davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
---------------- ----------------------
ALTOGETHER TOO BURDENSOME

The decision of the district court di-
recting the city council to include in its
next levy of taxes special school tax
sufficient to pay the deficit created by
the Board of Education during the last
three or four years presents serious
problem. Municipal taxation has been
extremely burdensome in this city and
will so continue for years to come until
Omaha's taxable wealth has overtaken
its metropolitan city expenditures. The
demands upon property owners to meet
special taxes for street improvements
such as grading, paving, curbing and
sidewalk construction, are within them.
selves so extensive as often to almost
constitute cOntiscation unless the prop
erty is more productive than the aver
age piece of real estate.
To pile upon top of the heavy city tax
for the coming year, including the ordi
nary school levy, a special school tax OF
$15OOO0 to $175,00O would work an al
most uncomfortable hardship upon thous
ands Of home owners and owners OF
both improved and unimproved property
that il heavily mortgaged. If the levy
of the whole amount of this deficit tax
is persisted in it does not take prophet
or the son of prophet to predict an
uprising among our taxpaying citizens
that will make itself felt, If not this
spring, surely next fall when the next
school board election comes up.
no pr hn
Board Of Education may at will plunge
into any wild scheme that involves an
increase of school expenses without
check or hindrance and order the coun
Gil to levy the tax to pay the bills. The
board may, If it sees fit, food the town
with warrants and squander the pro
ceeds with the assurance that their re
demption must be taken care of by q
levy Of taxes regardless of the impera
tive needs of any other branch of gov
ernment The upshot of such state OF
affairs will be a radical change in the
school laws that will put an airbrakt
on wildcat school financiering.
The people Of Omaha will cheerfully
| mortgage their homes and stOrehouses
for funds to construct needed public
school buildings, but they insist upor
the privilege Of voting for these bonds
before they are issued. They are will
ing to submit to reasonable taxation fol
the maintenance Of the public schools
| but they will not tamely submit to being
burdened to death by special taxes lev
led in lump to meet nearly 100000 o.
overlaps created without their consen
| by irresponsible school boards.
1t is not for The Bee or any citizen o.
Omaha to call in question the judgmen
Of the court in interpreting the existing
school law, but we only voice public
opinion in declaring that this extraor
dinary tax will not be cheerfully or pa
tiently submitted to.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

There was time when the heathen
Chinee was considered most subtle and
peculiar, but the white man generally
and the white men who live in the
Sandwich islands are becoming too
many for the Chinese. According to n
report from Honolulu the supreme court
Of the mixed race republic has turned
a summersault upon itself and abro-
gated the treaty rights by which the
Chinese were permitted to land In Ha-
waii prior to annexation. But nothing
that happens In our new possessions
will surprise nobody on this side Of
the Pacific coast line.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
FOR PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE.

1t Is not probable that the United
States senate will adopt the resolution
introduced by Senator Hoar, declaring
that the people of the Philippine islands
ought to be free and independent, that
1t Is their right to institute new gov
ernment for themselves and that the
people of the United States do not pro-
pose to interfere with this right. Yet
its adoption would simply place this gov
ernment in the same relation toward
the Philippine people as it occupies to-
ward the people Of Cuba-a relation that
is recognized by the civilized world as
just and which is in accord with our
character as republic.
1t cannot reasonably be contended
that the people of the Philippines have
not as good right to be free and indie.
pendent as the people Of Cuba. The
Filipinos revOlted against Spanish rule
as the Cubans did and made almost as
great sacrifices to secure their freedom
as did the patriots of Cuba. For years
they maintained the struggle against
Spain and were in arms when Dewey
went to Manila. 1t was well understood
by that commander when he sought the
assistance, or at least the friendship, of
the insurgents that they were seeking
independence and whether or not they
received any assurance Of American
cooperation to secure their freedom does
not affect the question Of their right to
be free and independent.
The adoption of Senator Hoar's resolu
ton would be creditable to the nation.
1t would elevate the republic in the
good opinion of The world. 1T would
strengthen the cause of human liberty
everywhere. And it would put an end
at once to all danger Of conflict with
people who do not want our govern
ment and upon whom we have no just
right to force our rule.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
----------------
AS A DEFENSIVE POSITION.

