davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08

have been long known in their asso-
citation with our leading universities;
the third gentleman has had more than
twelve years diplomatic experience in
China, and the fourth is today the
most conspicuous man in the nations
eye. Three of the men have never
been associated in any way with poll
tics, and the fourth, who has not taken
any active part in politics by reason Of
his diplomatic service, is one of the
most respected members of the Demo-
cratic party, and certainly cannot be
charged with any leaning towards the
administration. 1t is especially graft
flying that the report backs up and en-
dorses the position and the statements
of the President upon this whole
matter"
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
Public DistruSt

LONDON, Nov. Mot a solitary Of
fetal item of news has been posted at
the war office for nearly twenty four
hours. This has given rise TO crop of
rumors that Ladysmith's ammunition
is exhausted, that Sir George Stewart
White is MORALLY wounded, that both
facts are being concealed and that
other unlucky happenings have taken
place. For all of these reports there is
absolutely foundation. At the same
time the Britisher has had little to
stimulate him within the last twenty
four hours except the news of the con.
flict and attitude of the Ladysmith gar
rison and its slight successes last
Thursday and Friday.
Advices from other parts of South
Africa point to cri ical situation in
Natal and the northern portions of
Cape Colony, likely to grow more
acute until General White is either
relieved or decisively defeated. No
body dares to think of capilulation.
Rather than that, he is expected in
last resort, if Ladysmith becomes un-
tenable, to make a desperate effort to
cut his way through the Beers back
into lower Natal and to join hands
with the garrison there which is now
almost certain to be reinforced by the
first arrivals of the army corps from
England and to be ssed forward to
renew touch with him.
1t is generally assumed, however,
that General WnIle, with the aid of the
naval guns. will be able to cope with
any bombardment; and the idea that
the Beers could take Ladysmith by as
sault is secuted as absurd. The de-
fence thus depends upon the uninter-
rupted working of the naval guns.
Right here arises the important ques-
tion-upon which the dispatches have
thrown no light - whether the naval
guns which themselves only arrived al
the last moment, have with them suf-
licient ammunition to reply to bonn
bardment lasting possibly several
weeks. If not, it is hardly likely that
works exist in a small town like Lady
smith for casting the special shell need
ed for the Al gun, and, moreover,
there is no mention of stores of lyddite
at Ladysmlth for recharging these
shells.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
Early Vote in New York Heavy.
Particularly in Democratic
Districts.
Ideal Weather In Massachusetts. Apathy
and a Light Vote.
Heavy Vote in Kentucky. No Disorder
Up to Date. Tremendous Vote in
Ohio. Republicans in Good
Spirits. Jones Cutting
Wide Swath.

NEW YORK, Nov. THE early
the off year. This is particularly
marked in the large districts which are
heavily Democratic, where over twenty
five per cent of the vote polled was
before eight. The bulk of the early
vote goes to the credit of Tammany
Hall. Interest centres in the nine
teenth district fight between assem-
blyman Mazet and his opponent
Stewart. Croker is after Mazet's scalp
and betting is TO l that he will take it
to the Wigwam. Superintendent of
elections Mccullough has 800 deputies
armed with clubs and pistols scattered
over the city. The lodging house dis
trict is heavily patrolled and colonizers
stand poor chance. Over thousand
warrants have been issued for illegal
voters. Trouble may occur when these
are served.
Boston, Nov, Ideal weather
prevails over the State and only gen.
eral apathy prevents full vote being
| cast today. The Democrats hope to
reduce the Republican majority in the
State and make many gains in the low
er branch of the legislature, principally
from the large cities of the State. The
most interesting fight in the State is
Senator Persons in Greenfield running
as an Independent Republican on an
anti-imperalistic platform.
NEW YORK, Nov. THE only clash
up to noon in the city WAS at First
avenue polling place between McCul'
lough's deputies and the police over the
arrest of an alleged illegal voter
Clubs and revolvers were drawn. Nc
Cullough came out ahead in the .scrim
mage. The prisoners clothing wa;
torn to shreds.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Nov. 7.-Votine
is heavy and was progressing withou,
disorder throughout the State during
the morning hours. A considerable
portion of the State militia was calico
out at seven by Gov. Bradley who re-
mains here ready for any emergency.
COLUMBUS, Nov, IA tremendous
vote is coming out all over the State
Sunshine places the spirits of the Re
publicans in the ascendant. "GoldeI
Rule" Jones is cutting a wide swath
Both parties claim the benefit of hi
big vote.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
A Point Not Discussed.

