davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1897-06-02
Autoeracy and the Constitution

The violation OF the Constitution by
Thomas Brackett Reed of Maine, an in
diyidual who, as Speaker of the House
of Representa- tives, took an oath TO sup
Indignation. Hitherto he has been sup
ported in his defiance Of the supreme law
OF the land and the rules of the House
10y a cowed and cringing cohort OF Re
publican misTepresentatives of the people
We shall see how long that support viii
last
usurpatiun has overreaehed itself; where
the seeming possession of absolute, ire
sponsible power for the time being, has
maddened the brain OF the usurper, who
speedily has wrought his own destruction
aud the demolition of ubiquitous interests
he has sought to subserve. History of this
kind repeats itself in the case of Thomas
Brackctt Reed
Ia refusing to effect the organization
Of the House of Representatives accord
Ing to toe Constitution and the mandatory
laws OF that body, he has raised the
serious constitutional question, whether
or not the Congress is in session at all;
organized and incapable OF performing the
functions imposed upon it by the Consti-
tuition OF the United States. In openly
defying Che Constitution, by assuming Of
his own motion. in the absence of O
quorum and without vote, to adjourn
the House for four days, under an auto
cratic rule previously passed without color
of legality. he has increased the gravity
of the situation for himself and for the
principals whose agent he is
III tie constitutional question presented
by Senator Morgan is forced to an issue,
and we have NO doubt that it will he,
there are good legal reasons for believing
that the Supreme Court will decide all
legislation assumed to be enacted at this
extra session TO be null and void
II may be that the Administration can
control or ''piacase' enough votes in the
Senate 60 prevent declaration OF the un-
constitutionaIity CT the present assemblage,
and an adjournment sine die OF the Upper
House: hut The case for the people viii be
spread upon tie record ia convenient and
Conclusive form for immediate action by
the commercial and other legitimate inter
ests of the country in defense of their
rights against ruinous scheme of taxa
posed upon them.
Admitting. only for the sake Of argu-
ment, that such q tariff bill as the Senate
may allow TO pass. other things being
sgnal would produce the wave of national
The times., 1897-06-02
Prosperity Apologies.

The New York Tribune complains, in
that ''the croakers have made affairs seem
worse than really the facts have war
ranted" This, in apology for the fact
that onerous additional contraction Of the
currency. through the absorption and
boarding OF gold by Russia, Japan and
other powers. conjoined with the trust and
monopoly policy OF the new Adninistra-
ton, to tax the nation for the benefit Of
contributory campaign influences, amounts
to a verypoor excuse for existing conditions
Let us grant, for instance. that what the
Tribune says is true: "As If the people
were foolish enough to believe that the
bare election of a protective President.
before any change of laws had been made,
ought 10 produce all the results which q
Change OF duties could cause The Trib-
une, and all of it's kind are estupped from
advancing the argument quoted Before
the election last November they used I'D
columns OF valuable, because highly sub
sidized, space in trying TO impress upon the
country The dctum that the election of Mr.
Mckinley immediately would restore con
fidence;'' and that all the country needed
was "confidencel' There was money
enough. Eastern banks and safe deposit
vaults were loaded with It, The owners
would have it TO burn, if only they could
acquire confidence" and that would come
with the election of William Mckinley.
Well William Mckinley is President of
the United States; the gold ring and the
trusts and monopolies who owned or
controlled the columns of the confidence
Projectors are IT the saddle: but conf
dence' has not come with them. nor have
they, or the ro,IGcal party which they
have constituted their agency fo- tue
oppressIon of the people, done anything
TO inspire it.
The suffering masses too we'll remember
that they We're promised prosperity under
the Mckinley tariff Did they get it?
IhSS GO iOS lOi BGt lildb bilcy were
teed golden era, if only the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act were repealed.
Did they realize it? Again they were as
sured that if they would place in power
'the advance agent OF prosperity" all
things should be added unto them through
the boom which his election would instantly
start by reason of the confidence it would
inspire.
The people have been fooled too often.
The influences and interests that make
their monthly millions out OF contraction
and monopoly, have preached the gospel
of the rainbow chase too often and, of
late, too diaphanously. The day is past
when they can make the struggling
miserable sufferers of the land believe
that horses can live and grow fat on the
theoretical promise OF future oats.
Let US have little less of this smug
contraction and monopoly hypocrisy 1t
will not go down with the people.
The times., 1897-06-02
4 Nehnlous Cuban policy.