One of the ablest and most candid of
the organs of expansion. the New York
Journal of Commerce, says in reference
to the Philippines: 1--WE care compare
lively little for those islands on their
own account or as sources Of trade; we
neither need them nor want them as q
mere colony; our people very wisely
care nothing for purely colonial policy;
but, for the purposes Of defensive po-
sition and to make our power respected
by those who desire to reserve for their
own exploitation the countries on the
Pacific, the acquisition Of the Philip
pines Is an achievement of the most
paramount necessity, compared with
which the pleas of the anti-anneXation-
lists are as mere trifles." 1t Is some
thing for an organ of expansion to con-
cede that the Philippines are of little
consequence on their own account, yet
this must be perfectly plain to anybody
who will study the matter from a
strictly commercial point of view.
But what Of the proposition that they
are necessary for the purposes Of a de.
fensive position? Grant that the United
States should have position in that
quarter of the world in order to make
our power respected, would it not be
amply sufficient to have a strong naval
station there? Why is possession of the
entire Philippine archipelago necessary
to give us a defensive position in the fal
east? 1t is obviously not SO and we
should be stronger and safer for de
fensive purposes with simply a nava,
station, such as Manila, than we would
be in having the whole archipelago tc
guard and defend in case of war. A
naval station would not involve the
necessity of maintaining there a very
large naval force, certainly not so grea'
as will be required If we take under Oul
control all the hundreds of islands anC
it would be no less effective in com
manding respect for our power. We
have seen no more specious argument
for Philippine acquisition than the
proposition that we need all those
islands for the purposes of a defensive
position.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

The Dreyfus incident in France has
practically destroyed public confidence
in the French army. The officers
of the United States army therefore
cannot be too careful and sOlicltous
about preserving the reputation of the
military department Of the government
in this country from the odium and
disrespect which would certainly follow
the precipitation of army scandals in
volving men Of the highest rank, upon
whose example the entire discipline OF
the service depends.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

RUSSIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPETITION
The report of the Russian minister of
railways indicates that all the ener-
gies Of that vast empire are not bent on
militarism, but that fabulous sums are
being spent for economical development
in extending the railroad system. While
the vast stretches of the empire in both
Europe and Asia are but in the infancy
of their industrial growth, owing to the
lack Of transportation facilities, they
are in much the same condition as the
section Of this country west Of the Mis-
sissippi river before the railroads
opened up the way to profitable settle
ment.
From the evolution Of our own west
some idea can be formed of the proba-
BILE future of Russia. That it will equal
that of the western portion of the United
States is not to be expected, regardless
of the natural resources which it may
possess. 1t is not, and never will be,
settled by people of the ceaseless ell
ergy, enterprise and adaptability as that
which has peopled our own west. The
natural resources Of the Russian coun-
try are almost unknown, outside of Otti-
cial circles, and even the best Informed
are not supposed to have much beyond
a superficial knowledge. This much,
however, is known, that climatic condi-
tons in large portion Of it prohibit
any great agricultural development,
while other large sections extremely
fertile, are already for the most part
densely populated. Its mountains are
known to be rich in minerals, though
as yet scarcely prospected.
One Of the primary reasons for the
construction of Russian railway lines
clear across Siberia, into China and to-
ward the Indian frontier is Of course
military. With this phase Of the ques-
ton the American has little II any con-
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
Broken
Lines

Can not always be mended-
That is the case with CLOTH
ing towards the end Of the sea-
son. We have broken lines in
mems Suits, Overcoats and
Trousers that we cannot re-
place this season.
And while what we have on
hand lasts-you can save some
thing like third of their value
by buying now.
But we call especial attention
to several styles and patterns Of
some fancy cheviot sack suits
that sold for $1,000 and $1,000
that we are closing now for
$500,
Then we have two or three
broken lines Of black and blue
and fancy mixed cheviots, and
some black clays that we are
selling at $1,000. These have
always been $500.
And trousers, here is an
abundance to choose from at
$3.50, $500, $3.50, $500, $3.50
and $3.75, all materials are re-
presented and they are all Of the
latest cut-not only in style, but
in price-these are also broken
lires that have had their value
we'll broken.
And also remember the boys.
Knee pants at soc on second
floor.
Opportunities Of this sort are
not Of the ordinary kind.
w ZBRgwnndKrydsoa
" v ReN ~ - ass.ASs AAs
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

stance be traceable to prisoners nnd
criminals released by Spanards and dis
charged Spanish soldiers remaining in
the island. 1t was, of course. to have
been expected that the departing
Spaniards would stimulate rather than
allay smouldering trouble threatening to
break out to the disadvantage of the
incoming American officers. Disorders
arising from this source ought, how
ever, to he short-lived, especially when
the malcontents realize that they are
no longer dealing with Spanlards and
that they have nothing to gain by con-
tinued bad behavior. The Improvement
is already perceptible and is sure to be
more apparent right along for some time
to come.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

The late Congressman Dingley was
also one of the eminent men whose pub
lie career leads out of the newspaper
Office, although he combined with his
journalistic experience a legal education
that entitled him to a place in the pro-
fession Of law. 1t is plain that the
lawyers have not yet mOnOpolized the
front places in our public life, although
they have been trying to do so ever
since the republic was established.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
Another Form of Imperialism.
Snf.inrGeld Rannhlican

There Is an increased tendency toward
coats Of arms on family carriages here"
says the Chicago Inter Ocean, land during
the year many Of these vehicles have been
made to order and SO adorned. Two OF
these carriages, made for different families,
cost $1,000 each" This reveals one OF the
reasons why colonels are GO much to be de-
sired. Then. with the addition OF king,
we shall have attained the nearly perfec,
state of being nearly like England, our ally
in the joint Anglo-Saxon grab OF the whole
earth
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
MERCHANT MARINE LEGISLATION.

