davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
Complaints from Porto Rico.

To THE EDITOR OF The SuN-Sir: The friend
ship OF the Porto Ricans for the Americans,
since the occupation of the island. has received
a setback. and many are fast changing in their
friendly attitude. and not without reason. The
first troops conducted themselves in o becom-
ing manner for q time. but the fear OF Spanish
resistance being removed and discipline lax,
they began indulging in excuses with i'm
punity. until for some time past we have had
them committing such outrages that the people
are In doubt whether they are soldiers or
bandits. These acts are not confined to the
priyates alone. but what Is most disgraeeful Of
all, the worst examples OF rowdyism have been
The omceholders under Spanish rule have
been confirmed in their positions. This was.
such men would not. as some claim. have put
that considerable property belonging, to yari-
GUS municipalities and the province has been
such turned over TO the Federal authorities.
All our taxes still emain unadjusted. and
upon these already enormous ones are added
those OF Increased postage and telegraph rates,
which are indeed burdensome. to say the least.
The postal service has been extremely mis-
the experienced men sent to take charge OF the
mail; Papers and letters are delivered Q week
graph lines on the Island. under the Spanish
bat now the AmerlcsanGs have taken fukl' popssssss..
sion, as II they were government property. To
cap the climax we have a reduction In the value
Of our money. This in itself is the heaviest
burden yet placed upon us; for we supposed
that as soon as the American flag, was raised
everything which was an integral part Of the
Island would become Amerlcanized. SO to
speak hence We consider that our money, be-
Ing an integral part. should be accepted as equal
in value with American coin. At the Post
ONCE here the exchange is at the rate OF 90 per
cent. discount.
There has been a great Influx of adventurous,
bohstlng OF boards Of. gold with which to BEN
eft the country, talking OF dealing In thou
sands, when they can hardly pay expenses.
This class OF men do not improve a country.
and as the natives look upon them az the rep.
resentative American. their estimate OF Amer
leans has received a sad blow.
The aspirations OF the people are: First. 10
have ne island become. as soon as possible. a
the least, distasteful military government: and
secondly. after sufficient probation. to ulti-
mately become q State.
Thapking you heartily. In anticipation, for
publishing the opinions OF the well-disposed
Porto Ricans. i emains sincerely,
Porto RICO. Dec. /. ANDREs b. CRosAs,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
The Fourteenth Amendment.

Those citizens who are trying to discover
IN the Presidents speeches ut Atlanta al
Inclination that the time is coming for this
Government to pay pensions to Confederate
veterans, forget the obvious intent Of the
fourth section OF tho Fourteenth Amend
ment to the United States Constitution:
."The validity of the public debt of the United
States. authorized by law, including debts incurred
Tor payment OF pensions and bounties for services
tn suppressing instruction or rebellion. shall not be
questioned. But neither the United States nor any
State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation In
mrred In aid Of instruction or rebellion against the
United States. or any claim for the loss or emanoipa-
tion Of any slave; but all such debts. obligations and
claims shall be held illegal and void"
When the President said, THE memory
OF the lead will be a precious legacy aud
the disabled will be the nations care" he
was speaking Of the dead and disabled Of
the war with Spain, Southerners and North
erners alike, equal glory and equal graft
tude to both
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17

There is a breaking heart in Rochester.
Tho Union and Advertiser walls over the
wrongs OF Spain and the wickedness OF the
United States. 1t seems that thousands Of
lives have been sacrificed; hundreds OF mil
lions OF treasure extorted from the taxpayers
have been squandered and indebtedness I'M
told contracted; the islands of Spain in the
West Indies with their mongrel populations OF
inferior races have been seized from her." and
80 on. The Philippines. "peopled by 5000. 900
semi-savages." have likewise been wrested
from poor old Spain. Tho Hawaiian islands.
or Land OF Lepers. peopled by 100000
persons In human FORM" and so forth, "have
been stolen by conspiracy with q Pirate named
DOLE" In short. all is for the worst. and there
is too much reason to suppose that the Hon.
WILLIAM PURCELL means to secede. For the
sake of the Board OF Mediation and Arbitration
his cruel resolve should be interfered with.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17

