davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
John b. Wight.

Commissioner Wight in retiring from
his post at the close of his term next
month will carry with him the good wishes
and warm personal regards of a very large
portion of our community. Mr.. Wight on
taking office brought to his post abundant
energy. intelligence and familiarity with
local affairs, coupled with the highest de-
gree of personal integrity. He applied him.
self to his new work with painstaking de-
votion Believing In the doctrine that an
administrator should be familiar with the
details OF his field, he studied the condi-
tions of the District government at first
hand and was soon adept in the routine of
the various departments which were spe-
cally assigned to him. In his conduct of
the police. fire and health bureaus he
showed particular capacity. visiting other
cities In an effort to compare the local con-
ditions with those elsewhere and to learn
ways and mans of improvement. The fruits
of his enterprise in this direction have
appeared from time to time in reforms
which have in virtually every instance
brought ready returns for the strengthen
ing of the whole system of local govern
ment- In his management of the fire de-
partment especially has he been success
full. The improvements which have been
adopted at his instance have brought that
service up to a higher point of efficiency
than it has ever before attained. The same
good work has appeared in connection with
the police department. which shows Mr.
Wtght's regenerative touch in many par
ticulars. while his study of matters affect
ing the health of the city has been thor
ough and productive of important better
mentS.
Mr.. Wight has encountered, of course,
many problems which taxed his patience
and his abilities but it is due to him to say
that he has solved such problems in the
main satisfactorily. His efforts to secure
the abolition of grade crossings, in con-
nection with his colleagues, have alone
marked his administration with success, in
view of the advanced state of legislation
toward that end The regret which the
people of the District feel for the retire
ment of this conscientious, efficient Com
missioner from his trying duties Is only
tempered with the realization that he is to
transfer his responsibilities to one who
commands the confidence of the community
and who is, in many respects. very much
the same style of man and worker
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

II il fortunate that the recent disorders
AT Cabin John bridge occurred early in the
season for they have afforded opportunity
for plain speaking which may eventually lean
to reforms sorely needed for the good OF
both the District of Columbia and of Mont
spnlery county. The laws of Maryllnd
strictly prohibit the selling OF liquor on
Sunday The local option law of Montgom-
cry county prohibits the selling or hqo"r
at any time. II is a fragrant fact that both
of these laws are constantly violated from
one end of Mont gomery county to the
, other. The local option law of Montgomery
county has been thoroughly disregard'a-
Some idea of the state of affairs can be
fo,,nd from the fact that in Montgomery
county 100 government licenses for the sale
of Iiauor wholesale are in existence. ms
means only one thing-that in that county,
supposed to be surrounded by a strict local
option law at least 100 Of what are COM
monty known as 'speakeasies' are in ex-
fsTence How many more there are Is an
unsDlved question but people familiar with
the conditions say that 1870 viii not begin
to tell the tale.
At Cabin John and the other resorts
along the River road and the borders of the
District. not only is this law violated every
day. openly. brazenly, but the state Sunday
law is thoroughly torn into shreds once
every week. There is not a day and hardly
an hour from one weeks end to another
when conscientious officer of the law in
Montgomery county could not secure evil
dence sufficient TO close up any one of these
places. There is no question of the officers
not knowing of their existence. because
they are run as openly as any saloon in the
District of Columbia. The known facts of
the case demonstrate that there is derelic
ton or corruption among the officials
whose sworn duty 1t is to enforce the laws
of the state and the county. whether they
personally approve of them or not. There
can be no other explanation of this con-
tnuous wide-open liquor selling in Mont
gomery county. Either explanation is dis
graceful to the county. and the conditions
resulting are menace to the District of
Columbia. and it would be Well that these
officials should be reminded in a forcible
way that there is still a power superior to
theirs capable of demanding that laws
must be enforced and not disregarded.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
Roosevelt and the vice Presidency.

