davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
COURSING AT SAN JOSE. Newly Organized Club Will Hold Its
 Initial Meet on Christmas.

SAN JOSE, Dec. 21.-Lovers of coursing in this city and county will be given op- portunities for enjoying the sport in fu- ture. The San Jose Coursing Club has been organized with a good membership, and will hold it's initial meet on Christ mas day. Nearly $500 will be given in purses. Over sixty entries have already been received. These are from San Fran cisco, Sacramento, Stockton and San Jose, and include the swiftest dogs in the State. Entries close on Friday, when the draw ing will take place. The fee is S2 50. C.. H. Corey, the promoter of the club, has added purse of $50 to the entrance fees. This will insure good money in the prizes. Should entries continue to come in as now it will be necessary to continue the racing on Monday following Christmas. In this case there will be a consolation stake offered that will attract attention
 Agricultural Park has been engaged and has been turned into the largest and fin est coursing park on the coast The in- side of the track has been fenced with laths. giving an area of thirty-six acres. A grand stand has been erected in the center. It is said that this arrangement eXcels Ingleside, as every run and turn of the dogs can be seen.
 To-day Secretary Corey received twelve dozen hares from the San Joaquin Valley. The San Jose Coursing Club starts under favorable auspices and intends to arrange for weekly meets.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
THE GOOD NAME OF
 THE STATE IN DANGER
BODIES RALLY
 FOR PURE PRODUCTS.
Will Demand More Stringent Laws and Vigilant Officers of the
 Legislature.

The recent action of Germany in legis- lating against California fruits and in Condemning and destroying a large con- signment of pears shipped from this city by a local commission house because or the alleged discovery of infection on the fruit, followed by the condemnation and destruction of a lot of Northern California wines in Mexico has aroused the commer- cial bodies of this city to the necessity of taking some action to maintain the reputation that California has had here tofore for her many products.
 To reach some conclusion as to what should be done a meeting was held on Tuesday at which representatives of all the exporting houses in the city were present. It was decided to ask the Legis- lature to enact new laws and to amend those in existence so that no impure foods and products, imperfect fruits or doc tored" wines or liquors could be sent out of the State.
 The exporters were so much in earnest that they declared that if the lawmakers would not take hold of the matter in the proper spirit the commission houses would organize, send an inspector into the country to ascertain the condition of tion of every product offered for export. Any orchardist found with unclean trees would be boycotted until he put his or chard in perfect condition.
 The same subject was also considered by the Board of Regents of the State Uni Versity at its meeting Tuesday and like conclusions were reached. Yesterday the Council of Associated Industries met in the Mills building and representatives were present from the Manufacturers and Producers Association, Chamber of Com merce, State Board of Trade, Mechanics Institute, the Board of Regents and of the exporters mentioned. The matter was considered at length and considerable at tention was paid to the bill prepared by the pure foods committee of the Manu- lecturers and Producers Association that is to be presented to the next Legislature.
 This measure provides for a pure foods bureau or commission. It is believed that with some little modification 1t will meet with all the requirements of the export CTS and those interested in the move ment Another meeting will be held next Thursday to perfect the proposed bill, so as to have it ready for Introduction on the converting of the next Legislature.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
SANTA CLAUS BREAKS
 THE HOLIDAY RECORD
SALES OF CHRISTMAS GOODS
 THE LARGEST KNOWN.
San Francisco Merchants Reap a Harvest-Good Fairies Bring
 a Rush to Their Stores.

The San Francisco record for spending money was broken yesterday. Never be- fore in a single day did the merchants sell as many goods as they sold yester- day.
 The conditions were favorable for break ing the record. Rain reports from very large area of the State tended to restore confidence and give assurance of a good season to come. The bright sunshine and agreeable temperature following the rain and the the fog invited shoppers to go forth
 The attractions of the Christmas dis play of holiday goods tempted the admir- ing throng and the presence of money in the purse and Christmas spirit in the heart did the rest. Money was lavishly expended in the purchase of seasonable gifts and so the warehouse of Santa Claus is stored with innumerable treasures which will, impart joy to the young and the old on Christmas day.
 The aggregate. of the sums expended yesterday cannot be given, but a mer- chant of the highest standing, whose fa- cilitieS are ample for obtaining knowl- edge of the days business in holiday goods is authority for the statement that Yesterdays retail trade was the biggest on record in this city.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
NEW ORDERS
 SENT ID OTIS Uncle Sam to Hold the
 Philippines. MILITARY RULE TO CONTINUE UNTIL FILIPINos SHOW THEM SELVES GOOD CITIZENS. When That Time Comes They Are Promised That They Will
 Be Given Self
 Government.
MILITARY RULE TO CONTINUE
UNTIL FILIPINOS SHOW THEM
 SELVES GOOD CITIZENS.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House,