In all save two respects the Cuban pol
icy attributed 70 Mr. McKiniey's Admin
intration by its closest friends and aIolo-
eists. is extremely and Enthusiastically
nebulogs The exceptions art iii the agreed
facts. that the President VIII prevent rec
ognition of Cuban belligerency If he can,
and refuse to do anything in positive
direction to stop weyler's carnival of
outrage, blood and bEtchery, until after
the pass age Of the tariff bill
That once oct OF his way-and the Con-
eress also-he bangles before the eyes
OF an anxious and expectant co intry, the
rumored promise that be will co some
enough IN his desire to see the horrors
Of a war on hospitals, women and children
moderated. if that can be done without
interfering with his fiscal policy or our
friendship for spain,'' but he must admit
that, beyond few glittering generalities
dispensed by way of the kitchen cabinet,
the nation Ia without notice that he really
means to do anything.
Indeed, we feel compelled 10 observe
that there is a suspicious flavor about the
Cuban independence movement. infor-
nation regarding which has been inspired
from the White House aud the State De-
partmen5 1t is to be noticed that burn
ing desire to secure the blessing Of future
independence to the struggling patriots,
developed coincidently with the failure Of
Senators Hanna, Hale, Hoar and Hawley,
speaking for the Administration, to pre-
vent the adoption of the Morgan resol ution
by the United States Senate. immediately
it appeared that Mr.. Mckinley was ar
IDENTIFY anxious to secure ultimate inde-
pendence through a purchase arrange
ment, while he still was vehemently op-
posed to the recognition of beiliserency,
a minor matter that merely would give
to the fighting Cubans the rights of civil
izcd warfare and make Weyler afraid to
butcher noble little Philadelphia Quaker
women in Cuban hospitals. Them more com
plcte and glorious plan OF salvation, by
Diplomatic and very lesurely negotiation
with Spain, would not hamper Weyler in
any OF his characteristic practices OF paci-
fication, but, then, think of the ultimate
result after the passage of the tariff bill''
and the dispersion of the Congress.
What does it all mean? M. Mckinley
cannot think that the country is blind TO
the fact that genuine intention 10 recog-
nize or to treat with the CubaIs. with a
view 20 the recognition of their inIlepend-
ence, ought to lie preceded by recognition
of their beIligerency. Then why does he
oppose and obstruct that, if he would have
us believe what is said for him? In the
present aspect of affairs the President
owes it to himself to act. and TO act
quickly, and as his duty to God and hu-
Inauity dictate.
The times., 1897-06-02
New York Machine Amenities.

Anti-Platt newspapers in Gotham seem
Inclined TO point the "digter monstrari" at
the great and good Senator Thomas c.
Piatt. Before reciting what they have to
say, It Is as well to state that they are
quite unable to show anything in the char
acter or conduct OF the State Republican
boss which is not entirely consistent With
the ethics and the highest political ideals
of bis party.
One journal, the Evening Post, asserts
ttatin his personal organ Senator PiaJt llis-
closes the manner in which he enforces
machine discipline and Furnishes legis-
laiive recalcitration. The "organ" is
quoted as declaring that Gov. Black has
"aliowed to die, or has vetoed cerGain
bills in which Republican Senators were
interested who voted against the eonfrma-
tion of Louis +. Payn," Senator Platt's
candidatefor Insurance Commissioner. who,
1t is needless to remark, was confirmed ny
a large majority. Among the ref.l,ious
Senators was Mr. White. OF Syracuse. ali
of whose bills have been either vetoed
or allowed to die by Gov. Black.
Judged by Republican standards aud
methods. we fail TO discern anything alarm
ing or even unusual In the course attrib-
uted to tie genial and intellectual senator
from New York. Such things are insep-
The times., 1897-06-02