Gov. Roosevelt is travelling in the middle
states, and the suggestion of his name for
the vice presidency still pursues him The
people are curious on the point. and news
paper reporters all along the line of his
journey are interrogating him about the
matter. He Is replying in tenor as he has
replied from the first He is not candI-
date and does not want the nomination, and
he says SO very frankly. He sometimes
speaks about the matter with such en-
phasis that his remarks are interpreted in
some quarters to mean that he would re-
fuse the nomination if formally made. But
Gov. Roosevelt has not SO declared in ex-
press terms. and there is reason to believe
that he will not 1t would be anything but
wise or profitable for him to do So
y somewhat strained Interpretation, too
seems to be put upon the desire of Gov
Roosevelt to make a second race for the
office he now holds. That desire. we may
well believe. is based upon a liking for the
duties Of the office, and upon the hope of
being able TO complete important work al
ready begun 1t is not based upon the vain
presumption that no other republican could
hope to carry New York this year. Such
an attitude would both discredit the man
and reflect upon his party at home and
throughout the country. If, with sound
money, protection and expansion as the
national issues, New York is a doubtful
state and can only be carried by an attrac-
tive man on personal grounds. then what
are the prospects for republican success
elsewhere?
or course this argument may be applied
to the national situation, and it would ap-
ply If those who are urging Gov. Roosevelt
for the vice presidency were insisting that
his nomination is essential to republican
success. That, however, seems not to be
their contention. for such a contention
could not we'll be supported in view of the
unusually excellent field from which the
republicans have to choose, Gov Roosevelt
is only one of several strong and available
men But. in addition to the strength pos
sessed by the others, he has Individual
qualities which his admirers-and they are
numerous-feel would make him very effec-
tive on the stump this year, and hence they
are pressing him for the nomination
But the whole question is still open, and
IS likely to remain SO until Philadelphia is
reached The only thing at all clear about
the matter at this time is that no one state
will be able either TO stampede the conven-
ton in anybody's favor, or balk it of its
choice il the convention rushes Of its own
accord TO anybody's side.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
"ashinRton's School Reform.


The demand for school reform in Wash
lnston, ID. c., Is about to be granted The
Senate committee before which the charges
brought against the school system of the
capital were formally laid has made a sun
Elementary report which sustains the
charge that too much attention has been
paid to the development of the high schools
while the lower grades have been CORE
spondingly neglected. Thirteen years ago
a system of examinations was in vogue
that served as a barrier to a too rapid ad-
vance of the pupils through the various
grades, and supplied the high schools with
better c.ass Of graduates from the
grades. These examinations were abolished
and policy of rushing the pupils toward
the high schools inaugurated The amhj-
ton of teachers turned toward the work of
graduating the greatest number of pupils
in the race toward the high schools and In
consequence the pupils who graduated from
the graded schools soon became a woefulIy
deficient lot
The mistake at Washington consisted in
going to extremes. The old-time examina.
ton system may have been too exactinp
and In need of reform: but 1t had some
good elements, and these should have beer
retained. The bars should not have beer
let down altogether. In Milwaukee the old.
time examination has been revised and eff
fort is made to enable the brighter pupils
to proceed through the grades at a pace
commensurate with their intellectual de.
velopment. But there is a weakness even
III Inns SSSteH SrOWlHS out OF the policy OF
holding teacher responsible for the ina.
biity OF class to pass after the
prescribed amount of schooling In the
various grades. This inclines the teach
err toward a policy of leniency in
her markings, and inaugurates sys.
tenn of rushing that has the i'll effects
which were experienced more severely in
Washington only because the rushing evil
was there more pronounced
Owing to the fact that her affairs are
managed by Congress, and are therefore
in the hands Of uninf1uenced non-residents
Washington has been able to bring about q
reform.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
The Breezy Visitor.

He borrows match and postage stamp
And pencil and paper, too;
And he dulls your knife
tbs his joy in life
Such damage as this to do.
He whittles away like a graceless scamp
And the chips all around you fall;
And You stand and wait
While he reigns in state,
And he never says thanks at ALL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
Ninety-One More.

