davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

quarter OF million, have been bullt
by the inmates of the prisons, all with
In the space Of four years and at a
cost to the state of less than $4,000.
This work." says the letter in the
Record, was at first undertaken as an
experiment, with many doubts and
misglvings, but in a short time the
wisdom of the plan was demonstrated.
so that when it was decided TO erect
the main buildng-the most recently
completed portion of the work-al-
though it involved considerable re-
sponsibility, yet the commissioners
and managers had not the slightest
hesitation in giving work to the pris-
oners. There were no quarrels among
the men, no insubordination and no
attempted escapes while the work was
in progress. Without chains or fet-
ters and with but few guards the men
quarried the rock, cut and dressed the
granite blocks, nodded and burned the
bricks, dug the sand, burned the lime.
cut the logs and sawed the lumber.
In less than q year and half they
completed the massive and beautiful
structure. With the exception of the
superintendent. the foreman of the
brickyard and a timer employed to
superintend the covering of the roof,
it is wholly, from beginning to end.
the work of laborers. mostly unskilled,
and all designated as criminals Even
the architect who furnished the design
for the building was himself a prison
er, whose sentence expired a few weeks
prior to the commencement OF con-
struction."
AS to the conduct of affairs inside
this beautiful prison we are told:
Not only is every effort made to
benefit the unfortunate inmates and fit
them for honest lives after they shall
have left the prison walls. but much is
done to render their present condition
cheerful. Wardens Conley and Nc
Tague. who have had charge Of the
prison for many years, act upon the
theory that, with all possible allevia-
tions, penitentiary life is a severe pun
ishment and that a large percentage
of the men will quickly show their ap-
probation of kindness by being far
more tractable than If they were not
accorded any privileges. The peniten-
tiary might almost be classed as an
| educational institution. In the prison
school, organized four years since, are
taught all the English branches of the
| ordinary grammar schools, in addition
to penmanship, bookkeeping, typewrit-
ing, telegraphy and photography. A
telegraphic apparatus has been set up
in the penitentiary for the use of the
| pupils. Teachers as well as students
are taken from among the ranks of the
! inmates. 1t is rather unusual to see
within prison walls hundreds of men
! Of all ages and nationalities, patiently
mastering the various branches, from
reading and spelling up to the higher
mathematics; to hear the click of tele-
| graphic instruments, the clatter of
typewriters and the hum of recitation
classes, interspersed with lessons in
music, vocal and instrumental but
this is what may be seen and heard in
the state penitentiary of one of the
to a wise board of prison commission
ers and to the intelligent and untir-
ing efforts of it's managers"
There will few years hence be more
prisons patterned after this intelligent
ly devised model.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

The overwhelming vote Of confidence
yesterday given in the French senate
and chamber of deputies to the new
ministry attests better than any re-
cent event the depth of the republics
hold in France and the adequacy of the
man whom the emergency precipitated
by the Dreyfus case has summoned to
the presidential chair II France fell
into grievous error, grandly is France
retrieving herself
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

The recent Samoan difficulty seems
TO have been an instance where al
together too much good blood was
spilled in the adjustment of a claim to
royal position worth $50 a month.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

A question recently propounded by
an exchange ought to interest the war
department just now: Where does
Aguinaldo get his apparently mex
haustible supply of ammunition?
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Fiduciary Relations.

