davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1896-10-24
a Trap for the Wary.

"a ballot law should be simplicity itself"
Thus said Mr.. EDWARD NJ. SHEPARD, the
well-known leader of the National Demo
cratic party in this State, a few days ago.
speaking of the present New York system OF
conducting general election.
Instead, however, of being simplicity IT.
self, our existing Ballot law is complexity
itself Scores of lawyers all over the State
are occupied now, and will be occupied until
election day, in endeavoring to fluid out ex-
actly what its innumerable provisions mean,
and particularly what the voter must do in
order to render his ballot effectual, where he
does not desire to vote the straight ticket.
Ever since we abandoned the old system
of voting in this State, and adopted the Off
cial ballot, the Election law has annually
been made worse than it was the year be-
fore. The difficulty OF independent voting has
been steadily increased, while every possible
contrivance has been established TO favor the
straight tickets of the principal political
plexity Of the statute been carried that it is
full OF traps, not merely for the unwary,
but even for the most intelligent citizen.
" In effect" to quote Mr.. SHEPARDs words
again, the law may almost be said to dis
franchise voters who desire to express at the
polls a purpose at variance with the old
party leaders"
far in the direction Of placing impediments
In the way of the independent voter and in
dependent voting as to be demonstrations
The sun., 1896-10-24

The Kansas city journal reports that
"a Populist preacher politician. who handles
billions OF the peoples money as though dollars
were leaves. and who has not developed enough
financial skid or Gospel honesty TO pay his
debts" was read ng a speech at Populis, meet
Ing in Wichita the other day when brute OF
a Sheriff. who is Populist. too, served a sum-
mons on him IN an action to recover u debt for
$1,000. 1t is not uncommon for Populst shout
ers on finance 10 be utterly shiftless or worth
less in atte ndinG TO their own business.
Doubtless they show noble unselhshness
by neglecting their own for tho country s
good. This Popul!st preacher In question.
however. probably believes that he would be n
fool TO pay debt, even II he is able until It is
certain that he cannot blk his creditor out of
about half the money. Powerful tinanciers,
these fellows. and as honest AS powerful.
The sun., 1896-10-24
The Man of Maine.

No figure prominent in the present cam
paign is more truly admirable in its various
aspects than that of the Hon. THOMAS
BRACKET REED OF Maine, a defeated can
didate for the nomination which Major Nc
KISLEY won. The Speaker occupies in the
affections of the Republicans Of the whole
country place very near to the heart. BY
millions OF Republicans he is beloved as
BLAINE was. The striking and peculiar
feature OF Mr. REEDS case is that since his
failure at St Louis to achieve the object of
his natural and laudable ambition, he not
only has siren ngthened his hold upon his own
party, but has also gained, to an almost
equal degree, in the esteem and admiration
OF those whose political opponent he has
been, and is yet, in the ordinary divisions Of
partisanship.
When the Republicans passed over
Speaker REED and chose Major MCKINLEY.
the Speaker went to work cheerfully and
generously, like the man he is to promote
the latter's election. II there was any trace
of disappointment in Tom REEDS wide soul
II was not manifest to the public. The en-
largement of the issue to one OF patriotism
and national security dignifed his appear
ance on the stump. He became at once the
champion of ideas and interests which be-
long to honest Republicans and honest
Democrats in common They have had no
more vigorous and efficient champion dur
ing the weeks which the Speaker has
spent in many States, East and
West, delivering to throngs of enthusi-
astic auditors speeches characterized
by breadth of view, statesmanlike toll
| erance, and commanding rhetoric. This
remarkable series OF campaign addresses
was interrupted for few days by physical
disability, but we observe that the Speaker
| is at work again, stating 10 the people Of
| Missouri the case for honest money and
| honest Government, with such directness,
force, and wit as few political orators now
| living can rival.
For his distinguished services to the COM
| mon cause, the gratitude of every honest
money Democrat is due to the Hon. THOMAS
BRACKET REED; particularly so because
he was one of the first Republicans of emf
hence to recognize the fact that partisan
nomenclature means little this year, and to
| extend to his Democratic allies and co-labor.
ers welcome that was as hearty in spirit
as 1t was graceful in phrase.
The sun., 1896-10-24
Bryan's Last Strike.

