davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT.

Up to date there have been introduced
into the Legislature as many as nine bills
designed to provide for the improvement
of public highways. That many have
been already submitted and there may be
more to come. 1t is not surprising to
learn therefore that the Assembly Com
mittee on Roads and Highways has
under consideration plan for combining
them into one measure, which will COM
prehend the best features of all.
The introduction of so mauybills deal
ing with the subject is only another evil
dence of the widespread public interest
taken in it. Nearly every Legislature in
the Union now in session is occupied
more or less with this issue of highway
Improvements. 1t has become one of the
foremost questions of State politics and is
receiving attention everywhere.
The report of the Bureau of Highways
in this State to which we called attention
a short timc ago showed very clearly the
need of better system of managing our
public thoroughfares than that which now
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
PARAGRAPHS ABOUT PEOPLE.

Harry Rundle of Atchison County, Missouri,
sets up claim as the champion corn husker
of the world.
1t is said that the wife of Negus Menelek OF
Abyssinia inspects and reviews the soldiers
like any officer, and that she thoroughly enjoys
the work.
Kaiser Wilhelm's jubilee cup, to be raced for
by British yachts next summer OF the occa-
is three feet high. The course of the ra ce viii
be from Dover to Heligoland.
Cadet George Mason Lee, q son of the General
Lee who is Consul at Havana, has been
"plucked' at West Point. His grandfather,
Robert E. Lee, and his father, Fitz- Hugh Lee,
stood high in their respective classes.
AIphonso XIII, the young King of Spain,
was born May IT, 1886, not quite six mon ths
after the death of his father, Alphonso XII
He is, therefore, in his eleventh year, and ac-
cording to the constitution will be of age
at 16.
Congressman Hurley has introduced bill to
appropriate $4,000 to erect in Washington q
bronze equestrian statue of General Henry w.
Slocum, who commanded the army of Georgia,
the lett wing of Sherman's army, on the mar ch
to the sea.
Baroness Burdett- Coutts is said to be great
admirer of the pluck of Cecil Rhodes in his
efforts to develop Rhodesia. To every selected
young man who promises to settle in that
possession ana who chooses wife from
among the young women in her charitable
institutions she will present $500.
NJ Doumer, Minister OF Finance in the Bour-
geois Cabinet of France and the author of the
income tax scheme, has accepted the Governor
ship OF Tonquin, vacant by the death OF NJ. Ar
mand Rousseau. M. Doumer was born at
AurIllac in 1887, is a barrister and journalist
and has sat four years in the Chamber.
Mrs. Stevens, wife of the new Governor of
Missouri, has sent out edict to the effect
that, though she "admires well-dressed men
and women" the doors of the Governors man
sion will not be closed against man who
doesn't own or doesn't care to wear dress
suit. There had been a widely circulated
rumor that the "swallowtail' was to be sine
qua non for attendance upon state social func-
tions in Missouri.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

prevails, and as the tone OF the press In
the interior of the State reveals the urgent
desire OF the people almost everywhere Tor
improved roads it is certain the Legisla-
ture can do nothing more calculated to
win the approval of the people than to de-
wise good method of making our high
ways better and more economical.
1t is calculated that the State is expend-
ing about 81, 100000 annually on country
roads. The greater portion of this is en-
pIoyed simply in making repairs, ana
does not add anything to the permanent
Improvement of the highways. 1t is be-
lieved that if good system of road con-
struction could be devised and placed un-
der proper supervision, so that 1t Will be
thoroughly carried out, the greater por-
ton of the State can be soon supplied
with good and well constructed roads
entailing very little cost for maintenance
without any increased taxation.
For these reasons the people Will watcn
with more than ordinary attention the
report which is to be made by the Com
mittee on Roads and Highways. Undoubt.
edly in the nine bills which have been
laid before that com mmittee there are many
good features, and it is hardly less sub-
ject of doubt that there are also many
that would prove injurious rather than
helpful to our road system. The COM
mittee which proposes to revise them all
and combine them into single measure
is therefore intrusted with one OF the most
responsible duties imposed upon this
Legislature.
The bill to be submitted will have to
pass under the criticism OF thousands of
interested parties. Every county in the
State will be concerned in it, and each of
them will have something to commend or
disapprove. Whatever measure is pro-
posed Will have to meet all the opposition
sure to result from conflicting interests,
but if the bill should prove to be good
one the people as a whole will warmly
approve the Legislature in enacting it.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
Letters From the People.
THE BAKER MONUMENT.

