in this country of granting
railroad franchises without any refer
/ ence to whether or not there was a
! legitimate demand for additional trans
portation lines. is in no small measure
responsible for the financial embar-
easements of so many railroad com
panies and the great number of re-
ceiverships which such embarrassments
made necessary. Public attention Is
| called to this in the report of the Illi-
nois Railroad and Warehouse commits
sion for 1895, in which it is said that
"to the general law which authorizes
the unrestrained construction of rail
ways financial embarrassments of the
railroad companies may be largely at
tributed." 1t appears that under this
law any five persons, regardless of their
responsibility, may obtain franchise
for constructing railroad, and more
than 300 franchises have been granted
since the law went into effect though
many of the proposed lines have never
been constructed. In other cases, how
ever where capitalists have been in
duced to invest in the building of n
new road through territory already
provided with sufficient transportation
facilities, the commission says the re-
suit has been undue reduction of rates,
poor service, and in many instances
bankruptcy to both old and new COM
panies. The commission urges that
authority should not be granted for
the construction of a new line of rail
road unless the proposed line meets
some public necessity, and recommends
legislation restraining the construction
of unnecessary and destructive new
roads. The commission also suggests
that the authority to grant franchises
should be lodged in an impartial tri-
bunal that will be prompted only by
a desire to do equal and exact justice to
the corporation seeking recognition and
the people.
The experience of Illinois in this mat
ter may be accepted as a safe guide
for other states, and, indeed, it affords
ii lesson of general application. The
policy of the general government and
of the states in the matter of granting
franchises for the construction of rail
roads should be restricted to lines for
which there is a demonstrated demand.
If such Il policy had always prevailed
there can be no doubt that the rail
road interest of the country would be
in much better condition than 1t is, and
no other interest would have suffered
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
Penalty for AtrOciOus Crimes.
Chicago Tribune.

The supreme court Of Pennsylvania has
sustained the verdict of death in the Holmes
case. 1t says there are no substantial errors
in the record. and that the evidence sus-
tains the verdict. Doubtless there were
technical errors In the record but the SUI
preme court Of Pennsylvania, unlike that Of
Illinois. Is not in the habit of hunting fer
them, magnifylng them, and letting criminals
go free on account Of them. SO Holmes
must hang, for Governor Hastings will
not commute his sentence, even II he should
be petitioned to do SO. That is unlikely.
for Holmes crimes have been so peculiarly
atroclous that all people want him to swing
Even the ultra-morbid sentimentalsts have
not sorrowed over his fate
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

The decision OF sthe supreme court of the
United States-the advance report of which
was exclusively anpqunced in the Times
Herald OF yesterday 7sustains the interstate
commerce law in its most rigid provisions.
and makes 1t possible now to subject the
railroads of the country to absolute govern
ment control. uy4,
1t looked, at one tine, as II this law was
to have no effect twhatever. except as vol
unfairly compiled with. and that it had great
loopholes through which the railroad mana
gers could escape the penalties imposed by 1t,
But the supplementary act Of congress Of
February II. 1898, closed those loopholes. and
TIE supreme court has now sustained that
act, No more important decision,
as affecting the people and their interests as
against the great and powerful corporations,
has been rendered for more than half a
century.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
The First Duty of Congress-.

The first duty Of congress is to provide
more revenue for the government
With a deficiency of $430O0,O 900 in the
revenues for the last fiscal year and with no
authority in the treasury to make loans
except upon thirty-year per cent basis
or to issue certificates in any emergency,
congress Is with criminal heedlessness facing
the possibility of two foreign wars while
considering in routine manner wars while
pration OF $l00,O00,O00, nowhere in sight, for
coast defenses and new war ships!
Was ever such supneness displayed before
by civilized government having boundless
resources at its command?
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

oppressed by crushing debt they stil kept
on with the lingo game of which the African
colonization scheme was one Of the features
There is no more reason why Italy should
govern Abyssnla than there is why We
should govern Italy. but then Italy would
show the world that she could establish
colonies aud protectorates Just as well as
Germany and England. So che sent troops
out to kill the gentle African. and TO be
killed by him. with the result that up to date
the African seems to be getting much the
best Of it. 1t should gall her now to think
that if she had held herself aloof from all
these complications and devoted herself to
the common sense administration of domes-
tic affairs she might now be on the high
road to prosperity
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Omaha's fame as a convention city
extends throughout the nation. The
coming summer will bring us at least
three great conventions. viz: In June
the National Law convention, with
LOCO delegates; the Christian Endeav-
orers, in August, with 5000 delegates.
and during the fair in September, the
Northwestern Scandinavian Singing So
ciety. 700 strong. will visit the CITY,
These great events will call for extra
ordinary effort in the line of providing
adequate entertainment, but there is no
reason to doubt that Omaha will be
fully prepared.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
THE MAYORS PREROGATIvES.

