davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
MILES OF VARYING LENGTH
seventeencountricsH Have Special Meas
urements of Their Own.

SeventeenSOuntr1esH Have Special Meas
urements of Their Own.
Notwithstanding countries, says the
st. Louis Globe Democrat, nave four
different miles-the ordinary mile of
$3.50 feet and the geographical or
nautical mile of 6OS5, making a differ.
ence of about one-seventh between the
two; then there is the Scotch mile OF
5,92S feet, and the Irish mile of G,T2G
feet; four various miles, every one OF
which is still in use. Then almost
every country has its own standard
mile. The Romans had their mil pass
mum, 1000 PAGES, which must have
been about 5000 feet in length, unless
we ascribe to Caesars legionaries great
stepping capacity. The German mile
of to-day is 24,31S feet in length, or
more than four and half times as long
as our mile.
The Dutch, the Danes and the prus-
slams enjoy mile that is 1910 feet
long, three and one-half times the
length of ours; and the Swiss get more
exercise in walking one of their miles
than we get in walking five miles, for
their mile is 0,153 yards long, while
ours is only 1,7GO yards. The Italian
mile is only few feet longer than ours.
the Roman mile is shorter, while the
Tuscan and the Turkish mile are 15o
yards longer. The Swedish mile is
7,341 yards long, and the Vienna post
mile is S,796 yards in length. So here
is list of twelve different miles, and
besides this there are other measures
of distance, not counting the French
kilometer, which is rather less than
two-thirds of mile.
The Brazilians have militia that is
one and one-fourth times as long as
our mile; the Neapolitan miglio is about
the same length; the japanese ri, or
mile, is two and one-half times ours;
the Russian verst is fiye-eighths. as long
as our mile, while the Persian standard
is fesakh, four and half miles long
which is said to be equal to the para
sang so familiar to the readers of Ken.
ophen's "Anabasis." The distance in.
dictated by the league also varies in diff
ferent countries.-Ledger Monthly.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

The question of discipline has come
up at Waukegan, Ill. 1t is about the
infiiction of corporal punishment in the
public schools. Under an old rule of
the board, the use of the rod was al
lowed in the case of bad boys" but
the rule had become dead letter. Re-
Gently there was an aggravated case,
which attracted unusual public atten-
ton, and this aroused discussion of the
form of punishment that should be APP
piled to pupils on whom moral suasion
and Kindness had no effect, and who
continued to defy their teachers. To
dismiss them manifestly was not to the
point, and SO the School board again
adopted an order that teachers should
public had already taken so much in
terest in the case that sentiment be-
came divided, some citizens declaring
that IL the rule is followed with their
children they will in turn whip the
teachers--a thing that suggests posi-
bly, that If they had had a little more
whipping in their own school days, they
might probably have been better citi-
zens. Therei is very good authority for
the saying that to spare the rod means
to spoil the child. says the Indianapo-
lis News. Whether discipline take this
form or not, OF whether 1t must newt
ably In some cases be reduced to this
form, there is no question that disci-
pline must be maintained. Some teach
crs are not fit to be intrusted with the
power of chastising children, for they
will abuse that power; they have not
to begin with the right kind of govern
ment over themselves. Others can be
trusted, still others will be able to
maintain order without whipping,
There Is much also to be taken into ac-
count as to the pupils. Some might be
punished with profit. others might he
made worse by it. 1t is, indeed
most difficult question, but certainly
there should be an agreement on one
thing, and that is that discipline must
be maintained not merely for the sake
of the schools, but for the pupils. With
out discipline. however enforced, chill
dren will surely grow up in lawless
condition. They will have in them es-
sentially that element of defiance that
is the basis of lawbreaking in after
life. The Judges of our criminal courts
and of higher courts both East and
West in recent years have been singu-
larly unanimous in the belief that
whipping should be form of punish.
ment for juvenile offenses. Their long
experience on the bench has taught
them that incorrigible boys, those who
have passed the happy moment when
the sense of discipline may be incul-
Gated in them, have reached the stage
when nothing will arouse that sense
like corporal punishment; that fines
and Imprisonment and reform schools
alike are weak and frequently not to be
compared with the prompt administra-
ton of corporal punishment. The cues
ton is a deep one. 1t is something
more than the mere humiliation or
large appearance of authority which
@RaS seem e .hnS aHs ths fh 4ne feh Is
1 that where there is case of "bod
boy" on whom all moral suasion Is
powerless, there is a sure sign that the
turning point has been reached and
that the spirit must be conquered and
taught that discipline must be nc.
cepted.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
MONUMENTS TO PRESIDENTS.
Heads of the Nation Honored After Death-mposing
Memorials for Washington Lincoln, Grant,
Garfield and Others
t00HERE is no doubt that a splendid

