davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
Not a Political Move.
From the Wilkes.Barre Record.

FROM inc Nllkes'Barre Record.
The city of Scranton has a new sensation, and
1t is not one OF an ordinary character either At
the instance Of four prominent citizens-Coonel
Henry NJ. Boies, Captain William A. May f. b.
Sturges and J. A. Lansng-eighteen members
OF the city councils have been arrested on the
charge OF soliciting bribes, and some of them are
also charged with accepting brbes in connec.
tion with municipal legislation. 1t is intmated
that other councilmen will he arrested on simi.
lar charges, and that the exposure of gigantic
jobbery will follow. Reports from Scranton
to the effect that the prosecutors in these
cases have been quietly at work for months col.
lccting evidence that would warrant prosecutions.
One OF the prosecutors vas himself a member
OF councils at the time the alleged jobbery was
put through, and claims to have full knowledge
OF corrupt transactions Shrewd detectives from
New York were employed who have been quietly
operating in Scranton for months without their
real character being suspected.
Messrs. Boies, May Sturges and Lansing
all prominent business men OF Scranton, being
concerned in manufacturing and mining indus
tries, and are among the most responsible and
respected citizens of that city. This fact Of it.
self gives assurance that the proceedings against
the councimen not entered upon lightly or
without having been fully considered. Ii the
charges shall be sustained case Of almost
precedented municipal corruption will be pre-
sented Nearly one-half of the councilmen ere
already under arrest, and it is alleged that the
end is not yet, that more will be prosecuted,
This looks like bold strike for the publication
OF municipal government in Scranton. Further
proceedings and developments will be awaited
with great interest. Coming closely in the
wake of the prosecution and conviction OF five
Shamokin councilmen on charges of bribery, the
people in other cities will be likely to scrutinize
the acts of officials little more closely than
they have in the past.
The alleged bribery it is said, grew out Of the
recent telephone electric light and street paving
deals 1t is hoped that the prominent citizens
who have undertaken the prosecution of the coun-
cilmen will not overlook the principals agents
of the corporations in whose interests municipal
lawmakers corrupted if it shall appear that
they were tempted and yielded to temptation
The who offers bribe is an offender equally
with the who accepts the bribe. No allie.
cations of political persecution" will avail in
these Scranton cases. Messrs. Boies, May, Lansing
and Sturges are not in active politics; they are
prominent only intelligent and successful busi-
moss men
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

4 TTENTION is called to the
rewards offered by Mr..
Il N Sturgcs and his associates
for information leading to
the arrest and conviction of any per-
IN who shall endeavor to bribe or
fix" a juror and for the conviction
of any juror yielding to corrupt influ
ence. These rewards are sufficiently
Irge to furnish an incentive for pub
acure fair trials of the public officials
how under arrest. 1t may be assumed
that they will not be the only meas
ares taken by the gentlemen in charge
Of the publication movement to safe
guard the operations of justice. Since
the jury room is the key to the situa-
ton, it is evident that it must be held
under vigilant surveillance. To this
no honest man can object. on the con-
trary. it is purpose with which every
law-abiding and law-respecting citi~
zen necessarily sympathizes.
We have collected and present in an
other column a number of opinions
VI the state press concerning the local
'eform movement and one point noted
n them deserves to be emphasized.
The present prosecutions are in no
sense political; the fact that they oc-
cur during a political campaign is Il
coincidence merely. Much of the evil
dence upon which these arrests have
been based was collected months ago
and we understand that it was the in
tention of Mr.. Sturges and his COL
leagues to set in motion the machinery
If the law much sooner than they did,
heir delay having been due to the
argely abortive interposition of the
'ecent grand jury which skinned the
surface of municipal ills.
1t is perfectly true, as the Philadel-
phia Times contends, that in the final
analysis the people in bulk are re-
sponsible for such abuses in city gov
ernment as are at present in the course
of investigation in this city. That,
however, does not excuse the bribe-
giver nor the bribe-taker They both
deliberately violate we'll known laws
and upon fair conviction merit exem-
plary punishment, The majority Of
citizens are slow to take the initiative
in processes calculated to bring about
better order of things municipal;
but they are quick to give their sup
port to honest men who with pure
motive and clean hands do. This is
clearly illustrated in the attitude of
public opinion toward the leaders in
the present crusade. 1t is one not only
of confidence and expectation but of
cordial corporation. Conditions had
simply become so bad in this city that
they were not longer tolerable. In the
readJustment Of them some persons
may get hurt but the publication will
be warranted on the principle of the
greatest good to the greatest number
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