The vast increase in the number and
volume or commercial transactions and
the enormous growth of accumulated
wealth result in more frequent necessity
for the bestCwal of trust and confidence
In others; the multitude of business Of
these times and all the interests and
properties involved cannot be carried on
or properly cared for except by calling
In the numerous modern agencies devised
for the assistance cf these who have more
away In the strong box. Hence the bank
for savings, the trust company, life in
surance corporations, building and loan
associations, fill a place of tremendous
importance in the business world OF our
day.. The extreme value and importance
of the function which they SO success
fully discharge for the thrifty members
of society make it prudent TO guard by
every possible preventive device against
fraud and unfaithfulness on the part of
those who administer the business of
such agencies; but because prudence has
thus provided, it is not correct to infer
that defalcations would otherwise be-
come universal. If unfaithfulness were
the rule and not the exception, no fidel-
tty company would be able to survive its
first years issue of policies.
If the prevailing motive of public Of
fcers were plunder and personal profit,
no citizen would pay his taxes except as
a forced tribute to official robbers. Mu-
nicipal,. state, and national bankruptcy
would be universal. The whole social
and political fabric would fall a shat
terd heap il things were as bad as we
are constantly told they are. No man
would trust his neighbor. Integrity gone,
confidence gone, there would remain moth
ing but a return to the plans of self-pre-
servation followed in those dark ages
when each mans fortress and personal
armor were his only reliance against out
and layylaSSreSq
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

The new Nicaragua Canal commits
sion is getting ready to undertake it's
superhuous voyage of inquiry into A
subject already fully canvassed and
thoroughly understood. And thus a
great enterprise is made sport of while
the railroad lobbyists laugh.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
The Philippine Situation.

The most interesting portion of Cen
eral Otis summary of existing condi-
tions in the Philippines is that where
in he says: "The only hope of the in
surgent leaders is in United States aid.
They proclaim near overthrow ofpresent
administration to be followed by their
independence and recognition by the
United States. This is the influence
which enables them to hold out" And
little further on: Much contention
prevails among them and no civil gov
ernment remains"
This is not the opinion of a political
party leader put out for vote-catching
effect, but the deliberate expression of
the highest military officer in command
of affairs where since last February
ferocious war has waged. General
Otis speaks to the American people as
their agent 1000 miles removed, and
he wants them to understand that the
armed resistance which the soldiers
under his command have to fight, at
great inconvenience and peril to them
selves, is sustained by those American
low their contrary opinions to go across
the Pacific ocean with encouragement
to their country's foes. He means
nothing less than that Edward Atkin-
son, Senator Hoar the Springfield Re-
publican, the New York Evening Post
and the other men and journals of
prominence in this country who are
condcmning the United States govern
met for it's policy in Luzon and ap-
plauding the rebels against it's author
ity are as much responsible for the
American blood shed in the Philippines
as if they had severally taken guns
and gone to fight their fellow country
men under Aguinaldo's banner.
Nay, more. AS allies in aims
of Aguinaldo ti.ey would bring
to him only the strength of 81
few more rifles or shoulder straps;
whereas in their present cooperation
they exert an undue influence upon the
entire Philippine situation, stimulating
the natives in rebellion, unsettling the
natives who have been partly pacified
and depressing the American troops
whose orders are to restore a condition
of peace by asserting the sovereignty
transferred in the treaty of Paris.
General Otis afTirms that among the
natives in rebellion no civil government
remains. There is the tyranny of a
military dictatorship or else utter an
{archy This is the official statement
Aof the United States most responsible
kpt on the spot and it is cOrroborated
kcY official and unofficial report
Imen worthy of credence which
been received from the Philippine
Fhds since the trouble began. Our
dicrs are there and some OF them
day are losing their lives to re-
\ order where anarchy has super
and their work is being him
and made harder and their sac
in death and discomfort are
intensified by a collection OF
eans safely ensconced at home
Question their veracity, assail theil
les and ascribe to their treacher.
Etagonists standards of worth fol
there is absolutely no warrant
Pr.
have this conduct understood
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

President Hadley Of Yale thinks the
esprit du corps. He is right, at least
so far as the officers at headquarters
are concerned. 1t also needs a head.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

Judging from the care taken in his
transportation from Devils Island the
French evidently regard Dreyfus as
being more dangerous than a cargo Of
dVnamite
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

The continued popularity of General
Miles and Colonel Roosevelt proves
that the general public does not con-
slider it crime for an army officer to
take an interest in the welfare of his
troops
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27