a Plea for Memorial to the Patriot
Statesman and Soldier.
Editor Call, San Francisco, Cdl.-DEAR SIR:
Your editorial in Sundays CALL favoring the
bill recently introduced into the Legislature
to erect monument to the memory and worth
of Senator E. d. Baker deserves the commen-
dation of not only every citizen of California,
but the citizens OF the Pacific Coast.
1t is step in the right direction. Let US at
least hear as much of the appre citation of
honor, merit, bravery, patriotism of men
already tried as we see and hear depicted the
shortcomings of men now living. Few places
in the world more than this coast seem to
exert themselves in keeping before the public
lives and characters unwholesome to study
and contemplate.
We are still new part of the Republic and
our roll of great men and women must neces-
sarily be limited, but for this very reason we
should at least do meet honor and justice to
the few great and good who have labored be-
fore US.
In some of our Eastern cities the hum blest
boy can seldom go to and from his school with
out seeing somewhere a tribute to the great
and useful services of some man. How many
breasts of city waits and country lads have
been filed with enthusiasm ambition and
noble aims by the sight Of Lincoln's statue in
Chicago, Grants in New York or Hendricks
IN lnulaDapOllSl statue, mOnu ment ap-
peals to the boy as the pages Of history appeal
to the man.
The writer is not native son of the Pacific
Coast, but has for years been an admirer OF
Senator Baker and is constantly being sur
prised at the native sons for their lack of in
formation and appreciation of the character
and services of that distinguished citizen.
It is now over thirty-fve years since Senator
Baker, with the dust OF the battlefield on his
epaulets, the sword of the Union bv his side.
entered the Senate chamber during the de-
and then, clad In full soldiers uniform, rose
and in one of the most dramatic. effective and
patriotic speeches ever heard in the Senate
hurled secession back to his Southern foe. 1t
is now over thirtv-five years since Senator
Bakers seat in the Senate was vacant while he
was dying a soldiers death al Balls Bluff.
James G. Blaine, in his Twenty Years of Con-
gress," has this to say OF him: Senator
Baker was man of extraordinary gifts of eo-
of popular assemblies, tribune Of the people.
In personal appearance he was commanding,
in manner most q ttractive, in speech irresis t.
IDLY charming. Perhaps in the history of the
Senate nc man ever left so brilliant a reputa-
tion from short SERVICE" Writing of his
great reply to Breckenridge, Blaine says: at
is i'm possible to realize the effect OF the words
so eloquently pronounced by the Senator from
Oregon. In the history of the Senate no more
thrilling speech was ever delivered
If none less than James G. Blaine fifteen
years ago held Senator Baker in such hig h
esteem surely his friends and constituents OF
the Pacific Coast need no more than thirty
five years in which to give evidence of their
appreciation and high regard for the char
acter and services OF Senator Baker.
TI,,txr ~ NoI
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
AN X-RAY ON THE
SUPREME COURT
lis Creditable Showing in
the Disposal of
Cases.
Some Statistics That Will Re
Laid Before the Present
Legislature.
Prominent Lawyers Debate on the
Value of a Cons stitutional
Commission.

