davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
Trash in Modern Literature.

The amount of trash which finds its
way under the covers of books nowadays
is often the subject of sorrowful comment.
and people who remember. or think they
remember. better days solemnly wonder
what the world is coming to. There is a
question, however, whether this phenom-
enon is quite as grave as it appears to be.
In the first place, it should be remem-
bered that most readers do not take their
books so seriously as was the case two
generations ago. book is a common and
comparatively insignificant thing nova
days. and reading has to some extent
taken the place OF conversation. Nobody
can be always engaged in the discussion
of serious matters or the production Of
witty sayings; there must be moments
when We prefer even amiable dizziness to
anything which greatly taxes the atten-
ton; and for such moments the light
novel or essay is especially made. The
person who chatters nonsense disturbs
others who do not like that kind of con-
versation; the person who reads it dis
turbs nobody.
This is also true in regard to objection
able books. II people must have thoughts
of the kind TO be found in these works it
is perhaps just as well that they should
read them as speak them. II Objectionable
literature is made IL can at least be regu-
lated and restrained. while talk OF the
same character cannot.
Moreover. it may be doubted whether
the proportion of serious and valuable
literature to that which is worthless and
frivolous is greater now than it used to
be. There is more trash printed than our
ancestors ever dreamed OF. It is true, but
good literature is also more accessible
than it ever was to them. Also it must be
remembered that not all the literature of
our ancestors was good. There was con-
siderable trash among their books. Com
pare popular love story of some fifty
years ago, which was entitled "Alonzo and
Melissa" land was responsible for the
christening of many rustic youths and
maidens by these names). with the love
story of today. The chances are that you
cannot find copy OF the old romance
with which to make the comparison. but
it was not a work OF genius. Get a vol
ume OF the old "Godey's Lady's Book and
compare 1t with the magazine of today.
Yet that time honored periodical was read
by the best families" all over the United
States.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
THE PAGo PAGo STATION.
Work on the Naval Pier in the sa-
Uurbor.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25.-Robert lib
bits. who for seven months has been
experimenting the building of the Gov
eminent coaling station at Page Pago Is
back from Samoa for months rest. Then
he will return and complete the contract
for which his firm, Healy. Tibbitts & Co..
will receive 100000.
The pier is 3s5 feet long and eighty
feet wide It is made entirely of steel
All the piles are OF steel. They measure
nine inches In diameter and vary in
length from thirty to seventy feet. The
heaviest pile weighs 10000 pounds. On
shore Just back of the projecting pier is
a large steel building $50 feet long by 100
feet wide This is TO be the depository
for 10000 tons of coal.
Tibbitts declares there is no doubt that
Page Page is the finest coaling station in
the world. The harbor is not emily so Sc
cure that no enemy's craft can disturb il.
but the waters within are always as calm
as mill pond. There is enough room for
a whole fleet of warships TO lie inside and
nothing could harm them. Very high
bluffs near the entrance make the narbor
possible of impregnable defence.
He says also that the natives from Apia
are coming TO Page Page to live and that
the place promises soon to be a regular
city. The Samoans rebel against petty
German restrictions at Apia and Il looks
as though Page Page would soon be the
chief town of the group.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
Old Poets md View.

