davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
personal AND OTHERWISE.

Chicago Is catching on to the South omaha
plan Of handing a bullet to the man whC
asks your money or your life
Great Britain resolutely declines to par
~ticipate in the nd-of-the-century discus
sion. Great Britain has trouble enough.
The most aggravating feature of those
Boer victories is that the Boer generals do
not wear medals or a uniform to speak Of.
Senator Wolcott's famous law library in
Denver is the envy of the Colorado bar,
The senator recently refused an offer OF
$500 0 for its l 1900 volumes.
The cruel irony of fate was strikingly
shown in the house of representatives last
week when adjournment was taken, out of
respect TO the memory of Richard p. Bland,
Immediately after the passing of the gold
standard bill.
Civilization is making some progress in
Arizona. Two actors wounded each other
by using ball instead OF blank cartridges
in the play. A few years back the shooting
came from spectators who resented the per-
nicious activity of the vaudevillian in chas-
ing the souOrette.
Among the members of the present con-
gress 95 per cent wear Prince Alberts and
elk hats, which has caused observer, to re-
mark that it is the best dressed congress in
many years. A majority Of the senators
stick to business suits, while a great many
of them dress like farmers.
DIR. Benjamin Andrews, superintendent OF
Chicagos schools, is again in trouble. He
let go his hair trigger mouth recently, much
to the annoyance of the intellectual giants
who hold Town chairs in the city council.
Andrews resents the notion that aldermen
possess a monopoly of gas in that section.
Colonel Baden-Powell, commander of the
beleagured British in Mafeking, is not al
lowed a monopoly Of the ga1ety of war. The
Beers are handing him a few harmless balls,
containing requests to save a few snorts OF
whisky for them when they call. The
humorous colonel responded CALAMITY with
several high-balls.
You can't lose 'em. Out in the sunny
land of Samoa, lounging beneath the shade
of royal palms, is His excellenCy, Sir George
Thomas Michael O'Bsien, knight commander
of the most distinguished Order OF St.
Michael and ST. George, her Britannia
majesty's high commissioners for the west
ern Pacific" So reads the name and title
attached to a proclamation published in an
Apia paper.
Several young women, presumed to be
handsome and charming, are about to start
a magazine in Chicago devoted exclusively
to the interests and wellbeing OF bachelors.
That, surely, is an ideal ambition. Here
tofore the welfare of bachelors has been
woefully neglected. When charming young
women take after them their welfare and
future state does not require the gift of
prophecy to picture.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

Whether or not there will be in the
future closer commercial relations be-
tween the United States and Germany
will probably depend chiefly upon the
policy of the latter country. President
Mckinley said in his annual message
that "in all that promises closer rela-
tons of intercourse and commerce and
races having so many traits in com
mon, Germany can be assured Of the
most cordial cooperation of this gov
eminent and people. We may be rivals
in many material paths, but our rivalry
should be generous and open, ever aim
ing toward the attainment of larger re-
suits and the mutually beneficial adj
vancement of Zach in the line of its es-
pecial adaptabilities.' Reciprocity
negotiations with Germany are pending,
but it Is not likely that anything will
be accomplished prior to the framing
of a new German tariff, which a COM
mission is now engaged in doing. In
the meantime there appears TO be a
growing sentiment in both countries
favorable TO closer trade relations.
Prof. Gore of Columbian university
has made n valuable contribution TO
the discussion of this question, which
shows it to be n matter of larger i'm
portance than is ordinarily supposed.
Our total trade with Germany amounts
to 250,0O0,OOO annually and in 1898
the excess in favor of the United
States was $131 100000, while as late
as 1893 the balance Of trade was i'm the
opposite direction. obviously this Is
q trade worth fostering and the prob
lem is rs to what shall be done to pre-
serve and increase II. Prof. Gore
says: I'VE need Germany as n buyer
of foods, of raw materials and of GER
tain manufactures that for obvious rea-
sons we are especially fitted to fur
nish,' and he adds: There has not
been for twelve years such an uppor-
tune time as now for putting this coun-
try on the safe side in our commercial
relations with Germany. The term of
Germany's tariff schedule has nearly
expired and IA commission is now pre-
pairing the scheme for the new one.
Since these bills have n fixed period
during which they are not subject to
change, it will be readily appreciated
that the prosperity of the United States
is to a considerable extent involved in
the conditions that may be placed on
imports from this country. As an in
dustrial country Germany would be
only too glad to make favorable ar
rangements with the United States. but
something must be conceded for each
favor expected and "A sort of reciprocity
must prevail What concessions shall
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

