davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10

The Western Continent is in fair way
now to get an interoceanic ship canal
between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,
and the crossing is to take place, on the
narrowest strip of land from Greenland
to Cape Horn, where North and South
America come together in a point IL
most. 1t should be made a plain, open.
sea-level canal, where great ships can
go in as they do at the Suez canal and
pass out unobstructed, to distant points
or harbors. 1t will cost so much money
that q few more or less millions will not
matter at all, when the job is completed,
so it should be a big ditch from sea to
sea, and unincumbered with locks, and
distractions, from one ocean to the other.
With plenty of compressed air, cham
mel can be drilled through any sort Of
rocks or soil, and the United States will
have a we'll equipped railroad to run
alongside and carry men and supplies 10
excavate the ditch.
That Panama railroad was an expen-
sive affair when built, in loss OF human
life and expenditure Of money. 1t was
projected at the time when the gold
fever ragged in California, and the only
two ways to reach this modern Eldorado,
were by an overland journey across the
western plains and over the Rocky noun
tains in wagons, or by vessels thar sailed
from New York city and doubled Cape
Horn. 1t was a trip Of months in either
way, to reach California.
This Panama railroad made the trip
much shorter and easier after ats COM
pletion. Ships and steamers would run
to Panama on the Pacific side and I'M
load their cargoes of passengers and
freight. transport them over the railroad
and embark again at Aspinwall on the
Atlantic shore reversing the route when
going out from New York city. And this
is the same railroad that this govern
ment will buy, with the right of way
across the isthmus, for forty millions or
dollars. To ones mind at this distance,
the railroad is the summum bonum OF
the Panama purchase. Being already
built, the transportation of men to dig
and the convenience of supplies for the
working force are of prime benefit, as
we can clearly see.
BY the Nicaraguan route, it means to
begin at the beginning. At Panama the
railroad constitutes half the start, and
simplifes the entire situation, by reason
of accessibility and utility, and valua-
BILE equipment made ready.
Unless a hitch intervenes. the inter-
oceanic canal will be well started as soon
as the title to the property is turned over
to the United States by the present own
ers.
The climate of Panama is hot and
unhealthy Lying in the torrid zone, 1t
has malaria, and all the diseases that
pertain to such climate, but when the
big ditch is well opened and a clear
waterway is maintained from ocean to
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
The IRREPREssIsLE scALPER,

The war upon the railroad ticket scalp
er, which has been waged for years In
congress and many state legislatures. does
not seem to have made much progress,
though It is undoubtedly based on sound
principles OF business and justice.
The scalpers have increased in number
and acquired an influence through their
far-reaching organizations that makes II
hard to break up their scheme.
Their real strength lies. OF course. in
the widely prevalent belief that they
give the public opportunities to procure
railroad tickets at a much less cost than
would be charged at regular ticket Of
fees. 1t is natural that the person who
wants TO make a railroad trip should re-
duce the expense Of IL as far as possible,
and the offices OF ticket scalpers in all
centers of travel are visited every day
by bargain seekers. The railroads have
found that they cannot circumvent the
scalper. He is certainly very fertile Of
devices to evade their provisions against
the successful prosecution OF his traffic.
1t must be admitted that the demand
Of the railroads for protection against
scalping is just, but the national and
local lawmakers do not seem to feel call
ed upon to take part in the fight. The
business organizations are beginning to
take up the cause Of the railroads in this
matter. however. and their opposition will
! tell upon the scalpers. But the latter have
just scored a victory over the combined
! business organizations of New Orleans
over which they are highly elated.
The people OF that city found. as those
OF every city where ticket scalping thrives
will inevitably find. that 1t prevents them
from obtaining as low rates for special
occasions as they would get II the rail-
roads could be sure that the reduced
rate round-trip tickets would be used both
ways by their purchasers.
Consequently scalping. instead Of help
ing the business of New Orleans. actually
damages It,
! Such will be the result wherever the
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
JEPHTHAH AND HIS CRITICS.

