davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
Personal AND OTHER WISE.

Joaquin Miller didn't carry with him to
Dawson City enough poetic fire to protect his
ears and his toes.
The will of the late Mrs. John Drew has
been probated, and her estate, which amounts
to only $500, Is given to her children
The senior partner OF Bass, the great Eng
fish brewing concern, is alleged to have
made an income of s1750O00 last year.
George Thatcher. the well known minstrel
has cast his lot with Bacchus, and will In
future be found presiding over a roadhouse
at Fanwood. N. j.
John 70. Leavitt OF Portsmouth, N. H.. has
had gavel made from original oak in the old
frigate Constitution, and has sent ii as
present TO the Massachusetts, Society of the
American Revolution.
A Buffalo magistrate became very angry
because prisoner every time he was asked
for his name replied init" Affairs became
quieter when it was learned that the mans
name was Herman Nit.
The Austrian government has enlarged
the boundaries OF Vienna to such an extent
that the metropolitan area is now half as
large as London. twice as large as Paris and
three times larger than Berlin. Yet Vienna
is declining In prosperity.
Ex-Governor Robert e. Pattison is being
pushed forward for the democratic nominu-
tioa for governor in Pennsylvania, Some
person OF the ex-governor's size rs needed to
give the democracy some vitality and re-
bpecthDllly III the heyslOue state.
Judge Albert Boynton, who died the other
day at the Alma (Mich) 0lnitarium. was Tor
twenty-five years the political editor OF the
Detroit Free Press, purchasing an interest in
the paper in 1872 He was a descendant,
through his mother, of John Alden.
Indiana has produced musical prodigy In
Lulu Craxton, aged g. The papers of that
state are making a great to-do about her
genius. They say she can play on the piano
or organ anything she once hears. and has
been able TO do II since she was years old
Some enterprlsing space-hler has trans
ported from Creede, Colo, to an obscure
corner OF New York state "soapy" Smiths
"petrifei giant" manufactured out OF
cement, and unloaded a graphic description
OF the "fnd," with photographs, on the New
York Herald. II ''Soapy" is dead, his spirit
is marching on.
John Clifford OF Princeton, n. j., farmer
and editor, who is well acquainted with real
estate values there, says that Mr.. Cleye-
lands selection of Princeton as a place OF
residence has increased the value OF real
estate so per cent. That is to say" said
Mr. clifford, ''Mr. Cleyelands coming at the
same time with several New York Million
aires has turned the attention OF certain
class OF people 70 Princeton as a place OF
residence. with this effect upon values"
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
oMAnA LAW srspENpERS

Several British kings got into trouble
because they insisted upon the divine
right 10 suspend law. One Of these
royal outlaws lost his golden crown and
n second lost his head as well. In
Omaha there is body that assumes to
he not only above law themselves,
but TO have the right to suspend law for
other people at their pleasure.
This august body of Omaha outlaws
goes by the name of the reform Fire and
Police Commission While each and
every member of this board has taken
solemn oath to obey and uphold the
law. the three who constitute the dom
inant majority have boldly and defantly
violated the law at every step. Not
content with n display Of rank partisan
ship and lawlcss favorltism, they en-
tered into a conspiracy by which liquor
dealers were forced by threats and mis-
representation TO pay tribute TO their
newspaper organ, knowing all the time
that in so doing they would be acces-
sories TO blackmail and cxtorlion. 10
carry out the Infamous sale OF indul-
gences these commissioners have male
a travcsty of Justice and openly encour-
aged the violation of law by pretending
to suspend its operation for the benefit
of liquor dealers who violate 1t with
their connivancc and consent. American
Judges have in some instances suspended
the enforcement of law by injunction on
allegations of unconstitutionality, but
no body exercising judicial functions in
this country has ever had the audacity
to nullify law by proclaiming its sus-
pension TO accommodate political favor
ties or victims of its own coercion.
The statutes of Nebraska absolutely
prohibit under severe penalties the sale
of liquor without a license legally is
sued, and licensing boards are barred
from granting licenses to any applicant
who has violated this provision of the
law during the year preceding. In dell
ance of this mandate the outlaw police
commissioners have voted to grant
licenses TO applicants whose violation OF
the law has been proved by uncontro-
vcrted sworn testimony before them.
The three police board Dogberries ac-
tually contend that the law prohibiting
the unlicensed sale of liquor is sus-
pended while the application fer license
is pending and unacted on.
This beats the divine right of kings.
If the Omaha law suspendcrs can hang
up part of the license law what is to
prevent them from hanging up the
whole of It? If these lawless law sus-
penders can grant indulgence to liquor
dealers for two weeks, why not for two
months or two years? If they can sus-
| pend the license law why can they not
suspend the laws against larceny, bur
glary and highway robbery, which have
been practically suspended under their
notorious police maladministration!
Why not suspend the whole city char
ter and let the rump police commission
| run the town wide open for all crime
and vice?
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17


