davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
A DEPLETED TREASURY.
Venezuela Unable to Pay Benjamin
Harrison's Law Fee

New York, Feb. 26.-Reports. received
at the state department at Washington
indicate that Venezuela is financially
not in a very satisfactory condition.
The government while seemingly well
established though a revolutionary
party is still endeavoring to overthrow
it. does not deem it expedient to raise
revenue through excessive taxation, and
its treasury is consequently not very
f1ourishjng. Besides, the country has
been pretty severely shaken by the rev
olution through which it has just passed
and apprehension is felt that the coun-
ter revolution will gather strength and
thus further delay a revival of business.
Officials of the administration have
not yet been advised that Venezuela has
paid the expenses of its representation
on and before the Venezuelan arbitra-
ton tribunal which rendered its award
some months ago.
It is known that former President
Harrison, who was leading counsel for
Venezuela, received a part of his fee
before he went to Paris, but the au-
thorities have not been advised that he
received the remainder.
If the claim is not presented, no doubt
is expressed by the officials that Vene-
zuela will regard the debt as one which
should be promptly met, and will, as
soon as its finances improve, take meas
ures to settle it.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26

invited to- make common cause with
the Catholics in securing a system OF
schools which viii take in all the chill
dren of New York, securing to all sec
ular yet giving opportunity and time to
religious teaching, so that they may not
become clever unbelievers."
It is declared that Catholics want no
help from the state in doing their spir-
itual work. but only that a plan of
secular schooling may be formulated,
such as will not ignore religion. The
idea is that in certain schools set apart
given hours will be devoted respectively
to Catholic, Lutheran, Hebrew or other
religious instruction, as the various
sects may avail themselves of the OPP
portunity. Rev. P. F. Insolvency., rec
tor of st. Bridget's Roman Catholic
church, is at the head of the movement.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26

critics the lack of which in most Ameri-
can novels is so much regretted. 1t is
the most dramatic of our American
novels. The book would make a drama
of direct appeal to sympathy, and few
of our writers have given US works ca
pable of sustaining that test. In this
it proves it's vitality. its soul There
are no feeble lines in the pictures.
There is no doubt that 1.-The Story of
a Country Town" will live, because it
is made up wholly of those elements
that are the forever of humanity, and
these elements are employed with
graphic virility and convincing truth
that will give pleasure in the midst of
painful interest.
New York World: We are not sure
that we have not found the long sought
American novel, in ''The Story of
Country Town" F'razer's Magazine
calls it 1.-The Great American novel"
Philadelphia News: The most Amer
lean of American novels. It is original.
Mr.. Howe suggests no one. It is hOr-
ribly fascinating book. Tragedy and
pathOs, humOr and tenderness, come
and go like flashes of a passing thunder
storm. He is picturesque, too, but it is
the picturesqueness Of MeryOn'S etch-
ings with the darkly bitten shadows
suggestive of ghosts He is humorous
with the humOr of a satirist like Alfred
Rethel, who pictures the dance, but the
dance of death, with pitiless keenness
and with simplicity and directness.
Gate City: In a recent article on
American fiction in one of the great
English monthlies, very explicit recog-
milton was made of the merits of E w
Howe as a story writer. He was one
of the half dozen of today to whom a
foremost place was given.
Joseph Hatton's London Correspond
ence of the Boston Herald: I find much
satisfaction in going out of my way
to commend to Americans THE Story
of a Country Town The Americans
need no longer despair of a real charac-
teristic native novelist. The Story of a
Country Town" is as purely American
as Nicholas Nickleby' is purely Eng
lish.
New York Tribune: A very remark
able and original book. There is often
quality in the style, something be-
tween the humorous and the gro
tesque. and in the manner of accentu-
ating a personality by some oddly or
forcibly. The resemblance, however,
does not amount to imitation and
sometimes the fancies are extremely
droll.
Boston Traveller: Mr. Howe's book
belongs to the class Hunt called real
literature" Here Is new material for
the discussion of the question as to
what the American novel should be-
Many a reader will finish the Country
Town with tears in his eyes, who has
read novels by the score every month,
and only yawned when the last leaf was
turned
By the same author: "a Moonlight
Boy e The Mystery Of the Locks, "A
ment;'' THE Confession of John Whit
lock, Late Preacher of the Gospel"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
GOLD DEMOCRATS RETURN.
Chicago Chronicle, Which Supported
Mckinley in '96. Out For Bryan.

