davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
In the Firty-Dollar Glass.

A certain writer, entirely unknown
in the literary world, wrote very
spirited poem, and, more in jest than
otherwise, marked $50 as the price OF
it, inclosed it to an editor and calmly
awaited its return. To his great sur
prise, the editor replied, inclosing a
check for $50: you come high, but
we must have you'll" OF course the
writer thought his fortune was made.
If he got fifty for that particular poem
why not fifty for another? He would
keep up the price. And he did. But
the editors didn't! For six months he
labeled his productions 49," but they
came back to him with painful regu-
larity. Even the editor who first paid
him that price didn't try it on again.
He had framed the check, for just the
satisfaction of looking at it OCCASION
ally. But finally he was compelled to
cash it, in order to satisfy the grocery
man, who had no literary leanings.
But he got even at last. He sent Off
ten poems to different publications,
marking them S. each. And he sold
the ten at that price. Its come
down." he said, "a falling with a dull
thud; but ten times five is fifty. I'm
still in the fifty-dollar !"--Atlanta
Constitution.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04

foreshadowing an economy that means
shivering thousands Is the dishearten-
ing report from the Pennsylvania coal
fields that the dissatisfaction OF the
miners may soon result in a general
idleness of the collieries. An unsym-
pathetic public. believing itself about
to be vsctimized, cannot be blamed for
entertaining certain vague suspicious
concerning the growing complications
in the coal situation. They may be
wrong in their views, but the individ-
ual consumer, who has no reason to
expect a muniticent assortment OF
Christmas gifts from the coal trust. has
a right to his opinions.
AS the greedy trust gathers in the
shekels it might devote few moments
to deciphering the handwriting on the
wall, for one of these fine days the
average man, who is doing the think
ing on his own account, will suddenly
make some natural deductions. When
that time arrives something is bound
to drop and the opinion Is ventured
that the average man, will be in at
tendance to view the debris with I'M
disturbed complacence, If not with
actual satisfaction.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Increase In India Famine.

London, Jan. "A Daily Mail spe-
cial from Calcutta says the famine is
increasing to an alarming extent and
according to the latest published re-
surns the scarcity and famine extend
over an area of nearly 100000 square
miles, with population Of $500 900.
Of which 100000 square miles, with a
population of SO,5o0,0O0, is British ter
ritory. OF the latter about 100000
have already been relieved by the
state, although only at the outset of
the famine During the last three
weeks the numbers are increasing at
the rate of a quarter million week
and their relief means a monthly ex-
penditure of over s35,O00.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Tho Philippine Middle.

From the Minneapolis Times: We
are not fighting a government-we are
only pursuing disturber. 1t is a
paper chase over rather moist coun-
try. II we capture him it will be nee
essary to deprive him of his liberty for
season. and the Tagalos will imagine
we have burned him alive or chopped
his body into 1hincemeat and scattered
it to the four winds. That would mako
a martyr of him and the pacification
of Luzon would thus be rendered in
finitely more difficult. Admiral Dew
ey has suggested that |the best dispo-i
sition OF Aguinaldo wpuld be to let
him escape. The hint not q bad one.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
.srosYonor Agree. with arlrr,.

From the Chicago Chronicles: Gros-
venor agrees with Griggs respecting
the powerlessness of the federal gov
eminent to deal with the trusts.
Grosvenor, however, takes a cheerful
view of the situation and af1irms that
the state governments, and especially
that of Ohio, can and will snatch the
trusts baldheaded. Grosvenor himself
comes from Ohio and of course knows
what he is talking about. When we
consider, however, that the Republic-
ans of that state enthusiastically
turned down Attorney General Mon.
nett, the only Republican officer who
has ever attacked trust, there may
be some ground to fear that the trust.
smashing campaign in Grosvenor's
state will be rather dilatory. OF course
1t would be discourteous to intimate
that Grosvenor is brazen old hum
bug who would rather jump Off the
dome of the capitol than cause a trust
a moments uneasiness.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Land Leagu. to Revive.

