davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18

Almost every governor who retired
this year has done something to
signal his return to private life, ex-
cept Montana's own Robert B. Smith.
Lind clicked" an editor, Pingree is
fighting the courts, Lee has upset sew
eral of the institutions Of his state and
by his last official acts caused endless
and trouble to his success
sor. Mr.. Smith alone seems to be
content to simply quit and do nothing.
In view of the examples set by the
other eminent political nondescripts
mentioned the least he could do would
be to "hand a few" to Spriggs for the
mean trick he played upon him going
on two years ago.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18
INJUSTICE TO THE WEST.

As long as there are rivers, real and
alleged, to improve, duck ponds %
deepen and powerful constituencies
to placate, it apparently is needless
for the west to expect any federal aid
in the direction Of reclaiming the arid
lands. Particularly will this hold
good so long us the matter is practi-
cally left to the river and harbor COM
mittee. The experience Of the MEM
bers from the west in the house last
Tuesday may be taken as an evidence
of the manner in which their claims
are regarded and the way in which
they will be treated for probably a
long time to come. In vain they
strove to secure a modicum of the i'm
mense amount the government an
nually expends in improving streams
that are never navigated and main
tanning harbors barren of shipping.
With all the powers of argument and
force of justice thoy could command
they remained impotent to accomplish
aught for what the Associated Press
designates as their 'pet scheme
Regardless of the fact that they
showed how much more the country
would be benefited by the reclama-
tion of a single county of the arid
lands Of the west than by all the i'm
provements that could be made in
some sluggish stream of the east
whose current is never disturbed by a
craft more pretentious than a fiat
boat, they were unable to receive
more than ''only very little support. y
It is more than likely that this condi-
tion will continue until the west
grows in voting strength and becomes
more Of a power in politics than it
now is. Until such time the govern
ment will be forced to deepen fish
ponds and mill races for the benefit of
eastern congressman, While the count
less thousands of acres of land in the
west which could be made to yield to
the nations growth and prosperity by
a system of irrigation must lie as they
now do-idle and unproductive. Un-
til then the homes and farms posi-.
BILE for those who desire to become
independent and add to the country's
productive wealth must wait and those
who are to occupy them will have tt
be content to read of the nations gen
crosby in affording better swimming
facilities for the ducks of the east
and the boys whose fathers have votes,
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18
IDA JAN. IS, 1901.
FALSE AMI MALICIOUS.

The attention of The Gazette has
been called to a report that is circulat-
ing through the western part OF the
county which, grossly and probably
maliciously misrepresents the general
health Of the city Of Billings. The re-
port is industriously circulated that
no fewer than 800 cases Of smallpox i'll
it's most malignant form have their
existence here at the present time.
AS the people Of the city know and
are prepared to testify, the report is
abolutely and unequivocally false.
The only possible explanation as to its
origin that can be offered is that some
one possessed of a feeling Of cHmity
to the city itself or some of its people
started it in malice, believing that its
effect would be to keep away the
timid and fearful and cause pecuniary
loss to some one at whom he feels
agrieved. No other reason car be adj
yanced, and it is impossible to con
ceive of ignorance SO colossal that
would give rise to such an atrocious
misrepresentation Of the facts as they
actually obtain. 1t is true that a few
cases of the disease, perhaps three or
four, not to exceed that number, have
made their appearance in the city dur.
ing the past few months, but all were
of a mild type. Prompt resort to
quarantine and sequestration placed
these where they were in nowise a
menace to the public health and at
no time has the disease assumed such
proportions as to cause a feeling OF
alarm or uneasiness to the most timid
of the city's inhabitants. Other
towns along the railroad, in fact all
over the state, have had the disease
and have it now, but all combined the
number Of cases do not reach that
charged to Billings alone by this silly
report.
The people of that part Of the coun-
ty where the rumor is circulating need
have no fear of visiting the city.
They will be in no danger and run nc
risk Of being affected by smallpox Of
any other disease.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18
LET THEM ACT