This weeks contribution by the House OF
Representatives to the years list of spe-
cal pension bills laws IS ninety-one cases.
which were hustled through yesterday I'M
der the new rule which sets aside one ,lay
out Of every seven for this purpose. Nine
ty-one instances in which the claimant
could not meet with the requirements of
the statutes We're taken up out of charity.
fayoritism, political necessity or personal
interest and given the seal of special en-
actment. Having been rejected In most in
stances by the pension bureau these cases
must have represented the toughest of nuts
to crack. They doubtless involved com
pick considerations Of law and fact. The
necessity Tor acute Determinations was I'M
questionably keener in connection with
them than with the multitude of cases
weekly adjudicated by the bureau. Yet the
House. with a limited force for special
dealing and examination and the barest
fragment of time for debate did not hest
tate to venture upon the thin ice of equity
and pass these ninety-one acts which are
certain to incite scores and hundreds of
other claimants to seek the same privileges.
There Were, of course, some yirtuous and
deserving cases among the ninety-one Pa
triotism and honor often demand excep-
ttonal treatment of individuals The widow
of Colonel StOtsenberg. who was killed in
the Philippines, for example, was yester-
day granted an allowance which she could
not have secured under the law. Do not
these repeated evidences of the generosity
and carelessness of Congress prove that
the special act privilege should be reserved
for Just such cases as that of Mrs. Sto.-
senberg and not extended TO the thousands
of claimants who. with far less warrant
than that woman, lay their claims before
Congress each session and In far too large
a proportion. secure favorable actiono
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

You really haven't any aristocracy In
America, you KNOW" said the gentleman
from Europe.
Il don't know" answered Miss Cayenne.
We have some very exclusive biue-blood-
ed families. You may not hear much of
them. as they have resources as a rule and
don't advertise. We haven't yet quite
reached the point where aristocracy Is fol-
lowed profession"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

From the Philadelphia Times,

The protracted and earnest debate on the
right OF Mr.. Quay to be admitted to the
Senate by the appointment of Governor
Stone. will doubtless make the decision s,f
the Senate final determination of the is
sue. There is little likelihood that any
governor will hereafter assume the author
ity to fill a vacancy in the Senate that did
rot occur during tho recess of the leeisIa-
ture. Hereafter senatorial deadiocks in n
legislature will be we'll understood to mean
that the state shall be unrepresented until
the legislature performs its duty
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

I'm waitin', I'm watin fur days of joy,
When orators have their way,
An all of the people their time employ
In maxim the world more gay.
When there's nothin' to sing but songs of
glee,
An were sngin' 'em as we should;
When every neighbor speaks frank and
free,
An all of the news is good.
oh. fur the time when I'll cast my vote
Fur the people who promise fair;
When you won't have to bother about the
note
And the interest CROWN there;
When well draw on this mortgage that
frets us so
A dividend big and fine;
When there's nothin' but profit where'er
you go
Nothin' but checks to sign
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Minister WI very amiabIy and interest
ingly critlcises American women and their
undomestic ambitions. He will scarcely
hold up the Empress Dowager as an ex-
ample of devotion to the gentle arts of the
housewife
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
Explanatory,

Did you ever go back on a friend"
asked the young man who Is learning poll
tics.
Never answered Senator Sorghum with
emphasis. But" he added. in a qualifying
tone. Il have sometimes been forced by
business interests to change my mind very
suddenly about who my friends were"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

The Porto Ricans could not understand
how man as simply attired as Mr. Allen
could be great parsonage. He might
have had the foresight to at least borrow
d few of Mr.. Woodruff's waistcoats with
which to dazzle the natives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
His Quiet Assurance,

One finds very little real poetry in print
nowadays" remarked the young woman.
Yes. answer Mr.. Bardly Scrips, as he
pushed his hair back from his brow, Its
the old story with me. If a man wants to
be sure something is well done he must
do it himself
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28
SHOOTING STARS.
Publicity,

am content to be numbered among
the politically dead" said one politician.
L don't blame you,'' said the other. IF
1 were in your place I'd rather have an cpl
taph than to have nothing at all said about
me-"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Governor Roosevelt will have to express
himself with care to avoid giving offense
to the gentleman who is finally persuaded
TO accept the vice presidential nomination
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

