davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

try. the cost OF production there IL rela-
lively small. According to q Trustworthy
writer the highest wages paid to the
skilled native workmen In the factory
are only 10 sen day. which is equiv
alcnt to 20 cents IN our money. The
lowest wages are 10 sen "a crntSl day,
while In American factories the same
labor would he paid from 30 cruts to
So n day. American labor is more eff
cicnt than japanese labor, still most or
the products of the latter. owing to the
low price of labor. can he sold with II
profit FOR 10 pcr cent less than the
market price in the United States aud
Europe Being an exceedingly ingen-
ious people. the Japanese will in time
duplicate the manufactures of other
countries and underscll such countries
In their own markets. They must now
buy machinery aud labor-saving appli-
ances. but they are beginning to make
their own machinery and In n few years
viii be independent of foreign nations
in this respect.
II has been suggested that an increase
in the price of silver would take from
the Oriental countries the advantages
they now possess but admitting this
the United States can do nothing To
increase the price Of silver and must
therefore consider some other means of
dealing with this competition. if there
is really any need of dealing with it,
The proposed investigation will doubt
less indicate what, if anything. ii is de-
sirable or eXpedient to do and its result
viii be regarded with very general in
tpreSt.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
WEYLER AT WORK,

Detroit Free Press: General Weyler made
1t one Of his first orders that no newspaper
men should accompany the Spanish army.
There are obvious reasons why the general
would prefer to report his own battles.
Minneapolis Journal: Since Weyler began
the censorship Of the press in Havana, rebel
victories are no more heard of. Weyler
is going to play the censorship for all 1t Is
worth and suppress everything of an unfavor-
able nature. The rebels should be supplied
with carrier pigeons.
Chicago Post; Americans will look with
the keenest anxiety upon a campaign of
suppression and determination which begins
In this cruel fashcn. Is Weyler about to
repeat his former atrocities in Cuba? If
he attempts to tread that bloody path again
he will find that the United States will not
be calm spectator of the tragedy.
Chicago Journal: The new commander
also lays down rules and regulations in other
lines not at all calculated TO inspire the out
side world with sympathy for the cause he
represents All the terrors predicted when
II was first made known that he was chosen
to succeed General Campos are clearly fore
shadowed in the orders with which he opens
his campaign.
Cuban insurrection will probably be decided
within the next two months. Owing to
climatic conditions and summer rains It will
be impossible for General Weyler to carry on
an actiVe campaign later tnan the lst OF
May. and if he does not crush the insurrec-
ton by that time this government and per-
haps others will recognize the insurgents as
beligerents.
New York World: The latest proclama-
tlOn of General Weyler to the Cubans is
oppressive and arbitrary beyond anything
heretofore attempted. Even Russian des-
potism could go no further than to put the
entire population of large provinces under
absolute military dictatorship. 1t would
not be surprising If this order should result
in giving the insurgent armies more recruits
than anything else that has happened.
Kansas City Times: The partcularlty with
which General Weylsr specifies acts in aid OF
the insurrectionists committed by civilians
would indicate that he believes in and fears
sympathy for the insurrectIon among the
so-far peaceable inhabitants of the island
General Weyler must show, and at once.
ability to carry out his bloody proclamation
or he and 1t will fall into contempt. The
captain general of Cuba has announced the
traditional Spanish policy, which, in other
times and countries, has been followed by
Spanish defeat and the loss to the Spanish
crown OF its most valuable dependencies.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
RALSINE E1LSE ISSUES.