prosperity that President Mckinley, Mr.
John p. Rockefeller, Mr.. Mark Hanna. Mr.
Pierpont Morgan. Mr.. Andrew Carnegie
and like patriots insist must follow doublc
or treble taxation conjoined with per
sistent and continual contraction Of the
currency, what kind of prosperity may be
expected TO result from such measure,
when it's illegality is patent. and the vic
tins of its policy are arrayed in solid
phalanx To resist its application?
Yet, under existing circumstances ana
conditions, that is exactly what is going
to happen, IL legislative action, now only
voidable in law is not saved from becom-
ing absolutely void by the immediate
remedy OF organizing the House OF Rep
Neither Mr. Reed nor his equally guilty
copaIccner, the Administration, need think
that the cnly movement to he met is the
one now coming to head in the Senate.
There are constitutional rights inherent
In membership of the House itself, that
cannot always he ignored with safety.
Itis the duty OF a minority in that or any
parliamentary body to bow to the viii of
b majority constitutionally and properly
enforced; but when the supreme law has
been openly and contemptuously set at
nourht, as In the case of Thomas Brackett
Reed and the suppressed House of Repre-
sentatives, that duty is changed to one
OF revolution and OF violent opposition TO
the usurper. AS matters stand today IL
would he competent, just, and dignified
on the part of the opposition to join In
declaration, to he delivered ON the floor
of the House, that the body has been sup
pressed and deprived of its rights, privi-
leges and functions; that it is not a con-
stitutionally organized House; that, hence,
the Congress is not legally in session. Hav-
ing done that. to withdraw en- masse, and
appeal TO the people
We do not say that this VIII be done;
but we warn the Administration aud
Thomas .Brackett Reed that it is among
the possibilities.
In times of great adversely, discomfort,
and widespread misery, it is foolish
and dangerous thing for the government
OF the day to set before the people the ex-
ample of contempt for and violation of
the Constitution and the Law
The times., 1897-06-02
CABINET AND THE TARIFF.
Validity OF the Acts OF Congress
Under Discussion.

Validity OF the Acts Of Congress
Under Discussion.
The Cabinet meeting yesterday was al
most entirely given up to tariff and
financial matters, with the exception of the
time devoted to department affairs. 1t is
unquestionabIe that the tariff is receiving
a large amount OF attention at the White
House end Of the Avenue recently.
Secretary Gage made special call at
the White House on Monday night late
after his return from Cincinnati, and had
long talk with the President. Represen-
tative DingIey yesterday, before the Cabinet
meeting, also spent half an hour discussing
with the President the attitude OF the
various sections of the House, and going
over ways and means. Senators and Repre-
sentatiyes talk about tariff every day
more than about appointments, even, just
at present.
One feature of the situation which was
discussed with considerable seriousness,
it is said. in the Cabinetmeeting yesterday,
is the determined conteDtioa OF certain
gentleman among the Democrats that
Congress is lot constitutiouaily in session
at present, and that the validity OF any
OF its laws may be questioned. That
this is likely, or at least possible 20 be
serious eompli cation, Mr.. Mckinley
seems to bc realizing. ATTORNEY General
MoKenna is giving the matter his atten-
ton at the present time, and may have
something TO communicate later.
President Mckinley has accepted the
invitation OF Vice President Hobart TO
meet the Senate at the Vice Presidents
dinner This decision of Mr.. Mckinley
was against his rigid rule not to accept
outside invitations, hut he made the ex-
ception ni, account of the fact that the
occasion is in a manner a meeting be-
tween the two branches of the Government,
and one of the highest Importance as a
function.
Senators Platt and Proctor called at the
White House in the interest OF two consular
candidates, Mr.. Deal, OF Plattsburg. n. Y.
and Mr. D. j. Vail, OF orwell. VT Mr.. Vail
wants to go to Three Rivers, Canada, and
Mfr Deal chooses st. Johns.
Senator Spooner was also at the White
House on some of his many consular job
errands.
Senator Thurston called with Major J
l.
C. Reed. of New Mexico, but formerly
OF Senator Thurston's State. Mr. Reed
wishes to be surveyor general Of New
Mexico interest is increasing In the
patronage situation in the Territory Since
the death of the former governor, two
months ago. there being no lieutenant gov
ernor, the secretary of the Territory has
been acting governor and the Republicans
are naturally more and more expectaut
every day. tits thoughtthat something viii
be done very soon. The other positions
also much sought after.
Congressman w A stone of Pennsyiva-
MIA introduced to the President yesterday
morning Mr.. Henry A Heinz. the pickle
manufacturer, and DR.. Wood, q Metho-
dist Clergyman, who wishes 10 be a super
inteudent of an Indian school.
The Kentucky delegation paid its regu-
lar caH, Senator Deboe, DR.. Hunter and
Congressman Evans ali bringing MEM
bers OF the faithful from Kentucky.
The times., 1897-06-02
Issues Searching a Party.