The motive which actusted the Bar
Association in desiring a constitutional
amendment for judicial reform is gener-
ally conceded to be belief that the Su-
preme Court is not able to handle all the
cases that come before it on appeal.
This idea seems to be generally preva-
lent in local legal circles, but is denied by
those who have made close study OF the
subject. Under certain conditions, easily
obtalnable. the supporters of the present
system say, the Supreme Court would not
only be able to keep UP with all cases ad-
mitted for a rehearing, but would have
leisure time.
Chief Justice Beatty was asked for in
formation on the subject yesterday, but
replied that he was not in position to in
dulge In any comment.
81 will say this much, however," he
added, "that the court is not by any
means in such arrears on cases as the
idea generally prevalent among the legal
fraternity would indicate"
Secretary D. B. Woolf of the Supreme
Court Commission, who has been con-
nected with the Supre me Court since 1870,
was next consulted. He is now at work,
and has been for several days, on report
to be handed to the Judiciary Committee
of the Legislature.
While he cared to make no comments
or draw no conclusions, he furnished the
following summary of data that will be
provided the Judiciary Committee:
When the Supreme Court Commission
went into existence in 1885, on June l OF
that year. the Supreme Court was 1908
cases in arrears.
During the first four years of the COM
mission there were 25S9 cases on appeal.
During the last four years there have been
3417, showing a net gain of 82S cases.
In 1895 cases TO the numbe OF 500 were
disposed of, and in 1896 cases mum bering
879 were settled.
On January 1, 1897, there remained 671
cases undisposed of, new and old. This
includes the last transcript filed in 1896.
This would give the court the record OF
disposing OF the 1908 cases to which it fell
heir. and of keeping the calendar clear OF
all but the additional cases in the last
four years, and even 157 of them.
Prominent lawyers have expressed
themselves that the Supreme Court oi
California accomplishes on an average as
much as any like body in the Union, and
that all necessary to their disposing OF
appeal cases as fast as they arise is a
constitutional commission to handle the
old cases now on hand. The time of their
oisposal, IL mas oeen suggested, snouIo De
limited. The difficulties now confronting G
the Supreme Court, according to the
statistical deductions, might further be
obviated by increasing the jurisdic ton OF
the lower courts from $500 to at least $1,000
or $500 A majority of the cases involv-
ing finance coming before the court are
judgments of less than 5000.
In looking over the books the CLERKS
find that at the present time the Supreme
Court is only ten months behind the last
filings.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Francis Smith, the manufacturer, OF 130
Beale street, who owns a ranch near Santa
Clara, has q fve-year-old adopted son of whom
he is very proud. Mr.. Smith lives on the
ranch and from his home place he votes. He
is an ardent Republican and follower OF Nc
Kinley.
In the last campaign he did what great
many other men did-worked and talked Tor
the Napoleon of Canton. The adopted son,
Freddie Munroe Smith, imbibed the same
wholesome political doctrine. To all the little
boys and girls he met he announced that he
was going to vote for Mckinley.
This led to some talk from others that he
couldn't vote, that he was too young.
well, will vote for him anyway, you will
see," was his response.
1t turned out that way, for on election day,
when Mr.. Smith, the elder, was starting for
the polls the young statesman asked that he
be permitted to go along and vote. The re-
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

When Mark Twain private secretary to his oother
Nevada by Lincoln in 1861 the Governor OF the TERRITORY
General James W. Nye who when Nevada was admitted
the Union elected represent the state
in the Senate If Mark needed encouragement In his
storytelling procyities he must found it in the society
of the Governor he had few superors one
the generals good stories related to the last hours OF
miner who died while he Governor One day
old man arrived in town visit to friend He had
with varying luck wandering the mines of Cali
fornia since the 49, but at last had made strike and
learning wisdom from experience, had sated down. snug
fortune determined enjoy the evening OF his life in
onal invitation of old mining partner he had
long stage journey bay to the Nevada
capital his arrival he seized with serious
illness and his host, who religious man, became
alarmed that TO call clergyman. The guest
however declined clerical assistance in relieving his
science of its burden Finally the doctor said day that
the sick had but few hours TO live and he could
geed that minister of the Gospel should be asked
world With in his host again besought his
ministrations of clergyman. The mobund man.
pillow and, artcuating with difficulty replied: "I
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
NEW TO-DAY.
A MOTHER KNOWS.
some rhing, People DON'T Thinl

Some Things People Don't Think of.
"Just why it is that children at the
breakfast table will beg for a little more
coffee day after day l am unable to say,
except that they have a deeply rooted
desire to have what their parents do in
the way of food and drink. Then be-
lieve they naturally like something hot to
sip with spoon. At any rate the de-
mand is there and I'm bIest if it isn't
hard to get over when one has three or
four in the family. But we can't give our
young folks coffee to drink. Every one
knows its effect on children, and it seems
almost criminal to set before the innocents
something we know will harm then"
So speaks a thoughtful mother. aud to
such the grain coffee, Postum, comes as
blessing TO solve the vexed question.
DIR. w. Ii. Pierson, Medical Advance"
6351 Stewart avenue, Chicago. says; I'VE
know of your Postum and are very much
pleased with it. Decidedly opposed to the
use of both tea and coffee"
Postum will pass for coffee with nine
out of ten people if they are not warned in
advance. 1t has the deep seal brown OF
old Java and changes to the rich golden
brown OF thick Mocha when cream is
added. 1t is made wholly and entirely of
pure grains of the field, wheat, etc., such
as are intended by the Creator for
mans use in this latitude. Postum, the
health coffee, can be drunk as freely as
water without any OF the i'll effects of
coffee, and in week or ten days time the
old coffee-user will note marked change
in his feelings and flesh. 1t makes red
blood in the natural way and agrees with
ba abies or grown people. Made by the
Postum Cereal Company Limited) OF
Battle Greek, Mich.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