1DHERE is no doubt that a splendid
monument will be erected in hon
or of the late President McIin-
ley, as shrine at which American love
and loyalty will pay devotion during
coming generations. Friends of the
martyred President have already be-
gun the collection of funds for a me.
mortal to be raised over his remains at
Canton and hope to collect 100000. 1t
is safe to assume that the monument
will be noble structural fit COM
panion for the memorials to Washing
ton, Lincoln, Grant and Garfield.
These are the Presidents best be-
loved of the people, and their memories
are enshrined in the most imposing, of
shafts and mausoleums. Jackson was
rugged and martial character, but lie
is chiefly represented by equestrian
statues. The graves of many of the
Presidents are marked only by simple
marble stones or modest shafts John
Adams and his son, John Quincy Adj
ans, rest In vaults under the portico
of First Church at Quincy, Mass, and
their burial places are Indicated by
tablets in the church. Tyler is fit
subject for II philosophers homily, for
no lofty column, no mean slab, points
to his resting place. He lies in an un.
marked grave at the foot of magnolia
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

The achievements of Peary, the ex.
plorer, didn't make much noise in the
world, because the news came at a time
when the country was in suspense ms
TO the fate of the President The ewes
of the nation We're turned to Buffalo.
and other things didn't matter much.
Peary hasn't found the pole. This GRIP.
pled-up, frost-bitten, daring and logged
explorer sends back word from the
frozen north that he will try again.
In years work Peary rounded the
northern end Of the Greenland archi.
pelago, the most northerly known land
in the world, and made it possible to
prepare fairly accurate map of the
Greenland coast He struck out across
the sea ice for the pole, but was stopped
by broken ice and open water ut about
rs degrees north--the highest altitude
yet reached in the western hemisphere.
There are good many people who be-
lieve that all the pole hunters are stark,
staring mad, and that the whole arctic
exploration business is rank folly. 1t
is pretty good thing to learn all that
is possible about this big world that
belongs to mankind, and the debt that
humanity owes to explorers is SO great
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

The first annual report of Governor
Charles H. Allen, of Porto Rico, gives n
clear idea of the nature of the task the
Americans have before them In bring.
ing the island of Porto Rico up to mod.
ern ideas of civilization. Sanitation. ma
we understand it, is unknown in Porto
Rico. Filth is everywhere. There are
no sewers. Cesspools open into kitcb-
ems and bakeries. The water supply is
commonly contaminated and the
masses sleep in close rooms, despite tle
hot weather and bad odors. Cisterns
are polluted by filth accumulated IN
the fiat roofs and wells are almost mi.
yersally close to the cesspools. The
waterworks of-San Juan and Ponce are
in bad condition and the water supply
is positively dangerous. Garbage dis
posal has never received attention
Cemeteries are crowded. and skulls lie
In piles on the surface. Foodstuffs.
wines and milk are extensively adult
Grated. However. the same energy that
has cleansed Cuba has begun on Porto
Rico. and the Porto Ricans will have to
learn TO be clean In spite of centuries of
Incidence and filth.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

