davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25

Shipbuiidcr Cramps Discovery Fur
HcRchinr nnd Important,
Sioux CITY Tribune,

An Invention or discovery which is calcu-
lated TO be Of value to che great agricultural
interests Of the country Is always a matter
Of lively concern, The latest reported dis
covery is SO far-rcaching ana important
that nothing but the prominence OF the
gentleman announcing 70 saves II from being
listed with The imprObabilitics. Ship
builder Cramp claims TO have found a pro-
cess by vich cornstalks can be utilized IN
diNeytnt ways by commerce, and he de-
clare1 Il will have thc efleet of raising the
value of the corn crop 81 per acre. What
this means to the farmers of the United
States can be figured out on the basis OF
the average croTs OF the past. During lS9o,
81 OI5 $50 acres were devoted to corn alone.
The value of the crop was S5li 9S6 5Si At
S5 an acre the increase in value would
suount to Silo.319 $50 Tor the acreage eu-
rloyCd in lS95-Or making the total value oI
corn and stalks OF S955,36l 6S4. II Mr..
Cramp Is not mistaken or dreaming, he Will
prove a public boncfactor second to none.
There seems TO be no reason 20 doubt that
he has stumbled upon a valuable discovery.
The nature Of the discovery itself Is not so
very remarkable; II is only a wonder that
the great waste Of cornstalks has been go
irg on for so many years without the valu-
able properties being discovered and utilized.
Among the multitude OF things which MIR.
Cramp says can be made out of the stalks
are smokclcss powder, cellulosc alcohol,
mattings, carpets paper and food Tor cattle,
which latter is claimed to be better than
anything on the market Cellulcee Is used
in war vessels as calklng, and Mr.. Cramp
says that the article made from cornstalks
can be applied in such way as to prevent
the sinking of ship If hole is bored
through it's side by shot. The celuloSe
would close up and become water tight.
A point that makes this great enterprise
more feasible is the fact that no million
dollar plants will have to be erected to man
ufacture the articles. A plant costing at
most $3.50 900 can be erected anywhere in the
corn belt and can take care OF all of the
corrstals raised within a radius of twenty
five miles. 1t is proposed by Mr.. Cramp to
build a chain of these plants in the great
corn growing states. Capitalists are easily
interested with him in the enterprise, and, at
any rate, the scheme will be given a prac-
tcal trial on a large scale Mr. Cramp al
ready having experimental for two years
to his entire satisfaction. The particulars
of the discoveries were fully. explained to
number of senators from the western states
the other day and the gentlemen all express
themselves ds satisfied that wonderful re-
Suits arc in
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
A GROrNDLESS ASpERSION.

The mayors veto message of the water
works extension ordinance is being cir
culatcd in yellow back pamphlet form
by messenger who, when questioned,
does not know for whom he is working.
where he obtained the printed matter
in question, or who gave it to him.
These points are, perhaps, immaterial
to people who do not care who is
footing the bill, but the following note
added to this edition of the mayors
veto over the printed signature of w.
j. Broatch calls for a word or two in
reply:
The two daily papers of this city having
declined TO publish the veto message of the
mayor, and the water works question being
deemed vital one to every taxpayer. this
method is adopted to apprse the public of
the magnitude and Importance of the in
terests involved.
This is palpable misrepresentation
of the facts so far as The Bee is CON
upon its editor that this paper publish
the veto message in full and, therefore,
it could not have declined to publish it.
The Bee is a metropolitan newspaper
and keeps its readers fully informed of
all events of Il public nature. The Bee
has kept its readers fully Informed of
all the steps in the water works re-
organization movement. 1t was the first
to make public the plan of reorganiza
ton. 1t has detailed the provisions of
the proposition submitted by the water
works company to the city. 1t gave
space to Il full report of the substance
of the paper read by City Engineer
Howell attacking the extension PROPOSE
tion and accorded the mayors veto
message the same consideration that is
regularly given official documents of
similar Importance. More than this ii
has also opened its columns to the dis
cussion of the water works question, not
only editorially but also through peril
nent communications from men like w.
s. Poppleton and John ID. Howe.
The public, so far as it reads The
Bee-and this constitutes substantially
the whole taXpaying public in the com
munity-is already apprised of the i'm
portance of the interests involved in
the pending negotiations. 1t does not
devolve upon The Bee to explain why it
has been the only paper which has
given publicity to all aspects of the
water works franchise controversy. The
insinuation contained in the extract
from the ownerless pamphlet, however.
is an utterly groundlCss aspersion and
tI,,,,
with knowledge of its groundlessncss.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
END or A CHICAGO BANK.
Huge Confidence Game Worked
Under Cover of Law.