The pretences Of the BRYAN campaign, Its
professions Of sobriety and patriotism, and
even its financial sophistries, have faded
into insignifcance before its gospel OF class
hate and its agitation for social disturbance.
they were foremost part Of it from the
first, but now they are its only remain
ing reliance. BRYAN's appeals to daily
wage earners to cut the purses of the capi-
talists, even at the expense of cutting wages,
are recognized by the nondescripts who form
his bureau of management as failures. So
JONES of Arkansas, Chairman of this bureau.
has stepped to the very field Of actual riot.
The sneaking and unwarranted asser-
tion that wages will be cut in the
event OF MCkINLEY's election is the
least significant feature of the JONES
circular, urging workingmen to put to their
employers the absurd demand that the lat
ter shall guarantee their wages for period
of years. The circular is no less than bid
for the general strike and labor commotion
which the BRYAN managers, now Debsites
and Altgeldites all have for some time con-
templateu as the single chance OF breaking
up the steadily swelling procession of sober
and patriotic men who are on their march to
the polls for honest money and public peace.
Think OF party that has reached the stage
of desperation where the bloody body of a
rioter would be welcomed as a godsend, or
even as a token Of victory, and you will
think of the BRYAN cause as it is.
JONES and BRYAN are like JESSE JAMES
gang who, having learned that train picked
out for robbery is amply protected, see that
to get swag they must wreck 1t and run
their chances Of plundering it in the at
tendant horror and confusion. The JONES
circular is train wreckers' plot, and
worthy, though an astounding cap to the
movement headed by BRYAN and DEBs.
The question of the BRYAN campaign OF
1896, propounded as it has been in various
forms, is now: How many voters are ready
to follow party reduced to riot as an argu-
ment for the success of its candidates
The sun., 1896-10-24
He Wa. . whselnaa Himself


Il presume upon the fratt rnity that exista
among wheeimen." said the nattilY dressed
young man "a he lif ed his hat on approac hlaG
a group OF cyclers al the side OF the boulevard.
Il never feel alone since nearly all the e, j
people of he world are awAscl."
After gracious welcome he proceeded.
have just returned from abroad. and am con-
yinced that III" bicycle is doing more - .cye.
the social barriers now existing In Euroia
than is any other single influence, In Venice
II is quite the proper thing for a man OIL \
whee, to Gieet lady similarly monnte!,
whet her she be attended or alone. Its raal-
cal departure. but the influence is good. |
made rs many desirable acQusntanCes 10
tials.
But want TO tell you that the bicycle con-
tagion has stronger hold III my native city
OF Denver than anywhere else in the wug...
People 50 old that they cun scarcely walls.
children that have Just learned TO walls, stately
matrons, smartly dressed servant girls. mir
listers. dignifed business men. judges. law
yers, tollers. and gamblers, AL pedal I rou. n
fares.
That's a new one to me-" he said. inter.
ruptinR himself to examine tn. finest wheel
in the collection. Its u beauty. DO YOU
mini my tr,ing t?"
All that the police have found out about tie
affair is the number OF the wheel
The sun., 1896-10-24

This letter concerns question Of political
and patriotic duty. which is OF such mo-
mentous Importance at this time that we
give 1t prominence, in order that our serious
consideration OF its points and statements
may command the more attentions
To THE gpIToR or THE svS-Sir: THE SuS has been
very prolific in Its advice TO Democrats o their
patriotic duty In the present campaign. VIII THE
SvS allow one OF its readers space 10 explain why
sons S tem loath to accept such advice and viii
skill remain urm in their intention TO vote for
PALNKR and BUCKNERr
In the hrst place. those Democrats who intend TO
vote for ether AthINLET or PALNKH are almost en-.
tirrly composed OF those hitherto known as CLEvE-
LAND Democrats; that Is, all those members OF tho
party nf any character, influence, or intelligence.
This Is the class OF Democrats whom THE SIN. for
past dozen years or 50. has steadily derlded. The
principle ot tsTin reform, which these Democrats
have believed 10 be the vital principle OF their party
durlnG that period, THE SuS has steadily opposed.
Yet lRE SvS undertakes TO advise them To their
"pATioTic duty and incidentally calls those OF them
who Intend for Palmer allies Of
anarchy and rtpudiaton." Now, OF course.
ihere 10 nothing IN this TO prevent any
patriotic pemocrat from voting for MCKINLEY
when he believes his counIrys honor Is sake but
these Democrats believe that th2ir counITys honor
and IhtiT pariy's honor both be saved by voting
for PAINES and BuCkNEg, TuE SUN perhaps under
stand Why Us advice has not much weight with them.
TiE Sun plumes iIsa its fairness of spirit per
hApS IL will allow few lines more for . PAlMER and
BuCESER voter say Why he beiisyes. In New York
state especially, vote for that ticket will his
The sun., 1896-10-24

