davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

Politics in Japan has some Of the
aspects of comedy. but ii has its
serious side. The comedy is to be
found In the action of the politicians
and the tragical aspect In the changes
Of ministers. IL cannot be otherwise
than misfortune for Japan that the
broad-minded and liberal Count
0kuma has been compelled to retire
from Office through the complications
caused by parties.
A political campaign In Japan has
lively features entirely unknown 10 this
more sedate country. They do not con-
fine themselves to ordinary election
rows. but have organized battles, and
at the last general election there were
twenty-five people killed around the
hastings In the Tochi Ken alone.
Shortly prior to an election, the Soshi.
or Samurai. rs the former crossword
ed petty mobiles and their retainers are
called. advertise their services at a
St3AS At& AA'0 t3tNSs a. 10 ~ Scti VI
open secret that the charges are regu-
lated according 10 whether parl!a-
mentary candidate merely wishes his
opponents annoyed and hustled or de-
sires them to be put cat Of the way al
together.
The statesmen. like Okuma and
Count Ito. have endeayored during the
last twenty years 10 educate the peo-
pie 10 take an interest In the elections.
bur the people Of the lower classes
have only SO far associated an election
with an opportunity FOR making money.
The design Of the system Is not very
clear. bat IL seems as II the japanese
had borrowed from both Great Britain
and the United States. and II is unlike
either.
Although we have large floating
vote. which changes from one party 20
another, that gives Us no idea Of the
rapiiity % the Kaleidoscope changes
which take place in the politics Of ia
pan. Parties are not based on prinei-
pie. and $40 with each campaign they
unite and divide and reform their
lines with facility and frequency. Il,
is said. quite hewildering 20 the Ameri-
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
AsrEsurTIAL CONTRACTS.

An interesting case has just been de-
cided In the circuit courts OF Illinois
which seems to strike at the funda-
mental principle of right of contract.
In that state the right of the widow to
cne-third OF her deceased husbands
estate il recognized. but In the case in
question the second wife had agreed
In writing to accept $500 in satisfac-
ton OF her claim upon the estate in
case she survived her husband, which
she did. The estate amounted 10 s55.-
600, and the widow has been awarded
her third Notwithstanding the contract
che made before marriage.
It in q wise public policy to preserve
the property rights incident to the
waving rights guaranteed by statute
should be regarded with suspicion by
the courts. The waving If such rights
by q wife is always open To the doubt
that II has been exaeted under eoeg-
cion through an unseltish affection or
through ignorance Of the character az
the document embodying such q relin-
enlistment. Bat this applies only to
contracts made after marriage. II is
generally recognized that husband
or wife may make gift to the other
of any property In possession or pres
pective. What difference in principle
is there between q gift and waiver OF
a right. The conditions prior 10 mar
rage are very different There Nigh,
be the very best OF reasons why man
should be willing TO enter into a sec
ond marriage II that did not involve
the conveyance OF property With 1t.
s>ce- marriage the two persons are
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

Seattle ministers appear not to think,
after all. that this is a heather city. mas
much as the broad assertion by one of
them to that effect does not find general
Endorsement. II is not easy to discover a
solution to the problem as to why people
do not attend church. and the laity is al
just as much loss for practical suggestions
as the clergy. Some preachers Introduce
vaudeville methods and draw crowds: but
as a rule they do not keep them. Others
make a speciality OF fine music. and man
age to catch the attention OF the harmonf-
ously inclined. But after all. persons who
can be attracted only by music can he en-
tertained better In concert hall. and 1t is
doubtful If this feature is really perma-
nent influence. Any church service where
In the minister performs a minor function
does not I'LL either the religious or general
conception of propriety; and IT therefore
rests with the minister himself TO make
his sermon the reaI drawing power. II he
cannot do IL. he VIII not reach The masses
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
A GOOD MAN,

