davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
INTERSTATE COMMERCE..
Revision and Amendment of the Pres
emit Law Are Necessary.

The interstate commerce commission
has, during the last year, supplied
abundant evidence of its usefulness and
to its charge
Public transportation IS an universal
necessity. and the question of Just and
reasonable charges therefore has be-
come of vital Importance not only to
shippers and carriers, but also to the
vast multitudes of producers and con
sumers.
The justice and equity of the princi-
pies embodied in the existing law pass
ed for the purpose of regulating these
charges are everywhere conceded and
there appears to be no question that the
policy thus entered upon has a perma-
nent place in our legislation. AS the
present statute when enacted was in
the nature of the case more or less ten
tative and experimental it was hardly
expected to supply complete and ade-
quate system While its wholesome eff
fects are manifest and have amply
justified its enactment, it is evident that
all desired reforms in transportation
methods have not been fully accom-
plished.
In view of the judicial Interpretation
which some provisions of this statute
have received and the defects disclosed
by the efforts made for its enforcement
its revision and amendment appear to
be essential to the end that 1t may more
effectually reach the evils destined to
be corrected. hope the recommended
ton of the commission upon this sub
ject viii be promptly and faVOrably
considered by the congress.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
CIVIL Service REFORM.
There Are Now $4,000 Places in Clas-
sif1ed Service.

The progress made in civil service re-
form furnishes a cause for the utmost
congratulation. 1t has survived the
doubts of its friends as We'll as the ram
cor of it's enemies and has gained a per
manent place among the agencies Ges-
tined to cleanse our politics and Inn
prove, economic and elevate the pub
lie service. There are now in the COM
petitive, classified service upwards of
"a 600 places. More than half of these
have been included from time to time
since March 4. 1898. A most radical and
sweeping extension was made by eN-
ecutive order dated the 9Th day Of May,
1896. and if fourth class postmaster
ships are not included in the statement
it may be said that practically all post
lions contemplated by the civil service
law are now classified.
Abundant reasons exist for including
these postrnastershi based upon econ
Omy, improved service and The peace
and quiet Of neighbOrhODds. IT, how
ever, obstacles prevent such action at
present I earnestly hope that congress
viii. without increasing pOStOttlce APP
prOpriatiOns. So adjust them as to per
nit in proper cases Of a consolidation
of these pOstOffices to the end that
through this process the result desired
may to a limited extent be accom-
plished
The civil service rules as amended
during the last year provide for a SEN
sible and uniform method of promotion.
basing eligibility to better positions
upon demonstra ted efficiency and faith
fulness. The absence of fixed rules on
this subject has been an infirmity i'm the
system more and more apparent,its 9TH
err benefits have been better appreciated.
The advantages Of civil service meth
DDS i'm their business aspects are too
wei understood to require argument.
Their application has become a necessi-
ty to the executive work of the govern
ment, but those who gain through the
I operation of these methods should be
made to understand that the nom parti-
san scheme through which they receive
their appointments, demands from them
by way of reciprocity. partisan and
faithful performance of duty under eV-
cry administration, and cheerful fidelity
to every chief
( PERNLCIOUS PARTISAN EMPLOY ElS
While they should be encouraged tx
/ decently exercise their rights of citizen
/ ship and to support through their suf-
/ fFages the political beliefs they honestly
profess. the noisy. persistent and parJi-
/ san emplOye, who loves political turmoil
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
HALF RATES PLUS S2.OO.
Burlington Route

To the west and northwest, November
8 II. December 1 and 10, round trip. %
days limit, Nebraska, Kansas, Wv
oming, Utah. Black Hills and certain
parts of dorado Splendid through
trains of cnair cars (seats free), and
handsome compartment observation
vestibule sleepers. Only dining car
line to Denver via st. Louis and Kan
sas City, cafe plan (pay only for what
you order). The Burlington route is
the original Harvest Excursion line
See the magnificent corn crops Of Ne
braska- Send to the undersigned for
pamphlets on Missouri and Nebraska
and consult local agents for rates and
train service.
L. W. WAEEIEY
General Passenger Agent. st. Louis. Mo.
Try US on collars. We can make therr
look like new Peerless Steam Laundry
1I2 and ia W. sth ST Phone 332.
Goodwin Coal company. Phone. $50.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
FINANCIAL QUESTION.
The President eAlIudes to the Weak
nesses and Vices of Our System"