Fifteenth Senatorial district. Subsequently
Comptroller ROBERTS took the ground that
no such summary power OF exemption from
constitutional restrictions could be law
fully exercised by the Legislature; and his
view was sustained by the State Depart
ment of Excise. Competitive examina-
tions having been ordered, Mr.. GRENyEH
failed to stand the test, and vacated his
office OF special agent of excise, and, to use
the felicitous simile Of JEFFERSON, took
"again place in the ranks"
The Republican organization OF the Twen-
ty-seventh Assembly district has its head
quarters on the Sixth avenue. 1t has a cam.
paign committee, of which Gen. HOWARD
CARROLL is the Treasurer and Mr.. GRENNER
the Secretary. This committee sent out the
usual appeal for funds to pay for legitimate
and reasonable campaign expenses. Accord
inRly SHEEHAS, the BRYAN leader, an
nounces that he has unearthed a conspiracy
for extortion and coercion, and adds this
awful suggestion:
what will any saloon keeper think who gets . let
Ter like that with the name OF the Excise Inspector
signed TO III viii he not beve that unless he comes
with subscrp pon, there will DO trouble In store
for himp what 10 done in the Tweuty-seventh Az
sembly district Is doubtless being done In other dis
trcts II tho Republicans are compelled to adopt
such means so gain support for their ticket, their
in this city must be In desperate condition"
The trouble with SHEEHAN and his dis.
covery, as the circumstances we have mar
rated show, is that he does not know what
he is talking about The leader OF the
BRYAN forces in this town seems never to
have heard OF the controversy which took
place four months ago between the Comp
troller of the State and the State Commis-
sioner of Excise. and the consequent retire
ment of Mr.. GRENNER as an excise agent.
Amazing Bryanite stories OF alleged coer-
cion have not been rare oflate, but SHEEHAN
is clearly entitled TO the credit of having
discovered case so flagrantly out of the
ordinary run of coercion cases" that it
may be said truly that there is nothing like
it anywhere else.
This is one of the minor disadvantages
under which the Repudiationists are labor
ing, in having rs n leader a man who is a
stranger to this town, to its politics, to what
is occurring here and hereabouts.
The sun., 1896-10-24
the Slavic torrent; and now IL is impossible to

the Slavic torrent; and now II il impossible to
carry It out.
What success will follow the effort to be
made to induce emigrating Germans to go
to German Africa instead OF America, re-
mains to be seen. HoLUB, the Austrian
traveller in Africa. who understands the
conditions Of African settlements as we'll as
any one, expressed the opinion not long
since, that, while the German colonial
administration remains on military basis,
and the military obligations OF the
settler are even moro stringent than In
Germany, any attempt to colonize
the German African territories with
Europeans would be useless. He held that
SO long rs there were countries still open
where the incoming settler ran no risk Of
having TO fight native races, and was per
fectly free to choose his own career, no Ger
man. except under compulsion, would leave
Germany to settle in German Africa.
How unfit the German military admins
istrators are to found colonies has been too
amply demonstrated In the Cameroons set
Elements in the Blight Of Benin, on the West
African coast. So far the founding OF Ger
man colonies in Africa has been left to SOL
diers. bureaucrats, and adventurers, and
such freedom as the German settler finds
on landing in other parts OF Africa, in
America, and Australia, Is unknown in
colonial territory under the German flag.
Machine-made colonies can never be sue
cessful, as the German Government will
find out, perhaps too late.
The sun., 1896-10-24
The Styles of Louis Philippe.

