davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
TILE HENRY END.

The American people few weeks ago re-
sponded with splendid enthusiasm and generoS-
ity 10 the appeal in behalf or the WldoW ol Tue
heroic I.awton. Another appeal has just peen
issued to them which is entitled 10 the same
attention and response Brigader-General Guy
V Henry did not die on the battleheld, ike
Lawton. but just as truly and just as herolcally
he gave his life TO his country. Generai hehr!
died in this city on October - last, WORN out pS
forty years of service eliminating in the ardu-
ous labors of establishing American government
in Puerto Rico and trying to relieve the dis
tress wrought there by the elements. Long
after he should have been relieved he continued
TO minister to others without thought of him
self and he returned to the United States so
weakened that he soon fell n victim TO disease
which he no longer had strength TO resist.
General Henry served through the Civil War
and was one of the most noted soldiers or our
subsequent Indian campaigns In them he was
terribly wounded and he bore the marks OF his
ipiuries to the grave. His bravery in battle, his
ability in administration, his sterling character
and his noble spirit are too we'll known and
were too generally acknowledged at the time or
his death TO require rehearsal now. All that is
needed certainly is a word to the American
people to remind them of how they priced him
and how they can pay their debt. He and Law
ton were the only general officers of the Army
who so far have fallen victims TO recent service,
and it is most fitting that their appreciative
countrymen should see that those they left be-
hind have a certain income to place them be-
yond all anxiety and need. Mrs. Henry is en-
titled under the law to a pension Of merely $50
a month. Certainly this country does not wish
that to be the limit of it's gratitude to her hus-
band and herself. She was with him on the
plains, and when he went to Puerto Rico she
took a leading part in the establishment Of
schools and charities there and in organizing
the relief work after the hurricane.
Many prominent men in 'all parts of the Union
have thought that the best testimonial to Gen
eral Henry's memory would be provision for his
widow and they have thought also that the
most fitting way TO secure it would be, as in the
case of General Lawton, from the free gifts of
American citizens Therefore they have organ
lied a committee to announce the enterprise,
which they believe needs only announcement.
and have asked that all who wish to aid a fund
in General Henrys memory will send their con-
trbutiOnS TO Mr.. A s. Frissell, president of the
Fifth Avenue Bank NeW-IOrk City.
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
aerp9lprk Dailp Gribn,re:
FRIDAY, MARCH 1G. 1900.
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FOREIGN.-General Roberts dispatched g
orce south from Bloemfonteln by railway to CO.
operate with the forces of Generals Gatacre and
Clements the Orange River; General CAT
acres troops crossed the Orange River and
seized Bethulie. in The Orange Free State: in
he House Of Commons Mr.. Balfour stated that
he British Government would not accept inter
Tention in South Africa by any Power; in the
French Parliament Minister Delcasse said that
intervention by the Powers in South Africa was
impossible == The American Association at
Shanghai ask concerted action by the Powers to
prevent notification of the open door policy
arising from the attitude of the Empress
Jowager toward the reform element in China.
CONGRESS- Senate: Consideration Of the
Puerto Rican relief bill was begun: there was
angry and exciting colloquy between Messrs.
oenrOse and Gainger over the Quay case. ==
House: The District OF Columbia Appropria ton
oill and a bill granting the abandoned Fort
HAYS reservation to the State of Kansas We're
passed.
OOMESTIC.-The correspondence accompany
ng the Boer request for mediation by the
United States made public. = Mr.. Ray.
chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,
las prepared constitutional amendment Civ
ng Congress power to repress and regulate
rusts. =The House Naval Affairs Commit
zee decided the number OF new warshipS to be
authorized this year, and fixed the price of
irInor S-J45 a ton. == The prospect of a
strike the Central Railroad Of New-Jersey
vas regarded as threatening. - The ad-
aerents of the Ramapos Water Company sue
.eeded in deferring until Monday final action on
he Morgan BILL proyldine that the city should
;ave the right to condemn Sand for the purpose
if a municipal water supply
CITY-Stocks were duh at small final changes
- Judge Lacombe sent to Hugh j. Grant
temporary receiver of the Third Avenue Rail
road Company, Instructions to guide him in
.ase OF the bringing of criminal proceedings.
- The Grand Jury excluded District At
.orney Gardiner from its deliberations and was
sustained by Recorder GOff. - A pro-Boer
meeting in Cooper Union addressed by
Hontagu White, ex-Judge Van Hoesen and
others. == About six inches of snow and two
,f seet fell during the day =" The Colonial
Club gave dinner in honor of the captains of
Admiral DeWey's feet at Manila. - Com
oany b. 69th Regiment, was mustered out.
THE Observation-Disclosures for to-day:
colder and snow Sleet. Temperature yester-
3ay: Highest, % degrees; lowest. %; average,
.311.
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
LET 1T DROP.

