davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
Stations.
Nor A IINGo PRoGRAMME

The people of the United States appear
TO be rapidly dividing upon the question OF
whether or not we shall go TO war with
Spain. It seems to be the assumption on
one side that IL the senate adopts the Cam
eron resolution, which recognizes the bel
llgerency of Cuba, war must inevitably
follow. Il is also assumed by the same
people that those who are in favor of the
recognition of Cuba are in favor of war.
This is a false issue and its rearing may
be directly attributed TO Secretary Olney
and other Spanish sympathizers who with
threats OF war would frighten the Amer
ican people out of the exercise Of right
which is theirs under every precedent es-
tablished in n hundred years of internation-
al history. The Cameron resolution con-
tains no declaration of war. 1t makes no
overt threat of war. 1t offers no provo
cation for war. 1t is simply the exercise
of national right TO recognize the iden-
tlty of a newly formed government, and
Spain can find no just ground for resent
ment. Within forty-fve days after the
firing upon Fort Sumter Spain officially
recognized the autonomy of the Southern
Confederacy. The right Spain exercised
then is no more nor less than the right We
are seeking 10 exercise in the recognition
of Cuba.
All of the war talk which comes from
the Spaniards is a bluff, pure and simple
Let us see how this issue may be expected
TO work out. Congress passes the Cameron
resolution and we open up diplomatic rela-
uons with the republic of Cuba This car
ries with It the right TO sell Cuba arms
Hfs,V, r.t.s a.
assumption that the United States will
take hand in the Cuban war or in any
manner interfere with the efforts of Spain
10 subdue her rebellious subjects There
fore II hostilites arise between the Span
iards and Americans the Spaniards must be
the aggressors. in other words. if Spain
does not like our recognition of the iden-
tity OF Cuba she will he forced to make
the declaration of war and commit the first
hostile act.
Does anyone seriously suppose for a mo-
ment that Spain would seize upon this pre-
text TO declare war with the most power
ful nation on earth. particularly when she
IS already veXcd with two rebeIIions-the
enc IN Cuba and the other in the Philip
E4nes-whch have taxed her resources to
the utmost? In 1874. when Hamilton Fish
addressed a note to the Spanish govern
mont declaring the intention of this gov
ernment 10 protect American citizens In
the sale OF drms and ammunition to the re-
voltinE Cubans. did Spain talk war? Not
Il hit OF IL. She accepted the situation as
gracefully as possible and she VIII accept
the passage OF tho Cameron resolution
with an equal degree Of equanimity
Therefore 81 IS not fair to accuse the
people who advocate the passage of tho
Cameron resolution Of being either in IA
vnr or expectation OF war. At the same
tirno u should not be assumed that these
people arc demanding the recognition OF
cuba bccause 1t Is an act of national
bravado which we can carry 10 consumma-
ton without endangering our own skins
They consider that national principle is
now at stake which should be maintained
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
A NEW GENIUS IN NEBRASKA.

If the editor of the Lincoln Call may be
believed, there is mental wave permeat-
ing every department of thought in and
around Lincoln, even during the absence of
Mr.. Bryan. This psychological activity has
induced one of the citizens of that dorp
to court the muse. and in consequence the
local lterad are greatly agitated. The
Nebraska poet has in press a volume of
poems on the Language of Flowers" and
although the subject is not exactly novel,
the inspired one in his rapt frenzy presents
his thoughts in solemn way peculiarly his
own, and. according to the editor of the
Call, with "the touch of a master genius in
a high and lofty tone" Moreover accord
ing to the same editor, the language of
flowers presents the emotion of the hui
man mind" so 1t will readily be seen that
the effusions of the Lincoln bard are i'm
portant, whether true or not.
A sample of the poets style may be of in
terest. In an ode to Iris 1t seems the
flower has been visited by the liking of
hngs''-Death, for some purpose not stat
ed, and as the mental wave impinges upon
the poets thought department he exclaims:
Queen OF the beautiful Iris
Ger the mountain nirnbus spread her
Smiles; and the king of kings appeared,
Robed in spotless purity. Led
BY his messenger of Kindness
Who, in words of deepest pathos.
Spoke to the nations. Spoke in tones
That all might hear the good news and 1a'
Be joyful. The glorious news
That Death had lost his dreadful sting
And that the tomb's dark vault had been
pierced"
Mr.. Bryan's First Battle" can have
nothing more awe-inspiring than this
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
Getting the Ships Ready.

