davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

OF our navy is seriously impaired by the
fewness of its men. The oregon managed
to get along very well on her unequalied
voyage and in the fight at Santiago with a
smaller complement than European ships Of
her size have. She had twenty-seven fewer
men than the Vizcaya or the OQuendo,
though she was S,2ss tons larger but she
contrived to hold her own in her small
pickering" with them. despite that handicap.
We shall not apply TO the case Dr. john
sons famous statement of the ratio between
English and French dictionary makers. But
we have an idea that the number OF men
behind the guns does not matter much more
than the degree OF proficiency those men
attain and maintain in handling the guns
and especially in hitting targets with pro-
iectiles from them.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
A RECORD TO BE MAINTAINED.

The republican party has no call, says
the New York Sun, "to indulge in windy
declamations against trusts. The demo.
cratic party, sputtering against wealth.
naturally sputters against trusts. Let
it. The republican party does not hold
that property is a crime, or that the
highly organized forms of modern bust
ness are to be disturbed at the request
of the same set of persons that is
frantic for cheap dollar" But there
is a call to the republican party to main
tain it's record of hostility to monopo-
listic industrial combinations and If 1t
fails to do this the party will inevitably
suffer.
What is the republican record on this
most important question, which prom
ises to be the leading one in the national
campaign of next year? The republican
platform of 1888 has this plank: 1--WE
declare our opposition to all combina-
tions of capital, organized in trusts or
otherwise, to control arbitrarily the con-
dition of trade among our citizens, and
we recommend to congress and the state
legislatures in their respective jurisdic-
tions such legislation as will prevent
the execution of all schemes to Cypress
the people by undue charges on their
supplies, or by unjust rates for the
transportation Of their products to mar
ket" This was reattirmed by the con
yention of 1892, which also said In refer
ence to the antitrust legislation of 1880:
"We heartily endorse the action already
taken upon this subject and ask for such
further legislation as may be required
to remedy any defects in existing laws
and to render their enforcement more
complete and effective"
These utterances, with the legislation
of 1890 known as the sherman anti
trust law, distinctly committed the re-
publican party to opposition to trusts
and there is infinitely stronger reason
now than when the record was made
for Teaffirming this opposition. Then
there were few combinations; now they
are numerous, embracing nearly our
entire industrial system and represent
ing capitalization of thousands of mil
lions. Nor has the end of the mo-
nopolistic movement been reached.
Trust promotion goes steadily on and
promises to continue until every in
dustry in which combination is prac-
ticable has taken the form of trust.
Industry at large is organized into a
system of feudalized corporations, each
one of which enjoys absolute power
within its special branch of production,
while taken in the mass the system con
stitutes itself the supremest trade power
| in the nation.
This situation the republican party, in
view of its record and as the party of
| the people, cannot ignore. Referring TO
| republican antitrust declarations Presi-
dent Mckinley said in his inaugural ad-
dress: "Thls purpose will be steadily
pursued, both by the enforcement of the
laws now in existence and the recon-
mendation and support of such new
statutes as may be necessary to carry
! them into effect" The country will eN-
pect from the next congress legislation
that will enable the executive depart
ment of the government to take effective
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
ENCOURAGING REPORT FROM OTIS