The report OF the Philippine COM
mission seems to make it very clear
that great mistake was made in in
viting Aguinaldo to go to Manila. 1t
was, however, one of those errors that
is developed in the light of "lumin-
Gus hindsight" The only thing that
saved the Cuban situation from conse-
quences similar to those which befel
in the Philippines was the patriotism,
unselfshness, and real greatness of
General Gomez. Had this Cuban
leader been a man of low cunning, the
scheming, interruptions, selfshly am
bilious character that Aguinaldo is,
the Cuban rebellion could easily have
continued against the American army
of occupation. Gomez influence, no.
bly, exerted on the side of peace, of
acceptance of existing conditions with
the promise of bright future under
American guidance, saved Cuba from
the destructive fate Aguinaldo's COM
bination of deviltries precipitated upon
the Philippines. When the real char
acter and purpose of the insurgent
chief began to develope, and it became
clear that inviting his assistance
against Spain was an error of judy
ment, and he had become a menace to
the interests America was likely to ac-
quire in the islands, was it then posi-
BILE to arrest this element OF mischief,
and place him where he could not be
organizing and maturing the rebellion
against American authority he had
Matched and proclaimed? No answer
to these queries appears in the report.
Aguinaldo was more uncomfortable
and more dangerous enemy than the
Spaniard. The cloud on the horizon
no larger than mans hand in July
overcast all the sky and broke into
storm in February that is still raging
without appreciable abatement. A
step taken at the outset, which was a
natural one to take, but which proved
to be mistake, was not remedied
when its real character was disclosed,
aud possibly it was not remediable.
That point is not discussed.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
Mr.. Plumley's Candidacy.

One by one the players in the polit-
cal drama staged in this State for 1900 |
come before the footlights, pronounce
their prologue, or antilogue, the audi
ence pricks up its ears, and turns ex-
pectantly to the next development of
the plot.
The Mortified Ne,oS rings up the
curtain this week and the entry of its
townsmen, Hon. Frank Plumley, into
the second dlatrict contest is formally
proclaimed. The Neios presents Mr..
Plumley's title to the consideration of
the voters of the district. What the
contemporary says in support of its
townsnan requires no enforcement
Its statement of the case for him must
receive the ready acquiescence of the
other dramatiS person@. The NeDS
could not have said less and do justice
to Mr.. Plumley; it might have said
more without overstepping the bounds
of truth and reason.
1t is the right of every legally quail
fed citizen to become candidate for
public office. When the candidates
qualifications are commensurate with
the duties and responsibilities of the
office to which he aspires, his candida
ture is factor which must be serious
ly reckoned with in the final selection
of the man. Mr.. Plumley is that sort Of
candidate. When a candidate is sup
ported unitedly by the political COM
munity which constitutes his local en-
vironment his title to priority of con-
sideration by the remainder of his pro-
posed constituency must be tried with
thoughtful deliberation.
Mr.. Piumley, it is hardly necessary
to say, is supported in his aspirations
for seat in Congress by his towns
men, as he always has been for any
Office to which he has been chosen
1t has been the custom of Washington
county to stand by any worthy son Of
hers running for an Office he is capable
of filling. Washington county will un
doubtedly back Mr.. Plumley's candi
dacy for the office of Representative in
Congress, and he will thus go to the
district at large with credentials thai
must make him at least the peer of any
other applicant for the suffrages of hi;
fellow citizens.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08

