davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
THE GREATEST OF RAILROADS..

There "a a familiar story, perhaps less apoc-
ryphal than most good stories are. or a FORMER
Russian Emperor who wanted railroad puiit
from ST. Petersburg to Moscow. lie tOlu HIS
Ministers. and they told the engineers, ana tney
went 10 surveying rou.e after route, without
finding n satisfactory one. At last the Emperor
grew tired Of waiting and asked why the rail-
road WAS not built "rhe engineers cannot
agree upon n route" was the reply. Bring me
n man. and will show you one returned the
Emperor. Then he took ruler and pen, ana
drew n straight line from one city to the other
.Thot Is the route" said he; NOW build the
rood" And it was built truthful COM
RAMON To this story may be told, dating back
scarcely eleven years. and at the present mo-
mont bejnp fulfilled In 1886 the Emperor
summoned his Ministers to him. Without a
word of preface. LET there be railroad built
across Siberia" he said "by the dircctest route
and rs quickly AZ possible" And then he dis
missed the council.
To-day that railroad, incOmparably the great
est in the world. making our Pacific roads
seem petty is measurably near completion 1t
is finished and in full operation 10 a point be-
,ond Tomsk mt one end, and from NladlvOstok
70 Chabarowsk. on the AmoOr. at the other
while II cOHSlueTuD' StTtt'i 10 ~ iV"S' S'""'
ready for the ties and rails. in the middle at
Lake Baikal. No less than $4,000 men are con-
stantly employed upon IT, and 1t Is reckoned
that by the end Of this century. four years
hence through trains will be running from the
Baltic indeed, from Parls-to the Pacific. The
cost is estimated at $1,000 900. but will proba
bly, he much less. since the actual cost of the
section from the Trails to the Obi has been
81. 800. 900 less than the estimates Vladivostok
i14l miles from the Trails. will be one Eastern
terminal, but not the chief one BY the terms
of the new Russian treaty with China
branch line sO-called. Is TO be run of at
NkolOkaya. down through Manchuria and
Mongolia TO the Yellow Sea. with terminals at
New hwang and Port Arthur, where there will
be harbor open all the year round. This
branch will be 1850 miles long, 046 miles
being in what is now Chinese territory, and 1t
will shorten the distance from the Crals to the
coast by 342 miles. No doubt 1t will really be-
come the main line as soon as Manchuria and
COrea become openly and avOwedly. MS they
are now substantially. Russian provinces.
The practical effect Of this stupendOus I'M
dcrtaking upon Russian social and industrial in
tercsts Is already apparent. In 1891 the pres
ent Car turned the first spadeful OF earth on
the road at Vladivostok Forthwith, popular
migration from European Russia to Siberia be-
gan In 1897 no less than 100000 permanent
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
RED CROSS RELIEF FOR CUBA.

While considerable portion of the annual
report known as the Bulletin InternatiOnale'
Of the Red Cross Society. which has just made
its appearance. is devoted TO the splendid work
accomplished by Miss Clara Barton and her
associates i'm the distribution Of American re-
lief among the afflicted Armenian subjects OF
the Sultan. no mention whatsoever Is made
therein of The sangunary conflict which has
been raging for considerable time past in
Cuba. and which has been carried on with we'll
nigh incOncevabe barbarity and savagcry by
both sides. Surely if the lot Of the prosecuted
Armcnians aroused the sympathy Of the people
Of the United States to such degree that they
opened their purses and dispatched the Ameri-
can Florence Nightingale to Asia Minor with
splcndidly equipped expedition in order to dis
tribute relief with q lavish hand TO the Ar
mennns, the sufferings Of the unhappy Cubans
at our very door might well be expected to call
forth at the least similar manifestation of
cOmmiseratiOn.
The work accomplished by Miss Barton in
Armenia with the consent Of the Sultan has
established the precedent that II is not neces-
sary that two countries should be ut war in
order to admit Of the Intervention of the Red
Cross Society in behalf of suffering. and has
shown that the dispatch Of any such mission
of charity does not entail any recognition OF the
rights Of beigerents to oppressed people who
may happen to be fighting for their freedom
from despotism. In Cuba today greater de-
gree Of distress prevails than In Armenia.
Thousands Of innocent citizens and peasants
have had their homes destroyed. their property
ruined through no fault Of their own. and are
houseless and starving while the cruelty and
barbary to which they have been subjected
by the insurgents as well as by the regulars
are almost equal to that which the Armenians
have suffered at the hands of the Turks. II
would be- therefore, of advantage to the cause
Of humanity to dispatch without delay an
American Red Cross mission Of relief to the
Pearl Of the Antilles, taking. Of course. tho pre-
caution Of asking beforehand the permission
of the Queen Regent of Spain. A Christian
woman renowned throughout Europe for her
sense Of justice and for her ind-heartcdness,
she could scarcely refuse request that even
the Sultan Of Turkey could not his way
TO decline
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
MR.. OLCOTTS CONVERSION.