involved some fine engineering prob
lens. 1t was begun in 1S4S and prac-
tically completed In 1884. The work was
undertaken originally by the Washing
| ton National Monument Association. In
1856 the association, after having
raised and expended about 100000, be-
came discouraged. The war came soon
afterward and interrupted further
work for many years. The society iii
1877 conveyed the property to the ma
uonal government with the under
standing that the monument should be
completed, Which was done. The col
umn proper is 500 feet and 5ls inches
high, and the apex adds the other 90
feet. AT a height of 100 feet the walls
of the shalt We're reduced in thickness
to s feet inches. and from that point
the walls were carried up plumb on the
inside. The SHIFT is "a feet 51a inches
square at the top, and at that point
the walls are only foot inches in
thickness. The apex is composed of T.
inch marble slabs, which number 2G2
separate pieces. The aluminium tin on
the monument was the largest piece of
that metal made up to that time. The
shaft weighs 43.633 tons, to which may
be added 300 tons for the apex and 275
tons for the iron framework. The
foundation weighs 36,912 tons. making
a total of about $1,000 tons. The top
OF the monument can be reached by
elevator or stairs. This mighty shaft
has often been struck by lightning, and
1t sways several inches out of plumb
during severe storms.
The Lincoln Memorial.
The Lincoln monument at Springfield,
ILL.,, was dedicated iii 1874 The memo.
rial, which cost $25O,OOO, is constructed
of brick and Quincy granite, the latter
only showing on the outer surfaces.
There is n base about 70 feet square
and 16 feet high. AT the north side of
the base is semi-clrcular projection,
which contains the vestibule of the cat
acomb and gives access to view the
crypts containing the remains of Lin
coin and his wife and children. A pro.
lection on the south side contains me.
mortal hall In elliptical form. The
length of the base from north to south.
including the two projections, is about
40 feet, and in the angles formed by
the projections are flights of stairs
guarded by granite balustrades and
rising to the terrace above the cata.
comb. Upon this terrace is surmount.
ed another structure composed Of the
base OF the shaft and four pedestals at
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

When an era of competition has re-
suited in an excessive investment in
fixed capital, much of which is of low
competitive power, little can be gained
by mere combination of plants and
an effort to pay dividends on the whole
volume of stock. II prices are kept
high enough to pay such dividends, the
inevitable result is fresh competition
from the outside. If dividends are paid
without proper provision for better
ments. the result is disaster. If no div
idends are paid, there is dissatisfaction.
The remedy in either case is found in
reorganization, which means the elimi-
nation of fictitious values.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
Roosevelt and Tariff Reform.

ANOObCSSit uuu AaTtH NerOfm.
President Roosevelt fastened to as
sure the cabinet that his aim would be
"to continue absolutely unbroken the
policy Of President Mckinley for the
peace and prosperity of our beloved
country"
Some one else has fastened to saw
that what the new President meant
was that he would take the party plat
form for his guide and not deviate from
that in any respect. The evident mean
ing of this is TINT the politician who so
expressed himself did not wish Mr.,
Roosevelt to pursue the course with re.
spect to our foreign commerce which
Mr.. Mckinley clearly indicated that lie
intended to pursue in the speech which
he made the day before the assault was
made upon his person.. He wished to
point out that in pledging himself to
pursue the policy which Mr.. Mckinley
had pursued Mr. Roosevelt did not at
all pledge himself to pursue the policy.
which Mr.. Mckinley had indicated his
intention of pursuing in future.
Repeatedly since the winter of
1e9S-99, Mr.. Mckinley has let fall ex.
pressions from which 1t could be In
ferred that his extreme protectlonist
ideas were undergoing modification.
Two years and half ago he told an
audience of commercial men in Boston
that we were no longer talking about
tariff rates, but We're seeking foreign
markets for our products. Since then
he has frequently been quoted as favor.
ing the reciprocity treaties negotiated
by Mr. Kasson, and in some Of his pub.
lie utterances he has spoken fayorably.
of such treaties.
He did not fairly commit himself to
general policy of freer trade relations
with the outside world and to the
underlying economic principles which
logically conduct to perfectly free trade
until he made his speech of the 9th of
September. Mr.. Roosevelt is entirely
free to say, therefore, that in pledging
himself to pursue the policy Of his pre-
decessor he did not pledge himself to
pursue Mr.. McKinley's new departure.
There is reason to believe that he will
not follow in the footsteps of his pre-
decessor In this respect. His personal
and political intimacies have been such
as to Indicate that he is inclined to
affiliate with the uncompromlsing and
unyielding tariff extremists of his party.
Whatever his personal views, 1t is
understood that he is ambitious to
reach the Presidential chair by cleo
ton, Therefore, be is not at all likely
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
WONDERFUL LEAP BY a HORSE.
Frish.eaea Mare Jump. Clear Over /.