quest was acceded to, and when Mr.. Smith
had folded his ticket the election officers per-
mitted the young gentleman TO vote 1t. 1t
was glad moment for the youthful patriot,
and he made not little OF it in talking to
those he knew.
More than this, he sat down and wrote let
ter to Major Mckinley apprising him of the
fact. He also narrated that he was but five
years old and was glad Mckinley had been
elected. This reply came back in few days:
Mr. Mckinley begs to acknowledge the receipt
OF the recent favor of Mr.. Frederick Munroe
Smith, and returns thanks for his generous con-
gratulations and good wishes.
The autograph of the President-elect was
also inclosed. With it was letter:
WILLIAM MCKINLEY,
CANTON, OHIO
Jan. 4, 1897.
Master Freddie NJ Smith, Dana Fdrm-MY DEA R
YOUNG SIR: In compliance wi, h your request you
will find inclosed Major McKinley's signature
These souvenirs will be carefully preserved.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
N ADVANCE OF COMPETITORS.
PHILADELPHIA Ledger.

1.-THE United States party" of which General
Coxey is the head and front, has at least one
plank in its platform which might well be
adopted by all the others. 1t demands good
roads. In this respect the new party may be
in advance of its older competitors, but it is
not in advance of public opinion. Little by
little popular interest in the subject of road
making is being aroused, and whether politi-
cal parties incorporate demand for good
roads In their platforms or not public senti-
ment is beginning to express itself so unmis-
takabiy on the subject that a general move
ment in that direction may be expected in
very few years.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23


you the eoppot
Of the human mind viii
regard and will
n he
sur n Iedh article and be convinced
And,m
a
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
a Repiy to Sfrictmres Made Upon the
Director General by Major Il. a.
Sherman,
SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. %, 1s9'

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. %, 1897.
To the Editor of the Cdll-DEAR SIR: In jus-
tice to myself kindly publish the following
resolution as my reply 10 the unwarranted at
tack upon me by E. a. Sherman in your
paper:
''WHEREAs, H. A. Greene. .director-general of
the California jubilee celebration held in
Monterey july 4. 5, 8 and z, 1896 did at all
times faithfully and honorably discharge the
duties of his responsible position, CARRYING
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
Town Talk This Week.

The current issue of Town Talk is an un-
usually interesting one, even for that lively
and entertaining weekly. An amusing letter
appears from "Assemblyman Dough" at Sac
ceives cons iderable attention from an analyti-
cal vet just standpoint by the journals musical
critics The Saunterer has discovered some
good stories worth telling in his perigrina-
tions about town, while society and the drama
are reviewed in readable style.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
HIS FASHIONABLE WIFE.

She dresses with exquisite taste;
The finest Of raiment she loves;
No ribbon is ever misplaced,
And daintily fine are her gloves.
She's never attired in haste
The idea would give her the chillk
She dresses with exquisite taste
And 1 have to foot all the bills.
She dresses with exquisite taste;
II er costumes are sober but nice:
Their style Is so simple and chaste!
And, Jupiter! look at the price
The girdIe that circles her waist
With ecstasy seemingly thrills.
She dresses with exquisite taste
And l have to foot all the bills.
-Somerville Journal
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
NEWSPAPER PLEASANTLY.

