davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
"CUT DOWN GRAMMAR"

Teachers in the public schools of the civ
have been directed TO reduce the amount of in.
Structon given III English grammar II docs
not appear that the scholars are becoming TOO
prohc1ent Ill that study, that they can master
1t IN less time than has hitherto been daYotad
TO II, or that II has declined In Importance. Rut
there are so many other things to be tauyht-a
'oHeh OF thelh at leaSt-that it is simply i'm
possible TO give much time to any one Tore
Is drawing, for example which NECESSARILY +s,-os
a good deal of time; and sewing. which Of
course, is one of the essentials of educo+ior.
and mnsic, without which all else vould ~,
vanity; and rowing boat, which is The latest
and most precious essential of pedagogy How
can proper instruction be given in these tbtnrs
so that credltabie showing may be made on
eAaIhlhaton oay II the time of teachers and
schoiars De taken up with such things as Eng
lish grammar?
AT the present time 1t would be absurd to so,
that all the graduates of grammar schools oro
pro1cient In English grammar. 1t is perfectly
well known that they are not 1t is proboblr
within bounds of reason to doubt whether ono
m three, or one in five. of them can write off
hand letter o. an essay Of five hundred words
which Will be correct In all points of grammar
There Is well founded complaint that studan,o
ID nigh schools and colleges even are nor nro-
ncient In grammar. These things nust moor
that instruction in grammar in the primary
hho grammar schools is inadequate And ret
IL is now proposed still further to cut II dou,D
10 make time for other things No matter II
'Ie cnldren cannot speak and write their
lnoiner tongue correctly, they can draw. even
hough II be poorly. and they ran sow witch.
dropping half the stitches. In aritbr,..ia
course tney are expected to be accurate; to say
.iia' lhree times five are eighteen would never
~. ou' what need of such fnical precision IN
grammar If boy says I'VE was there" ~
! nave saw it. at least his meaning is clssr
anu Il he writes a letter without punctuation mr.
eHp'ais theFe can be supplied according N the
'as'e ana rancy Of the reader Whererora Las
us cut down grammar
mere are however, some old fashioned fou,
VINO believe that the schools would better fn,a,
.neir 'rne purpose by giving thorough instrnc.
non IN three or four fundamental and essentIa,
"lah'hes than in giving a smatterne NJ :.
pakfr dozen. They believe the common .cbooi
should first of all teach Its pupils to read .na
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
CUBAN COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATION

There appears 10 be developing in Cuba
contest between commercial and industrial in
terests and political ambitions. Al the present
time the latter are ostensibly in the lead. The
Constitutional Convention is said 10 be dom-
mated by them. Its members. if report he true
are largely politicians of the revolutionary
school, who are more or less committed to Ger
tain political shibboIeths irrespective of their
practical bearing upon the welfare of the island
They are inclined toward the absolute indie
pendence OF the island. not because the peopla
are ready for il nor because it will be best for
them, but simply because independence is as
a theory and doctrine attractive They are.
Of course. entitled 10 that view of the CASE and
their arguments Will receive due consideration.
Beyond doubt, thousands Of men have willingly
died for sentiment or III idea of no more i'm
portance than the IDEA of independence
The commercial and industrial interests of
the island are, however, beginning TO make
themselves heard They are asking which will
be better. aud which will better serve the true
interests of the Cuban people a Cuba indepen-
dent but poor. unprosperous and subject to dis
order. or a Cuba peaceful. prosperous. rich and
under the protection and direction of the United
States. And they are more and more coming
TO see that the Latter Cuba is scarcely TO be re-
allied without the last named condition A
primary requisite of commercial and industrial
prosperity is confidence: the confidence Of do
mestic and foreign capital IN the stability and
integrity OF the political system. Ii may be
that an entirely independent Cuban govern
ment would be worthy OF such confidence but
il is practically certain that it would not now.
and could not for al least many years command
II. Nor would protracted period Of lack of
confidence conduce 10 a state Of affairs cslcu-
lated 10 win confidence
II ii be said that these are sordid concep-
lions. and that political independence is 10 be
preferred TO mere peace prosperity and ma
ferlal intellectual and moral welfare. the an
swer Is thai such is not the American idea
No nation ever demanded independence more
strenuously or won IT more heroicaIly than
aid this And yet he must be blind render
OF the Declaration of 177e who does not realize
that Independence was and is after all. merely
means not an end. the end In view was
the vindication OF certain unalienable rights -
among which life liberty and the mr.
hHii OF happiness" II was TO secure that end
~aa l. safeguard THESE rights that independence
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
SmnsemenIe.