nesses and Vices of Our System"
This reference to the condition and
prospects OF our revenues naturally sug-
gests an auusion to the weakness and
vices of our financial methods They
have been frequently pressed upon the
attention Of the congress in previous
executive communications and the lneV-
tia BILE danger of their continued toleia-
ton pointed out Without now repeal
ing these details I cannot refrain from
again earnestly presenting the necessity
Of the prompt reform of a system OD-
posed to every rule of sound finance and
shown by experience to be rraught with
the gravest peril and perplexity-
The terrible civil war which shook the
foundatio of our government more
than thirty years ago brought IN It's
train the destruction of property, the
wasting of cur cOuntrys substance and
the estrangement OF brethren. These
are now past and forgotten. Even the
distressing loss of life the conflict en-
tailed is but sacred memory when
fosters patriotic sentiment and keeps
alive a tender regard for those who no.
bly, died And yet there remains with
US today. ia full strength and activity
as an incident OF that tremendous StrUS-
gle a feature of it's financial necessity
not only unsuited to our present cir
cumstances, but manifestly q disturb
ing menace to business security ana an
ever present agent Of monetary distress
Because we may be enjoying a tenn
porary relief from its depressing infiu-
ence, this should not lun US into false
security nor lead us to forget the sud
denness of past visitation. i am more
convinced than ever that we can have
no assured financial peace and safety
until the government currency obliga-
tons upon which gold may be de-
manded from the treasury are with
drawn from circulation and cancelled.
This might be done as has been hereto
fore recommended by their exchange for
long term bonds bearing a low rate Of
interest or by their redemption with
the proceeds of such bonds.
Even if only the United States notes
known as greenbacks were thus retired,
it is probable that the treasury notes in
payment Of silver purchases under the
act of July IA, 1890 now paid in gold
when demanded. would not create much
disturbances, as they might from time
to time. when received in the treasury
1 by redemption in gold or otherwise, be
gradually and prudently replaced by
/ silver coin
This plan of issuing bonds for the
4 purpose Of redemption certainly appears
I t0 be the most effective and direct path
j to the needed reform.
/ In default of this. however. it would
/ be step in the right direction If cur
/ rency obligations redeemable in gold
/ whenever 50 redeemed should be can
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
TRUSTS AND MoNoPoLIEs.
The Laws Dealing With Them Are
Inadequate.


Another topic in which our people
rightfuny take deep interest may be
here briefly considered. [ refer to the
existence Of trusts and other huge ag-
gregations of capital, the object of
which is to secure the monopoly of some
particular branch of trade, industry, or
commerce and TO stihe wholesome com
petition. When these are defended it is
usually on the ground that though they
increase profits, they also reduce prices
and thus may benefit the public. It
reduction of prices to the people is not
one of the real objects of those Organi-
cations nor is their tendency necessar-
lily In that direction If 1t occurs in a
particular case it is only becau it ac-
cords with the purposes or interests Of
those managing the scheme
Such occasional results fall short of
compromising the palpable evils charg-
ed to the account lof trusts and monopo-
lies. Their tendency is to crush out in
diVidual Independence and to hinder and
TO prevent the free use of human facul-
ties and the fun deVelopement Of hui
man character. Through them the farm
er, the artisan and the small trader is
in danger of dislOdgement from the
proud position of being his own master,
Watchful Of all that touches his cOun-
try'S prosperity in which he has an in
dividual interest, in all that affects the
advantages of business of which he is
a factor, to be relagated to the level of
mere appurtepance to great ma
chine with little hope or opportunity of
rising in the scale of responsible and
helpful citizenship To TIE instructive
belief that such is the inevitable trend
of trusts and monOpOlies is due the
widespread and deep seated popular
aversion in which they are held and
the not unreasonable insistence that
whatever may be their incidental econ
omic advantages. their general effect
upon personal character, prospects and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07

Continued from Second Page9
teriany to their eheapenins and better

+,,.s.1f,- g.. choir cheanenfng and better
,,-,.. 80 ~
e~s'-S I'M on vvAR COLLEGE.
TIL 49, 4SlIara mas developed into
~ 49, i+--+,~r, Witch In is believed viii
- III .-~sat .-a1l3e r. the navy ian teach
- ~ seiar,eea ~ war. as wen as in
sfi7ls-,e- r,,.rlfassfo4sll zeal in the navy,and
- LII rs e4ssrs9ialIz- useful in the devils
- ~ ~Iars for the utilization in case
e7,,-5,s.sff-- - aI1 rha naval resources
81 ~ T-rfrad states. The secretary has
-ea,s5f-+errl7- adhered Do the plan he
fannd H., orerofi8n for securing labor a
53s77-,r v-ar7s through boards of labor en-
r5is,-r1zrr and has done much to make
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07
APPEAL FOR EooNomY.
Congress is Cautioned Not to Spend
Much Money.