The decision is based on broad principles
and on the language of the city's charter.
Local. municipal self-government, the opn-
ion declares, is an inherent, inalienable
right. and the legislature has no power to
destroy 1t. 1t may not confer upon the gov
ernor power to appoint local officers OF the
municipality. Once grant that the state
take charge of the police department and
fire department of a city without the con-
sent of the municipality (assuming that the
people can surrender their right to self
government, which is doubtfuD, and it in
evitably follows that the state can take
charge of all the departments and servants
of the city through governor made appoint
ments. This, clearly, is a reductio ad alb
surdum of the entire case for state commits
sions to do local work.
OF course, it is possible to regard commits
sioners appointed under a state law not as
local. but as state officers. but in that case
the state ought to pay their salaries. To
make the citizens of Omaha pay these sal
aries is to impose tax without the right
of representation or choice. The police power
Of the state does not warrant any such use
of the taxing power. 1t is limited by the
fundamental rights of the municipal sub
divisions of the state with regard to taxa
tion and self-regulation within the general
lou
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
RETRBUTToY AND CONTRIBUTION

RETRiBUTION AND CONTRIBUTION.
Edgar Howard, the Paplllion popo-
cratic oracle, now says that II the pro-
prietor of the World Herald ever got
the benefit of the stealings of Bolln
and BARLEY he should be sent to the
penitentiary to keep those embezzlers
company. AS the charges, repeatedly
made, that the World Herald man not
only had credit slip for stolen city
money in the municipal cash drawer,
but also secured financial accommoda-
tions by favor of the embezzling state
treasurer, Edgar Howard has no eX-
cuse for longer delaying calling upon
the popocratic attorney general to get
after the accessories TO the crime.
Incidentally it may not be out of
place for The Bee to remark that any
man who asserts that The Bee or its
editor has profited a dollar by any act
of Frank Il. Moores as clerk of the
district court or of Frank f.. Moores
as mayor of Omaha Is an unmitignted
liar. AS clerk of the district court Mr..
Moores had no patronage to give to
any newspaper. and as mayor he has
no more than he had as clerk. and no
one has dared to insinuatc that either
The Bee or it's editor has ever received
any contribution or donation from Mr..
NIoores or has solicited or borrowed a
dollar from him. On the contrary,
whatever The Bee and its editor have
done for Mr.. Moores has been with
out money and without promise of re.
ward. as it has for all other candidates
they helped to elect. For further par
ticulars inquire of Silas Az Holcomb.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
TREATY BIGUTS IA CHINA

