davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1898-06-04
THE NEW ALABAMA

There was launched last week at Phila-
delphia the battleship Alabama, which,
when completed, will add to the United
States navy a war vessel Of greater fight
ing power than that of any other battle
ship afloat. She is one of three boats au-
thorized by act Of congress in 1896, the
other two, the Illinois and Wisconsin, be-
ing under construction at Newport News
and San Francisco.
The main battery of the Alabama con-
sists Of four thirteen-inch and fourteen
six-inch guns. The latter are rapid-fire
guns, and the largest Of their class yet
constructed, the Alabama being the first
ship to carry them. The six-inch battery
will have an amazing force, it's combined
energy being about 225,oOO-foot tons a
minute. On her main deck eight of the
guns will be inclosed in central battery,
while in her bows on the same deck are
two more, and on the upper deck four,
that may be fired dead ahead or dead
astern. She will have besides sixteen six
Founders and four torpedo tubes. Her
turrets are elliptical in fCem, and her
smoke pipes are placed abreast of each
other, both entirely new features in bat
tleship architecture. Her batteries are
protected by six-inches of steel and her
is 1850 tons. When our
navy is increased by the addition of this
formidable battleship and by that Of the
Illinois and Wisconsin-each her fighting
equal-the United States will have made
a long stride in the direction of being a
first-class naval power. The name ALA
bama" is significant of fighting qualities
Of speed in pursuing and dauntless cour-
age in attacking the enemy-a name of
evil omen to our commercial marine dur
ing our civil war, but henceforth to be
consecrated to the defense of our flag and
to the honor and glory Of the United
States.
The herald., 1898-06-04
VICTORY FOR SILVER

The senate yesterday, by the rather de-
cisive vote of As to 81, adopted the Wal
colt amendment to the war revenue bill.
changing the coinage paragraph of the
finance committees substitute, so as to
provide for the graduated minting of the
silver seigniorage in the treasury vaults,
not to exceed $4.000,O 900 month, the limit
of the Sherman act of July IA, 1890.
To this change there can be no reason
able objection. since it provides for the
utilization of the idle silver belonging to
the government, in quantities about equal
to the capacity of the mints-recognizes
principle strongly contended for by the
bimetallic section in congress, and as bit
terly opposed and ridiculed by the gold
men, and promises to add, within the
next twelve months, fifty millions of doll
lars to the metallic money Of the coun-
try.
The affirmative vote upon the PROPOSE
tion is significant feature of the sem
ate's action, since it includes not only
number of Republicans, but, as we'll, sew
eral Gold Democrats, and senators who
are generally for silver, except on roll
call.
Among the Gold Democrats who voted
aye were Gray, Lindsay and McEnery;
among the administration Republicans,
Chandler, Perkins, Warren and Thurs
ton: among the silver-men-with- an-if,
Mantle Shoup and Wolcott
The adoption of the amendment is
] decisive victory for silver, though we fean
| the price to be paid for it will include the
final withdrawal of opposition to the issue
of longtime bonds-possibly tacit un-
derstanding that, after the question has
been reasonably debated, dilatory tactics
will not be resorted to by the opposition.
1t points to probable understanding that
| the bill shall go to the house within few
days, with a dish of crow for the silver
element of that body, in the shape Of a
provision for bond issue, and dish Of
crow for the administration adherents
in the shape of pronounced recognition
| of silver as a still important factor in the
| monetary system of the country.
| We are inclined to the opinion that the
house will accept any bill sent down by
the senate, substantially as passed, pro-
viding it shall contain a bond clause.
The herald., 1898-06-04
His Memory Vindicated

To the Editor of The Los Angeles Herald:
In recent issue of a paper published in
your city q think the Record under the
headline Unreasonable" I find purported
interview by Major Donnell the paper
says now district attorney. IN which he
speaks Of arresting my father while he was
in congress in 1861. This purported inter-
view further states:
When reached Little Rock the news
boys were calling out "extra," all
about the arrest of Congressman Hall
for treason"
The congressman, for such he proved
to be, was subsequently tried and con-
victed by court martial and spent long
term in Lafayette prison.
NY father has been dead about ten years.
was only years old at that time, and
while I cannot recall the incidents of the
war very well, do know that the above
statement charging my father with having
been "tried and convicted by court mar
tial and being imprisoned for 1t, or on any
other charge in any prison, is most In
famous lie, and the author of 1t cowardly
slanderer of the dead
BY publishing this statement you Will
do an act of justice and greatly oblige.
U. S. HALL.
Hubbard, Randolph Co., Mo-, May "a,
The herald., 1898-06-04
COERCION OF CONGRESS