Omaha, Neb., Jan. 2.-Nearly 200
prominent Irish-Americans assembled
Sunday in response to a call for a
meeting Of those who favored home
rule for Ireland. 1t developed that a
preliminary committee had been se-
cretly appointed week ago for the
reorganization Of local branch of
the Irish National Land league. The
organization will be effected next Sun
day. The plan is said to be to send
men and money to aid the Beers and
to threaten an invasion of Canada to
prevent the sending of troops from
that country to the Transvaal.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
How to Overthrow Trusts

From the Philadelphia Ledger: If
a tariff is so excessive as to promote
domestic monopoly it is unreasonably
applied. even from the orthodox view
of Republicanism, and it should be al
tered in such manner and measure as
to neither create. foster nor sustain
monopolistic trusts. which control the
conditions Of trade, stifie wholesome
competition, decree arbitrary prices by
restricting production and depressing
labor and consumers by their un-
scrupulous and dishonest practices,
Are the president and congress equal
to the situation? Is any other plan for
the confusion a:I ! and overthrow 81, the
trusts feasible or possible? II SO let,
1t be tried.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Trusts and the Tariff.

From the Rochester Herald: Presl-
dent Mckinley, the chief apostle Of
protection, is an example of the pro-
tectionist who fears to take up the
only weapon available for attack upon
the trusts. The preservation of his
tariff system is dearer to him than the
destruction of any evil that the tariff
may be fostering. While he is presi-
dent and while the clique of Repub-
lican's, headed by the presidents chief
adviser, are in control of both branches
of congress, nothing in the way of tar
if reductions need be hoped for, and
the trusts will thrive along with the
smaller protected creatures.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
svmpathle. AZ. v,th nr1ta,n.

Moscow. Jan. 2.-The Japanese lega-
ton at st. Petersburg has received
from Toyko dispatch which says that
the home government is annoyed and
alarmed by the recent British defeats
in South Africa, and secret cabinet
meetings are being held to consider
Japanese questions in which, directly
or indirectly, Great Britain and its
power are factors. Japan sympathizes
strongly with Great Britain in the
Transvaal conflict, in connection with
which fact one must consider the grow
ing cordially of relations between
Japan and China.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Our Relics Of Barbarian.

From the Buffalo Courier: Besides
slavery we have now polygamy under
our flag. 1t does not appear in the
shape of an occasional transgressor,
like the representatiye-elect from Utah,
but it is polygamy as an acknowledged
and tolerated institution in terri
tory subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States. Is Mr.. Roberts to be
condemned and polygamy in the Sulu
Islands to be undisturbed?
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Close to tn. Bullion Mark.

From the Helena MONTY Independ-
ent: When the taxpayers OF the ma
ton were brought to realize the fact,
less than ten years ago, that they were
called upon for half billion yearly
they promptly cast down the political
party responsible for the wasteful-
Hess. Next year they will be called
Upon to vote for or against political
lgarty which now has run the annual
government expenses up toward the
billion mark and is increasing it year
ly by the hundred million.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
TO SUCCEED GEN. LAYTON.
.Fishtinx Jos- and Gen. Bates Pxaml-

Us
Fighting Joer and een. Bates Proml-
nent'y Mentioned.
Manila, Jan. 2. There Is much spec
ulation here regarding the selection
OF Gen. Lawton's successor to the
southern command of Luzon. Both
Gen. Joseph Wheeler and Gen. Bates
are prominently mentioned, the for
nler being the senior brigadier- general
and lineally entitled to the command
Gen. Wheeler says. however, that NO
selection has as yet been determined
upon.
Gen. Wheeler expects soon to re-
turn to the United States, hut he does
not want to go as long as there is
fighting in the Philippines. Regard
ing the present situation, he said:
II think the fighting will be over
within a week after the movement to
the south of Manila begins. To north
ward the campaign is practically over.
and I find the friendliness Of the ma
tives toward us increasing greatly.
There are still strong insurgent
forces south of Manila, but think
our troops will break thcm up within
week after we move. regard 1t as
possible that Aguinaldo has reached
the southern lines"
The American campaign south Of
Manila is soon to be prosecuted, and
the likelihood is that it will be des-
perate. 1t is reported that within tho
last six months the German ship Clara
has landed $4,000 rifles and 100000
rounds of ammunition at Camarines
1t is believed here that the Americans
will soon overcome opposition, but
there is little confidence that the in-
surgents' arms will be captured.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Tho Crime and tho Criminal.