Chicago, Feb. 26.-The Chicago Chron-
icle, which in 1896 was the chief gold
Democratic newspaper in the west, says
in a double loaded editorial:
Mark Hanna has parted from his
bogy.
There can be no excuse for Demo-
Gratis giving aid or COuntenance to his
man Mckinley. 1t is now the boast of
a Republican correspondent that, the
senate having passed the currency bill
by an overwhelming majority the finan-
cial question is removed Indefinitely
from the political campaign, because
even if the opponents of free coinagle
were to endeavOr to undo the work of
this bill they would enter upon stern
chase which obviously is a long one
They would not be able. even with sill
yer majority in the house of representa-
tives, to repeal this law for at least six
years. It will be idle. therefore, on the
part of Mark Hanna to raise the cry,
Wolff Wolff Nobody will heed it and
time will afford the large number OF
gold Democrats who elected Mckinley
in 1896 to give their undivided attention
to chastiSing that gentleman for his
manifold sins.
1.-The Democrats who in 1896 made
Mckinley'S election possible are now
thoroughly ashamed of the part they
had in elevating to the chief magis-
tracy a man with whose general po-
litical sentiments they had so little in
common and are likely very glad to &C
cept the hint of Hanna that he has no
further use for them.
1.-The currency question is no longer
an issue Mr.. Mckinley will come be-
fore the country as the wabbly cham
piOn of protection. SO-called; as the par
ticular friend of British aggression
against republics of Dutch origin, as
the friend and defender of trusts and as
the originator of an imperialistic pol
icy which condemns the declaration of
independence and seeks to give a new
character to the republic of North
America.
"As such, Democrats cannot but con-
denim him.
''Three years of Mckinley have dem
onstrated that to prolong his term
would be undesirable. perhaps fatal"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
GAGE AGAINST LONG.
Each Wants to Control the Hydro
graphic Office.

New York, Feb. ga special to the
Herald from Washington, says:
Secretary Gage is making a strong eff
fort to have congress enact legislation
placing the photographic office of the
navy under the coast and geodetic sur
vey.
The proposition has been antagonized
by Secretary Long who has forwarded
to congress communications written by
Rear admiral X. b. Bradford, chief OF
the bureau of equipment, showing the
desirability of keeping the photographic
office under the navy department.
The matter is of considerable import
ance to the two branches of the govern
ment, and particularly to the navy,
which has done considerable survey
work at points outside of the United
States and which has vessels now en-
gagged on such duty.
In the last naval appropriation law a
provision was inserted for surveys of
the imperfectly known parts of the
coasts and harbOrs of the Philippine
archipelago and the islands of Cuba and
Porto Rico, with their bordering keys
and waters and the minor outlying ISL
ands''
The sundry civil appropriation bill
contains q provision for the surveys
and resurveys of the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts of the United States, including
the coasts of outlying islands under the
jurisdiction of the United States" and
'other coasts on the Pacific ocean under
the jurisdiction of the United States"
The coast and geOdetic survey holds
it should survey the outlying islands
but the navy department declares it has
specific authority, and under it vessels
have been equipped for survey service
in Cuba and Porto Rico and instruc-
tons have been given to Rear Admiral
Watson to make surveys of the Philip
pine archipelago.
The navy would greatly regret the
transfer of the photographic office to
the coast and geodeitc survey.
1t has been out to congress that the
coast geOdetic survey has not
completed the survey of the Alaskan
coast which will take some years and
surveys of the Atlantic and Pacific
coats are not finally completed.
When the instruction in the Philip
pines comes to an end a great many
small vessels will be available for sur
Veying the coasts of the islands of that
archipelago and through their constant
employment quick progress will be
made in charting the coasts.
Naval vessels are actively engaged in
Cuba and Porto Rico. correcting the
Spanish maps of those islands.
1t is confidently believed by naval Of
f1cials that congress will determine to
keep the photographic offices under the
navy.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
WAS WITH BULLER.
Captain slocum U. S. a. Doesn't Adj
rnire British Tactics,

