davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1898-08-24
DEATH OF DIR. GRIFFIN

Another historical character was
taken from Los Angeles yesterday by
the death Of DR.. John S. Griffin. Since
he took up his residence here In 1864 he
has been a prominent factor in the
social and material prosperity Of the
city. He not only held leading place
for years in the practice of his profess
sion. but he was also a man of affairs
and lent a hand in many important de-
velopments when the city was In it's for
native stage. East Los Angeles re-
garded him as a patriarch, since 1t was
he who first plated that section and
opened it for settlement. He was one
of the original incorporators and for a
long time was president of the Los An
geles City Water company. DR.. Griffin
left an impress on the community as
only man Of strong individuality and
great tenacity of purpose can do. and
his death will be mourned by wide cir
Gle of old-time friends.
The herald., 1898-08-24

his opinion In the premises to the views
of his. party friends and SO made the first
precedent In our history of foreign an
nexation by treaty. Jefferson had the
reputation Of being we'll grounded in
constitutional law, but public approval
resolved every doubt in favor of the
treaty, and so the precedent was estab-
lished. Thereafter, when Mr.. Monroe
acquired Florida by purchase from
Spain, the JeffersoMan precedent was
successfully invoked and a valuable ac-
QUESTION was peacefully and honorably
made.
If custom Is the life Of the common
law" as jurists contend. we need, at
this day, no amendment to the federal
constitution authorizing the acquisition
of new territory and defining the modus
operandi thereof. Yet it would seem,
that in the accomplishment Of work
Of so much Importance to the republic as
the acquisition Of new states and terri
tories, the American people should have
something to say. In such cases there
ought to be referendum Of some sort to
the people-such, for instance, as their
consent by a majority vote to such an
nexation, or the like. Otherwise the
people Of the United States will continue
to occupy the anomalous position of
helpless lookers-on while their public
servants do that for which there Is no
constitutional warrant, and which may
result In the serious modification II not
radical reconstruction of democratic in
situations.
OF course, we are not oblivious Of the
elastic and all but omnipotent principle
Of implied power" that, latent in the
constitution, arms with authority con-
gress, by implication, as some recent
commentators on constitutional law
would have us believe, to annex the
earth. But the American people do not
take very kindly to the doctrine of "im-
piled powers" They much prefer a
plain thus saith the law" and are prone
to hold the powers that be to a strict
construction Of the legal text, at that.
They scent danger to our political insti-
tut1ons when men rest their authority
for doing acts of grave moment to the
republic upon implications and the thin
Ice of logical deductions or fine-spun
conclusions.
The herald., 1898-08-24
Philippine Taxes

Before you grumble about your taxes
just reflect how much worse OF the natives
OF the Philippines are. In the Philippine
Islands all males over q years OF age must
pay poll tax that equals about $40 of our
money and the women must pay SIS. A
man must pay license to sell cocoanuts
from his own trees or indigo of his own
raising. Every article of furniture that
costs half sovereign is taxed. The cur
tain never goes up at the theater unless
SO Is paid to the government, and for
every act of slaughtering his own animals,
clipping his own sheep or Telling his own
trees the Philippine farmer must pay a
fee to the government. There is exacted
government tribute for getting married ana
for being buried, and at every step and
turn Of his life the tax collector holds out
his hand to him, and 1t is not a demand
that can be refused. No wonder Spain
wishes to keep a possession that yields
such a return; no wonder also that the last
sixty years have developed seventeen re-
bellions in the MISREPRESENTATION
Journal
The herald., 1898-08-24

ton and Of time. 1t would be a dere-
LECTION Of duty to at once turn the man
agement of affairs over to the Cuban
people under the circumstances, when
the Spanish military and civil authori-
ties are withdrawn. AS a matter Of
prudence and duty we must remain in
control Of the islands until such gov
eminent is established as the Christian
world will approve.
1t is not improbable that each faction
will prefer annexation to the United
States rather than be turned over to the
control Of its rival. All who possess
property will prefer to be under our flag
than to be subject to a government by
the irresponsible element which numer-
ically dominates in Cuba. Before it will
be possible to settle matters as they
should be settled, and under the assur-
ance Of the security the presence of our
army and navy will afford, American in
telligence and enterprise will revolution
lie material conditions and in large
measure solve political and social prob
lens. There has been considerable SEN
timent in this country for a half-century
In favor of Cuban annexation. and 1t is
likely to become irresistible If our con-
troll Of the island long continues. The
same sentiment in Cuba Is destined to
increase and become preponderating
The Spanish power has been removed
and ours is already installed. The Gu
ban question therefore has become SIM
plified and the problem will be solved
largely by the action of our government.
The herald., 1898-08-24