In concluding this communication it's
last words shall be an appeal to- the
congress for the most rigid economy. in
the expenditure of the money it holds
in trust for the people. The way to per-
picking extravaganza is easy but a re-
turn to frugality is difficult.
When, however, it is considered that
those who bear the burdens OF taxation
nave no guaranty of honest care save
ia the fidelity of their public servants.
the duty of all possible retrenchment is
plainly manifest. When our differences
are forgotten and our contests of politi-
cal opinion are no longer remembered
nothing in the retrospect of our public
service viii be as fortunate and COM
forting as the recollection of official du-
ty well performed and the memory of q
constant devotion to the interests of our
cOnfiding fellow countrymen
GROVER CLEVELAND
Executive Mansion, Dec T. 1896
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07

duty under its provisions q more inn
perative aspect.
Therefore. unless congress shall
otherwise direct or shall have preVi-
ously determined upon a different so
luton of the problem, there viii hard
Nv annear to exist any reason for de-
1avirs bavond the date OF the default
above mentioned such executive action
~ win nr0r9ise 10 subserve the public
interests and save the government
from the loss threatened by further IN
action.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-07

ana contention. or who renders lax and
Erudging service to an administration
not representing his political views.
should be promptly and fearlessly dealt
with in such way as to furnish a
warming to others who may be likewise
disposed.
The annual report of the commissions
ers viii be duly transmitted and I COM
mend the important matter they have
in charge to the careful consideration of
congress-
The morning times., 1896-12-20
AEROSTATIC RAILWAY.
Passenger Car Pulled Up a Noun
tain by a Balloon.
Ae,r IOrI II raid


The official stamp OF approval has just
been put on the most novel railroad that has
ever been built. A balloon is to be the pro-
polling poweruSed in carrying pa ssengers to
and lioIn the top of the Hochstauffen Noun
tam. at BAD Rcichenhal, beautiful water
ing place IN the Austrian Alps.
The scheme i 5 known as the aerostati
railway, and is the invention of Engineer
NoldeTauer. He has spent twenty wears at
work on this idea, and many years of this
time have been expended in endeavoring to
get Official recognition. He has at last Sc
cured a body of engineering experts which
has Saidthat the scheme proposed is feas bic
and safe. On this recommendation the
local authorities have sanctioned the roads 5
construction up the mountain
Bad Relchenhall is summer place visit
ed each season by thousands OF persons. not
only natives. but travellers from other conn
tries, who have been drawn there TO take
the waters The top Of the Hochstauffen
Mountain offers most lovely view. but
ihe climb TO the summit is a tedious and
unInvlung one Its welltroddcn paths Of
Ter none Of the charms and eXcitenents of
mountain climbing, because the mountain
is so undyersified. Its sides present a steep
slope, varied but little, and this makes tho
Walk Gnattractive until the top is reached
mere The most enhancing yicw presents it,
sen, ana Is one which no Sojourner i'm the
nelEhborhood permits himself to miss
The power by which visitors are to climb
this mountain is furnished by q calJtiye hal
room ms runs along track built at the
The morning times., 1896-12-20

side of the roadbed. A trailer, furnished
with many wheels. claps this wooden rail
and TO this trailer the passenger car is fast
cncd.
Tie operator has a seat in the car, and
cord swings between his place and the bal
loon, by which the gas supply is regulated.
He has also several brakes and safety de-
vices at hand in case OF accident.
At the foot OF this unique railroad is a
gas tank and generator. Gas is made here
to illuminate the town, and also for the
purpose of filling the balloon.
charge sufficient to carry the car to the
top of the mountain is giyenit at the start,
and when the grade has been mounted, and
all is ready for the return down the noun
tain, small quantity of gas is relea Sed,
and the car starts down, its ra pid descent
being checked by the gas that has been al
lowed To remain in the balloon.
Permission TO construct the aerostatic rail
road was granted onl yafter the most search
ingiuyestigationh had been made ofthe plans
There are many novelty safety devices to
prevent any serious accidents
The morning times., 1896-12-20

