davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
THE PLUMBER IN THE SOUTH.
New Orleans Times-Democrat,

New Orleans Times-Democrat
Who are these resplendent corners?
BY the gods! they are the plumbersl
Gathered here to hold high conclave and
debate their mystic craft!
Great magicianS! potent wizards
OF 2 hundred thousand billiards.,
AT whose feet the public grovels, when
the pipes pop fore and aft!
AS they hasten to their meetings,
waving, hands and waiting greetings,
They exchange the smile the augurs made
so Justly famed in Rome.
For each knows that he IL master,
When, sore ohastened by disaster,
Every coupon-cuttlnE Midas bids him
humbly to his home.
Yea! the chumps who, in the summer,
Scorn the meek and lowly plumber,
How they live TO mourn their madness
when the cold wave wipes the earth!
So take heed, and by that token
Let no welcome stand unspoken,
Let the stay be one unbrOken round Of
gayety and mirth!
Every gentle lord and lady,
who reads novels by Meade
AS they issue forth in chapters, keeping
strictly up to date,
VIII scarcely need an intimatiOn
That the rulers of creation
Are our guests by invitation and must fare
as fits their state.
SO uncork the cobwebbed bottle,
And the fatted turkey throttle, 4
Let us wine EN-, Lea us dine 'em, till they
pretty nearly burst! q
Then when winter winds blow coldly
We can hurl defiance boldly:
I'VE are solid with the plumbers! Go
ahead and do yer wOrst!'
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
MATERIAL PROSPERITY.
Substantial Evidence of business Acc
tINity on All sides.
Mnshlngton Star.

Washington Star.
Thu prosperity cry is becoming more than
a mere sentiment. on all sides are material
evidences that business Is on the boom In
a wholesome. substantial manner. wages
are being raised in many directions. either
to restore them to old bases or to grant
positive increases to employees. NILS and
factories long idle are starting again, while
new firms are entering business. Here and
there failures are reported, the result as a
rule Of iujudiclous management, but the
steady trend of the commercial tide Is
toward a gain over last year. Statistics OF
this advance are daily being served through
the news columns. From New England
especially come tidings OF better conditions.
One days grist means an advance in wages
OF about 10 per cent In the case of over
$500 cotton mill workers. other operatives
are being recalled to work after varying
periods OF idleness. At the present rate II
will not be many weeks before every loom
and spindle in New England will be hum
ming. with the people attending them re-
Ceiving high wages and in many cases
working over hours to comply with the
heavy demand for goods. In pennsylvania
the same conditions are observable. The
iron foundrymen are returning TO work
from enforced idleness in large numbers,
while others who have been on strike are
being called back to receive the terms for
which they have been %contending. Mill
owners are recognizing the drift OF the
ines with Increases Of 10 per cent in wages
here and there. The PENNSYLVANIA and Ohio
wage increases yesterday, as far as noted.
affected a total of nearly 5000 men.
These are symptoms OF the general con-
ditions now affecting business in the man
ufacturing centers of the country. Just
now far this state OF affairs is due to the
reaction after the wartime depression is
not, OF course, to be definitely ascertained.
1t seems to be a stable disposition OF events
rather than a freakish luctuation upward.
1t Is assured that new markets are opening
TO American manufacturers. The war has
undoubtedly aroused the buying world to
the fact that the United States is capable
not only of taking care OF itself but OF ad-
mintstering to the wants of others. The
raising OF the embargo on certain American
goods exported to Germany has aided in
this movement to throw open the world
market to the products OF this country.
The European political rivalry for Amerl-
can favor now conspicuously in evidence Is
clearly having a commercial effect. With
France, Germany and England coquetting
with Uncle Sam for his governmental
faVors the chances grow that the balance
OF trade will soon be preponderantly in his
favor.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

1t is gratifying to learn that the ac-
counts of the alarming situation In
Porto Rico sent out n few days ago
have no more substantial foundation
than the yellow correspondents of sen
sational newspapers. The War depart
ment has received information from
Porto Rico that o only discredits the
story, but demonstrates the fact that
our own troops have been responsible
for whatever slight friction may have
occurred. From this view of the case
the Porto Ricans are entitled to and
will have the sympathy of our people,
who will be glad to know that the New
York regiment which has disgraced
itself has beer Withdrawn. while the
disorderly immunes are going to re
ceive a lesson in discipline from Gen
eral Henry they will probably not soon
forget.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

