davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1898-12-24
The Railroad Wins

FARGO, N. D., Dec. 23.-After many
months work and thousands of dollars ex-
pended in securing expect testimony, the
famous North Dakota railroad rate case
was decided by United States Judge Ami
don today in favor of the railroads. The
decision is concurred in by United States
Judge Thayer. Pursuant to law enacted
by the last legislature, the railroad com
missoners made a slightly reduced freight
tariff. The railroads obtained an injunc-
ton in the United States court preventing
the enforcement of the rates. Judge Ami
don then appointed Attorney Lowell a
special master to take testimony in the
case. Attorney General Cowan and he de-
voted practically an entire year to the case,
assisted by number of experts. The de-
csion is to the effect that capital has right
to proper remuneration and North Dakota
failed to show that the railroad rates yield
more than proper income on the capital
invested All the roads in the state had
iOined in the contest
The herald., 1898-12-24
BOOKS WERE BURNED
BUT LABoRERS DON'T KNOW
THEIR CONTENTS
The Standard OIL Clerks and Book
keepers Keep Carefully Beyond
Reach Of Subpoenas

CLEVELAND, O., Dec 23.-Evidence was
secured from additional witnesses today to
show that books belonging to the Standard
Oil Company had been destroyed on Novem-
Der 10 and 81. The first witness examined
before Notary Mason today was George
Fields, who claimed to have sent empty
boxes from the general offices after the books
which is alleged to have been destroyed,
were taken away.
Fields says that he was an employe in the
car shops of the Standard. He saws that
ne was instructed by telephone to send two
men to the general Office.
George w. Moran said that he was sent
by Fields to the general offices November
18th after boxes of books and papers. Ed
ward Chea and McNierney went with him
and Harry Gabeline and Henry Schaf came
in the afternoon.
He said the boxes were about four feet
square and weighed about 300 pounds. He
said that the hallway was SO narrow that
he lowered them to the ground with block
and tackle through window.
Moran said that the boxes were lowered
upon a wagon and taken to the store house
on Independence street. Moran testified
that on the following Monday morning, the
general office telephoned to the car shops
for two men. McNierney and himself were
sent. On that morning they took some
boxes from the store house to the river pump
house. He did not know whether they were
the same boxes that they had got Saturday,
They took the boxes to the furnaces and
burned the contents. He admitted that he
had talked to Attorney S. H. Tolles, of the
Standard, in regard to the destruction OF
the books.
On cross-examination by Attorney TolLes,
Moran said that he knew lot of books and
papers were burned year ago, but he did
not help to burn them.
The books were burned Saturday in the
car shops and on Monday in the pump house.
Nobody said anything to him about the
matter
Several other witnesses appeared today,
but their depositions were not taken. Con
stable McMahon was sent to subpoena sew
eral bookkeepers and clerks employed at
the Euclid avenue offices but came back with
the report that he had been unable to find
any of the men he was looking for.
Another effort was also made today to
subpoena Secretary Squire of the Standard
Company and Frank Rockefeller, but neither
could be found.
The taking. of depositions was continued
until O'Clock tomorrow morning.
The herald., 1898-12-24
THE BOTKIN CASE
Defendant Denies Every Charge Made
Against Her

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23.-The trial
of Mrs. Cordela Botkin is nearing an end.
The defense concluded its case today, with
the testimony of the accused woman. Mrs.
Botkin made specific denials of almost all
the charges brought against her. She con-
tradicted the testimony of almost every wit
mes that has appeared for the prosecution
and her denials, generally, We're on the most
important points in the case. She swore
that she did not buy the candy sent Mrs.
Dunning, or the little handkerchief whcih
was enclosed for Mrs. Dunning's little girl.
She admitted intimacy with John p. Dun
ming, ard stated to the jury that she had
tried to prevail upon him to return to his
family. Cross. examination brought out at
least one very important fact against the ac-
cused. She admitted being at the ferry
depot on the day that the poisoned candy
was mailed at the ferry postoffce Three
other unimportant witnesses were intro
duced by the defense. The court then ad-
journed until Tuesday, when the prosecu.
ton will present testimony in rebuttal.
The herald., 1898-12-24
MILES MAKES INQUIRY
REGARDING MEAT SOLDIERS
COULDN'T EAT
Some information Obtained and More
Coming Of Crookedness in Con-
tracts for Army Supplies

