davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-10-16

lombia and Galveston, Texas, Wednesday
One Bogota bank, The Credito Antioqueno.
mas closed. The other banks have reopeued
after vain effort to evade compliance with
a decree issued by Governor Ooncha, Direct
ing the banks 0 pay 100000 pesos in gold
as war loap.
The Bank 3 colombia, one of the Oldest
and wealthiesi institutions, agreed to pay
first. The other banks relIe0 on obtaining
assistance from the Cabinet, and kept Their
doors closed.
After a stormy meeting Of the Ministers
an announcement was made to the banks to
reopen, as a request Rad been made official
~ TO the Governor TO withdraW the decree.
Governor Ooncha remained firm. Hs is
sued new decree, which was stronger than
the first, declaring that he would force the
banks into liquidation unless they complied
Governor Dencha made this explanation
of the situation for the Herald: =
g These banks have hitherto enjoyed spec
ial immunties and privileges. Iney paid
no taxes whatever. Tue war has Injured
other kinds OF business, but not the banks.
s. The real estate of the banks has been
rented for two and three per cent of its
value, and their dividends havc averaged
three per cent month The banks have
monopozed foreign drafts, putting the rate
of exchange at an absurd figure, to the det-
riment OF the government.
Before the rebellion The outstanding pa.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-10-16

ready to help revolution financially, the
increasing number Of political arrests by the
Government, and actual, though minor, rev.
olutiCnary outbreaks at Coro and other plac
es, which the Government soon put down.
A rupture between Colombia ard Venezue-
la would give the revolutionary element the
desired opportunity TO attack the Government.
President Castro recognizes the discomfort
existing throughout the country at large,
and is taking measures to meet whatever
revolutionary eIigencies arise. He reaIizes
that if the Colombian imbrogli0 neceSsitates
his leaving Caracas for the frontier, the
chances are greatly against bis ever return
ing to the capital. Such an opportunity
would undoubtedly be grasped by the revol
ntionists, who would usurp the Dictatorship.
The present revolutionary tendency is not
making on party ines, but against the
Administration Of the country, as dictated
by President Castro. Venezuela as whole
excepting some Of the officers and soldiers
on the frontier, who, throvgh contractor
recent experienced consider the Colombians
national enemies, look upon President Gas
trn's ambitions, pas 81 Jus, and alleged help
extended to the Colombian Liberals as being
resp nSlUl0 jOr tu6 pTeSeub OOluiu Oiau
trouble, and have no ill-feeling towards
Colombia on the al ged ground that Co
lombia invaded V n zuels.
Sixty ColombiaDs who were captured on
the frontier were taken to Caracas, where
they acre liberated in the streets, pennlless
and starving. They are receiving charity
from The people of the city.
Last week the school teachers of Caracas
were notified that the Government must,
for the present, discontinue paying their
salaries. The priests are also unpaid, and
the patients in Vargas Hospital, Caracas,
are supplied with food and medicines obtain.
ed on credit by the Sisters of Charity in
charge of the hospital.
Last week the Government called on the
Bank of Venezuela to supply 100000 boil
vars, hut the Bank replied that it had moi
the money and could not supply the amount
required. Neither the Bank Of Venezuels
nor the Bank Of Caracas can discount coan-
mercial drafts, because of lack of Iunds. Tht
shares of both banks are quoted at half tn,
price at which they were issued.
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-10-16
VelpzuIa h Straits.
The Republic Experiencing
Financial Crisis.