The announcements that Andrew Car
ncgie is about to present to the city Of
Lincoln Il $4,000 public library build
ing, conditioned upon the furnishing OF
a site and an assurance of an annual
appropriation for maintenance and cur
rent expenses, leinfGrCes the fact that
there is Il right kind of giving ana Il
wrong kind of giving. The right kind
of giving, illustrated by Mr.. C]arnegic'S
gift, is that which aims at improving
the condition, mental. physical or moral,
Of the great body of the people. \ pub.
lie library well housed and admins
tered is II constant and perpetually
potent factor in the upbuilding of Il
community; it becomes Il center of cdu-
CatiOnal study and research and supple
mcnts the work of the public schools
to many Of those who have either COM
pleted their school course or have been
unable by force of circumstances to
avail themselves of the advantages of
our public SCHOOL system.
The wrong kind of giving, of course,
is that which panders to the selfish de-
sires of the individual-gifts which are
consumed once and for all time and
leave no traces of good accomplished.
1t is the useless class of gifts as dis
tinguishcd from those that are called
useful, using the term in its broadcast
sense While few can bestow benev-
olence upon the scale INDUCED by Mr..
Carnegie, the principle he has adopted
can be followed even down TO the
smallest degree. In spreading this doc
trine Mr.. Carnegie's gifts are accom-
plishing as much as by the direct re-
suits of The institutions he is founding.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24


Chicago Times Herald The average sal
AIRY paid to Methodist ministers in this coun-
try last year was $i7S.35, after all, the
S1O-a-wcck clerk at the ribbon counter
might know hls bible better and fare worse.
Cleveland Plain Dealer; 1t was an Atlanta
pastor who said in his sunday sermon that
he believed our principal institutions OF
learning were going to he'll at the rate o.
a mile a minute. sweeping, as they 60, min
listers and laymen by the thousands" Some.
body should furnish this reckless down grade
parson with a full set Of airbrakes.
Detroit Free Press; There is a large
element Of our citizenship that is shocked
at the attitude of many min lsters toward
our own foreign policy with its tragic at
tendants, They want liberty at home, but
uphold enforced vassalage in our new pos
sessions. They indorse militarism there and
would fight it here. They would take to
the field to defend our independence, but
encourage warfare upon struggling indie
pendence abroad. Their preachments are
for peace except when the fundamentals
Of religion are overshadowed by the i'm
pulses Of a sanguinary, though unworthy
and irrecCnCilable patriotism. If civiliza-
ton emand such wars, then civilization
is only refined aud educated barbarism. eat
ing with a silver fork and observing other
artificial proprieties.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

this country make in order TO obtain
u larger share Of Gcrmany's tradef
What sort Of reciprocity can we offer
to bring about closer commercial re-
lationS between the two countries:
The chief complaint of Germany Is in
regard to the c~ountcrvailing sugar duty,
applying to sugars imported from coun.
tries that pay an export bounty. We
cannot abandon that duty without
doing an injury t. our own sugar in
dustry and therefore it is useless for
Germany to seek any concession in this
direction. As to other features of our
tariff which have reduced imports from
Germany it is entirely certain that they
will not undergo any change in the
immediate future and whenever they
are modified it is highly probable that
the conditions will be such that Ger
man manufacturers will get no material
benefit. 1t appears, therefore, that the
promise of establishing closer CONNER.
cial relations between Germany and the
United States is not particularly bright,
for the reciprocity provided for in the
existing tariff law offers no great OPP
p%ortunity for trade improvements and
there is no probability of any conccs-
sions beyond this.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

Many lose their souls to save their skins.
Spiritual vision is not material blindness
1t is a mistake to be forever copying
copies.
The roses drop from sin, but the thorns
remain.
The simplest patriotism is the hardest tc
practice.
Ritualism is an attempt to feed men on
furniture.
The godly man is he who acts d~iylnely to
his fellows.
The ripper the fruit Of holiness, the lower
1t bends itself.
Ho Is n brave men who thinks new
thoughts aloud.
A criminal may escape from his cell, but
not from himself.
Duplicity Of conduct will not win i'm
pliCity OF confidence.
There will be good will amongst men
when they all do GODS will.
The angels song is not set for their choir
alone. but for all the chorus OF humanity.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
THE WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TREE.