The War department is again advised
by General Otis that the situation is
very encouraging. He states that signs
of insurgent disintegration are daily
manifested, while the inhabitants of
territory occupied by our troops seem
well satisfied. This information was
pleasing to the officials at Washington
as it will be to the country, though it is
hardly possible not to feel that General
Otis may be somewhat too optimistic in
view of the fact that previous advices
from him of quite as sanguine nature
proved to be misleading. Otis has been
the most hopeful man in the Philip
pines. While other officers have been
disposed to take a gloomy view of the
situation he has all the time looked on
the bright side,' so to speak At the
same time he has prosecuted hostilities
with all the vigor of a commander who
felt that he had Il hard task to per-
form.
1t is probable that the latest report
from General Otis as to insurgent dis
integration is well founded, though it
hardly warrants the opinion which ap-
pears to obtain at Washington that col
lapse of the insurrection Is close at
hand. 1t may not be very far off, but
it is quite possible that there will be
weeks or months of fighting before the
Filipinos are prepared to lay down their
arms Perhaps they have lost in battle
and by desertions fully one-half of the
force they We're estimated to have under
arms when hostiities begun, but MAX
ing this allowance they still have an
army of $4,000 or upward, most of it
concentrated at strong points. If this
army should be disastrously defeated
peace would perhaps soon follow, but
without such defeat hostilities might
be prolonged considerable time. The
establishment of civil administration in
the territory from which the insurgents
have been driven is judicious and will
undoubtedly exert good influence be-
yond such territory. Meanwhile we
think there is better reason to expect
further fighting than there is to look for
the immediate collapse of the insurrec-
| ton.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
An OId-Time sedition Law.

Recent occurrences-the taking from the
mails of pamphlet containing speeches
by Messrs. Hoar, Edmunds and Boutwell,
have recalled the old sedition law which
was enacted by the federalists in John
Adams administration, and which proved
the ruin of the federalst party. Johnston S
handbook of American Politics" says of 1t;
July IA Q79s), the so-called sedtion law
was passed, 1t imposed a heavy fine and
Imprisonment upon such as should combine
or conspire together to oppose any measure
OF government, and upon such as should utter
any false, scandalous or malicious writing
against the government, Congress or presi-
dent OF the United States"
Such law. which was actually enforced,
so broadened the definition of sedition that
Il substantially outlawed all criticism and
made the government an odious despotism.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

An indication of the unrest prevailing
in many old world countries is found in
the announcement that 10000 Galcians
have arranged to migrate to the United
States. This number is little over 10
per cent of the entire population of that
province of the Austrian empire. Some
idea of the moving causes for such Il
wholesale emigration can also be formed
from the statement that it is doubtful
If the government will permit as many
Inhabitants to leave. While this sounds
strange to the people of the United
States, who go and come as they please,
it illustrates how the heavy hand of the
law falls Apon many European nations,
leaving the people little choice in even
the most common affairs of life. 1t Is
such restrictions which have peOpled the
United States with the best of the
liberty loving toilers of foreign lands,
who have been no small factor in max
ing this country what it is today.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

action against the trusts. Existing
laws being admittedly defective and in
adequate, it will be the duty of congress
to remedy the defects or enact new
legislation that will meet the demands
of the situation. There are limitations.
of course, to the authority of congress
in this matter, hut it cannot be admitted
that these are reached in the antitrust
legislation already enacted. The prob
lem is a difficult one, but there must he
an earnest effort to find solution and
the next congress will have no more
important duty than this.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
TIE RANkRrprcr Law

Complaints are made in some quarters
ruptcy law and while it is not surpris-
ing that such is the case the fact is a
little discouraging to those who advo-
Gated the legislation, because 1t prom
ises a renewal of agitation which it was
hoped had been ended for some years
at least. There was prolonged effort
on the part of the business interests of
the country to secure this legislation
and If a successful move for its repeal
should be made it would be many years
before another national bankruptcy
law could be enacted.
The act has been in operation less
than six months and has not yet had a
fair trial. According to the referee in
bankruptcy in New York, during the
time the law has been in effect great
part of the persons who have taken ad-
vantage of it failed five, ten or fifteen
years ago. They settled with their
creditors in some form under state
laws, but could not obtain a national
discharge Now they are crowding for
ward to get national discharges and this
creditors complain Of Manifestly, how
ever, if such persons, having no assets,
are discharged without paying anything
the creditors have no just grievance, be-
cause they got all they could get at the
time of the failures.
Doubtless the law, which of course
was compromise, needs amendment
in some respects, but as the New York
Journal of Commerce says, the business
interests that have favored national
bankruptcy legislation should be ex-
tremely cautious about talking of re-
peal until the law has had full and
fair trial.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
THE wATTERSON KISS.
Information on Touching Topic
from the Star-Eyed Goddess.