A communication will go to councils
tonight from certain property owners
in the Seventeenth ward complaining
of damage to property wrought by in
sufficient drainage in the vicinity OF
Vine street and Harrison avenue.
Councils have required property own
ers on Harrison avenue to lay side
walks within 60 days, but the way
freshets sweep down in the locality
mentioned calls rather for pontoon
bridges There has been gross neglect
in providing for the disposition of sur
face water in this portion of the city
and 1t is high time that steps were
taken to remedy it.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

LOCAL contemporary pre-
sents in concise form an eX-
4 "a cellent summary of the ar
guments against the Brooks
high license law as that statute ap-
pears in operation in this community.
1t notes the manifest injustice of ex-
acting from licensed liquor dealers
large fees for monopoly over the sale
of intoXicants which exists on paper
but not in fact. and it contends that
a fairer plan would be to moderate the
fee and let licenses be taken out by
all who desire.
Such a plan would doubtless reduce
the number of unlicensed places, es-
pecially if in connection with 1t there
was a vigorous prosecution Of dealers
selling without a license. There can
be no doubt that the magnitude of the
present license fee operates against
the conviction of persons charged with
selling without licenses, especially in
the case of widows or cripples who en-
gage in the speak-easy business when
other means of support are lacking.
Juries have the habit of taking an
extremely sentimental view of such
offenders and convictions in such
cases are few and far between.
But it must be remembered that
ours is an exceptional community in
many respects; and that while local
conditions cause the high license law
to appear a failure there are many
communities i'm the state, a large ma"
jority of them, in fact, in which the
same law which here looks like a
sham there works admirably, fulfilling
revenue requirements and making pos
sible a degree of restriction upon the
liquor traffic which has the general ap-
proval of the people affected. If II
were possible to apply special legisla-
tion TO the exceptional conditions
prevalent in the eoal fields. that would
open the way to material remedy. That
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
KENTUcKY's DUTY.
rom the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.

From the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
There should be unanimous satisfaction in Ken
tucky with the Supreme court decision in the
gubcrnatorial contest cases-satisfaction that the
contention is determined definitely, finally. That
the decison-merely an Acknowledgement OF the
laws impotence to re-estabish right dethroned,
to save suffrage from the basest subversion, to
maintain the verdict Of the majority against the
usurpation Of the minority-must prove disap-
pointment to the people and a delight to the
political faction roting in fraud and reveling in
force is inevitable. But for the former there is
recourse, for the latter there is menace in the
aroused righteousness Of sovereign ballot. From
the highest legal tribunal there is appeal to the
most exalted court Of equity, the popular will as
expressed at the polls. William Sylvester Taylor
has been defrauded Of a commission conferred
upon him by the people of Kentucky, constitut-
ing him the states chief magistrate. In that
outrage the people suffer equal indignity with
their chosen executive. The courts at no point
and in no sense have reviewed the matter on
merit or in any degree sustained the shameful
proceeding. They recognize that robbery has
been committed that usurpation has been ac.
complished that as damning a rape of the ballot
as is possible in fraud, force and partisan ty-
ranny has been committed but with such deft-
ness Of villany such bold Of scoundrelsm, such
adroitness OF legal legerdemain, as to techn-
cally escape revision and defy reversal. Crime
has been done black, disgraceful, disgusting
crime, but under the forms OF the law.
What a travesty on justice! What a mockery
OF legal power! What debauchery OF political
purity and integrity Of citizenship! But the ver-
dict OF helpless court stands. Howbeit, it
stands covering, craven, contemplate in the face
OF these facts, disputed by no man, established
in the eternal verify OF recorded history That
upon Nov. 7, 1899, the people OF Kentucky by
ballots cast and counted, elected w. s. Taylor
governor of Kentucky for four years. That fact
was duly certified to in accordance with the
law and the constitution, the returns being duly
deposited with the secretary OF state. These re-
turns were duly tabulated and the result for
may declared by Judge Pryor and Captain Ellis
and the certificate of election issued to W. s.
Taylor. This act aroused against these faithful
servants Of the people the most bitter, vndictive
and vitupcrative element in the Democratic par
ty, who demanded that these men should violate
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
Let the President Alone.

