davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

Of opposition to the plan. thuush 10 H.
certainly rot without meliN
As usual the receipts Of thr dp1ri.
mpn, Tor the last fiscal year wore several
millions OF dollars below th' cyp'ndi.
lures. This ls always expected by the
public. different showing having bocn
made hUt q fow times since the cSi0b-
li.mmcnt of the postal service, AMI IL
never causes any popular complaint
i}ut the postmaster general says, as did
several of his predecessors. That there Is
n romcdy for this In cultaiiing the VOL
umc of matter transmitted at second
class rates, nomiuJlly l cent pound
lie suggests that an amendment to the
postal laws which would exclude from
tlis class everything but newspapers
and periodicals would wipe out the an
rual deficit and give in It's place a steady
surplus The appeals to congress hHrc-
toforc 10 apply this remedy having been
fruitlcss, presumably through the intlu-
cucn of publishers whose publications
are In the opinion of the department Inn
properly admitted to the mails as sec
undclass matter, there is little reason
to expect that anything will he done
until there is Il vigorous popular demand
for q reduction Of postal expenditures
ami that is probably somewhat remote.
The very stlong way in which the post
master general presents the matter, how
ever must command attention.
Doubtless the claim of the postmaster
general that the postal service of the
United States is equal to that of any
other country and in some respects Su-
pCrior, is we'll founded. Its efficiency
has been greatly improved in the last
eight years and very large share of
the credit for this belongs to the last re-
publican administration.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
SOME VIEWS ON THE MESSAGE.

indianapolis Journal repD: Through much
practice in writing messages Mr.. C!eye-
land has improved his literary style some
what He no longer goes out of his way
to manufacture cumbrous phrases out Of
polysylabic words, but is content with
simpler language If he only had oppor-
tunity for a few more documents of the
sort he might even become quite elegant
in form of expression.
Chicago Post (repJ: The question is one
which congress should seriously consider
and, If new life and YigOr can be impaired
to the existing legislation against trusts By
proper amendments, the task should be
undertaken. The subject is too technical
and intricate for elaborate discussion in an
official document, but the president has
discharged his duty by emphasizing the
general considerations of the case.
Milwaukee Sentinel Gep): What Presi-
dent Cleveland says about the tariff in his
message is more curious than important. lie
begins by declaring that both tarif-for-reve-
nue. men and prOtectionistS must agree
that our tariff laws are only primarily
justified as sources Of revenue to enable the
government to meet the necessary expenses
of it's maintenance" II by must agree"
the president means ARE agreed his
assertion Is due to misinformatlon or lack
OF information. IF he does not mean this.
then his assertion Is only his personal
opinion, valuable but unsupported, uDon the
duty of man II 10 hard to see how anybody
can maintain that Mr.. Cleveland has treated
adequately thLy question Of revenue
Chicago Tribune rep): Undoubtedly there
are some trusts which are so local to states
that they can .e dealt With only by tho
states TheSdual form OF government makes
the subject difficult to deal with. But
President Cleveland could have stated all
that two or'three years ago just as easily
rs now, and then It might have done some
good He speaks too late The republican
party viii take up this subject OF trusts
in the next congress, and IL will see whether
there are any inherent obstacles" which
make federal legislation valueleEs, Presi-
dent Cleveland !ntimates there may be such
but specifics none. II that party can see no
such OastaclcSsit will enact more stringent
laws and President Mckinley viii see to 1t
they are enforced
Kansas City Star (dem): The formal ac-
ceptanCe by the government of Venezuela
OF the conditions agreed on between Great
Britain and tho United States for the set
temont OF the boundary dispute Is another
important step in the adjustment of
troublesome controversy For a long time
It has been vexng the public mind, and on
reyeral occasions II brought the govern
mCnts directly concerned to the verge Of
hCsti!tiC5, which, OF course, would have
Involved the United States. The settlement
of such dispute, through the instrumen-
tally OF the government OF the United
States, ana by the acquescence OF Vene-
zuela. IS justly estimated as the greatest
achievement ~ modern diplomacy, ana viii
always serve as a proof OF the patriotism
and ability OF the Cleveland admlnistra-
Ton.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
s---- a-.-- H--------
THE POSTAL SERVICE,

