davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28


The library commissioners want more
power. About all the authority which
they had originally when the first free
holders charter was adopted has been
taken from them through charter revis-
ion, and the commission today is neither
useful nor ornamental. As far as its
functions are concerned. the commission
has power only to advise. and its utility
as a positive force In advancing the lib
rary's interests is about as important
as that of a fifth wheel to a coach. The
duties OF library commissioners. under
the authority now conferred are not
much more engrossing or necessary
than those which fall upon some modern
master of the falcons or groom OF the
backstairs They have little or moth
ing to do, for the reason that they have
no authority to do anything.
4 mistake was made when the COM
mission was stripped of all authority
and made figurehead with no power 20
act for the ltbrary's betterment. The
commissioners are the men who are ac-
quainted with the needs of the institu-
ton. They are in close touch with its
affairs and are qualified to say how
those affairs shall be managed. They
investigate its workings study its wants.
watch its progress and are the people
best qualified to decide on proper
methods OF administration and to deter
mine questions OF internal policy. These
are the powers they had originally and
are what they would have today IL the
charter revisers. in their eagerness 70
pose as makers OF new organic law, had
paused a moment to study the public
library and its purposes and had com
pretended the peculiar position IL holds
as a public utility.
As IL Is now the city council is the
practical governing body OF the public
library. and the average councilman is
in about as close touch with its inter-
nal government as he is with the
affairs Of the county coroner. It is out
Of his line and he takes no interest in IL.
As result the destinies OF an lnstitu-
ton which can be a force for good En-
the eity's life and education are left
10 the tender mercies Of men who are
rarely Identified or IN sympathy with its
great work. They know Of its needs only
hN hearssy and cater 20 them according
iy 1t is NOT their fault that they are NOT
book worms or authorities on the most
approved library methods. but 1t is the
fault Of the law that they are com
PEELED to take upon themselves the
Ia bors which by. right should fall upon
library commissioners.
Under the ordinance the power to buy
books is vested in the board Of public
works. This provision ~ law Is about
as nearly in accord with the best ideals
Of municipal government as would be
one authorizing the library commission
to purchase all the hose carts and tur-
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

The letter of acceptance of the cam
didate for mayor of the party that calls
itself composite" or union or
fusion" and is really the party of lad
ditIon, division and silence" takes many
words to convey little information. 1t
IL an elaboration OF a platform that is
partly vicious. partly useless, partly
meaningless. Mr.. Cotterill is voluble
rather than frank, and the forced rhet-
ORIG OF his wordy paraphrases is more
wearisome than convincing We are of
the opinion that neither the overthrow
OF the system OF representative govern
menf, through the initiative and refer
endum. nor the idea OF the socialistic
state Is especially dear to the heart Of
the average voter of Seattle at the
present time. He Is practical man,
busted with practical affairs; and he is
not thinking Of intrustng them to WIS.,
ionaries who ride Tits at windmilIs. If
there were no other reason for not
electlng Mr.. Cotterill. the people might
be affrighted at the thought of a mayor
who could not express an idea, IL he
caught one, in less than half thousand
words.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Jones of Arkansas Is in hole. He is
hedging on expansion. since Mr.. Bryaa
achieved his forty-hfth change of views
the United States may with safety
acquire other territory IL it is not "re-
mote from this country" But what is
remote" I? Is Puerto Rico or the Dam
ish West Indies or Hawaii or the Phil
ippines? 1t will be beautiful platform
that turns on the definition of the word
remote"
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Secretary of state VIII D. Jenkins.
whom a Whatcom correspondent has
seen fit to call "the old fox in politics."
is just as foxy as of yore. He has come
to the conclusion that Col Weisenburger
would not be the best Democratic candi-
date for governor. although this was
what he thought some time ago. At
present he does not think the colonel
would come up to the standard require
ments of the great rank and file of the
Democratic party, and VIII is a great
haggler for principles. AS fusion office
holder he is as much of a stickler for
Organism now as he was for straight
out Republicanism ten years ago when
he was travelling about the state with
a commission as census supervisor in
his pocket from a Republican admins
tration. However. the secretary of state
is free to say that Col Weisenburger is
doubtless as honest and sincere in his
convictions as he Uenkins) is. and no
one will question the truth of this frank
statement
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