Chicago Inter Ocean.
The Louisville Courier-Journal after beat
ing about the bush for some time touches
upon the very delicate point at issue in the
following manneN
"Kissing is largely matter of feeling
and impulse. 1t was, doubtless, from sud-
den impulse that Jacob kissed Rachel, and
then he lifted up his voice and wept, be-
cause he had not met her sooner Neverthe-
less kissing like the other fine arts, has a
scientific basis. To the ordinary hearer
music is merely to please the ear, but in
the last analysis it rests on mathematics.
The evolution of harmony demands the
proper number of vibrations from each voice
or instrument, otherwise we shall have
nothing but discord. kissing also must be
scientifically conducted or ii will be far
from harmonious. Diffusion in kissing is un-
scientific; the real science is found in con-
centration. To kiss 100 women in rapid
succession is as bad as to eat mouthful
from each of 100 dinners instead of sitting
down to the best one and enjoying II to
the fullest extent. To kiss one woman l0O
times Is another story"
This information coming from any source
would be entertaining and pleasing, but
coming directly from Kentucky, where kiss
ing has been regarded for century or more
as a fine art it is also instructive, Aside
from the valuable addition which Mr.. Wat
terson makes to the literature OF osculation,
1t is we'll to bear in mind that the editor
of the Courier journal is always thinking Of
the charming creature to whom he gave un-
stintingiy his first love, and for whom,
though her beauty is now faded and her
charms are but memories, he still has
warm spot in the depths of his heart. 1t
Is unnecessary to say that when Mr. Wat
terson unbends from the task of president
making to discussion of the kiss, pro-
miscuous or concentrated, it is because his
thoughts turn now and then involuntarily
TO the days when the star-eyed Goddess of
Reform was in the heyday Of her bloom.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
SHnwINn THEIR HAND.

The popocratic reformers who made
the campaign of Nebraska last year
chiefly on the ant-monopoly issue have
again shown their hand and proved
themselves rccreant to the trust reposed
in them.
Under the law the assessment of all
railroad property is made by the state
Board of Equalization, consisting of the
governor, the auditor and state treas
urer. The board has held its annual ses-
sion, but instead of revising the assess
ment of railroad property to conform TO
existing conditions. the valuation of last
year has been adopted without change.
AS usual, representatives of the rail-
roads were on hand to plead the cause
of the corporations, but the interests of
the people presumed to be represented
by Governor Poynter, Treasurer Mescrve
and Auditor Cornell, were entirely ig
nored.
1t is a matter of common notoriety
that the earnings of railroads have in
creased enormously within the past year
and their values as gagged by the stock
quotations have been proportionately in
creased. II is also matter of notoriety
that all the railroads doing business in
Nebraska have within the past year
made material improvements, not only
in their roadbeds, but in their rolling
stock. In Douglas county alone some of
them have expended hundreds of thou.
sands of dollars for new depots and built
miles of sidetrack. All these improve
ments aggregating millions have been
dumped in without adding one dollar to
the taxable valuatio of the state.
The law expressly requires each rail
road to make sworn returns of every
new locomotive and every passenger or
freight car added to its rolling stock.
If these reports have been made there
should have been an increase in the
been made the state board has been dere-
lict in it's duty to enforce the law. One
thing is plain and palpable-the rail-
roads of Nebraska We're either over
valued last year or they have been
undervalued this year.
Nobody, not even railroad manager,
has ventured to assert that their prop
critics were overvalued by Governor Hol-
comb and the last state board in COM
parison with the general valuation of
property in the state. On the contrary
the railroads have been better satisfied
with their treatment at the hands of the
popocratic state boards than at the hands
of the previous republican boards. They
have much more reason this year to feel
indebted to the reform board than they
had to the so-called republican monopoly
boards that preceded it, although at no
time in the history of Nebraska railroads
have they been in such excellent condi-
ton to bear their full share of the bur-
dens of taxation.
SO long as they can control the sham
reformers who fill the state offices by the
distribution of passes and personal
favors to the men behind the
party machine the railroad man
ayers will be perfectly content to
keep their hands out OF politics
by helping all political parties. With
them it is "Heads l win and tails you
lose" But how about the people who
have been duped into voting for the re-
formers who sell them out on every
| occocinno
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