CINCINNATI, Dec. 23.-Genefal Miles
returned to Washington today after being
the guest of honor here last night at the
New England banquet. The Commercial
Tribune today has the following interview
with him:
When asked as to the investigation into
the beef contract scandal he is now making,
to which he referred in his testimony, We'd
nesday, General Miles said:
MY suspicious were aroused several
months ago, and l at once instituted an in
vestigation into the matter Of sending beef
to the army in the West Indies. The testi-
mony Of Wednesday relating to 1926 tons Of
refrigerated beef and 10000 pounds of
canned fresh beef, which was unfit for
food, is only one item. This was sent to
Puerto Principe. How much more was sent
to Porto Rico / do not know"
"How about the beef supply for the army
in Cuba?''
at was Just as bad. The conditions there
were no better than they were in Porto
Rico, as / indicated in my testimony"
"How about rations before the army en-
barked? Was the supply no better before
the transports sailed than after the army
was established in Cuba?"
1T was the same at Tampa and the same
at Jacksonville"
'.Will you give a little more light on what
you meant by the assertion in your test-
mony before the War Commission yester-
day."
General Miles suggested that the food was
sent to his large army under pretense of an
experiment. II think" continued General
Miles, "that that sentence is sufficiently
plain:
> Prestige is the precise term to be
used 1t is absurd to pretend that these
enormous quantities of beef were sent to an
entire army simply as an experiment. To
expect that beef can be exposed to the
tropical sun for sixty hours without morti-
flying is out of the question:
"How about the chemicals used in pre-
pairing this beef?"
; Az stated in my testimony, believe
that the action of these chemicals was largely
responsible for the sickness in the army.
have medical authority for this statement,
and l believe it to be true"
"How far along has your own investiga-
tion into this subject progressed?"
of the most important information | have
received has been acquired in the last few
"What channel will this investigation take
upon its conclusion?"
II will not discuss that. 1t is my duty to
investigate any wrong existing in the army,
and that am now doing in the regular mill
tary manner. The work is not completed
yet, and until it is done, l have nothing to
add to the statement before the war COM
mittee yesterday"
"What was the matter with the tents?'
There were not enough of them. They
were not suited to stand the war and some
of them were DOOR,"
The herald., 1898-12-24
FRENCH CLAIMS
Only Involve a Little Chunk of
China

WASHINGTON, Dec 2a.-So far as can
be learned here, the conflicting claims be-
tween the French government and the
United States government at Shanghai,
China, do not involve any broad question
relating to the acquisition of large tracts
of China by France. Complaint was made
to this government that the French repre-
sentatives in China, under the guise of ex-
tending the limits of their extra territorial
concession in Shanghai, had included in the
claim certain property, valued mainly for
riparian uses, which had long been occupied
or enjoyed by American citizens and Ameri-
can corporations. Upon this statement,
United States Minister Conger was instruct
ed to protest to the Chinese government
against any action on it's part which would
result in injury to the American citizens
above described. 1t is gathered from the
Shanghai dispatches that the British gov
ernment has taken similar course. But
beyond that there has been no joint action
between the two governments.
The herald., 1898-12-24
A TRADE TREATY
To Improve Business Between Chile
and Ecuador

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23.-The steam
er San Juan, from Central America, brought
news thatth governments of Ecuador and
Chine, with the purpose of developing re-
ciprocal commerce, have resolved to form a
commercial and navigation treaty for this
purpose. The president of the republic OF
Ecuador, by his excellency, Senior DR.. Car
los Freile Zaldumbide, minister plenipoten.
tiary, and the president of the republic of
Chile. by his excellency, Senor Don Beltrain
Matthew, have agreed to certain articles
which will result in materially benefiting
trade between these countries.
In consequence of the matters set forth in
the treaty, the members Of the Manufactur-
ers and Producers association met today
and formulated letter which will be adj
dressed to the secretary of state at Wash
ington, setting forth San Francisco's advan-
tages as shipping point for Central and
South American points.
The herald., 1898-12-24
ORDERS SENT THE BENNINGTON
To Sail West From Honolulu and Raise the Stars and Stripes
Over Wake Island, Which Is Needed for Cable Station

