davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
LAUGH AND GET WELL.

The Theory of the Laughter Cure for
Many of the Ills Flesh is Heir to.
From the Youths Companion.
Laugh and grow fat" Is a saying that
contains a deal of truth and Is worthy Of
attention by many sufferers in body as we'll
in mind. We instinctively associate
jollity with rotundity and a sour DISPOSE
ton with a spare form. The rule is. OF
course. not without exception. for we often
see people with little propensity to take on
fat who are full of fun and sunshine. Such
persons are not boisterous, however. They
are possessed, it may be, Of quiet humor,
are happy and make others happy, and
they smile easily and perhaps laugh softly;
but they do not laugh loud.
The convulsive movements that we call
laughter exert a very real effect upon the
physical organism. They cause the arteries
to dilate. SO that they carry more blood to
the tissues Of the body. and the heart to
beat more rapidly, so that the flow Of the
blood through the vessels Is FASTENED. In
other words, laughter promotes the very
best conditions for an increase Of the vital
processes-the tissues take up more nutri-
tive material and the waste products are
more promptly removed
Not only Is laughter an accompaniment
and an expression Of joy, but 1t even
creates joy. Often a good laugh, excited in
Of thought and impart a general rosy tint
to what was before Of the deepest blue.
This happy effect Is due in part to the
increased flow of blood to the brain and
the consequent better working Of the in
strument of thought. and partly to the fact
that when a mental state and a physical act
are associated (the physical state being
usually induced by the mental acD the
performance Of the physical act. even If at
first perfunctory, will in time induce the
mental state corresponding to it.
The doctors have hardly yet learned what
valuable curative power there Is in laugh
ter. 1t is a precious and health giving
tonic often more efficacious than bitters or
iron and far pleasanter to take.
Let the dyspeptfc. the bilious. the melan-
choly and those who seem to be wastin9
away without discoverable cause take a
course of funny stories and humorous
books; let them retire to their closets or to
the woods and laugh out loud for a few
minutes two or three times a day, and when
they have done this month or two let
them tell their friends the secret of their
improved health.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15

guarded by semaphore controlled by the
telegraph operator at the station. In its
| normal position (horizontaD 1T means
''stopr' The preceding traip has not yet
been reported (by wire) as having passed
out of the block ahead. An approaching
engineer whistles for the semaphore. II
it is promptly pulled down he proceeds on
clear. Otherwise profanity ensues, but he
| stops, just the same. From the operator
he gets a signed statement as to the time
the other train entered the block. 1t adds
that she has not yet left it. The requisite
time (by the rules) having elapsed, the
operator pulls down the semaphore the
engineer may now proceed at his own risk
knowing the block to be occupied. 1t 1s
his privilege, however, to walt for a clear
block.
The semaphore Controls.
Wireless biography may supersede the
block, which, however, is quite satisfactory.
Bar accidents, trains trundle the entire
length Of the road at short intervals at
high speed and indefinitely. The system
here simply outlined is capable Of number
less combinations. Many semaphores gov
erning different tracks may appear upon
the same pole. The operator. knowing the
destination of the approaching train, gov
erns himself accordingly. The engineer
also. That other ingenious system, the in
terlocking switch and signal, enables one
| man to handle all the trains and engines
at a large terminal The perfected system
renderS mistakes by the operator 1mpOSSl-
BILE. Switches cannot be opened or closed
until the warning signal has been display
ed. Nor, when once set, can they be chang
ed until the last wheel has passed. A train
arriving at the terminus faces acres of
tracks crossed by switches in all directions.
Trains are continually arriving and de-
parting. Switch engines, busy little rail-
| road tugs. are flying cars all over the yard
1t is a scene to daunt veteran. How
shall he pick his way through such con-
fusion and land his train safely in the
shed, half mile more away? When the
semaphore controlling the track he is to
enter is pulled down the engineer knows
two things. He knows his track Is clear
all the way ill., otherwise the operator could
not have pulled it down, as it would have
been locked. He knows, too, that time is
exceedingly valuable in the yard. He is
entitled to the least possible fraction there
of. Owing to the interlocking system an
amount of work is done that would have
required many times the space available
under former conditions. Hence business
is expedited.
A Personality Lost.
| The individuality of the railroad man is
| lost. The crystaization of a generation 5
| experience has produced definite rules COW
ering every possible emergency. Expert in
| terpretations of orders are barred. gen.
Grafton has arisen to whom the single track
| is but a legend. The discriminating old
| timer has been submerged by the new
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
Correct Diagnosis.