County Attorney Shields may derive
some consolation from calling The Bee
and its editors hard Names but how
does that explain his refusal to prose
cute protected gamblers against whom
he admits he has evidence and his reten-
tion of deputy who uses his position to
protect criminals even to the point of re-
fusing to give testimony against them
on the ground that he might by so doing
incriminate himself also?
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Investigations by the late legislature
brought out evidence to show that Audi
tor Cornell had simply wallowed in free
railroad transportation since his assump-
ton of official prerogatiyes and that Re
form Treasurer Meserve boasted asking
and accepting passes whenever occasion
presented. These two reformers, to-
gether with Governor Poynter, acting as
the State Board of Equalization, have
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

They do things in a hurry down in
tlon of country at the foot of the
Wichita mountains was unbroken
prairie. At nightfall there had sprung
up the town of Mountain View, with II
population of 800, a completely organ
lied city government and "all lines of
business represented" The first day
must have been a disappointment in one
respect, however, as not single killing
was ropOrted.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

1t Is developed by sworn testimony
of hold-ups wanted in the last campaign
was control of the county attorneys
office through the election of Shields.
After Shields election the gang dictated
the appointment of his deputies and the
retention of the deputy who has refused
to testify in gambling case for fear Of
incriminating himself is proof positive
that the influence of the protection
vendors is still paramount.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Funston of Kansas is almost as BASH
full as Dewey. While he admits that
there are some political honors which
might tempt him, he says they are
mighty few and adds "rhe one or two
within the gift of the people of Kansas
| would not have the gall to ask for"
But the people of Kansas will hardly
have the gall in this case to require
him to do the asking. They will prob
ably do the asking themselves.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
The Missing Air Plant.

Inventor Keelys machines and manu-
scripts are to be returned to the Keely COM
pany by the mechanical expert at Jamaica
Plains, Mass, to whom they were sent and
some other genius with talent for exact
investigation may be afforded an opportunity
to ferret out the oxford street magcian's
unfathomed secret. There are no end of in
terested people who would be glad to know
just what relation these machines sustained
to the compressed air plant found concealed
in Keelys workshop.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Railroad magnates appearing before
the Interstate Commerce commission de-
clare that regular freight tariffs have
been adhered to, not only by themselves,
but by their competitors, and no dis
position is manifest in any quarter to
shade them. 1t would be interesting to
lay these statements for comparison
alongside of reports made to their
superiors by soliciting freight agents.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

New York's mayor insists that Dewey
return by the Suez canal and land at
that place; all because New York is
the largest city in the country. Just
why this should be is not apparent
Only one regiment of New York troops
saw any service at all during the war
and it would have been better for the
reputation of the city and state had it
never been mustered in. The only regi-
ment of the National Guard in the
union which refused to enlist was the
pet regiment of New York. Western
men have done the fighting with Dewey
and the west is entitled to the honor of
greeting him when he returns to his
native land.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

just adopted the same railroad assess
ment for 1899 that stood for 1898, much
to the JOY of the railroad managers.
And there are some uncharitable critics
who will believe that the free pass dis
tribution bears fruit in spite of protesta-
tions that no public officer would per-
nit himself to be influenced by such
small and insignificant favors.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
Boston Globe.

1t may be consoling to bear in mind that
''whitewashing" isn't peculiarly an American
practice When Kitcheners army went to
Khartoum many of the boots worn by the
soldiers had pasteboard soles and were per-
force abandoned as useless very early in the
march. There was much complaint about
the matter, but a court of inquiry, duly
summoned, after looking into the grievance,
finally gave the oracuar verdict that the
boots themselves were all right, but were
not suited to conditions in the Soudan
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
A Stricken Fathers Sentiments.