Somewhat TO the surprise, we suppose, of
most Of those who have followed with more
or less interest the langushing discussion of
educational matters at Albany, Senator Grady
has just introduced bill to unity the dual sys-
tenn Of school administration, which he says
the Democratic minority in the Legislature will
support. 1t provides. in brief, for the creation of
n State Department of Education. TO include the
University and the Department of Public In
struction, and to be governed by an Executive
Board of Regents, through five bureaus, each
of which shall have at its head a director ap-
pointed by the Executive Committee. Thus it
posal embodies though in an imperfect form.
the sound fundamental principle of educational
unifcation under the University, and to that
extent it is deserving of commendation.
Whether or not this latest combination Of
features taken from the various schemes which
have been ON exhibition all winter is on the
whole fit to survive is another question. Its one
conspicuous merit does not obscure some seri-
Gus defects and the fact that it was introduced
with suggestive promise of party support will
not commend il 10 wise and diSnierested citi-
Zens whose chief desire has been TO put the
schools beyond the reach of political influences.
and who have hoped To keep politics ont of the
discussion. We have no idea that il will come
to a vote at this session. and our impression is
that the whole subject might as we'll be laid
aside for another year. There is reason to
suppose that any fortunate solution of prob
lem which has been made unnecessarily diff
cnt by iniudicious treatment can be reached
before adjournment
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
THE NEW MONETARY BASIS.

The Currency bill has passed both houses
has been approved by the President and the
Secretary OF the Treasury has proceeded al once
TO enforce it. With promptness which shows
how well he understands a chief object of its
trainers, he invites the exchange of the bonds
named in the bill for per cent bonds and
a bonus. and considera BILE money which has
been tied up In preparation for the increase Of
circulation will presently be released. But there
is little indication yet that the banks OF New
York or of the other chief Eastern cities have
contemplated any increase of circulation under
existing circumstances. and the increase by in
terror cities will only lessen to some extent the
dependence Of other parts of the country upon
New York. Perhaps good many persons will
discover that bank circulation does not remain
ahoat as easily or as long they have sup
posed unless some especially active speculation
starts up quickly, OF such nature as TO create
q great demand for bank notes If no such
thing occurs, the Treasury may not be called
| upon TO dsburse for some time to come the
whole OF the S23, 900 900 which is the computed
difference between the present value of the
| bonds surrendered and the new bonds offered
What Will happen next fall when the move
ment or new crops invites active speculation
and purchases from farms will provide oppor-
tunity for extensive distribution OF notes. il is
ditions then existing will have much to do
with the disposition of banks to lend their
money freely. Conceivable changes in the bust
ness world may also affect this II will prob
ably be realized that the gold standard needs to
be defended just as much and in just the same
way as al other times Of agitation for free sill
yer coinage Nobody has yet devised and prob
ably nobody can devise. measure which would
make the currency thoroughly safe and sound
If Bryan and his followers were to gain con-
troll, and if they have 10 be fought with ballots
exactly as before the event will show whether
the new measure has given an excuse for neg
lecting duty or created I'm any quarter a feeling
OF false confidence.
The accumulation Of revenue In excess of ex.
penditures seems 10 be causing some anxiety at
Washington. The effect Of that excess is ia
draw more money into the Treasury and il is
now perceived that an extensive Increase of de-
posts with banks may not be found popular
nor expedient. But the apprehension Is a little
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
THE TAX REVISION FIASCO

