davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1899-03-27
PoIiticnI sightinr shots.

When marksmen are shooting for a
record or prize it is customary to allow
them couple of sighting shots" which
do not count on the score, but which per-
nit them to judge of range, windage, and
other conditions necessary to understand in
| order to success. 1t is from some such
point of view that We are minded to regard
the retirement of Messrs. Hanna, McKin-
ley, and Kohlsaat to the privacy of the
political rifle range of Townsville.
Particulars of some of their clever prac-
tice have come to hand In a roundabout
way, and demonstrate most conclusively
that none of the team has lost his ability
| TO shoot straight. For example, We observe
with pleasure the neat and effective way
in which the financial bullseye of the con-
tributory trusts and monopolies will be hit,
II the strategy Of the marksmen is all
right. But little while ago Hanna made
the rounds and found the old 1896 cam
pagn bleeders as unsanguinary as SO many
turnips. They growled and made remarks
concerning Algerism and national indigna-
tion thereat, and hinted that, on the record
of the Fifty-fifth Congress. 1t would be
cheaper TO buy House full OF alleged
Democrats than to purchase another term
for Mr.. Mckinley. Note the sighting
| shot which has been taken at them!
Kohlsaats paper and the ''St. Paul Pion-
Ger Press" get sudden fit of virtue and be-
gin to remark that the best thing the Re-
publican party could do would be to in
augurate a fight TO the death against the
trusts and monopolies. Perhaps the latter
will not take the hint and come down with
their subscriptions" and possibly the three
friends down in Georgia do not know they
will, and, in the silence of the circumjacent
forests, laugh hal ha!
In quite the same way we are inclined
TO opine that practical currency results
will grow out OF the frightful developments
before the Army Court of Enquiry. Be-
fore the end OF that scandal a number OF
people will be glad enough to save their
liberty by turning the money they have
gained by the starvation and wholesale
poisoning of American soldiers into the
Golfers OF the Republican National Com
mittee
So, by hook or by crook. and especially
the latter. the better opinion seems TO be
that your Uncle Mark will not have to go
into the fight of 1900 without the where
withal to buy postage stamps and other
means blessed to the purposes of .educa-
tim
The times., 1899-03-27
MONDAY, MARCH 27. 1899.
Died for Their Country.

We have reason for both JOY and sor-
GERS and troops have given US new evidence
of their devotion and have added fresh
renown to our arms; and sorrow for the
gallant men who have fallen fighting for
our flag and civilization.
Among the heroes who watered with
their blood and made forever sacred the
soil of the American Philippines yesterday,
the deaths of Colonel Egbert, of the Twen-
ty-second Regular Infantry, and of the
young volunteer, Prince Ludwig Won Loew-
enstein- wertheim, are especially noticeable
on account of their rank and prominence.
of Santiago, was stricken just as he was
completing a splendid bayonet charge at
the head of his regiment His brief part
ing with his friend and commander, Cen
eral Wheaton, was pathetic in the extreme
''Nobly done, Egbert," said the general, as
his old companion in arms was picked up
and laid on a stretcher; and then Wheaton
received the grizzled soldiers cheerful
goodby, amid the shower of bullets hall
ing on the living, the dying, and the dead.
Nobly done. Egbert, indeed!
Poor young Prince Ludwig Won Loewen-
stein Wertheim; heroic scion of a noble
family and race, We have said bitter
things of some of his fellow Germans who
were in Manila Bay when Admiral Dewey
fought his battle with Montojo What
shall we say of this one? At the least, in
his untimely end. which came while he was
doing battle for the Stars and Stripes, the
American people, in future, will find for
getfulness of old hurts, and will remember
only that Germany gave one of her noblest
sons 10 grace the bivouac of our sainted
dead in Luzon-
Poor heroes, Poor wives, mothers. and
sisters, who in many an American home
today Will weep and mourn for the dear
ones who have died gloriously for their
country and humanity. God pity and COM
fort them all,
The times., 1899-03-27
CURZoN DISAPPOINTING.
His Ability to Cope With Heavy Mat
tcrs Already Doubted

