davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world., 1898-03-05
TAXATION.
If There is Justice in Taxation
Ii is a License Fee for a
Privilege.
Foo Belongs to the State and
Community which Creates
and Grants tho Privilege.

Counties in which railroad
lands are situated-and St.
Louis has apparently more
railroad land in extent and
value than any other county
in the state-are inclined to
think it hardship that the
state takes all the taxation of
these lands. Other counties,
in which there doesn't happen
TO be much railroad land,
think that the present arrange
ment is fair enough and see no
reason for complaint. Conse-
quently there is some discus
sion, in which the most OBJ
vious point is that the dis
putants do not understand
what they are talking about
and cannot agree how the tax
should be divided because they
have no idea what the tax is.
It never occurs to most OF
them that there is any just
principle on which taxation
should be based, except the
general principle that the rail-
roads can be depended on to
get out of paying their share if
there is a possible chance and
ought to be taxed as hard as
possible to get even. And as
for dividing the taxes, each To-
cality is positive that it pays
too much into the general
fund and gets too little back
and that is the one point on
which they are all agreed.
Now the railroad pays one
tax that is peculiar, the tax on
gross earnings, so much on
every dollar taken in. A tax
like that wouldn't do in ordin.
! ary business. Tax the manu-.
facturer. or wholesaler or re-
taller five cents on every dol
lar he took in, and you would
soon drive him out of busi
ness, or drive him over to Wis
consin. The railroad can't be
driven over to wisconsin,; the
nature of it's business is sucE
that it must be done here
neither is it discouraged by
j ! y sa- 3. f.
The labor world., 1898-03-05

At the first hint of war, con-
gress cheerfully voted to estab-
lish two new artillery regi-
ments. The cost is only a
matter of half million dollars
year, which does not count
much among a good many
millions. But it is an addition
to our standing army.
The labor world., 1898-03-05

originated and what was it's
destination and how much is
due to each county from the
proceeds of each consignment.
1t would be absurd to try to
calculate all that. One might
as we'll keep profit and loss
accounting of all the blood cor
pusCles in his body.
The labor world., 1898-03-05
CITY FINANCES.
indebtedness Has Been Reduced
84S 700

$4S, 700.
Following is a report made by the city
treasurer on the city finances: Bonded
debt, city Of Duluth, general fund, per
cent, $685., 900; bonded debt, city of Duluth,
general fund, Az per cent $685. 900; city
of Duluth street improvement bonds, S
per cent, 100000; city of Duluth park i'm
provement bonds, per cent, $312,0OO; viii
lage of Duluth sewer bonds, per cent,
$4,000; West Duluth bonds, general fund,
per cent, $165, 900; New Duluth, per cent,
81, 900; Fond du Lac, Z per cent, $4,000;
city of Lakeside, general fund, S per cent,
$500; township of Oneota, 6 per cent,
The labor world., 1898-03-05
BLISS is IGNORANCE.

Mayor Again Reiterates His Impas.
stoned Confidence in Police.
A comparative statement of the ex-
pense of the police department furnished
me by the secretary of the department Is
herewith given in detail: Year ending
February, 1895, $66,52967; 1896, 9,6434S;
The labor world., 1898-03-05
the tax.

the tax.
People who own railroads
are apt to think that they are
thus taxed simply because
they can't get away, and some
others seem to share that
view. And when the law was
originally passed it was a bar
gain that the railroads should
pay this tax in lieu, of all4other
taxation.
The labor world., 1898-03-05

AS a matter of fact the same
reason why the tax can be COL
lected is the reason why it is
Just. The railroad is a mon
opoly. Build a parallel road
and you have two to share the
monopoly but hardly any COM
petition. Because the busi-
ness is a monopoly the rail
road can stand this extraor-
dinary tax. AS regards a rail-
road in some other state it has
an absolute monopoly. To
carry freight from Duluth to
Crookston it has to be in Min
nesota and so long as that
freight is to be carried a Min
nesota railroad is going to do
it. Piling on the taxes might
bankrupt the road but it
wouldn't drive it out of the
state.
And that makes the tax
reasonable. The railroad has
a monopoly from the state, a
license rather, to carry on this
monopoly. Its charter gives
great powers-altogether too
great, by the way, for any pri-
vate@ Incorporation to have. And
the state has a right to take all
that the monopoly is worth.
lust as at the worlds fair the
popcorn privilege sold for a
quarter of million dollars and
every other concession for
sums to correspond. Nobody
called that tribute or ques-
toned the fairness of getting
all that was to be had tor the
privileges. It wasn't extortion
but fair sale at auction. And
the only difficulty in fixing this
gross earnings tax is that the
privilege cannot very we'll be
Iput up at auction and we can
|only guess whether it is high
enough to give the state all
there is in it. We guess it
ISN'T at present.
! The money thus collected
NATURALLY belongs to the state,
and is devoted to the general
fund. It would take too much
bookkeeping to figure out
where each pound of traffic
The labor world., 1898-03-05