According to an opinion rendered by
the city attorney three years ago and
now revived, in response to an inquiry
Of the council, the act Of the legislature
under which it was hoped to abolish the
offices of city assessor and tax collector.
RELOCATING their duties to the cores
ponding county officials. is unconstitu-
tional. There are grave fears that the
consolidation scheme would not hold
water. and that the city assessment
might be invalidated If 1t were at
tempted. Under this stress of legal OBJ
lection the best that can be done will be
to ask for remedial action from the next
legislature.
The herald., 1898-08-24
Too Poor to Hold Office

1t is rumored that Secretary of State Day
will resign for the reason that he is too
poor to meet the social obligations of his
position. We have heard something like
this before. 1t is an old story. but it brings
up an important problem, which must
sooner or later be solved. The solution will
lie In the increase of the salary paid our
public officials or in decrease in the TOM
foolery which has attached itself to the
social incidents of official life. A little
more business-like methods on the part Of
the people in fixing salaries and a little
more practical consideration on the part
of public minds for the homely character
Of this country's institutions. both politi-
cal and social. and the public welfare will
be advanced.-Omaha Herald.
The herald., 1898-08-24
INVESTIGATE THIS

In Honolulu contemporary we find
the most forceful evidence yet adduced
in proof of the mismanagement of the
war department. It Gives glazing testi-
mony of the most shameful mistreat-
ment of soldiers on vessels in transit
to Manila. 1t not only substantiates and
strengthens reports Of incompetency
that have come from various other quar-
tiers, but 1t brings outrage up to the
level of gross criminality. The CONNER
cial Advertiser of Honolulu is a journal
that has been published nearly fifty
wears. and It has well esta blished repu-
The herald., 1898-08-24

tation for conservatism and truthful
ness. In its issue Of the 4th inst. it says:
Large numbers of the enlisted men on
the transports caM at the office of the
Advertiser and make bitter complaints
about the food and quarters on the
transports. But much worse than this Is
the selling of belts, leggins and other
national property by the soldiers In or
der to obtain square meal" The en-
listed men are not beggars and do not
whine, but they cannot help disclosing
their hunger. So much so that nearly
every resident in town, including even
the little children, repeat stories of
hunger on board the vessels. And en-
listed men are being daily fed by the
scores in private families. One Of the
men used the language, two thousand
miles away from home, anxious to fight
and willing to die for Old Glory, but. all
the same, tramps, glad to get square
meal through Honolulu charity"
These soldiers. bear in mind, were only
a few days sail from San Francisco
They had marched to those transports
with the acclaim of thousands of their
ringing in their ears. Nc
doubt they expected and were prepared
for hardships incident to military life.
What they encountered on board, as we
read in the Honolulu newspaper. must
have disheartened the bravest of them
And when this report of their condition
was written they had voyaged only
about a third of the distance to Manila,
Fully two weeks more of such suffering.
necessarily aggravated with each sue
ceeding day, lay before them.
Secretary Alger will soon have on
hand something of more vital conse-
quence to him than a self-eulogy such
as he has just published in the guise of a
to his friend Chauncey
M. Depew.
The herald., 1898-08-24
The Art of Retiring

Secretary Days determination to return
to the practice of law in Ohio, now that the
national emergency which impelled him to
give his services to the country in the state
department is a thing of the past, presents
to the country very high ideal Of citizen-
ship. The art of retiring cannot be culti-
waited too assiduously in this day of covet.
BUSINESS Of public places as the rewards Of
personal or political services. What a pity
that another close friend of the president
one Mark Hanna-did not recognize the
fact that 1t was his time for disappearing
when the returns showed that WILLIAM
Mckinley was elected chief magistrate Of
the nation.-Detroit Free Press.
The herald., 1898-08-24
MAGUIRE AND HIS RECORD