From the New York Sun
The navy department has asked congress
for a very large extra sum to expend as
soon as may be upon getting the ships to
sea in good condition, and it has abundant
assurances of receiving it. Work will be
steadily pushed, and orders have been re-
ceived at the Brooklyn yard, we believe. to
finish the repairs on all the ships in COM
mission within the next ten days.
The squadron of Admiral Bunce, under
these circumstances. will assemble rapidly
at Hampton Roads. The flagship New
York, the Maine. Indiana, Brooklyn, and
Amphitrite are already at or near the rem
devious. while half dozen other warships
will follow as fast as they are ready
Within a short time the squadron will
include the powerful battleships Indiana
Massachusetts,, Maine and Texas, the fast
and effective armored cruisers Brooklyn and
New York, the monitors Puritan, Terror,
and Amphitrite. the cruisers Columbia,
Montgomery and Marblehead, and the ram
Katahdin. Possibly the Miantonomah and
the Vesuvius will also be added; but with
out these or the dispatch boat Fern. and
even excluding the Katahdin, which possi-
there are dozen fine vessels at command
nine of them armorclads. In Gulf waters
too, there are already the Raleigh and the
Newark, and the Amphitrite may relieve
the former.
The fleet that gathers at Hampton Roads
will be the largest and most powerful ar
ray of modern vessels that ever assembled
under our flag, and it will be ready either
for practice maneuvers or for any other
duties that it may be called upon to per-
form.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
HEMP AND JuTE CULTURE.

The department of agriculture has issued
a report on the culture of hemp and jute
that gives some interesting figures in rela-
tion to the hemp industry, which used to
be Of considerable proportions in this coun-
try. In 1853 nearly seventy-five thousand
tons of hemp were raised in the United
States, while last year the total production
was about 5000 tons. The reasons given
for this great decline in production are the
decadence in American shipbuilding. the in
PRODUCTION of hemp from the Philippine
islands, and large importations of jute. Ac-
cording 10 the last census the production of
hemp in Missouri in 1889 was thirty-one
tons, whereas in 1859 the state raised near
ly 10000 tons. In the same years Kansas
produced twenty and forty-four tons, re-
spectively.
The report states that within the past
year there has been an increased demand
for information relative to the growing of
hemp. and experiments looking to its pro-
duction have been carried on in many To-
Calitics where the culture has been un-
known hitherto. Within the present year
more than S1o,oOo.OO0 worth of hemp, fax,
iute and other fbers We're imported into the
United States of which only $3.50, 600 worth
WAS dutiable, the remainder coming in free.
OF jute fiber alone there were 10000 tons
imported in 1895. the value of which was
A.50OGO. The department says expert
ments in raising iute in the United States
have been successful In various sections OF
the South, where some soils are particular
" favorable TO its growth. There seems
to be little doubt that with proper protect
i've tariff duties the jute industry can be
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
Beer supplnntine whisky.
Trom the Cleveland Leader.

From the Cleveland Leader.
The internal revenue receipts OF the
United States government for the last fiscal
year show an increase of about per cent
in the income from the tax on spirits,
whereas the revenue raised by the tax on
malt and other fermented liquors increased
no less than per cent. The rates of tax
alton were not changed, so that the in
crease in receipts corresponds with the eX-
pansion. of the market for the liquors taxed.
These figures seem to prove that the con-
sumption of spirits is not increasing in the
United States as fast as the population. 1t
is evident that the rate of growth in the
last fiscal year was not much more than
half as much as the rate of gain in the
number of inhabitants. On the other hand,
the revenue from the tax on beer and SIM
liar liquors indicates that the use OF such
alcoholic beverages is fast outrunning the
increase of the population. 1t is not prob
able that the number of inhabitants of the
United States is growing at the rate OF
more than . per cent year, and IL that
is So the consumption of beer showed an
increase last year about three times as
great, in proportion, as the growth of the
country.
This means that We are becoming more
like the Continental countries of Europe.
as a nation, in the use of stimulants, and
there ought to be much less drunkenness
in proportion to the number of drinkers
than there used to be when whisky was the
great American tipple.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
New Central American Republic.

