davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1896-10-10
The Water Question.

We have always advocated
municipal ownership of fran
chises and the cooperative CON-
monwealth as an Ultima Thule
of all this agitation for reform
and the betterment of the prop
ertyless classes. The question
of the ownership of the present
water and light plant is before
the people of Duluth again, and
indications are that the people
will have to vote again on this
much vexed question. This will
be the third election on this same
question and yet the people of
Duluth are no nearer getting
pure water than two years ago
when they voted to build.
The city should own the plant
and run it in it's own interest.
We will not go into past history
on this matter but we are in
favor of the people taking hold
of this question and have it
settled speedily whereby purer
and cheaper water can be OBJ
tanned. Why it should hang fire
as it has and is doing is beyond
our comprehension. How many
more election days will it be
necessary for the people to 60 to
the polls and cast their ballots
before they get this matter SET
tied? If the better way is to buy;
why not buy and take posses
sion? If the better way is to build;
why have we not builded? lift
is impossible to do ought but
buy the sooner that is done the
better for all concerned. AS it
now is; election after election;
litigation after litigation con-
tinues to pile up the expenses of
the city.
When the matter was first SUBJ
mitted, the price asked by the
stockholders, represented by
President Belknap was $780,
900; and the price now asked by
the bondholders represented by
Messrs. Gay & Coffin, is 81, $685.
900; which is a considerable re-
duction on the former PROPOSE
ton. Whether or not this price
is yet too high is a matter for
the consideration of the citizens
of Duluth, and before voting, if
vote is taken, they will probably
carefully weigh all the arguments
on both sides of the question.
Those who believe the figures
too high cite the estimate of the
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1896-10-10

See that Mr.. Butchart receives
YOUR vote for Sheriff at the COM
ing election. He deserves them
all.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
HIS OPPORTUNITY.
Pittsburg le-Telegraph,

Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph.
1t is Il wise saying of Alexander Dumas
that great griefs contain the germs of
their own consolation. This may have
its application in the case Of Governor
Hastings. The sudden extinction of his
senatorial aspirations, although he bears
1t with dignified composure. has undoubt-
edly been bitter disappointment. He has
Jared baby in his faction alliances. His
support of the appOrtionment bill was a
plain requirement of duty imposed by his
nomination pledges. His attachment to
this issue carried him into the state ''com-
bne" and eventually brought him in an
attitude of opposition to Senator Quay IN
a way which he had not intended. The de-
velOpments of the faction struggle reduced
the appOrtionment issue to subordinate i'm
portance and eventually placed the gov
ernor in a false position. Senator Quay's
Overtures gave him an opportunity to ex-
tricate himself but he did SO with an en-
ergy which landed him in the Quay camp
He was the leading spok kesman of Senator
Quay's presidential candidacy and was
largely instrumental In making II such an
imposing demonstration as 1t was Of Sem
ator Quay's asccndency in his own state
He was regarded as Senator Quay's choice
for the succession TO Cameron. and that
impression was very distinct at Harris
burg until Senator Quay himself went
there and wiped 1t out In the deft. effec-
tuai way In which he performs such feats.
So once again the governors combina-
tions have resulted in failure.
But i'm his present state of political lso-
lation there is this deep consolation. II
he has now no faction support he is free
of faction obligations. He Is an abso-
lutely Independent man and he is COVER
nor of the great state of Pennsylvania.
With no ulteror purpose to serve nor
any personal ends to promote, what a
faction of an honorable ambition. He can
devote himself with sinSleness of purpose
and untrammeled energies to the service
of the people of this commonwealth. He
can give u point and efficiency to re-
form with measure of opportunity be-
yond that of any other man. Reform
promises are plentiful. He can WELD Il
powerful influence in compelling the prac-
tical fulflment of those promises. If he
does not possess an initiative in legisia-
tion, nor enter into the faction councils
by which the legislative programme is
shaped, he is governor of Pennsylvania
and wields the veto axe. so that he can
not be ignored. He can confront the fac
a way which will enable public opinion
to act effectively.
The coming session Is Governor Hast
ings opportunity. His course then will
decide whether his administration will
be known as failure or will make itself
illustrious.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
Turn on the Light.