MERCHANT MARINE LEGISLATION.
The prospect for any legislation by
the present congress looking to the
building up Of the merchant marine is
not altogether favorable. The bill pro-
viding for a bounty introduced in both
the senate and the house may possibly
pass the latter body, but the chances are
largely against 1t in the senate, although
it has been claimed that there is a ma
jority Of senators favorable to it. Even
If such is the fact the minority is un-
doubtedly strong enough to prevent a
vote being reached on the measure. The
spirit of the opposition was shown in
the proposed amendment to the bill pro-
viding for the payment of an export
bounty on agricultural products. The
supporters Of the measure profess con-
fidence that it will be passed at this
session, but this seems hardly possible.
AS was to have been expected, there
has been introduced bill providing for
free ships. 1t proposes that 1t shall be
lawful for all citizens Of the United
States to buy ships built in whole or in
them registered as ships of the United
States for employment in the foreign
carrying trade, but not in the coasting
trade or in the transportation of freight
or passengers between ports Of the
United States. 1t is needless to say that
this measure will not receive any seri-
GUS consideration. 1t Is very doubtful
whether a bill of this character could be
passed even by a democratic congress,
since such legislation would strike a
blow at the shipbuilding interest Of the
United States which many democrats
may be said that that interest would be
as we'll protected as at present by the
provision that ships purchased abroad
should not be employed in the coasting
trade, but why make. this discrimina-
ton? If 1t would be to the advantage
of American citizens to buy foreign.
built ships for the Ocean-carrying trade,
it would seem that 1t must be no less
to their advantage to purchase them
for the coasting trade.
But free ship propositions may be dis
missed as impracticable. No congress
not composed overwhelmingly of free
traders would adopt such a proposition
and the time is very remote, il it shall
ever come, when there will be such q
congress. AS to the bounty or subsidy
bin it will most probably be acted upon
| by the next congress, when there will
be u favorable chance Of its becoming
law. AS we have heretofore said in
reference to that measure, 1t Is the re-
suit of careful conference and delibera
ton of representatives of the interests
most directly concerned in the building
up of merchant marine and will there
| fore have behind it the strong influence
of these interests. 1t should be under
| stood that this bill admits to American
registry large number Of vessels bull
abroad and which are owned in this
country, but this Is made conditional
upon the owners Of such vessels agree
ing to build within five years an amour,
OF tonnage equal to so per cent OF the
total admitted to American registry
This would give great stimulus to the
American shipbuilding industry, the
Importance of fostering which should be
| apparent to everybody.
1t is q fact however, not to be lost
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

All sorts of queer things are encoun-
tered in this old world of ours. One OF
the latest is that the largest Christian
Endeavor society in New Mexico is COM
posed entirely of prisoners in the peni-
tertiary. This certainly speaks well for
the reformatory work Of the prison otti-
cials or indicates that outside religious
activity in the territory is at a low ebb.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

The efforts of the Agricultural de-
partment to enlighten the farmer on the
nature of poisonous plants will doubt
less be appreciated more than some Of
the learned disquistions that have EN-
anated from the same source on sub
jects on which the average farmer Is far
better informed than the average expert.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
Trying to Awaken Moses.
Nam Xnrlk Gun

The peroration Of Colonel Bryans speech
to the Chicago Andrew Jackson league was
very affecting. After goading his old friend,
the Golden Calf, the colonel tried to disturb
the slumbers Of Moses:
Awake, oh ancient lawgiver, awake!
Break forth from thine unmarked sepul-
chre."
The notion that Moses is going to wake up
and swap the ten commandments for the
Chicago platform is worthy Of Colonel
Bryan's brilliant genius.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

The contest over a local assessorship
discloses another instance where the
election of a public officer turns upon
one vote. The voter who refuses to re-
alize the responsibility resting on his in.
dividual action has several object les
sons before him drawn from the late
election in Nebraska.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

BY selecting Cubans for assistant governor
and assistant mayor Of the province and
city OF Havana, General Ludlow gives a
practical proof Of the sincerity Of American
promises and at the same time takes an Inn
portant step toward building up an Ameri-
can party among the more intelligent Of the
Cubans.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
pleasant,

The death of Congressman Dingley
Maine district to fill the vacancy thus
caused. 1t is almost needless to note,
however, that there Is no imminent dan
ger Of u democrat being chosen to- take
the nlaca
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
Sample of Expansion Experience.
Buffalo EXPRESS