The efficiency of the postal service
which was carried to high standard
under the Harrison administration. has
been we'll maintained under the present
administration, which has pursued the
strict business policy of its predecessor.
1t appears, however, from the report of
the postmaster general that further i'm
provrmcnt may be made and some of his
recommendations to this end are sound
and practicable. \ further extension of
civil service rules, as urged, would un-
doubtedly have good results. while II
better organization of the carrier force
and Il reclassiiiCation OF clerks in the
railway mail service would probably he
found beneficial. The postmaster gen
eral appears to be entirely satisfied with
the results of consolidating small offices
with the nearest money order offices and
recommends legislation to carry forward
this plan as rapidly ms possible. 1t Is
somewhat doubtful, however, whether
this will be done, there being good deal
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

Kansas city star.


Secretary Francis tanks the United States
government should compromise with the
Pacific railroad companies by accepting a
lump sum" in cash for its claim on the
roads and thus get rid of a troublesome
complication. A lump sum- in cash suili-
cient to pay the whole government claim on
the roads wouldn't leave much room for any
extra capitalization. Either the government
or the other security holders are bound to
suffer some loss in tae final adjudication of
the cases. In view of the growing sentiment
in favor OF government control Of railroads. it
might be wise for congress to provide for
a foreclosure of the governments claim on
these great systems, so that an experiment
in governmental management of railways
may be made without wide departure from
present policies in that respect Such an
experiment in the course Of a few years
might prove the wisdom, or the folly, of
the sentiment in favor OF "natiOnali2ing" TIE
railroad and telegraph systems of the country.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
~ orrBrRSr or JINGoIsM

1t was not to be expected that the
Cuban question would be allowed to rest
at the present session of congress, not
withstlnding the action taken ut the first
session, which was regarded by the
country as a sufficient expression of
American public sentiment, but nobody
anticipated such an outburst of jingoism
rs took place yesterday in the senate,
when three senators introduced joint
resolutions for the recognition of Cuban
Independence One of these resolutions
is particularly warlike, directing the
president to take armed possession of
cuba and hold it until the Cubans can
organize government deriving its
powers from the consent of the
governed" The resolutions were re-
fcrred and may not be again heard Of
for some time, though the fact that II
ma aiority of the members of the foreign
relations committee are friendly to the
insurgents makes it probable that the
committee will favOrably report reSo-
luton in line with those referred to it,
In tnnt case it would be very likely to
PASS illt Senult, nut II Is uDUDlUl
whether Il resolution for recognizing
Cuban independence or directing inter
vention could pass the house, since a
majority of the republicans of that body
would hardly be disposed to take the
risk of involving the country in war
at the threshold of republican admin
istration which will have important do
meStic problems to deal with. But in
the event of II joint resolution of the
nature introduced being passed it would
seem safe to assume, in view of Mr..
Cleveland's utteranccs in his annual
message. that ii would not receive cX-
ccutive approval SO that there is moth
ing very threatening in this senatorial
display of Cuban sympathy. But its
effect will undoubtedly be to intensity
Spanish anxiety and perhaps to stimu-
late war sentiment there and here.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
REDlSTRICTING TIIE STATE.