A child born on this day will note that
there are lots of people who do not own
carriages or bicycles who will rejoice
that our streets are to be repaired.
1t may be that love of office rather than
love of country is responsible for a good
deal of the hurrah of this period.
The man who insists that the world
owes him living can seldom show any
receipts for having paid for it In advance.
All patriotic people rejoice that the
anti-expansionists cannot interfere with
the watermelon crop.
An ugly woman always seems TO I'M
agine that she looks divine in a dusty
bicycle suit
The individual who fires Off cannon
crackers on the streets is not necessarily
a fool, but his symptoms are bad,
Ajacchus' Advice.
If you wish TO retain mans friendship
never meet his complaints with q coun-
ter tale of woe.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Model Prison.

|antages of the ordinary
N, in herding criminals of
and degrees of moral de-
together indscriminately
ping them in enforced idle
Eich not only impairs their
but renders virtually impos-
y substantial progress toward
ormation are generally recog-
DBut when the attempt is made
ply remedies the fact is discov-
that this is no easy matter EN-
themselves disagree radically as
lat changes should be made and
Inability to unite on definite pro-
= HOns for Improvement leave lay
,neT sorey confused.
In this situation it may be of inter-
est to consider the experience which
the state Of Montana has had in prison
reform. We find in a Helena letter to
fhe Chicago Record some information
(which cannot fail to be of considerable
the problems of prison MANAGEMENT
and reform. Five years ago Montana's
penitentiary consisted of one small
stone structure supplemented by sew
era log buildings. 1t was decided to
replace these with a modern structure.
which as now completed, ranks among
the finest in the United States 1t is
of brick, rlveted with rugged, native
! GRANTEE 1888 feet in length. so feet in
width and nearly As feet in height. with
tour towers rising to a height of 60
teet, the whole containing a floor space
over 1S500 square feet. In addition
this is what is known as the AS
Ebly hall, building two stories
40 by go feet, composed entirely
Drick with trimmings OF granite
IS. Surrounding both buildings is
i of native rock. evenly cut and
tly matched, extending nine feet
e ground, twenty feet in height,
with a coping three feet wide,
ssive entrances. and with four
forty feet in height. These
(dings and Improvements, which
would have involved in their
on an expenditure Of nearly
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

Senator Foraker shoots astray when
he sneers at Editor Kohlsaat because
he was a baker. IT is no disgrace to
be a baker and especially as good a
baker as Kohlsaat was. One days out
put of the latters pies probably does
more material good for mankind than
all of Foraker's speeches and political
manoeuvers combined. No mud-throw-
ing at bakers.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

Colonel Watterson is beginning to
realize that his efforts to save the Dem
ocratic party belong within the cate
CORY of loves labors lost.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Exceptions Prove the Rule.

l know that to this cheerful and happy
view which I have expressed of the ef-
nclency Of our system of jurisprudence
ana or the general confidence that the
people nave in it, some will object and
VIII point to cases where justice has
miscarried. where gigantic wrongs are
alleged to have been committed in the
name or law, or to outbreaks of local vio-
renee where the courts have been ig-
nored and the barbarous punishment OF
the mob has been substituted for the es-
tablished procedure Of the criminal law.
The names of unjust judges who have
dlsgraced their positions and brought re-
proach upon their profession will be cited
to prove that the bench is not as a whole
the incorruptibe body which we would
rain believe. These individual instances
VIII be admitted, but the mere fact that
they are notorious, that they are known
or all men, that they are universally
cited as deplorable examples and as evil
dence OF public distrust in legal meth
obs, Is proof OF, rather than against, the
views / have expressed
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
A Popular System.