The railroad press of this state for the
last six months or more has been busily
engaged In treating the public to short
sketches of Mr.. Maguire's political rec
ord. The amusing charge has been made
and peddled around from hamlet to
hamlet that once upon time Mr. Ma
guire left the Democratic party. This
was in 1887 when Boss Buckley was rum
ming the Democratic party of San Fran
cisco and of the state as side show to
the Republican circus. He was prosti-
tuting the party after the manner that
Bosses Burns and Rainey are now at
tempting It as means of electing tools
Of the corporate monopolies.
It Is true that Mr.. Mcguire did then
leave the Buckley party as did also hun
Gratis. He does not and never did deny
the charge. But as soon as Buckley had
been overthrown and the Democratic
party rescued from Its traitors through
the fundamentally Of Mr.. Mcguire anS
others. he, became, and ever since has
been. consistent and faithful member
Of the party. This party has honored
him for his years of service in its ranks
and In It's lead by nominating him as
its standard bearer for the highest Office
In the state.
The Republican subsidized railroad
newspapers which have been cajoling
their readers with such trash have an
object in view. They know that Mr.. Ma
guire was and Is Democrat. The
truth is, heis too much of Democrat
to suit the individuals and corporations
for whom they have been and are now
speaking. They know that If he is elected
governor of this state his Jacksonian
Democracy would check their wholesale
robbery of the public treasury and lay
bare their schemes for escaping their
share of the just burdens of government.
Here is their danger It was not SO
much that Mr.. Mcguire had given a cold
shoulder to Chris Buckley as that he is a
true-blue Democrat, who had met the
Goliath of corruption and slain it upon
the first onslaught.
These newspapers exercised their
craft for weeks and weeks before the
Democratic state convention in the hope
of alternating from him the support of
representative Democrats throughout
the state. and by this means cheating
him out Of the nomination for governor.
How sadly they have been fooled is
best proved by the fact that he was
nominated as Democrat by the Demo-
cratic state convention and by the peo-
pie at large by reclamation.
Instead of enlisting the members of
the Democratic party in their cause.
these newspapers have clearly shown
that the Democratic party needs within
its ranks more men like Mr.. Mcguire.
II It is to accomplish the high purposes
for which it aspires in the realm of clean
politics and good government.
It is a great satisfaction to Democrats
to know that their party has for its
leaders such incorruptible, uncompro-
missing and clean men as Mcguire.
Phelan. White and host Of others, and
the railroad press OF this state will be
AFFORDED a splendid opportunity to make
Democratic votes by continuing to pub-
lish sketches of their public, especially
OF their anti-railroad and anti-monono-
listic, records.
The herald., 1898-08-24
America Will Be Watched

Our course in regard to Cuba will be
closely observed by the nations Of Europe.
who keep distinctly in mind our formal dis-
claimer of any purpose of territorial ag.
grandizement in that quarter. If poIiti-
clans and political bargains and exigencies,
or the personal fads and fancies Of those
in authority In the war department should
constitute in the end the chief agencies
for governing the island, the republic
would be slammed and disgraced in the esti-
nation of the entire civilized world.-Phil-
adelphia Record
The herald., 1898-08-24
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN CUBA

