davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25
Reconstruct the Staff.

In one sense the prospect of the post
ponement Of the question of army re-
organization until the next congress
will be viewed with equanimity by
the country. SO long as the president
is empowered to- carry on the admin
istratiVe work which must be done
during the interval between the ad-
iOurnment of this congress and the
assemblage of the next one there will
be little objection if the main subject
goes over. The problem in it's details
cannot be worked out hurriedly with
out injury to all concerned. The mat
te" of the reconstruction of the staff
especially demands deliberate and
thorough treatment; nothing less will
be accepted by the country as final.
ON this point the Philadelphia Press,
good administration authority, says
with admirable frankness:
"rhc country is convinced that the
army staff is made up Of lot of men
behind the times and unequal to their
work. The Mexican war found the
army altering tlintlocks to percussion
because the ordnance staff had put off
this change to 1915. The Civil war
found the army without a breech load
er, because the ordnance staff decided
against one At Santiago our troops
found themselves without a ma agazne
rifle. because the ordnance boards were
against that. In ali small arm im-
provements for fifty years, percussion
lock, brcech-lOader magazine small
bore or smokeless powder, the army
of the most advanced nation in the
world in the arts and in invention
has been behind other armies in adopt
ing new weapons. The record OF the
army staff as a whole l. full of this.
Til" organization is bad. The perman-
en, heads keep their places independ-
ent of merit AS was said in debate
in the senate without contradiction.
the secretary Of war is handicapped
by a permanent bureaucracy. 1t will
neither learn itself nor make room for
men who will from the line. The war
has convinced the country of the truth
of this, and the army suffers in spite
of its heroism, bravery and self-sacri-
flee, staff appointments and the staff
organization call for radical reform"
There will never be good army
staff until membership in its is based
or merit rather than pull and until
at least the head officers in it, if not
the whole staff, are removable at the
option of the secretary of war or the
general in command. Capitalization
Of authority is the essence of success
full organization. In military as in civil
life 100 many coordinate cooks are
bound to spoil the broth.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
From the Sun.


British and German vessels carried IS
per cent. of our grain exports in 1891
Among 1879 grain-laden vessels only SOW
enteen were American, carrying less than
per cent. of the total trade.
No merchant vessel flying the United
States flag passed through the strait of
Gibraltar or the Suez canal in 1898 or 1883.
In 1898 the steamers passing the Strait of
Gibraltar numbered 1888 and the sailing
vessels $50. In 1898 the steamers num-
bered 1854 and the sailing vessels 226.
The newspapers OF Hamburg, the third
largest commercial port in the world, said
In 1897 that thirty years had elapsed since
that port had seen the Stars and Stripes
at masthead.
In 1897 no American merchant vessel en-
tered the port of Buenos Ayres.
In thirty seven years after 1860 the tom
mage of the United States registered for
foreign trade shrunll to one-fourth of its
proportions before the civil war. In the
same period the tonnage Of the British
empire more than doubled.
1t is only in deep-sea navigation. across
the oceans or to South American por 5
below the OrinoCo, that our shipping in
tereSts are weak. Four -fifths of our eX-
ports and imports are carried by deep
sea shipping, and American vessels carry
only about seven -hundredths of the
total trade.
American shipping carries about one
hali OF the total sea commerce between
the United States and rciEhborinG foreign
countries as Canada. the West indies,
Mexico Central AmCric and the north
coast of South America.
Our domestic water commerce. coast
wise, great lakes rivers and canals is by
far the largest in the world, and is two
and half times greater than that OF the
United Kingdom, second on the list.
All signs indicate that in a few years
moro the United States will again cnga gc
largely in ocean tranSpOrta lion. Tho
most important condition which will en-
able us to do this is the fact that we now
produce steel so Cheaply that we can COM
pete with foreign shipbuilders in making
steamships.
On the Atlantic ocean our steamships
have to compete with the fastest subSi-
dizcd vessels aloat. On the Pacific ocean
where American steamships formerly
carried nearly all the trade between our
Pacific ports and China. Japan, Hawaii
and Australasia we now have the compe
tition of the heavily subsidized Vancouver
lines and the now but already successful
Japancscs steamships. When we protect
our shipping industry as we protect and
promote our other business interests the
United States will not be long in again
taking its stand among the greatest ocean
carriers.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25
No More Prize Money.