Whenever congress feels inclined to
smash the Tlnplate trust all it has to do is
to cut down the duty. Then the trust will
have to lower its prices or the foreign made
tinplate will begin to be imported and take
the place of the domestic article. Then the
people will get at a reduced figure the hun
dreds of articles made from tinplate which
are in common use. The owners of watered
stock will not get such big dividends, but
every housekeeper will be a gamer. 1t is
not enough for congress to pass laws
against trusts. 1t should do away, wher-
ever it can, with the conditions which make
trusts possible.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
n MORA or IT.

There is q moral to be drawn from
the recent trials of men charged with
embezzling money from the Pacific EX-
press company which should not be lost
on that and all other corporations. The
amount of funds lost, stolen or misap-
pr0priated Is officially stated to be up
wards of 100000. What proportion of
this enormous sun of money was ac-
tually paid out for c%Orrupting legisla-
lures, county and city officials cannot
he asccrtaincd, but the bribery fund
unquest.onably aggregated several hun
dred thousand dollars. 1t was precisely
this fact brazenly admitted In court by
parties employed to do the lawless work
that made it impossible to bring about
the conviction of employees charged
with embezzling the money. Whether
the Pacific Express was used as Il
Doodle clearing house for the allied
Omaha corporations is after all imma-
terial. The enormity of the systematic
d%ebauchery Of lawmakers and public
officials stands II in bold relief and
affords the most positive proof of the
charges of corrupt manipulation so often
made and regularly denied.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

The Delaware legislature has ad-
journed without clecting a senator.
Once before the republicans had the
votes to secure q senator, but threw
the opportunity away, and the
next legislature, which vas demo-
cratic, elected Senator Kenney.
The same thing is likely 10 occur again.
In both instances the rivalry of
Addicks and Dupont is responsible for
the failure. To an observer at Il dis
lance it would look to be about time
some man on whom the party can
unite,
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
kIondikc ExnrgerntiOn.
Springfield Republican.

1t was less than two years ago that the
country became so excited over the Klon-
dixie gold discoveries, and that the rush
began which promised to exceed in its di-
mansions anything ever before known. But
the d~iggings as an E Dorado have already
become a memory. The commission sent
up to Alaska by the War department has
returned TO report that the whole affair
was grossly exaggerated from the start.
that no gold discoveries Of extraordinary
richness have been made, and that for 30
per cent of the people who have been going
there only dlsappointments and losses and
priyations are in store.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

The banking bill pending in the SEN
ate has ut least one good feature which
would have the effect of checking one
species of wildcat banking, 1t has
been customary in many places for otfi-
GERS of state banks To borrow from
these institutions practically every dol
lar represented by their stock, while
in many instances the stock itself is
paid for in personal notes. BY this
perniclous practice the banker himself
takes none of the risk of business, but
the depositor unconsciously shoulders
II all. If bankers We're compelled to
publish the amount loaned to officers
and stockholders the deposits would be
small in the class of banks mentioned
The man who has his money AT
stake in the conduct Of the banks al
fairs will be much more careful thah
one who has nothing TO lose.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

ITUIuTIdDVITS JVUIIdI
Every congress since 1890 has been a bill
lion-dollar congress in that year the ap-
preparations were 81, 035, $50. 100 for the ordi-
nary expenses of the United States for two
years. The same appropriations by the con-
sress which has just expired were 81, 0S4,-
S97, 932. The increase in the eight years has
been SAC, CAT 1923, or 5 per cent. The popula-
ton in 1890 was 90, 900, 900, while it is now
estimated at 10, 900, 900, an increase of over
Il per cent. IN increase of 4 per cent in
appropriations is not excessive for 81 per
cent increase OF population.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

The slight decline in exports for the
month of February is apt to be mis-
leading from the fact that the state
ment issued by the Treasury depart
ment does not cover totals. The figures
are given ut ~$5S,9S9,S94, but this only
includes cotton, provisions, breadstuffs
and mineral oils. Even in these there
was not a falling off in the quantities
shipped abroad, but the decline in
wheat lowered the total value of these
exports slightly below the figures for
February, 1895, But while wheat showed
Il decline cotton advanced, 50 that the
grower of that staple finds himself bet
ter off by over a cent on the pound than
he was This time last year, which will
operate TO extend a measure of pre-
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
MUST REDEEM THEIR PLEDGE.