The election of Mr.. Clark-whlch
according to some of the newspapers
supporting him was the principal OBJ
ject for which the people elected a leg
islature last fall-having been accom-
plished, the fusionists should now get
together and incidentally enact some
of the laws they have been promising
to add to the statutes. The one con-
corning which they have talked the
most and which as a matter of import
ance was treated as secondary only to
the success of Mr. Clark, is the eight
hour law. to which all the political
parties of the state pledged themselves
in state convention. It is true that
a couple of estimable fusionists have
introduced bill in that direction and
the bills are supposed to be under con-
sideration by the proper committee.
But why all the talk is made by the
fusion press of wicked designs by the
sinful republicans and, perhaps others,
cannot be understood. The f%usionists,
those saviors of labor, are in full COM
mand of the legislature and how de-
feat Of a measure to which they are
pledged can be encompassed is one
of the things not easily understood.
Another matter equally as hard of
comprehension is how any measure to
which tusionism is opposed can be
railroaded through.
If the fusion pledge to enact an
e%ight-hour law was given sincerely
and not merely for POLITICAL effect no
reason exists why it should not be
kept and such a law placed upon the
statutes of the state. The talk about
the enemies of labor manipulating
matters so that a law may be passed
that is unconstitutional is the rankest
nonsense. If the gentlemen who con
troll the legislature are really in
earnest in the matter they have every
advantage on their side and every op-
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18

portunity exists for them to give DEM
onstration of their honesty and sim
cerity. Nothing as far as known pre-.
vents them from passing such a labor
law as they may choose. They a
today, tomorrow or any day OF the
session take up either one of the bills
itroduced and pass 1T. If neither n
suits them they can draft another
that better meets their view and rush
it through. The governor is on their
side and he may be relied upon to give
the bill his endorsement and by sign
ing it make it a law. AS he is a law
yer, and a good one, he will also be
able to judge of the constitutionality
Of the measure submitted, and being
heart and soul with the men anxious
to ameliorate the condition of two
classes of wage workers, his interest
in the success of the measure will be
sufficient to cause him to point out
whatever defects or flaws may mark
it, and do so before afixing his sigma
ture More than that-he will proba-
bly, advise how those defects may be
remedied and the bill SO worded and
designed that it will stand the tests
of the courts. ~
Unless the f~usionists desire to be
regarded as a lot of political tricksters
playing on the credulity Of the miners
and smelter men they would better get
together and pass the promised law,
and pass it at once. Failure to do so
will convict them of untruthfulness
and lay them open to the suspicion
that all the talk heard of the republi
cans purpose of slipping through an
unconstitutional measure is but a bid
for some one to undertake that very
thing. Not only that, but they will
be regarded as willing to secretly aid
the proposition and then rely upon
the plea OF ignorance to save them
from the censure of those whom they
duped. That NO danger of such q
move on the part of the republicans
exists is so we'll known that a denial
Of the silly accusation is needless
One of the planks of the platform or
which the republican Legislators were
elected was a plain and unequivoca
declaration in favor of a shorter day
for the workingman. And the planl
was broad enough to take in all classe'
of la Dor and not differentiate in favo,
Of those engaged i'll but two occupa
tions of the many at which honest tot
finds employment in the state.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18
TRIUMPHS OVER HIS ENEMIES.