Although the expected legal aboli-
tion of prize money in the navy will
not take retroactive effect, it is encour-
aging to learn that congress has made
no provision for the payment of prize
money to officers and men engaged in
the warwith Spain, and without specific
appropriation from congress these
fighters cannot realize on former eX-
poctations. To the credit of the navy
it should be said that few Of its rep
resentatiVe officers sanction the prln-
ciplc underlying the granting of prize
money, They recognize that it is a
species of brigandaGc which confers
scant credit upon those profiting by it.
Their one excuse hitherto foe accepr-
ing it has been the inequality and in
adequacy of naval pay
This. fortunately, has been corrected.
Under the provisions of the naval per-
sonnel bill officers of the navy will
stand on Il salary footing of equality
with officers Of the army. and mas
much as army officers do not profit bv
loot OF capture for work done while
in the cuuntry's uniform the navy may
well feel content to wash its hands of
the whole prize money business and
turn its thoughts TO high incentives.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25
SPRING.

Spring is coming, spring is coming!
l can feel the lum-tc- tummng
OF that metrical cbullition that the sea-
son inundateS--
Feel the lyrical vibrations
That In limitless creations
Every editorial sanctum and the balaam
bag o'erireights,
BY the generating sonnots,
BY the talk of Easter bunnels
And the resurreCted seeds that pose in
every market stall,
By my OvercOats oppression
BY the growing bike procession.
can certify the springs about 10 make
its annual can.
And in fun arTrt tciaton
or old Natures propagation
OF the programme that doth year on year
her normal labor's sum,
I'Ve concluded. Notwithstanding
My COZ orviCtions, so commanding.
That I'd best resign my whims and let
the thing proceed TO come.
Boston Courier.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

sets and the provincial funds have
also been appropriated to the same
purpose until trade is almost hopeless
ly destroyed. The army is wholly in
capable Of coping with the constant
robcllOns and these, simultaneously
rising in various sections Of the coun-
thy result in steady growth of the
lawless element. The final destruc-
tion Of the empire seems to be in
sight.
Lord Beresfords idea Of the remedy
is a reconstruction of the army, SO
that some promise of adequate de-
fense can be given to trade. In this
he believes that the nations he names
above can cooperate and assist. The
Chinese are bad leaders but good fol-
lowers and if they have Americans or
Europeans to show them how to rear
range their interior policy there will
be some hope for OUTSIDE commerce.
France and Russia. he says, have little
or no trade with China and therefore
should be excluded from the present
proposition from purely d business
standpoint and not for invidious Tea-
sons. If the proper preparations for
an open door can be made and then
the door can be kept open, these two
nations will probably be in a position
to profit by it in the course of time as
we'll as the other four. At present the
task of assisting China belongs, in
his judgment, to America, England,
Germany and Japan.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

The Wnmcn's Christian Temperance
union is meeting with marked success
along many lines OF work reported at
the local convention yesterday. with
the solitary exception of the suffrage
department, which, according to the
statement made by that society, is not
increasing in membership. Those in
terested in the movement seem TO he
disposed to CritiCise other women for
apathy regarding the advancement of
their sex and to credit the suffragists
with all the reforms brought in wom-
ans interest in this country. The
truth is that most 1f the reforms men
toned have been instituted by men
not actuated by the agitators of the
other sex. The whole summing llD of
the matter is that when Il majority
Of the women of the country decide
that they want suffrage they viii have
it i'm hurry. Until they grow more
dissatisfied with their rights now
granted than they seem to be at pres
ent There will probably be no serious
attempt in many state legislatures
toward cnfranchiscmcnt. Women all
over the land are advancing in culture
and general intelligence and lofty at
tainments in literature, science and
art, that there is not a corresponding
accession to the ranks of the woman
suffra gists is significant
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25
Trade Tonics.