New York, Feb. 26.-Important re-
ports in regard to the operations of the
British army in South Africa have been
received by the war department at
Washington from Captain S l. H. Slo-
cum, Eighth cavalry, military attache
with the British forces.
Criticisms which Capt. Slocum makes
for the tactics and personnel of the
British have caused the department to
determine that it would be improper to
make them public and they have been
filed away in the military information
division for use by officers in their stud
les at the several military schools. 1t
is known that Capt. Slocum especially
condemns the failure of the British to
make proper reconnaissance before ad-
vancing. He was with Gen. Butler on
the Tugela, and says that in his first
battle there that officer attempted to
cross by two drifts in plain view of the
enemy, with absolutely no preliminary
attempt to reconnoitre, and that appar
emily Gen. Butler believed he had only
a small force to encounter and would
have no difficulty in brushing it aside
Failure to make proper recOnnOis-
sance he gives also as the cause of the
disasters sustained by the British at
Magarsfontein and Stormberg. At
Magarsfontein Gen. Wauchope advanced
at night with his brigade in quarter
column to capture a position No at
tempt at fanking was made The men
moved forward four deep, STUN bling
over obstructions, when suddenly
searchlight was turned upon them and
they became the target for the enemy
rifles and guns, which decimated their
ranks.
Official information as to the opera
tions of the British since the pursuit of
Gen Cronje has not been received by
the war department, but officers of the
service are satisfied the disasters which
have overtaken the British have taught
them a lesson. which they are applying
in their present operations.
Capt. Slocum is probably with the
troops which have surrounded Gen.
Cronje, leaving Gen. Buffers opera
lions to be reported upon by officers in
whom he can place confidence.
Great regret is expressed by the de-
partment that the British declined to
permit four officers to witness the South
African operations, as desired, for it
would then be possible to distribute
them among the operating forces.
Capt. Carl Reichmann, Seventeenth
infantry, is now on his way to Pretoria,
and will join the Boer troops as the rep
resentative of the American army.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
A PLACE FOR THE TOPEKA.
Auxiliary Cruiser Will Be Used as
Training Ship.

New York. Feb. ga special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Orders have been issued by Secretary
Long directing that arrangements be
made for placing the auxiliary cruiser
Buffalo in commission. 1t is expected
the Buffalo Will be used as a lands
mems training ship. The Topeka will
also be used for this purpose to take the
place of the Alliance which will soon be
relegated to the warship's boneyard
Secretary Long will approve the find
ing of the board on construction rela-
tive to the repairs to be made to the
cruiser Boston.
When the board considered the report
of the board of survey on this vessel
one of its members suggested that the
ship be supplied with twin screws, be
given an extra deck. and be overhauled
so as to put her in first-class condition.
The majority of the board came to the
conclusion, however. that while the Ros-
ton is very good ship, she is Is years
old and it would be inadvisable to spend
a large sum of money on her to bring
her up to date when she will be capable
of effective work by simply making the
necessary repairs and supplying her
with a modern battery. 1t is expected
the cost of her repairs will reach $780,,
900.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
POWER TO SIGN SENT.
Extradition Treaty Negotiated by
Minister to Chill.

New York, Feb. ga special to the
Herald says:
Full powers have been sent to Henry
/. Wilson, United States minister to
Chilli. to sign treaty of extradition he
has negotiated with the Chilean gov
eminent
Progress is being made in the negoti-
atoms for a treaty of extraditiOn with
Brazil, and it is expected that ratihca-
items will soon be exchanged with Ar
gentfna, with which a treaty of this
character was signed several years ago.
South America has long been a favO-
rite refuge for American criminals, and
it is. to prevent their receiving protec-
ton in Brazil Argentina and Chilli that
the state department has been anxious
TO conclude eXtradition treaties. 1t is
the purpose of the administration to
continue negotiating extradition treat
les until all nations are bound to sur
render criminals who have fed from the
United States.
Secretary Hay has formally notified
The Hague government of the ratifca-
ton by the United States of the treaty
signed by the peace conference. 1t is
the understanding Of the department
that Great Britain, Germany and
France have also ratified the conven-
ton.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
TWO EX-ROUGH RIDERS
Aid Yaqui Indians to Make a Fierc,
Fight on Mexican Troops.