From T1t-Bits.
Doctor Feeling patients pulse)-"what Ia
your husbands business?'
Patients Wife-"He IL q merchant"
DoctOr-"Has be been overworkinR him.
self Of later"
Of"
Doctor MISUNDERSTANDING"
Patients Wife-"He bought an amateur
photographers outfit last week and he has
been busy ever since trying to make a
picture"
Doctor-"Hm! Brain fever"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
'NOuHh for Me.

James Foley, jr., in the Bismarck Tribune
He needs it bad, I'm sure,
An sOnetimes-well, l b'lieve would,
N then 1 can't endure
T. tech tn muslin little kid
For when he smiles, y see,
He looks jess like his mother did
An that's enough for me.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
At the Zoo.
from Puck.

The Polar Bear-"Poor Cinnamon! He
let the peanut habit get the best Of him.
The Black Bear-"How sad! But are you
sure?'
The Polar Bear-'Certain Of it! Why.
he's gone so low he'll turn somersault for
a single muir
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
Credited i'm Part,

From the Philadelphia Press.
Mr.. NewHwed during the tin)-"Then
you don't believe 1 told you the truth when
1 proposed to your
Mrs. Newliwed-"Well, I believe you told
the truth when you said you were unworthy
Of my love-"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
Solemn Subject.

From Harper's Bazaar.
II see that the servant girl question has
been made the subject Of q comic opera In
London" said Cumso
That's all wrong" replied Cawker. "Ths
servant girl problem Is no laughing mat
ter"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
Cause for Thankfulne...

From the Atlanta Constitution.
A brief note from Billville district reads:
"Our son John as>come home from the
Philistines on a furlough and one leg The
latter means q pension for Hfe-thank the
Lord"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15

Loves Long Lease.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
"They have been engaged for eight years
and are still In love-"
How wise Of them not to end 1t all by
getting married"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15
An Overlooked Adage.

The time-worn adage to the effect that
its cheaper to move than to pay rent"
seems to have had practical exempifica-
ton over here for a number Of years past
There was meeting the other day of the
owners and agents Of Harlem fiat houses.
They met for the purpose Of considering
the lone months rent free proposition and
to take action thereon. Anybody who has
ever taken the trouble to look over the adj
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-15

To fully appreciate this little village and
its people the visitor should spend some
time In the city of the Passion Play. Hos
pitafity and honesty are characteristics
which are Unborn rather than acquired.
Their homes are plain but comfortable. and
they are ever ready to Inconvenience them
selves In order that the pleasures Of their
guests may not be hindered. It Is no uncom-
mon sight during the summer OF the Pas
sion Play to see family emerge In the
early morning from Q stable, In the loft OF
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08