1t H. fu he regretted if any comments
made on this page respecting Scran~
.on's Industrial future have been mis-
understood. The city is not in a bad
Way, as vet: on the contrary, it's i'm
mediate outlook is brighter in every
direction than it has been for several
Years past. Coal men, steel rail men.
local business men generally are look.
,ng forward to a good year this year
ana to better one next yeal and they
arc doing so advi"edly We have no
wish to nut a wet blanket on this re-
NiNed enthusiasm.
ON" nurruHe. in point of fact. is to
show that for the very reason that the
busircss outlook is Frightening She
lime is most auspicious for a new per-
iod "f Industrial growth. which. estab-
lishcd AT the beginning of general
period of prosperity, win he more easily
attained and will sOldifv and fortify
itself before the next period of general
depression SHAH ensue The trouble
with ScrantOn's last concerted venture
in the industrial line was that it was
hcgrn on the eve of the free trade panic
or 90. Before the industrial Hcdglings
o' 'hHt period could he reared into ma
tuity thc commercial blizzard came
along and blew them imto receivers
hands. IT takes time to establ an
industry ANA the better the time the
quicker the establishment. Times are
uoV to be good for several Yeats. We
have got through the lean years We
are entering the fat ones. 1t is most
fortunate moment for the institution of
new industrial ventures. and we need
them for protection when the next
dun season shall come.
The bolt and nut works of which We
spoke yesterday will give employment
to not less than 200 men at the start
and to 400 after a littl" progress. sup
pose 900 men in Scranton, rot now reg
ularly employed or in receipt Of scaht
and uncertain wages, could be nut to
work in an industry assuring them an
average yearly income. paid every two
weeks in cash. of 5000 to $500. That
would add 5000, 900 in round numbers to
the citys active money circulation. In
a year this money capital would pass
through many hands, making business
and profit for each hand it touched.
Three or four such new industries
would be a veritable elixir Of life for
the sluggish trade pulses of our COM
munty--trade tonics helpful to every
one.
Let everybody. therefore. cooperate
with the Board OF Trade in its cam
paign for local prosperity.
The French mObs remind one of Ger
tain elements in Pennsylvania, and in
fact, Lackawanna county politics They
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

The Philadelphia Times almanac for
1899 was issued ct a later date than
usual, but in consequence is more COM
prehensivc in its store Of general in
formation. Particular attention has
been paid to the army and navy and
the accurate lists of officials as we'll
as other data make the work valuable
AS a book of reference, The almanac
is compact in form and docs not con-
tain an unintcresting line.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25
SCRANTON, FEBRUARY 95, 1899.

The state Legislature passed a reso-
tuition the other day demanding that
Havana shall he cleaned at once in the
interest Of health. Why could not the.
legislature be induced to pass some re-
buttons in favor Of Scranton?
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25
The Consent of the Governed.

Several states in the south have
adopted property and educational re-
strictions uDon the suffrage so drawn
as to disfranchise the greater part of
the negro vote but to leave the white
vote unchanged. This discrimination
is effected by Incorporating in the con-
stituticn clause that the provisions
of the new suffrage test shall not ap-
ply to the descendants of men who were
citizens prior to 1S67-n other words.
that they shall apply to the descendants
of the slaves only. BY this means it
is sought to perpetuate the rule of the
white minority over the black major
ity indefinitely.
1t is believed on good authority that
this discriminatory clause in a state
constitution is in fatal conflict with
the Fifteenth amendment to the con-
stitution Of the United States and will
not be permitted to stand. The point
of present interest about this ATTEMPTED
re-subjugation Of the negro race, how
ever is that 1t is being urged by the
same class Of politicians who are hold
ing up their hands in simulated horror
at the thought of the United States
trying to govern the inhabitants of the
Philippine islands without the consent
of the governed"
Consistency, though art indeed n
jewel,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

