davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19

today nominated I. II. Thomas as post
master at Rock Island.
This announcement. received in this af-
terneon's Associated Press dispatches to
The Argus, settles a spirited controversy
waged for months in the local ranks of
the republican party. While in the
earlier stages there were several who as
pired to the postmastership, since the
change in national administration, the
opposition to Mr.. Thomas reappoint-
ment has been waged by III. A. j. Nc
Donald, who became the sole opposing
aspirant, backed by Mayor Knox.
Trip to Washington.
The Mcdonald and Knox forces PLAN
ned determined and systematic fight
against Thomas reappointment, and
they made it likewise against Prince by
seeking to take it over his head. They
sought the good offices of Senators Gull
lom and Mason, and to make it still
more effective, as they thought, sue
ceeded i'll inducing Gov. Yates to do
turn III their behalf with the president.
Indeed before President Roosevelt had
hardly entered upon his Office the Rock
Island pair made a quiet trip to Wash
in9ton and laid the case of the opposi-
tion TO Thomas before the president,
explaining incidentally the Importance
of each in the local councils of the re-
publican party-McDonald by reason of
his Office as chairman of the city-town-
ship committee and Knox as chairman OF
the county committee and more than
calling attention to the fact that since
the presidents visit to the city he had
become mayor of Rock Island.
Such representation of who and
wherefore might have made an impress
sion upon the president, but the trend
of events has not sustained such a
theory and the announcement of the dis
position of the matter will not be alto
gether surprising.
Recently. at the suggestion of Con-
gresham Prince, Mr.. Thomas secured
of his conduct of the Office
from prominent citizens, highly compi-
mentary to him, their worth not being
in their number but in their nature.
The main stress was put upon the ad-
of the Office, and it is only
Just to say that while, politically
speaking, it is no affair of The Argus,
that from the standpoint of merit, Mr..
Thomas has been Il most excellent post
master.
Congressman Princes Greetings.
Postmaster Thomas received a tele-
gram from Congressman Prince this af-
ternoon, informing him of his reappoint-
ment and rendering congratulations.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
COMMITTEE OF THIRTY-sIx
Organization the Experiment in Harmon
izing Capital and Labor.

New York, Dec. 19.-The general
committee which was chosen by the
conference called to consider plans for
healing the differences between the
capitalistic and labor interests of the
country organized yesterday, elected.
officers and issued a general statement
of its mission. Senator Hanna was
chosen chairman, with Samuel Com
perS as first vice chairman. 1t retains
its connection with the National Civic
Federation, and becomes the Industrial
department o fthat organization.
The statement which was issued eX-
pressed n determination to strive for
industrial peace; to aid in establishing
rightful relations between those who
toll and their employers; 10 confer and
advise with employers and employed
when III conflict; to encourage agree
ments under which labor shall be per-
formed. and to arbitrate disputes when
both sides to the dispute shall ask for
such mediation. A determination TO
avoid discussion of abstract Industrial
problems was aVOWed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
WOOD AND CUBANS
Governor General Told to do His
Best to Please All
Elements.

Washington, Dec. I9.-The secretary
of war has forwarded to General
Wood, military governor of Cuba,
copies of all the correspondence be-
tween himself and Sidel G.. Pierra,
with regard to the advisability of
postponing the Cuban election in order
to perfect the election machinery to
meet the wishes of the various politi-
cal parties. General Wood is instruct
ed to do whatever he thinks bet in
the matter, in conformity with the
general views expressed in Secretary
Roots letter to Pierra of Dec. 16.
One of the documents forwarded is
reply by Pierra TO Secretary Roots
letter to that gentleman. This reply
asks reconsideration of the decision
by the secretary. Pierra recites the
omission To post the list of the largest
taxpayers referred to in his previous
letter TO the secretary, and declares the
pOstpOnement prayed for need not pro
long the American occupation as sug-
gested by the secretary. The central
board Of scrunity, he says, is a most
original creation, and no similar elec-
tiOn organization has ever existed any
where.
He requests that an equal number of
members, representing the other presi-
Dental candidates, be added to the
board, and that a similar measure he
adopted i'm connection with the provin-
cial boards in which General Maso has
no representation. Pierra says he is
not here especially. 10 plead the cause
of General Maso or of any political
party. The outcome of the election. as
things now stand, he asserts, will not
be stable government which the Unit
ed States wishes to see established in
Cuba; it. will be on the contrary the
beginning of serious disturbances
Pierra has received a dispatch from
DIR. Hernandez, the president of the
Union Democratic party and chairman
Df the electoral coalition i'm favor of
General Maso. telling of meetings i'm
Havana and various parts Of the ISL |
and protesting against illegalities |
by officials and demanding |
justice"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
KILLED IN a WRECK.
Disastrous Accident Due to Engineers Neg
ligence I'm California