made for guarding hundreds of miles
of railway connecting an army with
the base of its supplies. In South
Africa the British will have lines of
communication to keep open, as Sher-
man had from Chattanooga to Atlanta,
or Grant from Washington to Rich.
mond.
The British have destroyed, as a con-
sequence of the invasion of Cape Col
ony, the bridge over the Orange river
at Hopetown, on the railway between
DeAar and Kimberly to protect the lat
Ter point, and the Beers have countered
on the British by destroying the bridge
over Colesburg river, twelve miles
from the town of that name, and by
tearing up many miles of railway, a
movement to protect their operations
against British possessions in the north.
The Free State troops can make infinite
trouble for the British forces by de-
stroying the railways and selling
mountain passes in the regions they
have invaded.
The future of the campaign, the
length of the contest, depend largely
upon the assistance the Cape Dutch
will render their brethren of the Trans
vaal and the Free State. This may
postpone but can hardly change the III
innate result. Every disaster the En-
glsh have suffered, every obstacle the.
may yet encounter, will only strengthen
their grim determination to carry GU
their designs to the bitter end.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
Another Strike.

The employees of the Capital Granite
Company, 7. w. Eagan, manager, quit
work Monday morning. They are mum
as oysters % to the reason for their striking
explaining only that it is because OF an old
trouble which has been brewing for some
time and has now eliminated in the pres
emit strike,
Mr.. Eagan is absent from home being in
Louisville, KY, on business but he has
been notified and will return at once.
Members OF the adjustment committee
from the Manufacturers Association came
to the city from Barre this afternoon but
could learn nothing from the strikers as to
the cause of their going out.
The opinion held in some quarters, is that
the strike Is made because of the conspiracy
case now before county court, OF State
against James Doyle, ct al, this relating to
the strike which occurred last summer at
this shed over a fellow workman who IL
was claimed was not being paid union
wages. What the result will be is now I'm
certain.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
Plumley for Congress.

The Ne,US is pleased to announce
that Hon. Frank Plumley of Mortified,
is a candidate for congressional honors,
subject to the approval of the Republi-
can voters of the second district at their
next convention.
This announcement will not be in
the nature of surprise, as it has been
generally understood that Mr.. Plumley
would be candidate. 1t may be
further said that he has for some time
been regarded as the logical successor
to the present incumbent by no in
considerable number of voters through
out the district.
Mr.. Plumley has not sought TO aid in
precipitating a long and wearisome
canvass upon the voters and therefore
declined to have his candidacy an
nounced months ago along with other
gentlemen who have similar worthy po-
litical aspirations.
Judge Reads withdrawal from the
field, as noted in another column, now
makes it imperative that Mr.. Plumley's
candidacy be announced at this time.
Mr. Plumley is too we'll and favora-
bly, known throughout the State and
especially in his home district to require
al extended newspaper eulogy. He is
a Vermonter of the kind which Yer
monters like to honor. All that he has
achieved in life has been deserved, be-
cause it has been earned by honest and
faithful work.
AS clean, honorable and upright
man Mr.. Plumley is the peer of his
fal nj In ho 10
ognized as leader; and as a Republi-
can he holds high place in the party
which he has always served faithfully
and well. AS campaign orator he
has few equals and his services in the
western states during presidential cam
paigns have been highly appreciated,
and likewise given him a wide ac-
quaintance with leading public men
and political affairs.
Mr. Plumley has served in the gen.
eral assembly in both the House and
Senate and in the latter as president
pro tenn. During President Harrison's
administration he was United State
district attorney for Vermont. In
these, as well as in many minor posi-
tions, he has discharged the duties in
NPOii III @
and able manner. Neither has he been
continually before the people asking
for recognition. When public trust
has come to him, it has come without
unseemlng strife. He is not politician
in the sense that the glory of office hold
ing is his highest ambition.
Mr.. Piumley now comes before the
people as candidate particularly well
fitted to occupy the position to which
he aspires. He will be in the race to
the end and abide the decision of the
voters of the party which he has so
long and faithfully served.
1t is needless TO say to those who
know him that if chosen to represent
Vermont in congress he will serve the
states interests as loyalty and faith.
fully in the future as in the past
Mortified News.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08