Ny lord Fat Purse was a very good man.
He had houses and lands galore
And with each new day he had soma new
plan
For aiding the needy and poor.
lie gave TO the churches, he gave 20 the
He gave 10 the tramps by the wav.
iet ne tsfFfo'e curse In the lard grew
And the poor grew poorer each aay.
Ny lord Fat Purse was troubled ara sas
That his thought and toll seemed vaIu
Bat do what can" said this very coed
man.
ITO ease the wan, ard the pain.
IT'S the viii 90 heaven that sszyne shall re-
rich ~'''A ~
And maay be poor. see:
1 can 90 no more than TO give rom the
TIA, Just God gives 10 me-
Tet acres and acres OF fertile SOL
lie Idle under the skies
WAile some shrewd lord waits snd holds
his estates
Tfu prices OF hand shah rise.
Deep In tire breast % those acre. h-oas
which are selnshly graspesf by ore
LES NeS.A toT many sfee gifts from God
Like the wind and the rain anf IRE ss.r1
FOOD IN the ocean and foo4 In the soil
Free gifts from a hand divfna
Ard who dare hinder the fisnerss sofl
Or say. "Lo. the SEA IS rninef'
Al. my lord Fat Purse. 10 wonder the
curse
Cis poverty hangs like a pan
"nen you hold oy fraud the lands which
God
Has mean, for TIE Use ~ - All
Ella " heeIsr Wilcox.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

The testimony OF Mr.. ". NJ. Sheaard a.
San Francisco. who bought his OUTFIT IN
that city. ought 70 Re Interesting and prof
table 50 all persons intending 20 so 10 tbs
kIenaike. when he arrived here he foun,.
that he could have done Infinitely better as
20 prise. and. 10; only that, he was laden
with a number CT articles that were abso-
iu,eiy unxuited Cor the Journey and for
conditions OF life IN The north. Seattle naer-
chants know exactly What = mar needs FOR
the klonaike. X IS aew business TO East
ern and San Francisco merchants. and
they can emily guess a; Il. They know very
little 0. proper methods 90 packing. pro-
portion AID the right kinds Q: food and
clothing.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

The death Of Rev. George Houghton. in
New York, removes q unique figure from
the stage OF action. and will cause wide
spread mourning In the dramatic profess
sion. DR.. Houghton bore a peculiar rela-
ton to actors. In that he was almost invari-
ably called upon to officiate at the death
OF any Of their number. He was not an
especial friend or advocate Of the theater;
but he was the friend OF humanity. Some
years ago. 1t Is said. leading New York
minister was called upon to conduct funeral
service over a Thespian. He declined. Dr.
Houghton was the next available preacher.
and he promptly accepted the invitation.
The incident became widely known, and
established the good doctor forever in the
friendship Of the profession. The little
church around the corner thereafter be-
came better known for its dramatic than
other connections. II is therefore not
strange that in the crowd which attended
DR.. Houghtons funeral Saturday there
were many actors.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

distinct and separate. ana each hrs the
undouhted right to enter into . con-
tract a. TO property with the other.
The waiver may be m essential condi-
ton Of the marriage, and It does not
seem to Be equitable that one party
should fulhli the contract and the other
Be able to evade II.
The conditions, too. are distinct
When q man Ii about to enter into
matrimony. be IL usually impeiled by
Q consideration which implies degree
Of affection; and any such business
like reservation would be unlikely
without strong reasons on the part OF
both the contracting parties. After mar
rage, the affection may wane: differ
ences will arise which may induce the
husband to wish to withdraw from the
responsibility he has assumed and can
eel the obligations the matrimonial
state imposes A waiver of rights by
the wife is then a possible evasion OF
the henefcent purpose Of the law.
The right to forego dowry, IL exer-
cised before marriage, has always been
recognized, and 1t seems to be no part
Of the policy which suggested COM
munity property laws to infringe in
any way upon the right Of antenuptial
contract.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

England howis about high tariff In the
United States and complains that It pre-
vents free trade. Il does. but II does not
prevent Great Britain from being one Of
our best customers. The Official report Of
Consul General Osborne to the state de-
partment from London contains interest
Ing and significant figures. The imports
OF the United Kingdom for 1855 were &1zs.-
So. 100 more than In 1886. and from the
United States alone the excess was $se.-
go, 40. The exports shew large increase.
valued at N.e07. ~. 75s-an excess OF $70.-
ooo,00o over the previous year. The bal
ance In favor Of the United States last
year was $s7oooo. 900 greater than at any
time in the last fifteen years. and prob
ably at any time prior to that period. The
exports from the United States to Great
Britain for 1897 are expected to show an
increase over 1896. Like most other ma
items ana al private individuals. England
viii always buy where she can buy
cheapest.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
n IsrEasAruosAL STANDARD.