The Ohio man who declared that Bryan
II elected would be assassinated as Goebel
was ought to be taken to the nearest pump
He is too 1nf1ammatory.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

David B. Hill is displaying a great deal
of activity in New York politics, although
nothing has been said about his having
brought Richard Croker to a state of sub
lection
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Tom Watson's announcement that he ia
a dead one may be merely an invitation to
the political students to try gaivanic ex-
perinents
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Some Of the preparations for the demo-
cratic convention show a disposition to
crowd the ordinary Fourth of July celebra-
ton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Possibly Messrs. Clark and DAILY Of
Montana would both feel a certain grim
satisfaction If they could get look at each
others check stubs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Mr. Quay will not cry over split milk
but he will probably have long mem
DRY FOR the man who pushed the can over
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Gentlemen who go to the Senate are re-
queSted to be cautious about flourishinc
their bank books
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

There is great deal of alleged piety and
reform being exploited at present which
sound like common profanity,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

Further Senatorial Sanitation,
From the Philadelphia Ledger
Senator Clark still has 1t in his power Z,
further purify the Senate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-28

OIn order To avoid delays, on ac-
count of personal absence. letters TO
THE STAR should not he addressed
to any Individual connected with the
ONCE but simply to THE STAR, or to
the Editorial or Business DEPART
n,-nts. according to tenor or pnrpose.
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1900-12-14

RECEIPTS FROM ALL SOURCES.
Balance in Treasury June
30. 1900. 0.................s39,45O SO
General licenses. 1881 10
Per Prop tax 1900 2,lGO34
Fees col'ted by Co
officers ........ 50S IS
Gaming licenses. S25 90
Irregular sources. 1890
Poll tax, 1900. ..... Al 90
Tax proceeds OF
mines .......... l224t
Delinquent prop.
tax. ! 40
Ten per cent de-
hnquent tax. 357
Tct%l...... s45,079 63
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1900-12-14
The Prplln Wreck.

Tho Silver State gives tho follow.
ing particulars 81 ;hc Pcplin wreck.
mentIonOi which was made Yesterday:
As the result Of carelcssncss in
leaving u switch open, another wreck
occurred Saturday morning nt side.
trnck named Pepiin. on kcltOn hill,
ninety miles west Of Ogden. The nc
cident bciell two extras. Tho cust.
bound extra had orders to meet the
westbound extra nt Poplin, where il
had arrived and waited nearly two
hOurs. Tho wcstbounf- cxtrn not
showing up. the eastbound was given
the right nf track and held the main
line. Tho head brakeman opened
the switch to let the wcstbOunh cxtra
eidctrnck nud lett II open. II then
became apparent the castbound train
could not proceed against a passcn.
ger train almost due, aud il backed
up aud headed into the siding, the
east end switch still being left open.
lho tram lihd Just got III Tie clchT
when the westbound extra Hhowed
up, coming down tho hill a. fifty
milrs an hour. II is said tho west.
bound train was given signal to
come ahead. Tho air was released
and tho train ran into the switch loft
open by the brakeman. and thence
into the eidetrackcd irain.
Each tram was drawn by mogul
and helper engine nud the force Of
tho collision was fearful. All four
engines were completely demolished,
and were pilcd up in frightiul man.
nor. a tramp was killed, but the cn
gincmon jumped md saved their
livce. IL wilt takr week TO clcar
tho wrock aud the loss 10 tho com.
pony runs INTO tho high thousands.
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1900-12-14