The father of Colonel Stotsenburg of the
First Nebraska volunteers, who fell dead
with bullet in his heart while leading
his men in gallant fashion has written a
letter to the War department, in which he
says of his son: II think it is consolatory
that he died as a soldier would choose to
die, and 1t is a further comfort that the
republic has many, many such sons who will
work and die for its glory and honor"
There spoke the voice of exalted patriotism.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
Words Well Spoken.

LOUISVILLE Courler-Joufnal.
The father of the late Colonel Stotsen-
burg, killed at the head of the Nebraska regi
ment in the Philippines, writes to the War
department.: 81 think it is consolatory that
my son died as a soldier would choose to
die, and it is further comfort that the re-
public has many, many such sons who will
work and die for it's glory and honor" That
is spoken like a man and an American.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
What's in the Breakfast Cup.


Brazil's coffee crop is said to be worth
$140, 600, 900, and most of the product is sold
in the United States Properly painted and
mixed with German "black jack" even
Brazilians would not recognize their own
product under the seductive names of Java
and Mocha. AS to the beverage resulting
from it, it is such coffee as your mother
never made.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12
Time to Get Together,

MlnneaDOUS l1meS.
The proposed convention of governors and
attorney generals of western and southern
states to formulate some concerted plan of
action against trusts will be useful in an
educational way. The more the subject is
studied and discussed the better prepared
the public will be to take effective defensive
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

The Filipino congress has had another
brief session, but with only portion of
the members in attendance. The alb
sentees We're probably unable to travel
fast enough to keep up with the moves.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

New York Mai. and EXpress.
The investigation into adulteration of food
conducted by Senator Mason has only just
begun at Chicago, but evidence as to the
necessity of national pure food law has
already been adduced. One important point
brought out is that, while Germany and
France forbid the sale of adulterated articles
at home, they have no laws against their
expectation, and that products of those
countries are sold in the American market
that would not be tolerated abroad.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Discussion of Andrew Carnegie's as
sertion that it is disgrace for mil
lionaire to die rich ,has developed the
location of quite number of people,
both millionaires and others, who are
perfectly willing to die in disgrace.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

The prognosticator who set October %
as the date for convening congress in
special session should guess again.
October 20 falls on Friday this year and
no president would hout the rules of
superstition to the extent of inaugural
ing congressional session on that day.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

One thing at time. 1T is useless to
agitate in favor of the erection of four
or five viaducts all at one and the same
time. Such course manifestly affords
the railroads an excuse for delaying the
construction of the new Sixteenth street
yiaduct already agreed on and ordered.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Memorial day comes in less than three
weeks. The committees of the G. A. II.
who have taken on themselves the work
of preparation should have the cordial
cooperation and support of every pa
triotic citizen in the community, and for
his patriotism.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Beverly and Elkins, w. Va, are in the
throes of a county seat war. If they
wish to know the proper way to conduct
such an affair they should import a
little Kansas or Nebraska talent.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Now that General Miles has concluded
to keep his mouth closed regarding the
beef inquiry report his lawyer has
rushed into print on behalf of the gen
eral. The public, however, has expert
enced tired feeling over this whole
controversy and prefers to have it
dropped
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

The subsistence of the waters of the
Missouri merely emphasizes the fact
that every one on this earth has his ups
and downs.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

Omaha may have no state fair this
year, but the Ak-Sar-Ben demonstra-
tions may be confidently relied on to out
shine all previous festivities. Stick a
Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-12

If the Filipino troops could be sup
piled with wine in sufficient quantities
they.might be induced to stand fire long
enough for Otis to finish them. Perhaps
the American commanders might save
shoe leather and transportation ex-
penses by replenishing the wine cellars
of the enemy.