London, March 26.-Since Curzon took
up the Viceroyalty in India affairs have
begun to hum. but not precisely in the
manner judicious friends desire.
His hasty affront to France over the
Muscat affair. for which an apology had
to be offered, was bad enough, but now
his still less considerate conduct in sud-
denly giving the Protectionist majority
of the Indian Legislative Council their
head is likely to have more alarming con-
sequences. Then he is talking necessarily
and attempting to give decisive opinions
off-hand on problems of Indian govern
ment which hopelessly puzzled his ablest
and most experienced predecessors.
Curzon is. in fact, that most dangerous
kind OF administrator young man in
hurry. Lord Lytton began in the same
way and provoked the Afghan war but
after a while found an outlet for his en-
ergles in patronage of the circus and other
liberal arts. which unfortunately, have
no attraction for Curzon.
II there was a strong Indian Secretary
at home to curb Curzon's impetuosity. the
outlook would be less disturbing. but in
Lord George Hamilton he has to deal
with the weakest and least competent man
in the Ministry, and for whom CurZon
is known to have expressed profound con-
tempt
On Tuesday there will be an important
debate on Curzon's protectionist policy
which is contested from the Government
side OF the House of Commons
The times., 1899-03-27

Miles charges. but II will serve. On the
same day several commissioned and nom
commissioned officers of the Regular
Army, stationed at Governors Island, re-
lated their experience. which was essen
TALLY the same as that of Governor Roose-
welt. 1t is to be borne in mind that in
refutation of such evidence, nothing has
been offered except the statements of
persons in the commissary service. who
are virtually on the defensive, and of
few officers who thought the meat was
not injurious to health.
No sane person who is without preju-
dice in the matter can be made to believe
that score of regimental and a number
OF company officers, mostly regulars, in
Porto Rico. and many commissioned officers
and priyates in regular and volunteer regi-
ments, including surgeons and acting COM
missary sergeants, who were in Cuba,
American beef and reflect on the honesty
or competency or fidelity of the officials of
the Commissary Department and even the
Secretary of War. Yet only on the
ground of such conspiracy can their tes-
timony be discredited in the least degree.
The obviously absurd explanation of the
whitewashing Alger Relief Commission,
that the only bad beef was some that was
sent from Tampa to Santiago as an expert
ment, cannot be made to square with the
established facts in the possession of the
present Court, apart from the charges of
Dolan, who has not been called upon to
testify.
AS there is no doubt of the truth of Cen
erai Miles charges. so there should be no
doubt as to the report of the Court Of
Enquiry and the prompt, vigorous, and
thorough prosecution of the packers and
every War Department official whose duty
it was to protect the Government from
robbery and the soldiers from fraud and
injury. Republican newspapers that are
concerned about the effect 6f the scandal on
the popularity of the Administration,
notably the New York Tribune" and the
Philadelphia Press declare that General
Miles case has been proved beyond a
doubt. and that the Administration cannot
afford to falter in its duty of seeing that
full justice is meted out to all who are
guilty. Only by a relentless prosecution
can the President save himself from blame.
Failure here would wreck Republican
chances next year
The times., 1899-03-27
racy in campaign by their apparent asso-
citation with ii between campaigns.
The pre.ident,, Reorganization.

The report is published of a canvass
made of Republican incmbers of the late
House just before adjournment as to their
choice for the Presidential nomination. OF
course nearly all classed themselves for
Mckinley. Indeed, all but half dozen
entertained no doubt of his denomination.
No other name has been mentioned and If
there should be no cause for change of
sentiment the matter will be settled by
acclamation.
As far as can be foreseen, there is only
one thing likely TO create a dissatisfac-
tion that would be serious enough to call
for ballot. This is failure to institute
proceedings against those who are found
to be responsible for unparalleled atroci-
ties in the treatment of our soldiers. There
is almost nothing that the people would
not more quickly forgive than the par
ticular form of outrage inflicted on those
who responded so nobly to the call of the
President. There are other things for
which the Administration is blamable,
but they are ignored in consideration of
the Presidents popular and patriotic
course in relation to the fruits of the
Spanish war These things could become
menace only in event of an obvious pur-
pose to shield men who could be guilty of
SO heinous crime.
Aside from his excessive patience with
Algerism, and his submission to the dicta-
tion of the Navy ring though Secretary
Long, President Mckinley has well de-
served denomination at the hands of his
party. He has done more than any Presi-
dent since Lincoln to make his term memo
rable. The determination with which he
pressed the war to glorious conclusion,
his firmness in insisting on the Philip
pines when he was once persuaded that it
was the will of the people, have led this
country into the new career for which it
mas been preparing by a century of
growth in territory. population, enlight-
eminent. and wealth. Under his guidance
the first and hardest step-the long stride
from selfish isolation to fellowship with
the great powers-has been safely and
proudly taken against the cries of the
narrow, the self-seeking, and the timid.
If he remains true to his best ideas and
ideals, it would be the basest ingraitude
for the party to entertain the claims of
rival.
The times., 1899-03-27
Governor Roo.evelt,. Te.timony