Dec sarm t hand liar
. M We dha about mnh iron ihu the Of H ian IN mi
from in of
a OF t CO.. h
n e
. scuuh the tcnofac cuenert dyhehwa
ton hl deemed to mt o cal nj Or
. American commission FAR nc d to h C b ho
ndnsn America for mma dp pcemde
. 1t is nj k a he p
. IN
. kte amred of Pearl hrr seven miles iron Honolulu will form he hd of h
. ph for the a d
The herald., 1898-12-24

the Indian exhibit in Chicago, testified that
Daniel La Fort told him the belts were
merely relics, although he is nominally one
of the plaintiffs. Mr.. Sanborn added that
John Boyd, an Indian living in Canada, was
pum-keeper of the Onondagas.
General Clark was then recalled and swore
that after the revolutionary war part of the
Onondagas went to Canada, after which
each party had wampum-keeper.
Baptiste Thomas, one of the chiefs of the
Onondagas, testified that he first saw the
wampums in possession of his grandfather
thirty or forty years ago. His grandfather
was wampum-keeper, he said, and from him
the belts passed into the hands of Chief
Abram La Fort, and when he died Webster
"took them" On cross-examination Mr.
Delahanty evoked the statement that each
chief received $50 for voting to designate
the State University as wampum-keeper
Justice Hiscock reserved his decision.
The herald., 1898-12-24
Chiefly Business

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 23--Thomas H.
MasSn and MS Mie e Ss was 'si ps
completing arrangements for an extended
tour of the world. While their trip will
be one of pleasure and business combined,
the chief object Mr.. Watson has in view is
the acquisition of property valued at nine
million pounds. He has in his possession
papers which he claims show him to be en-
titled to about one-haf of the town Of Car
Isle. in England,
The herald., 1898-12-24
A SANTIAGO CEREMONY
Indicating Some Appreciation Of the
Services Rendered

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Dec. 23.--Senor
Bacardo, the mayor of Santiago, accompan-
led by the city council, visited General
Wood, the military governor, today to pre-
sent him with an old Spanish medal Of
honor, of embossed gold, with chain and
a parchment scroll containing the words:
ITO make ones self beloved by the peo-
pie in difficult moments is the best Of vic
tories"
The deputaton requested General Wood
to forward similar medal to President Nc
Kinley with a scroll containing the declara-
ton:
"a people never forgets it's benefactors." :"
General Wood, replying in a few appro-
pirate remarks of thanks, promised to for
ward the presidents medal and scroll to
Washington, assuring the mayor and coun-
cilmen that he was confident Mr.. Mckinley
would be gratified to receive them.
The herald., 1898-12-24
THREE SISTERS
All Famous for Their Skill as Shop
1ifters

: SPOKANE, Wash, Dec 23.-With arbabe
in her arms and tears streaming down her
cheeks, Bertha Bruges was brought into
The police station today charged with sys-
tematic shoplifting. The police believe that
she is shoplifter of national reputation.
They have e letters th from from the thee east and on the
woman for some time. Chief Jansen of
Milwaukee wrote that the woman is un-
doubtedly Bertha Wier, one of the Wier
sisters of Chicago, notorious hoplifters, all
of them. She was driven out of Milwau-
kee, and Chief Jansen adds that she has
sister in Joliet prison, another under arrest
in Chicago and sister and brother serving
an eight.year term in the Colorado peniten-
tiary The woman confessed to the police
here. but denies relationship with the Wier
family
The herald., 1898-12-24
Revenue Stamp Frauds

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-In view of the
fact that fraud has been discovered in con-
nection with the cancellation of documen-
taly and adhesive internal stamps, by which
old stamps were reused, the internal reve-
requires all such stamps to be cancelled
with the initials of the user, together with
the month, day and year written or stamped
thereon. Hitherto the month and day of
has not been required.
The herald., 1898-12-24
For the Ceremonies at Havana
on New Years Day
CHANGE OF FLAGS TO OCCUR AT NOON
The Spanish Commission Will Surrender to the American
Commission, Which in Turn Will Transfer the
Government to the General

in the hospitals will remain under the safe
guard of the American flag, the Spanish an
thorities providing medicines, attendance
and food, repatriating them on recovery.
Generals Wade, Butler and Clous, accom-
panied by their aides, were received al the
palace today with full military honors. the
Spanish trumpeters blew a flare and the po-
lice guards saluted. The same ceremonies
marked the retirement of the American
ffYicars
The herald., 1898-12-24
A Quid Pro Quo

