davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times., 1900-03-22
Civilization and the Human Foot.

Some one with considerable time for
contemplation has been rejecting on the
possibility Of the disappearance Of the toe
from the human foot. An analogy is drawn
between the development of the horse and
that Of the human being. II is recalled
that the animal which was the progenitor
of the horse had five toes on each foot In
his day the ground was mostly marsh and
soft earth. and the shape of the foot of The
animal prevented him from sinking. AS
the ages passed. and the surface of the
earth grew frmer. the toes disappeared,
because in walking on the hard ground
they were not needed. 1t is argued tha,
with the continual wearing Of shoes the
human foot Will become subject, after
many generations. to the same modifca-
ton. because the toes will become useless.
Certain it is that in the course of time
the shape of the foot will be materially
modified. if the present style of shoe con-
! tinues to be worn. Ii cramps the mus
/ cles and makes walking a difficult under
! taking instead of a pleasurable exercise:
! and it is probably responsible for much
/ of the dyspepsia and other diseases char
/ acteristic of civilization. When one can
not walk without WEAKNESS and pain, the
/ body is not apt to get enough exercise to
keep it in good condition. Many Ameri-
can women have no real right to condemn
the Chinese girl for compressing her foot,
since they themselves do very much the
same thing. though not in quite so ex-
treme a form.
However the wearing of shoes is not so
common as vet that it is likely to modify
the physical characteristics of the human
race. At least two-thirds of the people
in tropical and sub-tropical climates go
barefoot. and the same is true of the
peasants of many lands in the temperate
zone. Perhaps. with the spread Of civil
ization, even the happy and unrestrained
savage will consider shoes and starch
necessary to his existence, but We have
not reached that point yet, and the power
of the sun in regions near the equator 10
such that most people will continue to
sacrifice style to comfort.
The evening times., 1900-03-22
A combination of Creeds

An eminent japanese statesman has
been making a dispassionate comparison
OF the useful qualities of Christianity
Buddhism. and Confucianism. and con
sidering the possibility OF combining the
three so as to make a religion which viii
be adapted to home use. The optimism
OF his idea is rather surprising to the Oc-
gidental mind. and suggests some curious
reflections as to the real effect which
some generations of mission work have
had on the Japanese. IT, after ali the eX-
plantations which have. been made about
the intrinsic worth and indispensabilitv Of
Methodism. Congregationalism. and the
various other English and American de-
nomnatiOnal creeds. the benighted Jap
anese is under the impression that the
three great religions OF the world can be
combined to make one good, useful work
ing creed considerable time and money had
been spent to no purpose.
Japan's attitude toward Western civil
zation is rather interesting from any point
of view. The little island nation has been
quite ready to Try on any new intellectual
social or religious costume to which she
happened 10 be introduced. and some OF the
agents for these commodities have made
the mistake of surposing that the Japa-
ncse people were hungering and thirsting
to be delivered from the bondage of an
cient customs and superstitions. and that
they were ready 10 be made over as fast as
possible into the similitude of Americans.
for the beautiful faith and literature Of Old
Japan was never stronger i'm the hearts of
her people and though they may expert
ment with Western inventions for a while.
and use them when convenient. with the
ready adaptability Of the Oriental. there is
no more chance of their becoming perma-
rent imitation Yankees than there is of
a hummingbird's raising a brood of Leg
horn chickens.
If this japanese statesman is really in
earnest, ii will be both pathetic and anus
ing to watch the disillusionment which
will attend the working out of his project
He evidently does not realize that it is
next to impossible to induce even the va
rious Protestant sects in this country to
unite in practical work for the benefit of
humanity. In every one of these sects are
schisms, disagreements. and social varia-
tions innamerable; aud as for inducing a
Baptist theolOgian TO admit that Unita-
rian doctrine has soul-saving power, no
wilder chimera was ever conceived by Ba-
ron Munchausen. When little toRn is
barely able. by the combined efforts of its
entire churchgoing population, to subscribe
money enough to pay one clergyman a de-
cent salary, and in spite of this persists
in supporting, after a fashion, three
churches and chapel, there is not much
hope that the missionaries born and
The evening times., 1900-03-22
No Imputation on His Courage
Ernm the Paducah SUM