A dispatch tells Of a recent battle in For
mosa between the natives and the Japanese
in which 522 natives were killed. Japan
annexed an endless war when she acquired
Formosa, with its population hostile to
Japanese domination. Japan's experience
should serve as a warning to the United
States against acquiring the Philippines.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

With total exports of breadstuffs and
produce valued at $7S9,667 294 in 1898,
being an increase of over 100000, 600
over the previous top notch. it does not
look as if we had to annex the antpOdes
in order to expand our trade and CON-
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Why call conference of American
purpose of an agreement upon. rate
questions? Are not the American rail-
roads able to handle their business with
out assistance from over the Canadian
hOn.1aro
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Porto Rican city councils, If they ever
expect to become Americanized, will
have to relinquish the habit Of resignins
every time they cannot have things their
own way. They must learn to take
what they can get, smile and look
MI Mt
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Nebraska may be a little slower in
getting around to its senatorial fight
than some other states, but it promises
to put up as lively contest as any of
them when time Is called.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

The trouble with Judge Scott's con-
tempt sentences is that they hit the
Tansmississippi Exposition treasury
and do not touch the officials and sub
ordinatcs that are fined. And when the
Judge hits the treasury he hits the
stockholders,
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
Stripping the Forests.

More than 100000 trees were cut down
last year to sell on Christmas. And many
OF them were not Sold Some that were sold
were means Of setting houses on fire. The
old-fashioned stocking is better than the
tree. Our forests are getting so thin that we
need to keep all OF them we can.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

1t is to be feared our foreign critics
will be tempted to class the American
army investigating committee with the
Austrian Reichstag
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Chaunccy M. Depew will grace the
United States senate for the next six
years. That trip up the Midway and
visit to the Ak-Sar-Ben ball last october
certainly did the job
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

When the military chieftains Of the
army stop hanging their soiled linen on
the telegraph wires the people Of the
United States will have greater respect
for the army.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
STATEMENT OF CIRCULATION.

State of Nebraska, Douglas County, S.:
George b. Tzschuck, secretary of The Bee
Publishing company, being duly sworn.
Gays that the actual number OF full and
complete copies of The Daily, Morning.
Evening and Sunday Bee, printed during
the month of December. 1898, was as fol-
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
Expansion and Contraction.


What those Pacific islands need Is dash
Of American speed and energy Think Of
people who could waste the time Of four
syllables in pronouncing a sheltered work
like IloilO.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
The Making of Heroes.

baItlmOre AmtrlCHH
Some martyrs die tortured for their con.
vlctions, some perish at the post Of duty
some expire gloriously on the field Of battle
and some have their backs broken in foot
ball rushes. Heroism takes many forms Of
expression.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
IncOnsistent Men.
Gov, A~x,tlIa T4,,~nov

Man sneers at woman for following the
fashion and then growls at the tailor be-
cause he has put an unreasonable breast
pocket on the outside of his new coat.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

According to the report submitted to
the War department by Father sher-
man the disorders in Porto Rico OF the
last few montas can In almost every in
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Harpers Bazar: The Heiress-The man
marry must be handsome, afraid of nothing
and clever. Moneys no object to me.
Mr.. Broke-Doesn't 1t seem like fate that
we should have met?
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15
DOMESTIC PLEASANTRIES

Brooklyn Life: DO you believe in ex.
pansion. Mr.. Noodle?'
Noodle-No; quite the contrary. I believe
in making two one.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

New Orleans Picayune: "Why should you
worry? You've got a rich uncle who Is on
his last legs, and you're his nearest rela-
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

30, yes. ! know. but grass widow has
just moved into the fiat across the hall"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Detroit Journal: so he asked you to be
his wife? How did he lead up to the Ques-
tion?"
"Oh, with small talk. / remember, for one
thing, he asked me II loved him."
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Harlem Life: Mystery-"Robert, dear,
dozens of empty bottles ever got into the
CELLAR p,
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Cleveland Plain Dealer: 'Well. Briggsy,
have you taught your wife to look up to
you as you used to boast you would?'
II can't say l haze. l married tall girl.
you know"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Chicago Tribune: After an absence Of half
a year she had returned
ibid you think of me often. George7" she
asked.
"Only once, Aggie," he replied. "But 1t
was an awful long think - six whole
months!"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

"Why, I don't know, my dear I never
bought an empty bottle in my life."
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Somervile journal: Mrs. Wiggles-My
husband and ! never quarrel
Mrs. Waggles-How tame and unintersss-
ing your life must be!
Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-15

Indianapolis Journal: IT think I'll get my
wife cook book" said the young man.
How long have you been married?
asked the experienced one.
six months"
"Too late. You ought to have bought It
the first week. She will take 1t now as an
indication that you no longer love her."