ability for organization and executive
ventiOns he is already experienced,
having been assistant sergeant-at-arms
of the Republican national conventions
at Chicago in 1888, at Minneapolis in
1892 and at st. Louis In 1896.
Sergeant-at-arms Wiswell will have
the assistance and advice of Colonel
Swords, who has probably had more
experience in the direction of conven-
tons than any other man In the coun-
try.
Among other members of the Repub-
lican national committee who will be
very much in evidence In Philadelphia
during the convention is Major Charles
Dick. Major Dick is at all times a
busy man, and he will be very much
so when the delegates are assembled.
Just at present Dick is major gen.
eral, commanding the national guard
Of Ohio; chairman of the Republican
committee Of the state, the representa-
tive from the Nineteenth or Garfield,
Wade and Giddings district, and Sec
rotary of the national committee. In
cidentally 1t may be observed that this
active young man is also member
Of law firm and does his share of the
work, so that his two partners have no
cause to complain.
If Senator Hanna's rheumatism puts
a veto ON the presidents request
that he manage next years campaign,
it is a moral certainty that Mr.. Nc
Kinley will ask Dick to undertake the
herculean task. Even if the senator
remains at the head of the committee,
the ubiquitous and never ruffied Dick
will be the chief of staff. He will be
the Kitchener of the campaign. Dick
was chief of staff in 1896, although
nominally he was but an assistant Sec
rotary of the national committee. viii.
liam Mckinley Osborn, now consul
general at London, held the title.
Another member of the national Re
publican committee who will be In the
forefront of things at Philadelphia In
June Is First Assistant Postmaster
General Perry S. Heath, who is chair
man of the committee on organization
and literature. Mr. Heath is q we'll
known newspaper man who is slated
for higher honors.
Then there will be numerous old war
horses who will be able to recall the
early history of the party. Perhaps
there may be one or two present who
were actual spectators of the events
which occurred in Philadelphia in
1856, and which resulted in the birth
Of the Republican party. The conven-
ton which nominated John g. Ere
mont was much unlike a modern ma.
tional convention In the first place,
there were less than GOO delegates as
sembled, and they by no means repre-
scented the whole country.
The issues which then made politics
so stirring have been so long dead that
they have almost been forgotten.
At the beginning of the year 1856
there were four parties in the eastern
states-the Democrats, the Wings, the
Know Nothings and the Republicans.
The Wings and Democrats inclined to
unite against the Republicans, who
were fast gaining strength. Most Of
the Know Nothings Joined the Repub-
leans. In the west, except in Ohio,
where the Wings still prevailed, the
parties were Democratic and Republic
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08
OF 1900.
BY SEWELL PORD.

/ AaApOrJ EXPOSITION ana not Only pos-
sesses architectural attractions, but Is
s. idly built. The Philadelphians In
sist, too, that the big auditorium which
Is to be created under it's roof will have
all sorts of desirable qualities.
The auditorium was originally used
as the main exposition building and
was divided into several halls Out Of
these the carpenters have constructed
one mammoth hall with floor space
OF $500 feet and a seating capacity Of
| $4,000. The floor will be elevated in
tiers, and there viii be numerous large
aisles. There will also be committee
rooms, press bureaus and telegraph Of
! fees. 1t is costing about $35, 1000 to put
the building In shape.
The acoustics of the great building,
which are already excellent, will be
| further improved by the erection Of an
immense sounding board directly over
the stage, and experts claim that the
hearing properties will then surpass
those Of any hall ever used for SINH
lar purpose. The new stage viii be
semicircular and raised in steps, so
that the speaker may be seen from any
point in the building, the speakers
platform being placed well forward.
The committee has also given care
full attention to the matter of handling
the crowds at the hall, and extensive
arrangements are being made to In
sure order, to limit admission to the
building to those having credentials
or tickets and TO obviate all crowding
or difficulty in reaching seats.
The delegates will be arranged ac-
cording to states, each state having n
separate section, in the center Of which
will rise a big piacard bearing the
states name, very much as sections
are arranged at stock exchanges.
Provision is made for a small army
of newspaper men and telegraphers, so
that the will of the convention may be
announced to the country the moment
platform is accepted and candidates
are chosen.
The convention hall is located at
Thirty-third and South streets, within
Is minutes ride of the heart of the
city, and, surrounded by the various
buildings of Philadelphia most noted
seat of learning, the University Of
Pennsylvania. Only half a square
away Is the magnificent University
museum, recently opened In memory
Of the late DIR. Pepper, and Franklin
field, the scene Of many hard fought
intercollegiate contests, is directly
across the street But q little farther
removed are laboratories, dispensaries,
hospitals and other buildings devoted
to intellectual development
National conventions are always cost
ly. 1t has been estimated that the
people of the United States spend more
than S10,O00.000 once in every four
years merely on the business of nomi-
mating presidential candidates This
seems almost improbable until you be-
| gin to reckon up the various items.
Let us say, for example, that 10000
Republicans will go to Philadelphia.
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08