Mayor Broatch holds peculiar views rs
of an executive. He appears to regard
all subordinate officers who hold theii
commissions by appointment. as well
as all their subordinates, as Il retinue OF
personal employees. In fact, he treats
these men as if their allegiance were due
| primarily to him and only secondarily
| to the city. In his former term of Office
| he was always talking about my in
| spector," "my policeman" "my fire.
man" and "my attorney" 1t was this
| assumption of personal ownership of
public servants paid from the public
treasury and their treatment as mere
personal perQuisites of his office that
made Mr.. Broatch so unpopular when be
was mayor back in the sos.
Mayor Broatch evidently believes. with
the oldline machine politicians, that the
government was created for governors
instead Of for the governed. This
idea has long since been exploded. 1t
would not be tolerated even in the gov
ernment of an army. Obedience is es-
sential to discipline. but no executive,
whether he be Il governor or mayor,
has any right to treat his appOintees as
mere puppets or degrade them to the
position of political serfs. The mayor
is, it is true, responsible for good gov
ernment and the efficiency of the munic-
ipal service. He is expected to place
at the head of each department men
qualified to perform the duties of their
respective positions. That implies their
ability to choose deputies and other
subordinates on whom they can depend
for an efficient and honest discharge of
duty. To talk about conducting the
affairs Of the city on business principles
when the men in charge of the various
branches of the city government are
nothing but jumping-iack to dance
when the mayor pulls the strings, is an
insult to common intelligence.
When the head of the health depart
ment, who is required to possess pro-
fessional abilities and is charged with
the protection of the public health, is
denied the right to exercise his con
scientious choice of health inspectors
and bulldozed into prostituting his posi-
ton to the redemption of the mayors
political promises to men notoriously
unqualified, an outrage is perpetrated
on the community. Even if we concede
that the wishes of the mayor should be
consulted in the selection of subordi-
mates by department heads, no excuse
can be offered for foisting upon the
service men who are either barred by
the charter or who are known to be
unfit and whose only claim is personal
political service. 1t is just such per-
formances as we have witnessed in the
city hall within the past two months in
displacing competent and faithful EN-
plOyes with men known to be incom-
petent or disreputable that has in other
cities stimulated the growing demand
for municipal civil service that places
merit and fidelity to the public interest
above political dirty work and assures
to men in subordinate stations employ
ment during good behavior.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

BROOKLYN Eagle

The bill allowing an American citizen to
get his boots blacked in New York City
without secreting himself in a cellar has
passed. and the leather polishing fraternity
is loud in praise of Governor Morton. What
a queer land we live in! A fine of $100 for
feeding an English sparrow. Imprisonment
for the man who shaves another man in
Schenectady, but liberty for one who does
it in Saratoga, and special bill required
before it is safe to haye ones shoes blacked
above ground
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Ex-Governor Furnas has made the
public announcement that he was agree
ably disappointed in his expectation
that the location of the state fair in
Omaha would not prove successful. He
gladly admits the fair of last fall was
the greatest state exposition in the his
tory of Nebraska. Everybody knows
the drawbacks incident to the first an
nual fair, which of course, will not be
encountered this year. With half the
effort expended last year, far better
exhibit will be given next fall This
fact will be readily conceded by all who
have given the subject any attention.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
FRAMING PRIVILEGE ABUSES.
The Main Cause of the Deficits in
Postal Revenues,

