davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
"a SOLDIER ON HIS BACK"
(Charleston Gazette.N

In many of the governments of Eu-
rope where large standing armies are
maintained, and imperial authority is
backed up by military force, every
farmer, laborer and business man is
represented as having "a soldier on
his back" This means that there
are about as many soldiers who dc
nothing toward producing their own
support, and have to be fed and cloth
ed by those who work or are engaged
in business at home, as there are men
at home producing that support. Ar
mics produce nothing but misery and
devastation On the contrary they
consume and destroy. The food they
eat and the clothes they wear must be
made by those who. are producing.
who, in addition to their own support
and that of their families, must con
tribute the support of one soldier. This
burden is imposed by either direct or
indirect taxation. 1t is usually done
by indirect taxation in order to CON
ceal the amount of the burden. 1t is
addroitly added to the cost of living,
and collected on the installment plan,
thus making the frugal and producing
citizen an unconscious contributor to
a system of miIitarism against which
he has the strongest antipathy. The
amount paid during a year aggregates
an enormous sum, and if it had been
all assessed at one time, would have
produced rebellion. Down to within
a late period this government has not
maintained large standing army.
Therefore the people have not been
burdened down with the enormous cost
of supporting it. OF late the tendency
of the Republican party is to follow
the example of the European monarch
les, and take on a decided spirit of
militarism. Already has the regular
army been increased four-fold, and it
is to be made still larger. If the
United States proposes to maintain
warlike policy toward the entire world,
it will be compelled to have a large
army. Unless this spirit of miIitarism
is checked and rebuked. it will only be
a question of time, and a short time,
until every farmer, laborer and BUSH
ness man in this country VIII have a
soldier on his back"
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
THEY ARE NOT VOTERS.
ton.
Charleston Gazette.)

Some of the Republican papers Of
this State are crying to explain the
large influx Of colored men in several
of the sections where mining and
railroad work are in progress. They
admit that several thousand new men
have been brought into the State and
that they will vote the Republican
ticket. But they contend that they
have not been brought here for col
onization purposes. It makes little
difference for what purpose they
we're brought; they are not legal
voters. The larger number of them
will not have been in the State IL
months on the day of election and to
attempt TO have them vote is viola
lion of law. Again, If these men
have been brought here to remain in
the State temporarily to work on Il
raj road, they are not voters, under
the statutes of the State, even should
they have been here Y months on the
day of the election It viii be recall
ed that last fall large number of the
miners in West Virginia left Il
State and accepted work in Arkansas
and other States. Their places were
filled gradually by the employment
of new men, and the greater number
have been employed since the 9Th
day of November, 1893. Therefore
there should be a fewer number of
voters smong the miners this year
than usual. The large influx of col
ored men in the close counties in the
upper part of the State was made
during the months of December and
January.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
PRospERITy WAVE RgcEpINo.
Charleston Gazette


Dun's Review for last week gives
out some cold facts on the state and
conditions of trade that are enough
to make chill creep up the back
bone of the political prosperity yell
per. The reports made by the trade
publications for the last several
weeks have all shown that the flow
of the prosperity wave has ceased,
and the tide has already began to
ebb. The amount of liabilities of
the business failures for the first
six months of this year are the larg-
est ever known for the same period.
The large decline in the iron trade,
both in demand and prices, is sig
nificant. The average decline in the
price of iron has been % per cent,
and the bottom is not yet reached.
The result is that the tinplate mills
have closed down, throwing thous-
ands of laborers out of employment.
Many Of the iron mills have also
closed, and others are reducing their
force. The Fall River cotton mills
have closed and several of the larg-
est wooden mills have closed and
others are running under partial
capacity. This conditi IN will con-
tinue until a settlement can be eff
fected with labor on reduction of
wages. There is also much depres-
sion in the boot and shoe trade. The
sales so far this year ullv so per
cent of what they were during the
same period last year and the first
part of last year was not a record
breaker. So far this ear the silles are
not so large as they were ddeing tbs
corresponding period of eithGr one of
the four years of Cleveland's last adj
ministration. All the conditions 20
to show that the prosperity that has
been in the land is nothing but the
natural reaction that follows all pc
RODS of depressions and dull times.
The conditions are similar to what.
they were in 1892, prior to CIeve-
lands election, the inevitable depres-
sion and reaction being plainly ap-
parent then as now. The squirt of
prosperity has again run out its nat
uEal course and already is the reac-
tion set in. It is bound in the very
nature of things, to come, regardless
of who is elected President, but If
Bryan should be elected it would be
charged up against his election, just
as the one in 1892 was charged up
against President CIeveland's cleo
ton.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
"A BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONS
Charleston Gazette.)