1t is natural, therefore that public nf-
lection for our judicial system should be
stfong IN land where not only Is CquHl
Justice the birthright of every citizen,
put Whcrc also every tendency of justice
ls toward the side of tenderness and tho
initiation OF every degree of unnecessary
human misery. 1t Is not the powerful
nor the rich, but the poor and the help
less, the widow and the orphan, of whom
the law Is specially careful. About the
weak 1t throws It's broadest shield, and
against them 1t makes the least presump-
tons wherc life or liberty or property
are involved. 1t is not the rich nor the
powerful who administer our law. Our
Judges are taken from the ranks of the
bar-chosen for their integrity, their
learning, and their high sense of justice.
Our turies are taken from the ordinary
ranks of life-the average men in edu-
cation In intelligence. and in opinion.
Ihus our Jurisprudence Is in the hands of
the people. 1t Is their system, exercised
for their protection and administered
through their agency. Possessions may
be unequal, but rights are equal. 1t
ls this that makes the law respected and
revered. This is the basis of that cheer
ful submission to legal authority which
Is so Characteristic OF the American peo-
pie. Against system so just so innate
with the very life and habits Of the peo-
pie, there is no moro danger OF absolut-
ism or militarism than there is of an
archy. The specter of absolute power
is INVOKED In vain to terrify people de-
voted to the PRINCIPLES of equal Justice
administered by themselves.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Legal Procedure Simplified.

Notwithstanding many efforts, legal
experts have not yet succeeded in pro-
ducing a civil code acceptable as a sub
Stitute for the unwritten precepts of the
common law. Criminal codes and codes
of procedure have been perfected and es-
tablished, and have been accepted with
more or less satisfaction. But whether
by way of code, or by way of statutory
modification, or common law procedure,
or by rule of court, there has been a uni
versal tendency to lay aside ancient and
useless forms, and substitute in their
place q direct and speedy method of
procedure, based upon modern ideas Of
common sense and an abolition of the an
cient tictions of the common law, which,
while necessary and useful at the time
of their origin, have become merely oh
stacles in the administration of justice,
and cause of public reproach. There
is in every state code of procedure or
practice act a provision for direct and
prompt arrival at an issue, and for the
determination of that issue as rapidly
as is nationally possible, taking into con-
sideration the material obstacles that in
many instances arise to prevent the par
ties with their witnesses being prepared
to meet each other on the same day at
the same place, and the further fact that
an accumulation of cases before the same
court may compel some to await their
turn. 1t is my judgment, however that
in the courts of law. and the courts Of
equity as well, in this country, justice is
administered rs speedily and as rapidly
as the rights and the desires of the par
ties can reasonably require.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
REXFORD'S.
SCRANTON. June 27.

Even if you could write with the
average two-year-old summer re-
sort pen-these old rusty scratchers
how much better to use your
own. The satisfaction, the pri-
vacy. Own a Paul E. Writ Foun-
tain Pen. We are selling a thous.
and, or trying to-one dollar.
The regular LAX solid gold $2.oc
Pen.
THE REXFORD CO.,
1872 Wyoming Ave.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Human Slavery Abolished.

Any review of the century's ameliora-
tions would be incomplete indeed If 1t
failed to include that one of all others
the most far-reaching and stupendous in
effect, and involving In its establishment
the most gigantic struggle that our ma
tion has ever known between the ad-
herents of two different theories of per-
sonal right as applied to q particular
race. l refer to the overthrow of the
system, originally recognized by our
fundamental law and approved by the
Judgment of our highest Federal court,
which gave to one man the right to take
the person and the services of another;
not as a matter of contract, but as a
matter Of authority and ownership; to
that class of persons who, in the Ian
guage of Chief Justice Taney, for more
than a century had been regarded as be-
ings of an inferior order and so inferior
that they had no rights which the white
man was bound to respect, and might be
justly and lawfullyreduced to slavery for
the white mans benefit. The barbarous
and degrading institution of human slav-
cry has been discarded from our system,
and in place of it stand those glowing
sentences Of the thirteenth and four
tecnth amendments.
Another relic OF a ruder system and
more ancient time was removed by al
most the last act of the last Federal
congress- which abolished the distrbu-
ton among the captors Of prize money
derived from the capture Of merchant
vessels of the enemy in time of war
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Reasons for Legal Delays.