The daily press has recently taken
up the subject of Jephthah and his vow,
and In keeping with the majority of those
who have written on the subject these
writer's maintain that that eminent Judge
of Israel really offered up his beauti-
ful and only daughter 1.-The which he
loved passing WE'LL" as a burnt offering.
And yet all who have maintained this
view do so only on one ground, and that
the words as they are recorded in King
James version; admitting that the text
Is susceptible of a different translation
which would relieve the subject of all
difficulty, and save the religion of the true
God from temple of stain.
1 propose to give this article such
arguments in the negative as cannot be
reasonably controverted, and will con-
vince the unprejudiced. There are some
whose fondness for blood and murder
stories are so great. whose penchant for
poetry and painting so pronounced, that
they will never give up the pictures
drawn by the matchless pens of Byron
and Tennyson; or painted by great mas
tiers of the middle ages, who have handed
down to us the sickening sight of a
pious father imbuing his hands in his
daughters blood, just to satisfy a rash
vow, l offer against this awful view,
first the incorrect rendering of the passage
In which the vow appears, in Judges
18th, 30.I we read, 'If thou wilt indeed
deliver the children of Ammon into mine
hand. then 1t shall be that whatsoever
cometh forth of the doors Of my house
to meet me, when I return in peace from
the children of Ammon shall be the
Lords and I will offer it up for burnt
Offering" Now there is not a reference
bible in the land that does not point to
the margin and say that instead of land"
may be read "or,' and this little word
"or' is certainly gold here, the key
that unlocks the mystery. 1t then reads
whatsoever cometh forth of the doors
of my house to meet me when l return
in peace from the children of Ammon
shall be the Lords, or ] will offer II up
for a burnt Offering" That is If 1t be
a person (Which he really calculated
when he made the vow doubtless) II shall
be dedicated to the Lord; If a proper ami
NAL it shall be offered as burnt offer
ing.
DR.. Adam Clarke the great commenta-
tor says 1.-The translation Of which ac-
cording TO the most accurate Hebrew
scholars Qncluding Gesenius and Hales)
is this: I will consecrate it to the Lord, or
1 will offer 1t as burnt Offering That
is, If 1t be a thing fit for burnt offer
ing it shall be made oAe; II fit for the SER
vice of God 1t shall be consecrated TO
Him. He goes on TO say that conditions
of this kind must have been implied in the
vow is evident enoughl to have been
made without them it must have been the
vow Of a heather or a mailman. If a
dog had met him this could not have been
made a burnt Offering; and IL his neigh
boris or his friends, wife, son, or daugh-
ter, ETC., had been returning from visit
to his family, his vow gave him no right
over them"
Why is 1t then that good men continue
to reject the gold and cling to the rusted
iron Of this controversy? A misinterpre-
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10

, The manner in which the vow was paid
seems TO settle its character. DR.. Long
says: 'Those who would soften the harsn-
ness Of the vow generally taken suggest
some ingenious explanations OF the VOW.
IT is to be feared that these explanations
are more ingenious than ingenious. That
Is a very serious charge, but what OF his
ingenuousness? In speaking of the last act
of the supposed tragedy, he exclaims: A
curtain is drawn, as IL were, between the
mind and the awfulness of the catas-
trophe.' She returned unto her father who
did with her according to his vow which
he had vowed-that is ALL But that was
not all. He left out the last and most i'm
portant clause, viz: "And she knew. no
man." That is, remained virgin all her
life. have not said that he was disingen-
uous I have proven him to be so. DR..
Adam Clarke, commenting on this express
sion: "She knew no man." says: This Is
the statute in Israel, viz, that persons
thus dedicated or consecrated to GOD
should live in a state Of Interchangeable
celbacy."
AS to the lamenting OF Jephthah's
daughter Kitto says, People lament the
dead, not the living" The lament for
the living is often worse than for the
dead "a living trouble is often worse
than dead trouble" But the best schol-
ars say the word lament" is a mistrans-
lation, and ought to be "celibate,' and
that is what the Jewish women did. cell
bate the sacrifice which the young lady
made, in giving up the hope of marriage.
and through that the hope of becoming
mother in Israel. and the possible mother
of the coming Messiah. DR.. Clarke says
this verse also gives evidence that the
daughter of Jephthah was not sac
rificed, nor does it appear that the Gus
tom continued after the death OF Jeph-
thah's daughter"
, The last argument I present Is the
thorough endorsement OF Jephthah s
character by the word OF God, not only
is it said that the spirit of the Lord came
upon Jephthah." but in the 18th chapter
of Hebrews styled 1.-The roll call of Faith
Jephthah is put down side by side with
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon
etc, of whom the world was not
worthy"
Putting all these arguments together the
misinterpretation Of scripture; the condi-
lions attendant upon vows; the sanction
of God to the act; the privilege Of re-
demption of vows; the laws against hui
man sacrifice; the tabernacle services for
celibate women; the request of the maiden
to bewail her virginity; the exclusion OF
man henceforth from her society; the cell
ibation of the event Of Jewish women; the
high character given to Jephthah in the
word of God, and you have chain Of
testimony strong and unbreakable, chain
which like the huge cable that holds the
mighty ship to its moorings In this fierce
gale, bids defiance to all the storms OF
criticism, all the waves Of fancy. and all
the pillows of injustice to wrench its firm
set links asunderi
And Jephthah stands in history now,
On heights beyond Moriah's brow.
For Abraham's trembling hand was
stayed,
While Jephthah's holy vow was paidl
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
THE NEW WHITE HOUSE.

