davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The Underwriters Excuse for Exorbi-
tnnt and Discrimination Charges.

The Investigator. March ~. 1895
The members OF the Commercial club o.
Omaha. Neb.. are among the leading olti
zens Of the state, and whatever they do. as
a body. is done in the interest OF the entire
community in which they live. The club has
recently been very active trying TO better
the existing conditions of the city, both Of
a private and public nature. Among other
things II has been making efforts to secure
lower rates of fire insurance. All this is
commendable. But there is a right way
and a wrong way. a proper time and an
improper time to bring about reforms. II
the people OF Omaha want lower rates OF
insurance they must do something to war
rant a reduction. They cannot be secured
by calling together in mass meeting the citi-
zens Of the town and demanding the COM
panies to reduce rates, when nothing Is
being done to warrant that reduction.
Abusing the insurance companies will not
bring about that end. They are the best
judges of their own business. Nor is the
fact that the companies made money last
year any reason why they should reduce
rates in Omaha or anywhere else this year.
In tho two preceding years they lost money
everywhere, and last year only helped to
even up the two Improbable years. The
money made last year was not made in
Omaha or in the west. Fire insurance bust
ness was profitable in the east and south,
the first year in twenty in which there was
any profit taken out of these sections. These
are facts which cannot successfully be con-
tradicted.
Well, the right way for Omaha to go
about it to secure a reduction of rates is to
reduce the fire hazard Of the city. This can
be done by e~nacting better building laws,
improving the buildings already erected,
strengthening the fire d~eparement and in
creasing the water supply. This done, and
then will be the proper time to ask for a re-
duction of rates, If the companies shall not
already have voluntarily reduced them-the
chances being two to one in favor of that
they have. There is no justification for a
reduction at the present time. On the con-
trary, there are good reasons why 1t should
not be done. These citizens of Omaha who
are of the opposite opinion have the priv.le ge
of proving the faith that is in them by or
ganizing mutual companies, as they have
threatened to do, and going into the business
on their own account. In this way they can
keep the money at home and pocket the
profits they claim to be in the business. Their
experience in this line, however, will be a
disappointment
The reason why the companies cannot
afford to reduce rates at Omaha now is be-
cause the fire insurance business has been
improbable in Nebraska the past three
years, and no better reason could possibly be
given than that. Here is the record:
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
sncnnrAny n TO puy rnps
AnM Inn Enr AlNnnccl-

Declares, However,. thnt the Season ~
Now Too Far advanced.
WASHINGTON. March T--The question
d the construction OF the seed resolution,
which has now become a law. and its effect
on tho law which II Is intended TO enforce
and under which the former seed distribu-
lions have taken place. has been referred
by Secretary Morton to both the attorney
general and the comptroller OF the treasury
for opinions. Preliminary arrangements for
carrying the law into effect have been made
by the Agricultural department and Secre-
tary Morton says he will execute to the LETT
ter the law as construed by the attorney
general. The reference Of the matter to
Comptroller Bowler is to prevent any hold
ing up OF the expenditure accounts
Secretary Morton reitorates his previous
statements that he intends to buy the seeds
already packed. This he says. "is a mat
ter optional with the secretary. There will
DO no more employment of unskilled and abb
solutely new employees every season to at
tend to this part of the distribution scheme.
BY doing away with this employment the
government will be able to buy for the same
money on hand rs per cent more seed. II
any additional force is needed employees will
be procured through regular civil service ex-
aminations. The amount of money which had
been already appropriated for the work Is
about 1929, 900. The new law provides that
the distribution shall take place as in pre-
ceding years and therefore there will be about
10, 900, 900 packages OF seeds to buy and two
thirds of these will be subject to orders OF
senator's and members of congress. Tho
seeds can be of little use at this time In the
year and in the south the gardens already
are made up. BY the time the seeds can be
placed in readiness to be sent out there are
scarcely more than eight states where they
would arrive in time. These include some OF
the New England states, Minnesota and
others in that latitude"
The secretary ia making up a list of the
seed establishments in good standing with
the department and In case the decision re-
quires it circulars will be sent asking them
IL they ca. furnish the seeds and for their
prices.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
New York Sun