Congress and the president have de-
clared that, to acquire Cuba was not an
object of the war. The president was
thorities and troops, and to establish a
government that shall be stable and
capable of protecting life and property
government that shall respect the rule
Of the Cuban people.
Both congress and the president re-
fused to recognize the insurgents as bel
ligerents, and, therefore, 1t may be as
sumed that the government to be estab-
lished will not be under their especial
auspices and control. The war was for
the expulsion of Spain and not against
any class Of the Cuban people. Recogni-
ton of local officials at Santiago has not
been on condition that they shall ac-
knowledge the supremacy of the lnsurg-
emit government, but that of the United
States.
This action was necessary that the
establishing such a government as con-
gress has directed to be established, and
as humanity and the worlds commercial
interests demand.
The requirement that government
of and by the Cuban people shall be es-
tablished, is on the implied condition
that the Cuban people shall be found
to be capable Of instituting and main
tanning such a government as the reso-
luton of congress requires, and as the
civilized world has right to expect and
demand. Time will be necessary to a
proper determination of that important
and delicate question. The government
cannot be of faction or class of the
Cuban population. While the insurgents
are entitled to credit and high consid-
Grafton for their brave and persistent
struggle for independence, those who
have been loyal to Spain cannot be
ignored in efforts to give to Cuba a
government by the whole people. It was
not illegitimate. for them to be loyal to
Spain. 1t is not our business to show
Partially towards either class In the
internecine struggle.
There are few Intelligent and bright
men in Cuba, but the masses are ignof-
ant and wanting in individuality. The
whole population have been accustomed
to oppression, corrupt and cruel off,
cials-a government rejecting the ideas
of the sixteenth instead of the nine
teenth century-and hence they have an
imperfect conception of government
which the American people desire and
expect to be established. Not immedi-
ately, nor for some time to come, will
the Cuban people constitute a proper
basis for structure which liberty and
require shall be reared.
For three years and more there has
been internecine war; brutal in cl1arac-
ter, in which animosities have been
aroused by injuries inflicted on both
sides. The spirit Of revenge is inherent
In human nature. In the Spaniard it
has been immoderately developed. and
1t is a marked characteristic of all un-
enlightened races. Removal Of enmities
and the development of the finer and
better feelings are the work Of educa-
The herald., 1898-08-24
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

A strong plank in the platform Of the
Democratic party OF California Is that
favoring the election of United States
and advocating an amendment to our
federal constitution to that end.
This proposition Is in harmony with
the popular sentiment, now general
throughout the United States, to place
in the hands of the people, rather than in
those of their representatives, the cleo
ton to political Office of all their public
servants. In other words, the American
people, in the practical application of
the governmental system handed down
by the Federal convention of 1887, have
discovered that however wise and ad-
mirable such a system may be as whole,
there are features Of it that may be i'm
proved and brought more in sympathy
with the scope and spirit of modern po-
litical thought.
1t has before now occurred to the men
who framed the constitution of some one
or other of the score of states admitted
three decades. that that conservative
fear lest too much power should be en-
trusted to the popular vote-which in
spired SO many leading statesmen in
the early days of the republic-had no
longer any virtue, and that the Ameri-
can people could be trusted to control
the disposition of all offices high or low
incident to the administration of our DO
litical affairs. The trend Of popular
thought has been away from a mere rep
resentative republic and toward that of
an enlightened democracy-a word
which found its. aptest definition in Mr.
Lincoln's concise expression-a govern
ment of and by and for the people.
Cousin german to this is improvement
in the modes of our Federal legislation
as now existing under the constitution
of the United States. A bare majority
of quorum, in either the house of rep
resentatives or the senate, may enact
any law within the scope of Federal
authority. Everybody knows how pro-
life of evil legislation this constitutional
provision has been, especially in mod
ern times when so many questionable
members of congress and millionaire
United States senators have secured
seats in the legislative branch of our
government. The suggestion has been
made by Mr.. James Schouler (Forum,
August) and well and opportunity
made. that our Federal constitution
should be amended SO as to require for
the passage of all new legislation a ma
jority vote of all the members elected to
either branch of congress.
Had this been the constitutional pro-
vision in 1873 the country, in all likeli-
hood, would have escaped the notorious
enactment of that year demonetizing
the silver currency Of the United States.
An amendment Of our Federal consti-
tuition requiring a two-thirds vote, In
each branch Of congress. for the enact
ment of legislation involving the bor-
rowing of money, pledging the public
credit, changing the currency, declaring
war. or making large appropriations of
public funds, as further suggested by
Mr.. Schouler. Is clearly a much to be de-
sired Improvement of our fundamental
law. Our next legislature should give
these interesting questions attention.
The herald., 1898-08-24
FOR THE CAMPAIGN