Chicago Times Herald
The investigations following the accidental
discovery in the malls OF a package OF cufIs
under cover Of an official penalty label, be-
longing to Pennsylvania congressman, have
led TO disclosures of viola tion OF the Thanking
privileges so fragrant In character as to call
for special legislation. The abuses are said
to be at present worse in character and ex-
tent than at any previous time in the history
OF the government.
Former abuses of the mail privileges,
which led to the temporary ab0ishment OF
the frankng system, were confined largely
to the congressman and their assistants In
the transmission of personal effects, such as
clothing, boots, shoes. silk hats, etc. But
at present the investigations of the SCI ate
committee on postoflices and postroads saow
that the gravest abuses are practiced by the
executive departments. 1t has been shown
to the senate committee that the greatest
source of embarrassment to the postal
authorities has been the custom of depart
ments of sending through the mails such
bulky and heavy articles as roll-top desks,
catpets, trunks. boxes, camp outfits, saddles,
blankets, harness. typewritcrs, etc.
Unless the abuse is checked it is only
question of time when congressman will
frank billy goats, baby cabs, dogs and donkeys
through the mails at Uncle Sans expense.
During the year 1894 the expenditures of
the postal department exceeded the postal
revenues by S9,243,937. The business of the
previous year showed deficit of Sc 177.171.
An increase of S3,000,0OO in the deficit in
one year cannot be regarded as very rapid
pre- gross toward penny postage.
The compensation of railroad companies
for mail service is based on weight of mail
carried. The monsttous abuse of frankng
privileges by congressman and eX-
ecutive departments adds immensely TO the
expenses of the government. This frankng
abuse and the sending of tons of books
alleged family papers and congressmen's
speeches, through as second class mail matter
are responsible for increasing annual def
cits and make the future establishment of
penny postage a matter of dreamy specula-
ton
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Within q few weeks the assessors of
this city and county will begin their
official duties. No one this year will
combat the proposition that every foot
of taxable property and every dollars
worth of personal property must be re-
turned under our revenue laws by the
assessors. Property unlawfully ex-
empted should and must be listed. The
larger the exemption list the heavier
the burden upon owners of property
that is not exempt.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Commissioners TIT reported to the
Commercial club that the committee
appointed to inquire into fire insurance
rates. and if possible secure reductions
therein. had run against snag and
found 1t difficult TO answer the argu-
ments of the insurance men. This COM
mittee has certainly been hypnotizcd.
The figures presented by The Bee the
past few weeks 1and the expressions of
business men and property owners fully
made up a Strong case in support of
the demand fdt reduced rates. The
Retailers association also presented
potent facts and figures to the same
end The plain fact is the Commercial
club prefers to let some other agency
fight out the insurance rate matter
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Senator Brice is not so enthusiastic
over the proposed candidacy of eX-Gov-
ernor Campbell for the democratic presi-
Dental nomination as he might be. He
ran Mr.. Campbell for governor of Ohio
last year and he thinks that if he is to
pay any ones compaign expenses this
year 1t may as well be his own.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Eastern money lenders have long held
mortgages ON property in every west
ern state. Nebraska Is no exception
TO the rule. 1t has been the aim of our
people to attract eastern money into
the state. Without 1t western state
cannot be developed. During recent
years OF depression many western mort
gage holders have been compelled to
foreclose and take the property. They
have suffered alike with the mortgagor
The time Is not far off. however, when
the tide will turn and the eastern money
lender win reap his ultimate profits on
holdings In this state
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Governor Drake has appointed Hon.
George Il. Wright of Council Bluffs to
be vice president of the Transmissis-
sippi exposition for Iowa. Iowa takes
the lead in cooperating with Nebraska
for the promotion of the exposition prof.
ect and deserves credit for it. Mr..
Wright has been an ardent supporter
Of the exposition, and can be counted
on to devote his time and energies to
its successful Accomplishment.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Like the book agent who agreed to
make his exit after he had been politely
but forcibly elected down two flights of
stairs, Senator Blackburn says he will
retire from the race for reelection If Il
majority of the democratic Legislative
caucus requests him to do so, The ma
jority which he wants to request him to
withdraw could just rs well make some
one else the caucus nominee, whether
Senator Blacburn wishes to withdraw
or not
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Complaints areoently made about the
alleged inadeqnaey of water pressure in
the neighborhood of the Douglas street
bridge would seem to call for informa-
that the water pressure is insufficient or
that the water mains are too small, the
remedy can and should be applied The
only way to make sure of this matter is
to order the fire department to institute
Il test and report the results.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

One member of the house suggests
that the white house is the best possible
field for missionary work. After the
missionaries get through with the white
house they might find profitable work
waiting for them in the senate wing OF
the national capitol.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