At last W. A. Clark has triumphed
over his enemies and the ambition of
years has been gratifed. By it's vote
yesterday the legislature made him
the accredited representative of the
state in the upper house of congress,
the greatest gift and honor within the
bestowal of the state. The v~indication
he sought has been gained and he re-
turns a victor to the cen of his for
mer bitter defeat. In electing him the
majority members Of the legislature
only performed the duty imposed upon
them last fall when they accepted
nomination on a ticket which had for
its platform endorsement of the gen.
tleman's past political acts and de-
mand for his election. Had they re-
fused to elect him they would have
proved traitors to the party which
made their own election possible.
It is useless to attempt to dodge the
matter, for Notwithstanding all that
may be said, aside from MI. Clark
vi%ndication the democratic party of
Montana as constituted last year had
no other issue on which to go before
the people. A majority of the voters
accepted that issue and gave it their
endorsement. 1t vas a fight Of Mr..
CLARK against a party having every
claim on the support of the nation and
in that fight he won. By their vote
the people of Montana recorded them
selves as favoring him as against all
other issues and his election as their
senator is but just and accords him no
more than what was due him and
what he had the right to expect.
Politically The Gazette regrets the
verdict of the people, firmly believing
that the return Of a republican would
have Injured to the greater benefit to
the state, as BETTER results are nat
urally to be expected from the labors
and effort of a representative in accord
with the administration than from
one opposed to it. OF the gentleman's
ability and loyalty this paper has no
doubt, neither will it question the zeal
and earnestness with which he may be
expected to be found working for the
states interests, SO far as his political
beliefs and ideas will permit him.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18
CONSIDERING THE TREATY.

From London the news chat
the British ministry has. under con
sideration the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
as amended by the senate. While ap-
parently no official information to that
effect has been permitted to leak out,
a strongly grounded belief exists on
both sides of the ocean that the Eng
lish will accept the amendment.
The first outburst of mitigation on the
part of the British press at the unwar-
ranted effrontery Of the senate to go
contrariwise to the demands of Great
Britain has subsidized and anger has
given way to serious thought. Both
the English press and ministry know
by this time that in it's changes of
the treaty the senate has the support
of a large majority of the American
people and that if the despised Yankee
money is to build the canal the people
who furnish it will demand to have
control of it when completed and to
manage it to their W interest, re-
CARELESS of what others may wish.
They also realize that this nation is
not the weak, dependent affair it was
when the Clayton-B ulwer treaty was
enacted and that when it makes up
it's mind to do a thing that it has the
strength to carry it out toe successful
completion.
The beli,ose talk on the other side
which greeted the senate's amend
ments when they became known has
subsidized entirely and il is probable
that it the ministry decides to accept
the treaty in it's present form a few
growls may be heard, put that will be
all. The way for an easy come down
was paved almost Immediately follow
ing the senate's action. British admir-
ais pointed out the sheer foolishness of
an attempt IN the part of a hostile fleet
to use the canal against this country,
while the men in the commercial
world made it equally clear that the
canal would be of little benefit to
English shipping or commerce. If, as
rumored, the ministry does accept the
amended treaty those distinguished
gentlemen need only declare that their
action was warranted by the state
ments and declarations made by the
naval and commercial men whom the
English nation recognizes as author
tiles in the branches hal construction
of a purely American canal will most
affect.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18

At last Missouri has decided to re-
main neutral no longer. By a vote of
it's legislature it u its SYM
pathy with the Filipinos. Its next
move will. probably be to raise and
equip an army for the purpose of in
vading the United States.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18
SERIOUS PART TO COME.