Lodge and Grosvenor, administration
mouth-p pieces in senate and house, are
credited with declaring that, in the event
of the failure of annexation in congress
this week, the president will seize the
Hawaiian Islands, as war measure.
Giving expression to such a sentiment
while returning from the White House,
it assumes the dignity Of threat-a
threat of one coordinate branch of the
government against another-a species of
attempted intimidation and of coercion
quite out of harmony with the spirit OF
our institutions.
If the president, as commander-in-c chief
of our army and navy, deems the posses
sion of the Hawaiian group as essential,
or even important, to the successful op-
Grafton of our arms, it is not only his priv
ilege, but his duty, to seize them, without
any hesitation or delay. He needs to
consult neither congressman nor senators.
Wisdom would dictate that he consult
no one. Seizure in the name of the United
, ldlSS SlOulll DC Tic al ~
A heroic coup like that might command
the respect of the nation.
But the alternative plan adopted and
pursued is little less than contemplate.
1t began with the employment of party
pressure to drive an unwilling senate into
ratification Of treaty. Failing in this,
resort was had to joint resolution, fol-
lowed by a scheme of voluntary cession
and acceptance Of protectorate. Then
Lodge attempted to compel action by
placing an annexation rider On the war
revenue bill. and at the first sign of re-
volt against the drastic proceeding, he
consulted the president, and announced
the executive determination to override
congress and seize the islands.
Progress toward dictatorship may then
be more rapid. 1t will be but another
step in that direction for the president to
declare that, as war measure, there
must be an immediate issue of bonds, and
unless congress shall speedily pass the
pending bill he will take the measure in
his own hands.
The danger Of such thing would be
more imminent, We must confess, with a
more determined man in the White
House. Our security is enhanced by the
weakness of his spine. He is given to
laundering in the index. He covets the
prestige for his administration Of acquir-
ing Hawaii, but stands in awe Of the re-
The herald., 1898-06-04
AS IT CONCERNS US DIRECTLY

California is more vitality concerned
than any other single commonwealth in
the new destiny" upon the exploitation
of which the country is expected to enter,
once the war is ended, and treaty of
peace places the United States in possess
sion of new territory in the Atlantic and
the Pacific 1t stands to gain more largely
by the expansion of our foreign commerce,
and to take on relatively greater respon-
sibilities, and assume larger proportion
of the perils, inseparable from departure
from the traditional policies of the past.
In the peaceful pursuit of new markets
for our surplus products in the Orient, we
shall be measurably released from the
thraldom of the transcontinental rail-
ways The schedules, which have here
tofore practically barred us out of eastern
and European markets, will serve us as
a protection against undue competition
with the productions of the country east
of the Missouri river in the trade of the
Orient. We may, indeed, cease our efforts
to compete with European producers in
the markets of the Atlantic seaboard-
measurably unsuccessful, even with the
help of partial and paternal legislation~
and direct our attention in the future to
marketing our surplus in new lands be"
yond the sea, which, by the way, will
soon be brought nearer to us by the mu'>
tiplication of transportation facilities GER
tain to follow the permanent occupation
of Hawaii and the Philippines by the
United States.
But whereas California will profit more
than any other section, should the dreams
of the new destiny optimists be only halls
realized, it will be far from an unmixed
blessing. 1t is inconceivable that the
bars against undesirable immigration will
not eventually be leveled under such
system of commercial aggression. 1t is
not a consistent theory that we shall be
allowed to overrun Asiatic countries at,
will while we deny admission to our
shores of their people, and California is
pretty certain to retain the worst ele-
ments of the hordes that come over. 1t
always has in the past, and doubtless will
in the future.
And in the event of international en-
tanglements growing out of our aggres-
sive new policy, peril inseparable from
its pursuit, eliminating in war, Califor-
MIA must serve as a buffer for the rest of
the country. 1t will invite the first as
saults. Here will be the storm center. 1t
will require many years of time ana
vaster expenditure of money than con-
gress will be disposed to vote, to protect
our long coast line from the new dangers
that will menace.
If we are to have new destiny, it will
not spring at once and full grown into
active, throbbing and tempestuous being
1t will rather be a slow unfolding, a grad
ual metamorphosis, scarcely perceptible
merging of the old in the new
We may have little influence in shaping
the course of events. But it is a theme
of never tagging interest, and of more or
Z less direct concern, and we may with
profit begin to think about it, that public
sentiment may the sooner crystallize.
The herald., 1898-06-04
Better Times