ACADEMY OF MUSIc--s:lb-Monte Cristo . -,
AMERICAN THEATRB-2-s:l5-Th Power OF 'he rleSS
6rJOU-s-1he Belle Of Bridgeport.
BROADWAY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CUTLER
CRITERION THEATRE-S-The Gay Lord Quex
DAI,Y'S THEAPRE-S:l5-The Man OF FORTY
EDEN MISEE-The World in Wax.
EMPIRE THEATRES o-Rchard Carrel
FOURTEENTH STREET THEAT2E--S-l>ost River
sARDEN THEATRE-s-L Aigon
sARRICK THEATRE-S:I 5-David Harum.
BRAND OPERA HoUSE-S-Nsughty Anthony ara
Madame Butterfly.
HARLEM OPERA HOUSFl-S:l5-San Toy
HERALD SQUARE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
IRVING PLACE THEATRE-S-The Gold Mine.
KEITH S-Contnuous Performance.
SNICK THEATIiE-S-L' Agon
ROSTER L. BIAL.S-l2:i5-S-NaUde
.YCEUM THEATRE-S:3 o-A Royal Family.
dENDELSSOHN HAII.-2-T1ano Recital . -,
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE-S-CaValleT1a husu-
eana--9:l5-FinafoTe
MADISON SQUARE THEATRES: 30-Hodge fodee "
MURRAY HILL THEATRE -Ciloriana
THEATRE REPf BIsIC-S:i5-Sag HarboT
TIE NEW YORK NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
PASTOR'S-Day and Sigbt-Continuous SHOW
PROCTOR'S-Continuous Performance.
sANOf-S :20-Mistress Nell
wALIACK'S THEATRE-S-Sapho.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
A SOUND DIAGNOSIS.


The Hon. Allan L. McDermott. of New-Jersey,
possesses a vocabulary which Is we'll adapted
to the purpose of Pronunciation. and has the
habit of using it in an interesting manner.
though not always with the highest wisdom.
Since the sixth of November he has repeatedly
improved the excellent opportunity provided by
the events of that memorable day to express
his opinion OF the party which he supported
after a fashion during the campaign, and we
are glad TO observe that the time draws near
for the assembling of Congress. OF which he
Will be a member having been elected to fill
a vacancy well as for the ensuing full term.
he shows signs of losing his frankness. He
probably will not catch the Speakers eye very
frequently the coming winter, but ii will be
odd if he does not get a chance to liberate his
feelings in the course of the session.
Having remarked with his customary candor
yesterday that the recent Democratic National
campaign was almost 'mbeCile" Mr.. McDer-
mott proceeded rs follows: The party does
mot need reorganization; it needs an emetic-
zone that will induce relief from Populism. at
''tacks upon the Supreme Court of our country
and miserable appeals TO miserable preju-
"dices" 1t seems TO us that If Mr.. McDermott
could make his party take a medicine which
would produce those results considerable re-
ensue: but let that pass. He said also that he
J believed Mr.. Bryan would have been elected if
the Kansas City Convention had repudiated
free silver. and the implication is that he
wishes il had done so. Yet how can he sincere
| ly regret the stubborn folly which in his opin-
| ion doomed the Democracy TO disaster, when
| he so clearly comprehends the wretched mala-
| dies with which it is still afflicted? 1t is
| scarcely possible TO suppose that he thinks it
would be we'll for the country to be ruled by
| a party which is in dire need of such an emetic
as he prescribes.
1t is an immense relief TO feel that the United
| States will never more be menaced by Fraudu-
| lent financial policy. but its escape from free
| slverism is not the only, possibly not the
| greatest. cause for rejoicing in the result of
| the election In describing the stuff which
| must be eliminated from its system before the
| Democratic party can claim TO be fit to exist
| Mr.. McDermCtt virtually acknowledges that all
| good citizens are bound to be profoundly CRATE
| full for its overwhelming defeat three weeks
ago If the spirit of Populism, the spirit that
| prompted attacks on the Supreme Court and
dictated miserable appeals TO miserable preju-
| dices," had prevailed. the country would have
| been in a dreadful state of agitation and far
| on the road TO misery to-day. That is a strik-
| Ing phrase which We have quoted a second
| time. 1t exactly depicts the most dsgracpful
| feature of Mr.. Bryans campaign. and i'm
| preSSively suggests the value of the victory
| which the moral forces of the Nation won.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
BANK LOANS TO DIRECTORS.