Three copies of an obscure Missouri
weekly that has been lying about Ne
biaska have found their way into the
editorial mail bag of the World Herald
Therefore 1t feels itself called unon to
devote columns of space to maiignin-
The Bee under pretcnSe of standing up
for Omaha and Nebraska. If that
loud -mouthcd. sclf-cpnstituted exclusive
champion of Omaha and Nebraska
were not a perpetual hppodromc it
would have found abundant material
for upholding the honor of the city and
state without resorting to such egotistc
Self-laudation and contemplate mis-
representation of paper that has done
more to build up aud advertise Omaha
and the state than the World Herald
could possibly do if it existed one thou
sand years.
The Don QuiXote of Nebraska jour
naliSm that has ventured forth so val
iently to give battle to a petty Missouri
windmill might more protitably have
broken Il lance against more formidable
foes. 1t might. for example, have taken
recent appeal TO transcontinental rail
roads to expedite the alleged exodus Of
farmers from the northwestern to the
gulf states. 1t might have challenged the
veracity of the Chicago Railway and I'M
migrat ton News. which in its February
number charges the World Herald of
Omaha with sounding the alarm by
calling attention to this great exodus"
But that is not the object of our boast
ful contemporary. Its sole aim is to
berate and disparage The Bee and its
editor, and, if such thing We're pos
siblc. to create the impression that this
paper is disloyal to Omaha and in sym
pathy with the enemies of Nebraska.
One thing, however, is certain, and that
is that if The Bee could actually be
blotted out of existence its place would
not be filed by paper that tries to
make capital out of false issues and
subsists on imposture.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
ORIENTAL COMPETITION.

The house committee on ways and
means has been directed to investigate
the effect of the difference of the rate
of exchange between gold and silver
standard countries upon the mnnufac
turing industries of the United States
The desire for this inquiry is most
strongly felt on the Pacific coast. where
II is said the effect of the invasion of
products from oriental countries, es-
pecially Japan. is already being felt,
though il is a matter in which
American manufacturers generally
may be presumed to take some
interest. In presenting the reso-
luton directing the investigation,
Representative Newland of Nevada said
the Pacific coast Is now threatened with
the invasion of the products of the
cheap labor of the oriental countries,
and cited the low prices ut which Il
number of these imported articles are
being sold in the San Francisco mar
ket
1t is very easy to create exaggerated
apprehension regarding this competi-
ton, but there can be no question that
1t is matter worthy of consideration
us likely to become n more or less i'm
pOrtant factor in international trade.
The industrial progress of Japan has
been very remarkable and the develop
ment of manufacturing in that country
Is going forward at a rapid rate. Ten
years ago the exports and imports of
that empire amounted to only $33,0O0,-
600, while in 1891 they We're of the
value OF $115,000.000 in gold or the
exports the greatest increase was To
the United States, this country taking
Japanese products to the value of nearly
So. 100000 in 1894, against less than
$40, 100000 in 1880, an increase of 40
per cent in the four years. 1t is hardly
possible of course, that this rate of
gain in the exports of japanese pro
ducts to the United States will be con-
tlnued, but there is every reason to eX-
pect that the trade will grow If there
he no change from existing conditions.
The question which it seems must
sooner or later press for serious con.
sideration is, what change should OF
can be made with a view 10 checking
this growing Oriental competition In
our own market
Japan being u silver standard coun-
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
Prohibition weds Populism.


On st. Valentines day the prohibition
party of Nebraska threw itself into the arms
of the populists. who now call themselves
the Bimetallc league, and adopted the fol-
lowing platform:
1.-The money of the country should be is
sLed by the general government only through
government banks of loan and deposit
directly to the people upon adequate security
and at a uniform rate Of interest. 1t should
be full legal tender for the payment of all
debts, public and private, without exception
or former contract stipulation. We favor a
money composed of legal-tender treasury
notes based on the credit of the nation and
the full, free and unlimited coinage of gold
and silver at ratio of 16 to lin which the
bonded indebtedness OF the country shall be
paid"
This Is an out-and-out fiat money loaning
platform with limited annex of the free
coinage of silver. 1t was adopted by a few
men who have persistently maintained
third party to promote temperance by law.
Their fall in Nebraska should be warning
to others
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

The retail merchants are meeting
with unlookcd-for success in perfecting
their organization for an aggressive
business campaign this year. Local
business shows gradual Improvement
and merchants are eager to join Il
movement which is almost certain to
increase the volume of trade. The full
scope of plans which the Retailers club
has in contemplation has not yet been
divulged, but it is understood methods
entirely new will be adopted in line
with up-to-datr ideas certain to attract
trade which has hitherto not come to
Omaha
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
REFORM CANDIDATES NOT IN 1T.
PhilR dolphin Republicans Defeat
Municipnl LeaEue candida tcs.

