davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
REASON.
Proposed Abolition of Postal Savings
Banks In Hawaii.

Ai'osO
The report of the Hawaiian commission,
OF which Senator Culrom Is, or was, chair
man, was accompanied by three bills. One
provided for the organization OF a terrific
rial government. or the other two one pro-
vides for the redemption OF Hawaiian silver
and treasury notes and the other abolishes
Hawaiian laws establishing postal savings
banks. The reasons for these measures are
not stated in the synopsis Of the report
which has been given to the public.
The commission assumes, as 1t has been
officially assumed In the case OF Porto Rico,
that when we acquire a possession We must
lose no time in imposing upon it our none
tary system. But there Is really no need
of that more than there has been of sub
s~tituting sterling silver for rupees in India.
AS for postal savings banks, there is no
hint of a reason why they should be abol-
ished In Hawaii and 1t would be idle to in
dufge in conjecture. 1t is proper to re-
mark, however. that a great deal OF harm
may be done. and not the less because II
may be done unintentionally, by hastily up
setting existing financial Institutions and
arbitrarily substituting one monetary sys-
TEN for another In any country. This rash
ness is especially to be avoided In dealing
with the people Of a newly acquired posses
sion whom 1t Is desirable to incommode as
little as possible and conciliats In every
reasonable way.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
1t is gratifying to be assured that all

1t Is gratifying to be assured that all
the smallpox cases in Nebraska are
mild forms of the c%ontagion and its
spread will soon be ef~fectually checked.
Nothing so well illustrates the advance
of nineteenth century civilization as the
conquests of modern medical science
we disease. In olden times there was
no such thing as mild smallpox, but
each visitation developed into an cpl
demic which ran its course with no OBJ
structions worth noting. 1t seems now
that the day of contagious disease cpl
denies Is practically past for all CIV
iliZed peoples.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
BRYAN IN HIS I'M

New York Herald: Colonel William Jen-
nings Bryan, having turned his rapid fire
gun into a typesetting machine, again con-
templates the presidency. In this, however
he should remember what the sage Arat
said about matrimony: ut is a state into
which none but the wise should enter-and
they do not"
Springfield Republican,: The retiremen,
Of William ]. Bryan from the military serv.
ice OF the United States has been deter
mined upon. The time is opportune for him
to extract himself from what has been re-
garded as a somewhat embarrassing posi-
ton and return to political activities. A
treaty OF peace has been signed, and
whether the treaty be amended or rejected
in the ratification proceedings the war is
over and Colonel Bryan can say with per-
feet truth that he enlisted for the war and
not for police service in subjected colonies
or possible colonies.
Baltimore American: We may just as
well admit that William Jennings Bryan
is still a very considerable force in the af-
fairs Of this country, and his remarkable
industry. his personal integrity and his
ability will all have their influence in the
formation Of party lines and principles and
policies within the next two years. We
do not believe he can ever be president,
but he may keep other people from reaching
the chair, and he may play a very embar-
RAISING part In politics in general. 1t is a
misfortune that such a man should be
keeping alive in the west and south the
financial anarchy which he would impose
upon the nation.
Philadelphia Times: Colonel Bryan's
military career may be summed up as offer
ing his service when the quota of his state
was so nearly full as to forbid the accept
ance OF his regiment, and by public inter-
view and proclamations from the governor
he forced the acceptance of the regiment
by the government. He went into camp
where he gave little or no military train
ing, and now when called to service, after
trying to put the responsibility OF his re-
tirement on any others but himself. he has
been compelled to resign with an undrawn
sword and leaving a regiment that must
be disciplined afresh II 1t is ever to be
Of any usefulness as a military organiza-
ton. II Colonel Bryan's future political
movements shall be no more successful
than his attempt at military fame he has
little to hope for in 1900.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18

The Federation of Labor accorded to
the advocates of socialistic doctrines a
respectful hearing, as becomes a body
of thoughtful American citizens, but
there is every evidence that the fedora
ton is moi to be turned aside from the
path which promises to be of benefit to
the toilers by any visionary schemes or
impractical theories. Its well-balanced
leaders realize that the man who ac-
complishes results is the one who makes
the most of conditions as he finds them,
and, If conditions are not what they
should be, labors to better the situation
by evolution rather than revolution.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
Personal AND OTHERWISE.