have no definite official policy that Il
dares to announce or could explain with
out sacrificing instantly the support of
a large body of voters whom IL is trying
to cajole or to deceive?
This is but one of the many embar-
easements that follow political trading,
but 1t is easily the most serious. Be
fore the people of Seattle elect to Office
any man who was chosen in secret con-
cIave by a dicker as a. candidate for
office, they want to know what they
have to expect of him; what he would
do IL put into power; what policy he
would adopt as his own and carry out
with all the public forces at his COM
mand City government is not an affair
of platitudes. 1t is series of definite
acts. determined by the views of public
policy entertained by the men in con-
troll. What would these rays Of the
composite blossom, these petals Of the
sunfiower do IL they were to be voted
into office next Tuesday? They cannot
and they dare not answer. IT is because
they are waging a campaign of false
pretences, promising exactly contradic-
tory measures to the different elements
OF the community where they are solicit
ing votes. And It is for this reason that
the people will have none OF them. The
parti-colored garment does not hide the
naked greed of Office which is all that
stands behind.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28
Talking to the Galleries.

There Is little actual harm in men who
talk to the people in the language Of
John p. Altgeld, for common sense and
common honesty supply the needed cor
receive. He says that the men who are
doing the days work in the United
States today get one-haIf what they
formerly did and pay nearly double"
One needs no argument in answer to
that. 1t Is answered by facts within
the experience Of every worker. Neither
Mr. Altgeld nor any other man can men,
ton a period when the workingman re-
ceived double present wages and paid
half present prices for the necessaries
of life. On the contrary. statistics prove
that the worker. taking into account the
together with the opportunities for en-
ployment and the certainty of its con-
tinuance. was never as favorably cir
cumstanced as he is today. What does
1t profit a man to argue against the
facts of the marketplace and the COM
mon experience of those whom he ad-
dresses?
In accordance with this same
plan Of asserting the obviously false and
denying the obviously true Mr.. Alt
geld declares that the industry OF the
country has been mortgaged to the
trusts. and includes in this the currency
bill. 1t il in harmony with IL for him
TO assert that I'VE are to take part In
the miserable wars waged by despots TO
plunder weaker nations" All this is
possible. 1t Is on the plane Of the man
who, finding himself outdistanced In
debate and overborne in argument. re-
sorts to invective. It In the subStitu-
ton Of violence for reason
Therein we find the keynote Of the
new Democratic campaign, as OF the old.
The party as now constituted. as led by
Altgeld and Bryan and the other Popu-
lists who captured 1t in 1886. has no
hope Of success except in an appeal 70
the passions instead Of the understand
ings Of men. That is its system. and that
lite necessary limitation. II might be
effective In promoting revolution
among ignorant. debased and oppress-
ed races. II Is utterly innocuous when
addressed to "a free. Intelligent ana
prosperous people.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Senatorial Investigations are expen-
sive Attorney General Nolan, of Mon
Clark committee, was brought three
thousand miles to throw light on the
condition of political affairs in his own
state, and the only important testimony
he could offer was to the effect that
whisky has tranquilizng effect on
him.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Since the making OF the recipe for
cooking hare. which began with first
catch your hare" there has not been a
more sapient deliverance than this of
Composite Cotterll: THE people must
be made to keep their own laws" Why,
certainly; and here are all the courts
busy all the time just because nobody
ever discovered that great moral prir-
cinle before
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Tillman still vindieates his claim to
the title of the overseer in the senate.
In his speech on Monday he said; eve
took the government, we stuffed the
and we shot 'em. And we are not
ashamed of IT" 1t has been long since
the senate saw so choice an exhibit
ton of plantation manners And yet.
If there is any one who dares TO hint
that the negro of the South has not re-
ceived just or humane treatment, he is
answered promptly with the cry OF 1.-The
bloody shirt"
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28
Mere Vulgar Abuse.