The position occupied by former Colonel
Roosevelt in the political world gives an
Importance to his testimony on the beef
question that ii would not otherwise have
He is the chief executive officer Of the lead
ing State in the Union. and it is naturally
inferred that no mere personal considera-
tion could influence his statements of fact.
He was not in a situation to learn the ex-
tent of the atrocity. his army experience
being limited TO the expedition TO Cuba
While the troops in Porto Rico seem TO
have had more than fair share of rotten
beef experience. Still, because of The
personal attention he gave to the welfare
OF the Rough Riders under his COM
mand. he was forced TO make acquaintance
with the rations issued by the commissary
officers. 1t appears that the Court of En-
quiry stopped at New York on its way TO
Washington from Chicago, mainly to listen
to the statement of Governor Roosevelt
who had already testified before the Alger
Relief Commission and to no purpose, that
Board having determined what its verdict
would be before taking evidence.
On the voyage from Tampa the witness
first heard OF the trouble with the canned
roast beef-or, rather, while on board the
transport in Tampa Bay. 1t caused men to
vomit and this led him TO ask the regulars
whether they could eat it. They objected
10 il just as strongly as the volunteers
The witness himself tried TO eat the stuff
10 encourage the men, but he could NOT
do il. When the cans were opened. they
showed on top layer OF slime; inside.
the beef was stringy and coarse like a
bundle of fibres'' The few who ate II he
came sick, no matter how it was cooked
Hardly any OF the men would touch 1t after
day or two. no matter how hungry they
were. On his return to this country The
witness was surprised that there was anv
controversy about the beef as he ,bougb,
IL was known that IL was bad .sFro,o
generals 10 privates | never heard anvope
express any opinion other than that fl
was bad During the return voyage tho
only meat supplied to the men was canned
roast beef. which was utterly and hona-
iessly bad" The men could not eat 8,
In conclusion, and in reply to a request for
his opinion of canned roast beef as ration
Governor Roosevelt said
] regard it as utterly unfit and utterly nm.
wholesome ration for troops | wsnt 10 ~.
that statement without qualification l have seen
that cans have been tested here and found TO bc
wholesome ] want to say that the experience
had In the Santiago campaign proved lint the
canned roast beef had was at best unnal,taIJe
and at worst unwholesnme nd unfit TO eat IL
sss sufiiciently unwhoiesomc TO tend TO MAKE
men sick at 4 tine when well men were needed.
This is not the strongest testimony that
has been given in support OF General
The times., 1899-03-27
WOMEN TO HELP RULE LONDON
A Bill Making Them Eligible to Pro-
poscd New COrDorsfion.

London, March 26.-The provision in the
London government bill before Parlia-
ment making women eligible to the fifteen
new London corporations it is proposed
to create is arousing strong opposition.
Mr.. Balfour, who favors extending wom-
ems public rights. got the provision in
serted, but on the understanding with
those members of the Cabinet who op-
pose ii that the House of Commons should
be free to strike it out IL so minded
Legal opinion taken is that women
could neither be aldermen nor mayors un-
der the bill as it stands, which disabilities
the women's rights supporters are ener-
getically working TO get removed
Mr.. Baifour's proposal is opposed
mainly on the ground that il creates an
anomaly. as women would still be in
eligible to sit on any municipal corpora
tion other than London's.
There is also formidable body of opin
ion here hostile on old fashioned senti-
mental ground to women being admitted
TO any department of public life.
The division on this question is not on
political lines at ALL as is apparent from
the fact that Henry Labouchere. the
stanchest democrat in England. is one of
the most determined opponents of women's
rights" while their warmest advocates
are among the Tories.
The question of the inclusion of women
promises to be the most interesting point
of conflict in the London government bill,
but it is fully believed inclusion will
carry.
The times., 1899-03-27