ing any pledges or giving any assur-
ances that could encourage the idea of
independence through American in
strumentality. There was not even an
alliance between the Americans and
the Filipino chieftain and his followers.
They fought the Spaniards as COM
mon enemy. The Americans, also, at
once became the objects of Aguinaldo's
hostility and he prepared TO make war
upon them. There was constant and
growing friction between him and the
Americans. American diplomacy and
forbearance prevented hostile out
break pending the war with Spain and
the settlement of the terms of peace,
period during which it would have
been unfortunate to have two wars on
hand at the same time in the same
locality.
The thing the anti-imperialist has in
sisted upon most strenuously has been
that the war was avoidable. On this
ground he has without mercy assalied
President Mckinley as the man whose
hands are red with the blood that has
been shed since the Filipino attack of
February 4. The commission reports
that the war was unavoidable and tells
why. To this report, giving all its con-
illusions decisive weight, is subscribed
the name of George Dewey, one of the
commissioners, and there is no dissent.
ing voice on the commission. This
conclusion and the evidence upon
which it is founded constitute "the
most unkindest cut of all" to the anti
imperialst contention.
That the war was avoidable, ant
through the instrumentality of AID
miral Dewey, had he been given free
hand in the management OF the OBJ
streperous child of anti-imperialistit
nursing and adulation, has been thu
chief stone of the corner in the Who'll,
fabric Of the case against the govern
ment, which has now come tumblins
down about the ears of the seditiou
gang that reared it. Howls of rag
arise. The President is frantically &C
cused of springing the report, for which
all this people have long and impatient
ly been waiting, upon the public on tn
eve of the fall elections for the politica
effect it might have. Even if thi
were true, when was an accused persol
on trial ever the subject of reasonabl
censure or condemnation for submit
ting to his judges the conclusive evi
dence of his innocence? The facts, a.
along, have been dead against tn
anti-imperialists. The star witness
with whose name they had been con
juring, disappoints them, the verdict
adverse to them on every count in thei
indictment, and now they are takin
compensation for their utter discon
, future in abusing the count, while a
. the people de.ide them.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
The War in South Africa.

From the meager reports of current
events in SouthAfrica the situation there
appears to be this: Ladysmith has been
isolated by the destruction of connect
ing railway and telegraphic lines, and
the latest communications from the be-
leagured British force under General
White has been by carrier pigeons.
According to these dispatches strong
force of the British garrison on Thurs
day of last week made a sortie from the
town against camp of Orange Free
State troops at Bester's Hill, surprising
the enemy, capturing the camp, dis
persing the Free State forces and in
fiicting npon them great loss.
General White has been keeping the
Beers around Ladysmith busy by at
tacks in various directions, with the
purpose of preventing concentration
of his enemy's forces for an attack on
any particular point of the towns de-
lenses, or of detaching troops for oper-
atoms elsewhere. There are reports of
a desultory bombardment of Ladysmitb,
apparently without serious results to
the town or garrison.
The news brought by carrier pigeon
post from Ladysmith was distinctly
comforting to the British heart as it
disposed of the disquieting reports
from European capitals of hard fight
ing, the surrender of General White,
heavy Losses in killed and wounded and
thousands of prisoners taken. This re-
assuring news, however, substituted
for the old new source of anxiety,
that General White, instead of main
tanning the defensive till help can ar
rive, might endanger his safety by i'm
prudent sorties against the besieging
Beers.
But the gravest danger to the British
seems 90 be in the advance of strong
force of Free State troops into Cape
Colony. The Cape Afrikanders have
bbch NAuibAhS ONCl bhC ouICCbcCb VI
their countrymen in Natal. There is
fear In London of a general rising Of
the Dutch. That there will be large
accessions to the Boer cause is the nat
ural consequence of recent British
reverses and the critical condition of
British affairs throughout all South
Africa. An unsettled condition of the
people of the African colonies means
the employment of large part of the
armies England is sending to South
Africa in guarding railways and
bridges, holding strategic points and
mountain passes. Americans, from
their experience in invading the south
during the Civil War, understand how
great danger ia hostile population
and what immense provision must be
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
A BOmbshell in the Anti-Imperialis list
Camp.

