davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1900-12-24
MILLIONS IN DIVIDENDS.
Enormous Profits to he Distributed
During Next Month.

NEW YORK. Dec. 23.-It is estimated
that over s175.O00,000 will be paid out in
dividends during January by the great
corporations of the United States, togeth-
er with the United States Government and
the financial institutions which exist un-
der its charter. over 500. .O0G. OO0 will be
paid out in the city of New York, while
Boston will disburse $35 900, ,0o0. Philadel-
phia $20, 600, 600, Chicago SIS. 600 900, and
st. Louis and other Western cities $4,000,
600. This money will be sent out in the
form of checks, drawn in payment of div
idends on stocks, interest on bonds and
mortgages, and payment of coupons.
It is estimated that the dividends this
year will exceed the disbursements of
January. 1900, by about $40, coo, 600. and will
be the largest on record. A great many
corporations have entered the dividend
paying list during the present year, while
many new ones have been formed and will
pay out their first returns to their stock
holders next month. in the mean time
the banks and trust companies are pre-
pairing to meet the demands upon them by
calling in funds that have been loaned In
the stock market or elsewhere and are
drawing funds from the country banks.
The anticipation of this demand has to
some extent caused the high rates for
The National City Bank will pay out
the largest amount Of moHey in dividends.
as it is the depository OF the Standard Oil
Company, the New York Central and Van
derbilt railroads. and a number of great
corporations in which the Vanderblts and
Rockefellers are interested. The Bank OF
Commerce Will probably pay out the next
largest sum. as 1t Is the home of the Nor
gan millions.
oh n will he
largest amount of dividends paid out in
New York. Outside of his Standard oil in
come he will collect about s2000.0o0 in
January from the great corporations in
which he is a stoekholder. William X.
Vanderbilt will probably receive the next
largest amount. His income will probably
be nearly 81 600, 600 for the month. Among
those who will draw about $500. .00o apiece
are J. p Morgan. William Rock efeller,
Henry NJ. Flagler. II. H. Rogers. D. o.
Mills. Alfred Vanderbilt the Gould estate,
and Russell Sage
The times., 1900-12-24
The Teaching of English.

Comment is made BY an educational
journal on the TACT that many graduates
of the public schools seem not to know
how to write English or to speak it.
When they write themes on examination
papers their language is either stilted
or colloquial, and when they talk they
use slang. 1t is suggested that parents
ought to prohibit the use of slang in the
home, and that more attention should be
paid to the study of English in the lower
grades.
There is undoubtedly need for better
education in this branch OF STUDY, but the
usefulness of the suggestion that slang
should be prohibited in the home may be
doubted. Most parents know that that.
in the present generation. would be
nearly impossible. Moreover, it is pos
sibIe that what is needed in the study
of English in the schools is not more
time and attention. but a different
method.
With q little reflection it will be plain
to everyone that the curriculum OF the
modern school and college is made up
partly IN dtEpTudHte WIN NIdAitibu5
which originated in bygone age. This
fact Is partly responsible for the general
use OF slang among school children.
Slang, like overindulgence in profanity,
generally indicates an inadequate yo-
cabulary. chimmie Fadden's historic
"Wot tn" is not the only phrase which
does duty for widely varying ideas, de-
riying It's especial significance from the
context and the tone of voice. When
person has a pet phrase or mannerism
which he uses upon all occasions, vary
ing IT by infection, he is revertng to
a primitive form OF expression-that of
the animal, who has no articulate Ian
guage and is forced to express a few ele-
mental ideas by grunts and squeals. The
child often uses slang phrase because
he knows no other which will convey his
meaning. The man of limited education
or ideas swears for precisely the same
reason. There are times when 5oth slang
and profanity are useful and perhaps in
dIspepsable. but they should not be vast
ed In ordinary conversation. Good Eng
The times., 1900-12-24
Census Prophecy FuIarIed.
From The National Magazine.)