Call Office, Riggs House.
 Washington, Dec Fl.
 At the Cabinet meeting to-day. after General Merritt had spent brief time with the President, the matter of in structions to General Otis concerning his military administration of affairs in the Philippines was taken up. Later in the day full instructions were pre- pared and mailed to General Otis. They were not made public, and may not be until they reach Manila, but from con- versations with Cabinet officers who were present at this mornings confer ence the tenor of these instructlOHs may be given as follows:
 First-The purpose Of the Onlted States Government to assume military control over Philippine Island affairs for an indefinite period was stated.
 Second-That there will be no radical departures from the local civil govern ment now existing there.
 Third-The insurgents are ordered to lay down their arms and become amen able to United States laws, which will be bettered from time to time, or as the conditions and needs of the FihpinoS are better understood by our officers:
 As heretofore stated in The Calls dis patches, the President has determined to continue the military government over the Philippines during the re- mainder of his term of office. If, in that period of probation, the Filipinos have demonstrated their capability for self goYernment, they may possibly be- come free and independent under the protection of this Government, This promise is held out to them.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
JUNK SHOP IS CONDEMNED.
Board of Health Seeks to Abate a
 Nuisance.

M. D. Levinson, junk dealer, who has his place of business on Brannan street, between Seventh and Eighth, will appear before Police Judge Mogan this morning to answer a charge of maintaining pub lie nuisance and to a half dozen other charges preferred by the Board of Health
 Levinson has been a source of trouble to the Health Board for some weeks past. Back of his Brannan-street rookery he has full acre of ground covered two feet deep with muck and rubbish of every smelling description that his six wagons have brought in from all sections of the city. The place has never been cleaned since he first began business, and the early rains have caused a fermentation that is neither pleasant nor healthy.
 The attention of the board was first called to the nuisance by people living in the neighborhood, and since that time Levinson has been time and again or dered to clean up. He has failed to do so, and proceedings have been begun against him with the intention of compelling him to move his pesthole outside the city limits.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
CALAVERAS COUNTY CRIME
REDSKIN THIEVES MAKE A
 BOLD DESCENT.
Are Pursued by Posse of Enraged Whites, but Succeed in Max ing Good Thei-
 Escape.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

ANGELS CAMP, Dec. 21.-Meager reports reached angels Camp tonight of the footing and burning of house by a party of Indians in the northeast part of this county. The scene of the crime is sixteen miles north of Val lecito, where a party of placer miners is at work A band of Indians from Nevada has been encamped near this place for the past two weeks and has been hunting and fishing in the neigh borhood. The red men made no trouble until last Friday afternoon.
 While the miners were at work they noticed a thin wreath of smoke arising from the trees where their cabin stood. One of their number cautiously made his way through the timber to the fence surrounding the house and when within about a hundred yards of the building halted and crawled the bal ance of the way. The house was in flames, and through the dense smoke the watcher could see a number of forms going in and out between the trees. He could not distinguish faces, but was satisfied they were Indians.
 Returning to his comrades he gave the alarm and the entire party rushed
 
 capped.
 An investigation developed the fact that the entire contents of the house had been stolen by the Indians. Cloth ing, mining tools and other articles to the value of $500 had been taken.
 The miners at once organized a posse and started in hot pursuit of the flee ing Indians. The trail was closely fol- lowed, but the Indians were too far in advance and the angry miners were unable to overtake them. They re- turned to the burned cabin and have since been watching the trails closely
 The country where the raid occurred is very rough and mountainous and diff ficult of access. The news of the burn ing of the miners cabin reached Angels Camp at o'clock tonight being brought by miner. He said the men had no suspicion of trouble from their Indian neighbors until the smoke of their burning dwelling aroused them to their danger.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
STATE FEE CASE IN
 THE SUPREME COURT
CONTROLLER WANTS THE LAW
 ON THE QUESTION.
for Writ to Compel Him to Settle Comes Up to Be
 Heard To-Day.