The insolvent estate of Anthony Kozel
banker, has been finally administered upon
and the report has been turned into court.
The assignee shows unto the court that
there was collected altogether the sum OF
1926 from the various assets of the estate.
The costs of the collection, including at
torney fees, were So, S23, and the fees of the
assignee were $l,l00, which would leave
1888 to be distributed in such manner as the
court may see fit.
1t is suggested that the court give this
residue TO some deserving lawyer or find
some other Ko2sl-llie banker" and deposit
the fund in trust with him in the assurance
that being once deposited 1t Will never again
appear TO trouble anybody.
Why the laws Of Illinois should encourage
and give practical immunity to a certain
Lind of confidence game because it is Cner-
ated under the sign bank" instead Of with
p gold brick or green goods, is one of the
mysteries OF legislation. 1t amounts. how
over, to an inYiduous favoritsm 1t makes
an artificial aud obnoxious class distinction
batween the man with the striped shirt
front, who Turks outside the railway staten
to conduct strangers to the place where
the tunnel cayed in, and the adventurer who
pats out but a cheating pretense of having
capital and financial solidity by advertising
himself as a private banker for tho purpose
of getting hold OF other peoples money.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
tIIRIS1MIS

This Is the day that holds first place
IN the hearts Of all Christian people
the most welcome and the mcrricst day
of all the year IT has been hcraldCd
FOR weeks. Gaily decorated stores
filed with attractive goods, have told
Of it's coming. Thoroughrarcs crowded
with people bearing packages which
plainly disclosed what they were in
tended for have announced that the
season OF gift-making and the perform
ancc Of offices Of affection, friendship
and philanthropy was at hand. The
sentiments which are inspired by the
recurrence Of this occasion have been
actively at work and the fruits will be
gurncrcd aud enjoyed today by the mil
lions in every land where the story of
the man of Nazareth is known and His
church is erected. There will minglc
with the Christmas chimes the voices of
happy children, while those of mature
years will feel the thrill of n pleasure
that can come to Them but once II year
The spirit and the influences of this
day are clevating and ennobling. The
stimulus given to affection and friend
ship, the effect in awakening the
kindlicr feelings the appeal to philan-
thropic instinct-all this is in the high
est degree beneficial. We are lifted for
Il time out of the common channel and
made TO feel that there is something
more in life than sclf-Secking, that there
L., all, nj
in making others happy We cannot
measure the bpncfccnt effects upon
millions of lives that will come from the
affcctionate and kindly offices of this
season. Today, as on every Christmas
for centuries, seed will be sown that in
the years to come will bring forth the
choicest fruit of human faith, love and
charity.
1t is unfortunately true that there is II
serious side even to this day. All can
not have Il merry Christmas. There
are many homes in this favored land
where young hearts will not be glad
dencd by tokens of affection. Pity it
is that such is the fact, but it is in
cvitablC. "Thc poor We have always
with you" None the less 1t makes an
appeal to philanthropy and if this ap-
peal were more generally needed than
it is by the favored of fortune the vol
ume of Christmas happiness would be
very greatly increased. But there is,
perhaps, nothing to be gained by CON
sidering too closely the somber aspects
,f IL oh hn a n
of gladncsS and in that view of it The
Bee greets its readers with "a Merry
Christmas"
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
CONGRESSMAN MERCER.
New uonors Await Ncbrnskn's ropu-
lar Hustler.