=
So tenacious are the Chinese Of their
customs that the news Of proposed
change in the currency system will
not be accepted without strong con-
firmation. II 1t be true that China ia
about to discard silver ~ . standard
and join civilized nations, II may be
safely assumed that II is because japan
has been gaining ground since the de-
termination to adopt the gold standard.
That progress would not necessarily
be advanced by the adoption Of the
standard. but II would be regarded as
evidence that nations doing an extern
siye international business must have
one measure OF value.
The new standard goes into effect
In Japan next April. and with China
adopting 1t. all the world will stand on
a practically uniform basis-using the
same standard for measuring the
values Of labor. land and manufac-
tured or agricultural commodities.
The absurdity Of the variation be-
tween the coins Of civilized nations
has long been realized. but each nation
has refused to 80 to the expense Of q
recoinage. which would be necessary
In order to arrive at q uniform coin,
which should be legal tender all the
world over. The only way by which
this great reform could be achieved
would be by the adoption by all nations
Of uniform coin which should be is
sued from al the minis from certain
day. and which should form a stand
ard by which all other coins should be
measured.
Either the American IS gold piece
or the British gold sovereign, which
are very near alike, should be the
standard. The only point in favor Ct
the British coin being used Is that
there Is q far larger number Of them
scattered all over the world on account
OF England's great foreign traffic, and
It would be much more expensive to
recon than the American gold piece.
In silver coins the American dollar
or quarter could be made the standard.
as convenient denominations of the
decimal system. Canada and the
United States already have the same
dollar. and the Argentine peso. 96k
cents. and the japanese yen, 99.7 cents.
could easily be made to correspond
with the dollar.
There are no financial difficulties
about the adoption Of an international
coin. and this should be followed by
agreement upon an international sys-
tenn Of standards OF weights and meas
ures, as well as OF values; and finally
there should be one international Ian
guage.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

can mind A writer upon the political
condition OF Japan Is authority for
the statement that in the seven years
that have elapsed since the general
election prior to the last, there have
been no les than seventy new parties
formed. most Of which had private.
rather than public. ends IN view. while
II is notorious that judicial distribu-
ton Of the coin Of .4le realm viii pur-
chase the votes of any section Of par
lament
There are some very able men ct the
head Of japanese affairs and far more
are honest. but the result il the same.
There are very able men In New York
city. and many homes. men there. but
Tammany rules. 1t is the same way
In Japan, only infinitely worse.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
NOTABLE PEOPLE.

The late Mrs Oliphant was Informed
fourteen months before her death that she
was suffering from fatal malady. yet she
wrote steadily on almost TO the last day or
her life Stephen Girard once remarked:
"If knew that / should die tomorrow. I
would nevertheless. plant tree today"
In 1914 the remains OF Daniel Boone
were removed from Missouri, where he
died, TO the state cemetery at Frankfort,
KY Now a s,ate officer of Missouri who
has visited the grave at Frankfort, re-
ports that II is shamefully neglected. the
monument Clipped away by relic hunt
ers. etc, and Missourians are talking
about demanding that the remains be re-
turned to their state.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

II IS announced that the Preshyterians
Of New York have come 10 the natural
conclusion that Santa Claus is an evil ana
must be abolished. The Presbyterian
church did not cover Itself with any great
amount OF glory in lis Princeton inn ex-
nioit. and II would seem that II has again
taken the Bit In It's teeth and proposes 10
destroy the most precious Illusion OF child
hood II is doubtful II any right think
Ing man or woman would consent "a effsce
from his recollection his early Impressions
% Santa Claus. and II Is doubtful IL any
one ear be found. In or out Of the Preshy-
terrain church. who will admit that they
were vicious or harmful TN their tendency
or had a haneful influence on their sub
sequent conduct or views. religious or
otherwise. Santa Claus Is king In the
child world. which Is world largely az
dreams, and no, % realities, Who will
dare dethrone hirl-
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22


Editor Stead. Engiand's leading yellow
journalist has written a book about the
New York campaign with the startling
title "Satan's Invisible World Displayed:
or. Despairing Democracy" Mr. Stead is
doing for the United States what the SEN
sational New York newspapers have long
been doing for England. and that is to drag
forth to the light and picture In audacious
colors the vicious. lawless, immoral and
degrading phases Of city's life. Stead
once Wrote up Chicago In shocking book,
entitled IF Christ Came to Chicago" His
sincerity Of purpose and his point Of view
may perhaps be understood when 1t Is
stated that he Is . friend and champion Of
the Infamous Croker.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
4 GUARANTEES.
ssATrLE, MONDAY, nov. ~.