The Republican newspapers which as
sumo that anti-expansion will be one OF
the chief issues of the next Democratic
campaign are lacking in the spirit of
prophecy. Whatever may have been said
by leading Democrats when the question
of Treaty ratification was before the Sen
ate, it does not follow that anybody will
make campaign against an accomplished
fact. The Philippines Commission has is
sued a manifesto that was. no doubt, sub
mitted to the President or else drawn up
by him. In this the Filipinos are prom
ised autonomy. in the course of events.
under American rule. No reasonable man
could ask for more. No man with the in
terests of the Filipinos sincerely at heart
could ask for their independence now.
which would mean their destruction. Be-
fore next year this will be universally
recognized, and there will be no talk of
American withdrawal. 1t would be fine
for the Republicans if they could bring
the matter into the campaign, to the ex-
clusion of the question of suppressing the
trusts, but they cannot.
The times., 1899-03-27
FOOD SUPPLIES FOR DEWEY.
Canned Reef to He Part of His Bill
of Enre

Proposals for food supplies to be ship
ped to Admiral Dewey have been invited
by the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts
of the Navy Department. The supplies are
to be delivered at the New York navy
yard and will probably leave for Manila
on the supply ship Glacier. now at the
Brooklyn navy yard. The supplies are
for the joint use OF both army and naval
forces stationed in the Philippines, an ar
rangement having been made by which
General Otis can draw for the troops under
his command whatever supplies he may
need and have the cost charged against
the Commissary Department at Washing
ton The bids will be opened at the Navy
Department at noon on March 2s The
blank proposals OF the department show
that the charges against canned meats in
the army have not affected their use. as it
has been determined to invite proposals for
$4,000 pounds OF canned corned beef and
$4,000 pounds of timed roast beef The
bidder is to furnish AZ the New York navy
yard two sample cans OF each kind of beef
and the specifications require the con-
tractor to guarantee that both the corned
beef and roast beef shall keep good for
one year from the date of delivery. The
samples are to be furnished in advance of
the bids and will be thoroughly examined
and tested at the navy yard by a board OF
inspection
The times., 1899-03-27
Our Population.
(From the Atlanta JonrnnlN \

The States OF Massachusetts,, Rhode Island, New
Jersey, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota
Kansas, and Oregon had censuses taken in 1895
Some OF these States showed much heavier gains
in population than others since 1890 and Kan.
sas was found to have 92,i2s less people than she
had five years before owing to emigration from
that State caused by several disastrous crou fail
ures. The average growth OF the nine States
named, however, was about 10 per cent for the
first five years OF the decade. If this may be taken
as a fair indication of the growth of the country
we should have 20 per cent increase of poula
tion from 1890 10 1900, which would give the
United States proper population next year of
about 75.0OO.OO0 Add TO this the II, ,OOO. 900 peo
pie we have scooped in, and we will show up
grand total of 35.OOO 900 population, or more.
The times., 1899-03-27
CLEANING UP HAVANA.
The City Has Been Relieved of Its
Old-Time Filth.