destination and how much is
due to each county from the
proceeds of each consignment.
1t would be absurd to try to
calculate all that. One might
as we'll keep a profit and loss
accounting Of all the blood cor
puscles in his body.
X \ \
But the railroads not only
have a license to conduct a
transportation monopoly. They
are also large landowners.
Here is an additional privilege
not covered by their tax on
gross earnings. Paying the
gross earnings tax does not
pay for this privilege. On the
lands that it holds the railroad
is justly taxed like any other
land holder, and the courts
have not only said that this is
reasonable, but hold that any
law which tries to exempt the
railroads from such taxation is
unconstitutional because the
constitution says the taxation
on the same sort of property
must be equal.
That is the tax under dis
cussion-whether it should be
divided among the counties
that furnished it, or put into
the state treasury, or distrib-
uted the same as the school
fund, without regard to it's
origin. If there is any reason
for local collection of taxes at
all, if there is any reason for
county government of local
affairs, it should belong to the
community where the land is
situated. Of the elements that
make the land valuable, that
make the privilege of occupy.
ing it worth anything, one con.
spicuous element is the deve1-,
opment. Of the neighborho
In Duluth the streets are
paved and severed, and we
are to have water works.. and
we have good schools and 50
on, all of which has to be paid
for by taxation, all of which
makes 1T worth more to live
here, all of which in turn
makes the privilege of occupy
ing the land, or of holding it
out of use, so much dearer.
It is this community and not
Sleepy Eye that makes the
privilege of holding the land
worth something, and it is to
this community and not to
Sleepy Eye that the possession
tax belongs.
Of course if taxation is ex-
tortion, confiscation, what can
be squeezed out of an unwill-
ing victim, these considera-
tons don't count-soak the
railroads as hard as you can
and let the majority quarrel
over the booty. But if there is
any justice in taxation it is a
license fee for privilege-and
no other taxation is just
which fee belongs to the state
which grants the privilege or
to the community which Gre
ates it.
The labor world., 1898-03-05
The new COUNCIL.
The Newly Elected Aldermen
Take Their Seats in the
Council.
They Elect Officers and Receive
Mayor Truelsen's
Message.

The new council organized Tuesday
night and elected officeers of the city
that are chosen by the council for the
ensuing year. The following is list of
officers:
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
WHOLE NUMBER 2,Ol0.

1t is generally a case of jumping
from the frying pan into the fire,
however. At such times the sea be-
comes uncomfortably warm from its
close proximity to the burning
mountain, and the sea snakes swim
wildly about for escape. They en-
deavor to climb over the gunwales of
the refugees boats, while they twine
their bodies in great masses about the
forward chains.
When about to lay their eggs, these
serpents approach the shore. The
eggs are laid above high water mark
and left to hatch by the heat of the
sun. Many creatures prey upon
the young reptiles. Among their
enemies are sharks and other large
fishes, while the adults, in spite of
their death-dealing fangs, fall victims
to sea eagles and large gulls. After
the great typhoons, which are common
in the Philippines and their vicinity,
many OF these creatures may be found
along the beach, where they have been
cast up during the storm and killed
by the violent pounding of the waves.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
The Cuban Machete.
Century.