Chicago, Feb. ga special to the
Chronicle from Potan, Sonora, Mexico,
says:
The Mexican federal troops under
General Torres have saved Guaymas
from the Yaquis, but by dint of the
fiercest fighting of the war and at a
sacrifice of 200 soldiers. The town here
is filed with wounded and all the pub
lie buildings are utilized.
Torres anticipated the surprise the
Yaquis intended. The Indians We're
accompanied by ten Adventures, min
ers and cowboys who acted as COM
manders of separate companies of forty
men each The Yaquis had also a Max
i'm gun, which had been smuggled
through at Bisbee, Arizona in a. load
of machinery. The gun was manipu-
lated, the MeXicanS claim, by two eX-
rough riders.
Torres reached here Thursday after
noon and decided to divide his arm of
200 men into two divisions.
The first and strongest, thanked by
the gunboat Democratic. left here at
daybreak Friday morning. No scouts
preceded the force and the first intima-
ton Of the presence of the YaquiS was
a whitening fire from the Maxim and of
rife volleys from concealed fortihca-
lions in a dense thicket. The first di-
vision retreated in confusion and was
sheltered in the timber growth along
the river More than 100 men fell at this
first fire. The Democratic than steam
ed up and swept the thicket with her
machine guns, but evidently Ineffective
ly. Her forward decks were swept and
the protected upper deck peppered with
bullets from the Maxim. Ten sailors
and First Lieutenant RambOlO of the
army were killed. The Democratic drift
ed for more than half a mile until a
bend in the river sheltered her. Late in
the afternoon hill signals showed the
waiting commanders of the first divis-
ion that the second detachment had
reached the neighboring heights to the
southeast in its flank movements.
A simultaneous attack was then made
from the front and flank and the In
dams retreated. The Maxim gun, dis
abled and useless, was brought into
Potam and 70 Indians. the official re-
port states, were found dead. There
was no pursuit and the Indians must
have withdrawn in good order. During
the first fire of the Yaquis twenty-three
Mexican federals were driven into the
river in panic and were drowned. The
total Mexican loss was 227. The Demo-
crata has been taken to Guaymas for
repairs
This is the first time the Yaquis have
made use of Qualifications.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
WHAT ABLE CRITICS SAY.

London Saturday Review: There is
distrust of loudly heralded books. The
Story of a Country Town" has been
written and talked about in q, very I'M
usual way, and it is all the greater
pleasure to acknowledge that there is no
disappointment. It is a remarkable
book; in all respects one of, the most re-
markable of American books. There IS
an undevelOped and undiseiplined Tur-
geneff, one is tempted to think, in this
interpreter of a life not unlike that with
which the Russian chiefly dealt, and
there is much dumb tragedy and rug
ged pathos in THE Story of Country
Town" which would not shame the dead
master.
Edinburg Review: Western civiliza-
ton in back country districts has been
well drawn by Edward Eggleston, but
with greater intensity and reserved power
by E. w. Howe in THE Story of a
Country Town"
Letter from w. D. Howells: I wish
to thank you for the great pleasure l
have had in reading your STORY of a
Country Town" 1t is a very remarka-
ble piece of realism, and constitutes a
part of the only literary movement of
our time that seems to have vitality in
it 1 don't know how to tell you the
impression the simple, naked human
ness of the book gives me. It has faults,
as any fool might say, but be sure you
have written a book so good that it will
be hard for you to write a better. Upon
your honest piece of work 1 give you
my hand, with my heart in it,.
Mark Twain: I believe this is the
first time L have ever furnished an Opin-
ion about a book, but 1 like The Story
of a Country Town" so much that I am
glad of the chance to say so. HoWe's
style is so simple, sincere. direct, and at
the same time so clear and so strong,
that ] think it must have been born 10
him, not made. His picture of the arid
village life. and the insides and outsides
more true I know, for / have seen it all
and lived it all. Big Adam" is a
mighty figure in the procession of orig
inals that Is marching out of the ark of
American literature to possess the land.
When 1 read passages about Big
Adam" to Geo. W. Gable, he shouted,
Superb He is colossal
Charles Dudley Warner: The most
remarkable novel of the year is The
Story of a Country Town" It we'll de-
serves the sensation it has created, on
ats own merits. The book is full OF
genuine humor and real pathos. The
story is really dramatic Without self
consciousness, the author has wrought
in the temper of a true artist. The
book is one of the small number of
genuine American books which cannot
be LETT ont when we reckon up our
literature of fiction.
w D. Howells in the Century: A
fiction which is of the kind most char
acteristic of our time. and which nc
student of our time hereafter can safely
ignore.
Editorial i'll Chicago Inter Ocean: We
dnd in this book those vitalizing prop
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
sothern's Hamlet Must Wait. i.

