davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
PROSPERITY BOOMERS.
A Labor Paper Strongly Objects to
Their Methods.


Our attention has been called t
some figures printed in the Pioneer
Press and alleged to have emanatet
from officials of the state federation
of labor, which form the basis for an
argument on the improved conditions
prevailing among the organized trades
in this state. 1t is claimed that the
reports show that the members oil
those trades are more generally en-
ployed now than at any time for sew,
eral years." Further along it is as
serted that SS per cent of the union
men In Minnesota are at work.
Whether or not the officials Of the
state federation have made the re-
ports as alleged, Labor World does not
know. But no union man or any other
man with his eyes open is deceived by
such allegations. That the public
may know just how much truth there
is In the report 1t is only necessary
to state that not one union in ten ever
makes such thing as an official re-
port on the matter in question.
Unions have to report their member
ship to their national officers because
their dues are determined by the
numbers of members; but as rule
they never go farther. 1t is customary
for central bodies to have a statistician
whose duties 1t is to gather statistics
regarding wages, men out Of employ
ment, etc., but so far as experience
goes the mission of the Office Is an en-
tire failure because the affiliated or
CARNATIONS will not report. Hence,
the officials of the state federation have
no data on which to figure, and the as
sumption that they have, to every in
telligent union man, Is dead give
away on the prosperity boomers.
This boom business does the cause
a positive injury. 1t misleads the pub
lie as to actual economic conditions,
and justifies the perpetuation of influ-
erces that are sapping the strength of
the social foundation. The first es-
sential to scientific understanding Of
the social problem is a correct knowl-
edge of actual facts and the cause can
have no greater enemy anywhere than
those who, from over enthusiasm or
other motives, deliberately misrepre-
sent onditions.-Duluth Labor World.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

]. Pierpont Morgan now has control
Of nearly all the leading railroads, the
latest report giving him 10000 miles.
He will soon have all the principal
roads under his control, says the Ia
coma Sun. We used to hear people
remark that government ownership
was an impossibility, for the reason
that there was too much money in
vested in railroads for the government
to afford to buy them and that it would
take the combined capital of thou
sands of the very wealthy to own
them. How do these people take to
the prospect of this one man control
ling and owning our railroad system?
Are they willing to admit that Morgan
is greater than the government?
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
Discouraging Improvements.

Assessors generally have got into
the habit of assessing improvements
at not less than 60 per cent of their
actual cost, and land unused or par
TALLY used land at 30 to 40 per cent of
what the proprietor holds it up for
sale at, thus encouraging the specu-
lator in keeping from using the boun-
ties of the Creator. Assessors gener-
ally are imbued with conscientious mo-
tives, still that does not alter the fact
that taxing or filming one for having
made an Improvement is enough to
keep people idle when they might as
we'll be working. -Schenectady IN. W
Journal.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

"Our money rests on gold" says the
Portland Oregonian. Yes; why does
it? Simply to perpetuate a paternal
debt system which feeds upon produc-
ton like weir-wolf. Our money will
likely continue to rest on gold so long
as the people support the idea that
the government should encourage debt
making protect debt owners and 9TH
erwise NEEDLE in business affairs. But
the money of no people capable Of real
government would have to rest on
gold or any other product. In snort.
under the form of government which
would best serve the whole people
money would be simply representa-
tive of value.-East Oregonian.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

The burden of all Of Mr.. Cleveland
state papers was to see that the bust
ness interests of the country did not
suffer. 1t seems that he has bequeathed
that idea to President Mckinley and
his secretary of the treasury, Lyman
Gage. The business interest of the
country, in the estimation of these lat
ter day statesmen, is the banking in
terest, the corporations, the trusts and
combines, in other words, the oil
garchy of wealth that is rearing its
hydra-head on the ruins of this once
glorious republic-Cleburne (Texas)
Herald.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
Straight Forward.

