davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14
HOUSTON CHARTER AMENDED.
LIMITATION OFF FOUR YEARS MAY
BE PLEADED IN TAX SUITS.
Mr.. HittreI Explains why the Re
tronctive Clause Was Stricken
out In the House.

Austin. Texas, May i3.-'rhe house this
morning passed finally Senator Burns
bill amending section 40 of tho special act
of the Twenty legislature, proyid-
ing charter for the city of Houston SO as
TO give any tax payer the right to plead
the statute OF limitation of four years In
any suit for taxes alleged to be due the
city OF Houston
As originally introduced the bill was
retroactive. but the retroactive feature
was stricken out by the house and other
amendments by Mr.. Klttrell were adopted
With regard to the striking out OF the
retroactive featute and as to his other
amendments, Mr. Kittrell requested The
Fost correspondent TO say.
The amendment to the charter In 30
Tar as II relates to tax suits was drawn
SO as to make the limitation OF four years
apply to suits already brought, as well
as to those hereafter 10 be brought Upon
this point there was decided difference
OF opinion between those who had adyo-
Gated the amendment end advertised that
II would be applied for aud the city Of
hcials and many citizens who 1Ad already
paid their taxes or been sold out. Pend
Ing the passage OF the 9TH Senator Burns
hAohBhl SNube hlltftA a letter Adj
dressed TO the senators and representa-
tives by we'll known citizen Of Houston
OF the highest personal character and
standing. and who bears the well de-
served confidence and respect of his fell
low citizens. in which he protested most
urgently against the application of the
amendment 10 suits already brought on
the ground mainly that a very large pro-
portion OF the citizens of smaller means
had either paid their taxes or had been
sold out, and that the retroactive feature
OF the amendment would operate main
ly TO relieve number OF large property
holders who have long been delinquent
for large amounts; therefore. the retro
active feature should be stricken out
Upon consultation with Senator Burns
he said he deemed Il a wise suggestion,
aud TO do SO would be all right; there
fore the feature complained OF was
eliminated by amendment. The bill will
so TO the senate In that shape and the
advocates OF the amendment as original
ly proposed, and those opposed thereto,
have now the opportunity 20 present their
views II tho amendment relating 20 suits
already brought as originally drawn is
proper and meets poular approval. It can
I be readily restored In the senate, and II
( this is done the house will readily concur
This statement is made so that the peo-
pie may be fully advised aud give express
sion TO their views so that their repre-
sentatfves may know how to act
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

oI aHording relief from such legislation,
men !. me people Of Texas ought to demand
repealed in the next legislature. and,
representing as do, a district as rich and
productive as lands can be and a people
Mnose interests are threatened in the
huntington wharf bill, my duty to them
sompeis me to serve notice upon the beue-
,nelsries OF that measure that the next
legislature will be asked 10 repeal the
mnsrr monopoly granted to~Huntington In
'he Iwenty-sixth legislature
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

surrender TO Coils p. Huntington OF near
a mile OF exclusive and perpetual wharf
privileges in the only deep wsterLp OF
the great Southwest
Il shall oppose this grant by every
method that can be arraigned against Il
and II the press OF this State will lei, the
truth be known about the Southern Pacific
company in California, will furnish
abundant proof OF this great and danger
GUS measure. II It shall so happen that
the courts should not have an opportunity
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14
TO PAY MERoHANrA

Provisions of the Bill Appropriations
One Hundred Thousand Dollars.
Austin. Texas. May i2.-The following is
the shape in which the bill appropriating
100000 TO pay claims accruing from the
Judge Kittreli states for himself that he
mastering in Of the Texas volunteers for
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

THE GOVERNOR has signed the bill de-
hnlng fraternal and benevolent associa-
tions and providing for their regulation
by the State and defining the duties OF
the commissioner of insurance with re-
gard thereto.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

also that TT
Mail Orders
of$3O0 during til
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14

ter, whose screams he TX soss
work; that he rar TO tns q ID
he entered the man startee sIr
upon he shot him. klliin- sSs
Officers were dispatched y los,
the killing and Dexter W. 10
Jail. Both parties are WIZ =,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14
suRRENnERED ron A KILLING.
says He Was Actuatcd by an At
tempted Assault on His Wife.

waco Texas, May lbs. T. Dexter
came to the city from his farm FIVE miles
IL the country this afternoon and sur
rendered TO Sheriff Baker, saying that
he had killed another farmer. Dexter
gays me man be killed entered his house
ana attempted an assault upon Mrs. Dex-
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14
The Post Bureau.