Among the work laid out for the in
coming legislature by some of our popu-
list contemporaries Is the reapportiOn-
ment of the state into congressional.
judicial ana Legislative districts. In
support of this scheme that section OF
the constitution is cited which empowers
the legislature to subdivide the state
into representative districts once every
five years.
The language of the constitution on
this subject is us follows:
THE legislature shall provide by law
for an enum Grafton of the inhabitants of
the state in the year 1855 and every ten
years thereafter, and at its first regular ses-
sion after each enumeration, and also after
each enumeration made by the authority
Of the United States, but at no other time.
the legislature shall apportion the senators
and representatives according to the num-
Der of inhabitants, excluding Indians not
taxed and soldiers and officers of the Untec
States army"
The question is, What census is to be
taken as the basis of rcappOrtOnment:
Surely not the census of 1890. The
federal census of 1890 furnished the
basis for the apportionment that was to
have been made by the legislature of
1891. but ut no other time. In defiance
of the mandate of the constitution the
legislature of 1891 refused to pass any
apportonment bill, because the census
returns of 1890 would have required n
decrease of representation in the dis
tricts in which the populistS had received
their maiolities and increased the rep
rcSentation of the districts that had
given republican or democratic ma iOri-
ties. inasmuch us no census was taken
in 1899 we fail to comprehend how the
legislature of 1891 can rcapportion the
state in conformity with the constitu-
tion, which must be its guide. The
proposition to redistrict the state by
the legislature of 1893 was made but
the abeSt constitutional lawyers held
that it could not make the appOrtiOn-
mcnt which the preceding legislature
was empowered and required to make,
but which was expressly prohibited at
any other time If this position is cor
rect does it stand to reason that the
legislature of 1897 has right to do what
the legislature of 1898 was prohibited
from doing? SO much on legislative
redistrictng. When it comes to redis
tlicting the state for judicial purposes.
the legislature is restricted by section II
of article 6 of the constitution from
making such changes more than once in
every four years, and not then unless
two-thirds of the members elected to
each house shall concur therein.
There is, however, no constitutional
barrier that would prevent the legisa-
ture of 1897 from reapportioning the con
gressonal districts. The experience of
other states where legislatures have
gerrymandered congressional districts
does not commend such practices as
purely political investment. The peo-
pie have in nearly every instance re-
bulicd such schemes by turning down
the candidates and parties in whose in
terest the gerrymander was engineered
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
LOVE AUoNH THE THoRNs.


MunscN'S Magazine.
She wears mannish collar, and she squan-
durs every dollar
on dresses, trim and tight and tailor
made;
Since the time when first I knew her have
her eyes been growing blucr;
And ia WOO her, but the truth is-lm
afraid!
For you see she's fun of notions; such as
silly Swedish motions
For developing her muscles like n lads:
And so, naturally, | fear TO come uncom-
fOrtably near TO
a girl with forty fin de steele fads.
only lately twas her hobby in n legislative
lobby
To rob the stately senator's of peace;
Then she went to seven lectures on Italian
architecturcS,
with now and then a reference to Greece.
But she soon adopted bowling, balls Of lig-
mum vitae rolling
At triangular aSScmblaGes OF pins:
Then she loCturCd like "A parSOn to the men
in jail for arson,
As a pcnance for imaginary sins
I'm confident love her, but the little stars
above her
Are not quite so unattainahle as she;
For she frequently has STATED that she's
now emanCipatCd,
And matrimony's calling to the free
1t has passed the point of joking, and be-
comes a thing provoking,
From whim to whim increasingly she
EadS;
And though all my life tarry. l declare I'll
never marry
girl with forty fin de seic!c fads!
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
SinguInrIy Clear in style.

That part of the presidents message
which treats of the Cuban rebellion outlines
a policy which the subsequent administrl-
tion may have to recognize and adopt as pro-
viding the only just and dignifed way out
of the difficulty. The passage is logical In
thought and singuarly clear in style. 1t
points out that while there is a fierce and
steady conflict in Cuba, with no apparent
prospect that the Spanish forces are waging
a winning fight, there is no actual Cuban
government entitled to recognition unless
the martial authority exercised by military
officers at various times and places may
be dignified by the name. In the pres-
dent's opinion. therefore, If Spain has not
re-egtablished her authority neither have the
Cubans made good their claim 10 recognition
as an Independent government.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

SEATTLE Dec. 9.-Fifty of the mechanics
employed by Moran Bros, shipbuilders of
this city, are on a strike and will leave on
the next steamer for San Francisco. The
men have been employed on two steel steam
vessels the Morans are building for the
government, a torpedo destroyer and a gov
ernment tugboat. Moran Bros announced
Tuesday evening that on account of in
clement weather work hours for the present
would be reduced to seven and a half hours
per day. The men said they would strike
unless they were given ten hours pay for
seven and a half hours work. Their de,
mand being refused they went out
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
urLrptyINg counIylrWNS-