The republicans of Nebraska are now
on probation. They have been placed
in control of both houses of the legisla-
turc and will be held responsible for
any failure to live up to the pledges
made by the party to secure popular
endorsement at the polls.
one of the planks in the republican
state platform of 1898 reads:
We pledge a comprehensive revision OF
the revenue laws of the state with a view
to a more equitable distribution of the tax
burdens.
Will the republican members of the
legislature allow themselves to be di-
verted from their path Of duty? VIII
they allow the corporation lobby to de-
feat every measure designed to carry
into effect the pledge of revenue reform
and Il more equitable distribution of the
burdens of taxation?
The republican house has ~endeavored
to do its duty by passing the evenuc
bill introduced by Representative Pol
lard. This bill may not be perfect, but
it is a great Improvement over existing
laws. If it can be still further i'm
proved by amendment in the senate,
well and good. If not, let it be passed
without needless delay. The senate is
republican by two-thirds majority and
there Is therefore no excuse either for
sidctracking the Pollard bill or sub
s%tituting another bill VIGOROUSLY pushed
by the men interested in killing off all
proposed revenue legislation.
1t is said that the main objections to
the Pollard bill are the stringent provi-
sions governing the assessment of
property to enforce honest compliance
with the law by the assessors. This is
precisely where the present law is
weakest. 1t is a matter of notoriety
that many assessors are bought out
right to make ou~trageously low assess
ments of property owned by big cor
porations, especially in the larger
cities.
The case of Assessor Brigham Of
South Omaha affords a striking illus
tration of the pernicious practices under
the present system. Brigham was
elected assessor two or three years ago
"a u pilil II'bS' liiI Bc NoutNl lD-
sesS all property at its selling value, as
required by law. After he had almost
completed the assessment roll he was
persuaded TO hand in his resignation
under p%retense that he was suddenly
called away to accept a lucrative posi-
ton in New York which would not wait
for him II day. AS Il matter of fact, it
was lucrative to him to vacate and
leave the country. The outcome was
the adoption of the assessment roll of
the preceding year, which did not rep
resent onc-twentieth of the actual value
of the corporation property in South
Omaha.
No fair-minded person desires to Grip
pie any interest subject to taxation in
this state, hut it is monstrous to make
the small owners carry the bulk of the
burdens of government while the syn
dicates that own millions of taxable
property pay but a trifle for the protec-
ton afforded them by the state ana
local governments. The republican
party stands pledged to remedy these
abuses ana its representatives in the
legislature can have no excuse for
Sinking their duty under preteXt that
the ,wo houses cannot agree upon Il
satisfactory bill.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

Sitting committees may be needed i'll
the closing days of the legislature to
enable that body to complete its bust
but they would meet with much less
opposition if they would contine their
to winnowing out the chaff in
stead Of killing meritorious measures,
as is too often the case.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

Now we know why the pOpocratic
organ has been opening up on the al
legged perquisites of the supreme court
judges. 1t wants an excuse to defend
the wholesale grating of the %pOpocratic
state officials.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

The opinion of Senior Delplan that
Notwithstanding denials the Filipinos
have thousands of Americans prison
crs'' is another illustration of the hard
ships of fighting against n people armed
with such terrific breech-loading, rapid
fire imaginations.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

AS a result of the refusal of the Otto
man bank to grant II loan of 10000
lire to his gracious majesty, Abdul
Hamld, the distressing intelligence is
momentarily expected that a banker
has been tished up from the bottom of
the Bosphorus, slightly %distigured but
still in the sack.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