There must be some good reasons of situa-
ton, climate, water or the absence of it.
peilucidity of atmosphere, and so on, to ex-
plain why Pittsburg is so often selected to
De the site of new parties. Dubuque, Ia, is
never without its charms for the wheel
winged scions of new and record-blfing IDEAS.
and Denver, Cincinnati, st. Louis, Kala~
inaz9o and Council Bluffs are seldom for
more than a week without a convention for
the purpose of throwing a revolving and rev.
oluticDary party into the aeons and into
the hands OF tho too often lukewarm public;
but above all other centers of the new party
Industry Plttsburg sits enthronsd s~erenely
and blinking the consciousness of superior
virtue and intelligence from plate glass spec
tacles OF S,000-magnifying power. New par
ties are formed In Pittsburg as easily as
Scotch dialect societies in contemporary lit
erature. Twelve. new parties were whirled
along their Triumphant ways this week, and
fourteen more are announced for next week.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Presidents Cleveland has allowed the
resolution 'brtlering his secretary of ag-
riculture teoearry out the provisions of
the free seed distribution appropriation
to become a law without his signature.
As Secretary Morton in his refusal to
distribute the seeds was supposed to be
acting at least with the tacit approval
of his chief, this leaves him in n rather
embarrassing position. With both the
president and congress against him, Mr..
Morton can do nothing but yield grace
fully and perform his part in the free
garden sass lottery.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
IN VAIN.

New York Home Journal.
Since grieving is vain,
And signing is pain,
And life Is whatever we make 1t,
When Fortune fills up
The full mean of each cup
Let US pledge her with smiles as we take IL.
For little she gives
To the spirit that grlves
And chides her, while quaffing her measure.
But let the last sup
Be consumed from the cup,
And she'll fill, and refill, unto Pleasure!
Was Friendship a name?
Was Loves rosy flame
Soon quench'd by the breath of disaster?,
The knieht-errant knaves
Now bask, like true slaves,
In the smiles of some opulent master!
Then why should we break
Our brave hearts for their sake?
They are dead; pile forgetfulness ore them,
Thus perish the twain!
We'd not have them again,
Could weakness or folly restore them.
Then, Sorrow. go, pack,
And never come back,
And Grief, and your brood, trund,e after:
Come, pull down your plumes;
We've rented your rooms
To Music, and Sunshine, and laughter
Humor and Song
VIII fill the day long,
And steal half the burden from labor:
Evening will come,
From her star-lighted home,
greet us with dance and with tabor!
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
EngIand's Naval Program.

1t is to insure England's ability to stand
alone, against any fee or alliance Of foes
that the present government has entered
upon this tremendous program. Not only
France and Russia are in mind, but Ger
many, too. England proposes to be able to
ccpe with all taree of them at once, II
need be. And that is the rational thing to
do, and the necessary thing, SO long as
militarism prevails in Europe, and so long
as England is to be mistress of a world
wide III and d worldwide empire.
But where will 1t all end? For end it must,
as Italy is now learning to her cost. Sooner
or later there will surely come a crash. and
while that nation which has least adopted
militarism may at first go to the wall, that
enc which has by such burdens least ex-
hausted its vital resources will in the end
be triumphant. So the census and the birth
rate and the savings bank accounts may,
after all, be as good data for prophecy as
are the army and navy lists. In this view
OF the case the outlook for England Is more
hopeful than for any of her rivals,
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
1t seems that so far as the results are

concerned the experiment with the
Crawford county system of primary
nominations at Lincoln has not been so
great a step in the direction of reform
as was expected by its ardent admirers.
The characters of the nominees are no
better and ne worse than of those usu-
ally selected by the city conventions,
while the powers that made the success
full candidates are the same that have
made them in previous years. In other
words, the opportunities for the fran
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

