davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

YEW YORK win no longer have
to bear the reproach which has
hitherto been its portion that,
while it is the worlds second
city in population and wealth, i has
Jagged behind in the matter Of libraries
for the preliminary work is nearly done
toward the foundation of one Of the
largest as we'll as most beautiful struc-
lures In the world devoted entirely to
books.
It was nearly six years ago, or IN
March. 1885. that the trustees Of the As
tor library finally decided to combine
with the Lenox and the Tilden trust
fund for the establishment of the insti-
tuition destined to be one of the most
beneficial of its kind. The same year
May 20. ls95-the governor OF New York
signed the bill for erecting a building
for the New York Public library As
the law explicitly declared that said
library building was TO be erected In
Bryant park or in or upon any portion
thereof the library committee took
for granted that it was to occupy the
site Of the old reservoir and arranged
for the preliminary competition OF ar
chitects on that basis
The consolidation was effected for the
express purpose of comforting an ines
Unable benefit upon the city of New
DIX ana not IN accordance with any
scheme contemplated by the original
founders of the Lenox or Astor libra
~. The great desideratum had long
been known and keenly appreciated for
New York had no public library in its
larger sense. both those named above
being in their essence reference and
consulting and not lending libraries
The question as to how to bring them
together and throw open their precious
treasures to the public was decided
after the announcement of the provi-
sions Of the late s. j. Tilden's will. by
which he bequeathed a gross sum of
about 8. 600. 600 for the purpose Unfor-
tunate litigation reduced this to 81, 0O0.-
GOO. but this was finally made availa-
BILE. and then occurred the act of con-
solidation-
All parties to the great scheme of
benedcence at last being in accord. the
work OF excavation at the reservoir site
on Fifth avenue between FOrtieth and
Forty-second streets began at once and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

lashes them with a whip to spur them
to higher leaps and bounds Then q
marksman with a long bow creeps for
ward ana pretends to shoot the deer,
while all the village stands agape TO
enjoy the fun Until quite lately the
horn. dance used to be held on Wake
Sunday morning. just at the church
door, and collections of money were
made for the poor
1t is thought now more decorous to
hold the festival on Monday. but the
horns are still kept in the church tow
er. with the hobbyhorse and the bow
and arrows, and a most curious old pot
for collecting the money. This pot is
always carried around by a woman
The underjaW of the hobbyhorse is
loose and is ratified by a string in time
with the music. This curious survival
is a relic of the Morris dances, and
harks back to the time when Robin
Hood and his merry men hunted the
neighboring forest The woman is
doubtless the representative Of Maid
Marian. oddly enough. the horns.
when examined by a naturalist, turn
ed out to be those of reindeer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21
AVIAN WITH A GENIUS FOR FIGURES

pervisor OF the national census Of his
adopted state attracted attention be-
yond the confines of Massachusetts, his
lectures before the Lowell Institute of
Boston in 1879 on phases Of the labor
question officially considered stamping
him as a man of broad sympathies,
with comprehensive grasp of the
question in its relation to the world at
large He was for year university
lecturer on the factory system at Har-
ward and was in 1888 the recipient of
the degree of A. NJ from Tufts college.
1t was in April. 1884. that the congress
sional committee on labor reported, with
amendments, a bill providing for the
creation of "a department of labor sta
tistics at the seat of government, with
a commissioner to be appointed by the
president by and with the advice and
consent of the senate After consider
able opposition, particularly in the SEN
ate. and the lacking on Of amendments
calculated to injure or kill it on its re-
turn to the house, the bill was finally
accepted in conference committee and
went to the president, whose approval
it promptly received
Some Of the senators having argued
that labor was hardly worthy the spe-
cial distinction of q department by it,
self and that there was already a bu-
reau Of statistics. the scope of which
could be enlarged to provide for any
contingencies, several excellent speech
es We're evoked that proved incontesta-
bly, the worth and Importance Of this
prospective department. One in par
ticular. by Mr. Foran Of Ohio, was note
worthy for the broad minded view taken
of the question and for the elucidation
of the intimate relations that exist be-
tween labor and the ultimate welfare
Of the country. 7 doubt he said, IF
there has ever been before the Ameri-
can congress a question of greater i'm
portance or one that more directly con-
Germs the welfare of humanity It is a
generally accepted axiom that bad laws
and evil legislation originate in and
spring from that cupidity and selfish
ness that have ever been predominant
characteristics in human nature. This
proposition however. is only partially
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