Prosecuting Attorney Wheeler Campbell was In
an unusual predicament Saturday. He was prose
cutting a peace warrant in the Police Court. One
of the most essential questions 10 be asked on
such occasions is:
care YOU afraid that unless this defendant is
restrained by law he will do you some great
bodily harm?'
This question he propounded TO the prosecuting
Witness who was a stalwart man, almost twice
the size of the man he had sworn out the peace
warrant against.
NAV. sah, ain't.'' he boldly replied.
''You are not?' asked the attorney in amaze
ment Now wait, let me ask you the question
again, so you'll understand it. Are You afraid
of him?
''No. sab. I aa-ain't tow say aired o dat mig
gah.'' he sputtered. 81 amt scsr'd ob im.''
Are you afraid he will attempt to do YOU
bodily ham? tentatively asked the attorney.
''Not ef-ef-not ef I kin git a far showin' al
i'm, boss he said as he glared defaRtly at the
prisoner.
The spectators here began to laugh. The pris-
oner's stolid countenance also reapSed into a sin
ster smile, but the witness contended that he
wasn't bit afraid Of the prisoner, and didn't seem
TO care who knew it.
''what did you gel this peace warrant. for
them demanded the attorney.
II les wanted-ies' wanted, he explained
so to show dat niggah dat my 'tentions wuz
peaceably 'clined, ssb."
The Court then asked few questions and found
out that the witness was afraid the prisoner
would shoot him do something of that kind,
but he Wasn't really '.afrsid'' Of him The de-
fendsnt was accordingly required to execute bond,
and at the same time the witness reputation for
fearlessness was unaffected.
The evening times., 1900-03-22
LIABILITY OF LANDLORDS.
An Interesting Case to BE Tried in
Mary Hand.

FREDERICK. Nd. March 22.-At the
regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen
tonight the city attorney, Hammond Ur-
ner, was instructed to bring suit against
Charles W Ross and Henry Williams for
$3.50 The suit has grown out of an al
legged water rent bill said to be due the
city by Seth Burgess, late proprietor OF
the Carlin House.
The property is owned by Messrs. Ross
and Williams and as landlords the city
authorities are of the opinion that they
are responsible for the water rent, which.
il is said. they refused 10 pay after formal
notice had been served on them. Mr..
Ross is a prominent lawyer and Mr.. Will
liams President of the Central Bank. The
case promises to be an interesting one, as
1t is TO be made a test case as to whether
a landlord is responsible or not for his ten
ants water rent.
1t is said that some interesting points
may develop as to whether or not the city
authorities have any right whatever 10 col
lect water rents. as it is claimed that
when the charter was granted for the con-
struction Of the reservoir and the bonds
issued for the work had been paid for from
the rentals. the water was to be free. 1t
is now claimed that the annual rentals
were never applied 10 paying this specific
ebtedness, which would have more than
paid for the plant, but were thrown into
the general revenue of the city toward
liquidation of its total indebtedness.
The evening times., 1900-03-22
FORMING A NEW BANK.
The Empire of New York to Have
S3OO.OOO.0OO Capital.

NEW YORK. March 22.-Authority has
been granted by the Comptroller of Cur
rency for the organization OF the Empire
National Bank Of this city, with a capital
OF $500. .OC0. 900 and a surplus of $50 600.
This is the first local bank 10 be formed
to take advantage of the circulation feat
ure Of the new Currency law. Z. Z.
Thomas, of the New York Stock Exchange
firm Of Thomas & Post and son of Gen.
Samuel Thomas will be president and o.
F. Thomas president Of the Bank OF
Wayne, Lyons. NY. will be vice presi
dent The bank will probably be in the
Empire Building Il Broadway. The notes
representing the new banks circulation
cannot be Obtained in less than a month
and a half as so many applications from
other banks are already on file. Time
will also be required 10 prepare vaults
for the bank.
The new bank will make speciality of
out of town accounts. Among those who
will be on its board OF directors are:
Edwin B. VI. Post partner of Mr. Thomas,
in Thomas & Post: George Scott. son OF
the former vice president Of the Erie
Railroad; Attila Cox. Samuel Dodd. \. c.
Overholt. John C. Deshler Columbus;
Charles Hammond and William VI. Bar
mum. of the law firm of Reed. simpson,
Thatcher d Barnum
The evening times., 1900-03-22
TREATY WITH SWITZERLAND.
AbrogatiOn by This Country of the
Commercial Agreement.