Frightened Mare Jumps Clear Over =
Published Freight Car.
While working near Green River.
Wyo., a Union Pacific repair gang had
Its cars set on spur, and all around
the spot on both sides of the track was
fine pasturage for the work horses. Ono
morning while the men were rounding
up the horses the bunch took fright at
something just as they were stsIrted
toward the camp. In wild rush they
swooped down on the corral, and one
mare, which seemed to have been thor
oughly frenzied, dashed directly toward
the train. Some of the men, seeing the
fright of the animal, tried to turn her.
but she went on. needless of the OBJ.
struction.
II was standing in front of the board.
ing car" said Charles Anderson. "and
felt sure she would butt out her brains
against the car. Just as she reached
the edge of the shallow cut at which.
the cars stood she stopped an instant.
firmly planted her feet In the ground.
and gave one mighty leap. The car
was cleared as Clearly and perfectly az
though the animal had been trained
English hurdle horse instead of com.
mon hobo on IA grade team.
THE car she leaped over was a
standard-gauge fat loaded with steel
rails. The bank from which she start
cd was not more than six inches above
the ties, and the other side was lower.
Apparently the animal was not injured
shY her wild leap. The foreman Of the
gang saw her make the leap and bought
her from the man who owned her. and
says he proposes to keep her for a fam
lily pet because of her4feat. She ia
apparently Of Canadian copper-bottom
stock and weighs about 1850 poundsn
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
BECOMING 4 REPORTER.
"a Bit of Experience In the Life Of an
IMMIGRANT to America.

A Bit of Experience In the Life of an
Immigrant to America.
Things enough happened to take
down my self-esteem good many
pegs. 1t was about this time made
up my mind to go into the newspaper
business. 1t seemed to me that a re-
porter's was the highest and noblest
Of all callings. No one could sift wrong
from right as he, and punish the wrong.
In that was right. | have not chang
ed my opinion on that point, one whit.
and would rather die good reporter
than millionaire. The power of fact
is the mightlest lever of this or of any
day. The reporter has his hand upon
1t, and 1t Is his grlevous fault II he does
not use 1t well. 1 thought i would make
good reporter. My father had edited
our local newspaper, and such little
help us had been to him had given
me a taste for the business. Being OF
that mind, l went to the Courier office
one morning and asked for the editor.
He was not In. Apparently nobody
was. wandered through room after
room, all empty. until Mt last | came
TO one In which sat Il man with a paste
pot and a pair of long shears. This
must be the editor. He had the imple-
ments of his trade. told him my err
rand while he clipped away.
What Is 1t you want?" he asked,
when had ceased speaking and wait
ed for an answer.
Work." 1 said.
"Work| said he, waving he haught-
lily away with the shears. I'VE don't
work here. This is a newspaper Office.
went, abashed. tried the Express
next. This time had the editor point
ed out to me. He was just coming
through the business office. At the
door stopped him and preferred my
request. He looked ME over, q lad
fresh from the shipyard. with horny
hands and a rough coat, and asked:
what are your
"a carpenter" said.
The man turned upon his heel, with a
loud, rasping laugh, and shut the door
in my face. For moment stood
there stunned. His ascending steps on
the stairs brought back, my senses.
ran to the door and flung 1t open. "You
laugh! shouted, shaking my fist at
him. standing half way up the stairs.
You laugh now, but walt" And
then l got the grip of my temper and
slammed the door in my turn. All the
same. in that hour 1t was settled that
1 was to be a reporter. knew 1t as
l went out in the street. Jacob Rils in
The Outlook.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

that 1t can never be settled The men
who reach the pole may not discover
gold mines or precious stones, or any.
thing that can be turned into money.
Most of them are fighting ice and dis.
ease and starvation in the awful
north because of the restless energy
that Is In them, and not because there
is hope of financial reward. They are
working for the glory of the whole civ
ilized world and to satisfy human am
hition that is wrestling secrets from
Nature one by one. Let us hope that
Peary finds the pole, because he is i'm
relled by n noble ambition to increase
the sum of human knowledge and be-
cause he is an American.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

the corners, the pedestals reaching a
height of12feetabove the terrace. From
their midst rises the granite obelisk. On
the pedestals stand four groups of
bronze war figures representing the four
branches of the military service-infan-
try, cavalry, artillery and the navy.
Passing around the whole obelisk and
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