There is no doubt that the administra-
tion duly appreciates the Importance OF
the situation in the far east in its bear
ing upon American commerce in that
quarter and proposes to do all that 1t
properly may do to preserve the trade
privileges secured to this country by the
various treaties with China. These
treaties are very explicit in stipulating
that our commerce with China should
be subject to no burdens other than
those imposed on the commerce of other
nations and that no concessions should
be made to the merchants of other ma
tions which were not shared by citizens
of the United States.
The New York Journal of Commerce
notes that the first treaty was con
cluded as far back rs 1914 and on the
subject of commercial rights provided
that 'citizens of the United States shall
in no case be subject to other or higher
duties than are or will be required
of the people of any other ma
ton whatever and if
any additional advantages and privi-
leges. of whatever description, be con-
ceded hereafter by China to any other
nation. the United States and the citizens
thereof shall be entitled thereupon to Il
complete equal and impartial participa-
ton in the same" This is the keynote
of subsequent treaties in 1858, 1868 and
1880, so far as our commercial relations
with the Chinese empire are concerned,
though of course these conventions were
not confined to matters of trade. All of
them contain distinct stipula ations giving
to citizens of the United States equal
commercial rights and privileges with
the citizens of every other nation.
The preservation of these rights is a
matter of great Importance, not only for
the sake of the existing trade with
China, which is considerable, but for its
future development, which is assured il
impaired. Our commerce with that en-
pire has recently shown rapid growth
and there is every reason to expect that
with n fair field there it will steadily in
crease. According to trustworthy au-
thority there is n very friendly CONNER
cial feeling in China toward this coun-
try and there is no doubt that this can
be strengthened if our manufacturers
and merchants will exert themselves in
pushing trade in that very promising
quarter. 1t is certainly a most inviting
field. Meanwhile there does not appear
to be any immediate menace to our
treaty rights, the attitude of the British
government having at least for the pres
ent, put check to the designs of Rus
sia and Germany.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
REVIVAL OF HOME RULE.
NhtNt fEhHNhVh'
Chicago Tribune.


Tho theory that the right OF locll munlci-
pal self-government in this country is an in-
herent right. which exists without any noes
OF constitutional recognition, II tho basis OF
the decision which has Just been made by
Judge Scott OF Omaha in n suit brought to
declare null and void the law creating
municipal police and fire board, whose Of
ncers are appointed by the governor, for that
city.
The old doctrine vos that municipalities
were agents OF the state created by Il to
perform certain local governmental Questions.
1t was assumed that the state could grant
municipality what powers Il saw at and
could take them away when II saw NJ. The
control Of q legislature over municipalities
regarding police matters was not disputed.
and the earlier state laws establishing Metro
poltan police baards were not attacked on
account of their alleged unconstitutionalty.
But the doctrh'e of local self-govcrnment
of home rule"-has been gaining ground.
AMI legislative interference with local af-
fairs, which would have passed unchallcnged
fifty yclrs ago, now arousos considerable op-
pQSition
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
The Question OF Taxation.


II such law is unconstitutional In Me-
buska because IL violates the principle OF
municipal home rule it would also be un-
constitutional In Illinois for the SINE reason.
In 1867 the legislature OF IllN)hs passed an
act to establish police commission in East
st. Louis, providing for nio appointment by
the governor Of three commissioners, who
were to control the police department OF the
city. In case OF q failure of the city couuctl
to appropriate money TO pay salaries aud
expenses of the commission the aCt gave the
commissioners the power TO issue certificates
of nlebteiness in the name of the city,
whiol would be receivable in payment of
taxes. The court held the act uncorstitu-
tiordl.
II IL Is unconstitutional to tax munici
palty to support a state police commission,
then the act creating such q commission is
an 'wasion of the peoples constitutional
rights.
Tho decision of Judge Scott In the Omaha
case is mastery one.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
RESTRICTING IMMIGR ALTON.
The Educational Tcst Pronounced of
Little Value.


No wonder that the advocates Of the new
plan to restrict immigration are eager to
have it damned through" congress. The
more it ia discussed the more it is opposed.
Spoaking of the measure, our neghbor, the
Transcript. remarked the other day:
'"The bill has acquired it's present mo-
mentum through the loose and hazy notion
that education is solvent for everything,
that reading and writing differentiate the
desirable anl the undesirable immigrants.
Reading and writing are not education,
but only the tools by which it is obtained.
But skill in any line of honest service is
education, and valuable at that. The pro-
posed test, therefore, might easily let in
the buugler and the smltterer and keep out
tho man with the trained hand and iCnest
heart. Moreover. the provisions of the bill
with regard to families are both clumsy and
cruel, ard If it passes and becomes a law OF
the land its practical workings will be likely
to disgust the country to an extent that will
bring a speedy demand for its repeal"
Every day brings new and infuent.al influ-
ences to bear against the bill which Mr..
Cleveland vetoed but which Mr.. Lodge still
hopea to carry through. Republican leaders
at Washington may yet come to a realizing
se'n5e ct the fact tlat 1t will be good poll
tics" to shelye It,
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
The Illinois Precedent,
Chicago Chronicle.