New York, Feb. 26.-Daniel Frohman
has decided to postpone the proposed
spring appearance of Mr.. ana Mrs. F.
H Sothern in Hamlet" until next Sep
TENDER. The reason given is Mr.. Soth-
erns health. His tour which has been
interrupted for ten days. by his illness,
is resumed tonight in Baltimore.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
Couldn't Get on the Stage.

Chicago, Feb. 26.-F. NJ Gregg, Of
Fort Wayne, Ind. died here today from
asphyxiation. The young man, who it
is said was disappointed in securing
position on the stage, was found I'M
conscious in his room at the Palmer
house Yesterday The transom and
windows were tightly closed and gas
was escaning into the room.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
A Pleasure Park Burned.

Chicago, Feb. 26.-Franz ThieImann's
summer garden, with it's palm house,
stage, and other buildings. and the
broad sweep of water pavilion thread
ing the edge of the lake, the breathing
spot for thousands of merry making
and rest seeking folk throughout the
summer evenings and a landmark on
the northern limits of the city, burned
early today. The loss is estimated at
$50 GOO: insurance sc. COO
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
TO AVOID UNBELTEVERS.
Roman Catholics in a Movement to
Christianize Gotham Waits.

New York. Feb. 26.-Roman Catholics
are interested in a movement which has
begun in this city to relieve church
members of the burden of supporting
parochial schools. According to its pro-
iectors the scope of the plan is general
so that all Christians, of whatever de-
nomination. and Hebrews as we'll, who
believe that children should receive
spiritual training along with mental.
may reap the results.
All persons of the different creeds are
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
Edmund Stephenson Dead.

New York, Feb. 26.-Edmund Steph-
enson, president of the Home bank and
who was commissioner of immigration
as a state officer from 1885 until 1881
when the federal government assume
control, died today aged IS years-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
New Railway Mail Clerks.

Washington, D C, Feb. 26.-John B.
Huffaker. of Fontainbleau, Mo, Olof
B. Anderson, of Ridgeway, Iowa; Ed
ward Q. Gaines, of Northport, Ala: Jno
f. Beckford, Of GAINESVILLE, Kan; Claude
H. Young, of Bloomington, Ill, and AL
bert J. Friend, of Larned. Kan, have all
been appointed railway mail clerks.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
Fire at Claremore. I. Q.

C1aremore. l. T., Feb. "a destructive
fire visited Claremore about 10 o. clock
Saturday night. destroying six business
houses including the City hotel The fire.
which was of unknown origin, was dis
covered in the hotel. The body Of
whose name can not be ascertained, was
found in the ruins. The loss aggregates
about s.. 900. partly covered by insurance.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
Brvan peclines special ca.

Chattanooga. Feb. 26.-W. J. Bryan
refused the 0ffer of the Nashville &
Chattanooga railroad of a special car
from Atlanta to Chattanooga because
that line is controlled by the Louisville
& Nashville system, which fought Viii
liam Goebel so hard in Kentucky.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
G. c. Harris Succeeds Mock Ross.

Washington, Feb. &C. c. Harris, OF
Easton. Kan, has been appointed q
guard at the United States penitentiary
at Leavenworth, Kan, and Mock Ross
removed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-26
E. w. HOWE.

The Photographer of the "GIobe Sights, y
which are copied in this paper daily.
The founder of the "Don't Worry Club, !"
whose "rules and regulations" are household
words in Topeka.
He is now writing for The Topeka State
Journal series Of Lay Sermons to appear
during the month Of March.