Assistant Secretary Spaulding of the
Treasury. yesterday sent the following cir
cular letter to collectors and other officers
of the customs:
This Department has been advised by
the Secretary Of State that the concessions
made to France in The reciprocal CONNER
cial arrangement of May IS. 1898. under
section of the Tariff act OF July "a 1897.
will cease on March "A 1900, to be appii
cable to like articles of Swiss origin. in
consequence of the denunCiation by the
United states Of the clauses in the treaty
Of 1850 with Switzerland. which secured
TO the products Of the respective nations
the benefit of the ilowest rates of duty
which either should thereafter grant, by
treaty or otherwise, to any other country.
The letter concludes by saying: "Iou
are therefore hereby authorized to assess
regular duties on merchandise imported
from Switzerland on and after March "a
1g00-that is the rates OF duty which were
imposed and collected on such importations
prior 10 the Departments decision Of De-
cember >. 1895, which is revoked according
IL
The evening times., 1900-03-22
SURGEONS FOR OTtS' ARMY.
New Ones Sent to the Philippines by
Every TFuu snort.


Surgeon General Sternberg is sending
surgeons to the Philippines by every
transport that sails, in order that the SICK
and wounded soldiers mag receive every
attention possible. 1t was said yesterday
that there are now between $50 and 400
surgeons with Genera. Otis, army, and that
more would be sent TO him. 1t was stated
that about $50 surgeons could attend to
the wants of the sick and wounded and
that the reason for sending over new sur
geons by every transport was that all the
contract surgeons are employed for one
year, and that many of them, whose con-
tracts had expired, were returning to this
country. Quite number of the contract
surgeons are also being given commissions
in the Regular Army. A board OF medical
officers is now examining the candidates
at Manila, and as fast as their papers can
be made out they are being sent to the
President.
Twenty-four surgeons sailed from San
Francisco Monday and orders were issued
yesterday for seventeen to proceed to that
port and take the next transport for Ma
Mia. The latest orders include three Dis
triet of Columbia physicians. The list is
as follows
Frank C. Baker from Washington, d. c.;
Robert NJ. Thornburgh, from New York
city; Leonard =. Bell, from Indianapolis;
Caspar r. Byars, from Columbus, Texas;
Joseph A. Collie. from Williams Bay, Wis;
Richard NJ. English, from New Haven;
Bower Z. Hines. from Fort Sheridan, H.;
Luther p. Howell. from Washington Court
House, Ohio; George l.. Marion. from Ell
gin. H.: John n. Merrick. from Columbus.
Ohio; John L. Norris, from Washington d,
c.; Conn r. Ohliger. from Canton, Ohio:
Samuel A. Springwater, from Chicago;
Randell c. Stoney, from Charleston, S. C.;
Henry Fl. Stromberger, from Washington,
d. c.; Edwin NJ. Trook from Marion Ind;
Josiah M. Ward from Newbern, N c.
According to official reports received oy
Surgeon General Sternberg from Manila,
the total number Of deaths from all caus-
es in the army in the Philippines between
July /, 1885, and January /, 1900. was
1921; of this number 5S were officers and
1,263 enlisted men. There were killed in
action and died OF wounds AZ officers and
$40 men; deaths from other forms Of vio-
lence. officers and 131 men; died OF dis
ease, 16 officers and 693 men. The ratio
of deaths of officers to men is one officer
to L men from violence. and l officer to
43 men from disease
There were 1.767 men wounded who re-
covered. Twenty deaths were from pneu-
monia; 81 from consumption; 40 from ma
laria; 149 from dysentery; 100 from small
pox, and 167 from typhoid fever.
The evening times., 1900-03-22
THE MINERVA SAFE IN PORT.
After n Hazardous Voyage She Ar
rives mt Norfolk.