District Attorney OlcOtt's determination TO
fill the subordinate places In his office by COM
petitivc examination is OF peculiar sgnlhcance
as a revelation Of the progress which civil
Service Reform is making In the face OF at
tacks. In fact. the greater the hostility shown
TO II the more rapidly does the competitive sys-
tenn seem TO extend it's dominion, until some OF
the most devoted reformers are made anxious
lest the enemy force upon them responsibilities
which they are not yet prepared to under
take. The rpformers had no wish 10 use the
Constitution to effect radical changes. They
were content to do the work already on their
hands. trusting to the gradual extension OF the
reform with the education of public opinion
All they looked for from the Constitution was
the safeguarding OF what had been accom-
plished. the defence of the merit system so far
as It had been stablished from the assaults
of spoilsmen who threatened to sweep away
the whole thing. just as they are now threaten
Ing TO nullify 1t by allowing appointing officers
TO pass over any number OF persons on an elg-
bic list IL Superintendent Aldrdge had not
attempted q reactionary debasement Of the ser
vice In the Department Of Public Works. and so
forced the issue. the schedules might have been
left nearly as they were. But the Constitution
and the courts were more radical than the re-
formers and now the Inter have nothing TO fear
except the possibility Of dIsorganzing their
system through having to make II do too much.
Mr. Aldrdge was convinced against his will
and is Of the same opinion still His friends in
the Legislature hope 10 revise the laws so as
TO make his opinion of some service In the dis
tributiOn Of places, but II they are wise they
will follow Mr. Olcott's example instead The
new Dstrict-Attorney Is a thorough machine
man. He Is perfectly open and honest about
It. He was put into Office for that reason. and
he started out with the announced intention Of
registering In his appointments 80 far US posi-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

of passengers. they open the way f2r gang or
tougIs TO hold up Belt Line car for less nno'
cent purposes.
The Columbia boys evidently mean no harm
but they should see that the rOugh-nnd-tumble
traditions which bcfitted an isolated school In
a small community are utterly out OF place In
a congested city like this, where there Is no
homogeneous and neIghborly population to I'M
derstand the pranks and sympathlze with the
mischief makers. In some places their doings
might look like jokes. Here they seem plain
disorder Columbia has started ont to he the
great university Of the metropolis. ana Its Of
hccrs and students should cooperate TO throw
on the habits of rude. undsciplined boys.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
PERSONAL.