From the Philadelphia North Amer
lean: 1t is not exaggeration but the
plain truth to say that the govern
ment of Pennsylvania is an organized
crime-and nobody needs to be told
who is the principal criminal. He is
knocking at the door of the senate
chamber for admission. his credentials
being commission signed by a subor-
dinate confederate, and his plea Of
merit services that shame his party
and that should send him to the peni-
Tertiary -and may before the people
Of this plundered and disgraced state
have done with him.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Many claims for pens,ons.

Washington, Jan. Commissioners
of Pensions Evans says claims for
widows and orphans Of soldiers in the
civil war, and the claims for pensions
due to the late Spanish war are COM
ing in as fast as the pension roll is
diminished by the deaths Of veterans
Of the civil war. This will be increased
by the addition of their widows and
the veterans of the late war, so that
the payment of pensions at the rate
OF S150,000,000 annually promises to
continue for many years. With the
revenues of the country swollen by
nearly s2oO,OoO.OOO from the war-rev-
enue tax, expenditures for pensions
still amount to Is per cent OF the gross
annual income of the government, and
more than 100 bills have been intro
duced in congress to provide addition
al special pensions.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Perfumes a Block from home.

Detroit, Mich, Jan. 2.Adolph
Hempke was frozen to death here Sat
urday night. His body was found only
block from his home and was frozen
as hard as stone. The man had made
"a desperate struggle for life. After
falling and cutting deep cash in his
head, he evidently crawled forward for
some distance on his hands and knees.
as decorations appeared filled with dirt
and sliyers OF wood. Pools Of blood
showed where he5 rested moment or
two before dragging himself ahead
again 81 1lsffry g 81 (:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
sIapy Onac,r,. A.. Retired

ashington. Jan. 2.-The calendar
year 1900 will be marked by the stat
utory retirement of number Of prom
inent officers in the army and navy
and brings equal promotions in both
branches of the military service.
Naturally, because of its greater nu-
merical strength, the changes will be
much more numerous in the army
than in the navy. Among the retire
ments for age in the army are those
of Major-Gen. Wesley Merritt and
Brig.-Gen. T. M. Anderson.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04

From the Denver Post: Not so very
long ago the people were told that a
home market was what was required
to make the manufacturers happy and
the people contented; that in order to
have good home market we must i'm
pose a high protective tariff SO that
foreign goods could not come in. The
people are now Told by their chief ex-
ecutive and his secretary of the treas
ury that the home market is delu-
sion and a snare. They argue that to
OBJ n good market abroad and have
= Grade follow the flag we must en-
sedrage snipbuilding by Offering sub
stantial sbounties to those who want
to engage in it. For generation our
people have been robbed poor by the
beRs aries of protection. and now the
proposes that they be robbed
Sse for the benefit OF those
] alish a carrying trade to
st d. feF Any \,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Hope to End Miners Strike.

st. Etienne, Jan. 2.-Despite the ex-
tensive shutting down Of the iron
works and factories in this locality
owing to the shortage of coal the stu
alton is improved in consequence Of
the joint decision to arbitrate the min
ing trouble. A hopeful feeling pre-
walls that the dispute will be settled
amicably at once. The lace workers
have also agreed to arbitration,
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
AIasons Pay Tribute to washington

New York, Jan. 2.The members Of
the various Masonic lodges in the city
commemorated the Tooth anniversary
Of the death of Gen. George Washing
ton Sunday by religious services in the
historic churches Of the metropolis,
most notably in st. Paul's chapel OF
Trinity parish, where the centenary Of
the first presidents death was recently
celebrated with patriotic display.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Freneh Coal AIlrers NAV str,k.