The assertions put forth in Victoria
that the route up the Stickeen Is ALI
Canadian and that SO steamer can
lead ct Fort Simpson, steam up the
coast and 80 up the Stickeen without
saying by your leave to anyone" are
Inspired either by gross and inexcus-
able ignorance or by desire to de-
ceiye the public as to the actual situa-
ton. 1t Ii claimed with no little APP
psarance Of bombast that there can be
no interference on the part of the
Unatsd States customs officers. Let Us
-.
To assert the right Of free nayiga-
ton Of the Stickeen and to avoid Gus
toms inspection. 1t will be necessary
for vessels to steam from Victoria or
other British Columbia ports through
70 Telegraph creek without touching
American SOIL This never has been
done; and declarations that It can be
are nonsensicai. In the nrss place. no
vessel equipped to make the run from
Victoria to Fort Wrangel can go up
the 6tickeen. And, In the second place,
no boat which can navigate the river
could live In the waters that must be
trayersed batween Fort Wrangel and
any British Columbia point.
II ID said to be the plan for ocean
going vesseas to sail from Victoria to
Fort Simpson, at Dixon's entrance.
the last coast point on British Column
hia soil, and make the transfer to a
river steamer which shall complete
the Journey up the coast and into the
6tickeen to Telegraph c1eek. Dixon's
entrance In notorious as the toughest
and most unsafe part of the entire
Alaska run. It Is perilous undertake
ine to cross It with fiat-bottomed
steamer, save In exceptionally favor
Ahle summer weather. To inaugurate q
transportation enterprise which con-
templates the employment of river
steamers across Dixon's entrance Is I'M
necessarily to invite great danger and,
sooner or later. disaster
II II practicable for vessels to 30
from Victoria or other points to Fort
Wrangcl. make the transfer there, and
then to pass on up the Stickeen. This,
b fact, Is the only sensible plan, and
the plan that must be adopted. Sup
piles can be carried through American
territory In bond. and thus the pay
ment OF all customs duties avoided by
Canadians. II Ia not difficult or irk-
some to secure the bonding privilege
when this Is done. persons going 10
the Klondike by the Stickeen will be
q no disadvantage over excursionists
BY way Of Skagnay or Dsea. except the
natural barriers. which are said to be-
greater.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

]: ss high tribute 20 sse character 90 Seth
Low and Mayer Streug. OF New York. tia,
they have given Their influence 10 tire work
az raising memorial funa fo- the ts,s
Henry George. opt ot walea his widow SHAH
Was = friend 81 ihe common people. lie
wrote sor thsni. fought so- them. ard gave
freely n thss- behalf. us opinions we're
undoubtedly AcasSt. aSa they were alVay>
ssagiessly ard essenyly expressed. Tas
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
THE STATE PRESS.

Chehalis Nugget: The Hon. w. J. Bryan
has given 500 to the Henry George me-
mortal fund. Mr.. Bryan is a liberal giver.
1t took him six long minutes to earn that
500 at Wichita, KAN, about a month ago.
Sidney Independent: We need no altman
&C to tell US when Sunday comes. for now
that the Juicy wild duck has returned from
the gold regions we hear the roar of the
breech-loading doubie-barrelled shotgun
and the sharp crack of the rife. and as
we hear them, We know the day q good
many still reverence as the Sabbath, has
come.
Chehalis Bee: There isn't a question of
more vital interest to Lewis county folks
than the road problem. With better times
setting In merchants and farmers alike
will be enabled to undertake and do more
in this direction than for years. Think
about 1t, gentlemen. Good roads will cost
us money, but We must have them II our
country Is to advance.
Centralia News: Gov. Rogers must be
a man Of considerable nerve to withstand
the terrific storm of newspaper comment
he Is receiving Just now from almost the
entire state press. We suppose the gov
ernor is public-spirited citizen, conse-
duently he likes plenty of good advertising.
He is getting plenty of Ii and Il doesn't
cost him cent That Is some consolation.
Olympian: No country In the world can
outrivai Washington in the production of
apples. The orchard area and fruitfulness
OF this state have now reached a stage
where the securing of permanent and prof
liable markets for the surplus is matter
OF the greatest Importance TO the horti-
cultural interests OF the state. Horticui-
tural societies and fruit dealers should
now put forth concerted and energetic eff
fort to bring Washington apples to the
favorable attention of foreign consumers.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
Hardships Of the Sfickeens
ALASKA Mining Record.