Salinas, Cal, Dec. l9.-Trains number
and 10, north and south bound over
land, ON the Southern Pacific. came into
collision at this morning near Sanarde,
Monterey county, through some misun-
derstanding of orders. Both trains were
completely wrecked and train No o part
~ destroyed by fire.
1t Is reported ten or twelve persons
were killed and fifty injured. The south
bound train was crowded with passengers
among them being 80 discharged soldiers
on their way east and all the American
baseball team on its way to LosAngeies.
The track is completely blOekaded and
no trains can pass the wrecIage today.
Special trains with physicians aboard are
now on their way to the scene.
Later reports from the train wreck
state three were killed. 20 seriously in
jured and 81 slightly hurt. The cause of
the accident is said to be due to the fact
that the engineer on the south bound
limited failed to obey instructions and
stop at Uplands.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
Terrible Explosion of Gas
in a Furnace in
Pittsburg.
VICTIMS AWFUL FATE
Covered by Tons of
Molten Meta1--FiVe
Are Injured.

Pittsburg. Pa, Dec. 19.-By an ex-
plosiOn in a furnace at Jones JG Nc
Laughlin's this morning at o o'clock
nine were killed and five injured. The
loss to the plant is $4,000.
The men were at work at the top
of the furnace. They were just get
ting ready to quit work when the gas
which had accumulated in the furn-
ace exploded and tons of molten
metal was thrown over them.
The dead were removed to the
morgue and the injured to hospitals
All the victims are Slavs and Poles.
Others May Die.
Three of the injured Will probably
die. Five of the injured were blown
from the top of the furnace, 12O feet
high. The dead are badly charred.
Only five have been identified, men
being all known by numbers only.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
MUNICIPAL LODGING FOUsE
Chicago to Have n Home for Men NIio Are
in Need of shelter.

Chicago, Dec. 19.-Chicago will open
n municipal lodging house mt II and II
Jefferson street Saturday night. Hon
est men who need 4 bed and food. and
tramps and lOafers who apply to the
police stations for shelter, Will be sent
to the municipal lodging house and
put through cleanliness test and a
medical examination before they will
be given a home. They will also be
asked about their lives and diyested
Of weapons.
An employment bureau will be
opened, and whenever men are wanted
the managers of the municipal IOdg-
ing house win seek to get their dodgers
employment. John Ii. Bogue Is to
have direct management of the lodg-
ing house for the present. The city
council has appropriated $4,000 for
the purpose. The building in Jeffer-
son street will accommodate 300 men.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
A BISHOPS BURIAL
Imposing Ceremonies for Rt. Rev. L.
NJ. Lenihan at Du-
buque.

Dubuque, Iowa. Dec. l9.-Imposing
ceremonies characterized the funeral ser
vices of the late Right Rev. L. NJ. Leni-
han, ID. d., bishop of Cheyenne, at St.
Raphaels cathedral this morning Pom
tifical requiem mass was said by Bish-
op Hennessy, of Wichita, assisted by Il
large number of priests. Archbishop
Keane delivered the sermon and eulogy
OF the dead churchman. Deans of the
arch diocese ofIiciated as honorary and
nephews of the dead bishop Us active
pallbearers. Many noted churchmen
from out of the city were in attenda<,e
The intermcTt was in Mt. Olivet ceme-
terry.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
RELIGION AN ISSUE
Burning Question Affecting School
Government at
Topeka.

Topeka. Kan, Dec. 19.-The 1O-year>
old son Of J. B. Willard, Il prominent
grain dealer of this city, was expelled
from the Quincy street school for re-
fusing to take part in the religious ex-
ercises at the opening of the school.
Willard says the boy was acting I'M
der his Instructions. and threatens to
take the matter into court for settle
ment.
Il object to religion in the public
schools" said he, land if necessary l
Will bring an action in the courts to
see if the board of education can force
me to allow my son to submit to re-
ligious instruction in the public
schools
The board of education recently or
dered the reading of the Bible and re-
peating of the Lords Prayer at the
opening of school each morning.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
SCHLEY'S POSITION
Why the Rear Admiral Objects to
the Findings OF the Court
of Inquiry.
MAJORITY WRONG ON EVERY POINT
Secretary Long-Sampson
Now in the Case.