Fronch Coal Minors May Strike.
Paris, Dec. 27.At meeting OF $500
miners held Monday in St. Etienne a
resolution was adopted in favor Of de-
claring a general strike in the coal ba-
sin OF Loire. A sympathy movement
involving $4,000 men is feared. The
prosperity Of the coal trade led the
miners to demand an increase Of
wages, shorter hours. and a formal rec
ognttion Of the miners Federation by
the companies. Inc latter made an
'of0er Of S per cent increase, but this
waa refused.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
output of Preciou. Metals.

San Francisco, Jan. 2.-The Chroni-
cle's official report gives the years
production of metals as follows:
Gold, 100000; silver. sS5e,0oO. The
copper production is the greatest ever
known, as the big Keswick smelling
plant has largely increased it, this
company alone paying dividends of
s650,000 during the year. The total
production of copper was 21,O0O,OO0
pounds. There are no figures on lead
at hand"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Would Use Italian Troops.

Rome, Jan. "A persistent rumor Is
circulating in Rome governmental cir
Giles to the effect that Great Britain is
negotiating with Italy for the garri-
soning of Egypt with Italian troops.
SO as to leave the London war Office
free to draw on the British forces in
garrison for service in South Africa.
1t is reported that Italy will receive
compensation in British support in
China and Tripoli.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
A Real sportsm.n,

From the Columbia (Pa.) News: A
Columbia gunner went to the farm of
Aaron Herr, at Cordelia. few days
ago, and tore down a pile of 1000 rails
in search Of a rabbit. He did not get
the rabbit, neither did he place the
rails as he found them. Aaron saws
if the fellow returns and piles the rails
he will treat him to good country
meal.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Plaxue Grove IN Ylolence.

Bombay, Jan. bombay again is
in the midst Of a violent plague cpl
demic, the extent Of which is difficult
to ascertain. The number of deaths
from all causes returned during the
last week is LOO. OF these 300 are
declared to be due to the bubonic
plague, but the pest mortality obvious
" is underestimated.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Earthquake in California.

Los Angeles, Cal, Jan. 1.-TWO
slight earthquakes occurred here early
Sunday morning. The shocks were
felt at nearly all points within 100
miles of this city.
At San Diego sharp shock occurred
at 8 o'clock Sunday morning, and
second at o'clock in the afternoon.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
~. 1.,ana Of sulphur.

sac Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
is one Of the most extraordinary is
landS in. the-rvsrld. It is called White
Island, and consists mainly of sulphur
mixed with gypsum and few other
minerals. Over the island, which is
about three miles in circumference,
and which rises between 800 and 900
feet above the sea, floats continually
an immense cloud of vapor attaining
an elevation Of 10000 feet. In the cen
ter is boiling lake of acid-charged
water, covering so acres, and sur
rounded with blowholes from which
steam and sulphurous fumes are emit.
ted with great force and noise. With
care a boat can be navigated on the
lake. The sulphur from White Island
is very pure. but little effort has yet
been made to procure it Systematically.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
CA Nm Z ESCAPE III.
sREPuBLIc AN1PARTY MUST FACE
FINANCIAL ISSUE.
Ehs Currency Bins OF the Present Con-
Eress Fixes tho Responsibility for the
Brltish Gold acknowledgements Fool
ths Farmers.