From the Chicago Tribune.
The Greater Republic of Central America
has been organized and set in operation,
in pursuance of the treaty of Amapala
June 90 1885, and on Wednesday last Senor
Rodriguez, the first minister of the new
republic, presented his credentials in Wash
ington, and was recognized and cordially
greeted by the president.
The new political entity in American his
tory is composed of the governments of
Honduras, Salvador and Nicaragua, and
bears the sonorous name of "Republica
Major de Centre America" When the 9TH
er Central American states. Guatemala and
Costa Rica, shall come into the bund it will
be called the Republic of Central AnS1rica,
dropping the adjective greater" Under
the terms of the treaty the three states do
not renounce their autonomy or their right
to regulate their own domestic affairs. EN.
cept where they may conflict with the
treaty stipulations, the constitutions and
laws of each state will continue in force.
The general government of the new repub-
lie will be in the hands of a diet, composed
of a member who is property holder and
one substitute. elected by each one of the
states. This diet will continue in session
successfully one year in each of the cap
itals of the three republics, and the reso-
lutions of the body will be adopted by ma
jority vote. The naming of the diplomatic
representatives and consuls, and the recep-
ton and admission of those accredited with
such powers, devolve upon the diet Its
principal object is to secure harmony of
action on the part of the three states. to
promote peace among them, and to present
a united front against foreign aggression.
Doubtless Guatemala and Costa Rica SOON
er or later will come into the union. and
still further strengthen the alliance of the
Central American provinces.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28

regardless Of threats of war or even war
itself. They are not holding up the hands
OF Senator Cameron because of a hope that
war will follow, nor are they retreating
because a war is threatened.
This whole enlargement has come about
through the weak kneed foreign policy of
the present administration. Secretary Oh
ney has thrown wide open the door for a
bluff from Spain by denying the right of
congress to recognize the belligerency of
Cuba If the administration had proceeded
along as matter of course the Spaniards
would never have dared to question our
action in the premises. If they are mum
bling threats of war now it is because this
country has shown it's yacillation and
weakness by questioning its own interna-
tional policy instead of peremptorily exer-
cising the rights and privileges which be-
long to it.
The issue is not therefore one of war but
of the maintenance of our national honor.
enunciated polity and long-established pre-
cedent, even with the remote possibility
that war may become an incident of such
maintenance.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
THE ORIGIN OF aLYNCH, LAW.


In the course of a contribution to one of
the Kansas City afternoon papers, Hon.
John Speer, the veteran Journalist and his
toriau, of Kansas, undertakes to give the
origin of the term, Lynch law" He re-
Iates that when he was a young man and
a resident of Washington county, Pa, an
atrocious murder was committed there
which was avenged by the execution of
the murderer at the hands of a hastily or
ganzed vigilance committee. The man who
presided over the deliberations of this COM
mittee bore the nam of Lynch, and ever
after the melting out of justice in this man.
ner was known as lynch law"
While the local use of the term no doubt
came about in the manner related by Mr..
Speer, it is nevertheless true that it ex-
listed long before he was born, and its orr
gin has been traced to half dozen differ
ent sources by as many different authori-
ties. In the Historical Collections of Vir-
ginia" it is related that when Colonel
Charles Lynch returned to his family seat
in Staunton county at the close of the
Revolutionary war, he found the region
infested with bands of lawless Tories and
desperadoes. The necessities of the situa-
tion involved desperate measures, and Col
onel Lynch had these depredators appre-
hended and executed without the formality
of trial or the exercise of any superfluous
religious or legal ceremony. Claverhouse,
in his history of the frontier, declares
that the term arose In America through
the impartial, yet summary justice which
was meted out by a vigilance committee
presided over by a man by the name of
Lynch, who lived at Piedmont. on the west
ern frontier of Virginia Washington Irv-
ing, in his charming book of travels
through Kansas and the Indian Territory
in 1885, declares that lynch law is the
only law known on the frontier, and it is
obvious that the term was then a common
one.
However. it is probable that all of these
American authorities are at fault, and that
the term had its origin in England in the
early part of the fifteenth century. In
Prince Puckler Muskau's "Tour in En-
gland" will be found thrilling account of
the Galway Tragedy'-when James
Lynch, mayor of Galway, condemned his
son to death for murder, and, to prevent
a rescue by the mob, executed him with his
own hands. 1t is quantity recorded that
ever after the townspeople threatened their
disobedient children by telling them that
Lynch law would be applied to them if
they did not behave. Still another English
authority may be cited which wonld indi-
cate that the Judge Lynch" SO often
spoken Of was purely a mythical parsonage
and that the use of the term sprang from
an old word in the parent tongue. In the
dialect of several of the North of England
counties the word 'Iinch" means to beat
or maltreat, and it is not at all improbable
that the term which we now apply to mob
| violence had its origin there.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
The UnsoIved Problem.