Washington. Dec. 19.-Late yester.
day Admiral Schley filed with the sec
retary of the navy his bill Of excep-
tons to the majority findings Of the
court or inquiry, and also Il letter ask
ing TO be allowed to be heard in con
lection with the objections to be filed
by attorneys for Admiral Sampson to
the individual opinion Of Admiral Dew
ey. Secretary Long. almost immedi-
ately after the receipt of the com
munications. called Judge Advocate
Lemly and the solicitor for the depart
ment Hanna. into conference. At its
conclusion the secretary said that he
had no statement TO make regarding
any action that he might take in the
premises. He, however. indicated to
league that he would not hear an oral
argument by Rayner regarding Ad-
nhral SIMPSONS protest. but would re-
celVe written statement.
No Specification to Cover This.
The Schley bill of exceptions would
make over three columns OF tyDe mat
ter if given i'm full. 1t claims that the
majority OF the court gave its opinion
that Commodore Schley should have
proceeded with the utmost dispatch off
CiemuegOS, when there was no sDeci-
L.
out giving the applicant an ODportun-
ity to furnish evidence on il. The bin
further contends that overwhelming
evidence was presented to the court TO
show that q close blockade of Cienfue-
eos was maintained; that the majority
OF the court entirely ignored the un-
contradicted testimony proving that
the British steamer Adula was allowed
30 enter Cienfuegos to obtain informa-
tion regarding the Spanish feet.
Majority Charged with Ignoring facts.
1t then says that the order of Adj
mir.l Sampson, known as No. a, was
an imperative order for Commodore
Schley TO hold his squadron off Glen
1uegoS. whether the Spanish fleet was
in that harbor or not; that the major
ity of the court has ignored the adj
mitted fact that the commander of the |
Eagle did not communicate the situa- !
tion at CienfuegOS to Commodore /
Schley and the fact that Captain |
Evans failed to communicate to Com /
modCre Schley the meaning of the sig |
nal lights on shore ut Cienfuegos.
As to the Retrograde Movement.
Then the point is made that the ma 4
jority based its opinion as to the ret
rograde movement upon n statement
that Commodore Schley. before sailing
from Cienfuegos. had reliable informa-
tiOn that ships could be coaled i'm the
vicinity of Cape Cruz and Gonaives
whereas 1t is denied that there
was any such positive information. and
that the records show that not until
three days after leaving Cienfuegos did
Commodore Schley receive definite in
concerning the feasibility
Or practicability of coaling ships from
l collier in Gonaives channel.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
Fntn1 Head-On Co1lisIon.

Marshalltown. Ia, Dec. 19.-The
Milwaukee railroads passenger train
No. 5 and freight No. 81 collided head
on ut Potter. Il station five miles west
of Tama. Mail Clerk J. l.. Carpen-
ter. Of Columbus Junction. was in
stantly killed. Engineer Ben Giles
was severely injured. and seven pas
sengers We're slightly hurt. The trains
met on 4 curve just east of the sta
tion. The engineer Of the freight train
says that the brakes failed TO work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
QUAIL HUNTING MADE EASY
Jack Frost Helps the Hunters, Who Have
No Need for Gums.

Frankfort, Ind, Dec. 19.-The nim-
rods who hunt in the vicinity of Geet-
ingsville are enjoying the unique ex-
perience of bagging quail by simply
picking them up and breaking their
necks. Wien the heavy rain came
last Friday the quail got soaking wet
and when the mercury began tobOg-
gaming toward the lower end of the
tube Friday night the birds hUddled
down in an effort to keep warm.
The result was that the sudden zero
weather frOZe their wings fast TO their
bodies. and thus renders them incap-
able of flying. The weather has re-
mained so cold ever since that the icy
bonds still remain. The ice is so heavy
that the quail cannot run very fast.
and large numbers of them are being
Caught
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
REFERENCE TO sIGsBEE's REPORT
Denial That SchIey Had Information of
the Enemy's Whereabouts.