President Mckinley made a gracious
gift to England of strip of Alaska
IS miles wide and 100 miles long,
which includes portion of the most
valuable gold field of the KIondike.
He did this because England needs
the gold. He then paid Spain 100000
for two small islands OF the Sulu
group, which were overlooked by his
peace commissioners when they pur-
chased the Philippines, and are said
to possess no particular commercial
value. He did this because Spain
needs the money. Hanna has said
that this is going to be a business
administration and predictions are
being verified. 1t is the part of good
business principles to give away valu-
able territory at home and buy worth
less territory abroad of government
that does not even own it. He voIun-
tarily pulls down the flag at home.
and makes an Investment leading to
a larger army abroad. But there is
business" in it for Brother Abner''
and the Coffin Trusts.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14

must b done ~ professional soldiers
ouV o1smpla d inspiFatioa. Our e4v
ample ALREADY han baep apiaspiTa ton
to millions, Rsca1se our foretathera
fought for liberty. othersf nave fought
for liberty, Because our Declaration
of Independence was promulgated,
other Declarations of independence
have been promulgated.
Not only have we set an example,
but in the establishment Of the Monroe
doctrine we have been able to give to
small republics the protection of this,
the greatest republic of history. AS
the Nations population; wealth and
influence increases, its power to do
good will increase, but to accomplish
this end it must remain true to Its
principles, and not descend to the lev
els of empires and moparchies
W. ]. BRYAN.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14

Among the State institutions in the
efficient management of which the
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
Altgeld answer Roosevelt.

Roosevelt-When, through Jeffer-
son, the great West beyond the Mis-
sissippi was acquired; when largely
through the fundamentally of Jack
son Florida was added to the Union,
the new provinces, with their Indian
populations, we're governed precisely
and exactly on the Ineory under which
the Philippines are now governed.
Altgeld-When we acquired Louis
lana and when we acquired Florida,
not only did the treaties provide that
the new territory should be an integral
part of our republic and that the in
habitants of the new territory should
be citizens of our republic, to which
they did not object, but the territory
in each case was at once made a part
of the republic and the inhabitants at
once became citizens of the republic
And the same is true in the case of
Texas, in the case of New Mexico and
in the case of California. But in ne
gotiating the treaty with Spain the adj
minfstration carefully omitted from
the treaty the provision that the new
territory should become an integral
part of our republic. and that the in
habitants Of the territory should be
come citizens of the republic. The pol
icy which the administration adopted
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
The Threat of MfIitariam.

The army is the impersonation of
force. 1t does not deliberate. it ex-
ecutes; 1t does not reason, it shoots.
Militarism is the very antithesis of
Democracy. In any army the com
mander orders. the soldier obeys; in a
republic, mandates issue from the SOW
ereign people and the public servant
gives heed. Can any one doubt the
demoralizing result which follows the
use of force. even when the force is
justified by necessity? We cannot aft
ford to weaken the governments re-
lance upon the people by cultivating
the ideas that all the work of war
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14

stop the itapaEtatld4 81 votsrs upan
the eve 81 sleOtinn BY Eetusing to a.
low those 60 sent into the Vngioua
counties to cast their votes, and BY
searching out and sending to the peni-
tentiary those who do cast such Illegal
votes, as well as those who procure
them to be cast, in spite of the pre-
cautions taken to prevent 1t This is
matter of the grayest Importance and
should be attended to at once. In every
county the good citizens should keep
account of such negroes as move into
their neighborhood from nov on to 9
day of election, and should be on hand
at the polls to challenge all such as
have suspicion attaching to them, and
to prevent from voting all those who
are not entitled to vote under the law.
Do not neglect this. 1t is important.
1t may be vital.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
party saatasod ta pcVsF. Il viz 10 dls,
coutlnued as scau e. pncalhlG
Abuse Of the Pardoning Power,

In connection with the dagrant vio-
lation of the rights of the people with
regard to the bringing into the State
Of SO many criminals from other
States, attention is also called to the
gross abuse by a Republican Govern
or of the pardoning power. During
the first three years of Governor Mac
Corkle's administration 4s pardons
were issued and 10 fines were RENTED
by the Executive. During tie first
three years of Republican adj
ministration 146 pardons were is
sued, and fines were RENTED it
81 cases. A total of go under a
Democratic Governor against a total
of 1877 under Republican Governor,
for corresponding period of time.
Not only does the Republican party
evince desire to fill the State up with
the criminal offscourings of other To-
calities, but It seems also determined
that those who outrage the laws of
the State shall not suffer the conse-
quences of their guilt. Unless this is
done with the hope of swelling the Re
publican vote in the State the object
O. it is --dden.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
Conclusion.