In view of the fact that the official
statistics show that there has been n
wonderful falling off in immigration
during the past few years compared
with the lumber of immigrants who
came from Europe to the United States
just preceding 1893, the fears of the
immigration restrictionists seem to be
a triie oyerdrawn. If the people of the
east are being surfeitedI with immi-
grants, Nebraska would be glad to vel
come some of them to its borders. The
limits of population which this state can
comfortably support have not yet
heaved in sight. To all the immigrants
who have an ambition TO better their
industrial condition Nebraska extends
a standing invitation to share its re-
sources and contribute to its wealth.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
A CHECK TO srAMPEDEs.
History of tqnn important National
Convention Rule.

Convention Rule.
st. Louis Gil obe-D Democrat
There 10 talk 10 some quarters of a
stampede in favor, of Mckinley. so as to
nominate him on the first ballot in the St.
Louis convention. A stampede means a
change of votes mostly from compliments
to ~favorite soma 80 some substantial candi-
date, before the result Of the first ballot is
announced. That was possible until a rule
was adopted with a view Of defeating Mr..
Blaine In Cincinnati in 1876, and which has
been resdopted dJyo every convention since.
Mr. Cessna ofb Pennsylvania was at that
time a member Rfr congress. He had been
sorely disappointed by Speaker Blaine's re-
fusal to make him chairman OF the house
judiciary committees, and he went to Gin
clnnati to ''getneven" with Mr.. Blaine. Ho
knew that the ftanttns of the Blaine men in
cluded a stampede and a nomination on tho
first ballot. He secured his own appoint
ment as a member of the conventions COM
mlttee on rules, and was made its chair
man. In this capacity he reported a rule
to the effect that after a state had an
nounced it1 vote. that vote could not be
changed until the next succeeding ballot.
The ruIe was adopted without dissent. Its
point was not debated until an attempt was
made to violate it. 1t did its work very
effectively, and 1t was really the most potent
factor in the defeat of Mr.. Blaine. 1t IL
now q part of the common law of republican
conventions, and. under its operation, there
can he no stampede in favor OF any par
ticular candidate. That is to say, no candi-
date can be nominated by a change Of votes
before the result OF the first ballot Is an
nounced. To BIO nominated on the first bal
lot a candidate must have a majority OF the
votes Of the convention. over and above all
given as compliments to fayorite sons.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
Per Cent of
Ia

Previous to that the business was profitable
in that state, and the rates were also lower
than they have been during the three years,
The change from profit to loss can be easily
accounted for. The chief cause is that the
granger legislature of Nebraska enacted laws
encouraging and legalizing incendiarism. We
mean the valued policy law. Wherever
valued policy laws are in force there the loss
record is excessive and the companies never
make any money. Consequently rates are in
creased, although never to the profit point.
This is a plain statement of the facts as
they exist, and that is all there is to it.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
In evidence of omaha's steady trend

In evidence of Omaha's steady trend
toward renewed business prosperity, the
table of last weeks bank c~learances
affords most effective proof. Omaha's
kee cleared only ~$4,24S,O0i, Providence
only $4,235, 100, Buffalo only $3,920.350,
St Paul only $3,5i9,36i ana Denver
only $2,722,013. Moreover, the record of
Omaha's %clearings has shown a con-
slant Increase over that of the week
of the preceding year for three months
past. Such II showing is not to be
sQualed by any other city of its size.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Senator lodge asserts that he wants
to exclude all illiterate immigrants be-
cause they make up n large part of the
slums of eastern cities. Mr.. Lodge eX-
presses no purpose, however, of doing
away with the Sums. If the illiterates
In the slums could be lifted out of their
depressing surroundings they would
doubtless make rs useful citizens as the
literates who remain In the slums.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
Grentesf General of the WAR.