SARAH BERNHARDT's reproduction OF
DuMAs's LA Dame aux Camelas," with
the dresses OF the time when the story Is
supposed to have taken place, is likely to
have far-reaching consequences. The Paris
critics hardly touch on the merits OF the
performance, but devote nearly all their
space to the costumes and the startling
effect they have upon the spectators. The
theatre was crowded with women who had
come expecting to laugh at the quaintness
or absurdity of the actresses attire. but
went away delighted and determined
to copy in their own dress the attractive
and effective details of costume which
they had seen exhibited on the stage.
Other theatres in Paris, the Comedie
FRANCHISE at the head, are eager to
substitute for modern dress that Of the
latter days of LOUIS PHILlPPE's reign and
the beginnings of the Second Empire, In such
plays Of that period as still hold the boards.
Where ALFRED DE MUssET's, DuMAs's,
SCRIBE's, or AUGIER's stage direction is
Time: the present" it is TO be interpreted
as meaning the time when the author wrote
the play, provided that be forty or fifty
years ago. From the stage to the street and
the drawing room is but a short step in
Paris, so that we may expect to see scoop
bonnets and wide stiffly starched skirts
about us soon, and perhaps another on
siaught Of crinoline and hoops. The male
costume travels more slowly, and it is to be
hoped that the mahogany and mohair style
in furniture will be slower still in coming
again into fashion.
To men of middle age the reason and justi-
fication for the change will give an un-
pleasant shock. The experienced actors and
managers who wish to introduce 1t find
that the language and ideas of these
modern plays already seem SO old-fash-
ioned to century-end audiences as to appear
out of place when uttered by actors in the
dress and amid the surroundings OF the
present day. Fifty years ago" has receded
SO far into the past as to seem picturesque
To this generation and to excite its antigua
r!an interest. JACOB ABBor's story books,
which delighted those of US who were born
before the war, have become historical
documents OF extinct American social life.
GEORGE DU MAURIER's pictures of his boy
hood, when Louis PHILIPPE was King"
have turned that period for English speak
ing readers into far away and unreal past,
and yet DU MAURIER was only 80 when he
died the other day. The change called for
in the Paris theatres shows that larger
public than the decadents and artists Of
the future" has extended the ilea of old
fogyism " with rather sudden jump.
1t is the natural course Of things, but
none the more pleasant on that account.
There is something rudely premature in this
putting up of our youthful selves as histori-
cal Curiosties while we are yet alive.
The sun., 1896-10-24
the loss FROM BAD BALLoTs.
The Necessity for UsinE the Greatest Pre-
caution In Voting.
Iro-' the Rochsster Uafon and Advertiser.

Frou, the Roches;er Uafon and Advertiser.
The Red Book" or ofacial Legislative Man.
ual for 1896, compiled and published by Gen.
Palmer. Secretary OF State pursuant to law.
contains tables OF the returns OF the election of
last November which make q partial. ard only
n partial exhibit OF alleged defective" bal
lots thrown out by the poll canvassers. The
total number Of electors thus reported dis
franchised in the State as = consequence OF the
confusion and confoupding OF the blanket bal
lot, or " Australian " system OF voting, reaches
the enormous number OF 1895! And that
probably is not half the total. 1t is we'll
known fact that in some OF the districts OF this
city and county the ins pectors at many of the
polls construed the law not requiring them
to make report OF detective" ballots. OF the
l4o election districts OF the county. no returns
of such ballots are made II ON ninety one. as the
tables OF the Red Book show. And yet $40
are Cknowedged.
ChautauQua county. which contains the cities
OF Dunk!rk and jamestown. makes no return.
ChemunG. containing the city OF Eimira, reports
Of Brooklyn. the second county and city OF the
state. where it is known that the number Of de-
tective ballots rejected was relatively greater
than in New York. none. The Aggregate vote
OF Kings. practically a part OF New York. re-
vote OF New York returned as counted is @ol,-
$40. Yet New York acknowledges 1926 bal
lots AS "defeotiye. &c and rejected; BY rule
6.6o0 Orange county. containing the cities OF
Newburgh and Mid4etown, makes no report.
Orleans. with numerous large villages, only {; {;
Richmond, only 3: schenectady, with the city
of Schenectady, none; Ulster, with the city OF
Kingston, noue: Westchester. with the cities OF
Yonkers and Mt. Vernon. which have the Myers
ballot machine. reports one defective aud re-
jected vote which must have been AT the poll of
one OF the towns using the blanket ballot.
suppose that on the Sd OF next month 1926
ballots should be rejected defective, &c"
as officially acknowledged for the State election
OF 1905. although manifestly the number was
double that figure. ana that the election for
the result in the United states as 1t wa, in 1884
when Cleveland's plurality of l.047 gave him
the thirty-six electors of New York instead Of
Blaine. and the election to the Presidency over
Blaine, what would be the effecty
IN view Of such a possible contingency IL be-
hooves all in authority over the coming election
in counties cities, towns, and districts, to take
every possible preCaution to prevent the cast
ing OF defective ballots that under the blanket
ballot law must he rejected. thrown out. and
not counted for any one for any Office by the
insnectOre.
The sun., 1896-10-24

\ surprising case OF political coercion by
stress and duress has been unearthed and
disclosed by JoHN c. SHEEHAN, Chairman
of the Finance Committee of Tammany Hall
and BRYAN leader in this town. At least
so Mr.. SHEEHAN describes il, and If his facts
were true, it might be as bad as he makes
it, Under section 10 of the Raines law, the
State Commissioner of Excise was empow-
cred 10 appoint sixty special excise agents,
TO be 1.-THE confidential agents of the State
Commissioner" and therefore exempted
from the provisions OF the civil service law
now mandatory by the Constitution upon all
State departments. IN compliance with
this authority sundry appointments of
special agents of excise were made by the
Commissioner OF Excise, Mr.. LYMAN, and
among these vas Mr.. l. S, GRENNER of the
The sun., 1896-10-24
The Danger of DISTINGUISHING Your
self.

