davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
Never Too Late.

No statesman who promoted or accepted
theante-bellum declaration Of Congress ex-
cepting Cuba from the possibility OF our
sovereignty has been heard to complain of
the presence Of the American troops in
Cuba, or of their exercise of absolute con
troll there. Under the Administrations
policy Of laying in Cuba, first of all. a last
ing foundation OF order, disturbance there
would be dealt with by our army with all
the severity necessary for its suppression,
without, we imagine, serious remonstrance
IN this country.
When, however, the Executive, with no
f%orbidding act of Congress behind him,
chooses in the Philippines the quickest and
simplest road to peace by taking over the
sovereignty from Spain, u little group of an
ti-annexationists, knowing all things. hay
ing perfect provision into all future inter-
national situations involving this country,
and pale at the thought of our forces re-
ducing to submission the dissenting Fill
pinos, a people far more ignorant of civil
lied government than the Cubans, would
have this country declare off-hand that the
American flag cannot be raised in the
Philippines, and that they must make their
own way in the coming Asiatic struggle for
domination. The anti-annexationists af-
firm, although knowing nothing as to the
fact, that the Philippine community most
entitled to consideration would rather have
Tagal rule than United States rule.
Spain has retired from the Philippines in
our favor. Beyond the authority Of the
United States there is nothing but AGu1-
NALDo, decorated with his gold breastplate
and whistle. 1t will be impossible evcn to
learn the sentiment Of the inhabitants until
we have spread over the islands the repose
OF our unquestioned authority.
. I'VE shall talk more intelligently about re-
firing from the Philippines after the treaty
is ratified. In the language of the late
SAMUEL JONES Tu.DEN, at is never too late
TO surrender"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
The Metric System.

The contractors for a large amount of
ironwork for bridge building in Norway
recently placed their order for the material
in Antwerp, though they had been in the
habit of patroniZing British manufacturers
When the question was asked why they
transferred their business to Belgium they
replied that they would gladly have placed
the order in England, but they had been
unable to induce British manufacturers to
supply the work on the basis OF the metric
system OF measurements; and the necessary
measurements were so numerous and com-
plicated that they did not think it worth
while to work them all out into British feet
and inches. Thereupon the British Board
Of Trade published the facts, expressed its
"deep sensibility of the injury lone to
British trade by the delay in the adoption
OF the metric system of weights and meas
ures by this country" and urged the Gov
eminent and all public bodies to aid In
making the system familiar to the public
by making use OF 1t in their various con-
tracts, returns and reports"
About two.thirds OF the people living I'M
der Christian Governments use the metric
system. Seventy million more use it in
part, and in this country another 10. 900, 900
are authorized by law to transact their
business by metric standards il they so
desire. Our Bureau of Foreign Commerce
frequently prints with "Thc Consular
Reports" most of the metric tables of
Weights and Measures with English equiv
%alents, but strangely omits sOmo i'm
portant items. For instance, the bureau
does not give the metric equivalent Of a
square mile, though practically every Euro
pean newspaper. book, and map outside of
England and Russia gives areas in square
kilometres. 1t Is easy enough to deduce
square miles from square kilometres II a
person knows the formula; and q limo or
two devoted to this matter in the compare
tive tables which our Government takes so
much pains to issue would frequently
assist the average reader or student.
The metric system was devised for the
purpose OF removing tho confusion and
impedlments to business arising from the
large lumber Of standards OF weights and
measures used In different countries. 1t Is
not necessary for us to adopt tho system
out and out, but we can drill our school
children SO thoroughly in the practical use
Of 1.-THE metric standards that they may easily
employ them when occasion requires.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir Shades of
Yale's ex-Presidents. from Abrahamus Pier
son to Noachus Porter! What think ye of Gut
Iielmus L. Wilson as the next President of Yale
University?
Yale seldom errs. but when she does her sons
NAV be pardoned for criticlsing.
New England colleges are largely attended
by young men Of the West and South, not be-
cause their own regions Of the country are
lacking in excellent facilities for education.
but because they imbibe. by n residence in New
England. from a New England training and the
New England atmosphere. that which they can
not get nearer home an indescribable leaven
that clings throughout life and makes its in
fiuence fel: In the conduct of the affairs OF our
country and Of our homes.
The writer. q New Highlander by birth. a
Yale man by education, a Westerner by adop-
ton and business, utilization. has. perhaps.
New England to be educated. and when it
came to q choice of institutions he has always
own sons to his alma mater If William L. viii
son Is to pc her next resident His election
Yale t" prec "rfm o and Yale a sf tra ditto a. and sr9dI% VIII un ol
doubleday ALLEVIATE many friends Of that grand
university. 1t is. moreover. a reflection upon
a abun aIs M,ee Of l aVaiisbi S4 Presl asrsisl t timbe IS an
The more advanced friends OF this new Yale
SENTATIVE. Hardy i, He Glo d %t in Yale lie soc cos S1o-
politanism. He does not believe In the mark
ing system. he is IN FAVOR OF abollShinR COM
pulsory attendance at chapel. But he in
slsts upon q. Yale man for Yale's President.
For that high office. rather a Congregations
clergyman from the back hills of Connecticut
than a rank outsider. be he never so illustrious.
1t is well enough TO elect a number of eminent
to membership in the corporation. but keep
the actual government Of the university within
a hundred miles of New Haven. and choose her
Presidents within the same radius.
Prot. Wilson Is q most lovable. Christian gen.
tleman. but-in kindness be 1t saddle Is a
Southerner. an ex-Confederate. n free-trader,
q Mugwump-hardly the man to advance the
best interests, OF Yale. ]. A. NJ.
NEW YORK, Jan. 10.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
From Mr Sunday D,moerdI