He-Can you tell me the difference between
an Irishman frozen to death and Highlander
on cold day?
She-No
He-well, ones kilt with the cold and
t'other's cold with the kilt.-London Funny
Cuts.
''This is the mostintelligent dog ever saw"
remarked Mr.. Blykins. ''He understands
every word say to him."
"Isn't that-er-a slight exaggeration 2
'Not bit of it. If he didn't understand,
how would he succeed infallibly in doing ex-
actly the opposite thing ?"-Washington Star.
Bunson (amazed)-That your uncle Why,
man, you told me your uncle had both his legs
carried away at Sedan.
Jmson-So he did. He carried them away
himself, pretty fast, tell you!-London Tit
Bits.
"WeIl, Teddy, have you been good boy to-
day 2" asked his mother upon her return
home late in the afternoon.
mo, ma'am," replied the truthful Ted.
81 hope you have not been bad boy p
''No, ma'am; not very bad boy and not
very good boy-just comfor table P'-Harper's
Round Table.
Charitable Old Lady Ito little beggar-girl)-
There's some bread for you. It's day or two
old, but you can tell your mother to take
three or four fresh eggs, quart of milk, cup
of sugar, some good butter and half grated
nutmeg and she can make very excellent
pudding ofit.-Dublin Times.
Kind Old Gentleman Ito small boy crying on
the ttep)-What is the matter, little boy9
Small Boy-I-p-pop is putting down
c-c-arpet.
"And does that unpleasant task of your
father make you so sorry, then 2?
dad h ic hmm
"Ah! Sympathy for your fathers pain. Is
that what makes you weep? ?'
"N-n-no. l-llaughed- "-Christian Advo-
cate.
First Pig-And they'll cut US up for pork and
use our skins to make footballs
Second P1g-Well, If they ever make foot
ball out OF my skin, II be glad I'm not in it
Puck.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

ced that there is no more wonderful city I'D tne
world than San Francisco. The writer OF tnls
most entertaining article has toucheo iahiiiat
things as with magIcian's wand ana mas poi-
trayed them as they should and will De.
Don't lose the opportunity Oh reaoine
about it!
Let us speak word for the Children's rage!
You know how full of excellent readlns IL
always is and how the little ones love 10 nave
it read to them?
Then don't fail to read them the story Oh
"Uncle Abe" which appears this sunday. II
is too good for them to miss. The Illustration
that accompanies these lines gives an loea OF
the scenes upon which it dwells. All the niue
ones will find enjoyment in the tale OF ohcie
Abe and Aunt Dlnah.
Think OF living up to the neck In great tuos
of water, heated to the temperature oil your
blood!
Mol This is not about sirens, or mermalds'
or sea-nymphs; but about human beings JUST
like yourself who live and die with their
bodies immersed in water clear up to their
chlns.
Why do they do this and how do they man
age to exist?
That is what THE SUNDAY CALL is going to
tell you and in such an interesting way that
you'll wish to see this wonderful thing for
yourself.
There will be also a continuation OF those
sxyeet nrose nOems s'Idylg of the Field - which
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
CALIFORNIANS IN NEW YORK,

NEW YORK, N. Y, Jan. 22.-At the Plaza,
}. H. CLARK Manhattan, c. F. Briggs, c. L. Beal; /;
Continental, Miss D. Harper, Mrs NJ. J. Tur-
ner; Amsterdam, Miss Nicholas. d. G. Davis
is here buying for R. WE'LL & Co.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

"Do you believe there is any ything in the
saying that it is always darkest just before
dawn?'
81 don't know anything about 1t. We've got
baby at our house and have to keep the light
burning all night'-Cleveland Leader.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

There is no economy in wrangling over
the stuffed payroll scandal to the neglect
OF important business ana delay in urgent
work
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

SPECIAL information daily to manufacturers,
business houses and public men by the Press
Clipping Bureau (Allens), $40 Montgomery
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

The New York sculptor who has been
sued by his model will hardly give her a
recommendation for good form.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
Phillips ROCK Island Excursions

hHHIIIPs ISOcA IsIaAu LAcursIOnB
Leave San Francisco every Wednesday, via Ria
Grande and Rock Island Railways. Through
tourist sleeping-car to Chicago and Boston. Man
ager and porters accompany these excursions to
Boston. For tickets, sleeping-car accommodations
and further information. address Clinton Jones
General Agent Rock Island Railway, 80 Mons
gomery street. san Francisco
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

Queen Victoria's favorite flower is the rose,
but she has bed of plnks at Osborne, near
which she likes to drink tea.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

Coxey has started on a tour to organize
a new party, and Bryan will have to
hustle if he wishes to keep his gang to-
oether
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

A study of the interior press shows that
the demand of the people on the LegisIa-
ture is first for economy, second good
roads and third some more economy.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

OF the arbitration treaty it may be said
that if it is an agreement" it may go, but
if it is an alliance" it will have to go.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

In declaring ''everybody favors the in
dependence of the Senate" Senator Turpie
was mistaken. There are lots of people
who think it ought to have trocha
round it.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23

The Stockton Hail refers to the Princess
Chimay as "unspeakable, but that de-
pends, of course, on the way the title is
pronounced.