~ NE OF THE most highly keyed
u newspapers in the country on
~ the subject of our duty to the
Beers is the Washington Post,
which appears to believe that President
Mckinley should declare war on Great
Britain instanter. 1t probably would
not word its belief as we have worded
it, but that it holds substantially this
opinion is indicated in the following
excerpt from it's editorial columns;
II the Post were the government, the Post
would proclaim with every emphasis that SOL
emnity and seriousness could lend to the an.
nouncement, the heartfelt sympathy Of the Amer
lean people for the South African republics in
their splendid struggle for life and national hon.
or and existence. The Post would speak in this
case as the American people, through their
chosen representatives, have always hitherto
spoken in like cases. II would follow the glori-
Gus examples of the past and renew the sacred
traditions to which, in simple loyalty, we are
bound. The Post would offer to the South Atri-
can republics the tribute of our love and admir-
alton, and bearing in mind the fact that this
great nation is the result Of similar heroic re.
sstance to similar tyranny and wickedness,
would give the Beers at least our moral aid and
our reyerent prayers.
A tribute of love and admiration"
would afford the Beers mighty poor
protection against the bullets. and can
non balls which more than 100000 Brit
ish soldiers are preparing to aim at
the burghers in johannesburg and Pre-
toria If they do not sue for peace before
Lord Roberts arrives at those cities. 1t
would, so far as the Beers are con-
cerned, avail nothing; but in other
directions 1t would have an effect upon
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

" " YHAT SHALL become of
v ~ William Sylvester Tay-
lor, the regularly elected
but technically unseated
governor of Kentucky, is a matter
which is occasioning a good deal of
comment, and very properly so. The
American people love fair play. They
recognize that while Taylor as occu-
pant of the office Of governor may have
been stampeded into a mistake when
he adjourned the legislature immedi-
ately following the assassination of
Goebel, it was if an error at all, merely
an error of judgment eXcusable in view
of the tumultuous circumstances, and
it in nowisa overthrew the validity OF
his commission from the people, which
has since been cancelled by the most
impudent fraud.
The consequences of that fraud af-
feet moro than Taylor. They challenge
the justice of the people of Kentucky
and raise the question whether usur-
patton carried to completion by pros.
titution of the forms of law is to be ac-
quesced in by the manhood of the
Blue Grass commonwealth. Whether
Taylo" shall remain in public life or
disappear is of small account viewed
from the personal standpoint. No doubt
after what he has ensured he would
prefer to end his days in peace, afar
from the memories of the fraud and
violence that have worked upon him
inestimable wrong.
But the matter is in the hands of the
people of Kentucky and they must dis
pose of it in accordance with their own
dignity and honor. They elected Tay-
lor governor and have been cheated
out of their WILL To Taylor and to
themselves they owe a reelection
which shall be effective.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
The Vice Presidency.

|~HE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL
makers in Washington are
Il all at sea in the selection
of a candidate. No two of
them agree either as to the candidate,
the state or the section. 1t is a friendly
contention and it's object is to nomi-
nate the most available candidate.
If it was settled now, nearly one
month before the convention meets in
Philadelphia. the great Republican
gathering in the Quaker City would
lose much of the deep interest it has
evoked throughout the country But
it is not settled and the nomination
Will not be settled until it is settled
by the convention. It will not be
settled by n coterie of Washington
politicians. It will not be settled this
year by dicker. Republican sentl-
ment has been aroused against a mer-
cenary nomination. The nomination of
a strong man is vital party oblga-
tion. Whether the candidate shall be
an eastern or western man is a ques-
tion about which people may honestly
differ. But the dominant question now
is personal availability.
Is the candidate an honest man, a
capable man, a tried man--is he some
body or nobody? VIII his name give
prestige to the national ticket. or will
the nomination rescue his name from
obscurity? Is he fit to be president?
If he is, it makes no difference whether
he is from Massachusetts, Indiana,
Iowa, or the great state of Pennsyl-
vania, If he is, it makes no difference
whether he is indorsed or ignored by
his state convention. If he is, the
Philadelphia convention will nominate
him. We believe that Charles Emory
Smith will be nominated. He is fit to
be president.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

The abolition Of the time limit marks
an epoch in the evolution of Method
ism. To the will of the majority all
must bow. 1t is for the ministry in
the Methodist church to make sure
that this change in church government
snail not mean a change in minis
terial character efficiency or devotion.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

privilege being denied, we see no i'm
mediate relief save in a more ener-
getic and thorough enforcement Of the
law as it stands, with Increased
pressure in favor of the better educa-
tion of the people in the merits of tenn
perance and obedience to law.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
Make Honesty Fashionable.

From the Harrisburg Star-Independent
The first fruits Of the conviction of the sha.
mokin councimen, in the Northumberland county
court on Saturday evening, was the arrest yes.
terday OF eighteen members OF the councils Of
Scranton, accused Of similar offences. These
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

The readiness with which terms of
peace were accepted in Kentucky
shows that war has ceased to be an
attractive novelty in the Blue Grass
State
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

The well known British poets seem
singularly silent when one considers
the present opportunities offered for
something genuine II. the line OF
rhythmical rejoicing.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