FROM Nr StHiuU DtmOcTuf.
The Institution Of the Propaganda claims attention
az q religious and scientific establishment, and COM
prises four great dcpartmeuts--the college, the
press. the library. and the museum. The first has
for its object the education OF missionaries destined
to propagate the faith in ali parts of the world,
especially in those whore the light Of the Gospel has
not yet penetrated. students from every corner of
the clyiliz d world. and belonging to every rank in
life. are trained here.
But II Is also u scientific establishment and owns
one Of tho finest presses and possesses what purports
TO be one of the complotest collections of types in
the world, An idea may be formed OF the wealth OF
this press by mentioning the fact that when the
Council OF the Vatican sat the Idier .NOsf,r was
printed In no Tower that 300 different languages; AZ
present the press issues Bibles. catechisns aud
mikSals in the characters of every known language.
The spacious shelves Of tho library contain about
$4,000 volumes. and it Is the fortunate possessor of
manuscripts of incalcnlable value 10 the student OF
philolOgy.. From an GthnOGraphical point of view IL
ia said that there are few Continental museums which
equal the museum attlched to the Propaganda; the
class of curiosities II owns Is OF a very varied charac.
ter-pagan idols, arms. and utensils Of every kind
ara ranged side by side with the grim instruments Of
missionary torture. II may I've added that the yarie.
~ OF information which is available at the PFopA.
gAnda II unique, There is, perhaps, no other Euro.
pean cabinet which IL engaged In more active cor.
respondence than the SscTstariet OF the Propaganda,
and none the sphere Of whose action embraces d
wider area.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

We have already told how the American Admiral
Dewey the victor OF Manila, was writing review
articles at nifty francs a line and that his rival, GEN.
Wheeler, the conIueror OF Porto Rico. had received
5000 francs for his story Of his campaign. Mean.
while Lieut., Hosborn. the hero OF Santiago, is de.
irving profit from his popularity in much les.
prosaic way; he organizes kissing tours throughout
the cities of the Union.
Every evening he hires q psrlorin a great hotel ana
gives out notice that he will receive all the married
ladies and young women of the city. He gives each
one his autograph in exchange for a kiss. The trans.
atlantic newspapers announce that he has juStbea,eu
the record in this form OF sport by embracing Al
Kansas City 22o blondes and I87 h~runettss withia
the space OF two hours.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
Tho Increase in City Taxes.