The reported advance in the price OF
brooms is not calculated to promote clean
sweeps.
The signing OF the treaty Of peace has had
no perceptible effect on the hostilities now
being waged in the magazines.
The problem OF increasing the national
revenue might be saved by imposing a STAMP
tax on every verse of poetry produced In
the country.
1t Is suggested for the. benefit Of all con-
cerned that as leap year is postponed until
1904, the eligible should improve every OPP
p%ortunity that comes their way.
Dialect writer's ought to be encouraged to
move to the Philippines. There is an abun-
dance Of room and 122 dialects there await.
ing their pain compelling efforts.
The administration should get together on
the spelling Of Porto Rico. President Nc
Kinley spells 1t Porto and General Miles
and Secretary Gage spell 1t Puerto.
Captain Sigsbee is In Havana again. 1t is
to be hoped he Is not carrying on his per-
son letters given to him to mail. One blow
up ought to be sufficient for a lifetime.
A revised version of Lincoln's famous
epigram is abroad In Washington. 1t is
"a government for the people," not a gov
eminent of the people, nor "a government
by the people"
The Casket Is q warm advocate for Philip
pine expansion. AS the organ Of funeral d.
rectors it views with unconcealed cheer the
possibilities of that region as demonstrated
by the mortality reports.
Editor Medill Of the Chicago Tribune per-
tinently suggests to Editor Smith of the
Postofice department that a little more
stickativeness in his paste would be appre-
ciated by lickers of stamps.
The Philadelphia Record comes to the
1t contains a vast amount of information,
national and local, in compact form, making
1t a valuable reference book.
1t is not necessary to inquire about the
age of the park commissioners of St. Paul.
Their hearts are young and in the right
place, as Is shown by turning down a propo-
sition requiring lights on sleighs. When a
young man is willing to stake a flyer for
about two hours Of sleighing with his best
girl, heartless is the man who would flash a
light on the scene. Be still, sweet memory.
A Mrs. Kelly, descendant of one of Brian
BoruS warriors, resides at Coushohocken,
Pa. A neighbor wanted a slice of her land
and threatened to take 1t by force. Mrs.
Kelly hoisted the stars and stripes over the
disputed ground and dared the enemy TO
assail it. He did and was promptly knocked
down with a clothes-line prop. Arrest for
assault followed, but when Mrs. Kelly told
her patriotic story to a Jury she was in
stantly acquitted. A combination OF ould
Ireland and Old Glory is a hard proposition
to 60 against.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18

The Torrens land registration system has
gone into operation in Massachusetts,. which
Is the first eastern state to put It into effect.
The system, in brief. Is that a transfer OF
title to land is made by a certificate issued
by the clerk OF the court. the state under
taking to guarantee the title. This, 1t Is
held, is a saving OF time and money, be-
cause the cost and labor OF drawing and
recording deeds are avoided and titles are put
on a more stable basis. The name Of the
system is derived from the late Sir Robert
Torrens, who originated it in Australia. 1t
is in operation in air the Australian colonies
and In Tasmania, New Zealand and else
where. In Boston on Saturday at the first
session Of the land court provided by the
law the court passed on two uncontested Pc
titions for a registered title. Under the sys-
TEN the land involved can be sold with little
more trouble than Is requisite to sell q load
OF potatoes and with absolute safety to the
purchaser.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
A COMPLICATED PROJECT.