Caracas, Venezuela, Oct. (via Willem-
stad, island of Curacao, Oct. 1O).-The
financial condition of Venezuela is best
exemplified by the fact that Venezuela has
not paid interest on her foreign or internal
indebtedness for the last thirty eight months.
Only two or three importing houses at Cara
cas- are paying expresses. business is practl-
cally limited to needed fcodstuffs, many
import orders have been cOuntermsnded,
extreme lack of confidence prevails in bust.
ness circles, and the immediate future con
tains no promise of Improvement.
The expectation is that the general inan
cial situation will become worse befo,e i
can jml rove. The war Iumors have re-
suited in a noticeable decrease of imports
and corresponding decrease in the colec
ton Of duties. Consequently, the Govern
ment is getting into more severe straits to
find money to meet its extraordinary ex-
penses and msintsi7 the army on the from.
ter. Among the;people, the suffering from
the hard times Is greater now than at any
time during the last four years. Many peo
rle at Caracas are suffering from lack Of
food, the salaries of all the Government civil
employees have been cut in half, ard ever
butb 10 uOb poius 4uO CuCCb VI tutc Olbnk
of money is especially noticeable at Caracas
The local business has been dwindling rapid
ly.
Since the reyerses at Gusjirs, the Govern
ment has been transferring its attention tC
the San Cristobal country, south of Mara
caibc, and is sending arms, men, and 750,
900 rounds Of ammunition from Caracas te
Barquesimeto, where the interior forces are
converging. Barquesimeto is a week over
land from the frontier.
Discomfort at CaStro's Rule.
The feeling throughout the country
against President Castro is growing strong
er every day, and extends to a small groul
of his favorites who surrounnd him. Tn,
country's discomfort at Gen. Castro's dicta
torship is evidenced by many comparativ
ely insignificant signs but they.plainly fore
tell growing revolution. As example
of this state of affairs are cited the recen
disappearance from Caracas Of Juan Pietri
who some time ago was said to- be at tn
head of new revolutionary movement, th
actions of certain men who are known 10 b
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-10-16


per money, amounting to about 8 60, 900, ,00C
was worth one half OF one third Of that fig
ure in gold. The war expenses have caused
an increase Of this issue to 8 2OU, U,0UO,OOO,
which is actually worth less than the orig
inal issue.
g There is no reason for the sudden de-
cline in the rate of exchange, aud it was
forced by the banks. The banks should mol
escape contributions while other forms Of
busiaess are compelled to help support the
government in this emergency.
" Interrupted communications bave res
ulted in an accumulation of currency in Bo.
gotta, as other places have not teen reached.
The small amount Of gold arriving Is anot-
aer cause Of trouble. As exports have stOpp-
ed the merchants cannot draw bills. The
governmeOt will maze every effort to protect
tie transit Of foreign mail.v
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-10-16
LEST YOU FORGET.

Any Make Typerwriters, Slot Machines,
Pash Register or Small Machines Repaired
Uromptly and ObeAply.
WILLIAM e GR0FF.-P. o. BOX
302 Office at American Ice Factory. 3O-4
BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1901-10-16

Be good and you will be happy, provid-
ed you get your Ice CREAM SODA AT
/" La MargaritaD.
Evening star., 1901-08-08
Posters In Belgium.
From the New York Tribune.


The Belgians lead the world in their at
tention to municipal art. Where we think
1t necessary to cover buildings with garish
and monstrous signs. they exercise inge-
nuity and taste and announce their bust
ness by decorative advertisements which
add to the beauty and pieturesqueness OF
their charming towns. Nor does their busi-
ness prosperity suffer from this regard f0r
esthetic effect. The merchants and adver-
tisers who have entered into the spirit OF
the reform which has made such progress
in that busy country, have themselves be-
come convinced by experience that they
sacrifice nothing by the exercise of mod
Grafton in the search for publicity. Com
petition in the production Of attractive
signs to be displayed on the premises where
the announced business Is conducted has
had admirable results, and created among
business men desire to display to the
best advantage the architectural character
of their buildings, instead Of covering them
with vast expanses Of painted boards For
the regulation Of that other class Of signs
which are scattered broadcast apart from
the advertisers place of business q tax Ia
imposed
Evening star., 1901-08-08

The demand for exciting sensations has
caused people to risk their lives In many
and eccentric ways. A man crawIs into a
barrel and passes through the angry
Niagara rapids while the pulses Of the
watchers beat faster as the periious jour-
ney proceeds. Men and women ascend
high into the air in balloons and then drop
to earth with parachutes to sustain them,
while the gaping crowds below shrink In a
rapturous horror lest the apparatus fall
Men dive head foremost from towers into
shallow basins Of water to display their
skill In turning quickly at the moment Of
impact and the spectators thrill In the
presence of imminent death. At the circus
thousands watch the performer who throws
knives at his partner. standing against a
board, and with mingled interest and dread
calculate the chances that a swerving
blade may cause a tragedy. Expert marks
men entertain Assem- blages In the theaters
by shooting at apples placed on the heads
or assistants, who are often little children;
sometimes, to add to the danger and the
consequent attractiyeness OF the feat,
shooting from a mirror sight with the
back to the mark. The latest proposal Is
for a bicyclist to risk his life by riding hts
wheel over a loop-the-loop course in New
York doubtless for the delectation Of a
great crowd Of breathless spectators who
have paid admission fees. The danger is
very great that the wheel will not keep its
course and that the rider hurled away by
the force Of the tremendous momentum Of
the machine, will be Instantly killed. The
greater the danger In these affairs. the
more apprehensive the public that death
may result from the exhibition. the heavier
patronage IL ensured. The fact that men
Evening star., 1901-08-08
Republicans on the Tariff.