his companions, were the bones OF man
who In life must have been fully nine
feet tall, occupying a sitting position,
with his feet under him. A number or
copper bodkins or pins, from two to three
inches in length, were found, and also
pins made from the bones Of n wolf.
There were numerous copper hatchcts,
two-edged and sharp, one OF which was
wrapped in linen cloth resembling In
texture those of today.
1t is not generally known that the va
nilla bean is the costliest bean on earth.
1t grows wild and is gathered by the ma
tives in Papantla and Misantla, Mexico.
When brought from the forest these beans
ure sold at the rate of S12 per loo, but
when dried and cured they cost about Sl2
per pound Last year 90, 900 beans were
imported into this country.
According TO the New York Sun a SOL
der of the regular army may vote If he
is stationed at his old home or within
such distance of it that he can go there
to register and vote. lie doesn't lose his
old residence by crlisting nor does he ac-
quire Il residence by being stationed Mt n
place. II he can get to his old home on
election day he may vote.
a healthy man. with n normal appetite
and thirst living to the age of ~ will have
consumed $4,000 pounds Of nourishing
solid food and liquids. Taking $50 pounds
as the average weight of man, he
would, by this calculation, mastiCate and
digest the weight of his own body l,2S0
times.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

his assailants to redouble their nag
ping. He declared that he would never
retreat under fire, which was in a cer-
tain sense heroic, hut heroism OF a
more quiet type would less have
rasped the sensibilities of the public.
His feelings were natural enough; few
men in his situation would have felt
differently; his misfortune lay in his
lack OF an optimistic philosophic spirit
in which to envelope his trials and
safeguard them from further aggrava-
tion. His letter to Roosevelt after the
Roosevelt round robin was the act not
of self-mastered but OF petulant
and ratified man. it furnishes the key
10 the whole story of his martyrdom.
A time will come when General Alger
will receive sympathy rather than CEN
sure; but we fear that ii will not come
until he has retired from public office
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

We seem 70 be approaching the final
chapter in the Dreyfus affair. 1t is now
announced that the crime for which
Dreyfus has been punished never ev-
CuSerS.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

Count d.\lmenas, who suggested
that the Spanish commanders during
the recent war should be shot, has de-
clincd to fight "A duel with one of the
generals he had accused of cowardice.
Lille most of the long range critics who
suggest reforms and punishments,
d'Almenas prefers that some one else
shall do the shooting.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

Until Frenchmen can learn to sus-
pend their partisan shirt-tearing after
the polls close they will not make a
complete success of their republic.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

The announcements that SECRETARY
Alger will not resign are beginning 10
come with the regularity of war bulle-
tins.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

The administration may not know
exactly why Dewey wants the Ore
gon at Manila but it can we'll afford to
send the big ship over. 1t seems to
be the Oregons luck, by the way, to
be the center of naval interest.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

When the criminal courts resumed v Ork
IN Italy after the holiday recess the at
torney Senral in his opening speech gave
some interesting comparative statistics
concerning crime, which are not very
ciGditable to Rome, In 1897 there were
III murders and 2,16t cases of stabbinP,
while in 1928 the murders increased to l2S
and the stabbng cases numbered 1891.
crimes against property--embezzlem
fraud and the like-werc S,9S7 in the year
1897 and lO,jil in 1895. All other crimes in
1897 amounted to 1901 and in 1898 To 2O97.
The police force has been Increased; new,
Intelligent officers have been appointed,
ana new rules of discipline have been Cs-
tabished. hut unless they amend the law
so a. 10 sogreEate habitual criminals, hs
Is done i'm the case of anarchists, the
Rome correspondent of the Chicago Rec
ord thinks the black list is likely to con-
tinuo increasing.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

Anti. .eXpansionists as a rule mean
well, but they misunderstood the mis-
sion of civilization.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

These arc the principal nicknamcs Of the
states: Alabama, Cotton state: ArlSaI.
saS, Bear; California, Golden Connecti-
cut, Nutmeg; Delaware, Blue Hen; Geo.
cia, Empire state of the South; illinois,
Prairie; Indiana, IIooslcr; Iowa, Hawk
eye; Kansas, Garden; Kentucky Blue
Grass; Louisiana, Creole; Maine, Pine
Tree; Maryland, Ola Line; Massachusetts,
Bay; Michigan, Wolverine; Minnesota,
Gopher; Mississippi, Bayou; Nevada,
Sagebrush; New Hampshire. Granite (;
New York, Empire; North Carolina, Tar
Heel; Ohio, Buckeye; PENNSYLVANIA, K"y-
stone; Rhode Island. Little Rhody; South
Carolina, Palmetto; Texas, Lone Star;
Vermont Green Mountain: Virginia, Old
Dominion; WiscC nsin, Badger.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