Primitive justice seems to be ACCOMPLISHED
In the cases Of journals Iik e the New York
Evening Post, which, during che campaign
of 1896, not only supported, but glori-
fled and adored the advance agent of
prosperity" 1t is true that this particular
Mugwurnp organ did not worship the Re-
publican candidate in his self-adyertised
aspect as the advance agent of high tariff
taxation of the people for the sole beneft
OF certain trusts and monopolies Of a
manufacturing character. IT was as the
assumed agent of another kind of oppres-
sion, advocated by foreign financial in
fiHences interested i'll the enslavement of
the American people under the single
gold standard, that journals like the Even
ing Post promoted the candidacy of Mr.
Mckinley in the only way they could ef-
fectively, which was by advising all wealthy
patriots to subscribe the money necessary
TO the purchase of his election
Now that they have bought it, paid for
vestment, it is ungracious in them to find
fault
But they do find fault The Evening
Post regards the situation, that knowingly
it helped to create, with disgust tempered
by dismay. 1t finds the Administration
making a fight to the death for a fiscal
policy which it conteInns, against the
free silver gospel of the American people
of which it stands in terror Here is pre-
sented a pretty how -to-do for The Nc
KInley Mugwumps: This grotesque state
OF things may continue for some time:
voters may be Compelled to cast their
ballots this fail, and even in next years
Congressional elections. for parties, both
OF which they distrust and despise: or
make choice of evils, when what they
ardently desire is to choose neither"
To such a pass has come the perfervld
promotion OF the Republican candidate,
and of the policy he crammed down the
throats of his friends, the contributory
enemy, only q few short months agol
Did they think that in building an idol
of vishnu, by some miracle they would
have one Of silva, when it was COM
pIeted?
The times., 1897-06-02
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Aunt Keziah," said Bobbie, is it wrong
to think our own thoughts or say our
own words or do what we want TO on
sunday?''
That is what we are told"
And is every day goin' to be Sunday in
heaven? Cause If 1t is, amt goin'"
''Hoot, mon," exclai med the author
of the Scotch dialect story, and the over
wearied world accordingly booted
Here's a flat advertised with all mod
ern imps Guess Wen go look at it,"
a month later:
Elizabeth. l know now what the
modern irnps were. That red-headed
boy OF Smiths has plugged up our bath
tub, and his brother killed our cat, and that
lid ON the floor above nearly knocked me
down the stairs just now sliding On the
banisters. The modern imps are all right"
lk4ss2is .
s'Dear re, what is that terrible Language
THAT is Mr. Halthorpe on theosophy."
Language ceases. and thnuIps begin
"And what is that, may ask?''
II think Traits theesophist on MIR Hal
thorpe, the latter having the floor
H~s
"Weu," said Jimsby. there Is sonnet hing
distinguished about Mckinley, anyway"
WHAT" grumbled the man who lost on
the electioa-
"Hc is a man of Mark
sPa," said Bobbie. what is an ulti-
inatum?'
.AE ultimatum, my son." said Mr.. Kitti-
wink. lis the last thing you are likely to
see nowada VS.
81 think said the perplexed parent Of
three college boys. that Solomon must have
made that remark about training up child
so that be will not depart from your teach
ings nefore auyof his children were born. F"
NO, he didn't" said the Sage. HE was
told to write it by eminent authorities on
the training Of children. He couldn't have
had imagination enough to originate such a
flight OF fancy
The times., 1897-06-02

A peculiar case In law was recently de-
veloped before the board Of health of New
York city. The dramatis personae in the
case were a grocer, some dogs, man and
his wife and a baby. The grocer was both
cred with rats, and, as everybody knows,
these pests are among the most restifer-
ot.s things in the world, especially to one in
the grocery business. 1t is unsafe TO give
them poison, because they will cIawl into
their holes to die of it, and it is possible
either to leave them there or get them out
An ordinary cat will run from them. and
they are too wise to go into traps after
cheese when there are large quantities
OF it to re obtained by little gnawing. So
the grocer bought two terriers, to the great
disinay Of the rats Then be boughta Ne W.
The times., 1897-06-02

Notwithstanding current and insistent
efforts to destroy the Haw allan reci-
procity treaty by way of the tariff bill.
The proposed amendment, introduced by
senator Davis or yesterday. providing that
nothing In the act shall he held to repeal
treaty with Hawaii, is about certain to be
adopted; that is. in case the Administration
really wants the Senate TO pass the Aldrich-
Allison measure
The times., 1897-06-02

