davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-04-04
WAsHiNGToNLETTER.
ANOTHER BIG OFFICIAL STEAL IN
CUBA.
More Rank Hypocrisy In the Civil SER
vice business.
IRON our Regular Correspondent.

from our Regular Correspondent.
WAsHINcToN, April 2, 1oor.-
More crookedness in Cubai
Only little matter of $40, 900, but
doubt as TO who got it is giving
some prominent friends Of tho adj
ministration bad case of shivers.
A stakeholder of the Havana Gas
light Co. has fled charges saying
that person of influence had col
iected $40, 900 from that company
Tor securing so per cent reduction
IN the tariff on crude petroleum
used for the manufacture of illum-
mating gas. The War Department
is said to be investigating the
charge. There are some sensation
al stories going around about this
case, which may or may not be true
and there are some known facts.
About the first of the present month
the President issued an order re-
ducing the tariff on crude petroleum
to be used exclusively for making
illuminating gas in Cuba, from sr.Ao
per 100 Kilos to 10 cents, and the
order was officially promulgated in
Havana on the 18th inst. That
order was issued on the recommen-
dation of Gov. Leonard Wood. en-
dorsed by Secretary Root. There
the known facts end. Gen. Wood.
OF course, should be able in the
explanation he has been asked to
make by the War Department to
say why he recommended that re-
duction, and the gas company
stockholder should be made to tell
to whom the $40, 900 was paid.
Meanwhile there are naturally
rumors as we'll as fears that Neeley's
stealing of Cuban postal funds may
be petty larceny compared with
other financial work over there by
Americans.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-04-04
THE RowLEsBURG BRIDGE.

The County Court, in regular scs-
sion this week, awarded the con
tract for building the bridge across
Cheat river at Rowlesburg to the
Mount Vernon Bridge Company, of
Mount Vernon, Ohio. This is the
same company that built the Marion
county Court House at Fairmont,
costing about 5000, 900, and by far
the finest in the State. The con-
tract for the bridge calls for three
span, steel bridge, each span 1874
feet, making $50 feet of the bridge,
besides the approaches, two stone
piers and heavy abutments, all com
plete, metal, wood work, stone work
and all for SIS,895. The stone work
is TO be completed on or before
September Ist of this year, and the
iron will be up by October and the
bridge ready Cor use not later than
November Ist of this year. All the
county has TO do is to make the dirt
fills at each end of the bridge. No
money IS to be paid till the bridge
is completed except the odd SSos,
which is to be paid when the iron
and steel is all on the ground, and
which will only aboE- pay the freight
on it. The SIS, 600 is not to be
paid till the contract is completed
according to the plans and specif-
cations. This insures that the work
will be pushed promptly and COM
pleted in good time.
The above price is a cash con-
tract on delivery, and the county
could pay it all this year by making
the levy about IS cents, but it is
likely that it will be arranged with
out that, as there are plenty of par
ties willing to furnish the money
and take county orders, with inter
est. While there were fifteen bids
from as many different companies.
there was not much difference be-
tween most of them, and the Mount
Vernon Company was the lowest,
although the agent Of the Charles
Town Company, Mr.. S. NJ. Prince.
tired hard 20 get a reconsideration
Of the matter, and offered 20 take
the contract for SI8, 900 even.
----
Some interesting suits have been
tried at the present term OF Circuit
Court. One Of the funniest we ever
heard Of was in the case of Basil
Uphold, who was tried for carrying
a revolver. The evidence was very
clear and plain, not only that he
carried a revolver, but that he car
RED two revolvers and two razors.
The prisoner made no defense at all
and had no witnesses, and it was
such a strong case that it was not
argued by counsel on either side.
but given TO the jury, who we're ex-
pccted 90 bring in verdict in
very short time, but TO cvcrybody's
astonishment, were out nearly ali
day and seemed to be hung Up ON it.
and came in once for Instructions
from the Court They finally
brought in averdict Of 'not guilty."
alleging that AS hc was indicted for
carrying but one revolver at time.
and while the State had proven that
be carried two, it had failed to prove
which one be was indicted for car.
rying, and So on the theory that 10
was better for ninety nine guilty men
to escape than for one innocent man
to be punished, the jury let him 20,
70 be sure Of it.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-04-04

While Mr. Mckinley is raoking
bis brains to try to satisfy the de-
mands Of The Republican bosses for
patronage, American interests in
China are in a fair way 10 suffer.
According to late adyiccs from
Pekin, the other powers arc consid-
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-04-04