The recommendation Of our Commission
ers at Havana hat the Spanish Government
shall be permitted to resume the sale OF cannon.
which was stopped some time ago. and the
decision that the floating dry dock Is not a
fixed part OF the Notifications. but movable
property subject to sale. has q touch Of LIBERAL
ity which, We think. will be generally gratifying
to the American people. When the evacuation
was arranged some OF the Havana authorities
disposed to turn everything possible
into cash. according to their own Interpretation
OF the agreement. For example. our Com
missloners one day happened to see dragged
in front oftheir hotel windows some guns from
the forts. the reason given being that they
were going to the ship to which they had orlgi-
nally belonged. although our Commissioner
had never been consulted about the matter.
Since then not only material. but franchises OF
various sorts have been spoken Of as the sub
ject OF moro or less hurried sale. However.
now that Cuba is soon to be out Of Spanish
hands, there is perhaps a disposition not to
haggle much about minor matters. What the
spaniards lose in the Antilles IL reckoned in
hundreds OF millions.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
NEEDED RrroRMs mi ounA.
Failure Of Cuban Lawyers to Aid the Amer
lean Omclnls in Their Task.

HAVANA, Dec. 3.-The lawyers here continue
to discuss the question whether they ought to
propose to the Americans some necessary re-
forms In the laws OF Cuba or leave the task to
the future government OF the Cuban republic.
n 1t Is ever established. The Americans will
therefore have to do by themselves what the
Cuba lawyers ought to have done for the good
OF their own country.
It is beyond question that the very moment
the American Gag is raised over Havana a total
change will have to be mad in the administra-
tion OF justice. Now. for instance. II a man il
accused OF an ordinary crime the case is pre-
pared against him with tho greatest secrecy,
and neither he nor his counsel knows what the
exact charge Is. The Judge. called Prinera
Instancid, before him the witnesses
and takes their declarations and examines the
accused. He can arrest the latter and keep
him In prison for. q very long time before the
trial takes place, After he has gathered all the
for trial to the upper Court Of Justice. or
.Audtencid. At the .A~ldiencia. for the first time.
the accused and bic counsel learn what the
the american ideas OF iustIce2 Is Il not an
OUTRAGE against humanity The right Of
When the case ls at the Audiencia a first trial
called Ju.cio OraIy Pa6hco takes place. The
acsSs eGGN see eKaS,S aes Ssadi the hed Ti tbs pross Snd
ting attorney and the counsel. for the defence
ADDRESS the court. The public Ia allowed to
attend. The verdict Ii not given by o Jury. but
BY three magistrates. II the accused. Is de-
clared guilty and sentenced. he has ten days In
which to appeal to the Superior Court OF JUS
tioe at Madrid. Now there will be, Of course.
nc .epPeal. as Madrid has nothing more to do
after such o trial without establishing some
superior tribunal to correct possible errors or
apuseh by the Audiencidf
In all administrative matters the same thing
hsppepSd; Madrid had powers to decide, but
VINO Will decide now2 Is the Autonomist Cabi-
etitution, by which the island Is ruled. was
framed for the. benefit OF the central Govern
nent at Madrid: Besides, the ,A~ptonomists
into confusion, during the. last few days.
Senior Goyln. Secretary Of Justice. In. order
to place In office three. OF his friends, has
established three Records OF Property In Ha-
vana instead OF one. to the great annoyance OF
real estate. owners and to the peril Of their
On matters Of this kind the lawyers could
have given to the American Government the
benefit Of their knoyledge 81 the laws; pr;
idea, but " seems that his colleagues prefer
70 indulge in politics. siding with the rabid in
dependents instead OF helping Cuba to rise
from Its, present chaos. At o second meeting
OF the. School OF Lawyers, held to-day. the same
disorder and apti-American feelings prevailed
as marked the last meeting.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
Agitation of an Earnest Peruser.