which most adults shrink-that of having
two teeth extracted.
Baby Rhodes came into the world with
two full-grown incisor teeth in his lower
jaw. This pleased his father hugely, prin-
cipally because of an extraordinary coin
cidence.
When Rhodes, senior, was born, thirty
years ago, he, too. had two lower incisor
teeth, precisely like those with which
his first baby was blest. But, while the
baby : tootsy Y wootSics filledthe fathe with
JOY, the mother, who had to nourish it,
was not so pleased. So yesterday she en-
tered an objection TO nursing baby with
teeth, and the visit to the dispensary re-.
suited.
DR.. Lippe eXaminedthechild, and reached
the CONCLUSION that the teeth would inter
fere with its taking nourishment in the
orthodox manner, so he extracted them.
The child bore the operation well, and
now DR.. Lippe is congratuating himself
with having treated the youngest dental
patient on record.
The morning times., 1896-12-20
REVEALED BY The X-RAYS
Professor Gray Has a Famous Col
lection of ShadOwgraphs.
Effects of the Gout Easily shown.
Certain Parts of a Shoe Re-
sisted the Light.

These are not phantom pictures, they
are merely Illustrations OF how any person
1r part of person might lcok after re-
naming half an hour under the penetrat-
ing Influence OF The X-rays. They come
from the famous collection OF shadow
graphs made by Prof. Gray OF the Army
Medical Museum.
Tie first Iicture represents the hand of
a man afflicted with gUut. The little
suburban arrangement OF bone around the
joints near the tips of the fingers shows
the effects of the disease in its first stages
The next picture Is the shadow OF a lady's
hand. in the palm of which a needle was
imbedded. The little spear broke off
when an effort was made TO extract it and
subsequent probing failed TO recover it.
The place of penetration was considerably
above the point where the fragment CT the
needle is revealed in the shadOwgraph, and
from whence it was successfully extracted
In the next picture is represented a
corles fracture OF the radius, or forearm.
After the injured member had been rested
between the Crookes' globe and the sensi-
tive plate. the accompanying picture, Gle arly
revealing the broken bone, was produced.
The fourth picture is a shadow of a
human foot, taken with the shoe in posi-
The morning times., 1896-12-20

their late visit to the monastery, tried
by every means in her power To affect
an entrance there, but all to no avail.
Determined, however, by hook or crook to
succeed, she at last hit upon the happy idea
of presenting herself there dressed as
man. m damaging TO persuade her husband to
allow her to do so, and to take her with
him on his next visit
on arriving at the gates of the mcnas-
terry she entered unchalleHged with the
remainder of the party, but while in the
garden the conducting monk, leaving her
side, gathered an exquisite rose, which
he brought and presented to her with Il
courtly bow, proving that he at least was
not deceived by her disguise She. too.
foolishly betrayed herself by her ready
grace and charm of IN amer in aceeptingthe
rose. which she did most willingly. Need
less TO say that after this incident she never
penetrated into the interior of the build
The morning times., 1896-12-20
Told His story in Latin.

At the time of the peace jubilee DR. c. B.
Porter Of Boston returned to his office one
day, and found the slate in the hall covered
with Latin words and signed o. W. Holmes.
He Immediately got down his dictionary,
and with much effort discovered that he
had been 10 the peace jubilee, had soiled his
boots sothoroughly with dirt that he did not
like 10 go dow n town in such plight. and
had stopped and askedMr. Portcrs servant
for Toothbrush that he might clean up ! is
boots: and he had dignified this rather
meniai performance by writing it all outin
Latin and leaving it on the slate.-Chicago
Chronicle.
The morning times., 1896-12-20
A UNIQUE PERMISSION
Few Women Are Privileged to Go
Through Chartreuse Monastery.

The pope has graciousiy sent the Queen
Regent of the Netherlands and Queen Will
helmina the nee ceSsary per emission to
enable them to visit and see over the
monastery OF the Grand Chartreuse. to
which women, as rule. are ineyCrabIy
refused admittance, only few havin. had
the privilege OF seeing the CartIuSians
(nlonks OF the 0rder) at home
a story is told of a French daughter of
Eve, blessed with even greater share
of curiosity than even that possessed
by the generality of her sex. who. having
heard from her husband and brother OF
The morning times., 1896-12-20