From the New York Tribune.
England ranks as tolerably hard drink
ing country and has done SO since it took
its place in history, carrying its liquor.
however. with a steadiness which one has
to go to Holland or kentucky to see par
alleled. Still legislation for the control and
regulation of its drinkers is constantly
required. and invites frequent amplifica-
ton and revision. leaving, after ALL the
statistics of intemperance much they
we're. In the classification of the intem-
perate a certain proportion are recognized
as insane drinkers, for whom special stat
utory restraints are provided. and these
are again divided into sub-classes: first,
those who inherit the propensity; second.
those who evince It as the chief manifes-
tation of some form OF cerebral disease;
third, those who are afflicted with 1t as a
result of injury to the head, severe fever
or other wasting bodily ailment, mental
shock, heavy grief. reverse of fortune. and.
indeed, causes similar to those antedating
Scme other insanities; and fourth, those
who acquire it through a vicious course of
Indulgence in stimUlants- Cases of this
kind require medical rather than punitive
treatment, and in the opinion of the Brit
ish Medical Association should be dis
eliminated from those of the criminal
drunkards who require the application of
ordinary penal and reformatory agencies.
The doctors ought to know more about this
subject that anybcdy else and it is dis
couraging that in the main they are obliged
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
Delays of Magazine Journalism.

Frank S. Pixley.
A Minneapolis paper is inclined to poke
fun at Harper's Magazine because the cur
rent number contains that old story about
Colonel Pat Donan and Browns bronkile
tcrches," which has been going the rounds
of the rural press for many years.
We do not share the Minneapolis papers
belief that the story referred to has been
paimed off on Harper's by some unscrupu-
lous correspondent. It is safe wager that
the manuscript had grown yellow in Har-
per's drawer before 1t was resurrected and
printed.
The delays OF magazine Journalism are
inccmprehensible to the general public
Manuscripts often are stored away for
time developments may render them worth
less
Eight years ago a friend of mine sold
an elaborate article on Higher Education
in the South" to a leading magazine. He
had personally visited every institution of
collegiate standing south of Mason and
Dixon's line and had secured photographs
of persons and places and compiled valu-
able statistics concerning endowments, at
tendance. expenditures, receipts, etc. The
writer of that article has been dead five
years now. BY and by his administrator
probably will receive a check for the post
humous publication.
One Chicago writer has had a story ac-
cepted by an Eastern publication and held
for the last twelve years. Another has Just
placed a story with a leading magazine
after receiving the manuscript back from
other publications fifteen times.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
Call 1t "Trotshn.,
rom the Baltimore Sun

From the Baltimore Sun.
The word trocha is of such frequent oc-
currence in dispatches and news from Ha-
vana that il seems likely in time to be-
come Incorporated into the English speech.
An explanation having been asked of the
term, which is pronounced trotsha. with
the accent on the first syllable. 1t may be
stated that originally it denoted a foot
path, pathway, or. sometimes, a short cut.
During the present Cuban unpleasantness
it's significance has been applied to a forti-
fled high road.
IrSapproaching the "trocha'' the first i'm
pediment encountered consists of barbed
wire fence. three and half feet in height.
Behind this are the posts of the sentinels.
made of palmetto leaves. Forty yards back
of these extends a ditch. three feet deep
and four wide. This is protected by a
rampant of trunks of palmetto trees. About
another forty yards beyond this obstruc-
tion the barracks OF the soldiers are erect
ed of logs and other building material, and
covered with roofs of straw.
The wall of stone and earth runs along
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
Mr.. CarlisIe,s Mistake.