Owners OF real estate In this city, and
especially Of that situated in the borough of
Manhattan, are, naturally, anything but
pleased with the prospect OF paying more
taxes on their property this year than they
have ever paid before. The aggregate real
estate valuations in the entire city have
been raised from So, 52s, 900, 900 last year
TO So, CSC, o00, 900 this year, and in this
borough from 81, 755, 600. 900 last year to
$4,000, ooo, 900 this year. besides which
the rate Of taxation will probably DO this
year $2.5 on the 800. against SOL last
year. At this rate of increase, n piece of
property on this island, assessed last year
at, shy, $4,000, and on which the tax was
$2oi, Is now assessed at, say, $l1, 700, and
tho tax on it will be $292.5O, or nearly one
half more than IL was last year.
}pisagreeable as the prospect is. we do not
SEQ that it j~ustllics the cutlery it has pro-
voked in the newspapers. The valuations
complained OF, high as they are, do not ex-
cecil the limit which the law requires, or il,
In special cases, they do so, the persons ag-
grieved can get redress either from the Tax
Commissioners, or, failing TO secure IL from
them, from the courts, 1he law requires
all real property to he assessed for pur-
poses OF taxation at It's full value" and In
hpneof thecases about which complaint has
been made is any pretenCe set up that the
assessment is higher than this amount. AS
10 tho increased rate, it must be remembered
that the city's budget this year includes
about 81, 600, 600, which was borrowed tenn
porarily last year to equallze the taxation
OF the several boroughs, and to that extent
diminished last years taxes. This item
alone explains 20 cents on the 500 OF the
increase in the rate, since, but for it, the
ratr last year would have been $2.1I and
this year only $40. The rest OF the in
crcaso is due to tho demands of our citi-
Zens for greater expenditures on street
cleaning, public school accommodations,
police, and similar things, none of which can
be gratihed without more money.
The assessed valuations OF real estate in
New York have for years been lower than
they otherwise would have been, because
Of a,sapposedS necessity of diminishing the
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
The Great Canal.

The account which Capt. AREN'T S. GROWN
1NsHIELD gives in tho Century Magazine Of
the advantages of the Nicaragua Canal Is
that Of n competent observer, who has foi
years made the subject one of careful study
Capt. CRowNrNsHIELD believes that all our
ports will profit by the canal, but those OF
the Pacific coast most. Every bushel OF
the grain products Of California and Oregon
exported TO Europe now goes, he says, by
way Of Cape Horn, but with the canal those
States will be brought 5000 miles nearer
to their market. The voyage. Is now 1876
| days long, and then It will be only SO, 80
| that the cargo can be delivered over three
months earlier. During the year ending
June 80, 1898. 1850, 900 tons of wheat,
200, 200 tons OF other grain, and 2,000,0 600
barrels of flOur were shipped from the
Pacific coast.
The Gulf States will profit by the canal,
because It will give them a cheaper route
for their cotton to Japan and China, the
cost by rail to San Francisco being now
very heavy. While New Orleans, Calves
ton and Mobile will use the canal for this
purpose, Pensacola can employ It for her
lumber, and Tennessee and Alabama for
their coal and iron, in the trade with the
west coast OF Mexico and South America.
The Central and Eastern States OF the At
lantic coast will in like manner use 1t for
their manufactures
As for the strategic value OF the canal to
the Government, the famous voyage of the
Oregon Is al object lesson which needs no
calculation, while 1t has been repeated in
her return to the Pacific with the Iowa.
Again, had CAMARA gone through to the
Philippines, WATSON would have had a long,
stern chase, whereas. with the Nicaragua
Canal at his service 1.-THE race to Manila
would no longer have been in doubt"
Capt. CRowNINsHIELD points out that in
Lake Nicaragua, ninety miles long by forty
broad and covering nearly three Thousand
square miles, and in the San Juan River.
flowing thence to the Atlantic coast, nature
has done much toward opening this route,
while he does not hesitate to favor the lock
system on which the present plans are
based. He believes that the canal, with all
its accomplishments, including its terminal
harbors. can be built for 500, 600, 900 or
$120, 900, 900 and he shows that, when its
opponents talk of the failures of the Man
chester, Kiel and Corinth canals as invest
ments, we might well cite the success Of
the Suez Canal
THE par value Of the suez Canal shares is 500
francs. Last Apri. they were quoted in Paris at
3.51s francs. The shares Of the Suez Canal pur-
chased for the British Government by the astute
DIsRAEIr. for which lie paid $40. ooo. 900. are now
worth the enormous sum Of $123. 900, 900. or much
more than the entire original cost Of the Suez Canal
itself. The operating expenses are probably less
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