The arrest at Harrisburg last night
Of f. A. Van Valkenburg, the Official
disburser Of the Wanamaker senatorial
campaign, will afford an opportunity
for a legal investigation Of the meth
DDS employed by the managers Of the
new combine" in state politics.
We are informed that this arrest is
merely the precursor of systematic
exposure of one of the most impudent
conspiracies to purchase official posi-
ton in the history of American politics.
Regardless of its immediate effect upon
the senatorial struggle this exposure,
We are assured. will go on. until the
last vestige of false pretense shall be
stripped clean from off the conspiracy
in question.
Turn on the light. Let the band
play.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
The Governors Opportunity.

The suggestion in Pittsburg paper
that Governor Hastings. being now free
from factional entanglements of any
kind, can with exceptional propriety
hold the next legislature to the party's
reform pledges and fearlessly WELD the
veto power on all schemes and jobs,
is to the point. We do not wish to i'm
ply that he would under other circum-
stances do less than this: but the OPP
portunity to present determined front
in behalf of the public welfare is now
before him in uncommon distinctness.
and all the conditions appear to be un-
usually favorable for the success of
such policy.
Two years ago when he undertook to
do his duty in a matter of vital public
moment. his motives We're misinter-
preted and he was temporarily checked.
A fuller understanding Of his position
then has ELECTED the Endorsement Of
many who at the time manifested an
tagonsm. Today. although another
factional conflict is in progress he is
not a party to 1t and in him lies the
public's one hope that in the clashing
Of the partisans sight may not be
wholly lost Of the general public's in
terests. The people will look to him as
they would to a judge on a bench sit
ting before contending attorneys. While
the latter are special pleaders, 1t is his
function above all others to stand for
broad and impersonal justice. and by
doing this he will best subserve both
the public's interest and his own.
The position will undoubtedly be one
of great delicacy and trial; but just
in proportion as its difficulties multiply
will credit come for mastering them.
Through faults not his own, the first
half of the governors administration
has not fulfilled the measure of his
own early expectation; but Il sturdy
performance of duty in the next six
months will swing the scales we'll in the
right direction.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
The Convention of Judges.

From practical standpoint only a
start was made at the Philadelphia
convention of judges toward court re-
form. The distinguished jurists who
assembled on Tuesday did little more
than to adjourn. But before they took
that step discussion occurred which
disclosed considerable antagonism to
the lea of uniform court rules. Inas-
much as uniformity in this particular
would have 70 rest in the main upon the
consent of the judges themselves, this
antagonism, unless 1t can be overcome,
will doubtless prove fatal to a greatly
needed forward step in our judiciary.
Another subject of disagreement was
the rules suggested by the Pennsylva-
mia Bar association to secure uniform
ity in the standard Of legal education
and admission to the bar. Those rules
require that the applicant shall be of
good moral character, shall have passed
an examination preliminary to regis
tration, which shall be the equivalent
of an examination to the freshman
class of college in good standing. and
shall have pursued three years aca-
demic course Of legal study with ex-
aminations in court. The contention of
a number of judges, among them Judge
Archibald. that this standard is too
high will be received by the majority
of laymen with surprise.
Altogether it cannot be held that the
first effort to promote uniformity in
the Pennsylvania courts has been
crowned with success. Yet the effort
will go on and will doubtless eventually
succeed.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
A Poor Bargain.