If the state is to recover any of the
public money that was eaten up in the
Mosher bank failure 1t will have to get
1T through court order for its share of
the dividends paid to creditors of the
defunct concern. 1t might as well have
eXacted no bond from the treasurer in
whose custody the money had been given
so far as the protection which it secured
to the taxpayers is concerned.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Compare The Bees cable dispatches
on the Italian defeat in Abyssinia with
the accounts appearing in pretended
competitors published in this vicinity.
The Bees news service surpasses the
abbreviated service of it's local contem-
poraries as fine roast surpasses hash
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Comptroller Westberg did the right
thing in acting on the suggestion of
The Bee and reinserting in his monthly
report the list of city repositories and the
amounts of city money therein without
waiting for action by the council If
the council wants to take the RESPONSE
bility of suppressing this vital informa-
ton, it rests with 1t to give specific
instructions to the comptroller to omit
u
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

wrath at the performance of Senator
Hale in objecting to his request for
unanimous consent to address few re-
marks upon his resolution directing the
president to recognize the Independence
OF Cuba. 1t must be extraordinarily ex-
asperating to prepare a speech upon q
timely topic and one that will not keep
and then be compelled to delay its de-
livery until after 1t has become ancient
history.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

The senate committee that is to in
vestigate the subject of contempt Of
court will not be able to do justice to
its task without visiting Nebraska and
inquiring into some of the contributions
made by it's courts to the body Of con-
fnmnt law
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Whether the office Of United States
district attorney is made salaried posi-
ton or continues dependent upon it's
fees, the attorneyship for Nebraska will
remain a very desirable political plum
worth not less than $500 year.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

The ponderous attorney general of the
great state of Nebraska has at last been
permitted to make an argument in a
hearing before the learned bench of the
United States supreme court. But then
n cat can look at king.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

The decision of the supreme court in
the Hill case should enable the county
attorney, as well as the legal depart
ment OF the city, to proceed in the Bolln
embezzlement cases on the lines laid
down by the court.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

The newspapers have now gotten to
talking about Italy in Abyssinia." A re-
viscd edition of the standard geography
Of Europe and Africa will soon be in
current demand.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

1t Is In accord with the eternal fitness
of things that II so-called republican 1G
to / free silver meeting should be pre-
sided over by fresh convert TO re-
publicanism like George w. Covell. 1t
seems, however, altogether out of place
for n republican city attorney to de-
nounce the republican party for the al
legged crime of '73, and dance 4 ghost
dance over its adherence to the cause
of sound money. or all men, Mr.. Con-
nell ought to remember the lesson Of
1890, when he was defeated for con
gress by Mr., Bryan chiefly because he
agreed with Bryan on the money issue
and disagreed with the great mass VI
the republicans. Why any republican
should want to agitate 10 TO free eJiii-
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

age now on the eve of presidential
campaign. wircp. he must know that the
party PLATFORM of 1896 will declare un-
equivocally against debasing the cur
rency, Is intiombrehensible
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
IN WONAN'S DOMAIN

Partisan modes for early spring-i.atest
fad in golden portieres of net strung
with yellow shells-A woman train
dispatcher-Why Mrs. Cleveland is pop
ular and makes friends so easily
Women chopping wood for charity's
s.,ke-Fashion notes from fashion cen.
ters--NewS items about famous women.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Every day property owners are anX-
iously inquiring about the union depot
matter. They are impatient of delay.
1t is probable, however, that something
can be done within the next few weeks.
The supreme court at Washington is
expected to dispose of the suit between
the Union Pacific and the Milwaukee
and Rock Island roads to determine
the validity of the bridge contract. In
that event the Iowa roads will know
just what to do with respect to the
new project. Should they win the suit
they cannot be shut out of Omaha pend
ing the construction of the new depot
case, their opportunity to avail them
selves of the new inlet will enable them
to make an advantageous contract with
the Union Pacific covering the period
of construction of the new depot. At
any rate, the expected decision will put
what to do, and there is little doubt
they will close n contract with the new
company. Three of the six railroads
have already agreed to enter the depot.
With the Milwaukee and Rock Island
as good as secured, there remains only
the Burlington, which is regarded as
the sole opponent of the enterprise.
This road, it is understood, invested
over $4,000 In cash in the Tenth street
structure, and its managers feel sore
because Of the failure of the enterprise.
If it be true they are holding out for
II proposition to reimburse them, a new
problem will be encountered
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07

Detailed history of the improvements
made i'm mechanical appliances by the
skilled wurkmen of this country as mar
rated in the lecture recently given by
superintendent j. II. Mcconnell before
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
WESTERN WOMEN sCuLPTORs.

4 group Of young women artists to
Illinois have contributed-Strong, real
istic and original work that is being
done by them-Women who are, making
their mark in the world of plastic art.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
llNIOIE TYrEs ~ suIrS

The navy Of the United States com
tains ships OF four types not found else
where, which are the best fighting ma
chimes afloat-These are the Monitor
the Ammen ram Katahdin and the Hol-
land torpedo boat-A clear and INTEREST,"
ing exposition of what they might be
expected to do i'm case Of need.