HOUSTON, Itxdbs May 10.
THE GOVERNOR has signed the bill de-
hning fraternal and benevolent associa-
tions and providing for their regulation
by the State and defining the duties OF
the commissioner OF insurance with re-
gard thereto.
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
today decided TO recommend the substi
tuition OF its appropriation bill for that of
the house with q few changes. Just
what said changes shall be has not fully
been determined upon however, neither
has the committee decided what stand
1t will take with regard to the university
appropriation. 1t will insist though,
that provision be made for the mainte-
nance OF the live stock sanitary COM
mission. which was ignored in the house
bill.
The following resolution was defeated
IN the house yesterday afternoon:
Whereas, The session OF the Twenty
sixth legislature Ia nearing a close, and
bills OF most Importance should be first
considered and disposed of; and,
Whereas. The democratic party in State
convention assembled at Fort Worth In
1896 pledged to the people of the State
that the State should be redistrieted and
the number OF the judicial districts les
sened, thereby lessening the expense to the
taxpayers of the State; and,
Whereas. By reason of the fact that
under the present system the business of
the court ie increasing in the great cities
OF the State and lessening in the rural
districts, thereby increasing the burden
upon our taxpayers; therefore be It,
Resolved. That the redistrictng Of the
State and the lessening OF the number OF
the courts can only be accomplished by
distributing the business of the courts
in an equitable and just manner, and be-
lieving that the solution of this queu11 n
is In change OF the law in regard to the
venue Of suits; therefore be 1t further,
Resolved. That senate bill No. 90 upon
this subject be made a special order for
Monday, the 10Th day OF May, 1899. at 10
o'clock a. m, and that sald bill be con-
tinued from day TO day until disposed Of
Shelburne.
1t may be that the above was brushed
aside simply because 1t was offered during
he pending OF the anti-trust bill which
the house had determined to get through
with without interruption At all events
the resolution hits the n<il on the head and
the bill referred to therein should by all
means become law II there is to be- a
limit to the increase in the number OF dis
trict courts In the larger counties, rem
dered necessary by the present condition Of
the law regulating the venue of suit.
which operates to perpetuate the copges.
ton OF business in said courts.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-14
A Gnnc lad Ty'''ii

a 'h"c IN q
Tyler. Texas. Nav LII II
shops and General ofhce 5sspf
here TODAY. Score IA to y
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
VOLKMER is ASKED TO QUIT
Reclamation of Populist National
Committeeman from south Dn-
kotn is in Order.

HURON, S. D., Dec. S.-(Special) AT a
conference here last night OF the South
Dakota state central committee 1t was agreed
to ask H. s. Volkmer, editor OF the Mil
bank Review, member OF the national
committee from South Dakota, to resign
his position. 1t is understood that Mr. Volk-
mer's political views do not entirely har-
monize with those Of the populst party.
If he pays no attention to the suggestions
of the committee, the national committee
will be asked to declare vacancy in the
committee from this state
AS to candidates for state Offices On the
ticket to be named for the approaching
campaign no action was taken, although It
was openly talked that w. T. LaFollett of
Chamberlain, now chairman of the state
railway commission, would be very likely
named as the choice OF the popuists for
governor and that Thomas H. Ayres pres
ent secretary TO Governor Lee, will be pro-
vided with prominent place on the ticket,
either secretary OF state or auditor.
The South Dakota Reform Press associa-
ton chose these officers last evening: Presi-
dent, A. Sherrn, Watertown Times; vice
president, Fred Wright, DeSmet Independ-
ent; secretary, T. H. Ayres, Vermilion
Plain Talk.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04