are really needed. A million may be
spent in housing $500, 900 worth of
books, whereas the converse ought to
be the rule Alta glance comparisons
are made with the cost as a criterion,
When there are many other things
which should be considered in the esti-
mate of ltbrary's value to the genera
ton that erected and equipped it,
1t has been stated that New YorIs
great library will stand second only in
cost to the National, or Congressional
library in Washington. which called
for an expenditure of Sc, 300, 000 It will
hold about as many books as the Bos-
ton Public. a model Of its class, which
cost 81, 900, or that of Chicago built
at an expense of 50, 600, 600. There are
numerous libraries in the country that
cost above $100,0O each, and it is in
teresting to note that their number is
increasing
One of the unique and up to date fea-
lures of the New York consolidated IL
brary viii be brought out by its absorp-
ton of the free circulating system. de-
c1ded upon at meeting of the trustees
the first week in January The proper
ty held by the existing Free Circulating
library of the city amounts in value to
$750,000 and an agreement was reached
by which not only villa the circulating
library be established, but also branch
libraries in connection with various
| schools of Manhattan. These branch
libraries will be primarily for the bene-
fit of persons who attend the board of
education lectures, and not for school
children Thus every worthy class of
society will be reached as this gigantic
institution stretches out it's arms and
finally performs the service for which
it was intended-as a nucleus for the
assembling of the vastest library on
this continent
Great libraries are of necessity grad
ual growths, and in their foundation
and development may be considered in
dices of a city's or a country's status
in civilization. In reviewing the events
of history nothing so surely fixes at
tention and awakens interest as the
data pertaining to these aggregations
of books or their equivalents, be they
on paper, on parchment or on the clay
tablets with cuneiform inscriptions
found at Nineveh. The Oldest known
library, founded at Thebes in the time
of Rameses II, viii ever wear a crown
of perennial glory; the destruction of
the Alexandrian library by Omar, the
Moslem, and of the Aztec picture writ
ings by Cortes, the Spanish conquista-
dor, will always be lamented.
While the collections of books in the
old world far antedate those made in
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

~HE man who is credited with
that oft quoted saying, Figures
do not lie. but liars figure lives
at present in Washington and
has recently been made quite promi-
nent by an address he delivered before
the Washington Academy OF Sciences,
ana also by the frequent compliment
tary references to his work in an arti-
Gle from the pen of Mr.. H. B. T. Mac
nnissioners for the District OF Columbia
Colonel Wright, who is quoted as an
authority on questions ethical as well as
statistical. has. it is averred, brought
about nearly universal recognition of
the truth Of that proverb, Labor ON
MIA vincit'' ("Labor conQuers all
thinEs''), even statistics. and is a living
illustration of the dignity of labor.
Statisticians, it is admitted. are born,
not made, for unless one has a natural
genius for it he will not excel at hgur-
ing. But with Colonel Carroll D.
Wright. the national commissioner of
labor, familiarity with figures has not
bred contempt. but profound admira-
ton. even reverence it is said, and in
his hands mendacity is not tolerated by
even a hint or suggestion
1t is greatly to the credit OF the Unit
ed states that the first appointee to the
important position created by the form
ing Of a national bureau Of labor sta
tistics In 1855 is now regarded as one
OF the foremost statisticians OF the
world Colonel Wright, the only in
cumbent of the Office, has for the past
is years maintained the enviable repu-
fafion he had previously acquired as
chief OF the Massachusetts, state bureau
Of labor statistics and supervisor OF the
United States census Of 1880 So CONF
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21
THE HORN DANCE.

Many strange and odd old customs yet
hold good in various parts OF Great
Britain. The horn dance is, perhaps,
one OF the oldest and oldest OF these.
It takes place at Abbot Bromley, a VII
lage on the edge of Needwood forest,
Staffordshire. on the occasion OF the
wakes The day Of the wakes" is
the festival of the patron saint of the
village church. and the name arises
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

the afternoon till at night on Sunday.
There is to be no discrimination here,
unless the evil creeps in imperceptibly,
for it is intended that the poor person
shall receive the same attention as the
rich It is in this universal fellowship
of letters and literature that the great
libraries are doing so much good in
quiet, transformations way. The book is
a passport to the charmed circle Of
literature. and intellectual attainment
alone is the test of eligibility.
In the anxiety to provide buildings
combining architectural beauties with
ample space-that shall stand as mon
uments of the present century's posi-
bilities as to general construction and
contents-the tendency of late has been
to erect more ambitious structures than
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