The Joint Tax Committees tax scheme seems
% be approaching the melancholy and Union
bred end prepared for IL by its makers when
hey departed from their instructions 10 make
general revision OF the tax law and devoted
themselves TO special tinkering. The latest re-
Fision has only made the measure less accept
ible than il was in the original form. The ex-
emptOn from taxation OF the gilt edged loans
which. owing 10 the large margin OF the Sc
suIity offered or the general wealth and stand
ng Of the borrower bear low rate Of interest
while tax is placed on the mortgage made by
.he poor farmer or householder or shopkeeper
who already has difficulty In raising money and
must pay high interest for 1t, is SO palpably a
piece Of fayOrtism that even "organizatio
pressure is not sufficient to make country news
papers or Legislators accept the bill with good
grace.
The unfortunate side OF this probable failure
Of revision is the dscoura cement which 1t
brings 10 the movement for an equitable adjust
nent Of the tax burden. Commission after COM
mission has taken up this subject and made
more or less valuable recommendations, but
lothing ever seems to be accomplished. High
hopes were entertained when members of the
Legislature themselves undertook TO prepare a
scientific tax system They were practical men,
and their conclusions would command more
savor with their associates than the work OF
outsiders. however expert. But when their
much heralded bill appeared ii was found TO be
merely a case of puttering and playing politics,
aot partisan politics, but bipartisan politics. for
he benefit OF politicians in general, making that
.lass less responsible TO the taxpayer, while
aot 10 any great extent relieving that taxpayer
from the injustice and inequality which all
admit 10 be inseparable from the present local
lax system
The hit miss plan of assessing personal
property at rates amounting 10 practical confs-
cation OF income Of those who happen 10 be
caught was left in operation. Mortgages on
property in this State were exempt from that
ottery bur other personally was left subject
% leyies which put premium on perjury and
emigration of capital. The bill was confessedly
arbitrary in it's eXactions. 1t had no scientific
5asis. but merely selected certain properties as
convenient subjects for levy and taxed them.
cot al a rate necessarily Just. but at a rate cal
.ulated 30 produce a sum the committee had
determined 10 squeeze out OF those properties.
That was the principle Of taxation in the Mid
ile Age baron. The chief merit claimed for the
scheme was that K raised State revenues with
out general property tax This was doubt
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16

ful advantage, however except for politicians,
as it gave the State a fixed income. independent
OF its varying needs, and was direct invitation
to extravaganza.
This years tax revision iasco is likely TO re-
tard tax reform. If so, the committee has itself
10 blame for the failure 10 give the promised
scientific revision TO the laws. Discouraging as
may be the total failure of one more Tax Com
mission. more dscouraging still would have
been the adoption of a newsbodge- podge more
difficult to do away with than even the present
laws which everybody admits to be grotesque
Perhaps the movement will have done some
good by impressing more deeply than
the people the need of reform. and also by
teaching the lesson that II cannot he had by
bungling schemes. Even the failure is worth
while il politicians learn that playing at scen-
tihc tax revision is waste Of time and a dam
age to their regulations.
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
PERSONAL.

General Cronje's property near Potchefstroom con-
sists of more than six thousand acres The farm
house is one story building, and Is furnished
with the utmost simplicity. Its owner is essen
TALLY sportsman and lover Of open air life He
diskes city life and for that reason has per-
Transvaal Presidency-an office the holding of
which inv olives the necessity of living in Pretoria
The Hon. Israel Tarte, the Canadian Minister of
Public Works sailed from this city yesterday on
the French steamer LAquitalne for Havre en-
route for Paris, where he will represent Canada as
Commissioner the Official opening of the Ex-
hibition He was accompanied by Mrs j. z. Robil-
lard and Miss Anna Tarte his daughter: Mrs
Joseph Robillard. his aunt, and Henri Harris. his
private secretary.
The Rev DIR. E, P. Parker, of Hartford SAYS of
the late Rev. DR.. George Leon Walker of that
city: He had a holy horror Of the sort of wit
with which some Enthusiastically destitute of
real wit humor-endeavCr to eniven their dis
courses. At installation service here In Hart
ford. when a brother minister Juggling into his
me. groaning with pain: oh. Parker can We
be rid of these wretched attempts 10 be
and occasion Dr. Walker could be delicionsly hu-
morous. In the long line of ministers who have
served In the pastorate of the First Church in
this city. Thomas Hooker stands first and foremost
suppose. In my opinion Dr. George Leon
Walker stands next to him In the rank OF great
ness"
Professor Arthur C. McGirert. OF the Union
Theological Seminary will be member OF the
University OF Chicago faculty during the summer
quarter. He is Washburn professor In Church
history at the seminary. and will give courses In
his department at chicago
Dean c. Worcester. who has been appointed a
member of the new Philippine Commission. has
in the University OF Michigan TO the Board OF Re
gents. 1t is generally understood by his former
faculty colleagues that he Will not teach again
They state that he has his eye on some business
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
AmuSfmtnrs.