Great city of pn,lIpCI,s

irkutsk, the accepted capital of oriental
siberia, Is city Of padocks, reports the
ShCago Record. 1t has only about 5l.0o0 In
habNants, yet there are more padoCks on
the shutters and doors of lrkutsk stores
man can be found in an American city of
9oOW. There are as many as three pad
locks on some store doors and every lower
story shutter bears from one to five. The
paddock weighs from one to fifteen pounds
Ihe popular size is five pounds and two and
onC-haf inches thick
The closing of n store is an affair of con-
sequence. The heavy shutters are swung
together, the ponderous iron bars are put
in place, the padoCks are adjusted and
! locked and then comes the final and serious
ceremony of locking the door The door is
smut, the bars are placed, the paddock Is
fixed and locked and the verdant stranger
thinks the closing operation Is over. 1t is
not
a piece of cord is drawn through the
hasp of the paddock and the two ends held
against the door by a clerk or boy while
the proprietor melts piece of sealing wax
and sticks the ends of the string to the
door. On the hot wax he places his private
stamp. promenade on an Irkutsk bust
ness street after closing time shows the
huge padlOCks. the two lines of string and
fat dab of red wax as big as silver
dollar. In case sealing wax is dispensed
with the paddock is tied in a rag, the string
being knotted in peculiar way.
The business man of lrkutsk has no Taith
In a strtngless paddock. l learned that
through the wax and rag medium the
CwnCr of a store knew if his lock had been
tampered with in the night.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04

standing may be arrived at tomorrow morn
ing before the house meets.
Some Of the leaders believe that refusal
20 permit a member-eect to be sworn In
will establish a dangerous precedent and
interfere with his constitutional rights. They
think, therefore. he should be permitted to
take :he oath OF office and the matter OF his
eligibility then be determined by COM
mittee OF the house appointed for that pur-
pose. This Is the opinion Of Representative
Bailey OF Texas and II ia said tonight tha.
he will ask that Mr. Roberts be sworn in,
but at the same time will declare that IN g
does not commit him regarding the right OF
Mr.. Roberts to sit as a member.
other democrats believe that as matter
OF policy, no objection should be made to the
plan ef procedure determined on by the re-
publlcans. An objection to the republican
plan OF procedure at this stage, they ass rt
will give the impression to many who do not
investigate the question thoroughly, that the
democrats are in favor Of Roberts sitting as
a member OF the house and that no attention
will be paid to the contention that the OBJ
lection was made on constitutional grounds.
Representative Richardson, the leader Of
the minority, said tonight that no plan OF
action on the part OF the democrats had feel
determined on and he preferred not 70 be
quoted as saying what in his opinion they
should do
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04

Increased postal receipts, making many
Of the new deliveries almost Immediately
self-supporting In Great Britain, where an
extension Of rural free delivery on a broader
scale has been in progress since 1897, the
number OF additional letters mailed because
OF additional facilities afforded is estimated
at 50O0O,O0O for the present year.
Enhancement Of the value of farm lands
reached by this service and better prices
obtained for farm products through more
direct communication with the markets and
prompter Information of their state.
Improved means OF travel, some hun
dreds Of miles OF country roads, especially in
the western states, having been graded
specifically in order TO obtain rural free de-
livery.
Higher educational influences, broader
circulation Of the means Of public inteli-
gence and closer daily contact with the
great world OF activity extended to tho
homes Of heretofore isolated rural communi-
ties.
"The 1,26s lines Of travelling pcstoflces in
operation on June 80, 1899, aggregated in
length distance Of 177747 miles. The
services OF S,46O clerks were required to
operate these lines, who, in crews Travelled
193529,142 miles"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
WOMEN DRIVE OUT MINERS
Foros Nonunion Workers at Diamondville
Wyo,, to Quit Toiling.
DEPUTIES GUARDING MINES PowtRLssS
strikers Are Importing Arms and Am-
munition and More Trouble IL BN-
pectcd if Company Attempts
to Resume work.