The Portland Oregonian continues
against President Mckinley a form of
warfare which defeats itself and casts
upon the motives of that paper a re-
Election stronger and more discredltable
than any which the severest critic could
put into words. For II carries always
In Its own columns the evidence OF it's
unfairness. its unreasonableness, its in
decency. Public criticism of any public
man, from highest to lowest, is justified
and demanded by the journalistic office.
But when it is bent to mere vulgar per-
sonal abuse. a great power is prosti-
tuted and a great trust betrayed.
The Yale Review printed recently an
article commenting with severity upon
the policy of the president In relation
to the Puerto Rican tariff We do not
agree with the opinions expressed. but
we recognize the right of any writer to
hold them and TO reinforce them with
any arguments that seem TO him per-
tinent and fair. The Oregonian, always
on the lookout for something that may
serve II as a text for a virulent attack
upon the administration. publishes ex-
tracts from the article in the Review.
and adds to them the following remarks
of its own. fashioned on the model of
crossroads journalism IN Kentucky:
''The failure Of the. president 20 give
any reasons for his weakened flop is
particularly burdensome 10 his reputa-
tion. His civil service promises were
broken in just the same way by pressure
from this same Grosvenor group of poll
ticians."
First as 10 the facts. Mr. Mckinley
announced it as his opinion that the
interests of Puerto Rico and OF this
country would be served best by the
abolition OF tariff duties on trade be-
tween them. 1t represented his dellber-
ate convictions. beyond a doubt, as IT
did and does that of many other Re-
puhlicans. To express 1t was his privi-
hts power ended. He does not make the
laws. tie cannot impose or repeal taxes
at his pleasure. The situation had to
be dealt with by congress; and major
ity OF the Republican members. seeing
the need Of a revenue system for Puerto
Rico. decided not 10 so to the fan length
Of the policy recommended By President
Mckinley. but 10 bring forward a meas
ure which, In their opinion, while guard
ing the interests and fostering the trade
OF Puerto Rico. would also provide :.
with funds for necessary expenditures.
Whether they are right or wrong is not
now material The only practical ques-
ton is what the president should do
under such circumstances.
one OF the most impressive lessons OF
our recent political history is that no
president succeeds when he assumes
the role OF congress driver. We have
had more than one experiment OF shat
kind, and all ended in disaster 20 the
executive. to congress. to the party
The attempt OF Grover Cleveland 10 die
tate to his party. 10 direct legislation
and TO force the two houses into conn
piianee with his views was more than
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Now that the claim for double prize
money for the men OF Dewey's fleet has
been denied, 1t would be in order for
congress to abolish the prize money sys-
tenn altogether. 1t is a relic of van
ished conditions OF warfare, an unjust
discrimination against those serving in
the land forces and has no claim on
support or tolerance
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

There are men Of good standing and
repute In both Democratic and Pppu-
list parties. but were many OF them OBJ
served In these secret meetings where
a division of the spoiis was agreed
uaon?
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

The Beers are yielding slowly before
the irresistible force of the British
legions. But If any one thinks that the
war is over let him glance at a map
of the Transvaal and study the extent
ana character of the country that has
yet to be occupied.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

For the benefit of Mr. Way and his
First ward followers It might be we'll for
Candidate Cotterill to furnish the below
the-dead line boss with bin of par
ticulars showing Just what he would do
IL he was elected mayor.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

1t seems TO be as easy for some nom
partisans to give up nonpartisanship as
it was for Mr.. McElroy to consider Cot
terill a weak candidate before the slate
was fixed and to regard him strong
one after that operation.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

How many nonpartisans are there who
thought when they first took up what
was planned for general citizens
movement that it would ingloriously
end in their shutting up to the polls
with a Democratic ballot in their
hands?
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Though the courts have held that the
Spanish forces Mt the battle OF Manila
hay were inferior. the American people
are not inclined to cut any slices or
that Dewey halo.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

If the struggle over the transfer OF
the photographic office from one de-
nartment to another continues, con-
gress might consider the propriety Of
turning it over TO Mr.. Cotterill.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

II is to be noticed that the most az
the Democrats who say that Bryan will
be renominated are reluctant 20 make
any encouraging predictions as to his
election.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

an attempt to bring all the -four mills
into monopoly, but some of the larger
mills could not be secured, and the
securities of those brought into the pro-
posed trust tumbled in price so as 70
require the appointment of a receiver
for the consolidation. Many other COM
binations are likely 10 go the way of the
flour trust. because this sort of promot-
ing has gone too far, and it is inevi
table that big concerns built up on wind
should fall and fall hard
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28
A GUARANTEE.

The Post InteIllgeneer hereby
guarantees its advertisers . bOns
ale paid circulation. Daily, weekly
and sunday, double that of any
other sewspaper published in the
state 81 Washinston. Advertising
esntraets will be made subject to
this guaeantes.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Port Angeles Tribune Times.
The famous saying OF the hsru Of ST.
Helena, that God IL always on the side
which has the most cannon, is likely TO
have another exempitfscati0n soon IA
South Africa
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

The amendments prepared 20 the
shipping subsidy bin appear 10 revoiu-
tionize that measure. In It's original
form II was favorable 20 the fast pass.
enger boats Of the Atlantic service. An
tIon Of encouragement TO the merchant
marine engaged In freight carriage.
This is good as far as II goes; but the
tally those Of the Pacific Northwest.
want to see legislation enacted that win
turn the entire appropriation 70 the
for American products and making Il
easter for them 10 reach f.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