Municipal League Candida tcs.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb 19.-The plurality
Of SO. .9O3 given yesterday for John L. Kinsey,
the republican candidate for city solicitor in
this city has only been exceeded once. In
1894 Governor Hastings got a tidal wave"
plurality of S5,132. In the select council the
democrats have only three out Of thirty
seven members, loss OF four.
All of the morning papers agree that re-
form was 'snowed under" In many in
stances councilmanic candidates opposed Wig
orously by the Municipal league were re-
elected by larger majorites than ever be-
fore notwithstanding the appeals issued by
the league to citizens, "to elect a better
class of men to the councils who will give
the people better water. better gas, munich
pal ownership of electric lights and cheaper
street car fares" and incidentally over
throw the BOSSES"
For the first time since its organization
the league ran a candidate on the general
ticket In the person Of John \. Mccarthy,
for magistrate. Out Of 1S5.491 votes cast
7.O72 were for Mccarthy. This is regarded
by many as the strength Of the league in this
city although the vote was cut up by
ward fights that it is difficult to estimate the
actual number of league ballots cast.
Altoona elected II. C. Barr, republican,
mayor and George Harpham, republican.
comptroller, by about 200 majority. Last
night the election Of their democratic op-
pnnents was conceded. The rest of the re-
publican ticket got 500 majority The demo
Gratis gained three common councilmen.
The unexpected happened at Williamsport.
where. in hot. three-cornered fight. the pro-
bibitionists elected James Mansel mayor by
about 300 plurality.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
The Board of Fire and Police Com,

The Board of Fire and Police Com
missi0ners wants the council to grant
it permission to buy from 1000 to 5000
feet of new hose. Why does the board
ask for the consent of the council to
the purchase of supplies while it ig-
nores the council in the creation of posi-
tions that increase the city pay rolls?
Are we to infer that the consent of the
council to the proposed purchase Of
hose contemplates the payment for these
supplies out of the general fund i'm the
face of the fact that the council has
already imposed the highest tax the law
allows for the maintenance of the fire
and police departments? What will be
left in the general fund il 1t is to be
rrided at every turn for the benefit OF
departments for which ample provisions
have been made?
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL LEAGUE.
Annual Convention Will Meet nt MIL
Wnul,ec in AuguSt.


wnuiSec in August.
CHICAGO, Feb. 19.-The next convention
of the Republican National league will be
held at Milwaukee, August 25, 26 and 81. In
stead of leaving the selection to the meeting
of the executive committee, a ballot was
taken last month by correspondence and Mil
waukee won out by an overwhelming vote
and today the executive committee formally
ratified the selection. The meeting Of the
executive committee is held for the purpose
of securing money to carry on their campaign
this year. Hitherto there has been no lack
of funds or rather very little difficulty in
securing all the money needed, and no effort
has been made until today to arrange for the
financial end of the work. Secretary Dowling
says that there is no definite plan before the
committee. The work will be concluded with
a session tonight.
The following members Of the executive
committee are in attendance: Major A. j.
Negley, Alabama; Allan X. Burchineil. Col
orado; Albert Campbell, Illinois: William L.
Taylor, Indiana f, w. Bcknell, Iowa; j. w.
Totten proxy, Massachusetts,; Charles r.
Baxter, Michigan; F. b. Brownell. Missouri;
John Goodnow (proxy), Minnesota; NJ NJ
Eckstein (proxy), New York; e. j. West,
Ohio; Charles II. Burke South Dakota; o. l..
Rosekrantz (proXy). Wisconsin; r. England
Oklahoma; W. W. Tracy Of the advisory
board. Chicago; General Il. A. McAlpin,
New York, president NJ. j. bowling, Chicago
secretary; and Aaron 4. Bliss, treasurer,
Michigan.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

1t is quite probable that congress will
appropriate S2oO,0OO for river improve
ments at and near Omaha this year.
Every one who has knowledge of the
tickle character of the Big Muddy
knows that constant watchfulness and
care is necessary to protect property
along the river front and for miles
above the city. Work done In recent
years has been most effective. but the
next caprice may shift the channel and
cndanger the safety of vast property
interests. Hence the Importance of Sc
curing a liberal appropriation is mani
net
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