On this sharp winters night child-oyes are
bright,
And their voices full with glee.
For well they know strange fruit doth grow
on the wonderful Christmas tree.
Its branching arms bear varied store,
Nuts and candies and sweets galore.
While the selfsame tree at this good time
Is rich with the fruit of every cline.
Did you long for a sled or express cart red,
Or a doll-baby fair to see?
Then wait your turn, right soon you'l learn
There OH the Christmas tree.
At Christmas time once In each year
This tree by magic doth appear,
And whence 1t comes, or where II goes,
These are things which no child knows.
Wouldst like to learn whence comes its
Then listen now to me,
While | shall tell in what sweet dell
Grows green the Christmas tree.
In soil made fertile by fathers love
And watered by mothers tears,
This magic tree strikes down its roots
And it's long arms skyward rears.
Then honor they parents, my boy and girl.
who pray on bended knees,
That their loved ones may roam and be
happy
Mid a forest of Christmas trees.
Omaha. B. A.. M'LEAN.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
INTERESTING LABOR FACTS,

The bulletin of the New York bureau
of labor for the quarter ending with
September, just issued, presents some
very interesting facts regarding the
condition of labor in that state. 1t
shows that during the period covered
there had been Il rapid increase in the
membership of labor organizations and
Il largely reduced percentage of idle.
ness, as compared with the correspond.
ing quarter of the previous year. The
increase in the number of trade unions
was 233 and the membership of labor
organizations increased $4,000. During
the quarter the number of members idle
was only 2.3 per cent of the member
ship, as compared with 81 per cent in
1898. The diminished ~idleness, the re-
port states, is accompanied with in
creased earnings in most of the trades.
These fortunate conditions are not pc
culiar TO New York. They are paral-
leled in all of the industrial states, such
as Massachusetts. Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Illinois. and indeed it is not improb-
able that in some of these states the
percentage of idleness among members
of labor organizations is even less than
in the Empire state, small as that is.
Perhaps New York is somewhat in ad-
vance of other states in the increase of
labor unions, though progress in this re-
spect is being everywhere made. The
Federation of Labor now has Il mem
bership of about 100000 and this does
not embrace all organized labor. At
the recent convention of the Federation
it was shown that there had been Il
great decrease in idleness during the
past year and that the conditions as TO
both employment and wages We're
highly satisfactory,
such facts furnish the most conclu-
sive evidence of prosperity and the man
who in the face of such evidence as
serts that the country is not really pros
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
CAUSES OF

The monetary stringcncy is due to
various causes. There has been during
the past year an unprecedented eNpan-
sion of trade, prices of commodities
have advanced, labor has been active
at increased wages, all of these cOndi-
lions making II demand for more money.
Then the creation of new corporations
and the consolidation Of old ones, repre-
rcsenting issues Of stocks and bonds
aggregating II billion and Il half of dol
lars, diverted loanablc funds to II very
large amount from legitimate enter
priSes. Federal taxation has tended 10
reduce the volume of money in circula-
ton, the gold in the treasury having
risen 5000, 100000 within the year.
While there has been Il considerable
addition to the money supply it has not
kept pace with the growth in trade and
the rise in values. Noting these concur
rent conditions conducting to monetary
stripgcncy, the New York Journal Of
Commerce says the situation has been
seriously strained by the absence Of
tllSllIIlS III olI CURRENCY arrangements.
''The retail trade remarks that paper,
and the fall forwarding of the crops
are dependent almost exclusively upon
bank notes and the silver currency.
Both these forms of money are n virtu-
ally fixed quantity. 1t has thus been
impossible to satisfy the unprecedented
demand for these forms of money"
1t says that had the banks of
the seaboard cities as well as those of
the western centers been granted terms
upon which they could conveniently
and with reasonable profit expand their
note issues to meet these fall emergen-
cies, their lawful money reserves would
have been kept intact, there would have
been no need to artiticially contract
their local loans nor to withhold accom-
mediation from the banks of the agricul-
tural sections; Stringency would have
been impossible and the rate of interest
would have remained stable.
Such experience as we are having is
undoubtedly calculated to impress the
public with the eXpediency of legisla-
ton that will enable the banks to is.
sue "emergency' circulation under
such restrictions as would prevent IN
due imitation. The comptroller of the
currency strongly advocates this, pro-
posing that the notes thus allowed to
be issued be subjected to so heavy n
tax that they could not be issued in
normal times for the purpose of profit.
He urges that the tax should be so
large as to force this currency into re-
tirement as soon as the emergency
passes. The chairman of the house
committee on banking and currency,
Representative BrOsius of Pennsyl-
vania, approves this suggestion as a
practicable plan of providing an elastic
currency and it has been endorsed by
many prominent tinanciers. This is
one of the matters in connection with
the currency which ought to receive the
careful consideration of congress.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
Growth of Life Insurance.