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Dec. 3.-(special Tele-
gram)-A week ago 500 miners employed in
the mines OF the Diamondville Coal and
Coke company at Diamondville Wyo., struck
for an increase in wages. Their demands
were refused by the company and after a
short shutdown operations were resumed
with a small force OF nonunon men. At an
early hour this morning a mob OF 500 women
and girls, armed with guns, knives clubs
and stones, marched on the mines and COM
PEELED the operators to flee.
The miners at work were dragged from the
mines and also driven away. Several were
injured by being struck with clubs and one
man was shot at presumably by one Of a
number Of strikers concealed near the
mines. The small force of deputies guard
ing the property Of the company was power
less, Tomorrow it is expected there will be
more trouble when the company attempts
to resume
The miners have been importing arms and
ammunition.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
MINISTER'S HOLD MASS MEETING.
Representatives OF Leading Dcnomi-
nations Arc nt the Capital.

Representative OF Leading Dcnomi-
nntions Arc nt the Capital
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.--The crusade In
this city against the seating Of Brigham II
Roberts, as representative from Utah
eliminated IN a large mass meeting in the
First Congregational church this afternoon
AS many prominent clergynen Of washing
ton ae were in a position to be present oc-
cupied seats en- the platform or In the
audience. Dr. Josiah Strong, president OF
the League for Social Service OF New York
under the auspices OF which the meeting
was held presided
Addresses were made by Rev. Randolph
II. McItim, rector Of Epiphany church; Rev.
DR.. Frank NJ. Bristol, pastor Of the Metro
polltan church; Rev. Dr. S. NJ Newman,
pastor Of the First Congregational church,
and Mr.. A. T. Schroeder of Salt Lake City.
Several ether Salt Lake City clergymen
were present, including: DR.. T. c. 1llh.
superintendent OF Methodist missions in
Utah: Rev. G. l.. Martin, a Presbyterian
OF Salt Lake City, and DR.. Sarah ]. Elliott,
who has lived in Utah as deaconess in the
Methodist Episcopal church for several
years.
e.. DR.. Iliff is president CT committee In the
Methodist church which was appointed to
oppose the admission OF Roberts and to
disseminate information in various parts Of
the country. He has just completed tour
which included most OF the states between
Maine and Florida.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
DORRINGTON GIVEN COMMAND
Young Lieutenant from Alliance,
Neb., Meeting the Predictions
of His Friends.

ALLIANCE Neb,, Dec. 3.-(Special)-
Hon. F. NJ. Dorrington received a letter this
week from his son Albert which shows
that the predictions of their friends that
Lieutenant Dorrington would make a
splendid soldier are not ill-founded. 1t is
dated October 23 and states that shortly
after leaving San Francisco on the transport
he was selected to take charge OF the fire
and sanitary safety of the boat for the reg
iment on the voyage. When the letter was
written he was seventy-three miles north
east of Manila with full command of 100
men Of the Thirty-fourth regulars with in
structons to conduct the campaign as he
thought best. This shows that his superors
must have the most implicit faith in his
ability and judgment, and it is dollars to
douShnuts that If Lieutenant Darlington
gets half a chance he will add stripes to
his uniform and glory and advancement to
the cause.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
South Dakota News Note,

An effort is being made to have weather
signal station established at washington.
Ernest Smith, a farmer living nine miles
northwest of Woonsocket, has struck a
powerful three-inch flow of artesian water
at a depth of 500 feet.
The Woman's Relief corps of Onida will
give an entertainment during the first week
in December for the benefit of the South
Dakota Soldiers home at Hot Springs.
Howard is to have, another bank, which
Is to be established by T. II. Radclf and
other capitalists of Miner county. Radcliff
will be the president and H. M Hanson
cashier
Benjamin Taylor of Memo had the sum
of $40 hidden in an old tin can in his
house. He hired two colored women to
renovate his dwelling and after they had
completed the work and departed he missed
his money. The women were arrested but
when searched only 81 was found upon them.
John e. Diamond, eX-bank examiner of
South Dakota. who, since retiring from that
position, has been in business a Brookings,
has retired from the Brookings Land and
Trust company. Poor health Is assigned as
the reason for Mr.. Diamonds retirement
from active business life.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
KANSAS wopsr rnuun r1ur.