What to do with Aguinaldo, now
that he has been captured, is great.
Iy puzzling the administration.
II
Representative Warner, of ILL.,.
brought back the gloomiest sort Of
budget from his recent visit to
Cuba. For instance, he said "The
Cubans will sign anything or do
anything just to get us away from
their property and when they have
the reins in their own hands you
can expect the worst. From what
could learn they will assess every
body with any money and have
division of The spoils. They will
drive all Spaniards and American
sympathizers from the island and
for brief period revel in loot
Law and order will become mock
cry and state of anarchy will
reign. OF course, we must turn the
island over, but it is crime against
humanity to withdraw at this time.
When our troops leave the island
you will witness reign of lawless.
ness that will startle the world and
compel us in the name of justice to
take matters in our own hands
again."
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-04-04

There has been so much humbue
about various acts of the Mckinley
administration that it was a little
difficult for Mr.. Mckinley to do
anything in that line striking enough
to cause more than a passing COM
ment, but the bit of humbuggery
attached to filling the vacancy on
the Civil Service Commission caus-
ed by the recent death Of Commits
sioner Brewer was a corker. OF
course, it has long ago been made
apparent that the proffessed admir-
alton for civil service reform by the
administration was cant and hypoc-
risy Of the worst sort, but nobody
supposed for an instant that Mr..
Mckinley would appoint a Civil
Service Commissioner who had a
public record showing him to be in
favor Of killing the Civil Service
Commission. We'll, that is pre-
cisely what Mr. Mckinley did.
Elk Representative w. A. Roden.
berg, Of East ST. Louis, H., who was
this week appointed Civil Service
Commissioners, on the nth day Of
February, 1900, only little more
than year ago, voted, in the House
against making an appropriation
for the Civil Service Commission.
with the full knowledge that the
appropriation was TO be refused. if
the necessary votes could be
secured, for the purpose Of killing
the Civil Service Commission and
the law under which IL acts. Now.
Mr.. Rodenberg is a Civil Service
Commissioner and, unless the Sen.
ate should refuse TO confirm his
nomination, which is not likely.
viii draw So, 500 a year salary and
liberal allowance for expenses
during The remainder Of the Nc
Kinlcy regime; and be has had the
nerve TO say in a published inter
view that be had always been a
friend Of civil service reform. Such
humbuQ is disgusting.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-04-04

Write The Elliott Commercial School.
fairmont' w Va, for First Lesson in
Gregg Shorthand. Its free. At
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
A CASE FOR THE GRAND JURY

The fact that several persons were burned to
death few days ago because Buildings Com
missioner Guilfoyle of Brooklyn neglected his
duty and failed to enforce the fire escape law
is once more brought TO public attention by the
death yesterday of the fourth victim of that
fire. This woman, being on the top floor of the
tenement house, was cut off from egress down
the stairs. If there had been fire escape she
would easily have got out But there was no
fire escape whatever, though the law is explicit
IN requiring one and placing on the Buildings
Department the duty of securing its erection.
The woman after throwing one of her chill
dren out, was compelled to jump from the win
dow and was impaled upon an iron railing
After two weeks of suffering she now follows
the husband and two children who were i'm
mediate victims of the fire.
The coroner's jury found that though the
building had been known for months by the Of
fcials as standing in violation of the law, no
step had been taken even to inform the owner
by so much as printed postal card of his duty
to erect fire escape, and the jury therefore
severely censured the Buildings Department
and held 1t responsible for these deaths. So
far as appears no steps have yet been taken by
the District Attorney of Kings County to bring
this case to the attention Of the grand Jury and
secure the indictment of whatever officials are
guilty of this criminal neglect which has re-
suited so fatally. If the slaughter of these peo-
pie had occurred in Manhattan. there is reason
to believe that District Attorney PhiIbfn would
have acted promptly to protect the lives of other
dwelers in tenement houses. 1t is to be hoped
that District Attorney Clarke is not less active
and earnest TO secure the enforcement of law
and the punishment of faithless officials
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
PERSONAL.

Captain William z. Augustus assistant CHER Oh
the Paducah Cly) Fire Department, says he is the
Oldest paid fireman in the United States He Is now
completing his fOrty-ninth year Of continuous ser
vice.
The Rev Albert a. SInnott, D. c. L.. who has re-
Gently completed his postgraduate course at the
Canadian College, at Rome. with high honors, Is
of the youngest Doctors of Canon Law in the
world, being only twenty-fOur years old. His bish-
op has appointed him professor at St. Dunstan 5
college, CharlottetoWn, P. r. |.
The Peoples Church. of London. has adopted
policy of inviting prominent foreign clergymen TO
Rev. Dr. John T. Christian of the La Sale Avenue
Baptist Church. of Chicago is the latest minister
to receive such an invitation
Oto1iro, the Japanese actor. who Is playing
in London, formerly attached to the embassy
of his country in France He has made many
adaptations of European plays for the japanese
theatres.
Senior Don Luis F. Carbo, Ecuadorian Minister
at Washington, in a recent speech at the Pan
American Exposition said: The Pan-American
Exposition is destined gentlemen to make. closer
the ties of union and confraternity existing be-
tween the nations OF the continent The coming
conference to be held at Mexico City. which was
suggested by Ecuador four years ago, and which
will be carried into efec- during the present year
according to the Invitation of the United States
and Of Mexico. will complete this civZing work
proclaimng arbitration the best means to settle
discords and promoting commerce by means Of
wise treaties encouraging navigation, and prepa--
ing us to carry out in the near future the general
desire of the whole continent which is that or
adopting common dollar by means Of an inter
national convention, Of which the hemisphere OF
the Americas will derive incompatible benefits
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
TOO LATE.