ACADEMY OF MCSIC-s:to-wey Down
AMERICAN THEATRE-s:13-Fra Diavoio.
s:20-Jspanese Players
BROADWAY S-Ben-Ifur.
fARNESgE LfCEDM-3-s:15--i.ectiIr
CRITERION THEATRE-s:f5-The Pride Of Jennico
nsLT'S THEATRES :so-The Ambassador.
EDEN MCSEE-9 a 10 IL D. m.-WsNworks Sraho
Concert and Cinematograph.
EMPIRE THEATRE :3o-Broiher Officers.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE-s-Much ADO About Moth
FOURTEENTH STREET THEATRE-s-The Carpetbag
GARDEN THEATRE-S-H Are Trumps.
SARRICk NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Holmes.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE-s-Primrose and Docksadef
Mnstreis
HAMMERSTEIN's NIcToRIA.s:So- Nam selle A""hs'
HARLEM OPERA EOI -s:i5-A Runaway Girl
HERALD SQUARE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Butte'hs
and Naughty Anthony.
IRVING PLACE TIEATRE-s-Hero ana beenoef.
KEITH s-Continuous Performance -,
KSICNERToCkER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ROSTER BIAL'S-s-The Regatta Cir.
LION PAI,ACT-Naudeyille.
i.YCEI-M THEATRE -s:3o-My Daughter -in-Lsw
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN-lo a. m. TO ii p m
Sportsmens Show. - -, . ~.
DressnakeTs. 1850,
kF-TRoPOIITAN OPERA HoCSE-s-Ffdelio
MURRAY rIJI-2-s-Peacsful Valley
NETWORK THEATRE-s:l :lo-Brcadwsy 70 loh'o-
observation-disclosures Performance
WALDORF -ASTORiA-S:3o-l>ecture
wALr.ACK' K's-s:1b-Second Mrs TaneueraS
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16

premature. The appropriations by Congress
may call for larger distribution Of money than
is expected, the operations In Puerto Rico ana
the Philippines viii require considerable sums,
and the refunding will draw money from the
Treasury in proportion to its si!ccess. Nor is
it certain that the revenue Will continue as
large as it has been for March returns have
given some indications that demands for for
eign goods may have been partially satated for
time by recent large arrivals
How far The National honor and credit can
be established by arts of bookkeeping will now
be tested. The creation of separate Treasury
divisions is expected to prove valuable. But
people who live and have their being In balance
sheets do not always remember that National
statements have to be made with reference to
the impressions produced in ordinary minds
When the everyday citizen read that the Treas
ury held on March 13 an available cash balance
of $3O3 6S7 641 II. it appeared to him n pretty
solid guarantee of solvency for all purposes
The reformed statement Will show that the
sOundness Of the currency is secured by gold
reserve of SI50000000 which will hardly seem
larger than the gold balance of S243.5lG, 105 SO
on March 13, including bullion fund The plain
citizen will look for the separate provision
of the Treasury 10 guarantee it's credit in all
other respects. and will see the remainder of
the cash on hand say, S1530O000O. of which
S111.757 S12 13 consists of deposits in National
banks. and it Is not certain that this will I'M
press him more than the available cash pal
ance" of S303.6S7. .049 II for all purposes. To
the mind Of the plain citizen it may seem that
in finance. in war; the power of great army
is not always increased by dividing it, But the
average citizen will doubtless be educated in
time to the banking point of view
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
THE BOERS AT ST. HELENA.