A'N@nN
Life insurance men are congratulating
themselves over the business retrospect for
1899 by reason of the large amount of new
insurance issued and of its quality. In
other words, it is said to be insurance that
sticks. Tho term life insurance men" by
the way, is rather more comprehensive
than it at first appears. 1t means not only
company magnates and their tens OF thou
sands Of field workers, but also the members
OF the companies themselves, the policy
holders, who now number close upon 2.0OO,-
600, These are certainly life insurance men
in the broadest and best sense, with a vital
share in the prosperity Of their respective
companies and a profound interest in all
that pertains 10 the advancement Of the
fine organizations with which they are con-
nected. To them it is a matter OF more
than ordinary interest TO know that thou
sands of new insurants have Joined their
ranks during the year and that the latter
have COM intending to stay. It is guessed
that not far from 1000. 900, 900 more in
surance will be in operation in the regular
companies at the end of 1899 than was in
force when the year began
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
BRFTAIN,S FORENOST S1LDJEB

Field Marshal Lord Roberts, the fore
to achievement, has started for South
Africa, bearing with him the esteem,
confidence and hope of the British ma
ton. Less than Il month ago General
Butler was heralded as Il military COM
mander who would speedily retrieve
what Britain had lost ana show the
Beers what real war meant He left
England amid enthusiastic popular ac-
claim and having the unbounded. conf
denCe of his countrymen, many of
whom believed that the boast thai he
would eat his Christmas dinner in Pre-
toria would be verified.
Buffers prestige was eclipsed in a
single battle and today he stands no
better in English public opinion than
the other generals in South Africa
whose military knowledge and expert
cnce have availed them little against
the tactics of an enemy for whom they
had only contempt. Roberts may not
have such an experience, for while I'M
doubtedly a much ADLER military man
than Butler, he will hardly fail to profit
by the bitter lesson the British have
had in South Africa. His record as a
soldier entities him to the confidence
that is reposed in him and although
well advanced in years his mental
faculties are probably as strong and
acute as they have ever been. Then he
will have as his chief of staff another
distinguished soldier, General Kitch-
ener.
The record of General Roberts JUST
fies the expectation that there will be
Il change in the situation very soon
after his arrival in South Africa, but
there is very sure to be disappointment
for those who anticipate sweeping Brit
ish victories.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
Farmer Frank Hibbard, who

Farmer Frank Hibbard, who has
been feeding at the popocratic trough
for the last four years and ought to be
familiar with sham reform by this time,
has suddenly discovered that the do
nothing railroad commission is a sine
cure with which the taxpayers of the
state could well dispense. All this be-
cause the railroads have recently
changed their schedule from carload to
pound rates on cattle shipments from
I%rvington. Mr.. Hibbard has known all
these years that the do%-nOthing com
mission was about as useless as il food
commissioner, and he has known also
that his reform party stood pledged 10
rid the state Of the imposition, but he
never winked once until the locomotive
struck him. Hence these steers!
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
Gathering In Cuban Arms.