There have been few men In the house In
a decade who have enjoyed as much popu.
larity among their associates as Representa-
tive Mercer OF Nebraska. That Is because
he Is sincerely Sood-nstured, and large and
athletic enough to inspire admiration. lie
Is a tall. blue eyed westorncr with a breezy
something in his manner that appeals To
men and draws at their heart-strmgs. Men
who, like Mercer. combine great energy with
a royal disposition, and no egotism, are
somewhat exceptional. For he Is known I'm
the house as one Of the greatest hustlew
on the congressional pay roll He seldom
makes a speech, and therein NlndiCatCs the
philosopher who Observed that II is wrong
to estimate a mans usefulness In congress
wanted q national exposition and asked for
a couple Of hundred thousand dollars from
the government MS an evidence of Its in
teIest and generosity. The circumstances
under which Mercer obtained IL would have
discouraged any man Of ordinary fiber but,
after having been balked at every turn for
weeks he rushed his bill through in the
closing hours OF the session, under difficulties
that made the victory heroiCal He was made
secretary of the republican congressional
committee in the late campaign and was one
OF the chief promoters of the admirable
system under which the affsirs of that com
mittee were administered. There Is much
talk among members of giving him the
chairmanship of the committee and thus
practically the management OF the congress
sional campaign which the republicans will
wage in 1898. The choice could hardly fall
upon a man better qualified to fill the place.
lie was FOR years an active factor in the
successful campaigns which the republican
party made in Nebraska, acting alternately
as secretary and chairman of the state COM
mittee. He is a fine organizer and shrewd
ADEPT at n political game of chess.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25

enlightened selfinterest, FOR congress to
adopt course which in the Judgment
of business men would check the growth
OF confidence and retnrd the restoration
OF prosperity?
There Is another consideration which
ought to be especially wclghty with re-
publiCans. A new administration is
soon to come into power. 1t will have
large responsibilities respecting domestic
affairs. The tariff is to be revised and
the question of reform of the currency
is TO be considered. 1t would unques-
tionably be injudicous to take such ac-
tion as the senate foreign relations com
mittcc proposes just as we are about to
have u change of administration and
before there has been an opportunity to
ascertain what will be the policy of the
next president regarding Cuba. As
Senator Hale of Maine says: I'VE have
Just gone through Il campaign in which
we have promised peace to the coun-
try. Is it consistent to present the in
coming administration with a war on
the threshold of its existence. IT would
seem that all republicans would desire
to avoid action that might seriously en-
barrasS the new administration.
This matter is one not to be deter
mined by mere sentiment. All Ameri-
cans are heartily in sympathy with the
Cuban cause and earnestly desire its
success, but this must not blind us to
our own interests and to our duty TO
ourselves. However welcome the eStab-
lshmcnt of Cuban republic would he,
the United States is not called upon
to make the sacrifice that would be
involved in war in order to release the
Cubans from Spanish control. The
promise is that the house republicans
will put an end TO the disturbing agita-
tion If the Cameron resolution ever
reaches that body.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
IN LNLrnLOrS 1Glr.a rLnN.

The formal declaration of number
of commercial bodies in opposition to
the proposed action of congress regard
ing Scuba may be accepted as vocing
the general sentiment of the financial
and business interests of the country
There is no lack Of sympathy with the
Cuban cause among those who thus
record their belief that the action CON
tempated by the senate foreign rela-
tions committee is inopportune and i'll
advised and that the effect of such ac-
tion would be seriously damaging to
commercial and financial interests.
These business men, it is not to be
doubted, would heartily welcome the
success of the Cubans and the estab
lishmcnt of an Independent government
in the island possessing the attributes
that would cntitle it to recognition.
But they are not willing that the
United States should take the risk of
war with Spain, with the possibility of
other grave international complications
to grow out of it, in order to give the
Cubans independence. For that is what
the proposed action of the senate
amounts to. 1t means that this nation
would become Il party to the war.
Having recognized the so-called republic
of Cuba we would be morally bound
to give II support and we could not do
this without inviting conflict with
Spain. Indeed, it Is well understood that
such II course on our part would bring
on war. Spain would fight as the only
alternative TO the surrender of Cuba.
OF course there can be no reasonable
doubt as To the outcome of such CON
test. This powerful nation would win,
but the price of the victory might be
much greater than Is commonly sup
posed. 1t would certainly cost many
millions of dollars and thousands of
lives. 1t would also unscttle and dis
turb financial and commercial affairs.
Can any rlght-thinking man desire such
condition of affairs? Confidence is
recovering, the outlook Is favorable to
better business In the near future.
Would 1t not be supreme folly, looking
ut the matter from the point of view of
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
The visit of Ex-Quecn Lii.