the Enemy's Whereabouts.
The bill declares that the majority
erred in stating that Commodore
Schley received no positive informal
ton from the scout ships as to the
enemy's presence in Santiago harbor.
because Captain Sigsbee reported to
Commodore Schlcy that the Spanish
fleet was not in that harbor. The bill
denies that the conditions of wind, sea
and weather from May 26 to June 1
were favorable for taking coal from a
collier OF Santiago. 1t declares that
no reference has been made to the or
ders of the secretary of the navy for
bidding the haZarding of American
ships against shore batteries.
The majority opinion. the bill says,
failed TO contain any reference to the
character of the blockade off Santiago.
although covered i'm the specifications:
that the demonstration made by Com
modore Schley before Santiago on May
- and 80 was predetermined and exc
cuted solely as Il reconnaissance and
not rs a formal attack upon the Colon
or the other vessels i'm the harbOr: that
the majority opinion of the court is
ambiguous with respect to the loop of
the Brooklyn I'm that il holds that said
loop was made to avoid getting into
dangerous proximity TO the Spanish
vessels without stating whether such
act was due to personal fears of Com
mOdore Schley or TO his desire to pfc
serve the ship intact.
The majority of the court, says the
bill. entirely ignored the overwhelming
testimony i'm arriving at the opinion
that Commodore Schley erred in com
mcncing the engagement on July 3
with the port battery. and it adds that
the Brooklyn did not lose either dis
tance or position with the Spanish
ships i'm making the turn; that the ma
jority opinion is ambiguous upon the
subject of the backing of the Texas,
in that it does not state whether the
danger of collision was real or imagin-
ary: that the finding with the HOdgson
has been repeatedly con
t1.adicfpd in tlp tpStimonV
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
Married. ON short Acauaintanc,.

Chicago. Dec. 19.-The police of this
city have instituted a search for James
Nolan, - years old, said to he n mem
ber of the reputed rich mining firm of
Nolan, HOges * Co. of Pasadena, Cal.
Three weeks ago Nolan came to Chi
cagO, and after n short acquaintance
married Helen G. Koch. After two
weeks of married life he left for a
business trip to Milwaukee, taking
with him $4,000 i'm mining securities
He has NOT returned
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
INCIDENTS OF THE FINAL TALK
Future of the TaSaIs According TO DaIzeu
Depression to Cuba.

Depression to Cuba.
During the debate in the house on
! the Philippine tariff bill Dalzell in
! dulged in ''The belief and hope that.
| travelling along our traditional historic
| lines, we shall go forward to the
| Characterization and civilization OF
those islands Of the sea until we shall
establish there the principles of civil
and religious liberty GRepublican
applause
In discussing the bin Hepburn said
he beliebed its policy was right. He
did not believe the F'ilipinos We're cap
able of self-gOvenment.
DO you not believe they are as cap
able of self-government as the Gu
bans?' inquired Shafroth. Il do
Then do YOU not believe in the in
dependence of CubaE''
The Democratic party forced the
administration into n position where it
was compelled against its will to de-
clare for the independence of Cuba.
replied Hepburn, amid Democratic ap-
plausc.
"Oh. yeu may applaud" he con-
tinucd. ''but predict that before many
years YOU Will yourselves see the I'M
wisdom of giving the Cubans indie
pendencc." IRCpUblican applause.
Hepburn said that when gentlemen OF
the other side shouted for liberty for
the Filipinos he would like to know by
what authority they made their de-
mandS.
II spoke for the people of the Unit
ed States 'interpOsed Shafroth; those
who love the Declaration of Independ-
ence." Democratic applause
Il do not believe YOU could find
prominent Filipino on the islands, in
terjected Mercer of Nebraska. who has
recently returned from the islands,
''woh desires independence. They de-
sire only a prOtectorate.'
u care not what the Filipinos want"
responded ShafrOth. Il am only con-
cerned with what the American people
want"
Mccall of Massachusetts. a member
of the ways and means committee. who
opposed the Porto Rican tariff bin in
the last congress. opposed the pending
measure in 4 vigorous speech. Refer
ring to the Porto Rican decision by the
supreme court Mccall asid: -Four of
the five Justices who upheld the law
We're of the opinion that the firth jus
tice in deciding with them assumed n
position inconsistent with that taken
by the same Justice in another deci-
sion promulgated by him on the same
day. One Justice said that the twol
propositions were irreconciliable. III
his positions were irrecOnciliable. who
shall say which one was right. and
which was wrong? 1t may therefore |
fairly he said that upon these ques-
tions which involve our power to make I
the people of the Philippine islands |
mere chattels. without q country. to
confer upon them Il bastard. common |
law citizenship, and cynically TO force |
upon them a cruel commercial iSola- /
tion. the court stands with four and
half Justices ranged upon one side and
four and Il half upon the other"
MEN WHO WANT EXCLUSION
And Men Who DO Not. See The Committee
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
DIDN'T PROVE ALIENATION
End of the Case of COveny Against tho
KIondike Gold King"