There is CONSERVATION in the camp
Of the anti.imperialists. The Philip
pine commission has dropped shell
there whose explosion has shatterd to
atoms all the deliberately constructed
works from which the administration
has been bombarded for months past
with surmise, falsehood and diatribe.
Until the commission reported there
was a wide and unobstructed range for
the artillery of imperialism. The col
umns OF their papers were laden with
what Dewey did not say, and for these
political guerillas imputed or msnufac-
tured opinions and statements served
every purpose of truth and real fact.
Their orators were belching charges
against the administration, accusing it
of having promised, through it's agents,
independence to the Filipinos for their
assistance in the war with Spain and
having violated that promise when
peace was negotiated; of having caused
the insurgent war by overruling Ad-
miral Dewey, or by interfering with
his administration of affairs at Manila,
or by disregarding his counsels, or in
some way that was "never fully ex-
plained," but which never had the
sanction of reason or came within the
outermost range OF probability. The
Filipinos were strenuously exploited as
a people as capable of self.government
as the colonists who founded the
United States of America, and peo-
pie to whom the principles of the De-
claration of Independence unqualified
ly applied. The whole course of the
administration, its acts, all and singu-
lar, have been unrelentingly denounc-
ed, its motives impugned, insult, accu-
sation and contumely visited unceas-
ingly upon the President.
And these assailants of their govern
ment and libelers of the President
have looked TO the report of the COM
mission sent out to investigate affairs
III tiO ulNLiPNiaSO anu
formation which should be a guide to
the administration and to Congress, for
justification of their course. There is
little in this preliminary report that has
not already become a matter of public
knowledge, or which the public had not
reasoned out for itself, but it is the
first authentic statement, signed, sealed
and witnessed, of men who have in an
official capacity investigated and re-
ported upon matters which have been
subjects of public discussion and over
which there has been sharp contention.
In this circumstance lies it's chief value
and importance at this time.
As one result of this report the
American people know officially what
they had well understood unofficially,
that the representatives of the United
States in the Philippines had not only
not promised Aguinaldo independence
but had carefully abstained from max
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08
WattersOn MOralizes.

Col. Henry Watterson, editor of the
Louisville Conrier Journal, for reason
of policy rather than from convictions
Of innate right, is supporting Goeble for
the goyernorship in the Kentucky con-
test. Here is Watterson's way of look
ing at the fight and his advice under
the circumstances, all of which is pic
turesque, if not highly seasoned with
morality:
There are some public questions upon
which we are in disagreement with these
gentlemen. There are some public ques-
tons with which they are in indisagreement
with us. We are willing to leave it for
time to arbitrate these disagreements and
to determine which is right and which is
wrong. We are tolerably fixed in our own
convictions and reasonably sure that they
will be indicated by the event. But, as
Governor of Kentucky, Mr.. Goebe will not
have to coin a single silver dollar at the
ratio of 16 to /. or any other ratio. Though
Encouragement of Kentucky and backed
by Gov Goebel's acknowledgement and all
his aides-de-csmp, Gen. Breckenridge can
not harm the hair on the head of one measly
Filipino. nor levy war outside the peaceful
precincts of Hogs Lick and Hel-for-Sartn.
All OF US claim to be Democrats, and
whatever we be-there are none better.
Discounting the differences, therefore, we
advise people OF our general way of think
ing to follow our example, TO shut their
oil ga aOull N
the ticket as they take their liquor, straight.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-08

Secretary Long said of the prelmi-
nary report of the Philippine commits
sion, which is commended by every
body except the "littler Americans:
"There have been 30 many misrepre-
sensations and exaggerations that it is
delightful to have so valuable and ex-
plicit statement from board, the
composition OF which could not be i'm
proved in this country or any other.
Two of the men who are members