Where is there a breach in the walls
of monopoly"
"The breach is in front of you and
of me:
Climb up, therefore, my brother, with
me and go in,
And the citadel will fall, even into
your hands and mine.
For, If you will but look for it,
Everywhere Is a breach in the walls
of righteousness"
Ernest H. Crosby.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

Scratch an energetic goldbug and
you uncover an apologist for trusts
and every other sort Of thieving ras-
cality by which the many may be rob-
bed by the few in such a manner as
to escape the penitentiary. If you do
not think so, just mention the iron
trust, or the Standard Oil octopus to
one of them and see how quick he
will begin to talk of the benefits de-
rived by the people from such great
concerns, in the reduced CD price at
which we get their products.-The Ad-
vance.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
Results of Glass Legislation.

Is it not strange that free country
like the United States has more tenant
farmers than England, Ireland, Scot
land and Wales? Texas alone has 80, :
245, while the remainder of the states
combined have 6,929,755. Glass legis-
lation and the rule of the money power
have produced these results in the past
100 years. How long will it be till
the people will all be slaves South.
ern Mercury.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
POINTS FROM THE PRESS.
Booms are past, bonds present and
futurecSan Francisco Star.


Booms are past, bonds present and
future.-San Francisco Star.
The money question is not going to
be lost in the war shuttle. War alone
overshadows the money question, but
even that cannot answer the demand
Of the people for proper money vol
ume to carry on war.-Carson Appeal.
Railroad companies charge the same
rates Of fare now as they did thirty
years ago, although they purchase all
their supplies and equipments at one
half less than then. Why have not
fares fallen like other things?-
Columbus Post.
Direct legislation is no longer
merely desirable; 1t has become es-
sential to the safety, If not the con-
tinued existence, Of the republic. A
few years ago the representative sys-
tenn was in decay-now it is dead and
stinketh.-N. Y. Journal.
Mckinley is the foxiest man who
has held the presidency since Van
Buren,. And like Van Buren,, he will
prove too small for his job.-Equity.
1t takes twelve bushels more corn to
buy a thousand feet of lumber than 1t
took year ago. That may be pros
perity to the lumber trust but how
is 1t with the farmer?-The Teller.
There are no dishonest dollars.
There are not dishonest metals. Dis
honest men use metal dollars by which
to deceive and rob fools Of their earn
ings. Therefore great many fools
have come to the conclusion that 1t is
the dollar that is honest.-West
Plains Quill.
Why would it not be good solution
Of the railroad problem to have the
state build road from the center of
the grain districts to tide water?
for instance.-Olympia (Wash.) State
Journal.
The only way to purify the law
making body is to adopt direct legis-
lation. By this means the people will
rule and the legislator will become
the servant and not the master Of those
who elect him.-Tacoma Sun.
Jesus was carpenter. He formed
union of those desiring their rights,
and cordially invited everybody to
join. He struck against injustice boy
cotted the monopolists, was betrayed
by traitor in the camp, and crucified
by the classes enjoying special privi-
leges, and their f1unkies for his pains.
But his spirit Influence or ideal could
not be killed. 1t rose from the tomb, !!
and is on earth today, sready to enter
the mind of everybody signing for
quality.-Omaha Labor Bulletin.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
Lost Flesh Dodging Wheels,

When, after few months in Wash
ington, new senator decided to take
little run home "just to see the foiks,"s
he went back minus about tweHty
pounds of flesh. why, senator" said
one ardent constituent, you have, been
losing flesh. What can have happen
ed? Did you lose it from riding the
bicycle?" mo, hang it, replied the
senator. cit was dodgin EN- that did.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

This organized power, from its secret
.conclave would dictate the choice Of
your highest officers, and compel you
to make war or peace as best suits
their own wishes. The forms of your
government might for time remain.
but its living spirit would depart from
,t.-Andrew Jackson.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
Bonds Versus Greenbacks.