off internationa bimetallism on them,
and tell them that's what he meant,
suggested Johnnies friend.
Not in State Center. You don't know
the people in that town. Half of them
don't kEow what the phrase means, and
the other half would make it cutie IN
popular for the man who told them that
State Center had to wait until the other
nations agreed To what State Center
stamped o. X"
The next day johnnie opened telegram
addressed to Senator Roughtet. 1t was
from State Center and it read:
Your letter received. The whole city
will turn out tomorrow night to hear YOUR
statement read and start your boom for
another term"
The morning times., 1896-12-20

ulating clock, directly controlled from
the observatory, has been placed in the
three circuits of public clocks at various
points in the city. In the meantime, only
about dozen clocks have been provided,
but If the trial proves successful the cor
poration intends to erect from 900 TO
800 eighteen-inch dials, thus providing
a reliable system of standard time for all
parts of the city. This extension of the
circuit will involve the laying OF sixty
one miles OF wire. 1t is hoped also to
include time-keeping in private houses
| West minister Gazette.
The morning times., 1896-12-20
BABY BORN WITH TEETH.
Has Them Extracted at the Ad.
yanced Age of Five DAYS.
81 Louis RepnbEc.

~. LOHS hspuOttc.
Ain dat chile honey? Hes JUS like
l wus when l us no olda n him. Neyeh
heah whimper outen him. He ain
raise howl since he us bohn"
Thus spoke Henry Rhodes. colored, at the
city diSpenSary yesterday afternoon. The
subject OF his remarks was in his arms, a
chubby, dark-faced pckaninny. The child
is only five days old, yet he had just under
gone without cry an operation from
The morning times., 1896-12-20
Municipal Time at Glasgow

One OF the most interesting of Glasgow en-
terprises Is what may he described as mu
nioipal time for the entire city. Some
years ago tue experiment was tried of plac-
ing municipal clocks in prominent positions
all over Glasgow, and regulating them by
synchronization. The present scheme is
much more elaborate, and is nothing less
than the establishments 4 system ofstand-
ard time, bymeans of clectricallycontrolled
clocks, regulated every second from the
stellar clocks at the observatory a reg
The morning times., 1896-12-20

monwealth. where. / regret To say. my
friends, Ii was permitted me to find many
traitors TO our cause by assuming, for a
time, To he one OF them.
Look here cried Johnnie. enthusias-
ucaily," 'tremedous applause, wild cheer
ing cries Gf ''Iiurrah for Poughtet.' y
Wasn't that a neatturh oftte old rlan'seu
And say" he said. as he started TO 20.
''let me know when you want to know
what you think about the financial aues-
tion."
The morning times., 1896-12-20

FIIV IksUt, IIIt leu
ter ran. ''Notody knows up here just how
you stand We hear you're in Washington,
and If we don't hear from you at once, you
VIII hear from MS when come of your sup
porters in the State legislature fail 10
get there again.
That's it, you see," said Johnnie, as
he read the letter aloud. THE old man
is trying to Gotge the issue and steer 'em
up against thisiles and beet, and every
thing except geld and silver. He's hiding
down in the " onds making speeches where
he thinks they'll be Ieast1ikeiy to ask him
the question he coesn't, want to hear"
What are you gong TO do?" asked
Johnnie's friend.
''Do? I've Gone You sec ! had a long
caucus with myself over the proposition
The morning times., 1896-12-20

=
He's 10 lie at State
CentertonloTrOT.d and
that's where the
letter went. Rich
ard, something will
happen tom orrow II
that bright and
beautiful metrppo-
lis Of the plains, and
| am afraid it viii
happen 10 the old
man. If it does,
there is likely TO tie
an executive session
between him and me
when he gets East :"
s.nh ha 49,
The morning times., 1896-12-20

NOW LDat SOUNDS
sarcastic. doesn't it," said Johnnie 10 his
friend that night II can't make out
whether mes mad or not. / hope the old
ilhil won 20 To that meeting and rise
To point of order
III was Il week before Johnnie sought
out MS friend at the boarding house.
"Everything's all right he shouted pai
iy as he entered. The old man wrote mo
tnat ne had made a great hit But he mad
a iiitie tanGle to straiehten ont. though,
with the backwoods people,,
No; but all on account of them yop
see he walked into the grand rally an Sci
The morning times., 1896-12-20
A PROBLEM PLAY.

Billson-Is seribbier' latest effort prob
lem play?
Tatts- Yes: from the first act to the
final curtain the audienceis kept busy trying
to figure out what he Means Philadelphia
North American,