III recent issue of the Atlantic
Monthly the editor speaks of Recent
American poetry in a tone which indi-
have professed to do, that there is no
great American poetry nowadays, and that
| all the genuses are dead.
1t is probably true that the novel, in
these days. has forged ahead of the poem
in popular estimation. and that the youth
| who might. fifty years ago, have aspired
| to he poet. now turns his attention to
| fiction and puts his poetic thoughts into
that. This is in the main good change.
1t is undesirable that themes suitable for
the novel should be treated in the less
congenial form of blank verse. especially
when they are modern themes. We do not
want any more idyls of modern life like
THE Bay Path" This form applied to
modern life is Only barely tolerable in the
hands of Tennyson or a Browning. The
modern human story is better told in a
realistic way and the human nature which
can be made evident in a medieval legend
like The Idyls of the King" even through
characters. becomes grotesque when one
must picture the characters in the cos
tune of today walking through the
streets of London or New York and talk
ing in heroic metre.
The pure lyric poem, however, is too
true and exquisite form of art ever to
disappear, and it expresses certain things
we'll The same is true of the metrical
drama. the ballad. and other pure poetic
forms. OF such poems as these there have
been. probably. more in the last fifty years
than in the half-century Immediately pre-
ceding It. We are apt to forget that the
works of great poets, now collected in one
volume. were not written in that way, but
were produced at irregular intervals dur
ing a period comprising. perhaps, life
time. We are also prone 10 overlook the
fact that these poems are not all great
by any manner OF means. and that among
them may be found rhymes which, IL they
appeared in a soap advertisement today,
would not be considered out Of place.
Browning is a famous offender in this
direction. and the grotesquerie Of some OF
his lines has obscured. for many people,
the fact that most Of his poetry is really
not at all difficult to read. Here, for ex-
ample, is a passage which not even the
most ardent Browning lover can call
poetic:
''Noales prints blue-straight he turtle eats
Stokes tints blue-caret crowns his cup.
Both gorge. Who fshed the Murex up;
What porridge had John Kests?'
And here is that famous passage from
Tennyson which caused the poet to be
dubbed By a certain savage critic School
miss Alfred
30 darling room. my hearts delight,
Dear room, the apple OF my sight
With thy two couches soft and white.
There is room exquisite,
No little warm and bright
Wherein to read wherein 10 write"
II Tennyson had had little more sense
of humor he probably would not have
written that thing. and it was not q youth
full error, either. But, perhaps. If he had
had sense of humor he would not have
been so great poet. Holmes could never
have been Tennyson.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
THREATENED BY DOWIE.
The Offensive Taken Against the
Illinois Legislature.

CHICAGO. Feb. 25.-Every member of
the lower house of the State Legislature
is threatened with Indictment In the Fed
eraI Court by John Alexander Dowie, on
a charge of conspiracy.
Dowie held his congregation yesterday
afternoon nearly four hours to announce
that he had assumed the aggressive in the
forthcoming battle with the investigat-
ing committee appointed by the House
last week to examine into the condition
of the Zion Bank
He declared that his position was unas-
sailable, and quoted extensively from a
report made to him by Attorney Samuel
w. Packard. lie told six ways by any
one of which he could escape legislative
investigation. They were:
Writ of habeas corpus in the Federal
court; writ of habeas corpus in State
court; writ of prohibitions; suit against
officer who arrests him; injunction
against the committee; indictment for
conspiracy.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
SAVED By AN ACT OF GRACE.
Death in the Future for Destructive
FiIipinos. Says Macarthur.

The War Department has received
copy of General liaeArthur's remarks in
reviewing the findings of the court which
tried a number OF Filipinos for destroying
railroad and telegraph property. Tho
commanding general says that it is due to
an act of grace on the part OF the review
ing authority that the death penalty is
not imposed. and that the sentences are
commuted to fifteen years Imprisonment
at hard labor.
In the future, he adds. as a military
necessity. all persons caught in the act
of destroying such property will be exc
cuted. The laws of war, he declares. do
not entitle such persons to the privileges
of prisoners of war.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
DECIDES AGAINST HARRIES.
Colonel May Restored to Comanans
by the War Department Finding.