Now Fnmuus
The greatest prairie fire known I'm kansas
was IN the year 1869 and tt was set out bS
an officer of the United states government.
relates the Kansas City Journal This OH
Ger Is now I'm Washington ana during the
spanish war his name was more frequently
IN the papers than any other.
one daN IN 1869 he and party of officers
from Fort Hays were returning from a
Wild turkey hunt I'm the vanons OF tho
saline. The wind was blowing a hurricane
ana whtn stop was made ON tho hich
pLa!re some ten miles north OF HAYS this
oilcer deliberately touched match to the
drN, crisp grass In order TO make a speC-
tacle. When the other officers saw what
ne was about to do they made a despera q
Gnort to stop him but the deed had been
done and tho red flames were rocling across
Ihe prairie like a frightened antelope THAT
hre swept from where II had been started
clear across Kansas into what is now
Oklahoma. The streams and roads offered
no obstacles to 1t whatever. While going
south II had also turned to the east and
ltit tran Of ruin across Rice Reno, King
man, Harper and other counties Thou
sands of settlers were burned out losing
tneir houses and their feed, their horses
and cattle
If the man who set that fire had been
known 10 the settlers all the troops on the
plains would not have been enough To stay
their vengeance. As II was he suffered re-
morse beyond description. When the ofli-
GERS at Hays would bring him papers telling
of the damaNc done he would groan and
curse himself roundly. lie left Hays for
some other post in the following year and
SO far as we know, his name was never
connected with the gigantic prairie fire of
Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-04
THE RETIRED BURGLAR.
Night That Was Profitable Enough.
but StiII Not Satisfactory.

"One night in the dining room of house
where ! was making short call" says the
retired burglar in the New York Sun, II
found the gas left burning but turned down
low, and when I'd turned that up a little
found on the table under it the beautiful
lest little cold turkey lunch you ever saw.
There was about half a turkey, pretty near
all one side of him, including the second
joint which is my special fancy-and | do
like cold turkey!-and bread and pickles and
things, and off on one edge of this spread
there was plate of some sort of cakes and
candies; and what silver there was on the
table was of the kind worth carrying away
well, now. you know, my motto has al
ways been business before pleasure. but
couldn't resist that turkey and Just simply
pulled out the chair from the end OF the ta-
BILE, the one that was closest to it, and went
at it, and 1t was good as it looked, the only
disturbing thing about 1t all being that il
was contrary to good sense and good judg-
ment to Get there and eat 1t, ! plugged
away on the turk until had eaten about all
there was to 1t, and | then reached over for
that plate of cakes and things and drawed
1t toward mel wasn't going to eat any of
them, but wanted to look at 'em-and as
pulled the plate along there rose up back
OF II on the table the top fold OF little
folded paper that had been placed under IT,
and picked that up and opened it. ! read
something like this:
Dear George When you get through
eating don't fail to put away the silver
"Id already put away most of it, dropping
it into my bag as | got through with IT,
as ! went along, and I'd just reached over
for last pickle and got that, and dropped
the fork in my bag and was reaching for the
pickle stand to get the bottles out and take
that when heard the rattle OF a key I'm
the front door; and ! knew what that
meant; II was George.
Il am obliged to state that for about a six
toenth Part OF a second / was more or less
because I'd come in myself at the
front door, finding no lock on but the night
latch, and that was my way out. and in thar
time George was looking in the dining room