Century.
Much has been said of the terrible
machete, q deadly weapon indeed in
the hands of desperate man, and
when used against defenseless person.
The machete was never intended for a
weapon OF warfare; it is an instrument
of husbandry carried by the Cuban
peasant in times of peace, and is his
one familiar daily companion. 1t cuts
his wood, aids him in building his
hut, hews his path through the mani
qua, and performs many other Offices.
The machete is straight, heavy blade
about two feet long, with wooden or
bone handle, having no guard; conse.
quently it is utterly unsuited as a
weapon to be used in a conflict with
an armed man. The Cuban, of course,
by reason of his long familiarity with
the instrument, is un adept in its use,
and its effect upon group of unarmed
wOrkmen is truly terrible. 1t is in
the foray against the defenseless and
unarmed that the most serious work
of the machete has been done in the
island of Cuba.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
"The people of the United States

The people of the United States,
IN respect to their resources and capa-
city of performance, can no longer be
compared with any other single ma
ton; the compariS, must be made
with the entire rest OF the world.
They form the clearest and most con-
vlncing proof that the United States
Is IN fact, a great world power, and as
such must have a world policy.
"What would have happened had
Spain triumphed in this war? Ma
tlonal darkness, narrowness and cor
ruptlon would have prevailed, and
everywhere the advocates of political
and clerical absolutism which the
Spanish governmental system breeds
and fosters would have gained new
and important strength. But this has
not happened, and for these reasons it
can be fairly said that the victory Of
the United States is a triumph for
progress and gain for mankind.
"The new world power has now
some new and difficult problems to
solve. Cuba will present a serious
task, and the Philippine question will
be still more complex and difficult.
Cuba can be managed by the Ameri-
cans alone, but the Philippines are a
realm III which the interests of other
great powers meet and collide. From
the manner in which the United States
government meets and solves this
problem will be seen and demonstrated
whether it can command the wisdom
and moderation proportionate to its
opportunity and power"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
Beauty After Fifty.

A bright woman, when applauded
recently for her goodness, begged her
friend to let the matter drop, says the
Churchman. "For," she said, whim-
sically, though I do try to do good
from some really high motive, yet
have reason for trying which l am
afraid is low one" "What do YOU
mean?' inquired her laughing friend.
81 mean that l once heard, many
years ago, that beauty after so de-
pended not on features, but on charac-
ter. Like all women, l desired to be
beautiful, and, as Providence had de-
MED me the features necessary to
secure that result in early life, de-
termined to make the attempt to be
beautiful at so. l am So now," she
concluded, merrily, and l must con.
fess that see no signs of this Indian
summer loveliness, but still try to
be good"
These friends treated the matter as
a jest, but there is really sense and
truth in the saying that beauty in
later life, in either man or woman, is
dependent upon character far more
than upon form or color. 1t is COM
mon experience for young woman to
say: How fine looking Mrs. is.
She must have been beautiful girl!"
And to hear the reply: "No, she was
nearly as good looking in her youth as
she is now. Her beauty has devel-
oped with her years" And it may
have been observed that this is often
est true of women of high character
Nobility will tell upon the outward
aspect The carriage of the figure,
the pose OF the head, the expression of
the face-these come to reveal more
and more, with the lapse of time, the
inner life.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30

were defective. They would not cx-
plodc. His guns were old and in
capable. But Scmmcs knew his
hardened, toughcncd crew. He knew
his own ability, and he would not
finch. The Alabama opened with
her starhoard battery. Semmes tried
to close, but the bulwarks OF the
Alabama were torn away and the
pivot gun was disabled. The Alabama
began to leak. She hardly responded
to her helm. An eleven inch shell ex-
ploded i'll the engine room. The
Alabama gave the death shiver.
Sails were set in the hopes of reach
ing the French coast, where thousands
were lined up to see the great duel.
"All hands save yourselves," was
given, and the wounded dispatched in
the only boat which was not shot to
pieces. Semmes and his officers in
full uniform stood on deck. The
Alabama was rapidly sinking; its
famous career was over. Scmmes
stepped to the edge of the deck and
threw his sword into the sea. Then
he followed.
He was picked up by the English
yacht Deerhound and escaped to Lon
don, where he became a hero. They
presented him with swords and toasted
and feted him continually. He made
his way back to the south through
Mexico. He was made Rear Admiral
command OF the James river squadron
and guarded the approaches to Rich
mond until the close of the war.
Semmes died in Mobile, Ala, in
1877. After the war he was LAWYER,
judge, editor and author. There is no
doubt that for intrepidity and daring
no American has ever commanded a
vessel who surpassed him in sheer
courage. He was also extremely
skillful, good tactician and an able
strategist. That he inflicted millions
of dollars damage on the merchant
fleets OF the north is forgotten. What
is remembered is that he was an
American.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
Improved Grains.