In the House yesterday Mr.. Henderson,
one of the caponized majority, exclaimed:
''Why this hell In teapot" We can
answer this question. The suppressed
House OF Representatives. is a teapot not
constitutionaily constructed. Its spout is
plugged. Its cover is soldered down, and
upon the top of it squats the figure OF
a bloated. autocratic tdealization OF con-
tice. That is the reason why the swear
word used by Mr.. Henderson exists in its
inside
The times., 1897-06-02

arabic from the very essence of bossism
Without them bosses would be driven out
OF the business. The late Col. "Jim, Fisk.
jr., who was something of q boss himself,
once said: ''Our grasp is cold and clam.ay::
whoever opposes us is doomedi''
Whether in the New York machine, anIer
the dismal arches of the suppressed House
of Representatives., or beneath the Sena-
for Republican to do is TO obey the Bass
with meek. unquestioning subserviency,
or get out Of the party.
The times., 1897-06-02
Mason and HOar.
tFrom the Chicago Tribune.

(FrOm The Chicago Tflbune-J
When Senator Mason was through with
Hoar he had taken his hide off and hung
it on the fence. Senator Hoar has dwelt
in the odor OF Senatorial sauctity and en-
1oyed the privileges of Senatorial courtesy
so long that he has become mossgrown and
narrow in his ideas of craftsmanship, and
in this case is even deaf to the ordinary
appeal of humanity. 1t was time some one
punctured his thick crust, and Mason has
done it, and done it well. Puncture some
more OF them, William. Let in the light
and fresh air and the atmosphere of the
people into that chamber OF fossils and
harm naClesi
The times., 1897-06-02
THE CUBAN FESTIVAL.
Interesting Arrangements for the
Patriotic Event.

interesting IOE
Patriotic Event.
The Cuban lawn party will be given this
afternoon and evening, from TO IL
o'clock, at the beautiful grounds of MIS-.
A L. Barbour, at the mead Of Fourteenth
street.
The fete will be given by the Woman's
National Cuban League, and those most
prominently interested feel assured of its
great success. Refreshments will be sold
at reasonable prices.
Ore Of the features OF the fete will be
q tent with Indian curios and relics of
Wounded Knee, in charge Of Mrs Gen
Colby, assisted by her adopted Indian
daughter Zintka Lavuni, whom Gen. Colby
picked up from the field Of battle.
Another attractive feature will be The
Island de Cuba cigar booth. which viii
be in charge of five attractive young
ladies attired in the costumes of the
native Cuban senOras.
Mrs. NJ. A Yost is chairman of the
general committee.
The times., 1897-06-02
wcoD,s COLLEGE GRADUATES.
Annual Commencement Exercises
at the National Tonight.

The annual commencement exercises of
Woods Commercial College will be held
at the New National Iheater this evening
at $50 O'Clock.
Contrary to the general custom, no
tickets will be required for admission.
The evenings program is expected TO
eclipse all previous efforts OF this coE
lege Choice musical selections will be
rendered by the United States Marine
Band The annual address Will be deIiv-
cred by the Hon. Benjamin Butterworth,
and the class medals awarded by the Dis
trict OF Columbia Engineer Commissioner,
Capt Black.
The times., 1897-06-02
VANDERBILT SWORN IN.
Takes the Oath a : Assistant Sec rc.
tary of the TREASURY

Secretary Gage lost very valuable pri-
vate secretary sterday, when Mfr. Frank
a. Vanderiip took the oath of office as
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury. Ap-
pointu.ent Clerk Fitzpa trick administered
the oath, in the presence of Secretary Gage,
Messrs Howell and Spaulding, Assistant
Secretaries OF the Treasury, and Scott
Wike, Mr Fanderlip's predecessor, and a
number OF warm, personal friends
Mr. Vanderiip was most cordially con
graduated, and was also the recipient of
a number of floral testimonials
The times., 1897-06-02

when man OF note Dies said Mr..
Bruce Fugate, OF New York, at the Riggs
House last evening, lit is curious how
much OF the informa tion that is given in
tie obituary notices is absolutely new TO
most Of the people to whom he was known
Napoleon Sarony, who died last Novert-
ber, was known practically to all New
York. The photographs he took have cir
culated pretty much everywhere during
the last thirty years, and his signature
became almost as familiar as was That Of
the late Mr.. Spinner. But il was news to
most people that he began life as alithCg-
rapher and made fortune in that bUsi-
ness before be had anything 10 do with
photography. usthaveinterested many
people who knew the three tan volumes
which contain the record OF Commodore
Perry's Japan expedition 10 learn that
most Of the illustrations of that narrative
were done by Sarony when he was iithog-
rapher They are good pictures, and in
many cases have won continuous shelf
room in private libraries for the volumes
that contain them