The Controller of the Currency in his annual
report has sounded timely note of warming
with regard to loans TO the directors and execu-
tive officers of National banks. He has investi-
gated the condition of affairs thoroughly and
has found that on June % of this year out of
2S,7O9 directors of National banks in this coun-
try, 1854 were directly or Indirectly indebted
to the banks under their management. The
total amount owed by these 1854 directors and
LIB officers and employees who were not di-
rectors was no less than 500, 2S7. AL. As the
capital of the National banks of the United
States on June % was $631 $50 461. it was ap-
parent that the liability of directors and Off
GERS amounted to almost one-third of the aggre-
gate capital.
Controller Dawes is careful to say in his re-
port that these tables do not necessarily nd-
cate that the directors and officers of National
banks a class abuse their privileges and
he declares that many of these loans are among
the safest owned by the creditor banks Never
thelesS, he asserts with emphasis that this
showing suggests the importance of a properly
framed law placing additional restrictions upon
these loans. In the course Of this important
report Mr.. Dawes points out that the percent
age of bank failures attributable to excessive
loans to directors and officers reached II per
cent of the total failures of National banks Is
it not plain. then. that the Controller is right
when he commits himself to the conviction
that further safeguards as to these loans should
be imposed at an early day?
He recommends the passage of the law intro
duced at the last session Of Congress by Mr..
Brosius, chairman of the Committee on Bank
ing and Currency. This provides in substance
that no National bank shall loan any funds TO
It's officers or employees until the request for
loan has been submitted in writing to the d-
rectors or Executive Committee of the hank
and approved by majority of the directors.
The report OF the Controller is temperate and
the provisions of the proposed Brosius law
seem to be devised with moderation and so-
gacity. Such restrictions will make National
banks even sounder than they are now. And
State banks and trust companies should have
no more license in excessive loans TO employees
| than National banks have
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
CAST or THE NAN OF FoRTY
ADA REHAN AS NELL GwYN.

Ada Rehan. returning TO the stage after an ab-
sence of six months cher season of ISe-190O vas
ended at Detroit May 1s, appeared last night
Buffalo. and acted for the first the part -
Nell Gwyn in Mr.. Paul Kester's comedy entitled
sweet Nell OF Old Drury' The play il in FOUR
acts and II duplicates twenty characters Nell
Gwyn and Lord Jeffreys the cruel Judge are or
posed In il. with. Of course that total disregard
for historical fact which makes all the recent Neil
Gwyn plays somewhat fantastic and comicaL The
period of the play is 1669-'7o. just when Just
after, Nell had picked up the Handkerchief thrown
to her by Charles the Second. JeffreyS was not
corder of London till 1873: and he was not made
Lord Chief Justice till 16S2-two years before the
King died But discrepancy is or TO great conze-
quence in play that aims only 10 exhibit and
embellish a purely fancifuI character arhff-ari-
ly endowed with historic naE,e Nell Gwva
and George Jeffreys were. il happened Of ahou.
the same age. Nell born in I6-H a. r.. died
IN 1851 while Jeffrevs horn ir 1915 ana IL t1icI
IN 1859. Ia this play JeffTays dspa Vel as per-
scouting and striving compass tho death ~ I
gallant young who loves and has Won the
love Of one OF his wards and Nell Gwvu IS *
hIhited coUutermninS his lordshfP. defeating
him. and covering him with -tdiCuIe while re
time she maSnanimoIsS!y COustgns tho youth.
whom she secretly loves to the ~ another
woman. and consoles herself with the love ot the
King of England. One scene. and that The best.
shows how the spriehtly Nell put the wig AMI
OF Lord Jefrreys, and in that disguise huno--
ously took measures discomht all his vIndictive
plans. The public that has seen Ada Rehan a.
Oriana Donna Niolante, Donna HypOita. aoI
I.etita Hardy. does need % be told that SHe
can easily give a brilliant performance oe such Il
simple part Nell Gwyn-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
MIR. JEFFERSON.