NJ ! ! i I
,rt, ,,,i,itv tb,t H. b,'pr shown I'm
en-, ,r,,,iy,tion or combinations nyow-
,I,. ,,t,p1c1 q, J,siroy cnupriiti,n.
r,s,ri,, rr,1uc,l,n and regulate prices
copp,i Cnll to arrest public attention
,,l sb,pil moi rou to receive consider
oil,p from congress We referred n
r,,y d,,s oro 4, th, rrorgnn's.l Gl.s
trrst which boldly proclaimed lis pul-
posn to do thns, things that are dis
tiurtly declared hy the law To br hostile
to public policy. suggesting that II
srsmrd 10 bn case for the attention Of
the federal authorities. even If nothing
more could be accomplished una y cN-
istiug legislation than to put a cbcck
upDn the plot to exact tribute from The
people. Since then there have been an
lions formed or forming. One of these
Is composed of the Woodworking ma
Chincry manufacturers Of the country
ana Is said to have a c0pitn o! N2o,"'"'-
eco. lumber combine to control the
trade In TN" southern states Is Sliu 10
steel trust which has been threatened
with disruption, Is "nd"avoring To ar
range matters - thn' us hl'h"}oN '"l
he maintained ana th're are o'"tr mo-
mEnlS that promise addluohS 10 tRe uH'
OF these colhplnatiohS
MI CIoIcihhdS reference 10 'he
trusts IN ms annual message NolceS III"
nearly universal popular sentiment re-
garding them ana Whiie the prcSia'ht
recognizes the uiincultl"S III lhe way
of reaching them by federal legislation
as pointed out by the supreme court,
he urges that there can be no DOUBT OF
the power OF the several states To act
effectively. 1t is not to be doubted
that the decision OF the highest ludlclal
tribunal in regard to the limitation OF
congressional authority in respect to
trusts has been encouraging to this
form of monopoly. According to the
view of the supreme court federal
action cannot reach the combinations
unless they seek directly ana purpoScly
TO include in their object transportation
or intercourse between states or be
tween the United States and foreign
countries. But the court said that the
states possessed the power to deal with
the monopolies, using this language:
"Thc relief of the citizens of each state
from the burden of monopoly and the
evils resulting from the restraint of
trade among such citizens was left to
the states to deal with, and this court
has recognized their possession of that
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

The freef slvertes educated" the voters
of Minnesota for years. The advocates of
sound money had only the few months of
the campaign in which to present the other
side.
In 1892 the democrats got 1O09 92O and the
populists 29,313 votes. This year the fusion
of democrats, free silver republicans and
pOpullsts got 1885 net increase of less
than 10000, most of which came from the
prchibitionists
The republican vote of 122 1923 in 1892
leaped this year to 1935O1. Add the Palmer
vote and theNvote for sound money is 1876,
lO3-a majority of $1,000, where four years
ago the fusion of democrats and populists
would have had a majority
In Minnesota a free silver education
campaign makes votes for sound money.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10
COLLAPSE Or THE NAIL TRUST.
: Combination TINT nit on More Than
II Could Nnsticntc.


In these days of vigorous antitrust agita-
tion it is too frequently assumed that the
law alone is capable of affOrding relief to
the victims of mOnopolistic and Illegal com
blnations. 1t is overlooked that there are
factors more powerful than legislation with
which trusts have to reckon, and that the
laws of commerce provide and enforce pen
alties with greater promptness and rigor
than is possible to the mechanism of the
law.
One of the trusts which have brought upon
themselves the harshCst censure of the
courts and people-the great wire nail trust
seems to have collapsed OF its own
weight There are numerous cases against
it in different states but they will probably
never be tried. The trust has been dis
solved, and after an inevitable period OF
decentralization and reaction the wire nail
business will doubtless adjust itself to the
ordinary conditions of legitimate competitive
dealing The cause of the collapse is no
secret. The trust seems To have over
reached itself. To protect its own existence
it had to buy up at eXtrayagant prices oppo-
sitiOn mills which sprang up on all sides.
1t had to control production, close up so
per cent of its factories and order one ad-
vance of prices after another to make the
industry profitable. It's expenses proving
greater than its income and its high prices
encouraging independent manufacturers to
defy ii and attract the trade of disgusted
ana fcDelllouS JODDefS, IL is at last cOmpclleu
to give up the fight and acknowledge itself
defeated. Prices are tumblng, and at the
end Of week the price of Eeg OF nails will
be within 80 per cent OF the lowest mark
ever touched by the trade.
No wonder that the manufacturers who
have entered the trust in the interest Of
self-preservation are said to be sick at heart
and resentful II is doubtful whether they
will ever he induced or driven again into
the formation of another artificial pool
They have learned a lesson. They have
become acquainted with the seamy side Of
trust methods. They know that it is not
easy to stihe competition and maintain
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