EX-Queen Lilirokalanis sudden visit to
this country may be of Importance to herself,
but it can have no International sgnifi-
cance 1t cannot affect, in any way, the
mutual relations of Hawaii and the
United States. AS to this country, she is
simply visitor With no more rights
or claims than are possessed by any
other visitor. AZ ito Hawaii. she is a
private citizen, perhaps with some glamour
OF distinction still cinging to her. but with
no more Importance than this gives her,
and no more rights than the government Of
Hawaii has bestowed on her. At all events,
her coming to this country cannot disturb
our relations with Hawaii except on the
supposition that she can induce our govern
ment to interfere with that of Hawaii in her
behalf, and as there - no evidence that she
intends to ask for such interference. and
no prospect of its being granted if she did.
there is very little basis for a sensation in
tho fact of her coming here. Probably she
is simply indulgng a natural desire to
travel, and it is not necessary to assume
any other reason for her movements.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
The constitution of Nebraska certainly

The constitution of Nebraska certainly
eXacts bond from the state treasurer
in double the amount Of public money
likely to come into his possession. But
the constitution did not contemplate the
accumulation of state funds for Specula
tive purposes while interest-bearing de.
mand obligations are outstanding against
money in the treasury. Bring the man
agement of the states finances down TO
II business basis and the regularly re-
curing complications over the treas
urers' bonds will be simplified.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
Hcroism of II Conchman.

President Diaz of Mexico is to be congratu-
lated on the possession of coachman who
knows enough not to permit his horses to
stand on a railway track when a train is
approaching. The world was electrified yes
teIday morning to read that an exhibition of
this presence Of mind was all that saved the
president from death, providing Diaz had
not got out Of his carriage and walked away
when the train drew near. 1t appears that
the carriage was on the track and that a
train was laundering down on 1t from the
distance. The coachman, instead of waiting
for the train to arrive, as he might have
done, drove across the track, so that when
the train whirled past the president was safe
on the other side. II the coachman had not
kept the horsea moving and if the train had
struck the carriage. and IL Diaz had re
mained in the carriage until it was struck
he would doubtless have been killed so it
will be seen what marrow escape" he
had. o...
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
PosToFTICE SANTA CLAUS.
Letters Addressed to the Reindeer
Man Find Happy Response.


The man, woman or child who discovers
new way to play Santa Claus may be put
down without any hesitation among the
bsnefactors. This is the particular season
of the year when It lis possible for a very
large number to sopgage in finding out how
the other half lives, and having learned
the real situation, 10 do something in the
way of making It easier and brighter.
1t occurred to f. II. Hunter, the postmaster
at Des Moines, that the carriers in his
service have means OF finding out more
about how thepeople of that city live than
many persons dI am OF year ago he put
his plan to the atest and found that 1t
worked so well that he Is making a wider
and more thotoqgh application of 1t this
year The FIRST hnt was not an original
one, but, so far as known, the carrying OF
the idea into pract!cal application belongs to
Mr.. Hunter, and ne is deserving OF no small
credit for. the par he has played. Post
master Hunter received a letter from a
little girl who told him of her wants. They
were simple and chlldllke, and they made
all the more impression for that reason
The little innocent told her unknown friend
about the loss of her father and mother
by death and the fear that she would not
have any Christmas presents. This old
not end the case, as 1t might have done.
Postmaster Hunter studied the cue given
him. investigated all the details. and learned
that the girl had told a straight story In
a guileless way He saw that the little
letter writer had a doll some mittens and
other things for Christmas. He was hap
pier In the giving than the child was In
the receiving, With the help Of his car
riers who go into every corner OF the city,
he hunted up 200 other children, deserving
but unfortunate When the facts were
laid before some business men OF Des
Moines they too. played Santa Claus, giving
goods and money to the amount OF several
hundred dollars. The result OF II all Is
that the postmaster OF Des Mones has
come to be regarded as the yeritable old
man with the reindeers. while the post
oiico Is thought TO be his storehouse.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
The campaign of 1896 may now b.