tended to hold a series OF local conventions
before the elections took place. A similar
course would naturally be pursued by the
other Nationalist sections. 1t is expected
that the United Irish League will dominate
most, IL not all, OF these conventions.
The new revolutionary party, is an an
swer to the practical exclusion of the home
rule plank from the British Liberal plat
form. The foundation and the remarkable
development of the United Irish League
signify that the Irish people have deter
mined once more to help themselves, and
to rely no longer on the assistance OF any
political party in Great Britain.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
Barred Out Because IA Woman,

TO THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir Knowing vour
columns are always open to air unsuitable complaints
of your readers aad Che public gencrslly. | ask You
to note the following:
One night this week my daughter and took the
ia Lchigl Valley tram from Jersey City for Suspen.
sion Bridge. As my daughter was returning Ia srhoo!
and would not he hone again INT vacation, her
mother wished to 50 through the gate and see her
OF. but was denied the courtesy by n ~brarhless boy
Ratemar with the curt explanation that Only mei,
had that privilege. Then my wife purchased a New.
ark ticket and presented IL at the Newark gate, but
the aforementIonel bea rdless boy called out Don't
let her through" and the gatemun didn't. Ihaye
been twenty-five years travelling and this IL my nrst
experience Of the kind. COMMON SpSsE,
NEW YORK, Jan. II.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

Illinois has u law requiring every corpor.
alton to file with the Secretary Of State every
year a report and an AFFIDAVIT that 1t is not a
party to any trust or combination in restraint
OF trade. Fee for filing the report and AFFIDAVIT,
one dollar. Fine for not filing. $50 a day. The
uncollected fines OF corporations In the town OF
Rockford amount to S0.o00,0O 0 In Chicago
the fines must be incredible. The corporations
object to this ingenious law. but what do
they expect? It makes a nice Job for some
body. and is a FLIP at the trusts. and the trusts
are the sum Of all v~il!anies.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

The Public Ownership Committee OF Los
Angeles. Cal. has exposed the purposes of i'm
perialisni in this startling manner:
"uD To employ the surplus labor population in
war: 90 to provide a large standing army for pro.
lection OF their monopoly. gained fortunes from an
uprising of the people; 49, 70 open foreign markets
to relieve the glut OF home conditions by giving the
working and middle classes n few crumbs. while not
ceding any of their fraudulent monopoly rights"
These are atrocious designs. and the most
atrocious Is the plan OF benefting "the work
ing and middle classes" Anything that makes
people prosperous and contented and takes
away their attention from the fell devices OF
monopoly pains the Public Ownership Com
mitten.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

ence." We are sometimes puzzled TO find out
what room there is in the Democratic affec-
tions for the Constitution. Just at present
they profess to be alarmed for its health, but
evidently they regard It as much inferior to the
Chicago platform. The three documents may
be Chased by them as follows:
1. Chicago Platform. 2. Declaration OF Independ.
enco. 3. Constitution.
As tho old Declaration prepared the way for
the Constitution. so the new Declaration is to
prepare the way for a new Constitution which
will abolish plutocrats and corporations and
trusts. make silver n sacred metal. and curb
monopoly and the Supreme Court.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16
Pnrndc for the Regulars.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suS-Sir; ! see that Gen.
Lawton IL making a tour Of the various army posts
with a view to getting In perfect condition the regi
ments which have been ordered on the Philippine
expedition. AZ he intends that II shall not only he an
expedition but IN exhibition to tho nations of the
Old World OF the kind OF army that the United States
can send out.
Our regular army 10 one which very few people Of
this country have ever seen. We have read OF their
glorious exploits at FL CAney and Gan Juan, of their
accomplishing endurance of sutferings In the field
and trenches.
Why not have II so arranged that the regiments
going to the Philippines shall land in the upper part
Of the city and march down broadway so that we
may look at the, men who have already covered
them selves and the ration with glory aud whose Ap,
pearAnes in the Old World Ia expected to be an eye.
NEW YoRK. Jan. 10
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