IT have no quarrel with any one,"
says Mr.. Wanamaker, and have not
been a party to any attack made on
any individual"
Yet for three months an organized
and salaried conspiracy Of character
defamation has been In progress in
Pennsylvania aimed at Mr.. PenrOse
and participated in by men who Of
fered as an excuse for libeling PEN
rose that they wished to elect Wanna
maker. This has been known to Mr..
Wanamaker for not less than two
months: yet all that he can find time
to say in the premises Is the ineffec-
tive excuse that he has not in person
been guilty of circulating scandal. lie
does not attempt to shield his agents.
The evidence against them is unan-
swerable. Consequently he washes his
hands Of the whole matter, thinking
thus to avoid responsibility. we mis-
judge the public temper If it will be
willing to acquit him SO readily.
II believe" adds Mr.. Wanamaker.
that the auditor generals department
needs reorganizing because of the large
discretion of the auditor general in ad-
justing corporation taxes. I have rea-
son to believe that many suffering in
dustries can be relieved after the in
vestigations that are likely to be called
for soon'
Here we gain a refreshing glimpse
at the colored gentleman in the Dolan
corporation syndicate's wood-pile
They are cunning for the state treas
urer's office so they can have the plac-
ing of the state funds: and they are
after the auditor -generalship so that
they can adjust corporation taxes to fit
the wishes Of the corporation officials.
Mr.. Wanamaker, in the guilelessness
of his strictly commercial disposition.
seems to think 1t is entirely within the
province Of the corporations to band
together for the purpose Of escaping
taxation, and shat those who oppose
them are necessarily minions of boss
ism. Here, again, we think he mis-
judges public opinion. We challenge
him to put to a popular vote the ques-
tion whether the corporations shall
have charge Of the levying of taxes on
themselves.
The remainder of his interview con-
sists Of rambling attack on the po-
litical organization which has brought
the Republican majority in Pennsylva-
mia IN to the highest mark ever
reached in an American state. For
this effective force Of trained regulars
he would substitute a council OF cor
poration magnates, aiming to recoup
for campaign outlays by profitable ma
nipulatiOn Of the taxing power. 1t is q
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

1t is all figured out in Illinois that
Governor John r. Tanner is to be the
next president after Mckinley. The
same condition prevails in Michigan
with reference to Governor Pingree;
and in New York there are signs of an
incipient presidential boom for Gov
ernor Frank Black. 1t strikes us that
these calculations, while interesting,
are somewhat premature.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
Ours to Decide.

Saws a dispatch from Madrid: The
snanish generals here agree that 1t Is
possible to reduce the insurrectioh Ill
TUBA to the three eastern provinces IN
a few months with the forces now on
the island. but they share the opihioh
of General Weyler that complete paci-
6cation of the rest of the island wouih
REQUIRE much longer time unless the
rebels should be convinced that the
finances of outside assistance are sure 10
diminish in consequence of the spanish
government coming to an understand
ing. even in an unofficial way, with the
United States to settle the Cuban ques-
tion."
In other words, it is for the United
States government to say, by its actions
in the premises, whether Cuba shall
revert in bondage to Spain or continue
with hopefulness to fight for indepen-
dence. BY Spain's own admissions. we
here in America hold within our hands
Cubas destiny and can, If we will.
determine whether she shall be slave
or free. This is what the foregoing
citation means, when read between the
lines.
For our part we dissent from half
of this hypothesis. There is no doubt
that the recognition by the United
States of the independence of Cuba
would have the effect. within compar-
atively brief time after its formal prom
ulgation. to bring to an end Spanish
sovereignty in the American hemi-
sphere. 1t is. therefore, within our
power to make Cuba free. and that, too,
without overstepping by so much as q
hairs breadth the proprieties of diplo-
macy. But 1t Is not 50 sure on the other
hand that even though our government,
ignoring public opinion. should throw
its influence on the side of Spain the
Cubans themselves would abandon
their struggle for liberty and yield
again to the Spanish yoke. They
would undoubtedly be discouraged. and
with reason. The disappointment Of
their hope in practical American SYM
pathy. the wrecking of their natural
expectation that the great republic to
would side with freedom rather than
tyranny and work within its opportu-
nifty for their affranchisement rather
than for their reinstatement, would be
a weighty blow. and it might cause
them to give up the battle in sheer
despair. But somehow we doubt it..
Though few in numbers they have
shown Themselves valiant in spirit; and
1t would truly be an anomalous spec
tacle If at the close of the nineteenth
century, when on every hand we are
witnessing the spread of republican
ideas. there should be enacted almost
within the shadow of American insti-
tutOns, relapse into mediaeval politi-
cal semi-barbarism.
But it is by no means settled, despite
the confident tone of the present chief
executive at Washington and of his
man Friday in the state department
who has undertaken to browbeat con-
gress, that the interposition of the
United states Will be aimed at the over
throw of Cuban hopes. Mr. Cleveland
has not yet converted into a despotism
the position he Is soon to vacate; nor
has Secretary Olncy succeeded in con-
vincing the governing masses of his
fellow-countrymen that they must not
have voice in American foreign af-
fairs.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