tFrom the National AagaLlne-)
Edward Wiggles'sorth. Hollis Professor Of
Divinity at Cambridge in a little pamphlet pub
li,hed in the portentous year OF l'l5, must have
had a correct idea Of the prosperity of this
country during the century Just closing, he
predicted that the population OF the British
American Colonies in 1850 would be S00o0.O0O.
Included in this estimate Nova Scotia.
now the Dominion OF Canada, which with its last
recorded census result of $4,000 added to the
100000 OF the United states fUlflla almost to
the letter the accuracy Of H. Nisglcsworth
prophecy And this somewhat remarkable fore
cast was not based upOu any species OF guess
work, but upon well defined and clearly con-
structed mathematical theory. which, reduced to
plain words can be best described in the language
of its author:
.'The Brtish-A.aerieans have doubled their num-
bers in every period of twenty five years from
their first plantation.
Taking this statistical fact as n basis for his
calculations the Harvard divinity professor con-
strueted i system OF reckoning the increase OF a
comtry's population which history has shown to
be as correct is his method was simple.
Assuming thar the lI15 population was $780,
$50 Mr. WigeIesworrh cstimIted 100000 for 1900
10. .c0oOG1 for Iss5. 20.c0O,Cel Tor 1850. 4O,-
OOl Go for is7I- and sl0O0.0al FOR 1900; and the
record OF the United states ccn=ls, since its in
itial taking in 1870. shows substantially these
figures Is follows: Census ot 1900. 5.31s 600;
1875 asaa 633 900; 1850 - lgi coo; lS5l {lSs1)
3. G5s 600; ial. with Canada. SlODO.cI0.
The times., 1900-12-24
MODERN LIFE TOO RAPID.
Bishop Potter on the Tendency
Toward Living in Cities.


NEW YORK. Dec. 23.-Bishop Potter
spoke to meeting of men in the West
Side Auditorium of the Young Mems
Christian Association this afternoon.
The Bishop enlarged upon the social con-
tact in the association. and said
There is no social problem more grave
than the tendency toward cities. In the
founding of the Republic We got delibera-
ton and reflection in the long winter
evenings with opportunities for reading
and study and thought. Men we're close
to the land. The tendency of modern life
IN cities is too great n pace.
III young man is not on the run down
town most business houses have no use
fo- him. In the vulgar. but most express
sive phrase he must get move on him
SELF If he can't get a move he must
get out. There is DANGER that under
communal life like ours a young man
under orders will lose possession OF him
self finally. The drive threatens to take
possession OF US. In days like this
man wants first of all to get possession
OF himself to have some hours in the busi-
ness days to think over his blunders and
his sins. II Is necessary that you have
time TO place yvurself that you shall
be Gods man. owning yourself when the
day is done as you did when IL began.
This is time of great material pros
perity for the country. There is a great
deal of money to be got. SC there is a
great deal of tawdriness in the spending
OF 1t. There is a great multitude OF peo-
pie absorbed in the passion for display,
the lust of personal expenditure. Watch
II in its beginnings. Remember that what
ever any fool of girl may tell you about
some expenditure that pleases her any
honest woman will respect you for car
rying an honest personal simplicity
The Bishop told story OF Tweed. "a
fine type" he said, ''of an article of which
am sorry to say we have produced more
since his time" He told the story OF the
finding of diamond in the mayors office.
which, at first, no one claimed until
Tweed pushed up his waistcoat and OK
claimed; 20, yes; it's from my suspender
button
The times., 1900-12-24
Making wood Look Like Metal.
(From the Providence Iournal.l


From Europe there comes description OF a
method OF treating wood to give il the appear
ance OF metal although Just what advantage this
may he aside from is appearance is not evident.
The wood is said to be rendered exceedingly hard
anl strong. although il is equally uncertain what
part of the process may be assumed TO confer
these desirable qualities upon wool which was
soft and weak before treatment The process is
described as follows; The wood is trst soaked for
three or four DAYS in a solution OF caustic aikali,
at temperature OF from - to 20 degrees cent?
grade and is then transferred at once to bath
ot hvdrosulphlte OF calcium. to which saturated
sblutiun OF sulphur in caustc alNali Is added after
twenty four hours. The wood remains IN this
bath. which is kent at a temperature Of from
81 to 20 degrees ceutignde, and finally it Is
soaked for about thirty TO hitv horr> in solu-
lion OF acetate Of Had The v'od i thea dried
at a moderate temperature. and nily he polished
with ! burnisher OF lard WOOD. III this Ease ii
can bc made to acquire brilliant rrctglic lstrc
and If the surface is preyiou Z" rubbed with a
piece Of lead tin. or zinc and : ass or porce
lain burni-her is used. the effect is increased
The wood treated in this resembles a metallic
mirrcr. and il is exceedingly har' aud strong.
The times., 1900-12-24
CEICAGo's NEW DISEASE.
Telephone Ear'' the Latest Amic
ton of Windy City Residents.