Greenbacks would bear no interest
and hence would put no money into
the pockets of the robbers of Wall
street. And you will see the admin
istration turning the nations pockets
over to the gang to be picked.-Uncle
Sam
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

The metropolitan dailies have be-
come so voluminous, so stuffed and
inflated with wind and worthlessness,
that none but professional loaferS have
time to wade through them.-Bodie
Miner-Index.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

When once we have developed the
sort of man to whom liberty is more
precious than bread, we shall have
plenty of liberty and plenty of bread
as well.--Horace L. Traubel.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

A set of the works of Aristotle, the
Greek philosopher, printed On vellum
and of the date 1883, brought $500 at
the Asnburnhau sale.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

A daily paper gives a description Of
the jewels Of twelve women Of our
uncrowned nobility (which would
equip so regiments" Mrs. George
Gould's dog collar represents $4,000 in
jewels. Mrs. Belmont has the jewels
of Marie Antoinette.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
PROSPERITY NOTES.

Between 300 and 400 employees Of the
Beckman Wooden Mills. in Cleveland,
Ohio. who went on strike recently for
an advance in wages, have nearly all
returned to work without gaining the
increase demanded.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

An unhappy young woman starved
to death in a lonely house near New
York the other day. She had been
reared in every luxury. She was a
graduate of a convent in Paris and
in her fathers will she had been be-
queathed 100000. But the fathers
fortune had been swept away very
shortly before he died, leaving this girl
quite unprovided for. She had no
friends, and family discussions made
it too humiliating for her to seek aid
from her relatives. So she drifted
about, pawning her clothing and her
jewelry, vainly trying to get pupils
in music, French, painting and the
like. The poor thing was, like so
many other poor things, unable to get
a start in life. At last she had to give
up, and take refuge in an old house
in the country that once belonged to
her father. Here she sickened and
died, literally, of hunger. And there
are many children Of the well-to-do
who will die deaths as dreadful and
even more dreadful. Such is civiliza-
tfon
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

Most spiders have eight eyes, al
though some species have enly six.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

Workers in the American silk weav-
Ing industry have had their wages re-
duced severely within the last few
years. Broad silk weavers in Paterson,
N. j., the center of the industry, form
erly received from $40 to $22 week.
They now get $40 to SIS week. Rib
bon weavers who work by the piece,
made S25 to $40 a week few years
ago, now the most expert earn but SIS
to 500.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
BONDS AND BONDAGE
OR oREENBACKss AND INDUS
S- To" TRIAL FREEDOM.

a Vital Issue Revived by the War with
Spain - The Free Silver Alliance
Should be Cemented In Opposition to
Bonds.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

The transforming business is still
booming. New arrivals are the Bes-
semer iron trust, which includes all
plants of the Cleveland, Mahoning val
ley and Shenango iron districts with
the exception of the Cleveland Rolling
Mill company; bridge builders of all
parts of the country formed bridge
trust at Cleveland; and furthermore,
in Toledo a hay trust has been Or
ganized under the name of American
Hay company; all the middle states
are represented in it.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20
PROSPERITY NOTES.

In Wilmington, DEL, this happy,
prosperous winter, mother of large
family earned in a week of sixty
hours exactly SLIT, at shirtmaking
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

A lockout and strike of stonecutters
is on in fifty-two establishments Of
Greater New York. Bosses attempted
to annul the eight-hour workday, which
the stonecutters enjoyed for several
years, and which the men have strug-
gled hard to attain.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

Secretary Gage has been in Wall
street, begging the bankocracy to ac-
cept a 8 per cent mortgage upon the
industries of this and future genera
tons to the extent of 100000, 900
war loan, with more to follow when the
contractors have eaten ~ hat vast
sum. And of course the bankers OF
Wall. street are willing to buy the
bonds, since under their manipulation
of the finance the three dollars which
they will receive as annual interest
upon each hundred dollar bond Will
buy more labor and labor products
than ten dollars did thirty years ago.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

Mckinley is the foxiest man who
has held the presidency since Van
Buren,. And like Van Buren,. he will
prove too small for his job.-Equity.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