Rev. DR.. Newell Dwight Hills of
Chicago, is evidently close observer
OF the progress OF man. He recently
returned from two months vacation
in Europe and gave the TImes-HeraM
the benefit of his observations in Eng
land. Germany and France. From
his very interesting interview we ex-
tract matter of great interest for
our local farmers. Said DR.. Hills:
"All students of the problems of
Malthus and all lovers of their Kid
will be deeply interested in the dis
coveries of the Carton brothers of
England. What Darwin did for
speculation these agriculturalists
have done for the worlds food supply.
Their discoveries seem to be epoch
making and promise a new era for
agriculture. A century ago, by sys.
tenn of cross breeding, Bakewell in
creased the weight of the average
bullock by $50 pounds. Similar
methods increased the size, strength
and speed of horses. In the orchard,
also by cross-grafting, horticulturalists
took the apple and pear that were
small and acrid and lent them size
and sweetness. During the last fif-
teen years the Cartons have been ex-
perimenting upon cereals. Hitherto
farmers have increased the yield of
grain by fertilization or irrigation, but
the Cartons double the harvest by
cross-breeding. Farmers know that
the spelt of Asia holds the grains of
wheat 50 tightly that the heads
break off, but will not thrash, while
the ripe Fife wheat shells out in the
field unless cut Immediately.
After many years OF experiment the
Cartons have produced variety of
wheat that after ripening will stand
for thirty days without shelling. The
The stalk also is SO strong that it
stands up against all wind and rain
storms, while the yield per acre is
nearly doubled. Working with bar.
ley, they have changed the barley
head with two rows into a head with
six rows. By crossing the English
and Japanese oats they have produced
huskless oat, and made the bushel
to weigh, not thirty-two pounds, but
fifty, while nt the same time increas.
ing the yield. The red and white
clover have also been successfully
crossed, and the red clover has been
made perennial. Knowing that if
they sell few bushels to individuals
in few years their cereals will seed
the world, without any recompense
for fifteen years of costly experiments,
the Carton brothers are trying to sell
their seed to the agricultural depart
ments of governments. Our own gov.
ernment now has representative
upon the Carton farm, investigating
the new grains there so successfully
grown. Scientists and practical farm
ers who have investigated their work
believe that the food supply of the
world is very shortly to be doubled.
If he who makes two blades of grass
to grow where one was is philanthro.
pist,' how much more is he who
doubles the harvsets, halving mans
labor and sorrow?"
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
German Praise for America.

The Framkfurter Zeitung, the we'll
known German paper, appropriately
remarks:
"The conclusion of peace, which
ends the Spanish-American war, marks
a new epoch in history, not only for
the United States, but likewise for
Europe. The United States has taken
an important step toward the exclu-
sive control of the American CONT
nent; it has also reached beyond that
and claimed its share in the conduct
of the worlds affairs. Since it now
controls the West Indies, the construc-
ton of the Nicaraguan canal will be
no longer delayed. Then will the
eastern and western portions of the
Union be brought into closer relations,
which will be of important signifi-
canoe, not only for the commerce but
for the naval power of the United
States.
From San Francisco westward by
way Of Hawaii and the Ladrone and
Philippine Islands, which will be de.
veloped into strongholds OF American
power, the United States will reach
across the Pacific ocean to the Asiatic
coast, and will have q poWerful voice
in deciding the destiny of eastern
Asia, for it has there just as important
commercial interests to foster and
protect as any of the European pow
ers. That it realizes fully the impor.
tance of this and other questions at
issue is evidenced by the promptness
with which it is proceeding to nota-
BILE strengthening of its navy and
standing army.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30

BORN POLITICIANS. Who will
say that women are born not poll
ticians, when they reflect upon the OBJ
servation of Lewiston man who lately
took notes of how women vote. He says
One lady accepted tickets from the
friends of each and every candidate as
she approached the polls, and she ac-
eepted them with so much political
tact that each in turn believed he had
gained vote. However, as she ap-
preached the Judge, she opened her
purse and took therefrom neatly
folded ticket and deposited that. She
retired with a smile for each eager
candidate, and each believed without
word that she had supported him.
All who saw that bit of diplomacy de-
cided that women were success in
politics.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
" FIGHTING BOB" EVANS.
Ike May Use "Cuss.WOrds," But
His Heart Seems True.