Those gentlemen who insist that nothing
should be done with respect to the tariff
at the coming session OF Congress should
give heed to the following summary of the
tariff plank of the Iowa republican plat
form. adopted yesterday;
THE policy of a protective tariff Is In
dorsed and such changes therein are
favored as from time to time become ad-
yiSable through the progress or our IN
dustrieS and their changing relations to the
commerce of the world Reciprocity is In
dorSed the natural complement or pro-
lection. and it's development is urged as
IieCessary to the realization Of the hiSheSt
commercial possibilities
Iowa is a republican state. and has two
sons whose names are on the list OF presi-
Dental possibilities for 1901. Senator ALI
son and Gov Shaw are both strong men.
and thoroughly representative of the re-
pubIicaniSm of their state and section.
They of course subscribe to this platform
upon which Mr. Cummins has been nomi-
mated for governor. It recognizes, 1t Will
be observed, 'the progress Of our indus
tries. as. indeed. everybody must. and
that their relations to the commerce of the
world changing. 1t recommends. there
fore such changes In schedule rates from
time to time as this progress may make
necessary, keeping the real principle OF pro-
lection ever In view. It likewise recog-
nizes in reciprocity ''the natural compile
ment of protection" Is not this sound re-
publican doctrine. coming from such a
source? If not. why not?
Let heed also be given to the following
paragraph. taken from an interview with
ex-senator Thurston. printed In the New
York Sun:
II think that there will be a revision OF
the tariff to meet the changed Circum-
stances. the tariff is something that
needs changing every little while to make
il fit the different needs of the country.
That the republican party will ever change
fits historic principle of protection there
seems to be no indication. I do not think
that ii ever will
Mr.. Thurston has not lost his knowledge
of. his right to speak for, western re-
publicanism because of his voluntary retire
ment to private life He Is still a factor in
politics. and altogether likely to be an in
f1uential figure on the stump in 1901. If
the republicans should select an eastern
man for first place he would be a good
man for second. So that here is a Ne
braska republican of prominence who rec
ognizes. as do the Iowa republicans, the
necessity for limited tariff revision along
protection lines which shall meet the
changes incident to our industrial growth
at home and our phenomenal increase of
trade abroad. Is his advice not worth
taking7
1t cannot be asserted too often that no
friend of protection and reciprocity Is pro-
posing a general revision of the tariff at
this time. But that certain schedules need
revision as the result of the growth they
have facilitated and the independence they
have conferred Is plain enough. and that
the party in power should do this work as
soon as possible Is suggested by every con-
sideration Of duty and expediency.
Evening star., 1901-08-08
Checking the Paterson Reds.

The mayor of Paterson. n. J., has
demonstrated his fitness Tor his post by
taking steps to prevent the rendition of a
so-called play which was TO have been pro-
duced soon by the anarchists living in that
city, descriptive of the incidents In the as
sassinatiOn of the late King Humbert 1t
is well known that Bresci, the assassin.
lived In Paterson and that there he doubt
less received his orders from an organiza-
tion of firebrands governed from that city
to proceed TO Italy and kill the king Since
that tragedy he has been lauded by the
Paterson anarchists, and recently a meet
ing was held there at which Brescrs act
was applauded and his memory honored
No action was taken TO prevent the holding
Of that meeting. and the anarchists OF
Paterson have evidently grown bolder. for
they forthwith planned the dramatic rendi-
ton Of the whole story, Brescfs choice by
lot. his departure for Italy. the search for
opportunity, the Staying OF the monarch
and finally Bresci's death In prison
Mayor Hinchliffe has the advantage of
being not only the executive Of Paterson,
but the owner of the theater building in
which the anarchists proposed to give the
play. AS landlord he has refused access
TO the theater and as mayor he has ordered
the police to see that no one else gives the
reds a chance to perform. This action is
the result of a conviction that the an
archists were very nearly right when hey
recently placarded the city with flaming
red posters declaring There Is no place
like this in the United States" Paterson
has obtained an unsavOry reputation
through it's tolerance of the anarchists,
and IT will not thrive on such notorlety.
The performance OF a dramatic rendering
OF the assassination. as proposed. would be
an insult to Italy and to the self-respcct
and sense of order of every American citi-
zen.
Evening star., 1901-08-08