Mr.. Jefferson closed the first term Of his present
dramatic season Saturday night, November -.
the Columbia Theatre with performances ~
Caleb Plumner and Mr. Golight!y- His season
began October l, at Northampton. Mass. and
since that date Mr.. jefferson has acted in Wor
cester. Albany Utica. Syracuse. Rochester, CHI
cago, St. Paul. Mtnnea polls Bloomington. In
dianapos. Columbus, Cleveland Philadelphia and
Brooklyn Besides Caleb PlUmmer and Mr. Co
lightly he has acted Rip Van Winkie and Acres
The tour has been "A triumphaI progress. attended.
in every city, with crowds and with aCClama tion-
Incidentally the comedian has delivered addresses
before various literary clubs and other societies.
all DESTROYS TO hear the veteran eXpOUnd the prin-
ciples of his and desctnt the stage Mr..
jefferson. certainly is the popular actor now
before the American public. Observers who have
seen him in the course OF The professional travels
temporarily stopped declare that his acting
has been marked by great vigor and briltianCy
and that he Is In the best of health and spirits Ir
is lntimated that he Will presently go 20 Florida.
for rest and recreation. He viii resume aCtES
about the first of March.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27

write and speak their mother tongue correctly
as essentially preliminary to all real progress In
other studies. They believe that If school
does this, and further teaches arithmetic, the
outlines of geography and history, and the prin-
ciples Of government of city, State and Nation.
and if. above all, 1t teaches It's pupils TO think
for themselves and inspires them with love OF
reading and study, II does far better work
than if it hurries them helter-skelter through
vague snatches of a dozen ''ologies" and a score
of 'isms" They believe that 1t is better to
learn a few important things thoroughly than
TO learn imperfectly many things of doubtful
value. In their view of the case both teachers
and scholars are being worn out with multi
plicity of studies, and are compelled to choose
between neglecting some of the studies and
breaking themselves down And II Is quite
possible that one of these days these old fash
Toned notions will prevail. Our schools may
not quite return to the three RS" But be-
tween the three Rs and thirty fads the pendu-
lum of Judgment may well swing toward the
former rather than the latter.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27

was sought and the revolt against the British
Government was made not at all for the sake
Of n nominal and theoretical independence, but
because that Government was Systematically
and incorrigibly violating and denying these
rights In brief. the makers OF the Declaration
were animated by the so-called ''sordid' mo-
tiyes of desiring the material, intellectual and
moral webeing Of the people, and when they
and their successors completed their work in the
odontion OF the CONSTITUTION they did so with
no reference to any mere doctrine, whether of
dependence or Independence, but for the very
practical PURPOSES of establishing Justice insur-
ing domestic tranquility. promoting the general
welfare and the like.
The logical problem before the Cuban people
is how they are TO attain these ends and to
secure them to themselves and to their pos
terity And theyare coming pretty closely face
to face with n gTievouS doubt whether they
can no so without the continued tuteage of
the great Power TO which they have so long
looked for inspiration and assistance, and to
whose direct and unselfish intervention they
entirely owe their~ redemption from the oppres-
sion of centuries They are beginning to see
thai-in homely plrase--they cannot eat their
cake and have il. TOO. They cannot separate
themselves entirely from the United States and
at the same time retain and enjoy the adj
vant.ages of connection with it. With Cuba
under United States protection and control. this
country would necessarily promote the welfare
of the island. but it would be under no obli-
CATION TO exercise any such solicftude for the
welfare of an independent Cuba. Such are the
considerations which now largely Impress the
practical business mind of Cuba, and they will
probably not he altogether without influence
even among the most ambitious politicians in
the Constitutional Convention.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
official duty 1t must be that he Is growing
fOrgetful
4 WORD OF WARNING.