From the Indianapolis Journal.
That portion of Secretary Carlsle's re-
port recommending that the present tariff
shall stand without amendment will meet
the cordial Endorsement of all the silver
ties, because it means an era of treasury
deficits. Treasury deficits are the best
hold of the congressman whose one idea in
legislation Is the free and unlimited COIN
age of silver. The constant succession of
deficits forced the sale of bonds to keep up
the gold reserve. The sale of bonds to get
gold was the material out of which much
of the silver sentiment has been wrought.
As long as there shall be deficits in the
treasury there will be public uneasiness,
which in times of the greatest solicitude
will lead those who have greenbacks to
take them to the sub-treasury for gold.
When these greenbacks are paid out to
make good the treasury deficits they will
return to the treasury for redemption in
gold.N To get the gold, bonds must be sold.
Out of these conditions. the uncertainty
which paralyZeS business and the hostility
to the sale of bonds, the silverites are able
to make much capital by creating preju-
dice against gold and by assuming that If
silver bullion should be coined in the inter
est of the owners there would be no deficit
in the treasury. Consequently, If the rev.
enues should be equal to or little in ex-
cess of the expenditures, all of the uncer-
tainties and embarrassments which have
attended these years of deficits would be
removed. The silverites understand this
and doubtless that is the real cause of
their preventing the passage of the Dingley
bill last January. The deficits are a part
of their stock in trade. They will continue
them If they can. There will be deficits as
long as the country has the German tariff
When, therefore, these men find the secre-
tary of the treasury advocating line of
action which will insure deficits. the Stew
arts. the Tellers, the Vests and the Turpies
must feel that they have an unexpected
ally.
The constantly recurring deficit Is one OF
the first evils to be got rid of. and 1t can
be got rid of only by a new tariff which
will arrange duties with reference to more
revenue and get rid of the ad valorem sys-
tenn, which may be properly styled a
scheme to defraud the government.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
Slightly Twisted.
u the Nnu York Press.

From the New York Press.
He entered the store hurriedly. with the
air of a man whose mind was filed by a
weighty commission. Those whom he
passed at the door heard him coming
under his breath a formula which he
seemed to fear might slip away and be
lost. He approached the counter like one
who wishes it were well over.
'I wish to get" he said boldly. some
ribbon for a red baby"
The salesgirFs blank stare seemed to
arouse him to a sense of something lack
ing.
''That Is" he said, 'T would like some
baby for a ribbed red one"
The saiesgirl was smiling broadly now
and four cash boys. a fioorwalker and
seven customers gathered and grinned in
unison.
He began again. THAT is-of course. you
know, I mean. some ribbed red baby for
one-that is-some red ribs for one baby
some ones red baby's ribs-some red ribs
for one baby-some-thunder and guns,
where's the way out?'
He departed on a run.
"I wonder" said the salesgirl, thought
fully, an hour or so afterward. 'if he could
have meant some red baby ribbon"'
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-28
For Exercise.

From the Chicago imes-Herald.
M. Quad the Detroit humorist, several
years ago fitted up a small platform in his
residence and took regular exercise by
dancing jigs to the accompaniment of a
piano played by another member of the
household. He said that dancing not only
gave him the physical exercise he required,
but also furnished much needed mental
rest. Walking would do equally WE'LL b
said so far as exercise is concerned,
whenever 1 walk 1 am busily thler
about my work and making plans ftba
morrow. No one can do that while
vigorously" Ga
a prominent Chicago lawyer ls to
months ago hit upon a scheme for eNng
that is equally unusual. He changeoa
office from the third floor of skyscraL
to the twelfth. My friends use the eIeya
tor, he explains, but always walk, both
coming up and going down 1t beats any
gymnasium in creation. was led into
this by my physician reporting that nv
heart was weak and advising hill climb
ing TO strengthen the organ. A Chicaro
could find"