To the Editor of The Los Angeles Herald:
Everybody wants what are commonly
denominated good times" If the times
are good-that is to say if business is live
ly and money circulates freely-the general
desire is that such a condition may con-
tinue indefinitely. When times are dull,
so that business is greatly depressed, every
one is wishing and hoping for better times.
Even war, with all its horrors, suffering,
slaughter and decentralization is well
coined by millions of people, because
1t makes times better" from business
standpoint. True it is that war. whether
waged in just cause or otherwise always
opens the foodgates of rascality, and per-
mits greed to come in with its thousand
ard one cunning devices for swinding the
government out of millions, yes, hundreds
OF millions of money which has
been wrung from overworked producers
who pay nearly all of the taxes. True 1t is
that only small class of those who really
earn their living by useful methods are
benefited by the revival of business conse-
quent upon the breaking out of hostilities
while large majority suffer through sud-
den advances in the prices of life's neces-
stiles. Yet it is a fact that an overwhelm-
ing majority of the people hail with joy
the opening of war as a way out of indus
trial depression into the enjoyable atmos-
phere Of business activity.
Sooner of later however, the people of the
country will be forced to learn the i'm
portant truth which thus far they have
been slow to comprehend-that there can
never be general, healthy and permanent
prosperity until the fundamental cause of
depressiO and DOyerty has beeu removed
So long as the earth-owner is permitted to
appropriate the earnings of workers to
his own use, so that those who produce
wealth can retain only enough for bare
living, so long will there be no such condi-
ton as prosperity, except in spots and
spasms. Whether we have war or peace,
we shall look in vain for such prosperity as
could and would prevail all over this vast
country under free conditions.
We often hear the boast that the people of
the United tSates are "the freest people
on earth" Whether that be true or not,
1t is nothing to boast of. No other nation
is free, for no nation has as yet abolished in
dustrial slavery. New Zealand and New
South Wales have taken two or three steps
toward the abolishing of it, and are almost
sure to reach the goal before stopping long
on the road as the results thus far are sat-
!sfactory to all but few earth appropriat-
ors. The people of the United States. the
most resourceful country in the world
should follow the example of those British
colonies. and, by simple, scientific process,
proceed to shake off the land monopoly in
cubus. Then there would dawn an era of
prosperity worth seeing.
RALPH HoYT.
The herald., 1898-06-04
PASSING OF A PRETENDER

John Wanamaker's somewhat remark
has met with an inevitable elimination in
the discontinue Of the bogus reformer
and the triumph of the intrenched boss.
The result of the contest might be de-
plored throughout the country. as de-
cided defeat of the cause of good govern
ment. but for the universal conviction
that Wanamaker is no better than Quay,
save in his hypocrltical pretensions, and
that the machine which would rule Penn.
sylvania under the one boss would be
quite as unscrupulous as the other.
The methods by which Wanamaker
forced himself into public life and posi-
ton are we'll known, and are not calcu-
lated to inspire confidence in the integrity
of his purpose or the purity Of his mo-
tives. He had easy game, for the sway
Of the Quay machine has become almost
insufferabc. But the Republican hosts
were quite unable to see how they would
profit by an exchange for Wanamaker,
quite as INSCRIPTIONS, If less adroit, and
not nearly so tactful in political manipu-
lation.
Little has thus far been gained by the
struggle for mastery between two con-
scienceless bosses. But should Wana-
maker make good his threat to run as an
Independent candidate, both machines
may be smashed, and the people Of the
Keystone state again may have an in
ming.
The herald., 1898-06-04
A VETERAN SOLDIERS LAMENT