There were few people tn the British
empire yesterday who were not playing
second fiddle to one Familiarity called
''Bobs."
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

The undergraduates are still re-
solving. but Il has been demonstrated
even locally that resolutions may not
amount 10 much after all.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

bine wheels needed by the city. The
board of public works probably knows
as much about the book requirements
of the library as the library commission
knows about the city's necessities in the
matter Of wheelbarrows and water
mains. The library commission is the
proper body to purchase books for the
library, and when the commission asks
that 1t be given the authority to do
this it is asking only what is suggested
by right, expediency and common sense.
If the powers of the commission could
be considerably enlarged so as to make
it a body of some force and response
bility, there is no doubt the change
would work greatly to the advantage of
the library and its mission. But it is
doubtful If, under the charter, the COM
mission can receive any measure of
authority such as it ought to have, and
ali that can be hoped for now is some
slightly increased right of supervision
of the library service. Even this will
result in benefits, however, and the COM
missioners should urge the matter be-
fore the council Those who have had
to do with the library know that the
task of the commissioner is now a
thankless one with little in it to awaken
his energies, enthusiasm or ambition;
but 1t is to be hoped those in Office will
make the best of a bad situation and
strive to increase the lbrary's useful
ness in spite of the studied attempt of
the charter makers to degrade the CON-
mission by abridging it's authority.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

WhAtc0m Blade
The Seattle ppEt-fntelltzencer's eight.
page Nome edition. issued on Tuesday,
reveals many new features 81 the new
Alaska gold fields
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Auburn Argus.
IL reports be true. affairs are in rotter
condition at Steilacoon.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

what's the matter with Mscrum "a q
running mate for nryan2
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

The collapse of the -four trust IS an
iaS combines Is being oyerdone. This was
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

LAacoIn County Times
He win find the Coast alive with loyal
Republicans.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

THIRD AVENUE THEATER-"The
Fatal Card"
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Telephones Business onice. Main Z; Editorial
rooms, Main az
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

Address all communications and remit,ances TO the
sttls. Wash
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28

The PostTntsliIeencer does not offer payment fos
voluntary contributions. and VIII not undertake TO
return unsolicited manuscript
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
TO INDIA BY RAIL.
LESS THAN SIN HUNDRED MILES OF ROAD NOW
LACKING

LESS THAN SIN HUNDRED MILES OF ROAD NOW
LACKING
From The London Mail.
All that is wanted is an agreement between
Britain and Russia as to AfGhanIStan
Already the enterprisins Auscovite has ex
tended the scope of the Transcaspian Railway
10 such Il degree that Russian ears are aCtually
Afghan frontier town, is practically IN Rus
sian hands. and light railway is already under
construction to the famous Herat-
That is the situation on AfghaniStan's north
ern frontier on the south British India is ap
parently not less active. The BeloOchIStan rail-
WAY system terminating at Gulistan Karez or
the Afghan border is 20 be extended and a.
ready work is being pushed forward in order 70
connect Kardahar with the Indian railroad syS
tenn
In Central Asia Russia is actively engaged in
surveying and constr ucting- When this IS COM
pleted all that VIII remain in order 10 make It
possible TO train from Calais 70 Bombay will b
to link up the chain between Herat and kanda-
har-an insignificant distance of 80 English
miles.
That link being made. and the Central Asian
railway finished. LONDON to Bombay VIII mean
that the only chance for seaSickneSS viii BE- on
the twenty-One mile strip Of channel betwee1
Dover and Calais.
comparison between the sea and the land Jour
reys is in favor of the latter BY the Straits o.
Gibraltar and the Suez Canal the distance Is
6,,tS miles and the time occupied by the tastes,
Peninsular and Oriental steamer is twenty-Ons
days.
BY the land route. allowing the average ap-
prCXimate speed to be twenty-five miles hour
b. the express trains. the journey would occupy
only eleven days four hours over a distance ap-
prOXimately estimated at 6ItS English miles
But twenty-five miles hour is low estimate
This speed is on the average considerably exI
ceeded even on Asiatic railways, and Of cOurse
doubled on European lines
Two changes of cars would be necessary OF
the journey from CalaS-at the frontier en-.
tering Russia and at the Indian frontier. This
would be OCcasiOned by the fact that the Rus
sian lines have gauge nearly foot wider thar
the rest of European railways
But such route would have its diSadva1
tageS. The huge steamship companies which
trade with India would be seriously affected
SueZ Canal shares would so down with a slump
Italy would suffer considerably by the deprecns
ton OF the BrindiSi mail route.