With an abiding faith in the people
Of the state of West Virginia, in their
disposition to do right themselves and
to require that others do right by
them; their desire for good govern
ment, and the faithful and economical
administration of public affairs; their
devotion to those principles which will
best protect and perpetuate to them
equal rights, and a government in
strict compliance with the Constitu-
ton, both Federal and State; their be-
lief that a public official is public
servant, whose duty it is to consider
the interests of the people before his
own personal glorifcation and ag-
grandizement, and in their determine
ton that the ballot box in West vir-
ginia shall be used as the medium for
the expression of the will of those
who are legally qualified voters of the
State, and none other.
We earnestly and cordially invite
all those entitled to vote in this State
on the 9th day of November, 1900, re-
gardless of past political faith or at
fliation, to join with us in determ-
ined effort to hurl from power in this
State a party whose administration
in the past four years has been marked
only by incompetence, it's extrava-
gance, and its scandals. and restore
the reins of government to the hands
of the party that for more than quar-
ter of century administered its af-
fairs with ability. economy and de-
cency. and whose record in the past
is safe guarantee for los fidelity in
the future.
THE STATE DEMOCRATIC ExECU-
TIVE COMMITTEE G4' WEST v1R-
GINA.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14

toward the Philippines d o9sStiy ne
opposite az that adopted by IodorHnu,
By laekgnn and by .4toP namnnratlO Rds
manifestations IN acquiring new tor.
ritory.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
Penitentfary Mismanagement.

1t was the policy of the Democratic
party, as shown by the acts of the
men it elected to office, to conduct
the State penitentiary in such a way
as to make it as nearly self-sustaining
as possible, and at the same time bring
the labor of the inmates into COMPETE
ton with the free labor OF the State
as little as possible. The Republic
cans claim to have relieved the tax
payers of large part of the burden
of expense in the matter of running
the penitentiary, yet we . find that
the expense of conducting this institu-
ton three years under Republican
rule has been $S5, S93.49, as against
$50, 1883 under three years of DEM
ocratic administration. In addition to
increasing the cost, the Republicans
have. adopted a policy with regard to
the penitentiary management little
short of Infamous. A contract with
the Federal Government was secured
through the good offices of Senator
Ellkins, by which the Federal, convicts
from Virginia, Maryland and the Dis
trict of Columbia are sent to the West
Virginia penitentiary, there to be kept
at so much per day. In addition to
small profit made from the board of
these prisoners, the State hires them
out to different manufacturing con-
Germs that run their shops with prison
labor, and makes another profit from
their toll. But It's not only brings the
labor of honest artisans outside the
prison walls into competition with
cheap convict labor, but it is the means
whereby a large number of the lowest
class of mankind is turned out in this
State to make their homes in the va
rious towns and prey upon the honest
people of the different communities.
Soon most of them are again found
in the clutches of the law, and the
cost of the criminal prosecutions of
which they are the cause readily over
balances the small profit, of doubtful
benefit, that has been made of their
keep and work. But laying aside the
question of cost entalled by these CON
victs set at liberty in this State, pass
ing by the grave matter of having
them used by contractors to break
down the price of labor. no profit
counted in money could ever compen-
safe for the accumulation among our
people of such vicious and deprayed
characters as the majority of these
Federal convicts are. Such, prison
management is the worst that could
pc adopted. and with the Democratic
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14

ths suntsol q tho Governor, sad Goys
ernor Atkinson, in spite Of theas faota,
which are undoubtedly known to him,
has dwelt largely upon the econ
omy Of his administration as COM
pared with those of his Democratic
predecessors. However, the reason for
this overgrown contingent fund Is
plain to those who have not forgotten
the famous jaunt upon which Governor
AeAinson took his military stan, the
members of which, arrayed in all the
pride, pomp and circumstance of glo-
rious war, were taken to the dedication
of Grants tomb in New York city at
the cost Of the State, the expenses of
the trip being paid out OF the civil
contingent fund of the Governor. If
the people of West Virginia want to
have their hard earnings wrung from
them by taxation to be squandered
upon military jaunts and star carous-
ais, he Republican party is the. one
to do it for them. That is not the
Democratic way.
Republican Extravaganza in County
Affairs.
To show further the natural tenden-
cy of Republican machine politicians
to waste and extravaganza in public
affairs, attention is directed to the
counties of Mcdowell. Kanawha, Fay
cite, Monongalia and Preston. Here
for many years the Republicans have
been so Overwhelmingly in the major
ity as to allow the methods of the ma
chine to prevail, and the consequence
has been that the people are strug
Cling under a tremendously heavy load
of taxation. while in most of them
great county debts have been piled
up for the people to pay, and corrup
ton among officials has run riot to
the disgrace of the public service and
the shame of the party.
In pleasing contrast with this show
ing is that of the fine old counties of
Jefferson, Greenbrier, Hampshire and
Hardy. Here for more than 80 years
the Democrats have had majorities so
large that rings and cliques could have
been formed for the control of county
affairs and the spoliation of the peo-
pie with the natural sequence of high
taxes and the corrupt expenditure of
the public funds But in these coun-
ties we find taxes low, roads, bridges
and other public improvements well
kept up, and no breath of scandal to
tarnish the regulations of the men
whom the people have trusted with the
management of their business.
Everywhere Republican machine
rule means high taxes, waste and ex-
trayagance, with their attendant cor
ruption, and their unfailing scandal;
Democratic administration everywhere
stands for low taxation, honesty and
economy in the handling and expendi-
ture of public funds, and a clean,
wholesome management of public af-
fairs.
1t is for the voters of the various
counties to examine these records and
make choice between the two parties
making them. sr->-
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-08-14
a word About Colonization.