From the Atlanta Constitution:
While some Of the editors are wonder
A Ing 1t the money question will figure
IN the next campaign, Hon. ]. G. John
son, vice-chairman of the executive
committee Of the Democratic national
committee, calls attention to the fact
that the currency bills of the Repub-
iican party in congress have already
/ fixed the issue. BY proposing to fix
the single gold standard upon the
country, the Republicans have shifted
the issue from that which was before
the country in 1896, to contest over
the gold standard pure and simple. In
the last campaign the discussion was
between those who favored the free
coinage Of silver at the old ratio and
those who were opposed to the propo-
sition.
At that time the Republicans refused
TO make the gold standard the issue.
I They fought shy of it and evaded it.
They admitted in their platform that
blmetallism was better for the people
than the single gold standard pro-
vided it could be reached as the result
Mr.: Mckinley was so keen for the in
PRODUCTION Of International bimetallism
that he took 1t upon himself, even be-
Iore he took the oath of Office, to ar
range for commission whose duty it
would be to visit Europe in order that
the evils Of the single gold standard
might be mitigated as promptly as pos
sible.
IL Is hardly necessary to say that
many voters who were utterly opposed
to the single gold standard were won
over to the Republicans by the con-
sentative stand which they conceived
that party had taken on the money
question. The impression left upon
the more thoughtful voters by the Re-
publican leaders was that these lead
ers were equally opposed to the gold
standard and to the Independent free
coinage of silver; they were supposed
to occupy the safe and conservative
ground midway between; they feared
independent free coinage, and so they
turned to International bimetallism.
For the first time since the ques-
ton Of the standards has been agl-
tated the people will have an oppor-
,tunity Of deciding whether they want
bimetallism-the free coinage OF both
money metals-or, the single gold
standard. Always. heretofore. the is
sue has been confused; the Republic
ans hayefbeen shifty enough to evade
1t. now they cannot escape the
d1ts OF -theAE pSsAato make the
gold standard the permahen( Measure
OF all the values in this country.
This Is the question which the peo-
PIE must decide for themselves. and
they will be given an opportunity next
year.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Russian Troops Moving In A.i..

London, Jan. PA Post special from
st. Petersburg says various uncon-
frmed reports are current regarding
the alleged movement Of Russian
troops in central Asia, but it is be-
lieved the only actual movement hith-
erto has been that of two battalions
sent a few days ago from Tifis to the
Transcaspia.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Denies Annexation OF TERRITORY.

Denies Annexation OF Territory.
Cape Town, Dec. 27..The Orange
Fee State organ. One Land, declares
positively that the Free Staters have
not annexed one square yard OF Cape
Colony territory since the war began.
They have simply placed the occupied
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Trust Defenders.

from the st. Louis Republic: 1t
would be well for the United States If
there were absolute truth in the state
ment before q New York court by, a
prominent Republican: Zone man
alone dares stand out today as the de-
fender and champion of trusts, and he
is Mark A. Hanna of Ohio" Were
this statement true the end of trusts
would be nearer.
The words are dramatic, but not
true. There is strong element in
the United States which defends trusts.
Every man who profits by the trust
system defends it. He defends ener-
getically his particular phase of trust
ism and must defend the other phases
to keep his own secure. When he
makes his defense of trusts he does
not call the thing he defends trust
In fact, he denies that his particular
assault on free competition is trust.
but he is defender of trusts never
tneless.
A large part of the wealth of the
United States pleads on the side Of the
trusts, Every one of the paid attor-
neys OF the trusts is defender n
The public official who finds fatal de-
fects in7thei federal laws against trusts
which, he is charged with enforcing is
in effect a defender, and SO is the fed
eral official who tries to shift from his
own shoulders to those of the state
authorities all the burden of suppress
Ing trusts.
Not all OF these persons believe that
trusts confer benefit on the United
States, but they defend them because
their bread is buttered on that side.
The statement would be nearer the
truth were it changed to: "The only
defender of trusts in the country is the
element Of which Mark Hanna is the
type"
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Britain's Increased Rovenuc.

London, Jan. 2The public revenue
for the nine months ending with De-
cember reaches s82.777. o44, as against
s7S.s4o,4eS for the corresponding pc
Rod Of last year.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Not q subject for Talk.

visitor-Well, Johnnie, what do you
think of your little baby sister? John
mel can't tell you, Mr.. White. Nam
ma always whips me If use bad lam
guage. -Somerville Journal.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
,ood stare IN al. pro,a,,,or.

Good Start In His Profession.
Dasherly-How's that young doctor
getting along in his profession? Flash
erly-Splendidly. He's discovered
three new diseases already. Kansas
City Independent.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04
Rea, Manager Of the Ar.,r

I y Real Manager of the AFFAIR.
Fred-I wonder II Charley is going
to ask Miss Scion to marry him. / be-
lieve I'll ASK him. Uncle George
You'd better ask her If you really want
to know-Boston Transcript.