LtvlqFf 1Dy IhaFIes a. Dana.
l do not risl, anything in saying that the
greatest general We had, greater than Grant
or Thomas, was Abraham Lincoln. This was
aot so at the beginning. but after three or
four years OF this constant practice of the
art of war, he arrived at this supreme knowl-
edge OF 1t, SO That Moltke was not really a
bstter general or an ADLER planner of a cam
paign than President Lincoln was. To sum
t up, he was a born leader of men. He
knew human nature. He knew what chord
to strike and he was never afraid 10 strike
il whsn he believed the time to do SO had
arrived.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The promotion of Prof. Irwin Lewiston
to be principal Of the Omaha High
school Is n tribute to long and efficient
service rs instructor and assistant prin-
cipal and in accordance with the die
tates of a reformed civil service. The
new principal will have an opportunity
in the remaining months of the present
school year to demonstrate that he Is
the man for the place.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The democratic party will, we are
told, this year complete the first cen
tenary of its existence in this country.
For a party that was founded by
Thomas Jefferson and has attained
such a ripe old age the democracy has
learned less and forgotten more thar
the newest political party in the arena
of the United States.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The Board Of Health will at its meet
Ing tomorrow take steps to verify re-
ports of an epidemic of smallpox at
Kansas City. Should such report prove
true the board will be warranted in the
adoption of stringent measures to pre-.
vent the introduction of the disease into
this city. In just such cases as these
the usefulness of n health department
can be made manifest.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The politicians may be making the
loudest noise Just now. but the men who
are working for the promotion of the
Transmississippi exposition are the men
who are putting in the telling work for
Omaha and Nebraska.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

South Omaha is about to put in force
n curfew ordinance which will impose
heavy fines upon parents of children
found on the streets after o p. H.. The
measure might possibly prove of prac-
teal utility in a town of 10000 souls,
but 1t will hardly work in a metropolis,
as must be obvious to every intelligent
Observer
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

And now our mongrel demo-populistic
contemporary is writing resolutions for
the republican state convention to adopt.
AS The Bee has iterated and reiterated,
the republicans of Nebraska are not
only capable Of selecting their own dele
gates to st. Louis, but also of adopting
their own resolutions and platforms.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The house Of representatives has
actually adopted a resolution directing
the secretary Of war to make a survey
and estimate Of the cost of a break
water at Marquette bay. Wisconsin,
without making it n condition precedent
that the name of that bay be changed
forthwith
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

A supreme court decision has affirmed
the ruling of the lower court that the
Central and Southern Pacific railroads
must pay taxes in California just the
same as other railroads. This must be
n sad blow to the confidence of Coils
p. Huntington in the members of the
United States supreme court.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The right OF the people of Kentucky
to be constantly represented in the
United States senate by two senators
seems to have been entirely lost In the
legislative shuttle in that state.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Something must be wrong at the
states prison. The public has not been
inflicted with another penitentiary
squabble for several weeks. 1t seems
that after all it is possible to conduct
that institution economically and with
out friction among the state officers.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The anxiety of certain democratic
newspapers to pick out the man for the
republicans to nominate at the head of
their presidential ticket is an exhibition
of unselfishness that commands uni
versal admiration.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
Parnding with norro,ved pIumcs,

10 tell ting plan truth. Italy has simply
been putting on airs and living beyond her
means. She has been cutting a great
splurge on borrowed money, and that Ii, a
recourse that 1canhot be relied upon to keep
her among the great nations of Europe.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Some of-the members of the United
States senate seem to be laboring under
the delusion that the inhabitants of
Cuba will have votes to distribute in
the coming presidential election.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

chised corporations and municipal on
tractors nHa get in their work
are much The same under one sys-
tenn as pnlicr another. The only
way to get real municipal reform is to
get the people to take the nominations
to city office into their own hands and
sink partisanship long enough to make
honesty and ability the chief tests for
prefermenh in the local government.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

AS a collection agency for outlawed
debts owing by employees in the fire and
police forces the Omaha police commits
sion Is a bowling success.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

The children in the primary and gram
mar grades Of the public schools have
just as much right to ten months school
ing each year as have the pupils in the
High school. Popular sentiment will not
support any discrimination by the school
board in favor of one class of school
children and against another class.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
Value OF the Monroe Doctrine.