St Joseph, Mich. Dec. ia YER
dict in favor of Phiscator, the Gold
King" who was being sued for the
alienation Of a wife's affections, was
rendered in the circuit court Tuesday.
The prosecution in the case on Mon
day produced Stephen a. Hogan. clerk
of the Palmer House, Chicago, and the
register of the hotel for 1898. showing
Il record alleged to be that of Phiscator
and Mrs. CAveny and that they occu-
pied n room at that hotel for two days.
The suit was for 81 900 damages.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19

Chicago. Dec: 10.-AIbert Griffiths,
well known throughout sporting cir
cIes as Young GrifrO." Il clever light
weight pugilist. has been forced to quit
the ring because of valvular affec-
tion Of the heart that may bring death
TO him i'm the ring at any time. Late
yesterday DIR. McGregOr. physician for
the Olympic Athletic club, examined
Griffiths and because of this weakness
refused to allow him to enter n match
for which he was scheduled last night
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
Voted Two Railway Subsidies.

road subsidies were voted here Tues
day-S3T. 900 TO the proposed Toledo
and Chicago Transfer railway, steam
line. and $4,000 to the LOgansport,
Rochester and Northern Traction rail-
way. electric line. The steam road is
to be constructed from Streator. Ills,
to Toledo: the electric line from LO-
ganSDort to KendallVille, Ind.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
MaIcntt Retter rhan Ferns.

Buffalo. y. Y. Dec. 19.-Rube Ferns.
the welter-weinght champion, went
down to defeat at the hands Of Joe
Walcott. the Barbados black, in five
rounds, in the arena of the Interna-
tional vlub house at Fort Erie last
night. To save Ferns from being COM
pleteIy Knocked out Referee Mcbride
stopped the bout and awarded the de-
cision to WalcOtt.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Until Jan. 6--TOday's
Business.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Both houses
of congress today aGJourne1 until
January 9th.
Hanna intrGducrti Il bill in the sen
ate granting a pension of 5000 a
year to Mrs. Ncl<iIIley.
In the house IT WIS agreed 10 con
slider the Nicardgtian canal bill Jan
uary : and thereafter until disposed
of.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
REGARDING THE vAcILLATIoN
Not Justified, says the BiII-oiher Exccp-
tions of Importance.

The concluding clauses Of the bill
are as follows: THAT the majority
opinion that Commodore Schley's con-
duct was characterized by vacillation.
dilatoriness and lack of enterprise is
not justified by the evidence submit
ted: that the majority opinion is en-
tirely silent upon charge lz the judge
advocate coming within the purview of
tie first specification that Commodore
Schley was derelict in the discharge of
his duty; that the majority of the
court entirely failed To determine who
was eommander-in-chief. in the battle
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
New Home for Agriculture.

Washington. Dec. 19-In accordance
with authority conferred by congress
last year the secretary of agriculture
has had plans prepared for handsome
new building for the department of
agriculture. and yesterday Mercer of
Nebraska introduced Il bill apprOpri-
ating 100000 for the proposed new
Stppct11rp
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
nr1nres AZ ffare to DO Up.

st. Joseph. AIich.. Dec. 19.-Govern-
ment Engineer J. \. Carbort has re-
ceived Instructions from the govern
ment to. raise all bridges across the
Paw Paw river to a distance of fif-
teen feet above the water level. This
will cost the city of Benton Harbor
and the Perc Marquette and Big Four
railroads n fortune.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19

Elgin, Ills, Dec. ia crisis was
reached I'm the street railway fran
chise fight at midnight Tuesday night
when Alderman II. NJ. Chittenden in
timated that there was bribery. l.. J.
Wolf. n capitalist and vice president of
the Elgin, Aurora and Southern Trac-
tiOn company. called the alderman a
liar. Chittenden Immediately knocked
Wolf down. Mayor Price and police
men rushed to the rescue.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-19
old WISCONSIN settler Dead.

Sparta, Wis. Dec. 19.-Nathan w.
Huntley. prominent contractor and
builder and an old settler. died mt his
home in this city Tuesday. Brain
trouble was the cause of his death.
He had been i'll about year.