SERIOUS PART TO COME.
At last comes the official announce
ment that the Chinese ENJOYS have
signed the joint note and the first
formal and effective step has been
taken in the direction of q restoration
of peace between China and the allied
powers. The most serious problems,
however, still remain to be solved and
the last and binding act Of the coven-
tion entered upon is yet a long ways
off. First in order probably will be
the question of indemnity and this
promises to be a serious one The
amount that will be exacted, it is safe
to assume, will be a large one, so large
in fact that China may find it ex-
tremely hard to pay it, especially if
the people of the empire resist collec-
ton of the taxes that will necessarily
have to be imposed to raise the money.
Should they revolt, the government
will be at a disadvantage, for collec-
ton by force will be almost an impos-
sibility, as under the terms of the
note the imperial government is de-
prived of much of it's power.
The next question threatens to be
the most serious OF all and the one
hardest of adjustment. Reference is
had to commercial treaties. 1t is more
than likely that the powers, or at least
some Of them, will insist upon dictat-
ing the terms of the treaties they
want in that respect, and there the
trouble will begin. Perhaps n of
the best authorities on Chinese for
eign trade is Sir Robert Hart, in
spector general Of the Chinese imperial
customs He advises that the negotia-
tions concerning commercial treaties
should not in any degree be III the
nature Of dictation, and ought to pro-
coed slowly and continuously and not
only with a perfect knowledge of the
facts and circumstances, but with a
full and friendly consideration for the
other parties views and necessities.
He points out that what may apply
with right and Justice to other coun-
tries is not necessarily applicable to
China. The powers. he says, should
not forget that China has a civiliza-
ton of it's own and with which it has
been content for centuries and also
that it has been perfectly settled since
time immemorial; that it has a trade
of it's own, by the side of which foreign
commerce appears insignificant. 1t can
get along without an importing or ex-
porting trade, in which respect it
differs from the nations with whom
it is now treating. In support of this
Sir Robert calls attention to the small
results that have followed the treaties
of commerce that other nations have
made with it from time to time and
from which so much vas expected by
those making them. Reason for this,
he contends, is not opposition. on the
part of the government, but because
the Chinese people did not require
the things the foreigners offered to
sell them. While he believes the for
eign trade will grow, he does not be-
lieve that it will speedily assume the
proportions Europeans expect it to
take following settlement of the peace
} negotiations. According to his opin-
} ion it seems that the civilized nations
, are overestimating the empires future
, and the possibilities Of it's commerce
, with the outside world.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18

If their votes for senator may be
taken as indicating their opinion the
republicans in the legislature demand
stronger proof Of the Helena Herald's
republicanism. than that furnished by
the endorsement of the Butte Miner
and Helena Independent.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-18
ITS STATUS DEFINED

Probably the first consideration n a
will be given the decision Of the
United States supreme court i'll the
Nicely case is that it assures trial and
almost certain conviction of a man
whom all believe guilty and who it
was feared might escape on a tech
nicality. The point in the decision
regarded as most vital by the govern
ment, which prosecuted the case, is
that it fixes the political status of
Cuba and defines the authority of the
United States in the island.
The court holds Cuba to be foreign
territory and bases that opinion on the
declaration of congress, made April
10, 1898, that the people of Cuba are
and of right should be free and indie
pendent and that our government
should demand of Spain that it evac-
uate the island and in which declara-
tion was disclaimed any desire or IN
tention on the part of this government
to exercise jurisdiction Or sovereignty
of the island, except for the pacifca-
ton thereof and that when pacifca-
tion shall be accomplished the govern
ment and control of the island shall
be left to it's own people. And because
the treaty of Paris s~tipulates that
Spain will relinquish all claim of
sovereignty owe and title to Cuba,
the island to be occupied by the
United States as trustee. This trustee
ship includes the giving of aid and di-
~rection to the people to form a COVER
ment for themselves, this service in.
Guiding assistance III every way to re-
store peace and order SO enabling the
people to recover their lost fortunes
and ~vitalize the industrial power Of
the island. The military occupation
of Cuba, the supreme court holds,
does not make Cuba any less a foreign
country, for it vas essential to the
welfare of the island and in accordance
with the recognized principles of in
ternational law, until such time
when the people form a stable govern
ment.
The decision especially defines the
power of congress and it's duty to
carry out by legislation not only the
constitutional stipulations, but those
embodied in treaties and made the
supreme law Of the land by the action
of the president and with the advice
and consent of the senate. 1t is held
that the extradltion Of Nicely is proper
and in performance of this govern
ment's duty to Cuba which it assumed
under the Paris treaty by which it
pledged itself to guard life and prop.
erty in the island until such time as
the Cubans shall have established a
government of their own.
While the decision has no bearing
upon the Philippine or Porto Rican
cases, it does decide that congress has
all needed authority to make necessary
laws to carry into execution all au.
t~horizations of the constitution and
all others embodied in treaties duly
effected and ratified This is in sup
port of the principal contention Of the
prosecution and negatives the defense.
which was that in the absence, OF
treaty stipulation or congressional leg
islation the government has no righ'
to extradite a fugitive from foreign
Justice and there is no occasion fol
special legislation III the case, as Nicely
could be tried in the courts of thi'
country.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-08-03
PRESENCE or MIND.
Displayed BY Musician 1t Tima Of Coa-
siderable Excitement.