Yes, I saw the boys a startin', follered 'em
down to the train,
With a thousand recollections dancin'
in my warlike brain;
Hung round em till they started, waved
to them a last good-by,
Every glance a true God bless your
every breath a halfway sigh.
Then l turned and left the depot, feelin'
l was out of date,
An I couldn't help complainin' at the
cruel hand of fate
That had creased my face with wrinkles
an had loaded me with years,
An had cussed me with rheumatics in my
lower runnin' gears.
How I wished that I could jine 'em an
go with 'em DER the seas
Fur to keep OF Glory wavin' in the
Asiatic breeze;
With EN- share the tolls and dangers, an
the jolly fun at night.
When the cares O. day were over, in the
campfire's CHEEKY light;
Like to share with them the fightin'
'gainst the swarthy sons of Spain,
Sort O. like to hear the bullets come in
ceaseless leaden rain
Tell you what, my heart cavorted in a
quite rebellious way
When 1 saw the boys a startin', an felt
that l must stay.
Lord! but it was good to see 'em, with
their blankets round their necks,
Hung in ol'-time soldier fashion, with can
teens an haversacks,
An to see 'em pack their shooters in the
regulation style,
Jest as I've packed sich plaything fur
many hundred mile.
1t was good to see 'em marchin' in the
olden hep-hep-hep.
An tried my level darndest fur to try to
keep the step;
But the oil rheumatic twinges let me
know they still was there
Don' business jest as usual an couldn't
help but swear!
Never felt my age SO, comrade, in my life;
I've allus tried
Fur to be as young as ever, an I've felt
a lot O. pride
When you lynn sneaks d tell me was
lookin like a kid
o! don't offer to deny it, fur you know
darned well you did!
Never wished so cussed earnest for OIL
time to put me back
To the days of youth an ginger as when
standin' by the track
Watchin' them heroic soldiers climbin' up
on board the train
Guess I'll go an git religion, an be sort
O. born again!
Denver Post.
The herald., 1898-06-04
CALIFORNIA OPINION
One of the Changes

One of the marked changes that time
has wrought in northern sentiment regard
ing the proposition to return the confed-
crate flags is illustrated by the attitude of
Senator Foraker of Ohio. During Cieve-
lands first term the same suggestion was
made. At that time Foraker was governor
of Ohio, and his determined, unrelenung
opposition to the plan was one of the chief
causes of it's failure. Now the senator
says that conditions have changed Po-
litical considerations no longer figure IN
the matter, and he is one of the most ar
dent advocates that the furled banners of
the lost cause be returned to the men who
fought so gallantly under them.-San
Francisco Post.
The herald., 1898-06-04

average layman II would seem that a
landing might be effected much nearer
the Cuban capital The island has a num-
ber of safe and commodious harbors, and
it is scarcely probable they are all as i'm
pregnable" as Santiago has lately been
discovered to be.
But there is little profit in theorizing
in behalf of a policy which the admins
tration is determined not to pursue. For
reasons best known to the president and
his admirers, the war IL not to be brought
to a speedy end. The chief object of 1t
has already been lost sight of. The Oft
repeated determination to succor the re-
concentrates, at whatever cost, seems to
have been so long postponed that their
existence in any considerable numbers
may we'll be doubted. Cuba Libre" has
become something of a reminiscence. The
rainy season rapidly approaches. The
marines sing Pull for the Shore" but
the sentiment is not permitted to pass the
limitations of the score. officials Of the
state and navy departments are engaged
in formulating plans for the government
of islands accidentally fallen into our posi-
session, and of others that are ours only
theoretically. The war of conquest goes
merrily on-in the newspapers. The daily
expense has passed the million mark.
Other armies are to be called into being
for what? More transports are being
purchased-why? What miserable, sor-
did, political interests yet hold leading
strings over a valiant navy and gallant
army and block the progress of glorious
people in the achievement Of a grand pur-
pose?
The herald., 1898-06-04
A NATION BOTTLED UPv

The latest complacent Washington the
ory is that, with the fall of Santiago.
Blanco will surrender without the firing
of shot. The basis for such a belief is
not glaringly apparent. Cervera might
hold the town and harbor indefinitely
without being able to extend a helping
hand to the captain-general-to send him
q horn of powder or a ham. Santiago
would, it is true, give us base for land
expedition against Havana-500 miles dis
tant. For such purpose it would be rel
atively as available as Los Angeles for a
movement upon San Francisco. To the
The herald., 1898-06-04
UNCLE SANS NAVY
NO. q PORTFOLIO