The decision by Judge Scott of Omaha on
the metropolitan police bill is In line with
the decision repeatedly made In the state of
Illinois regarding the inviolability OF NUM-
cipal home rule; in fact, Judge Scott drew
upon the Illinois reports for some part Of
his authority.
The Chronicle has frequently shown that
the decision of the supreme court of Illinois
in the East St Louis case. a parallel Of the
Omaha case, a parallel also of the situa-
tion which the Tanner legislature now at
Springfield is expected to create at the be-
hest of the republican machine, is fatal to
any metropolitan bill. The court held that
not only were those portions of the acts un-
constitutional which purported to authorize
the police commissioners thereby attempted
to be created to levy taxes and to create
Indebtedness against the corporation, be-
cause the commissioners were not elected
by the people of the municipality nor ap-
pointed in any mode to which the people
had given their assent. but also that that
portion of the acts purpcTting to create
police force for the city was unconsttu-
tiOnal and void,
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
dppEALING TO LOCAL PRIDE.

Omaha justly prides itself upon the
public spirit and enterprise of its
citizens. The successful effort which
Omaha has made toward enlistlng the CO.
operation of the national and state gov
ernments and municipal bodies in the
Exposition has aroused
universal surprise and admiration, not
only among it's commercial rivals, but
also In the great centers of trade and
industry all the world over To have
embarked in an undertaking of such
moment and magnitude in the face OF
the most depressing business conditions
and to have prosecuted the work to the
point where its success Is no longer
problematic is conceded on all hands TO
be proof of matchless courage and eX-
traOrdinary vitality.
Yet the men who have volunteered to
carry the burden of this stupendous
project have been only partially sup
ported by the parties who are SURE to
derive the greatest benefits from the
exposition and who are most interested
in promoting the growth and prosperity
of this city and the country commercially
tributary to it. For example, the owner
of one of the two largest hotels-nOt
the proprietor of the Millard-has not
subscribed dollar to the exposition
funds, when it is manifest that he is to
be one of the principal beneilciari2s to
the extent of tens of thousands of dol
lars. Several of the very heaviest prop
erty owners whose rental incomes have
been already materially enlarged by the
exposition and who admit that their
property has been appreciably increased
in value have shown no disposition to
assist either by contributions or personal
service.
1t is an open secret that the exposition
Is assuming much greater proportions
than anybody connected with its man
agement had anticipated. The build
ings in process of construction will eX'
haust the resources now at the disposal
of the association. In order to satisfy
the demand for space these buildings
must be supplemented by other buildings
that will cost not less than 100000.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
Talked ThemseIyes Ont.

The end of the civil service debate was
rather farcical The enemies of the merit
system forgot to have a division made so
they could be personally recorded. With
about a third OF the members absent, they
failed TO carry thpir point. They showed
tf:at ameag republicans they had no serious
strength The debate, however, has served
the excellent purpose of enabling few rep
resentatives to talk of their wrath at not
belng able to get all the patronage they
wanted Having made their speeches on this
subject. 1t is not likely they will bring It
up again at this session. There are too
many other topics to orate upon for them
to waste time repeating the burning thoughts
they have just uttered on the civil service.
Their glowing oratoey may devote Itself to
saving Cuba now. ~ d
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
Destiny Of ths oregon short Line.

The news that the rlilroad interests which
were active in the reorganization Of the
Union Pacific have perfected their control OF
the Oregon Short Line has been discounted.
1t was part of the original plan OF which
the purchase OF the governments lien on the
Union Pacific was the keystone. That ac-
complshed, the formation OF great trans
continental route. extending from ocean to
ocean, was inevitable, owing to the identity OF
interests in connecting lines. Close traffic al
lilnces between Atlantic seaboird lines and
western trunk lines are not an innovation,
but never until now has there been the same
community OF interests between connecting
roads forming what may be a single system
for transcontinental business. In that re-
spect 1t inaugurates a new era 10 American
railroading, and, II carried to its ultimate
conclusion, may force other trensmlssissippl
roads to ally themselves more closely with
great Atlantic outlets and feeders.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