The Los Angeles Daily and Sunday
Herald will be mailed to any address in
Southern Cali fornia OF Arizona for three
months for % 90. cash in advance. Are
you . Democrat? Now 10 your Oppor-
tunity.
The Los Angeles Herald IL the only
Democratic daily in Southern California
publishing full Associated Press re-
ports. Ifyou are already sub scriber
induce your polite al brethren to sub
scribe to the best d em CORA tic exponent
In Southern California.
Send in our subscription of 5000 for
the campaign at once. Mako all checks,
drafts and money orders payable to The
Herald Publishing Company, Los An
geles.
The herald., 1898-08-24

tional income. What may be expected
unless the brakes are put on, with all this
extra money on hand? The first thing the.
people should demand is strict economy on
the part of congress and the admtnistra-
.tion. The temptation will be great to rush
into wasteful jobs. This must be checked.
We should at once, or as quickly as prac-
ticable. get back to reasonable scale Of
expenditure and tighten some of the bur-
dens which the people have cheerfully
borne through patriotism.-Boston Post.
The herald., 1898-08-24
DEMOCRACY

Our mighty bark. with masts that rake the
stars,
Has Jagged too long In port, and we have
drowsed n
An idle crew, or with wild mates carouseds
Forgetful of our part in Freedoms wars.
But now, at last, with sail taut to the sparss
For her whose rightful cause our sires es-
poused,
Again our ship must steer where blow un-
housed
The winds Of God, beyond the shsals and
bars. "a
For still our orders hold. as in the past
That glorious day we took our banner
free,
And broke from out the line and took the
van,
With linstocks lit. and bade them follow
fast,
Who held with us-to sail and search the
sea
Until we find a better world for man.
William Prescott Foster in August Attain
tic Monthly.
The herald., 1898-08-24

A contemporary, in dealing with the
forest fire problem, thinks ut may be
necessary to prohibit, absolutely, all
camping in the mountains" How? If
the interior department would do its
duty. as required by act of congress.
the danger from forest fires would be
minimized.
The herald., 1898-08-24
WHY NOT REFERENDumr

The annexation of new territory In
wolves many nice points of law. When
President Jefferson by treaty acquired
the vast territory included in the
Louisiana purchase" he candidly con-
fessed his belief that permissive
amendment to the constitution. to that
End. would be needful. But he yielded
The herald., 1898-08-24

Under ordinary circumstances we
should be delighted to read the proceed
ings Of the dental congress at Portland.
But the association Of dentistry with
high temperature is In the nature of q
misf1t.
The herald., 1898-08-24

With the control of Porto Rico and the
Philippines and the virtual control Of
Cuba, the United States will hold a
Of the tobacco business. The
present profitable industry of making
cigarettes without tobacco is likely to
and may need some sort of Re-
publican protection.
The herald., 1898-08-24
Need Of Prayer Removed

President Mckinley has been urged by
pious woman friend to pray for guidance
in the matter of the Philippines. This Is
entirely unnecessary, as Senator Foraker
and half dozen preachers have already
proclaimed the decision of divine provi-
dence.-Springfield Republican.
The herald., 1898-08-24

Those two unoccupied islands in the
South Pacific over which the British flag
has just been raised, are probably of
recent volcanic origin. England has too
often run her fine-tooth comb over the
ocean to miss any valuable property,
The herald., 1898-08-24
POLITICS


c. H. Eberle of Compton, editor OF the
Downey Champion, has announced himself
as a candidate for public administrator.
Mr., Eberle is staunch Democrat, has
been active in party matters in this coun-
ty for years. and is a man well qualihed TO
administer the affairs Of this off lice. AS
newspaper man whose paper has fought
for the Democracy Of this county and this
state he is entitled to generous considera-
ton from the hands of the county con-
yention soon to meet.
The herald., 1898-08-24

If the Seventh regiment should finally
get to Honolulu and no further, good
luck will be born of disappointment. Dis
comfort, disease and death await the
stranger in the tropical Philippine archi-
pelago. The greatest danger to the boys,
If they fetch up in Honolulu, will be
the piercing black eyes of the pretty
maidens.
The herald., 1898-08-24
Too Much Revenue

There is margin OF unexpended war
money remaining in the hands of the gov
eminent to cover the expense of winding up
the AFFAIR. There is an element Of danger
In this situation. On peace basis, con-
The herald., 1898-08-24

The naval system of advancement
for officers must be on the cribbage
board plan. The peg was advanced sew
eral holes for Dewey and Sampson and
Schley. and now Captain Sigsbee is
pegged UP three numbers.