When Cor if) the prince Of Wales be-
comes King hc vii. br addressed as
sire" This miEhI be shortened to
sir" without nircHsc.
II YOU should happen TO meet Queen
Victoria don't say to her "Your
Majesty" or gropr in the pockets of
your mind for n long-winGcd phrase.
Just LAY 'mn'am." It's easier. Besides
II happens 10 be correct. Everybody
says il who knows what's what. Glad
stone used la pronounce il num-"
The emperor Of Germany is a proud
and hau"N'i war lord. hut his title is
simply maj -taet.' There is no pro-
noun even 10 his family except when in
privacy. The emperor of Austria is
"eurc Taicsiact" at all times. The
king OF Greece is "votre maieste"-
French hpug the court language. and
the king - Swendcu j. "ers maipstat."
At the Beg AN and Italian courts the
sovereign is greeted as sire" or
madame"
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1900-12-14
HUMILIATISG but TRUE.

The similarity OF the situation IN
South Africa to that in the Philip.
pines cannot fail to be recognized
In each Of these distant lands ma
ton representing the highest Crude of
modern civilization is engaged i'll the
subJugation OF people supposed to
be OF n lower grade. In each the
people are fighting sturdily against
Tremendous odds. for the right Of
ruling themselves III their native
land. In each, the powers bent upon
subIugatlon declare that the govern
meut they propose to substitute for
independence is "a better government.
and that the progress Of the human
race will be advanced when the indie.
pendent people are coerccd and held
II snbjugatiun. Both have the same
end i'll view. namely, the establish
ment Of colonial rule over territories
and peoples desirous OF indepen.
dcnce.
Ii is like chapter from ancient
history. 1t is the spread OF do.
mi1ant race and dominant language
by force through military conquest.
We see To what II leads in the burn
ing Of homestcads, the devastation Of
farms and the deportation Of women
and children by tine British com.
manier III South Africa. and III the
announcement Of the inhuman
-reconcentrado' policy. How long
will ii be before this will be paral.
lcIcd III the conduct Of the American
forces in the Philippines? \ people
stubborn in their patriotism cannot
be subJugHtrd without cruelty.
Great Britain is used to it, and does
not hesitate. Kitchener, who
butchered the dervishcs in tire Sou.
dan, will not shrink from applying "a
similar policy to the recaIcitrant
Beers. But will the people of the
United States consent that the
parallel shall be maintained?-Isos
ton Post.
Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1900-12-14
THE GREATEST CASSoN IN TEE
WORLD.

Admiral O'Neil, Chief OF the
Bureau OF Ordnance. says that the
new tweive-inch gun will produce a
muzzle velocity Of 1900 feet per
second.
Such tremendous energy, il carried
by shot III undiminished velocity,
tho experts say. would lift 1900.
ton battleship four feet ont Of the
water.
The latest improved twelve inch
gun OF foreign make has produced a
maximum velocity nf only 1900 feet
at its mukzle. The new naval gun is
not only superior to anything made
abroad. but IL more effective than the
thirteen inch gun now ON American
batt!eships.
Tho thirteen inch guns of the
Ofegon class have maximum
velocity OF only 2,3JO feet second
with smnk"less powder.
With charge CT $50 pounds OF
smokclcss powder. giving a pressure
ot lG19 tons per square inch. the gun
has an initIGl velocity OF 2,sil feet.
The service charge is 400 pounds Of
powder, producing pressure Of
seventeen tons. aud this. Admiral
O'Ncil. says will produce 1000 feet
velocity.
The projcctiles Of this powerful
gun ::e SJ0-pound pieces OF steel.
Tho enormous velocity Of the gun
will make il impossible for any armor
now made to resist the impact
With Ii velocity oi only $500 feet
thisprojoctile will perforate Harvey.
lied armor 23.5 inches thick, and
Krupp aTmor 20.i inches thick.
The new six-inch gun is fifty
calibrcs in length a recently tested
gun OF this class OF &c calibres at
tanned 5000 feet velocity, and Ad-
miral O'Neil il confident the longer
gun will produce the same results
with less pressure.
Tho twelvc.nch gun under test is
the first uf forty guns being made in
Washington. They and the six.inch
guns are Intended Tor the battleships.
hrmored cruisers, and protected
cruisers.
The twelve inch guns weigh fifty
tons each.