Where combmatiou is possible com
petition is inNbdssiblc. There never was
nm instance 6f permanent competition
between riyll street railway companies
for the reaNn that no two street rail
ways can supply precisely the same
service. Everywhere the tendency has
been for the consolidation of different
street railway companies operating in
the same city. Cleveland, o., is the
latest place. TO witness the combina-
tion of Its tapid transit facilities under
one management. The same process.
however, has been going on in nearly
all the larger American cities and it
is bound to include all before the move.
mcnt is finally completed
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

innovation In the way of a summer va
cation. During the hot months, under
the plan contemplated, but one regu-
lar meeting a month will be held.
Viewed from the standpoint that there
is altogether too much legislation in city
affairs, the plan may be commended.
But the fact remains that the council
finds 1t difficult to dispose of all bust
ness awaiting its action at weekly meet
ings within reasonable hours
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

Spain is no doubt highly gratified to
receive an appeal from the president of
Ecuador for Cuban independence. but it
is no more likely to listen with favor to
mands made directly by the Cuban in
surgcntS. Spain has put too much
money in its campaign to restore its
dominion in Cuba to relinquish all its
claims without at least Il prospect of
getting some of its funds reimbursed.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
BURT COUNTY's INNOVATION.
COmmendatiOn for the Proposed Cat.
tie Drive to Omaha.

tie Drive to Omnhn.
Chicago Inter Ocean.
dispatch from Omaha published In the
Inter Ocean yesterday may prove much more
important than appears upon its face. We
refer to the report from the farmers in
Burt county, Nebraska. the nearest county
but one on the north ito the county of Doug
las, in which Omaha is situated. They are
organized to drive, instead Of ship their
cattle to market.
Before the days when the country was
gridlroned with railroads the driving of cattle
long distances to- market was a customary
thing. Cattle buyers would pick up the
surplus stock of their neghborhood or
vicinity, get the cattle together and drive
them TO the nearest, general market. 1t
might take weeks to make the journey
The regular droyars had their regular halt
ing places for thesnight all along the route
1t was the custom then to maintain road
fences. and the cattle slowly wound their
way along without doing any mischief, But
it 10 many years nov since droves disap-
peared from our highways. In some states
it is expressly provided by law that the
farmers do not neen TO maintain road fences.
II live stock of ahS Kind goes along the road
the owner of the live stock is responsible
for any damage done.
But 1t is by no means certain that this
abandonment Of driving cattle to market is
sensible. There are vast number of
beeyes turned off annually within easy driv-
ing distance OF the stock yards at South
Omaha, also OF Kansas City and East st,
Louie. Even Chicago is not very far from
the northern rim Of the corn belt Of I'LL
nois.
The movement In Burt county should be
extended so as to take in the eastern tier OF
counties as far as Lincoln. at least. 1t is
doubtful II the railroads can afford to haul
cattle 100 miles or less for what 1t would
cost to drive them. The mere distance
tn ba of
railroad transportation. The terminal
charges are the same for a ten-mlie haul as
for 1000. But in driving TO market the
distance is everything, But the railroads
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
roo ANTIQUE FOR OMAHA.

The cIIrfew ordinance Is well enough
for villages and college towns, but it Is
altogether out of place in metropolitan
cities. We might as well reintroduce
the night watchman with his horn and
lantern going from door to door crying
"Alrs Well" We might with equal
prOpriety reintroduce the primitive New
England town regulations that required
all people to be in bed and lights out
by 8 o'clock, under penalties of Jail
sentence and bread and water diet.
Instead OF promoting morality the
curfew ordinance would be an incen-
tive to rascalty. 1t would give the
night police greater opportunities for
holding up people who do not want the
notoriety of an arrest and police court
trial. 1t would, moreover, make Omaha
the laughing stock among cities of sim
liar pretensionS.
Ostensibly a cuTfew ordinance affects
only minors of both sexes and does not
apply to full grown people. In reality
it would leave to the police discretion
ary power to say whether belated
pedestrian is within the prescribed age.
The enforcement of such regulation
would therefore be dependent entirely
upon the disposition of the night police.
They could, If they saw fit, arrest and
detain messengers and insult women OH
legitimate errands. The curfew scheme
is entirely too antique, and after the
first spasm would prove as much of
dead letter as the no-treat law.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