A woman in Detroit. whose property
near a railroad was injured by SCOT
and cinders from the passing engines,
sued to recover damages. but her case
was non-suited because she could not
specify which engines had done the
mischief. And yet our judges wonder
why many people view their rulings in
such cases with feeling akin to dis
trust
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

Vigorous objection is sure to he made
in the next Legislature to the payment,
out of the state funds. of the expenses
of the Andrews Lexow committee. The
committee was not authorized to ex-
pend one dollar; but it has spent nearly
s50.O00. and it will seek to get reim-
burscd by means of a special appropri-
alton. Those who had the fun should
terpriSe.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
TOLD BY THE STARS.
Daily Horoscope Drawn by Ajacchus
The Tribune AstrOlOger.
Astrolabe cast 1.3s a. m. for Thursday,
Dec. 81, 1896.

uE { Gs
A child born on this day will have to
hustle If II has much fun in 1896.
The man who can look back at the last
365 days and truthfully say that he is sat
isiied with the manner in which the time
of each has been improved, is almost good
enough to associate with Uncle John
Wanamaker.
Reports of numerous failures are not
always Indicative of poor business. A
well-conducted failure Is often more profit
able than years Of hard toll
When used in connection with Cuban
war dispatches the word "pacified'' un-
doubtedly means put to sleep"
The January thaw appears to have
been two days ahead of date.
SnOwhakes.
Goodbye! goodbye! to '9G.
Its fleeting joys and SORROW
Goodbye. to many wretched fix
That Wen forget tomorrow.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

DIR. Parkhurst declares that Tom
Platt Is more dangerous individual
than the devil. Probably that is why
|, the doctor. these days, is concentrating
his energies on Platt and giving Satan
something of a rest.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

Says the Philadelphia Public Ledger:
"The fathers Of the republic contem-
plated that the senate should operate
as a check upon the house. but their
anticipations have not been always
realized. Greater scandal has at
tached to the election Of senators than
to that Of representatives" II the
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

Georgia has now a new antitrust
alties. all arrangements. contracts,
agreements. trusts or combinations
made with q view to lessen or which
may tend to lessen free competition in
the importation, manufacture or sale
Of any article or product. This meas
ure starts of bravely. We shall see
how 1t will fare.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

Ledger wishes to emphasize its point
with timely illustration. let it tell
the truth about the present Wanamak-
er movement.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

poor bargain. In which the stalwart
Republicanism OF the commonwealth
will not invest
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
THE NEXT CENTURY.


New York Letter, Pittsburg Times.
There has been a good deal of discussion
recently as to when the twentieth century
begins. But this has turned simply upon
a general question: Does a century begin
on the year date, when a change occurs
in the third figure of teh date--for exarn-
Pile does the eighteenth century begin
on Jan. /, 1900, the nineteenth century on
Jan. !. 1900. and the twentieth century
on Jan. l. 1900? This point has now been
practically settled. The centuries cannot
nationally be reckoned In this way. Right
ly speaking, the nineteenth century closes
on the last day of 1900, from which it re-
ceives its name. The nineteenth century
began Just after midnight of Dec 81. 1890,
1t closes with midnight of Dec. 81. 1900.
The twentieth century, therefore. begins
on Jan. |, A. ID. 1901. Now. 1t is pretty well
established by the unpleasant class of
people who deal in figures and who don't
care what long established principles they
Overturn that, properly speaking, next
Friday will be Jan. !. A. ID. 1901. 'Tis no
longer uqestiOn as to whether the twcn-
tieth century begins in three or in four
years from now. The point Is that the
twentieth century begins next Friday.
.
How Is this worked out?
Simply on the basis, which Is now ac-
cepted by all careful chronologists, that
an error has been made in the date of
Christs birth, so that in what Is ac-
cepted as A. ID. |, or the first year of our
Lord, Christi was, in point of fact, four
years old. He was actually born in the
year Il. c. .. or. in other words, in the
fifth year before Christ, before Himself!
That is the apparent mathematical para
dox which the acceptd entomology would
force Upon MS.
How did the mistake occur? Very easily.
The Christian era has it's epoch or point
of departure determined by the Gregorian
rule, viz: 'The years are denominated as
years current from the midnight between
Dec. 81 ami Jan. Immediately subsequent
to the chronological determination of the
event by DiOnysius Exiguus." Now, as
Dionysius, the obscure author of this
chronological scheme lived in the begin-
ming Of the sixth century. there was no
exact determination of the epoch, and
1t cannot therefore be SO precisely for
mulate as other eras of less Importance.
1t is generally agreed that the beginning
of the era should have been fixed four
years earlier, since Christ was born four
years earlier than the date now settled
on by the Christian calendar.
The proof lies in two main facts. One
Is the death Of Herod the Great which
Is known to have occurred thirty-seven
years after he had been declared king by
the Romans. Now, this declaration took
place In A. Y. c. IA. The initials A. U. G.
stand for ammo urbis cona.to. the year
of the building CT the city (by Romulus),
which was the epoch whence the Romans
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31
GoLDSM|TH'S o
BAZAAR.