These are the things upon which par
tisan spirit feeds.
The machinery of a great political
convention is very simple in theory
and very complex in practice.
In theory you have the nine hundred
and odd delegates who meet, organize
into a body, prepare platform In
which they set forth the political prin-
ciples Of the party and proceed to bal
lot for candidates. The man who gets
the most votes Is chosen as the stand
ard bearer.
Why, schoolboy could understand
that.
But actually a national convention
is something very different 1t is
much more subtle. The influence
which one strong mind has over 9th
ers, the evolution of an intangible and
unspoken sentiment into well defined
movement, the struggle Of concentrate
ed mental energy against mass Of
unstable individuality-all these things
enter into the doings of political con-
vention.
Sometimes the deep laid, well matur-
ed plans of strong leaders-plans
which have been months in the mold
ing, which have been perfected secret
ly at midnight-are forced upon the
surprised delegates and driven through
by sheer strength.
Then, again, it is half hysterlcal wo-
man who only jumps on chair and
shouts and waves her parasol while
several thousand usually calm, self
possessed men are hypnotized into fol-
lowing her lead.
Probably the most unsubstantial hon.
ors;apd yet one highly priced is that be-
slowed on the chairman of a national
convention. In the first place, the hon.
or is brief. The permanent chairman
Is not selected until the convention is
organized. Then for a few brief hours
he is much observed. His name is on
all tongues. But then come the NOM
mating orators with their pyrotechnics
Of eloquence, the fever interest Of the
balloting, and before the chairman real
ICES it the great body which has set
him for a moment before the country
has done its work and dispersed.
The really important officer of the
convention is the sergeant-at-arms. He
begins his work long before the con-
vention meets, and he is n figure Of
prominence every moment it is in SEES
sion The chairman has almost no
| patronage at his command, but this
other functionary gives it out in
chunks. His title would be far more
accurate were he termed the conven-
tons business manager.
The sergeant-at-arms is appointed by
the conventions subcommittee of the
national committee. All matters Of gen.
eral convention policy are discussed and
settled by the subcommittee, but the
carrying out Of the details Is intrusted
to the sergeant-at-arms solely. In short,
the sergeant-at-arms Is In the way Of
doing either good deal of good or a
] good deal of harm, according to his
| lights.
| Financially his responsibilities are
heavy, since besides the large amounts
he pays out In local expenses he has to
| arrange In a measure for the expendi-
| ture Of several times as much more,
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08

and thus the total expenses of a con-
vention may be greatly increased or
decreased by the sergeant-at-arms. 1t
certainly may be said with truth that
he must be man of exceptional judg-
menL great capacity and unusual ex-
ecutiye force.
II the duties of the convention SER
geant-at-arms were fully indicated by
the foregoing paragraphsI he would
have comparatively an easy time, but
his work would be only partially done
were he to stop with getting the hall
in good order and making the arrange
ments for the press.
Pr viding for the comfort and con-
venience Of the delegates is really the
most important of all his tasks. This
involves arranging the seats In the
body Of the hall and the galleries so
that all shall be satisfied and furnish
ing the various subcommittee rooms
and the like. There are tickets and
badges to be printed, and, though you
might not think 1t, this is job Of no
small magnitude. Giving out the con-
tract for printing the tickets Is one Of
the first things attended to. 1t has
already been looked after by the Re
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08

[Secretary of national Republican committee.l
Uses nothing like the battle royal which
was seen at Cincinnati in 1876, when
Blaine and Conkling faced each other
on the platform as they had often faced
each other on the floor of congress.
Never were more brilliant nominate
ing speeches made. That of Inger-
soil, In which he named the Plumed
Knight Of Maine, is counted among the
political classics. 1t was at this con-
vention that the Cameron forces were
held so strongly together that when
Indiana gave her vote to Hayes at the
fifth ballot the stampede of delegates
followed and the dark horse came I'M
der the wire. N
The Republican convention of 1000
will be more apt to reproduce some
thing of the scene at Chicago when in
1868 Grant was first nominated. The
Grant convention was full of the efl-
thusiasm that must inevitably associ-
ate with the name of the victorious
general Of great war. There was no
contest, and the spectacle was rather a
mass meeting to celebrate the restora-
ton of the Union and the end of the
term Of the almost impeached Johnson
than a convention of political party.
For hours the vast assembly did lit
tie but stand on its feet and cheer and
sing patriotic songs. Old Jesse Grant,
father Of the general, stood near. the
front Of the stage, the tears coursing
down his cheeks, witnessing the gloriz
fication of his son. ,a~
Only once in the history Of Repubs
lican conventions has that scene been
equaled, and that was In Minneapolis
in 1892 when more than 10000 people
cheered for full ha9,nour as they
chanted, with a pretty woman stulds
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08