U
Of that artistic series of views of the
United states Navy has been received at
the business office of the
DAILY HERALD
and the complete set can now be had
Present u coupon and 10 cents for each
Portfolio-6O cents fora complete set. IT
to be sent by mail. cents extra on each
Portfolio for postage.
Those desiring complete sets should
call at once AS the stock OH hand of some
of the mum bers is very limited.
Portfolio No. comprises some OF the
most interesting and exciting views ever
taken by camsra or sketched by pen. in
cluding a double page illustration of a
naval engagement between the fleets of
America and Spain, representing the
greatest battleships. torpedo boats, tor
pedoes, and torpedo boat destroyers of
both nations in furious combat.
The herald., 1898-06-04
A Centrifugal Gun

The wonderful gun of James Judge, ex-
pected to discharge 10000 bullets per min
ute, is a development of the ancient sling.
The bullets are fed from hopper into the
rim of a three-foot disc, which is rotated
in a case at 1900 revolutions per minute
the centrifugal force causing the missiles
to be discharged through a sleeve-which
can be sighted and elevated or depressed
like the muzzle of a rihe-at tremendous
muzzle velocity.
The herald., 1898-06-04
Hard Luck

He went up to the Klondike
In search of solid gold;
He worked and suffered hardships
That never can be told.
He struck 1t rich. and then he
Came back to find one day,
That million had been left him
While he had been away.
Chicago NewA
The herald., 1898-06-04
It Nav React

Don Carlos indorses Weyler and thinks
he "adopted the proper policy of putting
down the Cuban insurrection." That's
cheerful disposition for the Spaniard's to
contemplate in the event of, Carlos inva-
sion of their country.-Philadelphi
Ledger.
The herald., 1898-06-04

Owners of vessels suitable for trans
ports are said to be holding up the war
department for extortionate rates, and
thus delaying the departure of the Phil
ippine expedition. The secretary of war
has an alternative, but has he spinal
column?
The herald., 1898-06-04
Progress

willie, how did you get along at school
to-day?"
Every WE'LL"
Nov. Willie" his mother went on se-
verey, don't tell stories. I heard you
had to be punished
Eyes. But it didn't hurt as much as
usual."--Detroit Free Press. ~
The herald., 1898-06-04
San Diego's Little Harbor

Since the harbor here has been filled with
mines and torpedoes and warships of all
nations and such things, San Diego sends
its respects and congratulations to Los
Angeles on its expansive San Pedro har-
bor, which never could be filled full that
way.-San Diego Sun.
The herald., 1898-06-04

Considerations of health, as well as OF
comfort, dictate the removal of the troops
from the gulf to the lakes during tho
heated term. Florida is quite as un-
healthy as is Cuba in summer.
The herald., 1898-06-04
carpinp Costs $50. 900. Less One

The will of Rice M. Reynolds, late Of
Monson, Mass. which has beenl filed at
the registry Of probate, contains one pro-
vision of an unusual character and of deep
interest to the people of Monson. The pro-
vision reads: ut has been my intention to
give to the inhabitants Of Monson, in
The herald., 1898-06-04

cobwebs from the Notifications of San
Juan, that place has been supplied with
provisions sufficient for a long siege.
The enemy certainly cannot accuse US of
undue precipitancy, or a lack of appre-
citation Of the amenities. We always
give him time to get his house in order.
The herald., 1898-06-04

which town 1 was born and have spent all
my life thus far, the sum of $4,000, but in
view of the unjust criticism and abuse to
which those of my family who contributed
to the erection of the memorial town hall
have been subjected, 1 give and bequeath
to the said town the sum Of $1."-Spring-
field, Mass, Republican.
The herald., 1898-06-04

The New York Sun, discussing the re-
markable achievement of the oregon,
suggests that, to make good her loss on
the Pacific, the government should build
ten battleships like her here.
The herald., 1898-06-04

If Cervera has really moved 5000 miles
away, our fleets are more likely to over
take and crush him. The Caribbean sea
Is too near the Potomac to make first
class fighting ground
The herald., 1898-06-04

The president should not be so skeptical
of the efficiency of volunteers. We will
guarantee that respect for regulars" did
not characterize either the officers or men
of his command during the war.
The herald., 1898-06-04
THE PUBLIC PULSE

(The Herald under this heading prints
communications, but does not assume re-
sponsibiity for the sentiments expressed
Correspondents are requested to cultivate
brevity as far as is consistent with the
proper expression of their views.)
The herald., 1898-06-04

If the entrance to Santiago harbor Is
to be blocked with sunken vessels, why
not use those of Ccrvera's fleet for the
purpose? They are practically out of
commission Just now.