We wish to call the attention of our
friends everywhere to the necessity of
preventing the Republican leaders
from carrying out their intention of
having vast number of illegal votes
cast in the coming election. Four
years ago the vote of West Virginia
showed majority for Mckinley and
the whole State ticket because of the
stupendous frauds enacted at tie polls,
most of them being lie casting of
votes by negroes shipped into the
various counties few days before the
election with no other purpose than to
assist in swelling the Republican vote.
The scheme worked so successfully
then that they have determined to try
it again, and this time on much
larger scale.
Already the movement of the ne
groes has begun, and from Randolph,
Harrison, Marion, Mcdowell, Fayette
and otner counties information comes
to the erect that colored men are nov
ing in by twos and threes and half
dozens, without any apparent object,
and with no good account to give of
themselves when questioned as to their
intentions. The intention. is to flood
the border counties especially with
these people, drawn from Ohio. Penn
sylvania, Virginia and other places
where their services are not in de-
mand, and to place them where it is
,,,1,0sa5 4J,av will fIr the most e,cr,7 80,
the Republican ticket. If the Demo-
Gratis of the various counties submit
to having their elections debauched by
the participance of cattle of this kind,
they might as well not hold any cleo
ion at all. but surrender ehe control of
their political affairs into the hands
of the Republican party for all time
to come. If they desire to perpetuate
free and honest elections, and to keep
the control of their affairs in their own
hands, then they must take steps TO
The Portland daily press., 1900-07-10
NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDING.
THE GEM.

The offering this week at the Gem
theatre is bright comedy entitled 1.-The
Lottery of Love- 1t smacks very much
Of the French and it's bewildering. in
genious construction awakens a reign of
delirious fun, kind of feeling that
everything has gone into the maddest
confusion. The story has already been
given In the PRESS.
The occasion was marked by the reap
pearance of Myrtle May whose popularity
of two years ago was renewed by tre-
mendous reception from a host OF ad e
mirers She was given several bouquets
of beautiful roses.
AS Diana the twice divorced wife,
Myrtle May showed a marked improve
ment over her previous work and acted
with an ease and naturalness, showing
progress in her art which can but add to
her already great popularity.
Carrie Clarke Ward another new conner
excited considerable interest fnasmuch as
the critics have long been familiar with
her fine work as star on the Pacific
coast. Last night she displayed artistic
ability that completely captivated the
house. She portrayed Mrs. Zenobia Sher.
roway with an JUNCTION and vivacity of
spirit that made her at once the ideal
mother-in law who is always meddling
with the daughter S affairs. Teresa Max
well acted with her usual charm and
grace of manner while Willis Granger
again made his value felt as fine lead
ing man. Richard Bennett added to his
artistic success of last week. George Os-
bourne and Lawrence Eddenger prove
each week that they are a treat to lovers
Of good sterling dramatic work and are
worthy of the highest praise.
The other members of the cast acquitted
themselves in a manner to give complete
ness and finish to most excellent all
round production.
The Portland daily press., 1900-07-10

special rate has been secured and a large
attendance is looked for.
A band of gypsies with their teams and
other pharaphernalia passed through
Woodfords yesterday in the direction of
Falmouth. One team in particular which
is used as the gypsy fortune teller abode
was a very handsome wagon and was
neatly fitted up with all the comforts OF
home. This wagon attracted much fa-
vorable attention from the public general,
".
Mr. Harry Sawyer, Woodford street, clerk
at the Chenery Manufacturing company,
is enjoying his annual vacation which he
is to spend in Denmark, Me-, and vicini-
ty. His father, Capt. Lewis Sawyer, ac.
companies him, leaving for the above
named place today.