NORFOLK Va March 22.-Tae Spanish
steamer Minerva, Captain Zabado. arrived
here last night from Bermuda. She has
aboard $500 tons of iron ore, is ooalinS
here. and will proceed today for Balti-
more, where a voyage will end that has
not many parallels. She sailed from Por-
man, Spain, for Baltimore, January q. and
about February Is was oyertaken by
storm which captain and crew said was
of awful violence. The steamer was
deeply laden with cargo without bEoyan-
cy,s and for days the waves which swept
over her threatened every moment to en-
gulf her. Captain Zabado said he knew
that, loaded with iron as she was, sne
would 90 to the bottom instantly sncuid
she FILL and he did what he could 10 light
en- her. He threw over ninety tons Oh coal
leaving enough aboard, he thought. to fur
nish steam enough to bring his ship insIle
the Virginia capes. He did not anticipate
the violence of wind and sea that followed.
and when within 180 miles CT Cape Henry
the coal gave out and the Minerva was
helpless, adrift al sea.
In the trough of the waves she- -rolled
about until February q, when the British
steamer Parana came along and towed
her Tor two or three hours. L ne Sed was
high, the hawser parted, and the Parana
lost her tow in the darkness. For nine
days after this the Minerva drifted about
and never sighted a sail. Her crew was
put on scant allowance of food, as 1t was
not known how long IL would be until help
came. During this time the revenue cut
ter Onondaga sailed from Philadelphia 10
search for the Minerva and she secured
the seas without sighting her. The cutter
put in here for harbor and repairs after
a storm which overlook her, and her COM
mander, Captain Hamlet, said he believed
the Minerva had foundered. He sailed
again, however, in search Of her.
About this time the German steamer
Skyros oyerhauled the Spanish steamer.
and towed her to Bermuda. On reaching
this port the Minerva endeavored TO make
Baltimore. After proceeding thirty miles
Capt. ]. w. Shinnick the Maryland pilot
who was taking her in learned that there
was not enough coal aboard TO last the
steamer only four hours. AS Baltimore
was twelve hours away, the Minerva put
back here for coal. The shortage Of coal
was made known by signs, as neither Cap
tain Zabado nor one of the crew speaks
English. The Minerya's voyage. which
lasted nearly two months. and has been
attended by great hardships. will end to-
day. Her captain says he has never ex-
perienced such a tempestuous trip.
The evening times., 1900-03-22

Democratic objections to a standing army
are in part explained by the interesting
history Of the Administration war on the
miners of Shoshone county, Idaho. In that
affair it will be remembered that men were
not only confined in the famous bull pen
without legal process and without charges
being preferred against them but on war
rants issued in blank to favored persons
asking for them. 1t now transpires that
Merriam's negro soldiers actually hunted
down and arrested people in Montana, car
rying them violently and unlawfully out of
the State against the protest of its Gov
ernor If that is the kind of thing a large
standing army portends the people general
ly are not likely to favor one for some
time
The evening times., 1900-03-22

A very uncomfortable disturbance is be-
ing made over the report that Secretary
Root has granted gold mining privileges on
the shores Of Cape Nome in Alaska, with
out due warrant of law. But people have
been Just as critical about other equally
or less innocent matters. There was poor
Mr.. Gage for instance, He granted the
privileges Of the till to a certain Standard
Oil institution in New York. and there was
a fearful row, but no evil consequences to
him of which We have heard. People are
much too prone to be censorious and to
forget that the standards and practices of
this Administration are new and peculiar,
but eminently satisfactory to those who
thrive or and by them.
The evening times., 1900-03-22