The Bees dispatches indicate that
the Iowa congressional delegation has
interpreted the resolutions recently
adopted by the Iowa legislature anent
the Transmississippi exposition as in
aid in securing an appropriation at the
hands of congress. This Is precisely the
object sought by the Omaha committee
at Des Moines 1t Is fair to presume
that similar resolutions coming from
the Utah legislature would have the
same good effect.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

"The biggest political assemblage
ever gathered in this country" is what
Is predicted of the amalgamated ma
tional convention of populists and free
silverites which is expected to convene
In st. Louis In July next. That Is
quite possible. But yet it is certain
that 1t will not represent the biggest
political party in this country. The
smallest convention might, and fre-
quently does, put up the winning ticket
1t is the number of votes policd that
count, not the number OF delegates to
conventions
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

The secretary of the treasury, when
he invited proposals for the new bond
issue, reserved the right to accept or
reject any or all bids. There is no good
reason whatever why he should sell
any Of the bonds upon which the
bidders defaulted for penny less than
the price at which the bonds are being
quoted on the open market and ut which
there will be no difficulty in securing
plenty of purchasers.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
The Sugar BE I Industry.

The Oxnard Beet Sugar company is MAX
ing contracts with beet growers in Nebraska
for this season. and the contracts are more
favorable than heretofore. The contracts
provide for the payment of S. ton for beets
of standard quality, and a graded scale for
those that fall below requirements. There is
also provision for determining the quality OF
the beets and for the investigation by a
chemist of the State university in case there
is disagreement between the growers and the
purchasers. The contracts also contain full;
instructions for planting and growing beats
for sugar.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

The moment congress shall have
passed an appropriation for the Trans.
mississippi exposition the success of the
enterprise can be put down rs assured,
Upon that sure foundation this and
every western state can build, and it
certainly will not be difficult to im
press the people of the west of the
incalculable benefits to follow the pro
posed exposition. 1t is within the
power of western railways to assist in
The effort now being made to interest
the leaders of public opinion in western
states In an enterprise which will be of
greater direct and indirect advantage
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

With Miss Clara Barton in Turkey
and in personal charge of the system
of relief for the suffering Armenians
there, the minds of the philanthropic
Americans who have interested them
selves in behalf of Armenia will rest
very much easier.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

Senator Davis of Minnesota had to
consume several hours of the senate's
time explaining his resolution that pur-
ports to explain the Monroe doctrine.
If the resolution requires so. much ex-
planation it can explain very much
itSnlf
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

There seems to be no opposition on the
part of the gas company to having its
street lamps blown out by resolution
of the council, while electric lights are
being blown into their places. .Appar-
eutly there is a divvy or pool some
where or there would be fight on.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

The more we learn about the cost of
conducting the state prison and main
tanning the convicts in the prison the
more impressed we become with the
notion that the former penitentiary con-
tractor was not leasing the convict labor
from the state for his health.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

Firebugs must soon conclude that
Omaha is not good place in which to
apply the torch. In almost every case
the past six months the fremen have
saved the building and exposed the at
tempts of incendaries StO burn their
own or other peoples property. The net
results must indeed be discouraging to
them
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20
Tough on the Heavens.

The house Saturday was a volcano in an
eruption of Indignation because Secretary
Merton pleases to obey the law in his refusal
to squander thousands Of dollars for useless
seeds for the electioneering purposes Of the
of the house. When congress
tackles a subject its "sze" the fires of states
do glorify the arching heavens!
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

One by one the electric lights are
being gradually inserted in the place of
gas and gasoline lamps in the outer dis
tricts in spite of all pretense of re-
trenchment.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-20

Mardi Gras festivities are again at
their height in New Orleans. The New
Orleans celebration is the prototype of
so many similar exhibitions in different
cities that it now taxes all the resources
of it's managers to keep up it's reputa-
tiOn rs the original and best