While the attention Of the public is directed
toward the exposures now being maze OF the
depths of moral degradation into which thls city
has fallen aud toward means Tor 1mmed1ate
betterment It should not be forgotten that there
Is only one way in which permanent renef can
be secured, namely, by placing the business Oh
the city In the hands OF men whose characters
are sufficient guarantee that they VIII perform
their duties and use their power solely in the
public Interest, without favoritism, pernieious
partisan zeal or corruption. Perhaps 1t Is as
well TO speak a word of warning at TINS moment
without in any way Understanding the value
of the present awakening. 1t is no disparage-
ment to call to mind that waves OF popular
Indignation and revolt have been more or less
frequent in this city, and that their force has
often been spent before any real, permanent
good was attained. The immediate suppression
Of discovered vice is demanded alike by con-
siderati0ns Of decency and of due regard for the
public interests. There ought to be no delay,
no manPuvring for political effect, no hesita
ton. no hanging back for the sake or saving
ammunition for the coming campaign Such
enforcement of the law as 1t is possible to bring
about under present conditions should be
brought about, and all the steps toward the
suppression of vice which can be taken while
Tammany is yet in power should be taken.
any considerable part of the work of permanent
reform can be accomplished. The beginnings
of permanent reform will come when Tammany
Hall has been thrust aside and good men have
been placed IN positions of power and RESPONSE
bility. Bishop Potter properly called upon the
constituted authorities to right the fragrant
wrongs of which he eoquently complained.
but he knows, rs everybody knows that except
for fixing the responsibility where it belongs
he might well call TO the north wind for
redress while Tammany remains in power. The
Mayor is. rather more than Tammany Mayors
usually are, a part of the vile system under
which this city shrinks and suffers He will
guard thnt system as much as he can, as much
as he dares. The system will remain long as
Tammany is in the saddle 1t will crawl ont OF
view for time If pursued with vgor, but it
will come back again soon as the immediate
danger is over, unless the men who fatten upon
it are driven forever from power.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
THE MAN OF FORTY"


Daniel Frohman rs manager of DaIy's Theatre
began his second dramatic season in that house
last night by producing four play from the
pen Of Walter Firth. of London. called The Man
of Forty" and this viewed with eager inter
est and received with auspiciops favor by ii numer-
Gus and refined audience The play is made 10 tell
Il somewhat incredible story hut II is made 10
tell that story adrotly and for the most part In
a credible ifaer Il deals decently with elemrDt o1
feelings; II displays In agreeable contrast several
positive and coherent characters; II so deveops its
fable as to arouse sustain and reward interest ::
II is written In smooth brisk and sometimes
pathetic with right Views Of conduct: and while
Its values whether dramatic literary are
neither opulent nor EXCEPTIONAL, 1t provides opnor-
tunities for acting II affords entertainment n IN
directly exerts n good influence by fayorfnK rsct,
tude and. as n notable example of theatrical in
genuity.-if nothing more.-h deserves and n ought
to achieve. abundant success. II was exceedingly
well acted IN the chief parts, which are those OF
Fanshawe. Roger punster. Lewis Dunster and
Mrs. Egerton. assumed by Mr Mason Mr. Nor
gan-who doubles Ia the two Dunsters-and thar
charming actress hilda Spong
The play IL not tragedy. and Vet n Il traSico,
In 40 far as Its movement involves a sudden death
at It's climax. There are two brothers i'm IL Roger
Dunster and Lewis Dunster. the former a gen
teman the latter hackkGard Roger Is en-
ployed by his friend. Frederick Lee Fanshawe as
II private secretary Fsnshawe. the man OF forty
IL wtdower with "A lovely daughter. Fanshnwc
has hefriended beautiful destitute lady, Mrs