There was a very important conference yesterday between Attorney General Fitz- gerald, State Controller E. P. Colgan. Deputy Controller W. W. Douglas and Chief Justice Beatty of the Supreme Court. The matter under consideration was the payment to forty-three counties of the State of commissions claimed to be due them. These claims amount to about a million and a half dollars Prior to May, 1893, county officers were allowed fees or commissions for the collection of the States part of the taxes. In that year the Legislature passed a law abol- ishing the act by which these fees were allowed and since then no commissions have been paid.
 A few months ago Rodgers, Paterson & Slack of this city and Devln & Devlin of Sacramento, representing the counties, demanded the payment of the back com missions for all of the years since 1S93 on the ground that the law abolishing fees was improperly passed and therefore void.
 It is necessary for the county treasur- CTS to settle their accounts with the State between the 18th and 30th of this month and they propose to enforce the issue of back commissions by tying up the money due the State. The result of such a course would be very disastrous for the State Treasurer and hence the necessity of prompt action in the matter.
 The object of the conference yesterday was to get the matter before the Supreme Court at once, for if the case has to take the usual course through the lower courts it would cause great complications and 6elay. It was decided to take one county, Sutter being selected, and petition for an original writ of mandate to compel the Controller to settle with the Treasurer of the county. The Supreme Court will meet to-day to hear the arguments. If 1t should decide to grant the application the matter will be settled at once. If not State and county finances will be mixed in a most awkward manner.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
NOTES OF THE WEATHER. The Rain Has Frightened Prospects. Yesterday the Shortest of
 the Year

Yesterday morning saw the end of the rain in this State. A little began to fall in San Diego at a. m. It was only a trace, however, the amount recorded be- ing .01 At o'clock 1t was raining at Porterville, Bakersfield and Caliente, the precipitation being respectively .22, .0S and .43. As stated in yesterdays Call the weather was clear yesterday in this city. The storm is now in the British Posses sions, just north of North Dakota.
 The rainfall for the twenty-four hours ending Wednesday morning was 1.2O in San Francisco; ITO in Sacramento; Red Bluff, SO; Fresno, Il. The fall in the Sa- linas Valley will not benefit that dry section very much There was a upnt frost last night and this morning. but not enough to cause any material damage It showed in all the Sierra and foothill regions.
 Reports from Tuolumne. Calaveras, Placer and other mining counties say heavy rains have fallen in those sections, and the dry creeks there have been turned into raging torrents. This will improve mining prospects vastly for the ensuing year. Farmers everywhere are greatly pleased with the precipitation, as crop prospects are also frightened.
 According to the schools yesterday was the shortest day in the year. The sun reached the end of his annual trip south of the line and turned northward again, and now the days will begin to lengthen slowly.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
WISH TO ACT AS THE
 PRESIDENTS ESCORT
YOUNG REPUBLICANS ORGANIZE
 ING A DRILL CORPS.
Expect to Participate in the Inaugu- ration at Washington, D.
 C., in 1901.