have been drowned In the Niagara rapids.
and crushed by falling from balloons and
unreliable parachutes. and mangied In the
basins Of the high dives. and killed on the
knife boards, and shot through the brain in
the old-time rifle exhibitions Ii Q strong
reason for the popularity Of such forms OF
entertainment. Take away the chance OF
death resulting and there viii be no such
degree of public interest as today warrants
the holding of these displays for profit No
crowds would gather to see a loaded barrel
go through the rapids. although all the
possible ends of science would be thereby
met equally with the rislxing OF a life. The
law has In several states intsrvened to
prevent some of these exhibitions. 1t
should so further and prohibit all forms OF
public entertainment where life Is delib-
erately risked for the delectatfon of the
public. Let there be q risk OF positive
punishment well as Of the penalty Of
failure and the business of catering to the
morbid, unwholesome desire of people to
stand in the presence Of death will lose It's
attractiveness.
Evening star., 1901-08-08
New YOrlS's Tunnel Nuisance.

New York has new grievance 1t has
discovered, after many years or uncom-
planning suffering, that the tunnel through
which all railroad trains leave Manhattan
Island is a menace to health 1t Is nor
mally filled with smoke and cinders and
the air in the cars passing through 1t Is al
ways foul with the exhaIation of lungs and
poisoned with gases Efforts to cure the
nuisance have been brought up short with
the declaration of the health authorities
that the tunnel Is not menace and that
the railroads, while they refrain from the
burning of soft coal. not violating the
law. The citizens are wondering what step
now to take while volunteers are offering
suggestions varying widely in practicable
ty. One man proposes to tear out the par
titions and to enlarge the air space in the
tunnel. Another offers to rid the tunnel Of
smoke by changing the locomotives that
they will start on the run with the tank
water highly heated and SO avoid the need
Of stokng while in the confined space.
Still another has gravely proposed that
each locomotive carry a tank of altar Of
roses. to be scattered as the train rushes
through. to overcome the odors of COM
bustion.
Every visitor to the metropolis is forced
transportation. Those who approach from
the south are annoyed by the ferry trip,
often held back for long periods by Ice and
fog. Those who enter from the east and
west and north must face the tunnel nui-
sance with such fortitude as the lungs af-
ford. The lack Of bridges across the North
river and the failure of the railroad man.
ayers to provide against the natural OBJ
stacles on the run up the island combine
to render that city the most difficult and
unpleasant of access of all the American
communities. The bridge enterprise has
been checked for many seasons by various
causes. mainly attributed to the desire of
certain corporations to hold matters as
they stand. The radical cure of the tunnel
evil would call for a large expenditure and
Is therefore postponed. The long-suffering
local public may not obtain relief imme-
diately, but 1t will have the moral support
and the hearty sympathy Of the multitudes
from other sections who are compelled to
submit to the unpieasantness of the New
York entrances and exits In the course Of
business and travel
Evening star., 1901-08-08
A Virginia Lawyers Timely Addres

The Virginia State Bar Association lis
Tuesday at the White Sulphur Springs by
1t president, Judge Lewis. His subject be-
ing Some Notable Cases In the United
States Supreme Court" the speaker ap-
proprIately referred to several cases which
had been carried to that tribunal involving
the right of suffrage and passed then to
some observations as to what the court had
held as TO the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments to the Constitution. He said:
1T is needless TO say that neither Of the
amendments confers afftrmatirely the right
to vote. This is clear the face of the
amendments. respectively. and has been so
decided. But that, while 1t Is true
that the fifteenth amendment gives no az
frmative right TO vote, it may under some
circumstances operate as the immediate
source of that right. as. for example, II a
state constitution were TO expressly con-
fine the right TO vote to white men, the
nul the discriminating word white and to
leave the constitution as though no such
discrimination had been attempted.
But no state, OF course, Is likely to do
this; that Is. to make such discrimina don
In terms. 1t Is. however, to be borne In
mind that provision may be on its face
not unconstitutional and yet so framed
thoritiea. representing the state, contra
venes the federal Constitution and thus
produces a result which obliges the courts
to declare the provision itself invalid
Among the important problems now
before our constitutional convention none
is more important. and perhaps none is
more difficult, than this question Of the
Evening star., 1901-08-08