Havana March 26.-Slowly and quietly,
but effectively, the work of cleaning Ha
yana goes on. In pesthouse of filth and
uncleanliness. from Governor Generals
palace to humble hovel, the broom of the
American administration has had to per-
form its useful work. Today the city is
comparatively clean-marvelously so when
compared with its condition two months
ago.
The chief credit for this is due to Col.
William NJ Black and his assistants of the
Engineer Corps. When the Spaniards left
Havana they took from the public Offices
and buildings every portable article OF
value. The only thing they did not remove
was the accumulated filth of years. The
condition of some of the buildings when
taken over by the Americans was almost
indescribable, How human beings could
have lived in them year after year is
scarcely to be comprehended. Carload
after CARLOAD of dirt was taken away, and
it is only after five weeks of hard work
that the principal offices are habitable for
Americans.
The Governor Generals palace and that
OF Lieutenant Governor have been thor
oughly cleaned and renovated. as have
been the Maestranza, the customhouse ami
the old military barracks in Compostella
and Drayones Streets. New thing and
plumbing have been put in all. drains and
sewers looked after. and the internal fix
ings (which in many cases, where unable to
take away, the Spaniards destroyed) re-
placed and repaired. Barracks are being
fitted up at the Punta for the United States
troops and seacoast batteries put in shape
for the reception of our soldiers. Cabana5
has been tackled and work will soon COM
mence on MORO.
Under the supervision of Capt. W. l..
Geary. the streets have been thoroughly
cleaned. Most of them are swept every
day. the garbage is put in scows and
dumped ten miles at sea.
Lieut.. George A. burlington has made
an official survey of all the new Spanish
Notifications erected shortly before and
during the war. which are not shown on
the Government maps.
Much of the credit for the effective car
ryipg through OF the work in the city itself
is due to Colonel Blacks assistant, Lieut..
d. II. Gldersleeve, who has had charge OF
the work on the Governor Generals pal
ace General Ludlow's headquarters, Macs
tranza, the Punta. and other places. He
is an Eastern man, graduate of Stevens
Institute of Technology, and is 4 mschani-
cal engineer of ability. He has materially
aided Colonel Black in the laborious work
involved in putting Havana to rights.
The times., 1899-03-27
Reforms Kept Waiting.

NtlOn tue cincinnati Enqulrcr.b
During the two years OF Mr. McKinlcy's Ad-
minisration that have passed, concident with
the entire life of the Fifty fifth Congress. there
has been a notorious failure in tariff and revenue
legislation ard not syllable OF legislation on
finance, reform, otherwise Not single prom
isc has been redeemed. Not a lick has been
struck to induce the return of prosperity All
the advancement in trade and manufacture there
has been has come naturally and without political
assistance. This is manifest; for what has the
Administration Congress done but to involve
the taxpayers in increased expenditures without
providing the revenue meet them? Still, the
demagogues abroad calling attention to the
conditions in 1896 as compared with the business
situation now, and swelling themselves up with
the exclamation: "Iook upon this picture and
then upon that" They are constantly spreading
out the legend, Before and after taking" And
all the Administration and Congress has done has
been to loaf around, waiting for prosperity to
come OF its own accord. reckoning on the theory
that hard times cannot last always under any po-
litiCal control
The times., 1899-03-27
Porto Rico and Cuba.

liIoiH lHe hlnnedpolls lrlbunc.t
The quick rehabilitation OF Porto Rico under
American rule, the establishment of peace order,
and prosperity there under the assurance of stable
government. while Cuba iags behind in uncer-
tainty as to the kind Oi government that is to
he ultimately established in that island will
cause regret that the illadvised pledge OF Con
greSs previous to the declaration of war against
SPAIN forbade US TO take possession OF the Gem
OF the Antilles in the same manner. There is
no great chance for exploitation in Porto Rico
because the island is already densely populated
but Cuba is still undeveloped country with
millions of OF virgin forest, sugar, and to-
bacco lands and countless opportunities for Great
ing water-opening harbors, building docks, es-
tabIishing manufactures. and building railroads
and cities Under guaranteed American govern
ment American capital and American population
would be even ROW rushing in; but with the
incertitude as TO whether Gomez or the AS
sembly is to come out top; whether the
United States will maintain 4 military govern
ment there for some years or turn the island
over to native auspices; whether there will then
be Cuban Republic or dictatorship, or actual
anarchy. will naturally deter investment and
settlement.
The times., 1899-03-27
Republican Politics.
(From the Riehmond Times.N

The good Republican has his eye always upon
Washington city. His fondcst dream i OF benefits
he is to receive from the Government at WASH
ington. 1t may h. the salary OF IN office il
may be subsidy 10 4 steamship. or il MAJ
bc tariff law which CompelS his fellow citizens
to buy his manufactures at higher price than
they would have to pay il lett free to pay what
they want wherever they can procure H. But,
in whatever ferm it comes To the good Re-
publican. it Is a grltuity to him from his Gov
ernment. But government cannot create any
thing. Whatever il gives to one il must take
from another. so that in its last ANALYSIS the
Republican theory is scheme by which the
physical power OF all is used TO deprive some OF
what is theirs that Others may receive a benefit
frnm ii