The report that an Indiana man is
the first to discover perpetual motion
will prove a surprise, inasmuch as it
was believed that Agoncillo had solved
that problem while manufacturing
'momeutous consequences at the ma
tional capital.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

China or any power having interests
in that empire. None the less 1t may
be assumed that the United States does
eNcrt some moral influence upon the
Chinese question and this may be quite
sufficient for the protection IF our i'll
forests In Chlnn.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

If they were so inclined doubtless the
majority of those ~f0rty-eight thousand
Cuban soldiers could prove an alibi
with n degree of completeness that
would have delighted the elder Mr..
Weller beyond description.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

The story comes from Minnesota that
the Lccch Lake Indians are again in an
ugly mood and likely to start out on the
warpath. With three feet of snow
still in the woods no one who knows
Indian character will look for any
serious trouble at present.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

European governments are said to be
pleased at the determination of the
United States not to mix up in the af-
fairs of China. 1t does not give them
half the satisfaction that it does the
people of this country, who have
troubles enough of their own without
voluntarily %shouldering any more.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
Judge Allen.

0"rtIFF"0PVfV IITV
Ex-senator Aliens talents are not to be
lost to his state, and his name will continue
on the pay roll OF public service. The gov
ernor of Nebraska has appointed him a dis
trict judge, and if his sentences are built on
the same plan as his senatorial speeches
heaven help the culprits who are convicted
in his court.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

The game of shuttlec0ck and battle
dore between the Van Dusen bill and
Pollard bill cOncocted to leave both bills
up in the air should stop. The people
are watching the performance, and 4
blind man could see through the game.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
Troubles Enough Now.

st. Louis Repubiic.
Uncle Sam is too foxy to monkey with
the Chinese puzzle till he has solved the
Philippine problem. He is too fly an old
bird to try to whistle and chew meal at
the same time.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
Same Old story.

Baltimore American.
Now there is a coal combine, and the first
results are the closing of mines and the
throwing of hundreds of men out of en-
ployment. 1t is the same old story.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

1t is to be hoped the Douglas delega-
ton to the legislature may be able to
harmonic their views OF needed char
ter amendments and push them through
without further delay.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

valling prosperity to those states which
have been heretofore affected less by
the general trade rcvivals than other
sections OF the country.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

If the grab game in the Orient goes
much further the next thing the pow
crs know China itself will be demand
ing a sphere of influence"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

If Senator Van Duscn wants to repre-
sent the corporation lobby in trying to
sidctrack revenuc legislation, let him
do so open and above board.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
Coming Events.
st. Louis

Now get you shamrock ready,
Where proudly twill be seen;
Tune up to sing THE Harp That once"
Or "Wearin' of the Green"
It's a great time for old ireland
That's now upon the way,
When all her sons will celebrate
The dawn of Patrick's day.
Sure. then you'll hear such music
As never else is played,
The sweet songs of the Emerald Isle,
To head the big parade
And every Irish bosom then
VIII feel the tender sway
of the ballads of old Erin
That sound on Patrick's day.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

Detroit Journal.
1t would be nice il some expansionists
expanded their motives.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

One of the crying needs of Omaha is
the paving of streets in the heart of the
city that lntersect the principal thor
oughfares. Failure to pave these streets
makes it more difficult and expensive
10 keep the paved streets clean, besides
making n bad impression upon visitors,
The main obstacle to the paving of these
streets has been the stubborn resistance
of abutting property owners and the
lack of power of the council to make
the needed improvements without
their consent. The last legislature
granted this authority within II radius
of 5000 feet of the court house. This
provision should not be repealed, but if
anything extended 10 one mile, and to
include repaving as well as paving,
While the council is not likely to eX-
ercisa this authority arbitrarily, it
should be in position to close all gaps
in paving in the business district.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
STATEMENT OF CIRCULATION.