elective franchise. Let US hope, however,
that these problems will be wisely and quo
cessfully solved; that the work Of the con-
vention, when It shall have been finished.
will be free from constitutional objectioiL
and that 1t will rebound to the good OF the
state and nation"
1t Is easily to be seen from this that
Judge Lewis hopes for a straightforward
declaration by the Virginia convention,
and not one OF those juggles with language
which several southern states have en-
ployed In dealing with the subject of suf-
frage, and in an attempt to nullify indi-
rectly plain provision Of constitutional
law. He does not want to see his state
enroll itself with North Carolina. Louisiana
and Alabama IN a proceeding which sound
lawyers in those states and elsewhere have
vigorously declared against.
Proceeding. Judge Lewis then said;
"Akin to the suffrage question Is the all
important one OF fair elections. The pres
ent election methods In Virginia are In the
highest degree demofalfZing, ana ougnt 10
be abolished. In many localities the re-
suits of elections indicate nothing as to the
will of the voters but are just what cor
rupt election officials choose to make them.
The long-continued existence OF sucn a
state of things Is intolerable In free
country, and the public conscience is awak-
ening on the subject, as we'll It may, 1cr
until the present meth0dS are gotten fiu
of Virginia can never hope to resume the
proud position of leadership she once oc-
cupied in the sisterhood Of states, or any
thing like 1t. Men do not gather grapes of
thorns or figs of thistles. and 1t Is as tue
today as 1t was nineteen hundred years
ago that q corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit and ought to be hewn down and cast
into the fire.
If this were the deliverance Of native
politician 1t would not count for much.
Those at whom 1t is aimed would sns7r at
it as the malicious outgiving Of a man who
had failed in some OF his purposes. They
would denounce him as slanderer Of his
people, and attempt to carry it off In that
high and breezy fashion. But 1t is an emi-
nent lawyer who speaks-the president of
the State Bar Association. accustomed. we
may believe. to choosing. his words with
due regard to their meaning. and 20 select
ing his ground of attack carefully. What
he says therefore is calculated to attract
attention, and to show that there Is some
thing else necessary in Virginia besides
purging the polling lists of illlterates be-
fore the ballot box can be brought 10 serve
the ends for which ii Is intended. Judge
Lewis address should receive thoughtful
consideration in Virginia and elsewhere.
Evening star., 1901-08-08
A Sea Song.

A Sea Song.
Twas the summer of 1898.
Yoho. my lads, yoho!
When certain men did congregate
To settle poor Cervera's fate,
His ships were old and slow
Yoho my lads, yoho!
They fought little while that day.
Yoho, my lads, yoho!
The Spaniards could not stand the fray
Because they were not built that way.
1t took an hour or 80.
Yoho, my lads, yoho!
The Spaniards went and lived in peace.
Yoho, my lads, yoho!
But the 'Merfcanos would not cease;
They fought and called for the police
1t was holy show.
Yoho, my lads, yoho!
For glory still they fight anew.
Yoho. my lads. yoho!
And each one writes book or two
On what was which and which was who,
And each Is t'others foe.
Yoho, my lads, yoho!
Evening star., 1901-08-08

There Is as much trouble in finding naval
officers to serve on the court Of inquiry as
In selecting jury Of acceptable men in q
sensational murder case Very few mem
bers OF the service, 1t would appear, have
scrupulousiy refrained from expressing
opinions. and there was apparently some
body present with a long memory whenever
such words were dropped
Evening star., 1901-08-08

A movement is on foot in Indianapolis to
raise monument to the late Benjamin
Harrison. Indianapolis will now have an
opportunity to show New York how these
things ought to be managed