CHICAGO, Dec 23.-"Telephone ear" has
struck Chicago with yirulenee, and in con-
sequence there is much complaint of deaf
ness among persons whose daily duties re-
quite frequent use OF the machines.
OF three physicians seen. two had pa
tients with the new disease. while the
third was himself suffering from ear
trouble. which he attributed TO his re-
peated calls to the telephone.
The trouble is said TO nave arisen since
the introduction of the new method of
calling and Is caused by the heavy pull
current that is responsible for the snap
ping sounds or miniature explosions that
usually follow pressing the receiver TO
the ear. Through the air in the ear the
sound Of the snap is conveyed TO the ear
drum with such force that persons of
nervous temperament are stricken with
nervous deafness, for which no absolute
cure is known
The times., 1900-12-24
sALEM's CHARITABLE MAYOR.
To Give His Salary of $500 n Year
to the Poor.

SALEM. Mass, Dec. 23.-Mayor- elect
John f. Hurley, of this city. pawn-brok-
er. real estate dealer, matchmaker. and
jeweler, has planned to give his salary
of s2,500 per year. which he is to receive
beginning January /. for administering
the affairs of the Witch City. to the poor
But instead of handing over the money
to the funds of some charitable institu-
tion he will disburse the amount as fast
as he earns it himself. He knows where
all the deserving poor are, and will aid
them personally.
His plan is to keep every one of these
warm during the winter months, and to
that end will quietly send coal and wood
to their homes. During the summer
months he will keep these same people
cool by excursions to nearby sea resorts,
affording thus to many tenement DWELL
er a pleasure that is ordinarily beyond
their reach because of its cost.
The times., 1900-12-24
NO AMERICAN PROTECTORATE.
The "Discusion" Attacks the Propo-
sitiOn for Cuba's Future.

HAVANA, Dec. 23.-The Discussion"
publishes violent article repudiating any
idea of an American protectorate over
Cuba, and says it is only the miserable
remnants of Weylerism that wish it. 1t
rejects the article in the Review of Re
views on Cuba. and makes no reference
TO that which appeared last week in the
'Lueha,' which accused the so-called
Jacobin delegates to the Constitutional
Convention of having agreed that the
United States should keep Havana, CieI-
fuegos, and Santiago.
These delegates say that the conserya-
tive papers are trying to excite the radi-
Gals so that they will openly declare their
intentions regarding the relations that are
to exist between Cuba and the United
States. II this is the case hey have not
succeeded
The radicals confine themselves to gem
eralities. The delegates say as yet moth
ing has been settled regarding the rela-
tions between the two countries. Though.
perhaps, a minority would accept the sug-
gestiOns of the 'Lucha,' the other dele
gates are not considering the question of
the relations. Judging from the projects
for a constitution presented to the con-
vention, the latter will make a constitu-
tion for a sovereign Republic, with Am
bassadors abroad
1t is possible that the silence Of the rad
ical organs has induced some persons to
believe that the radical delegates have de-
cided to accept the intervention of the
United States in regard to Cuba's foreign
relations and loans. and some Cubans
claim that these delegates have declared
in private that they are ready to make
these concessions II is not likely. how
ever. that If these delegates are ready to
do this that they would confess it until
they had sounded the wishes of the people.
Others deny that the radicals are ready
to make any concessions.
The local newspapers are doleful regard
ing the coming tobacco crop. They say
that half Of last years crop is still un-
sold, and that prices are liable to be very
low. The representative OF large cigar
house says that about 100000 bales are
still unsold. and that this is largely owing
to the South African war II this war and
the Chinese troubles end. the balance of
last years crop and this years production
should be easily sold. He added that
prices viii go down to the normal figure.
Another dealer said that this years crop
was only half as large as last years, owing
to the fact that many growers. disgusted
by being unable to sell their last years
product, had not planted this year. He
anticipated good prices.
The times., 1900-12-24
MISS MILLION, CATTLE QUEEN.
The Soubriquet of Nadine Farmer,
Formerly Poor GOverness.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, Dec. 23.-Crying,
and the sympathy CT an old eattleman
thereby aroused, were the means of
bringing Miss Nadine Farmer, then
stranded and without a friend, to her
present happy life.
MISS Farmer came to Texas eight years
ago as companion to a Mrs. Payne, the
invalid wife of wealthy Toledo, Ohio.
merchant. A pretty and modest girl.
Miss Farmer had agreed to act as gov
erIess because worn out by her duties
as a music teacher. and in need OF
change.
Mrs. Payne died quite unexpec.e5I
Miss Farmer had become much ATTACHED
TO her and was much grieved. The kus-
band telegraphed directions for having the
corpse shipped to Ohio, but made no pro-
vision for the return of Miss Farmer
Abandoned among strangers. and 81
the young woman SAT Il he he psiTior OF one
OF the hotels. She planned bravely as
she sat alone but finally her grief could
be withheld no longer and she wept.
A kind old cattleman. the well-knpy.n
Bill Ferguson. had noticed her distresi.
approached her, and in his good heart
way asked what her trouble was. He s1ol
won the girls confidence and heard her
story Then as he began to unfold plan
TO her she listened fntently. He explained
that he had three big girls who needed
some one like her to come and learn
'em" reading and writing, and to play the
piano. and if she would come along to
Broad Axe ranch she would have good
home.
Miss Farmer was assured by the woman
who heard of Ferguson's offer that she
was lucky, for he was one of the richest
men in the State and before they started
out the old man suggested that he buy
piano for each of the three girls and ono
for her
The now home was very happy ons
to Miss Farmer and she was offered mora
liberal wages than she would accept. so
Ferguson started an account in her name.
putting a@ay what she did not need nor
wish to take. When an opportunity came
to buy some cattle the old man suggested
that it might be good investment for
her reserve, and as she consented about
700 cows were bought for her.
After the death of Ferguson the circum-
stances of his family were much embar-
rassed. while Miss Farmer had been more
and more successful with her investments
in cattle and now showed her gratitude
for the fathers kindness. Miss Million.
the Cattle Queen as she is now known.
has also succeeded in acquiring cattle
lands in Mexico. as we'll as in Texas.
The times., 1900-12-24
Christian warfare and Martyrdom.