The campaign of 1896 may now be
considered closed in Nebraska. The
team for the ensuing year has been
elected and nothing remains now for as
pirants for political honors except few
minor offices like United States marshal
United States district attorney, warden
of the state penitentiary and few other
offices which, compared with the foot
ball captaincy. are big in emolument
but not in it in honor.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
Cutters Joke ON the Doctors.

Some people have queer ideas of humor
EX-Congressnan Cutler of New Jersey was
operated uron by physicians for what they
thought was appendicitis. They carved and
cut and dug and delved into Mr.. Cutters
anatomy, bur discovered that he did not
have appendicitis. for the very good reason
that he did not have any appendix, index
preface, foot note, addendum, erratum or
table of contents. They picked up their
tools and left in disgust, followed by the
satirical laughter of Mr.. Cutler. He con-
siders this the best joke on the medical fra
terpity he ever heard Of and he can
scarcely repeat it for laughing
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
HOLIDAY DRESSING.

New York Truth. II toll YOU that Juror
w n murder case has an awful responsible
YES Indeed II hc goes to sleep he 10
liable to be fined for contempt of court"
Chicago Tribune. II wish" muttered
the, implacahlc Wcylcr, with q slcam Of
hNillCd rage in his eye that Macoo could
have lived long enough to see some OF these
obituary poems the American papers have
printed In his honor!"
Ho'pcr's Bazaar: Mrs. Cawker-This
story you gave me to read Is not completed
in this number II is continued story,
Mr.. M. I9wkEernStops snort does 1t?
Mir CaWkcr Then should say /, was
discontinued story
Detroit Journal First, CoMcctor-well,
old man, how do you like literary pur-
second Concc,or-Idlcrary rursuts2
First Collector Don't you recall the last
poet TO pay something ON his gas bill?
Washington star. "Robsy saws he made
a friendly call on YOU last evening, major"
Nothing friyudlN about Il. lilo called my
fun hand with his -four mines and won't
away with all the money In the house"
Chicago journal. Last night dreamed
!, ! wa, was dead said the drummer from In
And thc heat woke you up" the drum
Pretty much the same thing as what
You imply. The brakeman was calling out
NhlCdgo,
Cincinnati Tribune: "T wonder why Il
Is that a woman learns the typewriter so
much moro quickly than a man."
Because she can't stop and lose time
swearing every time she makes a mistakc'
Chicago Record: Rose. isn't that an
unusually large piece of mistletoc?"
'WcN, II Is "A triHc big; but so many men
howadays are ncar-Sighted,"
HUMAN NATURE.
He called sweet Pruc
perfect peach,
But found she grew
Just out of reach.
And so he learnt
With longing sigh,
We always want
What comes too high.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
4 Pertinent Epigrnm.
st. raai Pioneer press.

Americans who contemplate joining the
Cuban army should feel interested in one
of Byrons epigrams, 1t strangely hap
pened that the skit was to a certain extent
prophetic of his lordships own fate:
IL man has no freedom to fight for at
home,
Let him combat for that of his neigh
bors;
Let him think of the glories of Greece and
of Rome
And get Knocked on the head for his
In
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25

There h ample field for the state as
soclation of sherifs to operate in with
out turning the organization into legis-
lative lobbying machine. Cooperation
among the sherffs of the state will ac-
complish great deal in the way of en-
forcing the laws and bringing offenders
to justice, but sheriifs are not elected
for the purpose of influencing legislation
at Lincoln In their own interest.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25

General Weyler dictates to his type
writer Il vanglorious report that the
rebels are entirely driven out of Pinar
del Rio and then starts off again to clear
that province of all the cattle and chick
ems which might be useful to the rebels
who are not there
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25

The aged queen of England threatens
to publish an autobiography. She may
be depended on, however, to be more
discreet in her revelations of European
statecraft than other potentates who
have lately contributed to the worlds
stock of literature.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25

An Iowa woman has been sentenced
to the states prison for burglary com
mitted in order to get money to buy u
bicycle. Another sin to be laid at the
door of the bicycle. Let the crusade
against the bicycle begin.