publican sergeant-at-arms Of this years
convention and probably by the CORE
spending Democratic functionary also.
Arrangements have also to be made
by the sergeant-at-arms with the ho-
tells as to headquarters for the various
delegations and with the railroads con-
corning rates of fare and the running
of special trains. Cordial relations
must be cultivated with the local police
and fire departments, and there are
almost numberless other matters Of
manager must see carried through to
a successful finish.
The appointing of assistant ser
geants-at-arms is by no means one Of
the least of his troubles. There are
generally 100 Of these at least, appor-
toned among the various states, and
the demand for places on the staff Of
the conventions manager is extremely
lively. Nominally he decides who shall
serve. but actually his decisions are
based upon the recommendations Of
the delegates. Each of these is al
most sure to ask for more places than
can be given, and the sergeant-at-arms
sometimes has a hard time to avoid
making enemies in rejecting those
for whom places cannot be found.
Unlike the deputy sergeants-at-arms
and the doorkeepers, the Office help,
messengers, watchmen and scrubwom-
en- are paid for their services, but the
sergeant-at-arms himself receives no
direct pay. His expenses are borne by
the committee, but he goes through all
the work and worry of getting the con-
vention preliminaries into shape and
keeping the crowds in good order dur
ing its sessions for the honor there is
in it and the wide acquaintance it will
give him among the prominent men Of
his own party.
Because of these things the place is
in great demand every four years, and
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08
INTERIOR OF THE CONVENTION HALL

an. In the south the American party
absorbed the Wing strength.
The first Republican convention was
anomalous in American history. Its
delegates were not chosen by any set
rule, and no regard was paid to the
number of votes to which state was
entitled. All the northern states were
represented. John G.. Fremont was
nominated for president. An informal
ballot was taken for vice president.
1t resulted in $50 for William L. Day
ton of New Jersey, ITO for Abraham
Lincoln of Illinois. Mr.. Dayton was
then unanimously nominated.
The selection of Fremont was due to
his previous nomination by the seced-
platform denounced slavery and de-
manded that Kansas be admitted as a
free state.
Perhaps the greatest surprise ever
sprung on a Republican convention
was the discovery of Lincoln. Up to
within few months of the convention
II was foregone conclusion that Sew
ard would be the nominee. There was
some talk of. Lincoln for second place.
Then the Rail Splitter" was invited
to go east and make an address to the
New York Republicans.
Even before Seward made his an
nouncement Of the coming conflict Lin
coin had declared in a speech that this
nation could not exist half slave, half
free.
II do not expect to see the Union dis
solved" said he, but / do expect that
The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-06-08

mated. Philadelphia has not had a
Republican national convention since
1872, when Grant was unanimously re-
nominated.
Like the convention of 1872, It is ex-
pected that the coming one will be SIM
ply a grand ratification meeting at
which the Mckinley administration
will be Endorsed and the present chief
executive named as candidate to sue
ceed himself.
Philadelphia wanted this convention
so much that she paid 100000 in cash
and is to spend nearly as much more
In entertainment One of the chief
items of expense is the provision of
the convention hall. You may count
on the fingers Of one hand the build
ings large enough and at the same
time suitable for accommodating a ma
honal political convention. Chicago
has one and New York has another,
but both these cities have come to the
conclusion that political conventions
are expensive luxuries. They do not
pay.
Generally it has been found neces-
sary to put up a building especially for