A man noted for his .'nearness'' went
into meat shop and inquired the price
of a certain soup bone. The proprietor
of the shop was a generous fellow. and
in answer to the old mans question he
said. "Oh, I'll give you that" The Gus
toner put his hand to his ear He is
hard of hearing and had missed the re-
ply. Cant you take something Off
that ~ he asked. The dealer took pftv
on him Yes he said, "caH it 10
cents" And the old man went home
with a comfortable sense of having
driven a good trade.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

more who had not previously taken
part were invited to offer designs Each
of these was to receive a prize of $400
and an allowance of $500 for the ex-
pense of preparing the drawings. The
designs were to be numbered and then
submitted to a jury entirely ignorant
of the authors thereof. This board
rendered a report based strictly upon
actual merit. Number IL, which was
unanimously selected by the jury a. the
design possessing in high degree all
the requirements called for by the
terms of the competition and present
ing a consistent, skiIlful and artistic
solution Of the practical and structural
conditions" was submitted by Messrs.
Carrere and Hastings OF New York.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

In the New Hebrides human life has
been made safer by the introduction OF
pigs into the island. The cannibals are
said to prefer roast pork to roast man.
and as the porcine tribe increases
among the natives they may give up
their feasts on human flesh altogether.
excepting when something unusual
happens, such as entertaining a king Of
some other canniba1 island or state oc-
casion Of rare ceremony.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

books, pamphlets and papers in a large
library that are worth next to nothing
and might easily be dispensed with, but
which are retained on the chance that
they might be needed. The number of
volumes in library is by no means an
index of its usefulness, for those insti-
tutions carrying special books and
strictly limited to their number have
been shown to be of greatest service.
Even in a free library, patronized by
all sorts of people with a thousand di-
verse tastes, the worthless and little
read books ought to be continually
weeded out AS with the collections, 50
also with the Librarians. One man with
a clear knowledge of what the shelves
contain is worth hundred half equip
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

is go feet long. Y feet wide and So feet
high, with a shelving space for about
1880 900 books. A central delivery com
rnunicates directly with the upper or
reading room. and the service is ex-
pected to be unprecedentedly prompt
As in the older Libraries of which it is
composed, there will be special rooms
or alcoves for the use of students in
any branch of study or investigation.
including every large topic, such as ORR
entail literature. sociology, mathemat-
les, music. Biblical literature and eco
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

wide. The front elevation will be rs
feet In height and the rear IS, while
the grand vestibule or hallway will be
so feet long. 40 feet wide and two sto-
rfes in height. The ceilings will be
vaulted with stone, and stone stair
cases will lead to the upper rooms.
There will be a stack capacity at the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

from the prac-
tice in medieval
times of keep
ing watch the
previous night
and praying in
the church until
morning dawn
ed.
At A b b o t
Bromley six deer
skulls, with ant
1ers noun te d
on short poles,
a r e c a TT lie d
about by men,
who caper in
time to a lively
tune, making
It h e d e e r.
d a nee about,
while a man on
a hobbYhorsa
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

nomics- It Is well known, Of course,
that the Astor was especially rich in
some classes OF books and the Lenox in
others The latter has probably more
precious works on archaeology, gene
alogy, history, particularly of music,
and those rare volumes SO dear to the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21
Americas Greatest Public Library.

shelves some $4,000 volumes. ana when
to these are added what the Lenox con-
tains and the comparatively small col
lection left by Mr.. Tilden the total ag-
gregate with which the new library
will open will amount to more than
400, 900 volumes.
There are. Of course, many thousand
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

outset for at least 1900. 600 volumes.
with possibilities for expansion in the
future as the library grows in size.
In the basement the circulating fea-
ture of the library will be established,
with entrance at the center of the
building from Forty-second street. On
the first floor viii be the periodical,
newspaper and children's room. and on
the second space will be reserved for
students in special rooms, access to
which viii be by ticket. the public in
general being excluded The main
reading room will be on the third and
upper floors. away from the noise and
hustle Of the street, with nothing to
distract the attention 1t viii be over
the largest library stack, which itself
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

125,0O0 volumes to the total which will
be assembled in the consolidated libra
~.
The Lenox library was founded in
1870. and so is considerably younger
than its sister, the Astor, which was
endowed in 1S4S John Jacob Astor's
original donation was $500 900, which,
in those days was considered munifi-
cent, as it was. W. B. Astor added to it
$3.50 600, and ]. J. Astor second $3.50, 600,
making total of 81, 600. According to
the last report, the Aston had on its
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

ing of the science of society or of that
science which M. Comte more compact
ly and succinctly designates sociology
a science which concerns itself with all
the various phenomena incident to man
in society and resulting from the multi
form actions and peculiar and chang
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

its kind. strictly up to date and em-
bracing ali the latest ideas OF library
construction.
In the first competition there were 50
architects enlisted, from whose submit
ted plans. according to a previous IN
Outstanding. six were selected for the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

true, for a very considerable portion of
the imperfect and vicious legislation of
which the people justly complain may
be traced to a lack of reliable data and
accurate knowledge upon the part of
the average lawmaker, of a true con-
ception or comprehensive understand
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