To tn. Editor of The Times:
Accepting the Interpretation of ''W. L.
p" in The Times of today that the blood
Heber, beginning with the lines
The son OF man goes forth to war.
His bloodred banner streaming far,
is the blood of Christian martyrs. it is
nevertheless easy to find in the versiiied
Psalms as well as in the Christian hymns,
the sentiment of bloody battle
From Sternhold & Hopkins versifica-
tion of the Psalms CT David. contained in
an English prayer book, printed in 1916.
I quote the following:
Blest be the Lord my strength. that doth
Instruct my hands To fight:
Tie Lord that doth my fingers frame
To battle by his might (Ps liI)
Lord plead my cause against my foes
Coniound their force and might.
And take my part against all those
That seek with TO fight.
Law hold upon the spear and shield.
Thyself in armGr dress:
Stand up with me to fight the field,
And help me from distress.
Cird on thy sword and stop the way.
My enemies withstand;
That thou unto my soul mayst say:
Il am thi help at h1nd
Let them dspcrse and flee abroad
A. wind doth drive the dust
That 80 the angel OF our God
Their might away may thrust.
Let all their ways be void Of light
And slipp'ry, like To ial:
And send thy angel with Thy might
To persecute them all. (Ps 35)
As regards 'the Christian banner.
crimson with the life blood of martyrs.
it is all a monkish fiction. The martyred
saints are but handful compa ared with
the martyred sinners. The first church
history, purporting to be written by
Eusebius about the year 325, is a modern
Benedictine forgery. But even if ii be
accepted as authentic its account of the
alleged ten prosecutions prior to the year
325 shows extremely few victims. l am
aware that millions OF Christians have
been slaughtered for alleged heresy. but
the prosecutors and murderers have been
Christians also. W. II. b.
Washington Dec. %.
The times., 1900-12-24
Syndicatcs in Entire Control.

(From the ST. Louis RepublicD
]! ihe Hanna- PAYNE Frye Standard OIL ship sub
sidy bill Is passed at the dictaton OF Mark
Hanna ard President Mckinley it will tax the
American people 100000 4 year for twenty
years for the enrichment OF the syndicate. 1t
will confer absolutely no benefit on the tax
payers. 1t will probably be passed, the President
and Mark Hanna being determined upon the
grab. To this complexion has it come at last
in this country when an issue is raised between
the American syndicates and the American peo.
t,lc
The times., 1900-12-24
llsh is elastic enough to express every