II Porto Rico were allowed to exercise
the rights guaranteed TO her not only by
the solemn promise of our Government, but
by the Constitution of the United States.
the island today would be as prosperous as
any other part of the Union. 1t is only
bv denial of the Porto Ricans' equitable and
constitutional privileges as American ciu-
zens-which they became when they ac-
cepted our flag and sovereignty-that
instead Of prosperity they have nothing but
misery. poverty, and starvation.
While President Mckinley and the lead
ers OF his party in Congress are struggling
TO continue the oppression Of these unfor-
tunate American people, deliberately and
knowingly in violation and defiance of tho
Constitution. il is reported that there are
thirty thousand naked women in the noun
tain districts OF the island, and that
nearer San Juan. there are one thousand
who cannot leave their huts because they
have not a garment bigger than fig leaf
in which to appear in public. The latter
contingent are not savages or tramps.
Before the hurricane and the worse de-
yastation Of Dngleyism these poor crea-
lures had comfortable homes and farms.
Now they are naked and perishing of hun
ger. only because the protected monopolies
who must be obeyed that the Hanna cam
paisn chest may be filled, have ordered
President Mckinley and the other hench-
men TO whom they have given political
power to continue the wicked. outrageous.
illegal and criminal system Of eXtortion
and tyranny which is responsible for the
helIish conditions that obtain throughout
The island
The Porto Ricans ask only for their
rights. the right of civil government. and
the right of domestic free trade with other
porticus Of the United States. These have
never before been denied tC any American
territory organized or unOrgaDiZed. The
departure may be accounted for. but not
excused. by saying that the present is the
first time in our history when the man.
dates OF trusts and monopOlies have been
counted as Of higher force than national
promises. oaths Of Office. aud the Consti-
tuition Of the United States. Governor
General Davis. in New York Journal
interview. is quoted as saying: Il have
given the Government the true facts and
have pointed out what I believe to be the
only sound policy. The people OF Port,
Rico are civilized and are more capabl,
than the people of New Mexico. who wert
given territorial government fifty years
ago"
But fifty years ago this country was
ruled by its people through representative
men Of the people, and not as now by The
Rockefellers Havemeyers. Spreckeis, Pier
ponj Morgans. ONnards. Dukes. and Han
mas Therein lies the difference. Perhaps
the people may decide to resume the
crown of constitutional government that
they put in commission in the control OF
these and like plutocrats in The year Ct
grace 1896 Their opportunity viii come
in November.
The evening times., 1900-03-22
BIacksmithipg by Cowboys.
From the Arizona Crsphic.)


up at my camp, near the -Four Peaks, told
Jim Bark the well-known cattleman, ''the
boys are all handy with rifle We've lot OF
gums up there. The old fashioned black powder
Winchester has been discarded, and nothing but
the best goes. Most of the guns were bought
during the Spanish war, when would expert
ment all day with tree trunks and rough trenches,
learning the art OF war at home. We found that
a bullet from one of the new Winchesters, driven
by smokeless powder, was good for four foot and
more of pine timber and for more than an inch
of iron. / thought the boys had done about
every thing in the shooting line that could be
done long ago, but ] was mistaken. | sent them
up a wagon. In hauling down some frewood
they broke The holsters all to flinders. The
holsters hold up the wagon bed, you know. Well.
the boys figured out all right the rebuilding of
the wood parts, but they came near being
stumped on the iron 6xings Ti<g got some old
iron wagon tires and cut them in proper lengths
but hadn't way that they could see to punch
the necessary bolt holes Finally the question
was solved One Of the bows carefully marked the
places for the bolts stood the piece OF tire
against a tree, and put bullet, so calibre,
through the tire at each place marked. II was
a novel sort OF blacksmithing, but it worked
The evening times., 1900-03-22
Could Not Intimidate Blackburn.
Eron, the ST. Louis RepubliC. J

(From the 81. LOUIS hepuDllC.l
Senator-elect Joe Blackburn is famed far and
wide for his apparently inexhaustibe fund Of
anecdotes. The Senator has an unconscious
streak of humor and some good stories are told on
him which he never recited.' said a prominent
Blue Grass politician the other day. 81 remem-
her a circumstance that happened when
Mr. Blackburn practicing law in Ken
tucky which may show that he fears moth
ing A young fellow came into his office. and.
after showing some recommendations and
pressing a longing desire 10 get work of some
kind w.s given an opportunity to do something.
Mr. Blackburn handed him writ. and told him
to 30 10 certain house and the paper Oh
tha tenant Now dent come back and say yor
couldn't find him. he cautioned. Nail II to tho
daor il YOU have to. but it,. The eager
vounr man started out and returned an hour later
minus his hat ard collar and with his face covered
with bruises and his clothes torn into shFeds
- Well said Mr. Blackburn, did you serve it!
NO. sir replied the battered employe. THE
tenant licked me and told me to bring the paper
back to you Blackburn arose from his chair.
and towering up with indignation, said: Here.
sub take that writ back and serve it that
tenant. sub. and tell him: for me, suh that by
- sub. he can't iRtimidate through you
suh.' :"