~" =" VIII -" TNT'VN"'
The surrender to the American officials
OF 10, 900 rifles and a large amount of am
munition by the authorities OF one small
town in Cuba helps to confirm the belief
that large supplies of war material were
secreted by the insurgents at the close of
hostilities and are still held for questionable
purposes. The threats of armed resistance
to American authority which have recently
hcen made in some parts of Cuba are per-
baps inspired, to some extent, by the knowl-
edge that weapons are easily available and
SO long as such is the case there is always
danger of lawless outbreaks. Conditions in
the island are such that the sooner these
hidden arm are discovered and placed UNI
der lock and key the better for all interests.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
why Spain Rejoices.

One result of the campaign in northern
Luzon will carry gladness to Spain. In the
last month our troops have compelled the
insurgents to allow at least 5000 Of their
Spanish prisoners to escape. These men our
government will furnish with transporta-
ton and otherwise aid in reaching their
far-off homes. Many of them have been
c~aptives with the insurgents ever since
May, 1898, when Aguinaldo began his insur-
rection as Admiral Dewey's auxiliary. They
have suffered untold hardships, but have
borne up under them all and have retained
enough spirit TO take a hand with our troops
in getting even with their former captors.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

Whatever may be said to the contrary
by the disgruntIed Cubans, General
Brooke has made a very dignifed and
efficient military governor and Cuba
was very fortunate indeed TO have Il
man of his high character and unswerv-
ing integrity placed in the most trying
and responsible position within the gift
of the president Immediately after the
close of the war with Spain.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
RHYMES OF THE DAY.
Empty Stockings.

EMPTY stockings.
Ladies' Home Journal.
oh, mothers IN homes that are happy
Where Christmas comes laden with cheer,
Where the children are dreaming already
OF the merriest day in the year.
AS you gather your ~darlings around you
And tell them the STORY of old
Remember the homes that are dreary!
Remember the hearts that are cold!
And thanking the love that has lowered
you
With all that is dearest and hest.
Give freely, that from your abundance
Some bare little life may be blessed!
oh, go where the stockings hang empty.
Where Christmas Is naught but n name,
And g!ve-for the love Of the Christ-child,
Twas to seek such as these that lie came.
Before nnd After Giving.
New York Herald.
My love has all that wealth can bring;
OF comforts cv'ry mortal thing;
But as ! think Of Christmas near,
With all it's frolic, fun and cheer,
| heave "A sigh of bitter woe,
And think of CrOesus long ago,
And yearn for riches, too. that /
The whole wide world for her might buy,
oh, poor, unhappy me.
No costly gifts | gave my love;
But with the mlstletoe above,
A kiss | gave her-wel say two,
She blushed a lovely rosy hue,
The while she in my ear,
Just what | wanted, Jack, my dear"
oh, happy, happy me!
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
A RiIliOn-DOIIar Country,
Louisville Courier-Journal.

General Harrison some years ago, in re-
Spouse to a complaint that the governments
expenses had increased to an enormous
sum, replied: well, this is a billion dollar
country" From the reports of our foreign
trade it seems that the United States is a
billion-dollar country in fact and truth. For
the eleven months ending November 80 our
combined imports and exports aggregated
81, 1863, $3.50, 407, and if December keeps up the
aN erage the total will reach 81, O3S, $40, 900
for the full year.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

The unanimity of the Insurance
agents in favor of the Weaver law after
it has been knocked cold by the SUI
prcme court is most phenomenal, When
the bill was before the legislature no
insurance agent could be found to sing
its praises. 1t is another case of be
fore taking and "after taking
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24

when Constantine i. Smyth gets to
be congressman managers of the trusts
bard will get Il premium from the rail
road for shipping his fat stock by rail
to South Omaha. and the VIII. will
have Il system of free telephone and
telegraph wires installed in its counting
,.,,,,,
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-24
Inantion Sharply Halted.

SpTIHBItIU NtDUUIICdT.
One wholesome effect of the panic will be
to call a sharp halt on the building up Of
more inflated combinations. 1t is announced
as a result of the present state Of the money
market that the proposed thresher combina-
ton, $50, 900, 900 capitalization, the chain
combination, S., 900, 900, and the chair com
bination have been given up for the time
being at least. They do not find their pro-
posed securities popular in the market.