LONDON, Dec. 24.-The question: of the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty is freely discussed
in the morning papers. The Daily News
and the Daily Chronicle published editori-
ais asserting that Lord Salisbury Fought ia
get some concessions in return for consent.
ing to abrogation." The Daily Chronicle
points out that the canal would make the
United Sattes great naval power in the
far east, increase American naval strength
in the Atlantic and alter to England's dis
advantage the carrying trade to the far
east,
The herald., 1898-12-24
samoan AHs irs

LONDON, Dec. 23.-The Washington
government, according to dispatch from
Auckland, has instructed the United States
consul at Samoa to act With great vigilance
and not to entrust his duties to his British
and German colleagues. 1t appears the
German agent has taken advantage of his
IU mrn;tion without their r. knoweJoe now and ai also a
to obtain important advantages for German
firms Me
The herald., 1898-12-24
Lorber Not Wanted

NEW YORK, Dec. 23-Isador Lorber.
who surrendered himself to the police in
San Francisco and is now being held for the
New York authorities, probably will be
released. The police state that all he did
was to desert his wife, and there is no sus-
DEATH which occurred three days after his
departure. Lolber heard that he was
wanted for murder and gave himself up IN
San Francisco,
The herald., 1898-12-24
sagasta's Sickness

MADRID, Dec. 23.-The condition of
Senior Sagasta, tho premier, now causes
grave anxiety. Six physicians were in
consultation this afternoon regarding his
case, and concurred that he is suffering from
bronchial pneumonia, with high tempera-
ture and an unfavorable absence of expec-
toration. The newspapers express great
sympathy. Senior Groissard, minister of
justice, is acting premier.
The herald., 1898-12-24
FEAR OF FRICTION
To Be Removed by Abrogation Of the
Treaty

NEW YORK, Dec. 23.-A special to the
Herald from Washington says:
All danger of further friction between the
United States and Great Britain over the
construction of the Nicaragua canal will
shortly be removed by the abrogation of the
ClaytonBulwer treaty.
Your correspondent is in position to au.
thoritatively state that Sir Julian Paunce-
tote, the British Ambassador, has received
or will receive within the next few days
positive instruction to enter upon negotia-
| tions with Secretary Hay for the abrogation
OF the convention referred to and the prep-
a1ation OF new treaty guaranteeing the
neutrality of the canal. The change of the
| British government from it's old position Of
| insisting upon having a voice in the con-
struction OF the proposed canal is the result
OF representations made to Lord Salisbury
by Mr.. Henry White, Charge d'Affaires of
this government in London.
| 1t is the understanding of those who are
| aware of the change in the attitude of the
British government that Lord Salisbury will
suggest through Sir Julian the advisability
of the United States granting some con-
cessions to his government in return for
the REIMBURSEMENT of the important rights
ossessed by Great Britain in the matter
c,f canal across the isthmus, which for
nearly fifty years have been recognized by
this government in the treaty negotiated
by John M. Clayton on the part OF the
United States and Lord Henry Lytton Bull
wer on the part of the British government.
Just what concessions will be asked are not
known, nor will they be until fuller final
instructions have been received by Sir Jul.
ian and communicated to Secretary Hay.
The herald., 1898-12-24
NOT A PRIZE
San Juan Blockade Was Not Effective
in Ju1v

CHARLESTON, s. G., Dec. 23.-In the
United States district court today Judge
Brawley handed down decision discharg-
ing the Olinde Rodriguez, the French steam
ship made a prize Of war at New Orleans on
July II. The ship belonged to the Trans
atlantic line, and at one time it seemed az
though international complications might
grow out Of her detention and the FIGHT in
the United States courts over her has been
long and bitter
Judge Bradley releases the. ship on the
ground that the blockade of San Juan was
not effective on the 5th day of July in the
nations. -
The herald., 1898-12-24

action in the morning and ordered to an.
swer before the superior court within ten
days. The proceeding is only quasi-criminal
in nature, the object being simply to oust
the trustees from office
The herald., 1898-12-24
Day on Duty Again.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.--Secretary
Day resumed his duties at the state depart
ment today, although still suffering from
the effects Of an attack of the grip.
The herald., 1898-12-24
Is Ready for Submission to the
Senate Committee
ALL DANGER OF BRITISH OBJECTION
To Be Removed BY the Early Abrogation Of the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty and the Making Of Agree
ment Guaranteeing Neutrality

treaty than could be arranged under exist.
ing circumstances
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-22
A LEADER RECOGNIZED.