CINCINNATI Gaaelte,
1t seems that Perrine's comet heard Of the
new American Interpretation Of the Monroe
doctrine and has turned tail and departed
rather than be forced to submit TO arbitra-
tion. The earth is safe for the present.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
Could Carry Everything.

NhICAgO T"lmes-HeraId.
There is now no doubt that Mr.. Sherman
could sweep all the primaries in Cuba for
any office in the gift of the insurgents.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Condition of the Treasury.
WASHINGTON, March 17.-Today's state
ment of the condition of the treasury shows:
Available cash balance, 1855 1902, 919; gold re-
serve, $128, 1862, ga.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Indianapolis Journal.
If the senate will not permit the house to
raise revenues it should not permit the
senate to add to the appropriation bills.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Chicago Tribune.
To have rats in the city hall Is not agree
able. but the affection can be endured with
more general equaninity than barnacles.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Somerville Journal: Man is at his best
during. the cold months of the year, because
then there are no flies on him.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
srArrMrNr OLE CIRCULATION.

olAl Eh1ENI Of
George II. Tzschuck. secretary of Tie Bee Fub-
fishing company. being duly sworn. says that the
actual number OF full and complete copies ot VIZ
Daily Morning, Evening and Sunday Bee printed
during the month Of February, 1896, was as ioi-
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Less deductions for unsold and returned 80
copies V'''o
NO, .,,s. sci. 92
Moi daily nver,ge Is, 100
GEORGE y. TZSCHUCK.
Sworn TO before me and subscribed in my pres
ence this I'd day of March. 1895.
(Seal.) N. II, FELL. Notary Pupiic'
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Texas Sitter: In Alabama they chew the
tassels of the fir trees as a substitute for
tobacco, which reminds one of the adage:
BE fr-chewers and you will be happy"
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Judge: Louise-How do you come on
with that leap year proposal? Emma-I
don't know yet. Harry is still examining
my letters of recommendation.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
BUILT FOR FUN.

Washington Star: "Micky,'' said Mr..
Dolan, learn to say no. But don't veg
make the mistake av dom all yer practisin'
on yer creditors"
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

on yer creditors
Texas Sitter: In Alabama they chew the
tassels of the fir trees as a substitute for
tobacco, which reminds one of the adage:
BE fr-chewers and you will be happy"
s9meryille Journal; Man is at his best
then there are no flies on him.
Judge: Louise-How do you come on
with that leap year proposal? IImma-I
my letters of recommendation.
Boston Transcript: Mrs. Greene-Of course
you read all your husbands stories?
Oh, dear, no! they are nothing to the stories
he sometimes tells me after he has been
out of an evening.
indianapolis Journal: Through the de-
fenseless atmosphere came the witching
WAL" said the man who chews navy
plug, they may be as raw as them say
Detroit Free Press: Cumso-Doing any
Cawker-Welis / accompanied my wife to
a piano recital last night.
Chicago Post: Tn afraid to buy this
wheel; it may make me get thin
"oh. no; wheeling increases the flesh"
wheel and is afraid she will get fat"
Not at all; most people who wheel lose
flesh right along"
Texas Sitter: The man who keeps his
mouth shut never has to eat any crow.
IMPLANTED
Washington Star.
Affair we hailed sweet spring, who sped
So swiftly toward the scene,
Where welcoming skies We're blue o'erhead
And buds grew gently green.
But winter, envious to see
The hopeful world admire,
Spread icicles. and laughs while she
Must mend q punctured tire.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

kansns CITY Times (dem).
Who are democrats? BY what standard is
nOcracy to be measured?
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18
EXPLAINED.

Texas Sitter: The man who keeps his
mouth shut never has to eat any crow.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-18

Detroit Free Press: Cumso-Doing any
Lenten penance, Cawker?
Cawker-Well, l accompanied my wife to
a piano recital last night.