A number of members of the Union League Drill Corps, which did valiant service during the last campaign, are or ganizing a Republican club with view to going to the inauguration at Wash ington, D. C., in 1901. In aid of their project an interesting communication has been mailed to desirable young men in this city, inviting them to join and stat ing the objects of lue proposed organiza- tion.
 Of course the success of the project de- bends entirely upon the next President being a Republican, but the originators of the plan are rtain he will be, and they want to act as his escort at the in auguration.
 The communication states that to carry out this plan $15 900 is needed, and, al- though the sum is large one, they be- heVe 1t can be raised among business men who can appreciate the value of such a trip as an advertisement to this State.
 The membership of the club is not to exceed 1UO, and every man must be a gentleman. In the event the trip is taken It IS proposed that stop be made at Chi arrangements can be made for competi- tive or exhibition drills with similar or ganzattons in these cites.
 Continuing, the notice says:
 To show good faith we have agreed to pay $2 month from January l, 1899, to and including March, 1901, making $54 each, or. S5400 for 100 men. This will be put safely away in a bank and allowed to draw interest and if not used for the purpose intended will be re- funded. There Is also a provision in our agree ment allowing memberto withdraw his money If the club so votes. When the time comes to go each man may be expected to buy his own uniform, not to exceed $30, This depends, how ever, upon how much money we collect. This same Journey could not be made for less than S4lO if tried individually.
 Following are those who have signed for the trip at this date:
 Charles F. Kinsman, Morgan Backus, H. B. Cockrill, William M. Abbott, William J. Att ridge, Ira S. Lillick, H. H Kalish, Harry I. Graham, P. E. Towne, Charles H. Buck, Dr. Fl. G. Allen, Dr. G. N. Van Norden Herbert G. Edwards, Lester B. Smith. William E. Stu art, Charles E. A. Creighton F. NJ Warren, w. H. Robinson, Arthur W. Spear, F. A. West W. R. Thompson, A. K. Daggett F. w Hol- land, H.. D: Hadenfeldt John Gerdts. w. K Owens j. Theo Erlin, Edward F, Treadwell, Homer c. Warren, Dr. H. Edward Gedge F. 1. Kingwell, L. A. Gibbons, Bert L. Davis, Daniel A. Ryan Henry F. Pernau.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
SOLDIERS GIFTS DUTIABLE. Christmas Presents From Manila De-
 tained at the Custom House.

One hundred bags of Christmas pres ents from the soldier boys at Manila were r. ved at the San Francisco Postoffice l. he Government transport Scandia. The contents were silk handkershiefs and Manila cigars chiefly, and the bags were therefore sent over to the Custom house where they will remain until the duty shall have been paid.
 1t seems strange as well as unjust that the brave men who have faced battle and disease for the sake of this country should be required to pay to the Gov ernment duty for their little pledges of friendship and affection sent to the low ing and the loved ones at home, but the customs officials are powerless in the mat ter. They must collect the duty and leave to Congress the task of providing for a re- bate.
 Presents sent to Porto Rico. Cuba, the Philippines and Hawaii to soldiers sta- toned at those places have been made duty free by President Mckinley. but he has no power to issue a similar order in the matter of, dutiable goods shipped into the United States from those places.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22

think any private party could put up the
 building cheaper When told that tnS Commission had arbitrary. powers ana could move as a private indlVldual, ne stated that there was always waste III State work; for instance, elght hours in- stead of ten for a days labor. lie also said that he would rather have the buld- ing as it is, with all the newspaper crltl- cisms than have the criticisms Of the public had the original plans been carried
 F T. Huddart. salesman with Durham, Carrigan & Hayden, hardware importers, who furnished Contractor Cronan roonng for the ferry building, testified that the corrugated roof iron was in good condl- ton. but some of the flat iron had been damaged en route from the East. Gro nan took some of the damaged iron to his place to dispose of. He did not know if any of it found its way in to the ferry building Any change from one kind of iron to another might make great diff ference in price.
 the board was considering if the estimate of $500 GOO would build the depot the mem bers felt that 1t would not be enough;
 He was asked what first caused the changing of the plans, and answered that he did not think they were changed in lns time. The minutes of the meeting in which the plans were changed showed the attendance of a full board. He did not re- member that any estimate as to cost was made in considering the changes.
 Dickinson-When did the board arrive at the conclusion that it could exceed the original sum, $600,O 900?
 Cole-I never arrived at that conclu- sion
 Dickinson-Did the board ever. discuss the propriety of drawing money from the harbor improvement fund, or was 1t matter too delicate to discuss with
 A committee from the Merchants anu Manufacturers City Front Improvement Club, consisting of P. F. Dundon, William Geiselman, o. D. Baldwin and James Denman. appeared befofe the investigat ing committee. They stated that they had been organized for a year with the object of advocating the southern eNten- sion of the seawall and the changing of the grade of that part of the city. There was much property in that locality that could not be improved until the State completed it's work.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22

took some nourishment during the day. and Dr. Ellinwood his physician, is very hopeful of his recovery, although he must necessarily be kept quiet for many days
 The report that his illness was due to heart disease is erroneous. pr. Ellinwood says that does not describe his condi- tion. His physician is disinclned to state the exact nature of his disease, but the fact that he is rallying will be cheering news to the doctors many friends.
 At 10 o'clock last night pr. Ellinwood much refreshed, and the indications were extremely favorable. He had good day. and there Is now no immediate danger
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
ZANTE CURRANT FIGHT
 WON BY CALIFORNIA
Greek Product Will Not Be Admitted to This Country Free
 of Dutv