The Crown Princess Stephanie. widow Of the
Crown Prince Rudolph OF Austria, attracted mucn
attention In Vienna recently by singing IN the
church at Saxenburg. a suburb OF the capital This
contra ait and ne is said 70 be- pasonaey iona q,
music. She expressed an intention OF singing again
In the service.
Professor Bergmann. the great Berlin physl.
cian recently celebrated his sixteth birthday when
a portrait OF himself by Lenbach was given to him
by his present and former assistants. Many OF the
old pupils Of Bergman attended the celebration
some from distant cities
The Rev Dr. Lyman Jewett. who died the other
day at Fitchburg Mass. at the age OF eighty-four
Tclugus OF India from Is4s to iss5. He translated
the Bible into the Telegu language.
Booker r. Washington will be one Of the speakers
the Lincoln Day banquet OF the Ohio Republican
League al GAINESVILLE on February Il.
The Rev. DR.. Russell II. ConwelI. pastor Of Grace
Baptist Church, Philadelphia. will go to Cuba the
latter part OF this month"; find out II possible the
true state Of affairs in that country.
Antocosky. the Russian sculptor charged with
executing the busts OF the Car and Czarina. has
just left Paris for st. Petersburg with hts two
works completed. They destined to ornament
the private apartments OF Their Matesties Be.
fore they left Paris they were seen by President
That OF the Car IL In bronze, while the Empress y
represented in white marble.
Professor Samuel r. Dutton has been ofYically 40.
pointed lecturer In Harvard University. His sub
ect will be psdagogics In 1881 Professor Dgtton
Brookne. Mass. while before that he was In
charge Of the public school system OF New-Haven.
1t Is reported that Postmaster General Wilson
will accept the presidency OF Washington and Lee
University when he leaves the Cabinet.
The Rev. Edward Waite Miller, a recent graduate
Of the seminary who has just been naugurated az
the Hyde Professor of Ecclesiastical History and
Church Poty OF the Auburn Theological Seminary
takes his place among the younger scholars who
promise 10 add many valuable contributions TO the
study OF Church history. His inaugural address
was an able discussion of the influence OF John
Wyckliffe upon the Lutheran Reformation He
took the ground that Wycklire anticipated many Of
the declarations OF Luther. and that Luther,
through the BOhemans received convictions which
the Bohemans had received from wyckliNe
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

BILE the DEGREES of the district organizations
He said he did not believe his subordinates
were subject TO Civil Service rules and that he
meant to let political considerations determine
their selection This principle he faithfully
carried out In appointing his lending assistants,
and he gathered about him men whom he never
would have thought of choosing on any other
basis. Then he prepared 10 turn over the
cerkshps TO the machine but here he came 10
a standstill. Mr. Olcott Is a good lawyer and
an honest man. as well as politician. he had
no objection TO doing all he could In his office
for his political friends but he also had regard
for his oath and meant faithfully to obey the
laws and the Constitution Seeking to convince
himself that he might properly distribute
places TO his partsans he convinced hiinseii
that he had no right to do any such thing. Ac-
cordlngly he Is going TO have competitive exam
nations for the subordinate positions in his Of
fee. and machine man OF machine men, OK
tend the application Of the Civil Service rules
over an entirely new field.
This situation must cause chagrn TO potl-
clans. TO have their own man frankly concede
the case of the refOrmers must take the hear'
out Of their efforts To "get around the Cons'i-
tuition. If Mr.. OcOft whom they put forward
cannot help them, in what are they 10 'r"S'
They do not directly lose many offices by his
action, but the moral effect of 1t must be ire
mendous 1t will be interesting to note their
attitude toward his request TO the Legislature
for board of examiners or for directions 10
ask the services Of some existing board VIII
they do what he asks. and thus extend the
sway Of the hated system. or Will they treat
their own man, who was ready to serve them so
far as he could without breaking his OATH as
they would serve Il mere refOrmer who made
irresponsible assaults upon them and tried TO
put too much starch into their politics!
Meanwhile Civil Service refOrmers may well
devote themselves to correcting every weakness
and every impracticabe feature In their sys-
tenn The wrath of the spokesman is made to
serve them They must do their work so well
and so wisely as to convert those unwilingly
forced into their circle.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
THIRTY-TWO PAGES,
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