Direct legislation is no longer
merely desirable; it has become es-
sential to the safety, If not the con-
tinued existence, of the republic. A
few years ago the representative sys-
tenn was in decay-now it is dead and
stinketh.-N. Y. Journal.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

The people must try to establish a
blockade, against the scheme, and they
can succeed if they will show enough
energy in unfolding the allied free
silver senators and representatives
who are fighting it, and retiring those
who have connived at it. AS long as
the war lasts this bond proposition
will come up again and again, and or
ganization in opposition to it should
be kept up by the Populists and their
free silver allies.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-05-20

1t takes twelve bushels more corn to
buy thousand feet of lumber than 1t
took year ago. That may be pros
perity to the lumber trust but how
is it with the farmer?-The Teller.
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
SALEM AND sIsTERsvILLE ROAD
Will be Organized at MiddlcbOurnt
Next Saturday.

The incorporators of the new
electric line, about to be built be-
tween this city and Salem, will meet
at the county seat next Saturday
and elect officers.
1t now looks, from the interest
that is manifest along the proposed
line, that the line will be built and
that right away. Every farmer is
interested and is putting his shout
der to the wheel. The residents of
Salem are about to meet and sub.
scribe a handsome sum to the road.
At the meeting on Saturday, Of
fcers will be elected and the route
chosen.
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
MIR. CARRIERS REPLY
In Regard to the Letters Published
Last Week.

o. G. Carter, Attorney-at-law,
Middlebourne, w. Va, January rs,
1898.
Editors Star:-In last week S is.
Sue of your paper, certain letters
appeared over my signature written
to Mr.. Robert Clendenning, of AL
Wy, West Virginia, in which letters
Mr.. Strickling' name is mentioned.
1 desire to say to the public, that
said letters will no doubt be
introduced as evidence at the
hearing of said charges, hence
at this time I will make no
explanation of them, but desire
to say that there never was any
collision on my part as Mr.. Glen
Jennings counsel and Mr.. Strick-
ling to protect Mr.. Clendenning,
and also that in no instance do l
know of Mr.. Strickling taking
money from Mr.. Clendenning.
0. c. CARTER.
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
Over "Flaxed" Herself.

New York, January 27.-Hallie
Erninie Rives, the young southern
writer and a cousin of Princess Ire
betzkio, formerly Mrs. Amelia
Rives Chanler, is patient at SAN
itarium in Brooklyn. Unnerved by
hostile criticism of her recent work,
Smoking Flax" and overtaxed by
the effort to get out another volume
dealing with southern problems,
she was removed from the Waldorf
yesterday and taken to sanitarium
for treatment and rest.
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
What Everybody KnOwns.

Or ought to know, is that health
and even life itself depends on the
condition of the blood. Feeding,
as it does, all the organs of the body
it must be rich and pure to give
proper nourishment. Hoods Sar-
saprilla makes the blood pure, rich
and nourishing, and in this way
strengthens the nerves, creates an
appetite, tones the stomach and
and builds up the health. Hoods
Sarsaparilla wards off colds, pneu-
monia and fevers, which are preva-
lent at this time.
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
a TEN DAYS STAY
framed In the Elk Fork Case TO Allow
an Appeal to be Taken.

ransed I'm the Elk Fork case 10 AiAo"
an Appeal TO be Taken.
Quite surprise was sprung on
the attorneys in the big Elk Fork
case, which was decided yesterday
he u. ,. Court by Judge Ma
,hon Golf in favor Of the Elk F"-AA
Oil & Gas company, when an order
was entered last night allowing
ten days stay in proceedings in or
der to allow the plaintiff in the case
to take an appeal from the decision.
1t was supposed that the matter
was settled entirely when JudgeGof
made his decision yesterday and the
new turn in affairs will no doubt
be taken advantage of by the plain
tiffs in the case who are indirectly
believed to be none other than the
Standard Oil company.
Judges Golf and Jackson and the
attorneys in the case were IN the
court room until nearly two O'Clock
this morning before tine order was
finally prepared.
Judge Jackson discharged the
Jury today, the criminal cases ior
this term having been disposed OF
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
sCOTTY MYERS.
The NOtorieus Criminal Now ON THAI
Interesting Case in Court.