The War Department has decided that
the suspension of Col. Henry May from
his command in the District National
Guard. by George Fl. Harries. command
ing officer OF the militia. was without au-
thority. and has ordered his restoration.
The fight between Mr.. Harries and
Colonel May was begun nearly a year
ago, when the latter was ordered to ap-
pear before al examining board to de-
termine his fitness to maintain his com
mand, and upon his refusal to comply
with the order he was suspended. Colo
mel May questioned the authority of thu
commanding general. contending that
certain regulations for governing the ap-
pointment and procedure CT the boards
of examination to examine commissioned
officers of the guard we're Illegal and
void, that the composition of the board
was Illegal and that IL had no Jurisdiction
to examine a colonel as to his profession
al qualifications. Colonel Mar appealed
to the War Department for settlement
OF the question. and the result is his vim
dicatiou
Inc Secretary of War referred the mat
ter to the Judge Advocate General and
II was upon his finding that Secretary
Root has ordered Colonel May restored to
his command. In his opinion the Judge
Advocate General quotes the statute In
the case and comments upon it to soma
extent. He then declares that the reg
ulations cited do not state who is com
petent to order an officer before such a
board. There is, he says, no statute up
on the subject
Continuing he says: 1.-THE statute
makes the President the commander in
chief OF the militia of the District of
Columbia, and, the officer being appoint
ed by him. it is a reasonable view that
he must determine whether the officer
should be so examined with a view to dis
charge. II this is correct. the command
ing general OF the militia of the District
of Columbia was without authority to d.
rect Colonel May 10 appear before ard
to determine his fitness to hold his COM
mission.
In the army 1t is recognized that thu
Secretary of War, the representative OF
the President, is the proper person 10 or
der an officer before a board for
examination for promotion. This.
notwithstanding the converting OF boards,
is sometimes delegated to a subordinate
commander. The same authority directs
officers to appear before retiring boards.
Il am of the opinion. therefore. that
the board had no Jurisdiction to examine
Colonel May. against his objection in ths
absence OF any direction from the FRESH
dent that he should appear before ths
board"
Secretary Root has approved the find
ing of the Judge Advocate. he decision
will enable Colonel May to take command
OF his regiment in the inaugural parade,
as be is to be restored at once. II Ia
understood that the case was determined
at this time in order to determine who
should command the First District OF
Columbia Regiment in the inaugural
pageant.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
A BREAK IN A PIPE LINE.
Thousands of Gallons of oil Lost in
New Jersey.

PENNINGTON. y. J.. Feb. 25.-The
Standard Oil Company pipe line broke near
Ringoes late on Saturday night and thou
sands of gallons of oil were lost before the
break was found and repaired. Edward
II. Silvers discovered the break near the
home Of Freebooter Edward H. Durham
about 7 o'clock on Sunday morning.
Silvers quickly informed the company.
but the pipe was broken of, and before
the leak could be stopped hundreds of bar
rels of petroleum had escaped The oil
ran into a small stream and then flowed
upon the water for more than two miles.
AS soon as the flow OF oil was stopped the
petroleum was set on fire The flames
spread rapidly and the stream was afre
for nearly two miles.
The house Of Freebooter Durham caught
fire six times, but each time the flames
were put out before much damage was
caused. The fire is still burning in some
places along the stream.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
GUESTS AT JEKYL ISLAND.
Admiral and Mrs. CrOwninshieId En-
tertnined Mt the Club.

BRUNSWICK. Ga, Feb. 25.-Admiral
Crowninshield. Chief of the Bureau OF
Navigation. who. accompanied by Mrs.
Crowninshield. reached Brunswick Satur-
day night from Washington, Inspected
the Government property on Blythe Island
today. This morning the admiral and his
wife were guests of the club at Jekyl ISL
and. the yacht Rowland taking them to
the clubhouse.
There they were met by Morris X. Jesup
Cornelius n. Bliss, and others now stop
ping on the island. Tonight and tomorrow
the visitors will be the recipients of cour-
tesies from the people of Brunswick;
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
MR.. EvARTS' CONDITION.
4 Sinking Spell on Saturdn. Follow.
ed by Rally.

NEW YORK, Feb 25.-The Hon. Wiliin n
NJ. Eyarts, who has been failing for some
time because of old age. became so weak
on Saturday that the members of his fam
lily we're sent for Most of them are now
at the Evarts mansion. at Second Avenue
and Fourteenth Street. Drs. Lambert and
Delafeld are in attendance.
The Rev. Prescott Evarts. of Cambridge.
Mass. said tonight that his father was
much better today and that there was NJ
immediate danger. Elk Senator Evarts was
eighty-threc years old on the 9TH OF this
month.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
OLD MINES CAVE IN.
Excitement Caused by the Collapse
of Workings in Laurel Run.

WILKESBARRE. Pa, Feb. 25.-Several
acres of land over the workings of the Red
Ash Coal Company. at Laurel Run, near
here. settled last evening because OF the
cave-in of abandoned workings, and threw
the residents into state of great ex-
citement.
The houses of John, George. and Owen
Owens were partially wrecked, large
assures, several inches in width. extend
ing under the foundation walls. The fam
;lies were aroused by the falling OF dish
es and the plastering and fed to the
homes of neighbors.
The ground settled several inches and 1t
is feared that when the frost in the
ground thaws, it may cause further set
Ting and the cave-in may spread to other
workings and engulf the entire borough.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
THE GAYNoRs TO BE HELD.
Commissioner shields VIII Await
the Action OF Judge Brown.