p$SiiiS
Following is q copy of Letter
sent by Capt. Fighting Bob
Evans in reply to an article in the
Williamsport (Pa.) Index praising Capt
Philip, of the Texas, for his "after
action prayer" and making contras,
between Capt. Philips action and the
frequently published" profanity o
Capt. Evans:
u. S. S. Iowa, lst Rate,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
July %, 1898.
Dear Sir-I beg to acknowledge the
receipt to day OF copy of your paper
which you have been good enough to
send me.
| am somewhat of loss to know
whether you sent it for the purpose OF
calling my attention to the "cuss"
words attributed to me in the news
papers or to Capt. Philips official
show of Christian spirit in announcing
to his men on the quarter deck of the
Texas, after the battle of Santiago,
that he believed in Almighty God.
As, however, you have seen fit to drag
my name in your newspaper l hope
that you will publish this reply that
those who have read your issue of July
ID may also read what have to say
about it.
have never considered it necessary
and l am sure great majority OF
officers in the navy do not consider it
necessary, to announce to their crews
that they believe in Almighty God
l think that goes without saying.
We, each OF us, have the right to show
by our acts how much we are imbued
with this belief. Capt. Philip had a
perfect right to show this to his men
as he did. 1t was simply matter OF
taste.
Now for myself. Shortly after the
Spanish cruiser Vizcaya had struck
her colors and my crew had secured
the guns, the chaplain of the ship, an
excellent man, came to me and said
Captain, shall | say few words OF
thanks to Almighty God for our
victory?" 1 said, "By all means do
so; will have the men sent aft for
that purpose" and was on the point OF
doing so when it was reported to me
that Spanish battle-ship was stand
ing toward us from the eastward. My
first duty to God and my country was
to sink this Spanish battle-ship, and
Immediately made preparations to dc
so.
When it was discovered that this
ship was an Austrian, found my ship
surrounded by boats carrying dying
and wounded prisoners, and Others OF
the crew of the Vizcaya, to the num-
ber of two hundred and fifty. To leave
these men to suffer for want of food
and clothing while / called my men
aft to offer prayers was not my idea of
either Christianity or religion. l pre-
ferred to clothe the naked, feed the
hungry and succor the sick, and / am
strongly of the opining that Almighty
God has not put black mark against
me on account of it.
! do not know whether | shall stand
with Capt. Philip among the chosen
in the hereafter, but l have this to
say in conclusion, that every drop of
blood in my body on the afternoon of
July 3 was singing thanks and praise
to Almighty God for the victory we
had won. Yours, respectfully,
RoBLEY ID. EVANS,
Captain U. S. Navy, Commanding
U. S. S. Iowa.
Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-09-30
ENGLAND'S FUTURE KING.
Always Clothed in the PIainest
Kind of FrOckS.

kInu OF FrOckS.
Those wise little mothers who de-
cry the American habit of overdress.
ing we bits of babies will be interested
to know that Prince Albert, the small
mite of four years, who is in the di-
rect line of succession to the throne OF
England, wears the plainest kind OF
frocks and bonnets. The children of
the royal family are always clothed
simply. Their little arms are un-
hampered with frills and furbelows,
and ribbons and bows are not con-
tinually getting into their precious
mouths or tickling their soft, pretty
necks. Little Prince Albert, wears
tucked skirts of pique and blouses OF
the same material, trimmed with braid
of plain white or turkey red. The
children of many of the well-tO-do
Americans are costumed in small gar
ments every bit as costly.
Prince Albert's younger brother,
Prince Albert Frederick Arthur
George of York, who is one year
younger than the eldest baby of the
Duke of York's interesting family,
plays his baby games in ordinary
frocks of nainsook, trimmed perhaps
with few dainty tucks or edgings OF
delicate hand embroidery. The little
sister, Princess Victoria, who was one
year old April %. last, has for every.
day wear plain fine little slips that
have neither heavy lace-trimmed
flounces to hamper her small legs OF
elaborately made yokes to fret her in
FAINT mind.