Which dollars dollar
half price Cloak Clearance Sale We
lore have cut the about Every
shall
consolation
ats an i'll wind that blows
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

Our present reckoning then Is just four
years in error. 1t might, indeed, seem
that it Is five instead of four, because the
interval from n given date in =. c. ) to
the same in A. ID. I. is five years. But Il
little thought will convince you that this
would be still another error. Christ, II
must be oEce mere remembered, was born
according to our reckoning, in the con-
Guiding days OF the last year of the old
era, |. e.. on Dee. %, b. {. l. Now b.
&. is the fourth year before that, so
that If We could now revert TO the correct
year of the rativity, the present year.
1896. would be 1900, |. e., the nineteenth
hundredth year after the birth of Christ
At its c.ose nineteenth centuries from that
event would be completed, and the twen-
tieth century would commence with next
Friday, which would be called JAM |. 1901
The error, however, is hot one that could
easily be remedied. NCr in view of the
Inconvenience which II would entail, Is II
worth remedy.ng. To take just one sin
gle instance, think how every reference
book. every history, and every individual
memory would have to be pulled just four
years forward. a world in which Amer!-
ca was discovered in 1886. In which the
Mayoiiwer landed In 1924. and the Revo-
luton broke ou,t In 1880. would not be tie
same Old world that we know and love.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

computed time. Add thirty-seven to ia
and you get a. L. c. 75l. which corre-
spends with b. C. 4. II is obvious tina.
Heroi could not have died four years be-
fore Christ. Further. we know that there
was an eclipse of the moon on March II,
b. Z. I, on which night Herod ordered
some Jewish rabb!s to be burned for urg-
ing their pupils to destroy his golden eagle
and that he was dead before the Passover.
which took place on April Il, b. c. 1.
Christ must,h therefore. have been born
before February, Il. G. 4. The s5th OF De-
cember, B. c. ), would fulfill all historical
requirements.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-31

1t Is in order for Thomas Doiah 10
lefine Legitimate" campaign expendi-
fureS
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-28
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC.

The pubs5s Il hereby wsrrec not 70 pay
say s.oney TO parties rxr-rs*SsinE 70 -
agents o< the Seattle Hcss-frrsil greer.
sgskrrlxs-s travelling agents u n. Post
lHse.iigarc@r. viz j A Ec-tefs9ns J. J.
Bswfey axss e. r. Peek. Th.s ao~~ rot
Apply 10 resident sgrnss Of shas paper Sno
a. k,~sfed ~ varIly,fs est3e< All towns In
the Northwest aor 20 fsSssrhaEfert. Noo
are In ali eases authorised . t&se SAB.
ecrsrflSEs for ffx Daily, kun1sy asa
Weekly p0sf-rrfssisgercsrs ttfy collsr-
tors: y. A csshcsrr " r. Haxlsy. w.
". Hama anc " W Ewing