The outlook is not so favorable to
man being the ascendant animal. A
learned German professor claims to
have made the discovery that man ex-
listed on earth before the monkeys ap-
peared.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

ped assistants with only a crude idea
of the 1ibrary's contents
The several training schools have pro-
vided librarians skilled in their craft,
and if the new institution is not well
oficered and kept strictly up to the re-
quirements of the century it will not
be from lack of available timber.
One feature of the new library will
commend itself to all patrons, and that
is the provision that requires an open
door from in the morning to at night
every. weekday and from o'clock in
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

never eaten or destroyed one Of that
species. although they enjoy other spe-
cies- If one now happens to be washed
ashore, there is great connection in the
town. First. the women sit down and
start singing and beating sticks; next a
small piece of white cloth is placed on
the turtles back Food is then pre-
pared and placed on the cloth. general
" plantains. rice and palm oil Then.
amid lot more singing. dancing and
antics of the fetch people. It is carried
back into the sea and goes on its way
rejoicing.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

AT a place called Kotorn, on the
French Ivory Coast, the natives believe
that to eat or destroy q turtle would
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

mean death to
the guilty one
or sick n e 8 s
among the fam
lily. The fetch
men, Of whom
there are plen-
ty. declare that
years ago a man
went to sea fish
ing. In the
night his canoe
was thrown up
on the beach
empty. Three
days afterward
a turtle came
ashore at the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

who thereby drew one of the richest
architectural prizes Of the century
Fronting on Fifth avenue, with a
length of $50 feet. a depth of $50 feet
and height of three stories, the build
ing viii have sufficient space not only
in front. but ali around it, to display its
magnificent proportions and beautiful
lines. The general treatment of the
Fifth avenue facade is in the classic
Ionic order, with columns and pilasters,
the main entrance being under three
large arches. each IS feet high and 10
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

was pushed to successful conclusion
Meanwhile. under the supervision of
select committee of eminent specialists,
presided over by DR.. J. S. Billings, as
board OF trustees, specifications were
prepared for the structure to be erect
ed. and all the architects of the country
were invited to compete. According to
the plan. as a basis for their designs
the architects were to adhere to GER
tain features, giving not only a build
ing exteriorly beautiful. but arranged
interioriy so that it would be a model OF
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21

same place with
the man on its
back alive and
well. Since that
Tina tlaau harn
Arizona republican., 1901-06-03
.,.-,, . ,.D N,>oura,n MOUNTAIN WATER '
 UUUU UfAMUl'UIlIlVIl f AVALON I llUU UHNll UlCUUllD SANTA CATALINA ISLAM

launchf Mart other soosts containing bathing Natures mol
  possible other o4 
 Route trains leaving Los Angeles daily at so5 and Angeles St. Phone Main Ss
Arizona republican., 1901-06-03

ephones which have like defects. When one thinks of the popular ignorance of electricity in connection with the none too comprehensive knowledge of the electrical experts themselves, and adds to these the happy go-lucky, get thsre-quick style in which so much tel ephone construction and installation are done, the wonder grows that elec- trlc horrors are so few. Every over head wire, for instance. Is an overhead current of certain dsath. liable to fall upon us at any moment Yet how com few do fall!
 As for the Vermont incident, it has q moral. Fear of electricity is healthy. Treat your telephone connections and other electric connections during storms as if they were your deadliest enemies, Believe nothing good about them. Be as distant with them as if they were poor relations.
Arizona republican., 1901-06-03

If it is true that Emperor Kwang Su is about to return to Pekin that fact Is the best assurance that the interna- tional troubles in China are about end- cd and the country is ready to resume it's normal conditions. The powers are withdrawing their troops, leaving only a few legation guards and with the em- peror again on the throne China will be left intact to work out her own future instead of being dismembered by the European nations, as seemed at one time to be her destiny.
Arizona republican., 1901-06-03

It is not probable that the persons who send letters threatening to kldnap children if money is not paid to them intend to do anything of the kind. Their object Is simply blackmail. for they cannot but know that the receipt of a threatening letter causes the re- cipiert to take such good care of the threatened child that Kidnapping Is im- possible. The kidnaper who means business" will steal the child first and send for the money afterward but this is done so seldom that actual Kidnapping is one of the rarest of crimes. It does not pay, and the criminals know it.