roREIGN.-Measures for relief OF me s. "a, .
,sor,s of India are being undertaken on a
;arge scale in England. - Seha'o' s IN
arrived in London on his mission IN psn.' cue
ternational bimetallism - III, 90 !. about
fering from the effects OF overwoIh, an
90 taEe a two months vacation AT LNao"'
CONGRESS- The Senate was not III seSsioi
w fIonse Debate on the Pacific Haliroao
Eupd,ne bill was finished in commune VI .
whole and the bill with amendments Mas ~
,,on,ad 70 the House: proceedings against ao-
sentees from Friday nights session were
dropped. co,oro,
DoNEsTIC. Long or Generi.
Draper it is thought. will be selected os Si" ~
Mckinley to represent a"as Sere poisoned
nv unknown persons at Highland Fails, ~. : :,
including a collie valued dt *'VVV IN nc so,,urss
from 7 p Morgan's kennels. - Inc Iai," ~
were announced of a bank in Nebraska anu o 's
g., 81 paul Mimi 80 Troops continue 10 hoio
In check the riotous miners OF Ottawa III LA,
The metals schedule was reviewed d. VIZ ~ 80
hearing before the Ways and Means '0i'iii ,ao,t
In washington - The report that fresIuem'
George p Roberts Of the Pennsylvama nan
road &c TO retire was denied at the omces oi inc
company in Philadelphia
c1ry-General Horace Porter was guest OF
honor at q dinner Of the Lotos Ciup. - nc
irnion League Committee Of Fifty made arrange
,,,ents for going to Albany TO urge the cahouacy
~ Joseph H. Choate for the Senate: = fuI
,her testimony was taken In the trial OF ro,ce
Captain Chapman on charges srowins gu. H. '
bert B. Seeley's dinner. - Ferries ana ran ran,
chses were considered by the Greater New ors
Commission. - Justice Lawrence over ,.a;,s q
an apparently respectable woman to the work.
house on a charge Of disorderly conduct -
Stocks were weak under profit sales
THE Neutrality-suspicious. for to-day: FAR
and warmer. The Temperature Yesterday; HIGH
est. 81 degrees lowest. %; average. 3l's.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
POLICEMAN AND MAGISTRATE.

The case Of Mrs. SOmers ought not to close
with her release from the Workhouse. She was
arrested on the street by policeman who ac-
cused her of the worst offence which can be
alleged against an honest woman. She was con-
demned practically without a hearing by Magis
trate Mott, who unhesitatingy accepted the
officers unsupported testimony refused to let
her husband or anybody else defend her char
acter, and sent her to Blackwelrs Island for
five days. Yesterday she was brought before
Justice Lawrence on a writ Of habeas corpus
and discharged because of technical error in
the commitment which made it unnecessary to
inquire into the merits Of the case This would
be unfortunate if there were to he no subsequent
opportunity for putting the facts OH record, but
we understand that the policeman who made the
arrest will be summoned to Justify his action.
II is certainly to be hoped that neither fear Of
a uniform nor aversion TO further publicity will
prevent full disclosure of the truth, for enough
Is known already to warrant the belief that the
prosecution of this woman was hdeOus blum
der. II 1t was not a still more abomnable out
rage Not only her husband but her landlord,
a former employer and many perfectly respect
able neghbors have testified to her good char
acter and the Warden Of the WOrkhouse never
felt doubt Of 1t from the moment he saw her.
She appears TO be not merely innocent but an
unusually industrious and capable woman, whose
devotion to her husband in his misfortunes has
been recognized by all who know her. All these
statements. we say, are supported by numerous
witnesses On the other side is the declaration
OF one young policeman, and nothing else. Is 1t
possible that an elaborate conspiracy OF falsih-
cation has been concocted for the purpose OF
clearing her and running faithful officer? Or
did fool in uniform make a dreadful mistake?
Or did an ambitious probationer deliberately re-
solve TO win by damnable means false title to
prefcrment? In any case the facts ought 10 be
ascertained.
The Tribune is not engaged in the business OF
dscredIting the police. 1t has repeatedly de-
Tended them against loose and seemingly ma
iciors accusations. and expects 10 do so when
ever occasion arises but the state Of things
which this incident apparently illustrates Is a
matter of very serious interest to every citizen.
Justly or otherwise. the impression Is becoming
nreyaleut that no woman Is secure against in
famous affronts from policemen In the streets
Of New-York after dark. with all the probable
consequences OF arraignment before Magistrate
Mott. And the mention Of that mans name sug-
pests several considerations which are OF pro-
found interest to him and to this community.
Either he is the most perslstently maligned offi-
r,s, who ever sat on the bench in NewYork, or
else be is utterly and dsgracefully unfit to exer-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

Of the State and MI it, civil divisions must b
made a. far as practicable by competitive exam.
nations. Governor Black thinks It would b.
wise to permit appointing officers to select any
name from the eligible lists made UP for the
various Offices. instead Of Iiniiting them to the
highest three names. az IL now done. In the
opinion OF competent judges. this would virtu
ally do away with the competitive feature alto =.
gether. and II 80. It would plainly be unconsti.
tutional Anyhow. II IL just one Of the things
which the sposmen want who are intent on
breaking down the Civil Service system. II 10
much to be regretted that Governor Black has
ranged himself on their side.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
NO PLACE FOR COLLEGE FRANKS.