State Of Nebraska, Douglas County, S.;
George b.. TzsChuck, secretary of The bee
Publishing company, being duly sworn, says
that the actual number of fun and complete
copies of The Daily, Morning, Evening and
Sunday Bee, printed during the month OF
IebrnnrN. 1890. WIS as follows:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15

Less unsold and returned copies.... 11,o31
Net total sales - .:}GS
Not daily avcra pe. ...... 2I,STO
GEORGE B. TZSCHUCK
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
9th day of March, 1899.
(Seai1 GEO. NJ. REED,
Notary Public in and for Douglas County,
Neb.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
RANDOM

Detroit Free Press: Wife-This article
says a good many men are killed by eat
ing. 49,
Husband-A great many more would be
Killed If they didn't eat.
Puck: she-I hear he has mora money
than brains. 'N'
He-Well, he, needs IT in his business.
She-What's his business?
He-LookinS for a wife.
Indianapolis Journal: YES" said the
lovely girl. I'VE have one of those perfectly
delicious prayer rugs from the east, hut
somehow, when papa comes home late and
stumbles over 1t, he does not pray
the serious citizen. SIS a P pmbIic I trmsf SAID
Yes, answered Senator Sorghum. ITS
a trust sure enough. But never could
make it pay dividends like the other kind"
Philadslphia North American: II am
,Wierry, the tragedian, that Shakespeare
mas become a back number
We'll, ! wouldn't take all the blame on
my shoulders if | We're you," said the caus-
tic critic consolingly.
Judge: Parson Howlett-Mah tex fo' dis
ehenln,s disclose am toe be foun' in Phillip
Deacon Code ,Carislng and making for the
~door)-Sorry TO- toe cause talk, but | hears
as fhiiiipines question six days in de week,
nohow. Bangs the door,
Chicago Post: 1.-THE fact is" admitted
the alderman when at last cOrnered, that
q great many of our ordinances are dead
Dead exclaimed the citizen in disgust.
why, hang it, man, most of them are al
ready d~ecomposed."
The evening times., 1899-07-12
THE oscULATING INSECT.
A baltimore Physician's Opinion of
the kissing Bug.

Baltimore, Nd, July 12.-William Wet
eel, 1871 North Caroline Street, was stung
on the lip Sunday night by what he be-
lieves was kissing bug, and his lip and
the lower part of his face is now much
swollen. The flesh where he was stung has
become a dark red color and the swelling
has interfered a great deal with his
speech. He is under the care of physi-
clan.
In speaking of the bite or sting OF the
kissing bug, DR.. Duncan McCalman, su-
perintendent Of the Maryland General Hos
pital, said yesterday that the treatment
was the same as used in cases of spider
bites or the bites of other bugs and in
sects. The treatment should be by local
application Of either heat or cold, as the
case might be, in order to draw out the
poison, although in event of 4 very bad
bite, treatment affecting the whole sys-
tenn may be necessary to counteract the
effect of the poison. This is done by tonics
and stimulants of different kinds.
Physicians generally about the city do
not think the kissing bug is anything new,
but incline to the opinion that it is the
ordinary bug that is accustomed to sting
ing people this season Of the year appear
ing in greater numbers than ever before.
Insect bites are no rarities in hospital
practice and numbers OF cases have been
treated during the year.
The evening times., 1899-07-12
BEYOND ITS AUTHORITY.
The Insulnr Commissions Recent De-
cisiOn Is to Be Ignored.

Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed
in official circles over the action of the
Insular Commission in rendering an opin-
ion on the question Of whether the Island
of Porto Rico is part of the territory OF
the United States. The Commission held
that Porto Rico was not a part of United
States territory. 1t was said yesterday that
the Commission had gone entirely outside
it's functions in preparing and giving to the
press an opinion on the subject. While
there is a disposition to laugh at the
seriousness with which the members of the
Insular Board discussed and decided this
important matter. some annoyance is felt
in regard to it. 1t was explained yester-
day by a high official that the Commission
had been sent to Porto Rico to observe GER
tain things. ascertain conditions and re-
port to the Secretary of War and not to con-
slider itself judicial body charged with
deciding legal questions, which had not
been brought forward. and with which it
had no concern. The opinion of the Com
mission will be pigeon -holed, and il the
question of the territorial status of Porto
Rico should arise before Congress pre-
scribes a permanent form OF government
for the island. nothing will be done by the
Executive branch concerning the matter
which the Commission has decided to its
own satisfaction until Congress passes
upon it.