Sometimes 1t happens that calendars
are clogged with an accumulation of
cases too numerous to be disposed Of
within the time at the command of the
court; but such a condition of affairs is
not blamable upon the court or upon the
lawyers, but rather upon the legislature
which fails to provide enough courts and
enough judges to meet the material
growth of litigation, The whole ten
denCy of court practice, both at law and
in equity, is toward the speedy DISPOSE
ton of cases, and if there be complaint
of delay in any instance, it is ascribable
more to the outside arrangements and
manipulations of the counsel than to the
disposition of the court or lack of op-
portunty to be heard. A century ago it
required from two TO four months to obtain
a Judgment by default in an ordinary
collection suit where no defence was in
terpOsed. Now an uncontested money
claim can be put into judgment in from
five to twenty days, and by proceedings
so simple that a yearling clerk can man
age them.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
The Broader View.

Viewed from the standpoint Of day, ia
the light OF our experience, taking into
account the temporary periods of popular
and political passion which have mo-
mentarily retarded or diverted It's prog
ress. the growth af law during the CEN
tuty has been an exhibition of popular
wisdom and sound sense, and expression
of the best instincts of humanity trying
to attain the goal Of perfect justice,
based upon the moral and religious senti-
mCnts OF the times, marred as we view
the past by some wrong views of life
and of the various classes of men to-
its own uplifting and perfection, as the
notifying influences of ease. comfort,
and contentment were increasingly felt
among the people.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Popular Respect for Courts

1t is a pleasing thing to observe the
popular respect now paid to the judgments
Of our courts. Not that public senti-
ment always agrees with the wisdom of
judicial proceedings 1t is a shrewd and
critical age, and many a man who never
looked into a statute book, and whose
acquaintance with a court house is mere
ly passing one, will boldly challenge the
correctness of judgments pronounced by
the highest courts of the land, provided
they happen to clash with his political
creed. But rare is the American citizen
who is base enough or so lacking In re-
spect and loyalty for our institutions as
to impugn the honor or integrity of the
bench. There was time in the early
days when it was common for some
Judges of the Federal bench to interlard
their charges to the grand jury with po-
litical addresses, wherein they took occa-
sion 70 warn the public against the evils
which were threatening our institutions
from the conduct OF the opposition party,
and the spread of pernicious principles
dangerous to liberty An address Of
this kind to the United States grand jury
at Baltimore in 1903, wh'rh reflected upon
the tendency Of the government ns adj
ministered by Thomas Jefferson, brought
an associate Justice Of the Supreme court
to the bar Of the senate TO answer an i'm
peachment for misbehavior in office The
Impeachment was ordered at the in
stance Of the president. Justice Chase
was acquitted hut the incident Is n val
liable one as indlcat ting, on tho one hand
an active partisanship by the bench ir
political and partisan discussion which
has happily been abandoned universally
and on the other hand lack OF public
which, happily also, no longer is want
ing
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

in the integrity of the courts is absolute.
~ necessary for the maintenance OF our
institutions. This confidence our courts
possess-a confidence that trusts to their
Judgment, with perfect faith in their up
rlghtness and impartiality, the life, the
liberty, and the property of us all, con
scious that the rights of no man, how
ever poor or humble, shall be adjudgcd
adversely "for any fear, favor, gain, re-
ward, or the hope thereof" Our tenn
pies of justice are undefiled. To those
who minister therein the hearts of the
people are affected with reverence and re-
gard Amid prevalent irreverence that
spares from familiar criticism not even
the most august and sacred things In
iite, there prevails toward our Judicial
institutions notable popular sentiment
Of respect and Nenerhtlnn.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27

reports from Santiago in
IGeneral Woods presence
much in demand. Yellow
harchy seem to have got
| during his brief absence.