The tradition Of non-interference with college
boys is strong with policemen the world over.
Allowance Is not improperly made for youth
full spirits and traditions. Even the most crusty
misanthropc is willing to put up with some
noise and "A little scufiling In the name OF col
1ece snort In small towns students are al
lowed TO parade the streets at all hours and
nobody is over-rightcOus in condemning such
lonscs into barllarism as gnstealing. II II does
no, 90 too far. II is all very foolish and I'M
necessary. and il might ns well he abolished
lust as the more violent forms of hazng have
been abolished but IL Is a survival OF the I'M
ru,v instinct of Young crca lures. which Is toer-
ated because II is natural and comparatively
harmless.
But the manifestation Of this spirit shown
on Friday night by the Columbia boys was one
which the University authorities should rigidly
discourage Perhaps the pranks INDUCED in
might be par,loned in country town. but In
n city like this they should not be tolerated.
There are too many people here. too many dis
orderly elements, 10 permit body OF young
men TO play with law and order and invade
public conveyances To the annoyance OF passen-
gers. There Is great difference between kid
mapping fellow and locking him up In col
lege dormtory and laying hand upon him In
our crowded streets and dragging him forcibly,
not about private grounds. where he willingly
allows the sway Of custom. but about public
places where all have rights which must not he
invaded. II the police are to allow a Madison
ave. car to he held up by college boys while n
scuf1e takes place within It, to the discontinue
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

7As 7tybnne h-day consists cf7Arre Pdrt' f'nfai"-
fng Ni,1y-tuo Pages, and, III addition, "7acinkIrs.
a colo,ed pictorial scertty of SIXTEEN pages Sft that
,ow nrio5dealf, snathrs Jo" wihA complete eebv
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

Governor Matthews recommends that COM
pulsory education law be passed in Indiana.
That is all right. But after they get the law
they will find that enforcing II is different
matter. We have had compulsory education on
the statute-book in this State for years. but
the proper discipline Of truants Is In It's ele-
mentary stage and. besides. we do not provide
schools enough in our cities to accommodate all
who wish to go to school Of their own free will.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

In reducing by about 40 per cent the member
ship of the proposed Municipal Assembly the
charter-makers have done well We are not
sure but they would have done still better if
they had made reduction of 100 per cent.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

We are not entering on career OF conquest
but II Denmark wants to part with her West In
dia islands we ought to secure them.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

TRIBUNE TERMS TO MAIL 81
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New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

After week Of fog and rain and SOFT
weather generally January has given us in the
last four days such perfect atmospheric condl-
lions that 1t has been delight to both soul
and body to be out Of doors. In cycling circles
there has recently been some discussion Of the
question of winter riding All doubt has been
removed from the minds Of those who have been
able to 20 wheeling since Wednesday last, and
those who have done so have been numbered by
thousands including, we are glad to say con-
siderable number Of women. Except during the
middle Of the day the air tas been rather frosty.
but only sufficiently so to be exharatins. De-
cember was severe on the devotees OF cycling.
but January Is making gallant attempt to
atone for the deficiencies Of its predecessor.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
Speaking Of raids. the thrifty Boer can give
points to the sharpest Outlander.

Both Weyler and His Satanic Majesty arr
doubtless we'll content that enthusiasts SHOULD
burn them In effigy so long as they are allowed
in their proper persons to continue business a
their old stands.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10

The blue blood Of Don Carlos Is so stirred be-
cause his daughter preferred being the wife OF
an artist with some art to being the wife OF a
prince without a throne, that he contemplates
abdcatng the kingdom which he does not pos