The debate on the Nicaragua canal
bill in the United States senate showed
that there are such complications con-
nected with the project that If it is ever
to be carried out and be owned and con-
trolled by the government a new start
will have to be made. The indications
are strong that no bill a be passed
which recognizes the Maritime Canal
company, the concession to which will
expire next October. There seems to
be no doubt that there Is a majority in
both branches of congress in favor of
building a canal, but the feeling is quite
general that 1t should be constructed
directly by the United States, without
regard to the maritime company. 1t is
a question, however, whether the gov
eminent could assume charge Of the II
terprise and ignore the concession to
the canal company, the United States
having no concession from Nicaragua
and Porto RICO. 1t would certainly
seem to he necessary as a first step to
repeal the charter of the company, as
suggested by Senator Turpie, following
this action by a treaty with Nicaragua
and Porto Rice giving the United States
the right to construct and control the
canal.
Opposition to the Maritime Canal com
pany is based upon the belief that the
corporation has not acted in good faith.
A great many concur in the opinion of
that company expressed by Senator
Turpie, who said that its object has
not been to build a canal, but "to cut
a channel of easiest communication be.
tween the treasury of the United States
and the empty Golfers of that corpora
ton In New York, by which they can
be replenished and repleted." He cited
the fact that when asking congress for a
charter the company declared it did not
want a dollar Of money or an atom OF
credit from the United States, yet within
two years thereafter 1t went to congress
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18

The commercial reviews with each
succeeding week tote the steady in
crease in business activity in the United
States. The returns to the great COM
mercial agencies for November show
that the total business of the country
during that month was In excess of
any month in the history of the coun-
try, and up to date December is keep
ing up the pace. Events have proven
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
As a sample of the argument used I

AS a sample Of the argument used to
combat the opposition to colonial ex-
p~ansion the following from the Chicago
Tribune in answer to the protest Of
Samuel Gompers against Transforming
the American people from a peace-lov-
ing to a militant nation is strlkingly in
point:
This Is bosh and utter nonsense, the silly
product Of ignorance and unreason. 1t IL
difficult to find suitable language to express
the scorn and contempt educated Americans
will feel for this empty gable Of a so-called
labor leader"
AS If calling names were any more
indicative Of good logic than loud noise
is of sound argument. When it comes
to bosh and utter nonsense the usual
spread-eagle Imperialism should fill the
bill.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
BLASTS FROM RAMS HORN.

Industry gives the devil no elbow room.
Culture will never convert tares into
wheat.
Many are sick OF evil. without the courage
to be well.
Of the ignorant.
To love upward Is human, to love down
ward Is divine.
A good conscience is the best armor
against calumny.
The Book of Life will last when all other
biographies have burned.
The body is the temple, the heart Is the
altar, love is the incense.
A crack In a wall may be very small, but
you can see a great deal through 1t.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
NOT A MILITARY NECESSITY.

The assertion made In certain quar-
tiers that q telegraph cable connecting
the Pacific coast with the Philippine
islands has become n military neces-
sity for the United States Is q baseless
fiction. The annexation of Hawaii and
military occupation of the Philippines
will doubtless necessitate frequent com
munlcation between the department
heads at Washington and the distant
new possessions, but nobody will con-
tend that the desire to expedite this in
tercOurse in times of peace would JUS
tify the enormous outlay required for
laying 1000 miles of deep-sea cable.
If experience teaches anything, 1t
has been demonstrated by the recent
war with Spain that submarine tele-
graph cables are no more exempt from
destruction than are overhead telegraph
lines. The first act Of Admiral Dewey
after he had destroyed the Spanish feet
in Manila bay was to cut the cable that
connected Manila with Hong Kong.
The destruction Of the Cuban cables
was one of the most important and diff
ficult tasks undertaken by Admiral
SIMPSONS blOckading fleet and this
feat is specially pointed out by Presi-
dent Mckinley in his message to con-
gress. In this, as in all other wars, the
destruction Of the enemy's lines Of
communication, whatever may be their
nature, has been the primary aim Of
military commanders and 1t Is not likely
that in future wars telegraph cables
will be exempted from attack or seiz-
ure any more than would be a railroad
or a bridge. 1t Is q notorious fact that
a ship equipped especially for graphing
and cutting cables has been built,
equipped and manned by the British adj
miralty and Is constantly kept in readi-
ness to sail. In due time 1t may be conf
IDENTIFY predicted that every nation will
build, equip and keep manned one or
more of these cable d%estroyers as parts
of their naval. equipment.
Manifestly. a Pacific cable would be
an object of attack at the moment the
United States should engage in an in
ternational war and its extreme length
would render its protection from cable
destroyers an impossibility. 1t follows,
therefore, that in times Of war no de-
pendence could be placed on the pro-
posed Pacific cable, hence its construc-
ton as a military necessity is OBJ
viously baseless.
Whether the Pacific cable shall be-
come a commercial necessity will be
determined in due time when the ex-
tent of commerce with our new posses
sions and the countries in Australasia
has been ascertained.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
DISSATISFIED REFORMERS.