We copy elsewhere from the Rochester
Union and advertiser very suggestive
statement Of the great number of defective.
and therefore worthless, ballots cast in this
State at the election of last year.
Their total. as tabulated in the official
Legislative Manual, was ls, ,936; but as no
returns Of them were sent in from great
part of the districts, the actual total was
probably more than twice as many. Here
in New York, for instance, lo,265 ballots
were thrown out as defective; and hence
THAI number of voters were practically dis
franchised for that election.
The obvious lesson of this is to be very
careful in preparing your ballot Scratch
ing is dangerous. Avoid it, unless you are
absolutely sure you are satisfying the re-
quirements of the law. Take no risk Of
losing your vote for MCKINLEY and against
Reputation.
The sun., 1896-10-24
why Not stamp, for the Farmers

From the Council BIvgs NonpareiL
Farmer-Here's half a bushel Of potatoes wish
you would sack them up for me and stamp the bag
as holding bushel.
Uncle sam--who will furnish the sacki
Farmer-You WILL OF course.
Uncle sam-we!l. you've got more gall than po.
taoes to ask me TO play fraud Of thrt sort the
people, Rnt TO pay :or the Gacking myself.
Farmer-Why, that is What the fellow who has
got half dollar in silver expects you TO do for
him. He wants you to stamp his so cents as a
dollar.
Uncle sam--weli. you wait until do It for him.
won't your
FArmur-well. thought Ia better be In time so
when he wanted to buy potatoes with his so cent
dollar I'd have the sack liked for him.
Cn,le Sam-But he wouldn't take your half
bushel for a bushel.
Farmer-wel then, I wouldn't take his half dol
lar for u dollar. II your stamp his silver
doubles IL up 1t ought to double the potatoes, too
all right.
The sun., 1896-10-24

DIrFESDERFER, the Incompatible DIFF
FESpERFER. the greatest man in the silver
crowd, Popocratic, Populist, or straight silver,
has been in Philadelphia, and there seen won-
drous things; and Philadelphia, having seen
DIFpENDERFER has seen the most wondrous Of
things. DIFFENDERFER has been taking n few
observations, and the results show all his
wonted kecnness and accuracy He says that
the silver men are cutting down the Re-
publican vote, and he predicts that "whea
Pennsylvania gets her nose in the air
something may be expected to happen" No
doubt; but 1t Is even safer to expect that not
only something but a mighty good deal vii!
happen when DIFFESpERFER has his nose in
the air and shifts victory from afar or Tastes
differ. but many good judges had rather see
DIFFESpERrER with his nose high in air sniff
Ing victory than see him with his eloquent lips
in air exposing the wiokedness OF the money
changers. But wherever DIFFENDERFER is
found. aud he Is found nearly everywhere. he
will be found to be luminous. large. full OF por-
tent full to the finger tips with great words
and hopes.
The sun., 1896-10-24
Gum Hunting In Maine.
Prom the Lerrston Eurn,ng Journal

;, wArERyILLE, Me-. Oct. 2O.-Ed Thompson,
field. left Monday morning f1r Ct-r,''-l
Place Pond, where they are 10 engage I'd t.,
spruce gum industry. These men for Il { a.
nSe years have gone 10 the same region mi
prought from the spruce groves SOM ~ { $
ciearsst and m9st delicious chewiaG gam rv"r
masticated,. Their task requires SOM g
weeks, and they are fully eGuippci w.,l. al
the necessary laraphernalla. SO come ,ati
arranged that the camp may be change! d. q
day To day II necessary, The tool, CONSIST Z
a long pole with peculiarly shaped ln-'''l-
ment attached To the end OF II, ana 90 ''...
also affixrd a small canvas bag. WITH -
tool the gum is cut and scrap-d from :. .'r.;
ialilhg into the bag, 4 pot Tor "b.i.ir-
sa's" required. water being nut into ~. '-W'- :
cropped into the same, the heat -e'al'.'
The dirt or bark from The sap SO that II lJI.ei
out as clear as crystal.