A story is told Of Fritz Kreisler's
nerve and presence Of mind which is
interesting It seems relates the
Washington Star, that last winter,
when he was ii New York, he vas one
night PLAYING for one Of The largest
private societies ii that city, when the
electric light suddenly went out and
the hall was left IN complete dark
ness. Almost at the same time d loud
explosion was heard coming from
the lower part Of the, house. With
that there was general uprising iii
the audience, but never a step did
hreisler move. He continued his
playing amid the noise, until tlle end
3of his number The applause which
greeted him was enthusiastic. and 4
number of brayos were heard.
Kreisler refused an encore with his
violin but llnnaediatel j seated himself
atfIe piano, and the attention of the
audience was drawn from the thoughts
Of the accident by the beautiful tones
which he brought from the instru-
ment il the Strauss arrangement Of
the einer Carnival. Itisnot CEN
orally known but it is said that he
is almost as great 9 pianist as violin
ist- He can play from memory all
the repertoire Of the modern school
Of piano playing, as well as an move
ment from any Of the ymphonies Of
Brahm, Beethoven, schumann and
other great masters, Is well as the nlu-
ne from all Of the great Wagner
operas.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-08-03
Birdland's Early Risers.

An ornithologist, who has appar-
emily given sfndious nights and morn
ings to the question Of the hours IN
the summer at which the commonest
song birds wake up and sing, states
that the greenfnch is the earliest
riser. It pipes, for what purpose
CHEEKY nature knows, as early as half
past one in the morning. The black
cap begins at half-past two. Il is
nearly four o'clock and the sun is well
lboTe the horizon before 9the first
real songster" appears our good
friend the blackbird. It IS heard half
an hour before the thrush, and The
chirp Of the robin begins about the
same length Of time before that Of
the wren The house-spar and
the tontit take the last stage Of the
list.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-08-03
Voting By Post.

In the elections for the Victorian
members Of the Australian legislature
the citizens have the facility Of yot-
ing By post. Any elector who resides
at least FIVE miles from the nearest
polling booth 1t which he IS entitled
to vote, Or who has reason 70 believe
that Oh polling day he will not be
within five miles Of such booth, or
that on account Of iH-heaIth or IN
trinity be will Be prevented from
voting personally thereat, may OBJ
tain through the local post office bis
ballot paper from the returning Of
fieer for the district. The writing ID
Of the names Tor which the eleetor
wishes to vote is done II the presence
Of the local postmaster Of the polica
officer specially appointed for the
district to visit sick and infirnn per-
sons who cannot attend the post Of
fee. These Witnesses, however, must
not look at the names of the eandi-
dates which hare besn written.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-08-03
A SQUIRRELS BREAKFAST.
Finds Maple Syrup Made for Him by
Natures Freezing Process.

In telling The Story Of i Maple
Tree, I in the Ladies Home Journal,
William Davenport Hubert writes:
It happened that the tree lost one
Of its branches in a February ice
storm, and a week or two later, when
warmer weather arrived, the sap be-
gan to drip from the open wound in
the side Of the trunk a red squirrel
came along at just the right moment,
as it ehaneed, and got q taste Of The
sweet liquor. Here was something
new and very delicious, and he drank
SO much Of il that if It had been in-
toxicating he would certainly have
lost his head. And one morning he
found something that even you would
have enjoyed. The sap had been flow
ing most Of the night, . big iciele had
formed just below the wound, and
from is very tip there hung d huge
drop Of golden maple sirup sirup
made by Nature freezing process,
not By mans boiling and far more
delicious than an ything that ever saw
the inside of a sal -Da