The present administration does not
fare any better than did its ~predeces.
sors at the hands of the civil service
reformers. They are not satisfied with
what has been done in the interest of
reform since President Mckinley came
into office and they arraign the admin.
1stration for alleged failures and short
comings In very plain terms. They do.
however, do the president the justice to
say that 1t was his firm attitude which
In a measure caused the failure of the
attack on the merit system in congress.
The fact is that Mr.. Mckinley is entitled
to most of the credit for the signal col.
lapse of that NOV ement, for had he
shown 1t any couptenance or favor it
is more than probable that it would
have resulted in some radical mOdifica-
tons of the civil service law. The
republican representative from Ohio and
a close personal friend of Mr.. McKin-
ley. 1t had the approval of many Ohio
republicans. Yet the president, as the
National Civil Service Reform associa.
ton justly said, took a firm attitude in
opposition to the movement and it vas
abandoned. This was a very great serv-
ice to the cause of reform and entirely
consistent with the record of Mr.. Nc
Kinley respecting the merit system.
But it is charged that there have been
some grave departures from a strict
observance of the civil service law and
the principles underlying it.; that the
order regulating the method of removal
has been violated in letter and in spirit
and that appointments have been made
altogether in violation Of the law and
openly for political consideration.
Nearly all the departments Of the gov.
eminent. it is affirmed, are guilty of
having disregarded the law. If these
allegations are true the reform associa-
ton Is fully justified in it's condemna-
ton, but we think it hardly just to as
sumo that the president is any less
earnest now than in the past in his de-
votion to the principles Of civil service
reform. He has had exceedingly ar
duous duties pressing upon him during
the last eight months and If department
officials have been derelict in their duty
to observe civil service regulations 1t
is not fair to blame the president. JUS
tice requires that until Mr.. Mckinley
does something hostile to the merit sys-
ten he shall be judged by his consist
ent record in support Of that policy.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
MILLIONS FOR THE DITCH.
Some Facts About the Projected Canal
Raid on h Treasury.
Baltimore American.

Come Facts About the PROJECTED CanaS
Raid on the Treasury.
Baltimore American.
The senate, by a heavy vote, has made the
Nicaragua canal bill the unfinished business
of that body, which gives 1t the right OF way
over all except urgency measures. While
this does not indicate the final attitude Of
the senate, q large number Of intelligent
people will wonder why 1t was done. 1t is
usual in the consideration Of any matter to
consider first II It can be done. 1t Is very
unusual, especially where a large sum Of
money is involved, to appropriate the money,
say 500, 900, 900, and then find out II the
scheme Is feasible. No legislative body that
We ever heard Of has done such a thing, and
the senate, II 1t Is serious in its purpose to
empty the United States treasury and lay
fresh burdens on the people, Is about to set
a very vicious precedent. The senate has no
information on this canal subject that Is
not possessed by every intelligent citizen,
and nobody has yet been informed from any
authoritative source that this canal can be
built.
A commission of the ablest engineers in
the United States, men who had no ak to
grind and no political exigency to meet,
have officially reported that in their opinion
the canal cannot be built. This is the latest
i lhdl iblS ZIG oChatO VI taC
public has on the subject. Not satisfied
with this report, the canal lobby prevailed
ON congress to order another commission.
The latter, composed OF one engineer and
two laymen, has not made its report. AS
the first appropriation proposed is 500 .000,-
600, and this, II voted, is likely to be fol-
lowed by $500, 600. 900. or as much as the
patience OF the American people will endure,
would 1t not have been better to have post
poned the consideration Of this bill until q
report had been made by the friends Of these
canal people? 1t would certainly have
looked better. Such tremendous anxiety to
get at the funds in the treasury may excite
suspicion in the public mind and defeat the
purpose aimee at.
Even should the present commission make
a favorable report 1t would be offset by the
report Of the expert engineers who were
sent by congress to investigate. AS a matter
Of fact the 500, 900 900 appropriated in this
bill would not build the approach to the
proposed canal entrance at the mouth of the
San Juan river. The canal cannot be built
for any sum that a government could afford
to spend or that the people would sanction.
II It Is begun 1t will lead to the most
colossal scandal of ancient or modern times
and make the United States a byword among
nations. 1t is high time for the people to
awaken to their own interests and condemn
this reckless raid on the treasury.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18