Anything to oblige, but we don't kindle
into enthusiasm over the inquiries herewith
submitted
To THE EDITOR OF the sus-siv: Despite the
every now and then some had gots" and has
gots" very strangely mako their appearance in it's
columns. Is tho word gotten" not In order; or.
better. why is IL necessary 20 use either got" or
'gotten"f They are rarely ever anything else than
snpernuouS. Then, again. there IL the man who
makes use of "well'nigh." Every little while he
hobs 10 tho surface. evidently for . breathing spell,
after the use of that much ~oyer.worked and anti
qnated expression. All these things are so distract
ing to tue oye. crate so harshly on the car, and verify
give US pain Gin our midst In any other paper
such things might pass without comment, butin The
BuN. that paragon OF excellence. why are things
thusly? AN EARNEST PERusER.
NEW YORK. Dec. T.
The Sun uses correct English, but 1t does
mot pride itself thereon. To use good Eng
fish is like keeping yourself clean YOU
don't go about Boosting it. 1t would be
very humiliating to have to be dirty and it
would be very humiliating not to use good
English, but there Is no particular merit in
the matter. Unfortunately the world is
unreasonably full OF earnest souls who are
sure that tho temperature OF their bath is
the necessary, final and only hygienic tenn
peInture OF a bath. We have no doubt
that = large part Of thstraYsls Of the race
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
Across the Skies.''

Tho President has made his visit to the
ktlRnta peace Jubilee something more than
kpersonal pleasure: something more, even,
han a personal triumph; he has made 1t
p Incident memorable in our history.
To two sentiments which animate the
american people he has been able to give
Expression that has provoked the widest
hid most widespread enthusiasm.
When President MCKINLEY declared that
F%sectional feeling no longer holds back the
bve we bear ono another" when he said
lhat "the time has now come when we
Mould share with you In the care OF the
graves Of the Confederate soldiers" he
Evoked plaudits that echoed In the halls
~ Congress; and on Thursday he followed
bp his former happy phrases by one tell
ing OF "a nation which will remain indi-
kisible f~orevermore" and by another inn
FASHIONED utterance: Reunited glorious
ealizationl R~eunited--one country again
md one country forever. Proclaim it from
he press and the pulpit Teach It In the
bchools! Write it across the skies"
But fraternity, the national anthem"
WAS not the only sentiment Of the hour that
kas extolled by the President. The re-
kindled eagerness for national progress
WAS no less strikingly e~ulogized by him.
tShall we now, when the victory won in
war is written in the treaty Of peace, and
Ehe civilized world a%pplauds and waits in
Expectation, turn timidly away from the
flutes supposed upon the country byi Its own
great deeds ?" The answert to this question,
Ihe best answer that could be framed, is in
WILLIAM McKINLEYs own memorable
words Mt Atlanta: "That flag has been
in two hemispheres, and there it
remains, the symbol Of liberty and law, Of
beace and progress"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
Typswrltsrs Are Not Ladies.

To THE EDIroR OF The sUS-Sir: / wish to thank
you in the name of stenoEraphers for your remarks
on ~. @. LIS" note. There is nothing on the mar.
ket under the title of lady typewriter" There
are plenty Of typewriters. but they are not LADY
typewriterS." being made of steel. iron. &c. We are
not machines. but human beings like himself, only
better educated by far. II he wishes to make = com.
plant let him give us the title OF photographers"
People wishing to make complaints should not do
30 until they have acquired = full knowledge Of how
the EnGlish Language should be used. 30 that people
may read the same without feeling tfor his want Of
educahon. He has been honored by being requested
70 go Tor pie and sandwiches" for the atenog-
raphsF." H certainly has my sympathy. Our title
v ibtenogrAphers and tpeWriasts,Y EM.A.
DE0. n. 1s0s.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
REGULATING STREET RA11RoADs.
Committee Is for Three-Cent Fares
and for Knockers on tho Elevated.