Repentance after capture is a familiar phe-
nomenon Little boys caught bathing during
prohibited moments are always ready, while
being led homeward by irate parents, to begih
linen and there the leading Of better he'
When little boys grow up to be big criminals or
big public corruptionists they do not lose this
trait of human nature. Some little boys, II is
true try 10 brazen 1t out and declare that they
have not been in the water though their shirts
are on wrong side out and their necktes are
awry. and there are those of larger growth who,
like Devery, cry, You can't prove it on me-;
but they are not in the majority.
There are indications that Tammany is sorry
that so many proofs of its corruption and greed
have been made public. Tammany likes Devery
and the Devery influences well enough when
everything is running smoothly and, more I'M
portant than all else quietly; but when there is
a great public outcry as at present, Tammany
begins TO blubber and TO protest that Devery is
to blame for it all, and that he ought to be
punished severely. This would be far more con-
venient for Tammany than to have Tammany
punished Tammany men who have never been
known of themselves to make a single move
toward mitigating the evil conditions under
which the city suffers now declare that they
have been fighting the Devery crowd for long
time and they are going to hurry over to urge
Croker 10 do something about it.
The pre-eminent culpability Of Devery is not
questioned, but he is logical product Of the
Tammany spirit and the Tammany system. His
personal punishment is a matter of great public
concern. but not of supreme concern. 1t would
be a pitiful calamity il tie exposures of the
monstrous conditions existing in this city were
to result merely in the punishment Of the par
ticular persons who were conducting the ma
chinery of corruption when exposure came. The
whole system must be uprooted, and this means
that Tammany must be compelled to face the
music, without evasicns or pleas in abatement.
Protestations, the shedding of tears, promises,
appeals for sympathy, all Of them common in
the conduct of prisoners at the bar. must be
passed by without heed 1t is too late for these
things now.
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
within easier hailing distance of another crush
ing national defeat.
aRoUT TALKATTENESS.

The cable dispatches relating to the puDhc
appearances of Count von Waldersee since MS
return from China had not led us to INFER that
he was talking too much. but, though he got
back TO Berlin only a week ago, German papers
are making that complaint. and their remarks
vould seenINto Indicate n somewhat prevalent
impression. Thus. one of them declares that
all the great leaders of 1866 and 1870 did not
publicly saw so much about those wars as Count
Won WaIdersee has already said about the cam
naien in China. which was insignificant from
military point of view. Another thinks thar
he offends the traditions of the army by prais-
ing himself. though indirectly, and still another
regrets that his addresses are not consistent
with military precedents.
For year or more after our war with Spain
the military men of Europe appeared to hnd a
cynical sort Of satisfaction in characterizing as
peculiarly American the freedom with which
officers of the army and navy of the United
States discussed the operations in which they
had taken part the constant implication being
that such egotism and loquacity belonged ex-
cIusiyely to the New World, with its crude con-
eeptiOns Of dignity and discipline. 1t may be
admitted that there was n superfuity OF war
like "reminiscences for a time after the Spanish
engagement and we have no inclination to join
the German press in criticsing Count Won Wal
dersee for q lack Of reticence. But If the re-
proaches directed at the perfect flower of the
German military system are deserved, 1T may
be permissible to suggest the reflection thai
human nature does not vary widely in different
countries, and that supposed national faults
should always be discussed benevolently if dis
cussed at all
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16

association he officially proclaims that the law
fully executed agreements which be seeks 10
force the steel manufacturers TO make for all
mills are not worth the paper they are written
on. At any moment for his own purposes ne
will tear them up. There have been moraHsts
who proclaimed the doctrine of mo faith with
heretics" Such n rule, no matter how well
buttressed in dialectlcs and approved by re-
ligious authority, had the disadvantage OF
teaching heretics 10 put no faith In Its advo-
Gates. but to fight them at every point. MT
Shaffer may think capital beyond the pale OF
moral law but IL he teaches his followers that
they need keep no faith with capital he may be
pretty sure that capital will soon learn to put
no faith in them, but TO treat them as untrust-
worthy tools rather than as honorable men,
That is not position that any patriotic Amer
lean can wish workmen in this country TO oc-
cupy He will rather wish them TO be I'M
pregnable in their reputation for honor ana
trustworthness and able 10 command the most
favorable agreements based on the certainty
that they Will keep their word. 1t is such men
as the Western members of the Amalgamated
Association who help to raise labor, more thah
the strike leader who asks them 10 break talth
on any pretext.
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
HARLEM BRIDGES.