asking a subsidy Of SI0,OO0,OOO and
some years subsequently It returned
asking government aid to the amount
of $100.00O,OO0. Now for the fourth
time this company is again e~ndeavoring
to secure q subsidy from congress and
while there is a stronger pressure than
ever before in favor Of the construction
of a canal, there appears good reason
to believe that congress will not do any
thing from which the Maritime Canal
company can derive any benefit. A bill
has been introduced In the house by Mr..
Hepburn, chairman of the committee on
commerce, which provides for the con.
%struction of the Nicaragua canal by the
government and there Is a much better
chance of it passing than there is of
the senate bill going through.
In regard to the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty, 1t seems to be the general I'M.
preston that 1t will not prove a serious
obstacle, though this view is probably
founded upon nothing more substantial
than the idea that the British govern
ment will not be disposed to take a posi-
ton in the matter that might impair
the friendly relations between the two
countries. 1t is very questionable. how
ever, whether Great Britain will assent
to the United States having control of
the canal unless the neutrality of the
waterway is guaranteed. There is evil
IDENTIFY a much stronger sentiment in
congress in favor Of the Nicaragua
canal project than ever before, but there
are complications that make somewhat
p%erplexing the question as to the best
course to pursue.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
CHRISTMAS DAWN.

Madeline S. Bridges in Leslie's Weekly.
White and still Is the Christmas dawn
Starlight and winter night nave gone,
And softly drifted on field and lea,
On height and hollow and road and town,
The snow Is shining from sea to sea;
Highways and pathways all untrod
BY the busy footsteps yet to be.
In virgin beauty and stainless light
The world lies. pure. as a dream Of Godi
Daybreak comes in a line of gold,
Written low, like a mystic sign
On the page of the ~east-and, fold on fold
The splendor rises, the glories shine.
And the heights of heaven seem STOPPING
down
To the waiting earth as the music swells
OF the first glad Ginning of Christmas
bells!
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
signs of q United Country.

The ability Of the American people to get
together on anything that affects the whole
family is aptly shown In the farewell review
of General Lees troops previous to their
departure for Cuba. The old JEFF Davis
legion formed General Lees escort, the
Maine and Georgia regiments marched side
by side and Nellie Grant Sartoris had a seat
by the Misses Lee on the reviewing stand.
The best of 1t Is that these evidences OF
complete reconciliation have been SO common
within the last year that they no longer at
tract any special notice.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18

European diplomats have had an un-
limited amount OF trouble in keeping
the concert of Europe in tune. but 1t is
not a circumstance to the difficulties an.
ticipated In the Orient. Aside from the
usual difficulties there is the new men,
Der Of the choir coming in by way of
the Philippines whom they fear will in
sist on a prima donna part.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18

The oil room workers who took to the
woods on the commencement Of the
Bechel case can now emerge from their
retirement. The fuse was evidently i'm
perfect and was extinguished before
the fire reached the magazine.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18
Piling Up Cause for Regret.

T NlIdueIpIlId I1euboF'
1t is not impossible that the next gener-
alton OF Americans may have reason to re-
greet that their fathers were SO strongly OPP
posed to admitting Canadian lumber free Of
duty. 1t is a matter of more than political
interest. The free admission OF Canadian
lumber would have a tendency to preserve
American forests, and the next generation
of Americans is not going to have any more
timber than 1t will know what to do with.
Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-18

The departing soldiers ordered to the
Philippines are admonished to prepare
themselves for a two or three years So
Journ In the antipodes. Fur-lined over
coats and wooden underclothes may not
be necessary, but swimming tights for
the rainy season, electric fans for warm
weather and earthquake cellars for
emergencies would Az come in handy.