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The Zante raisin matter is settled. Special Com missioner Kasson wrote to Senator Perkins to-day that the California peo- pie misapprehended the Presidents S message; that he made no ''recommen- dation" favoring free Zante entrants; but that the representations made by the California fruit growers have wholly done away with the Greek claim to free admission of this fruit The results of this investigation seems likely to establish the California claims on stronger grounds than ever before, says KaSSOn
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
A THRIVING Ex-BELLBoY.
Another Charge of Burglary Booked
 Against Steve M. Harding.

Steve M. Harding the ex-bell boy, who was arrested Saturday for attempting to rob and strangle his friend, Harry Charles, in the St. Nicholas Hotel, had another charge of burglary booked against him at the City Prison yesterday by Detectives Egan and Gibson.
 December 1 Harding occupied room in the Neustand lodging-house, 340 Geary street, and the opposite room was occu- pied by J. F. Pfetch. That night Pfetch's room was entered and a pair of valuable opera glasses and a revolver were stolen.
 Harding had sold the opera-g glasses to Charles, and the detectives also recovered the revolver
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
WATER FRONT BOUGHT
 BY THE SANTA FE

 o \ O acil 
 
  tain A H. Payson acting for the This
  of S to 
  S n n
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
Victims of a Runaway Disaster.

THE DALLES, Or. Dec. 21.-Word was received here late this afternoon of g. fatal accident at Rices Hill, fifteen miles south of The Dalles. William Gardiner and Miss Reese, who live near Liberty School House, were coming to The Dalles to get married. While descending the hill the team became unmanageable Both were thrown out and the young lady was almost instantly killed. Gardiner re- ceived injuries which are believed to be fatal.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
New Orleans Running Events.

NEW ORLEANS. Dec 21.-Weather clear; track lumpy and heavy. Results:
 First race. selling. one mile-Moroni won, Lo- cust Blossom second, Can I See Elm third. Time, 1:50.
 Second race, five furlongs-Dolly Weithoff won, Pell Nell II second Mrs. Jimmy third Time, 1:06A.
 Third race one mile-Blue Dan won School Girl second, Rushfleld third. Tims :45
 Fourth race, six furlongs-HultG won Hen rica second, Mamie Davis third. Time 1:20 ernor Budd second, voyager third. Time, 1:5O
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
TRAINER CooPEE DEAD.
Was in Years Past the Owner of Some
 Famous Horses.

NEW YORK, Dec. 21-Al. vt Cooper, a horse trainer, died to-day in the hospital in Williamsburg from a complication of diseases. He was born fifty-three years ago in California. In 1884 he came East with the stable of Lucky" Baldwin At one time Cooper was worth $65 900, part of this being the proceeds of the sale of the two-year-old Hyda Abad to James R. Keene. After selling Peter the Great he never owned a good horse. In recent years his colors were seldom seen on a track.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
ERIE AND HAWKINS MATCHED. Fight Likely to Be Brought Off on
 the Pacific Coast

NEW YORK, Dec. H.-Frank Erne of Buffalo and Dal Hawkins of San Fran cisco were matched to-day to fight twen- ty-five rounds at the lightweight limit, 133 pounds, before the club offering the best inducements, and also for a side bet of $2000. In all probability the bout will take place on the Pacific Coast some time in February, as several California clubs have made bids for the contest.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-22
DIR. STEBBINS IMPROVING. A Decided Change For the Better
 Noted in His Condition.

There was a decided change for the bet ter in the condition of the Rev Horatio Stebbins yesterday. The improvement was the direct result of his having gained considerable strength Tuesday night, when he had a few hours of sleep. He