The modern juryman has the advant-
age of Supreme court judge every
time. The ignorant member of the
panel of twelve can tie up the other
eleven at will, while the learned jurist
can only file a dissenting opinion.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

the United States which the Post
should consider with care. 1t would
ALLEVIATE the good will of the one nation
on earth which stood by the United
States when 1t was in the thick of its
war with Spsin. 1t would affect injuri-
ously our commerce with England and
all her colonies, who together buy 60
per cent. Of all the goods we sell to
foreigners. 1t would turn against us
the now friendly hand of every Eng
lishman in every foreign city in the
world and leave our diplomatists iso-
lated in every foreign capital, where
the representatives of the continental
nations are already jealous of and
secretly hostile to American influence.
1t would, in short, be an exhibition OF
practical folly unexampled in the
worlds history which, in later years,
would cast reproach upon the short
sighted craftsmanship responsible for
1t.
And this is not all. For If our gov
ernment were to yield to mere senti-
ment to the extent of sending "trib-
ute of love and admiration to the
Beers, it could not with consistency
deny the logical consequence of that
tribute, which would be material aid in
the form of men and guns. That would
mean war with England; the unequal
conflict of our small navy with Eng
lands immense one; the recruiting of
an army twice the size of the army re-
cruited to engage Spain; and war taxes
in proportion. The Washington Post
had better let President Mckinley man.
age this affair. He knows his business.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

In spite of frequent warnings it is
impossible to make the young woman
believe that there is anything danger
Gus in oleo-ice-cream
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

From the varied tone of recent dis
patches from London and the Trans
vaal 1t IS, difficult to determine whether
President Kruger is for peace at any
price or war to the bitter end.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
REPUBLICAN NOMINATIONS.
State.

State.
Congressman az Large - GkLrSHA A. GROW.
ROBERT II. FOERDELER.
Auditor General-E. b. HARDENBERGU.
Legislative.
First District-THONAs J. REYNOLDS.
Second Dstrict--IOItN SCTtFIEP JR.
Third District--EDWARn JAMES. JR.
Fourth District-P. A. PHlLBlN
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
High VS.. Low License.

:$ss" : i :::: ::" 3: ss g S: s.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
Re-eIect TayIOr.

Wv THAT SHALL become of
Nv William Sylvester Tay-
lor, the regularly elected
but taobpirol1y npcaota5
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24
In Dead Earnest.

a TTENTION is called to the
q rewards offered by Mr..
4 N SturgCs and his associates
for Information leading to
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-24

NE OF THE most highly keyed
newspapers in the country on
the subject of our duty to the
Beers is the WASHINGTON Post.
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-03
The oirrs Ambitions.

MANY girls will have noticed, I am
sure, that as our lives advance our am.
billions are apt to become more sim.
pie" writes Helen Spencer In the cur.
rent Ladies' Home Journal. 1.-THE
great plans we had as girls Of thirteen
or fourteen settle gradually into sim
pier ambitions. We learn gradually to
know that In smaller duties better iit-
ted to nj hands lies the greatest hap
piness, and the possibility for fullest
and richest development. Almost every
girl, when she first begins to realize
that she will probably never fuldll all
her girlish ambitions because they are
many Of them beyond her possibilities.
will have the inclination to give mp
as the children say. This 10 apt To- b
the beginning-of real discomfort, and
It ought to be battled with. Let. = sirl
once try to- fully realize what Il means
to be the Inspiration. Of some onsspsr-
sons life, the sunshine II the dark
ensd lives Of some one Or two people
and che will then understand how II
may MI her life almost TO tho brtn,
with happiness" 81
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-03
NINE. CALVES "OpHELIA.'

for fun. All the gayety has developed
within q few years. Fifteen ysars1go
q shrewd man opened . big hotel ct
Grindelwald IN winter and the inhabi-
tants around about were hlled with
Amusement ct the Wild idea, for nobody
ever imagined It would be anything but
q big failure. Yet last winter guests
had to be turned away. New roads are
being built, new hotels springing up
for the express accommodation Of the
winter travellers. Skating and tobog-
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-03

Ths little boys represented the leaves
and. grasses in green satin dress coats
with long tails. green gloves and shoes.
Several represented bees and butter
flies, and q few were Cupids. who In
their tights and. gold wings were
charming as they danced with the
fairies. II.
The little maidens YER perfect
Dreams Of beauty and daintinsss. Sew
eral represented fairies In innnmsr--
abls white tarlatan skirts. making YER
sitable sprites with their GAME Wings
saad trfSbon.wound Nands.
The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-03-03
Winter In Switzerland.

There is. no doubt that the plan Of
taking a winter holiday in Switzerland
is being more largely adopted Of late
years, for all who try it discover the
country is more lovely in winter than
in summer. During December, Janu-
ary and February in the high Swiss al
titudes there are any stormy
days, and winter sports, such as tobog-
gaming, skating, hockey on ice and
sleighing all offer ample opportunity