NEW YORK, Feb. commissioner
Shields has decided to hold Capt. Ben
jamin d. Greene and Col. John F.. E.
II. and W. T. Gaynor to await the action
of Judge Brown, of the United States Dis
trict Court on an application for a war
rant of removal to the jurisdiction of the
United States courts in Georgia. where
hey are under Indictment for completely
in the harbor Improvement frauds of ex-
Cant Oberlin NJ Carter.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

In word. all that Uncle Sam asks IS that
tuba pay her honest debts remember that her
European relations identical with Uncle
Sans and keep clean. Cuba in the hands OF
spain WIS plague spot under our very nose We
went to war with Spain practically to clear our
front yard Of breeding spot Of disease and
political corruption.
Refore turn the island over 10 its inhabitants
We ask some security that neither yellow fever
nor tyranny and bloodshed take root again II
Cuba has the good 10 recognize this
Straightforward declaration she viii not object to
the establishment OF naSal bases on her coast for
geographically She is Il part Of us.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
NEWFOUNDLAND SATISFIED.
No Anxiety tn Enter the Canadian
Federation Shown

OTTAWA. Ont. Feb. 25.-Contrary to
the prevailing idea in Canada it is learn
ed that Newfoundland evinces no desire
to enter into the Canadian confederation.
In reply to a question in this connection
in the House of Commons tonight, Sir
Wilfrid Laurer stated that there had
been no correspondence on the matter be-
tween the two Governments. and no over
lures have been received from the New
foundland Government.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
CHAMBERLAIN TO DINE HAY.
An Expression of Gratitude to the
Consul mt Pretoria.

LONDON. Feb. 25--It is stated that
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain Will give
dinner 10 Adelbert Hay. American Con-
sui at Pretoria, on the eve of his Depart
ure from London for Washington, whittier
he is now en- route from his post
Many members OF the Government and
War Office have been invited The dinner
will be an expression of gratitude for
the protection afforded to British inter-
ests in Pretoria by Mr.. Hay.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

riders to appropriation bills in the last
days Of Congress. There should be suf-
ficient patriotism and respect for duty
in the body to consider great history
making measures in an orderly and nor
NAL manner. They cannot have that de-
scription of treatment in the way the
Republican leaders. under the spur of tbs
Administration. are proposing, to legis-
late at our permanent relations with
Cuba
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

(From the Springfield. Mass. Republican,
Pittsl,urs is greatly disturbed over the Sl,O>o,
600 O0a steel trust scheme because Of its probable
con,.dlence To- that city The official and clerica
force III the Carnegie Company will he removed t
New YORK so lar rs it is retained by the new
COMPANY. and it Is said that this will mean
loss 60 Pittsburg OF several hundred wcll-paid
employcs with their families The Pittsbur
banks will also lose most Of the large banking
business OF the Carnegie company. Thus trus
Capitalization Is beginning to take a meanin
hardly to be realized by manufacturing cities and
towns outside OF New York.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

CFrom the Chicago Inter-ocean)
Inauguration day is not i public holiday. save
in Washington but certain things may occur
hich would incline many Americans 10 make it
ne II Mr. Mckinley should decide. Tor example.
lat the country would he better of with Lyman
g. Gage at some post where he could not damage
l., foreign trade and with John Hay relieved OF
he temptation of bsriering away the Monroe
Doctrine it would he difficult Tor patriotic Ameri-
ans to refrain from doing what loyal Welshmen
are privileged 10 do upon ST. Dsyid's Day.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

Capt. Charles C. Treat, CT the artillery
-orps. has been detailed by the Secretary
Z War to be commandant Of cadets at the
United States Military Academy at West
Point from June Ia. 1901, to relieve Lieut.
Col. Otto l.. Helm Third Cavalry. Colonel
icin's four years detail as commandant
.xplres on the date mentioned and he is
ERECTED then 10 rejoin his regiment.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

We trust that the Administration will
not hold out the hope of no extraordinary
session in order to get the Spooner and
the Cuban riders passed. and then call
one to help Mr.. Hanna with the Subsidy
job. There has been an ominous silence
on that subject for few days past. which
makes us the least bit suspicious
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
DIR. ANDERsoN's NEW STAR.
Believed by an Ottawa Professor to
Be Wanderer.

OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. 25.-When the
question today regarding the new star dis
covered by DR.. Anderson, OF Edinburgh,
Prof Virgins said:
There is nothing remarkable about this
discovery. because such phenomena have
been noticed for many centuries Hip
parchus saw a similar star i20 years be-
fore Christ and a great number OF them
have been witnessed in modern times A
similar but smaller one was discovered by
this same DR.. Anderson few degrees
from Chi-Auriga in February. 1892. 1t Is
known. but improperly. not as Andersons.
but as Copeland's star"
Prof. Virgins says this new star Is
wandering star or comet belonging to
some system bordering on our solar sys-
tenn
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
spendthrift Mmungement

lFrOm The FHlIadcIpha North AmeTican.J
Under the management Of the Fifty-sixth Con-
gress the Government is in grave danger OF lW-
ing beyond its means BY Juggling figures the
danger may be made to appear unreal and tn,
needless waste Of public money encouraged.
Chairman Cannon would show greater wisdom If
he came out boldly against the extravaganza Of
the present session. No scyercr criticism has
been passed on Congress than that OF Senator
Adrich and Representative Moody, who say that
the only remedy is to cut down the Government s
revenues to a bare operating basis.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
Wants what 1t mns Bought.

The ship Subsidy bin j. hut 4 part Of the
odious system .; Governmental paternalism fos-
tered by the Republican party. Under that SIS
TEN the managers Of the party farm ont TO IA
yored manufacturers the privilege of taxing the
people for the benefit Of the favored manufac-
trers. The shipowners contributed literally
to the Republican campaign fund last year aud
naturally enough they want the party that sold
Itself to them to deliver the goods When capital
buys party il wants control of what it has
bought. Senator Frye evidently was an honest
salesman.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
MIR. Evans.


CFr0m the indianapolis News)
Commissioner Evans is to be commended for
his determination TO stick 10 his post and leave
the responsibility on the President il he E5c-
out There is every evidence that he has dis
charged the duties Of his office conscientiously
and in accordance with the Law. and he will
not cast any shadow on his work by sending in
Liz reclamation
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
Scff-Help Proved Best.
tFrom the Savannah Neus.)

1t is ACQUISITION if the Southern veterans of the
civil war are not better OF in every way than
those OF the North, and ;heir opportunities
for bettering their fortunes have not been So
great. having To depend upon themselves how
ever. they went to work Immediately after the
lively few OF them are dependent upon anyone.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
TO SUCCEED CHESHIRE.
f. t. Williams Becomes Secretary to
Tie American Legation mt Pekin

The American Legation at Pekin-
At the request of Minister Conger, the
Secretary of State yesterday appointed
Edward T. Williams. now interpreter OF
the United States Consulate General at
Shanghai, to be Chinese Secretary OF the
United States legation at Pekin. Mr.. VIII
liams will succeed Fleming d. Cheshire,
who has been in the diplomatic and con-
sular service for twenty-five years, and
connected with the American legation at
Pekin sixteen years. Mr.. Cheshire re-
Gently resigned
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
Boers and FilipiDOs.

From the Anaconda Standard)
What a fortunate thing II T. for Britain that
the Beers not numerous as the FiliBuos
and. on the other hand. what fortunate thing
it is for that The Flipinos are not 50 good
fighters is the Boersi
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26
China's Rarbed Wire Fence

IFfOm Inc IIICagO JUuThaI.l
The Chinese problem today is worse than the
Chinese puzzle What 1t is what it means no
statesman In the world say. There is a
population of 400 OOO. 600 in that Empire. The
people are non-assimilahie and non-approachal
Their very language is an imponetTsble barrier.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-26

The Kansas smashers have now another
life to their bag Of victims. Another man
was killed Sunday in an attack upon a
storage warehouse, led by two preachers.