II seems that the much-taiked of Stick
cen river route into the Yukon is not quite
as plain sailing. or a. easy to travel, as
steamship promoters and packers have
tried to make believe. Parties who have
tried this summer to enter the Yukon by
that route, have made q dismal failure, and
returned with narrowing tales Of the hard
ships along the way ana the difficulties
they encountered that could not be over
come. Indians charge SEQ q ton on goods
and SIS . man for transportation from
Fort Wrangel up the Stfckeen river to
Telegraph creek, and the steamer Alaskan
charges 500 to the man over the same dis
lance. 1t is best to pay the steamer, or
the Indians, for you viii not get there II
you don't. A roaring rapad lies below the
mouth OF Telegraph creek. At Telegraph
there Is q train of 100 pack horses. but
only forty of them are good enough for
use. Twenty cents per pound Is the charge
for landing goods from that point to Lake
Teslin, but none are landed there, and
won't be until next March on the crusted
snow. For eighty miles up Telegraph the
trail Is exceedingly rough, and the last
seventy miles to the lake is SO swampy
that pack animal cannot get over It It
Is impossible to get supplies to Lake Teslin
before next March, and the people now
en- route to the Yukon by that trail have
gone into winter camp at Telegraph and
Glenore, at which points wood Is quite
a distance of and no empty cabins to live
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22

In some parts Of peyonshire the peon,e
live to be very old An old man OF 20 liv-
ING quite distance from the nearest
town. requiring some family groceries
sent his son, a man OF seventy odd wears
OF age. When the son failed "a show IN
with she provisions I'm time his GRANDPA.
ther. censenarian ~ les said ueevtshfy.
That's what comes OF sending a kid
Tit-BitS
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
sxArsnors BY THE WAY.


Perhaps there is some game the vashen
island football team can play.
Mr.. Shepard, who has had experience ad-
vises everybody not TO OUTFIT In San Fran
cisco. They played Shepard for sheep.
There seems TO be no way out OF is for
Princeton but to put the first available
heavyweight ex-president In AZ center
rush
The mayor is perfectly willing that the
town shall be wide open. provided no laws
are violated. This ought to satisfy every
body.
The discovery that Seattle 10 not 4
heather city carries with 1t no inference
that II win not be hot town In the here
after.
g. Louis has vagged q pugilist. Seattle
has not yet discovered the peculiar fitness
Of its pugilists to roped arena with q
rock pile In the center.
A rukoner came to Seattle, fell IN love.
married her. and promptly started back
to his gold mine. This Is the greatest Al
sska Quitting point on earth.
r
1t Is TO be hoped that, in his forthcoming
explanation on American Humor.'' the
Rev. Mr.. Llwyd win be able to put all jok-
ing aside and throw In . few explanations
as to how to pronounce his name.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-22
NUGGETS.

New Neighbor-Be them Halls over on
the cross-road any connections o. yourr,
Mis- Hal@
nec.id so st ef anybody dies out err one
family the other family foiers arter ter
the funeral IN the larst kerridge. but don I
stay ter the supper. Judge.
Miss Beauty lat church fairl-Don't YOU
want some penwipers. Mr.. Bach?
Mr. Bach--Naw--at a dollar apieee I
presume?
Miss Beauty-Oh. no. The minister said
we must not charge more than we thought
the things were worth. These We're made
by that horrid Miss Pert. and think ths
are worth about ten for cent-New York
Weekly.