The doctrine that every applicant for
liquor license who puts up the money is
entitled to sell on good faith before a
license has been granted is strictly origi-
nal with the present reform police board.
This is carrying the good faith cure to-
ward the highest perfection. All an en-
terprising dealer in liquid lightning
would have to do to save his license fee
would be to post his money and get
somebody to demonstrate against his ap-
plication and when that is overrulCd
have another protest filed and so on until
the end of the year, when he could with
again without being out any more than
the interest.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17
THE TWO FLOWERS.

Thomas Dunn English in the Independent.
There was a flower within my garden
growing;
In form and color delIcateIy fair;
And fragrance from its petals ever throw
ing
1t nlied with sweetness all the morning
air
One nilht the frost stoopad sudden from
oerhead
The morning sun arose-the flower was
dead.
| had n wife who grew for years beside me;
None sweeter or more loving there be;
Soother and friend, whatever might betlde
me,
Through varying fortunes cllnging close to
me.
One day, the darkenlng clouds hung over
head;
There came frost-at nlghtfall she was
dead
Sweet flower! Dear wife! these blossoms or
existence,
One in the garden, one Within the heart,
Bloomed for my gladntss with fond per-
sistence,
TIL frost and death had hidden both de-
part.
Yet rises in my soul the hope to me,
Both shall rebioom within the life to be.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

The attorneys for the Nebraska Home
for the Friendless in fighting the
law putting it under state manage
mcnt have managed to inject into their
ease an appeal to the supreme court
in behalf of the starving Cubans. We
doubt, however, whether the brief
can be considered complete until 1t
is amended to include proper refer
ences TO the Armenian atrocities and
the spoliaton of the Chince.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

Zola. the author, is about to be pros
ccuted by the French government and
his publishers are preparing to in
crease greatly the output of his books
in anticipation of the free advertising
he will get.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

1t is true that few republicans
would be benefited by the breaking
down of the civil service law, but the
party as whole would receive injury
therefrom. II is not forgotten that the
establishment of the merit system In
the matter of applications for positions
In the civil service was due to repub'
licans and the republican party stands
pledged to maintain the system in all
it's essential featureA
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

1t is true that in the early years of
the republic legislatures have even ap-
pointed the mayors of some of our large
cities, but it is doubtful whether under
the constitution of Nebraska the legis-
lature would be upheld by the courts
if it attempted tp appoint a mayor for
Omaha instead of providing for his elec.
ton by the electors of the city.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

The new name proposed for the pop
ocratic party in Nebraska is anti
republicans" That would be not only
suggestive. but consistent with the pur-
poses of the fusionists. whose motto is
Anything to beat the republicans"
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

Baltimore American.

The request OF the Japanese government,
through its minister, for an American girl
to name the new Japanese WET ship ca it's
launching, is an International compliment as
chivalrous as it is courteous, and one which
cannot fail to be appreciated by the public
at large. The American people are always
pleased when foreigners give
practical recognition of our national defer
ence fec women. as this recognition is really
a tribute to the nation.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

Members of the Board of Education
say they want $150,000 contributed to
the school fund for the coming year by
direct taxation. The school board men,
bers this year, as in previous years,
seem to be proceeding on the theory
that nothing can be lost by asking for
everything in sight.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

Missouri. Kansas, Minnesota, South
Dakota, Illinois and the other western
states will be Mt the exposition well rep
resented. The Iowa people are in n
pocket unless they see to it that their
state is also at the exposition.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

Every liquor dealer in Omaha received
ample notice of the consequences that
would follow willful violation of the law
requiring the publication of license
notices in the paper of largest circula-
ton in the county and if any of them
find themselves in the unpleasant pre-
dicamant of being without a license they
have only themselves and the law.
defying police board to blame.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-17

If any eastern papers are indulging in
phantoms of bloodshed and riot in
Omaha they must have caught the con.
tagion from the police guarded rooms of
the police board and the overwrought
imagination of Attorney General Smyth