II want you to come to see me.
would go to you. but am sick and unable
to leave the house. / believe you to be
the only man in the country to-day who
can save us from the twin evils of i'm
perialism and militarism. From a letter
written by Andrew Carnegie to William
Jennings Bryan.
Republicans, leaders of the first
prominence in that party not controlled
by administration and Wall street in
luences, men who bitterly opposed Mr..
Bryan in 1896. now hail him in the
present great emergency a. the
man best fitted to marshal the
forces of the people under the banner
Of the Constitution and to lead
them to victory over those deadliest
foes of the peoples liberties-Imper.al-
ism and Militarism.
And on the side of the people in the
coming mighty struggle to preserve
American institutions in their purity
and strength are the best men and
leaders in the Republican party.
1t is a cause that cannot lose.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-22


The unexpected publicity given the
outrageous proposition to give Messrs.
Day and Reid, of the Peace Commits
sion, 100000 apiece for their services,
and Secretary Moore $4,000 for his.
has stirred up such storm Of indig-
nant protest among members OF both
branches of Congress and throughout
the country that it has been hastily
given out from Washington that the
President will not fix the compensation
of the Commissioners for their fifty
nine days service at so exorbitant and
extortionate a sum. Let us hope not. 1t
would simply be an outrageous and
profligate waste of the peoples money.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-22
THE PEACE COMMISSION DIVIDED.

The intolerable bigots of the admin
istration press who can see nothing
honest or patriotic in any man who
opposes the un-American imperial
policy imputed to the administration,
should study the attitudes of the Peace
Commissioners, themselves, who hold
differing views on the subject of the
annexation of the Philippines.
Senator Gray, for example, regards
the p Icy Of annexation as a grave
blunder' on the part of the admins
tration. A cable dispatch says:
The Senator regards the action of the
United States in forcing Spain to give up
the Philippines as simple ruthlessness He
believes that we have exchanged the
moral leadership of nations for the mere
vulgar instinct of acquisition.
The Senator signed the treaty in spite
OF his serious objections because the
treaty put an end to war, and not to have
signed it would have meant chaos
The commission. he said, acted aim st
entirely in obedience to Instructions from
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-22
THE CONSPIRACY DEFINITELY OUT
LINED.

At the meeting Tuesday night in SEN
ator Elkins's apartments at Washing
ton, the Mecca of the Republican lead
ers of West Virginia, the Charleston
consiprators and their satellites from
that and other sections of the State
drilled themselves in the revolution
airy work by which they propose to
reverse the sovereign will of the peo-
pie of West Virginia as expressed at
the polls and steal a United States
Senator. The plan briefly outlined by
one of the leaders is as follows:
For every man who is unseated in the
House we will unseat one in the Senate.
If the opera ton continues too far we will
withdraw from the organization and or
ganze a separate House The question
will be submitted to the Governor, and he
will recognize the Republican organiza-
ton"
When we take into consideration the
fact that the Democrats have entered
but one contest, and that in a case
where the evidence is practically indis-
putable, while the conspirators have
entered nearly a dozen without shadow
Of reason, the full flavor and scope of
this revolutionary proposition of the
conspirators becomes apparent.
They really do not purpose to wait
Tor the Democrats of the House to con-
test any seat, but to throw out all the
Democrats they can in the Senate
while unlawfully depriving of their
seats the legally elected successors of
oierson and Getzendanner.
Then the Republican minority of the
House of Delegates will flock by them
selves and the Governor, who fondly,
but foolishly, hopes to benefit by the
outrage to the extent of being elected
Senator, will recognize this lawless
body as the real House of Delegates,
This is the revolutionary plot of the
conspirators told almost in their own
brazen language.
1t remains to be seen if the sover-
eign people of West Virginia will sub
nit to having this stain placed on the
States escutcheon, this damnable, dast-
ardly outrage upon the ballot and upon
their liberties.