There is a very general feeling Of regret
that the white house is to be remodelled.
AS IL stands IL is a beautiful structure
and II Is very doubtful whether the i'm
provenlents' of 1t that have been provi-
ded for will really deserve the name.
The historic associations that cluster
about this home Of so many OF our pres
idents give IL a value which no construc-
ton ever could have bestowed upon II.
Il is true that the white house is only
TO be enlarged. decorated and refurnish-
ed" as the authors and apologists of this
iconoclastic enterprise, put it. but when
their work has been completed we shall
know the old white house no more.
They are going to spend $4,000 on the
Job and a much better use could be found
for II.
1t is undeniable that the president
should not be left to the necessity OF COM
bining his residence and his office. There
is by no means enough room in the white
house for such an arrangement and for
many reasons the presidents home and
his workshop should be kept separate and
some distance apart, a mile at least
But the present Objectionable combina-
ton is to be continued. though on a grand
er and more permanent scale.
The historical identity Of the white
house is 10 be destroyed and the prospect
of privacy for the occupant of the presi-
dency and his family is to be removed for
an indefinite time to come.
The money to be used upon additions
to the white house should have been set
apart for building an executive Office
building. This plan would have left quite
enough room in the white house to satisfy
all reasonable requirements Of any pres
ident.
The present white house as 1t stands is
part Of the history of the nations Capital.
It should be preserved as nearly as pos
sible in its historic form.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
ILL FORTUNE FOLLOWS
KANSAS SENATORSHIP

AS IL was with earlier senators in the
succession, Crozier could not control his
own party, and they waited with impa-
thence for him to complete his term so he
could be succeeded by bigger man.
James NJ. Harvey, a stupid man, lasted
until 1877, a full term of six years, in this
succession. His enemies were stronger in
his party than his own following. He
tried to build up machine, but his work
was bunglingly done and the effort was
in vain. When he was defeated for re-
election he retired to private life.
broken-hearted, and soon died.
Preston B. Plumb, of Emporia, was the
strongest man Of the line. He served
with ingalls,. and so well did they manage
that they absolutely controlled their party
in Kansas Plumb ran into a third term,
and then, in the fifteenth year OF his SER
vice, died at Washington q tragic death,
and thus left behind another broken term
to be quarreled over.
Bishop w. Perkins, Of Oswego, who had
been a congressman and whose light was
put out by the Farmers Alliance in 1890,
succeeded Plumb by appointment. The
Peoples Party, the offspring Of the ALI
ance. controlled the legislature In 1893.
and retired Perkins, who died within
short time.
Next in the Line came John Martin, who
was elected to ill out the unexpired term
of Plumb in 1893. He served out the term,
but retired poor, broken. neglected man,
and now walks the streets of Topeka with
out a law practice, without political
friends, a ghost and a shadow of a once
glorious and honorable career.
Then came Lucien Baker another Leav-
enworth man, who served six years-Lu-
Glen Baker, the impossible, the imprac-
ticable and the migrate. 1t was six years
of betrayal Of his friends, six years OF
broken promises, six years of weary watt
ing in Kansas for a change. The change
came, and the state now has Burton, the
mediocre.
All Kansas and those who know the
story of her fatal succession" are now
watching the course Of the Junior senator
from this state and wondering II his ca
reer will be as disastrous to himself his
party and his friends as were those Of his
predecessors.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
WITH THE STATE PRESS.