The completion of the substantial and mas
sive new bridge over the Harlem from the
northeastern part of Manhattan Island. at
Firs-ave., to Wils-ave.. north of the river. will
be followed by an important readjustment of
conditions of travel and traffic in that quarter
of New-York. 1t must tend to stimulate the
development of an extensive territory on each
bank Of the stream. and it will afford spacious
facilities for quick communication not far from
the junction of the Harlem and East rivers
There was no stinting of expenditure upon this
new roadway over the water The plan was
an ambitious one. and the undertaking has been
carried out at heavy cost. In fact some critics
are inclined to believe that the city has been
too profuse and even prodigal, in the large
sums which it has applied TO the bridges over
the Harlem below the superb arches which sus-
tain the pipes of the old aqTeduct high above
the stream.
Few are now inclined to find fault with the
generous appropriations for High Bridge and
Washington Bridge Those are imposing and
majestic structures, stretching from picturesque
bluff to bluff, well up in the air. and their mag
nifcent proportions call out the admiring
praise Of every beholder. But the banks of the
Harlem. from Central Bridge eastward. are
comparatively low. and not strikingly pictur.
esque, and ii may not have been the wisest and
most prudent policy to pour out millions with
open hands for the spans and the approaches OF
Central Bridge and the Third-ave. bridge as
has been done In recent years. High Bridge
and Washington Bridge are so placed that lofty
and noble arches seemed TO be imperatvely re-
quired and the designers and builders did their
work well. But this generation and future
generations also might have been as well salts
fed If less public money had been spent on the
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
HRS. W. E. d. STOKEs's JEWELS.
CONsULTs CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES ABOUT A
NECKLACE SHE TOOK TO EUROPE AND
BROUGHT BACK WITH HER.

Mrs. W E. D. Stokes, who returned to the city
the Oceanic on Wednesday. was at the Custom
House yesterday 20 consult with Collector BdwsH
about a pearl and diamond necklace which she
took abroad with her and which she carried on her
return She did not include the necklace in her
declaration Of articles which she paid duty and
she told Special Treasury Agent Theobald that she
had had it several years and did not think 1t was
dutiable. as she had carried II across the OCEAN
and back The necklace was given her by her hus.
band, from whom she obtained a divorce. and she
the pearls and diamonds when they were imported
originally. She said, however, that some OF the
pearls Of the necklace had been taken out and had
oeen replaced in this city by pearls which were
family heirloOms.
Mr.. Theobald made constructive seizure OF ths
ton 70 ascertain if duty had been paid upon II az
the time OF its first importation. in which case
would De returned tC her free OF duty. Tbs neck
lace was sent to the Appraisers Stores 10 be valued
collector BIdweli told Mrs Stokes yesterday that
ne thought no duty would have to be paid on the
necklace and Mrs. Stokes said she was willing 70
pay duty on II II 10 duty paid before. Mrs
Stokes brought back from Europe some new Jewels
on which she paid duty amounting 70 nearly SeA
Mrs Arson Phelps Stokes was another passenger
on the Oceanic, and she left her baggage on ne
WnlUe star pier until yesterday. when she paid
duty on a collection Of articles which she had
purchased while travelling abroad
inspector DOnOhue YESTERDAY took the seizure
room in the Public Stores a collection OF jeWslry
which he had seized in the possession Of Ralph
The collection included fine diamond and ruby
ring: two won1en's gold watches. neck chain 2
single diamond earring and half a dozen pieces OF
4ace The foreign value Of the whole was about Sot
New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
AN ENGAGEMENT ANNorNcEn.

Newport R. l., Aug. Is (SpeciaD.-The engage
ment Of Miss Phyllis Langhorne and Reginald
Brooks was announced here to-day. Miss Lang
horne who has been the guest of Mrs William II.
Sands since her stay in Newport. is the daughter
or C. G. Langhorne. OF Greenwood. Va. She Is a
sster-n-law OF Charles Dana Gibson, and since the
latters marriage has lived considerably in Hemp
stead. Long Island where she is very popular. Miss
Langhorne Is clever tennis player and In the
tournament last week had reached the semi-hnals,
when she compelled TO default on account OF
Illness. Miss Langhorne Is among the most beautl-
son. Reginald Brooks is the son OF MIR. and Mrs. II
Mortimer Brooks, OF New York and one OF the best
athletes In society. He Is a fine polo player and
has repeatedly carried OF honors the golf neld
AS yachting enthusiast he has few equals He
is the owner OF the S0-footer Wawa. No arrange
ments have yet been announced for the wedding.