Councils COMMITTEE Is for Three-Cent Fares
and for Smokers on tho Elevated.
The Committee on Railroads Of the Council
has decided to report favorably on several
resolutions affecting the surface and elevated
roads Of tho city. Among them is one pro-
hibitinE roads from operating between Oct. l
and May 1 combination or coffin" cars. A
penalty Of $50 Is provided for each violation Of
the ordinance. Other ordinances to DO re-
ported favorably are as follows:
Requiring all elevated railroads to have q
smoking car on each train. under a penalty OF
$25 for violation. This affects the elevated
roads In Manhattan and the Bronx as well as
Requiring drip pans to be put under the ele-
FsnsityF s Jus. structure az street crossings
Requiring surface railroads in Brooklyn to
hhSn sa IF i e Xe II. t anS "a. minutes RI. between the
The committee, will also report in favor OF an
S SfdiRe an th soRR 4PooEIHgg R fhe seley va SdT roads ads o Pen
on the front platform Of the first car of every
The Christm.an resolution, which, provides
generally, will also be reported fayorably.
tioPs passed BY the Municipal Assemble, pro
SIidttRRg G fer public hearings on the qualifications
other street railroad companies for franchises
to extend their systems. The Mayors objec-
f ia3io rs P %ItaSSu te Fl. sppror nf 5 5staans s shs cfsDt
time does not remain for tho publication OF ad-
yertising therein directed In advance OF the day
resolutions is Dec. 20. The resolutions direct
that advertisements OF the hearings shall be
Mayor Ankles his signature. The resolutions
vetoed were all for extensions In the borough
OF the, Bronx and the upper end Of Manhattan
Island.
The Mayor has approved several resolutions
for hearings on applications for extensions by
pany. the Metropolitan Street Railway Com
pany. the Central Park. North and East River
Railroad Company, and the Kingsbridge Rail-
inRs is Thursday,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
Inventor of the Ferryboat Scene.

To THE EDITOR or The sus-Sir; In the theatre
cal column of your paper. dated Dec. IL. credit is
given Lincoln ]. Carter as tho originator OF a ferry
boat scene which is infinitely described by your cor
respondent.
Ihumbly "glve myself up" as tho inventor and
designer OF the self-samo scene. which occurred In a
melodrama called "A Through Passenger" which
I was guilty OF writing some years ago and disposed
of after being duly copyrighted to A. 4. Pearson.
L have also valid reason TO know that 1t was In
hicted upon tho lonK-sufering habitu6s OF our West
ern theatres. who bore the ordeal without wincing.
II is but Justice to Mr.. Carter to say that he lathe
inventor Of many startling effects and may never
even have heard of my play.
! might incidentally mention. while in the vein,
that Immediately after the tin which occurred al
Santiago, ! wrote the manager OF one OF our leading
vaudeville houses. outlining in detail a military pro.
auction OF the same and going carefully over the
not deem a reply worth two cents postage. he thought
11+3 PARK AVENUE. Dec. 10. u. 8. GooDTIN,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
The Squadron for Havana.

II seems not long ago since the CUSTOM
airy winter cruise of the North Atlantic
squadron in Gulf waters was omitted on
account Of the affairs Of Cuba and Venez-
uela. 1t is q still shorter time since Ad-
miral SIcARD. in taking his feet to Key
West, kept near that point and the Dry
Tortugas, with a like regard to Spanish
Bensibilities. But great events have hap
pened in the Gulf this year, which prevent
the present concentration OF our naval
forces in Havana harbor from exciting adj
verse comment anywhere in the world.
The squadron chosen is small compared
with the great array that blockaded Cuba
and overwhelmed CERvERA at Santiago, but
tits doubtless sufficient. 1t will include Com
modore PHILIPS flagship Texas, the fast
armored cruiser Brooklyn, the armored
cruiser New York, already at Havana, as Ad-
miral SAMPsoN's flagship although 1t is said
that she may return to New York next
week; the gunboat Topeka, the gunboat
Castine, and the auxiliary cruiser Resolute,
which will carry a body Of marines. This
squadron can furnish a strong landing
party, should it be required. 1t Is sug.
gestive that the commander OF the Texas
ID Shpb. SlGSBEE, VINO, Wnen laSJ at havana,
commanded the Maine.
The news recently sent by Gen. WADE, of
the Cuban Evacuation Committee, and by
Gen. GREENE regarding the riots at Ha-
vana has perhaps hurried forward naval
preparations which would be proper in
any case in conjunction with the expected
turning over of Cuba to our army. Gen. LEE
is already, with some OF his troops, at Mari
anao, after passing through Havana, and now
our military forces will be pushed forward
TO the island with all needed rapidity. But
the presence of our warships In the harbor
may reassure foreign countries that there
Is no need Of sending their own vessels
thither to protect their citizens, even should
disturbances be renewed at the capital,
which is now quiet.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
The Increase of the Army.