We need but look at our own Amerl-
can history, past and present, for proof
that human nature is not nwcd by un-
usual and tiendish penalties. The
witch-burnings in Salem created more
witches. The penalty of death upon
those who aided in the escape of slaves,
and in some States upon those who
taught blacks to read, prevented neith-
err the one action nor the other. The
ordinary lynchings, having failed to
terrorize the negroes in the South, burn
ings have now been resorted to, but the
assaults upon white women go on none
the less,
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

The Washington Monument.
The obelisk reared to the memory of
Washington in the city which bears his
name is the tallest monument ever
erected by man. 1t is also one of the
most massive and imposing. The alum
mum point Oh its top is 900 feet SIS
inches above the ground, overlapping
the pyramids.and all the church spires
Of christendom. Its total cost was
nearly $1,200.OCO. and its construction
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

Civilized people will be shocked at
the advice Of an English physician to
wealthy patient to live like savage
to be cured. Sayages. it may be recall
ed, do not belong to clubs, have no
stock exchanges, know nothing of trust
and trade combinations, run no politi-
cal campaigns and so reserve some Vi
,ality and nerve force for purely living
purposes.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
CurIositx in Bnnk.

The, most remarkable book in the
world SO far us its appearance is con.
cerned is neither written nor printed.
1t is IN the imperial library Of Paris
and the letters are cut out of tissue pa
per with pair of scissors. A sheet Of
blue tissue, in which the letters are
cut, is placed between two pages Of
white, and SO the matter is read
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
fhs tr IL ans Is t4at hassaaa nnss Mbic

artfs gla 1ns t II those Things Which
are easier said than done. The only
effective way of doing 1t is to raise
generation of people none of whom be-
lieve in anarchy. There is no warrant
or excuse for anarchy of this type in
the United States. We must do every
thing that is possible to discourage it's
existence and to prevent its spread. But
1t is hard to see how we can go much
further than to enforce the spiri. of
existing laws. We are dealing with
evil traits of human nature, which are
MOTTO be eliminated from the race in
simultaneously.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

Corbett says he has lived at a fast
clip" and has no money left Well, the
railroads and the lumber men, the
farmers and lot of other people are
looking for good strong men. Mr.. Cor
bett need not suffer the pangs of ex-
IRENE want.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23
Old Peruvian ROADS. .

The Incas of Peru built very fine
roads, one system of which traversed
the plateau, the other followed the sen.
coast north and south. The seacoast
road Is said to have been from 1900 to
1000 miles in length and twenty feet
In breadth. Many portions Of this mae-
nificent system of roads are still at for
use, y
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

The day of small nationalitles has
about come to an end. While Great
Britain has been conquering and colo
nizing in every quarter of the globe,
united Germany and united Italy are
realities of recent development, and n
process Of national ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
and consolidation is at work every
where, and, sooner or later, the great
powers of the world will be fighting for
the mastery, while the small national
tiles will be wiped out.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

Salt Lake City,
Utah. She was
born t' in Water
town, N. Y. in
1921, and at 10 be-
came a convert to
the doctrines Of
Mormonism, going
directly to the set
Element of Kirk.
land, Ohio. Here
her devotion to her
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

This country will be whatever the
boys now growing up shall make it,
and they should be SO educated as to
create, in their minds horror of dis
order and violence and a love of peace.
justice between man and man, good cit
izenship and the fear Of God.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-23

According TO the report of the Com
missioner of Education there are 1852
secondary schools i'll the United States,
of which 1857 are private. OF the pri-
vate schools 924, or u per cent of the
whole number of secondary schools, are
under the control Of different religious
denominations.