rho NotOr,ous Criminal Now on irlai
Interesting Case in Court.
"Scotty" Myers, whose escapades
in trying to evade the sheriff last
fall was mentioned sthey occurred
by the Register, was put on trial
this afternoon to answer for having
a splendid set of burglars tools in
his possession, and planning to use
them at Rea's run on store build
ing there. The story of his wan
deriugs would fill a book. Alter
dropping the valise of tools he lett
the scene of the planned commits
sion of his crime and fled to Sis,
tersville, with charge of bird shot
in his side and arm. His bloody
coat was picked up by the officers
and brought home. After having
his wounds dressed by a physician
ne continued his journey, and when
located, returned to the Ohio shore
under fire from the officers. stole
a horse and away he rum"
Next the officers located him on
the Ohio side and he lodged them
among the hills few times and got
back to West Virginia and, finding
the chase had not been given up, tor
McCallister is a slayer, Myers
started North. He was followed as
far as the Pennsylvania line, when
track of him was lost. In the
meantime he was heard Of at Elk
Fork, but too late to catch him.
Sheriff McCallister returned home
and waited two or three days, when
he heard that Myers was near his
fathers home, in Carol county, Pa.
The Sheriff went up there, tele-
sraphed the sheriff of that county
to meet him located Myers and cap
tured him. Mr.. McCallister
watched him carefully all the way
down, knowing him to be desper.
ate man, but landed himself safely
iu Jail. Meyers is supposed by
some to have been mixed up with
the Cox robbery cosc and other
important cases.-Marietta Regis
ter.
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
DEATH OF ANDREW THORNTON.
A Former Bradford Man and Membe'
Ofthe OIL Exchange.

Former Bradford Man and Member
ofthe OIL Exchange.
A letter received by the Era yes
terday from Omeanee, Ontario, con
tanned the sad intelligence of the
death of Andrew Thornton, for
merly a we'll known resident Of
Bradford. In the days of oil specu
lation in the Bradford exchange,
Andy" as everybody called him
was prominent figure. For time
he was quite prosperous in his at
fairs, but later was unsuccessful.
He reported the oil market trans
actions for the Era for many years
and his reports were always accu,
rate and readable. He also per,
formed similar service for other pa
pers in the city.
When oil exchange news lost IN
terest for the public, some years
ago, and Mr.. Thornton's occupa
ton in detailing quotations ceased,
he returned to his home at One
NEE, Ontario. He has since resided
there with relatives.
Although he had many warm
personal friends in Bradford, he
never communicated with any OF
them, after leaving here, He be-
longed to fraternal order in Brad
ford, but relinquished his member
ship in it.
The letter which brings an &C.
count of his death, says that on his
death bed he tried to leave word to
be sent to certain former friends
here, but speech failed him and
those at the bed side were unable
to understand the names which his
palsied tongue tried to pronounce.
Deceased was a man of sterling
characteristics; honest in all things
and very conscientious. He was a
good writer and in his younger
days was a teacher in the public
schools in Canada. He was one of
the men who made up the first re-
port of oil operations in the Brad
ford field.
The announcement of Mr.. Thorn
tons death will be read this morn
ing with genuine regret by many
oil region people who formerly en-
joyed his acquaintance.
From the Omemee Mirror we
learn that Mr.. Thornton's death
was due to the effects of grip, with
which he was afflicted before leav-
ing Bradford. His death took place
January I3.-Bradtord Era.
Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-02-02
ADozen Earthquake shocks.

Tehuantepec, Mexico, Jan. a.
Last evening, and early this morn
ing, a dozen shocks OF earthquake,
some of them quite sharp, were ex-
perienced here. causing consterna-
ton among the people who have
come to regard this city as standing
over the seat ola violent seismatic
disturbances. The shakes are &C
companied by the rise of a fine
cloud of dust, which appears like a
haze.