city's quota OF State taxes. Every county
has tried TO pay as little to the State as
possible, and, thus, there has grown up a
custom Of violating the law and assessing
real estate, not at its F" fun value" but at
two-thirds or one-half Of 1t, and even less.
Now that the exigencies Of this city and
the constitutional limitation Of its debt
have compelled a strlcter compliance with
the law, the officers executing the law should
not be blamed for IL.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

To TIRE EDITOR OF THE sUN-SiT I have read
with considerable interest the editorial in TO. days
SUI OH the slump in the Republican vote OF tho
county OF Kings iii the last election.
No. It was not tho Raines law. neither was II the
"neighborly popularity Of Judge Van wyck. In
some degree IL was attributable to the factional
bitterness left AZ a legacy from the Low campaign,
but certainly in equal, il not greater, degree II must
be charged to the Republican management (or.
rather. mismanagementl in Kings county. If any
business house should conduct its AFFAIRS in the
manner in which the Republican party in Kings
county has been conducted for a year or more past.
1t would face. and face speedily. inevitable bank.
ruptGy. II any Republican leader in Kings county
In the past campaign possessed any of that execli.
severanns In secnring n fnIi rewistretinn mn pGr,
that characterized our friends; the enemy. he. she or
On the day o. the list primary election in the
sanitation ip that county. Tor the purpose Of learn.
CAREFUL qaestioning failed to and any one who Knew e
vi %rit sne is S y me%SSr Of t 81 ' I'M. sS Sna y RF1m %an road TGS
imagine that such membership ID an inspiration in
10 my personsi knowledge humorous Republi,
faes in Niass S" IN i,n sRGa' t dsSs ' plsd Pa't Of f'i ree sGfGre
ton, Possibly these places we're published in some
Ican leader ever Thought OF informing them Of the
IoRlhtrhIlOh Hllceh' BONE OF THESE men htter the
frst failure 70 md the place for registration never
bothered with the matter again. never registered and
consequently never voted. II there was any nepMb.
licen organization that was supposed to look after
such matters as tails 1t kept discreetly to itself.
No. do not blame Judge Van wyCk or tho Rnines
law and don't fall too heavily on Brother Low. II
some OF our wOr by leaders in Kings county would
kindly arrange to emigrRte and devote their entire
energies TO some more cOnR'nial occupation. such a.
designing iridescent waiGtcoats or tho promotion IT
sewerage contracts, we believe that our party could
stand the loss. and even thrive under It.
The writer ia. and always has been. an Organi2a-
ton Republican. but there are organizations and
in the sight of heaven. What We need. and need
badly, in Kings county IL u first rate bnaa.
Jan, 10, C. +. HARPER.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

The other day the Hon. DoNELsoS CAT
Ferry OF Louisiana brnced the pillars of the Con-
stitution and hurled himself at expansion.
There were six Senators on the floor. and one
OF them actually listenedto n part OF the speech.
Cheered by the success OF his performance.
Senator CAFFERY Is continuing his constitu-
tional studies,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

The Hon. ALEXANDER TRoUP OF the Nelp
Hdren Union. perhaps the most active OF the
Connecticut Bryanites. can never conceal his
emotion when he comes to talk about the Chi
caGo platform. THE time will come" Mr..
TRouP eys. in the style of Virtue In the melo-
drama. when that platform will take a place
side by side with the Declaration Of Independ-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

The Hon. jim JONES has been good
enough to deny that the Hon. Com HARVEY is
to receive 10 per cent. of the Democratic cam
paign fund which he is trying to collect. Is 1t
possible that Corn prefers to take 10 parts for
himself and give ] part to 1.-THE cnnse''2
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-16

Certain persons in Toronto have been ar
rested on the charge of witchcraft and sorcery.
We knew when We saw the recent wild caper-
ings OF the Toronto World that it must he a
case OF demoniac possession. After proper ex-
orclsm that perturbed contemporary may re-