lish is elastic enough to express every
day ideas.
The child, then, should be trained to use
good speaking and writing English. But
instead of this, he is too often made to
study the English of Addison, Scott, Pope,
or Milton; and it would be practically i'm
possible, and wholly undesirable, for him
to express himself always in the words of
such writers as these. When children
hear nothing but good English from their
parents and home associates, it is well
enough for their young minds to be fed, in
school, wholly on the classics; but the
average pupil in our public schools is not
in that condition, and the curriculum as
sumes that he is. There is no use in
teaching him technical scientific terms to
enlarge his vocabulary when the stock
of words at his tongues end is not large
enough to permit him TO tell the story of
runaway without using slang. The pub
lie library is n useful adjunct to the school
at this point The child who is fond of
reading devours there juvenile stories and
magazines, in which good colloquial Eng
lish is used, and he thus may acquire an
idea of the way in which he ought to
speak. II he is quick to adopt new man
ners, he will probably learn from his read
ing to speak correctly, even if he hears
little pure English at home. But it would
be good thing, especially in the lower
grades. to teach English from modern
books intended for children, in which the
pupils may see how youngsters Of their
own age should speak. The style of Addi-
son, Daniel Webster. or Burke. perfect as
it is in its way, Is not precisely the lam
guage appropriate to a ten-year-
The times., 1900-12-24

At the risk of appearing cynical, we
have repeatedly warned the friends of the
Nicaragua Canal that the great national
enterprise in question was in the greatest
danger from the insidious work of the
Panama Canal lobby. A politico-fnancial
party close to the Administration, as is
well known, holds a cheap option on the
old dc Lesseps scheme and assets. It
stands to win anything from thirty to
fifty million dollars if the Nicaragua prof.
ect can be killed and the Panama izzle
unloaded on the nation. The Panama
lobby has begun to spend money lavishly.
We do not believe that any Senator or
Representative has received a cent of 1t.
But tnat only makes it the stranger that
there arc ominous shakings of heads. and
suggestions from some of our legislators
that, perhaps, after all, the Panama route
might turn out TO be the best. The vocal
power and eloquence of money have been
much and justly praised by leaders Of
opinion. 1t certainly does talk.
The times., 1900-12-24
fusion.

(From the indianapolis N"ws)
There is a delightful scramble going on at
Washington over the ship Subsidy bill. Tie
Maine sipbuildcrs are vigorously fighting The
proposition 10 give q subsidy to ioreilnbult
ships. even though they be owned jy American
citizens. On the other hand. the people of
Massachusetts seem TO feel that there ought tc be
liberal treatment OF such vessels, inasmuch Sc
they interested in s!np buving. rather Gan
in ship building. Congres,men from tho Wrsi arc
disposed 10 favor a subsidy that Will help the
producer, rather than the ship owner While
the Democrats and Populists are opposing the
whole subsidy business. We rejoice at tins toil-
fusion OF councils, for out OF it may come the
defeat of the whole scheme.
The times., 1900-12-24
Starving porto Rico.

While the Supreme Court of the United
States is considering whether the Consti-
tuition or the Administration is the foun-
dation stone OF American Government, and
our multi-millionaires are making Christ
mas presents of millions to denomina-
tional institutions, the people of Porto
Rico are literally starving by hundreds
daily. This is not an exaggerated state
ment. II is based upon the official
report of an army surgeon sent to
investigate conditions in the island. In
scores of places the wretched inhabitants
are without food, medicine. or physicians.
They are simply being inundated on the
altar of the American trust Moloch, in
whose service their right and opportunity
20 live have been denied to them.
1t would doubtless be considered highly
improper If we were to say word de-
signed to hasten a decision of the colonial
tariff cases by the Supreme Court. But,
If that tribunal is in favor of standing by
the Constitution we may be permitted to
suggest that perhaps thousands of Porto
Rican lives might be saved by early
action. All that the island people IT ed
to make them prosperous is markets for
their produce. We have destroyed their
old ones. and we have denied them that
access to our domestic markets which
they are guaranteed by our basic law.
Weyler, at the worst was no more cruel
to the Cubans Than we are to the popula-
tion of Territory as much American as
is the District of Columbia or Arizona.
He deliberately starved the Cubans to
death. We are as consciously and inten-
tionally doing the same by the Porto
Ricans.
The times., 1900-12-24

4 calmer tone characterizes the express
sions of the British press. We are glad
of that because, a few days ago. it began
to show indubitable signs of gayety if not
gaudiness. Now it is disposed to look at
the Hay Pauneefote matter in its true
light. which is. that after a considerable
amount OF eagle screaming the United
States Senate finally ratified the conven-
ton surrendering pretty much Of every
thing in the premises to England. What
ever cause for complaint there may be
over here. We are unable TO see where
Great Britain can find any.