There is no doubt that an unpleasant impress
sion has been produced upon the minds of many
by the announcement that General Cronje and
his troops are being sent TO the island of st.
Helena 1t has seemed as if the men We're being
sent to lifelong exile in one Of the most dreary
and forbidding spots upon the surface of the
globe That lone, barren isle is inseparably
ASSOCIATED in the popular mind with the i'm
prsonment of Napoleon Bonaparte, who found
its cliffs and valleys scarcely more endurabe
than a cell in the Bastlle, and there has grown
up an ina ginative fiction that above the landing
place upon its rocky shore inscribed the
words of Dante's vision Abandon hope all We
who enter here"
This view of the case is, however, by no
means correct. In the first place the British
Government can have no thought of lifelong
exile for prisoners of war. 1T has no mind to
make Of CrOnje another Bonaparte or another
Arab. 1t declines to exchange prisoners, know
Ing that is the surest way in which to bring the
war to a speedy close. Therefore it has to pro-
vide for the safe keeping of all the Boer pris-
oners it has taken until the return OF peace
when they will. of course. be liberated Three
courses are open to it, 1t could keep them in
prison on land in Cape Colony, it has been
doing. In that case they would necessarily have
to be coOped up within narrow bounds and
there would be constant attempts made by them
TO communicate with friends outside and to
escape That has been the case at SimOnstown.
The Beers have tried TO get out of prison by
tunnellng and have carried on contraband
communication with their friends by means of
letters concealed in watermelons Such i'm
prisonment is therefore attended with much
vexation to both prisoners and guards Another
plan would be to confine them aboard transport
ships at some distance from the shore There
they would be secure enough. But nothing is
more odious than the very name of prison
ship and there can be few greater hardshps
than to shut up on shipboard for weeks or
months men who have been accustomed all
their lives TO free roaming on the land
The third course is to send them to some bit
of land where they will have the freedom of
escape. The nearest such spot is st. Helena
Remote as that island is il is the nearest of all
to Cape Town 1t is a place of agreeable eli
mate. almost identical with that of the old
home Of the prisoners. 1t is also eminently
salubrious veritable sanatorum And il com
bines freedom from restraint and security from
escape in a notable degree. There the prisoners
will not have to be confined in cells or within
stockades, as the British prisoners are at Pre-
tora They may have the free range of the
island. And yet there will he no danger of their
friends outside. There they will be kept until
the war is ended and terms OF peace are estob-
lished. and then they will be brought back 10
Cape Town and set at liberty. to become loyal
subjects of the Queen. Such is the British plan
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
THE SEIZURE OF HAINAN

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: A somewhat startling news item from n.
Far East appeared in the Sunday issue OF Ths
Tribune. to the effect that the Independence OF
Siam is said TO be threatened by proposed Frerch
expedition to seize Hainan
The island of Hainan is distant about ons thou
sand miles from Siam. and 1t would be difficult to
conceive how its seizure by any foreign Power
could in any manner affect the sovereign rights OF
that kingdom, the island Is a dependency OF
China. and not under the suzerainty of Slam The
natives OF the island exclusively Chinese or
Hackers, as they are reproachfuily termed by
the Cantonese and the inhabitants OF Kwan-Tung.
and they number nearly two millions. They
exceedingly peaceful people, devoted TO their couu-
try, and seldom migrate for the purpose OF trading
beyond their own limited domains. Hainan lies IN
the North China Sea and east of the Gulf OF Ton
qun. 1t is about two hundred miles In length and
one hundred miles in width and is distant about
twenty miles from the mainland. The country IS
exceedingly rugged along the northern and
mountainous in the interior but the valleys are
noted for their great fertility as rice sugar to-
bacco and sweet potatoes are grown there luxuri-
antly with very little manual labor and without
artificial irrigation.
On what pretext the French can attempt 70 take
forcibe possession of the country 5 not easy
imagine, but IL must be remern6ared maj they 40
not always furnish satisfactory reasons for their
mlutary operators in the Far East, having conf
mtted by force of arms the most atrocious acts OF
which territories lie the west OF the China Sea
in the great Indo-C Chinese peninsula and n is not
probable that they will pay much attention 20 the
protests OF the Imperial government at this time.
1T may be the policy of the French Government not
TO await the tardy action OF the European Powers
immediately 20 annex this important and much
coveted island TO their untustly acquired posses
sions. precisely they have frequently attempted
to conquer TonQuin the Red River country with
out any excuse except thar they wanted it.
New-York Feb es 1900
New-York tribune., 1900-03-16

Imprisonment Of any kind is not an agreeable
experience But there seems no reason to re-
gard the method adopted in this case AZ In any
respect tnhuman or unduly severe. On the con-
trary. it seems designed 70 afford to the prison
ers the largest amount Of liberty and the small
est degree of irksomeness. Ii is not to be sup
posed that the Beers will go to St Helena with
the disposition of Bonaparte, nor that they Will
find the place as hateful as II was to him. They
are more likely to find it about endurable as
prison can be, and to regard themselves as, on
the whole, well treated for prisoners OF war.