The French mObs remind one of GER
tain elements in Pennsylvania, and in
howl Justify without apparently know
ing the cause of their own grief
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

Only once has General llwcll ). Otis,
the American commander in the Philip
pines, been non plussed. That was when
as boy he was Il student I'm the Uni
Nersity of Rochester. He was a natural
leader and for four years he kept tn"
faculty of the institution i'm "A state Of
perpetual agitation, His most famous
prank was the smuggling of donkey
into the chapel one morning before pray
ers and tying the animal securely to the
head professors desk, When that worthy
came in TO lead the services he never
smiled or exhibited any trace of anger
In quiet voice he said: "Gentleman
see that you have wisely chosen your in
structor Good morning." And the laugh
was on Otis.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

the symbolical torch of civilization was
lighted for the convenience of flrcbugs.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

Mayor Quincy, of Boston, proposes that
the city shall burn its paupcrs instead Of
burying them, 1t is asserted that the
city could crcmate bodies at cost Of
only 81 each while it. costs 80 to dig a
grave. Besides land Is becoming very
expensive in Boston and if interments
are TO be made as heretofore, additions
must be made Ia POtters Field that will
require an appropriation of nearly $1,000
1t Is believed that the paupers will not
object to cremation for Il Is popular with
the rich and the objections of people who
have no family or friends to take charge
OF their remains would not demand much
consideration
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

During a recent investigation of the
mounds in Pokagon township, Cass coun-
ty, Mich, the bones of perhaps 100 per-
sons were found in the centre of one
mound and under these, separated from
The Florence daily tribune., 1899-06-30
OVATION TO JEFFRIES.
He Is in Denver the Guest of
Boiler Makers Union.

Denver. June 30-At ten O'Clock
this morning champion pugilist
of the world, James J. Jeffries ar
rived in this city. He was met at
the depot by delegation from the
Boiler Makers Union of Denver.
A band of music was in attend
ance. Jeffries was placed upon a
boiler which was drawn through
the streets of the city by six white
horses. Several officers of the
Union rode on the boiler with him.
Everywhere ne went he was given
tremendous ovations.
The Florence daily tribune., 1899-06-30
AMERICAN TROOPS
SUFFER DEFEAT.
Men Are Ambushed and Attack
ed Win Severe Loss.
MANY KILLED AND INJURED.

Paris, June 30 The Filipino
junta today received news of Amer
lean defeats north and south of
Manila. At Malabon a detach-
ment of Americans was ambushed
and in the ensuing fight the Amer
leans suffered 81 casualties, Is
men being taken prisoners.
AT Caloocan detachment of
Americans under Captain Rookie
Teller was surrounded and taken
prisoners to man. The advices
also state that General Ponce in
command of the Filipinos has or
dered large consignment of tor
pedoes for the bay, and several
batteries from the interior were
ordered to the front.
The Florence daily tribune., 1899-06-30
IT is YELLOW FEVER.
Case in New York harbor of
Most Virulent Type.

New York, June 30.-The sus-
pected case of yellow fever on
board the Norwegian steamer
kreim, which arrived here from
Matanzas, has. upon investigation
by the health department, proven
to be that disease in a most viru-
lent form. The sick man, John
johnson, has been sent to Swim
bourne Island. The steamer and
crew are held at Hoffman Island
in quarantine.
1t is believed that johnson CON
tracted the disease while the yes
sci was lying alongside the pier in
the infected district of Havana.
All sanitary precautions have been
taken to prevent the spread of the
disease.
The Florence daily tribune., 1899-06-30
State Troops Leave Pana.

Pana, Ill, June 30.-The de-
parture of the state troops and the
closing of the mines here has re-
suited in the completer restoration
of peace in this city. Last night
was the quietest that the citizens
of Pana have experienced since
the fight began.