The first and most important office of
the public schools is TO teach the young.
Adequate means should be supplied to
that end, with competent teachers and
sufficient hours of instruction. There
are plenty of ways of economy which
can be employed without sacrificing any
necessary feature of this fundamental
plan and without injury TO anything
except the ambitious schemes of certain
members of the Board of Education.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

Hon. Silver Dick may be the real silver
leader. but he Is not a democrat, and con
sequently he cannot become the leader of the
democratic party in the next house of repre-
sentatives As there will be practically nc
democratic party in that body. 1t is unim-
portant whom the popocrats in it follow OF
refuse to follow 1t is only common justice
and polteness to Mr.. Bland, however, to
say that nobody can believe in bad money
more thoroughly or shout for it more earn
estly than he does. 'Tis a good old Silver
Dick, but it has stood bareheaded in the
moonshne tco long, and the silver has got
into the head.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

New york lrlb'hc u'pJ
The most hopeful note in the whole dis
cussion is that which most cO2ely approx
mates to menace. The president repeats
what has been Slid 50 many times by his
predecessors that this country would not
tolerate the transfer of Cuba to any other
society than that of Spain. The island must
remain Spanish or become independent or
pass into our own possession. Then he
adds, significantly, that while this govern
mcnt should continue to be patient, its pa
tience may presently be exhausted. Ii
Spain does not end the war our regard for
her sovereignty may be superseded by the
higher obligations of humanity.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

1t is possible to lop off from $4,000 to
$4,000 Il year by the abolition of need
less boards and sinccures and cutting
down salaries in the city hall. but so
long as the council votes away thousand
of dollars TO contractors and bogus
claimants at almost every session the
pruning of the pay roll is Il mere drop
in comparison with the big leaks that
have well nigh drained the resources of
tile tnXpnYels.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

Taxation is inordinately high in
Omaha chiefly because the burden of il
is borne by the smaller property own
who are now improperly exempted could
be made to carry their share of the load,
the strain upon the weaker members
of the community would be materially
relieved.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

Spain certainly cannot accuse President
Clcyc aud of any uniricudlro'l lie has done
the utmost that national friendship could de-
maud. lie has been patient and considcrate
in restraining any aggressive spirit and in
giving Spain the largest opportunity. All
this lends the more weight to his final init
nation that patience may cease to be a
virtue, and that this destructive warfare
cannot be permitted to go on indefinitely
In this declaration he pats himself In har-
mony with the true Amerlcan attitude.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

Nonresident property owners should
not be suffered to block necessary i'm.
proyomcntS in the business part of town,
but neither should residents who are not
property owners be allowed TO commit
the city to wild schemes Of paving, sew
ering ana putting down sidewalks round
about the farm lands in the suburbs.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

None. of the employees of congress
have been heard to register n protest
against an extra session unless 1t be the
select few who are ON yearly salaries,
For the employees of the house and sen,
ate an extra session means extra pay
and they may he relied on TO favor an
extra session without dissent.
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

Governor-elect Pingree of Michigan
proposes TO be inaugurated with .effcr-
sonian simplicity. That means he pro
poses to make the journey from Detroit
to Lansing Oh horseback or on tie pass
Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-10

The imminent and supremacy important
question of our duty and responsibility to
Cuba is disposed of in convenient manner.
The Cuban chapter is ably written. Its
statements and suggestions hold the atten-
ticn closely until you come to the dishcart-
eung conclusion. In well-balanced periods
sympathy for the struggling patriots
and friendship and admiration tor Spain are
equally dispensed. The foremost democratic
question. that of the startling inadequacy of
our revenues. is discussed by Mr.. Cleveland
as cheerfuly as if he had nothing TO do with
the dire situation confronting u.s.