The introduction OF three different bills for
the increase and reorganization of the army,
proposed by Mr.. HULL, the Chairman ofthe
Military Committee OF the House, by Gen.
MILES, and by Representative MCCLELLAN,
expresses a diversity Of views as to the sub
ject which need not be unfortunate neces-
sarily, but makes possible a compromise
between them which, may not be desirable.
A single bill only was sufficient, and it
was provided in the measure SO carefully
constructed by Mr.. HULL during the recess
OF Congress. He made a thorough study
Of the Whole subject, with the assistance Of
the most intelligent professional knowl-
edge and experience, and has the advan-
tage Of being aloof from the purely per-
sonal interests affecting an officer of the
service, 80 that opposition to his measure
due to suspicion Of such ends cannot be
aroused In Congress.
Moreover, the wisdom OF the bill for the
increase and reorganization of the army
which was introduced by Mr.. HULL pre-
vious to the late war has been demon
strated conclusively by the experience of
the conflict. That measure was defeated
by ignorant opposition from the militia,
with the result that the simplicity and
efficiency Of the plan which had been laid
out for the conduct Of the wa were inter
fered with greatly, and the keenest dis
satisfaction in consequence was that ex-
pressed by the militia itself. The main
cause of the trouble among the troops, of
which we heard SO much Immediately after
the conclusion Of active hostilities, was due
to the defeat Of the Hull bill.
At the present time, when the increase of
the army is so imperatively necessary, 1t be-
hooves all those Interested in It, whether by
actual association with the army OF as out
siders. to join their forces to perfect the
present Hull bill for the purpose, instead Of
dividing them among three distinct and OPP
posing plans. II they desire the modifca-
tion OF specific features of the measure they
can use their arguments and influence to
accomplish it by means OF amendments.
The national interests involved are too
great and serious to be imperllled by dis
cord among the counsellors.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
GEM. o,BR1EN ATTACKS FITCH.
He ImpugnS the Former Comptroller's Me.
tives in Opposing Dock improvements.

He Impugn the Former Comptroller Me-
tives in Opposing Dock improvements.
The ninth public hearing Of the State Com
merce Commission was held In the City Hall
yesterday afternoon. the examination being
conducted by Commissioner @. A. Schieren
and A. H. Green. Gen. Edward @. O'Brien
testified In regard to the commercial facilities
OF the port. drawing on his experience as for
mer President OF the Dock Board. He had no
hesitation in saying that the facilities of the
port were INADEQUATE. but he regarded 1t as an
ssspe sS bts for for' the ins d afSe 81 a0c * r eomme Tss
The proportion Of city property which the
steamship lines used was so small that the rem
tails bore q very small relation to our foreign
commerce: It was true. however. that Insult
commerce coming here.
GtomptrolIer A; 7. Fitch made to the plan. Of
objections were based on political motives. He
intimated that the Comptroller's opposition
was inconsistent when he was urging the
BOARD TO make certain improvements between
Forty-ninth, and Fifty-fourth streets. which
could have been OF no general utility and were
believed to be In. the interest Of certain brew
cries. Gen; .O,Brien considered the canal man
ngement chiefly responsible for the decline Of
larged that It could accommodate barGes Of
1,6OO. tons. h9 said. 1t would cheaper the grain
ratio from Chicago to New York one-half. An
other obstacle was the Elevator. Trust at Buff
ute TO them. Next to the need OF the new piers
New, York, city should have one or two large
dry docks built at the city.'s expense.
Commissioners Green said that he had a great
O'BTien had criticised. and thought that there
might be another side to his opposition to the
bonding OF the city for dock improvements.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-17
A Free Advertisement.

The circular letter that Is printed below
has been received at this Office:
"DEAs SIN: After two and = half years work 1
have brought together ave thousand photographs
of New York men OF some prominence in syery oo.
oupation. Out OF these l have selected about ., 400
for my volume OF NOTABLE NEW WORKERS.
The book Is very nearly printed and will be is
sued next month. The collection of portraits is the
most comprehensive and fascinating ever published
for any city in the world. The edition is by far the
most gigantic ever made and comprises 10000
handsome books OF COS pages each. The cash cost
reaches SIS. 600. q sum never before put out on any
kindred work. The advance orders exceed 10000
books and have comsfrom prominent men In every
profession and all liz of buIins1s.
when you see this magnificent volume In homos,
clubs. hbrAnsA. enesB. SaiterT kppns. ~. you Hsuld