Greensboro Herald-Journal: Congressman
Howard has returned to his home at LeXng-
ton. 'our BIZ Is one Of the strongest OF the
Georgia delegation.
Cedartovn Advance Courier: Many good peo-
pie think that we are ,o Sf coss T 6get sSg
agree in this almost universally expressed
opinion. Every county officer exeert the or! or.
ordinary for four. Why not 50 change the law
that Representatives and sena tors and all coun;
ty officers should be elected for four instead
Of two years7
Moultrie Observer: The conservative element
tendency again. It will not be good IL the
pendulum swings back too far.
Columbus Enquirer-sun: The platform adopt
ed by the democrats OF Georgia is strictly and
distinctly q Democratic document ala he way
tire platform to which a patriotic citizen could
take exception. II is based Upon the fuuda-
Is IN every respect Worthy Of the hearty and
cordial support Of every citizen CT Georgia
oglethorpe Echo: The railroad nap u GGor-
gis Is undergoing great changes. 1t looks Ike
Il will not be long before there Will be only
the United States. In some respects 1t nay
be better for the country.
The Madisonian: The Georgia teachers. who
for three days, have been in session on Tybee
island, are an earnest, accomplished SET. ga ga
year. They are people with a purpose in life.
They are Woodworking, studious and scholarly.
They are doing a great work for the state
for they are moulding the minds OF the young
and teaching people how to think. They are
thinking themselves, and working out their
theories. Great advance has been made In
school teaching. 1t has broadened out and In
eludes the cultivation of the physique, and the
emotions well the mind. The pupil is
made more symmetrical
Gainesville Eagle The Kansas City plat
form ignored completely as Cleveland
was ignored in 1896 Thus does time have its
revenges.
Augusta Herald: It was a graceful tribute
by Mr.. Youmans to the young men of the
state who are taking an active interest in
state and public affairs, and It would indeed
make for the good of the party throughout
the state II the young men in the ranks every
where received their fair share Of encourage
the party in times past.
Cordele Sentinel: If our North Georgia farm
ers only realized the quality. the cheapness
and how easily cultivated are the lands in
South Georgia-they would flock to this Sec
ton much more rapidly than they do.
Cedartown Standard: Hon. o. B. Stevens
who should have had no opposition in the
recent primary in his race for reelection as
commissioner OF agriculture, received the larg-
est vote of any candidate having opposition
His majority over Nesbitt, according to the
consolidated returns was CO 1s9 and he car
ried 1874 out Of the 1877 counties I'm the state.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
MARRIED MEMS MUSINGS.
Pittsburg Dispatch.


Hardships are the kind that sail on the sea
Of matrimony.
It IS not good for man to be alone, but some
times it's much pleasanter.
It is not proper to judge man by his wife,
either. Perhaps he couldn't help 1t.
Women love bargains so much that they de-
light in making men feel cheap.
Never Judge a man by the clothes he wears.
Look at those he has to buy for his wife.
No woman ever feels though she could
trust another who wears a last years hat.
Wouan's influence is on the whole elevating.
She generally holds fellow UP on payday.
While all men are liars there are exceptions
to the rule, and a girl is generally willing to
take an exception.
ANYWAY Eve was unable to threaten TO go
home to her mother when Adam wouldn't put
up the screen doors.
Almost every wife wants her husband to make
her allowance, while she refuses TO make
any allowance for him.
After girl has employed all her arts in land
ing husband it gratihes her to read that she
was lied to the altar"
NV wife SAYS good many people who are ex-
pecting to be snatched up in fiery chariot like
Elijah would look better in a patrol wagon
The man who wrote Absence Makes the
Heart Grow Ponder never returned ct a. m.
and found his wife waiting for him at the
head of the stairs.
A girl isn't old maid until she begins to
worry for fear she will never get married: a
man isn't an old bachelor until he begins to
worry for fear he Will
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
LAW AS TO cowHIpINe.

The Richmond Times contends that a
special statute should be enacted and
severer penalties provided for the offense
of cowhiding. There are strong reasons
in favor OF such legislation
Cowhiding in most states is now pun
ishable only as ordinary assault and bat
terry. It should be made a graver offense
under the law.
More humiliating punishment can hard
ly be visited upon a man than to cow
hide him in public. The person who re-
sorts to that method of degrading his fell
low-citizen takes a risk which has cost
many a man his life.
Instances of cowhiding are now very
rare. Public sentiment has set against
this method OF attack and revenge as it
has crystalized against the barbarity Of
dueling. The laws against duelinG,
against even the sending. carrying, or in
stigating a challenge to mortal combat,
and against denouncing one who has re-
fused to fight duel have been made very
severe. Public opinion endorses this re-
form and has made these statutes effec-
tive. Our lawmakers should now give
their attention to the gentlemen" who
are inclined to indulge in the exercise Of
cowhiding and cause them to understand
that our civilization has reached stage
where sport OF that character Will cost
very dearly.
We very rarely hear Of case of cow
hiding in these days and If 1t should be
understood that very severe and certain
punishment will be inflicted for this odious
offense II would become even more I'M
usual than 1t Is
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
THE PANAMA CANAL ASSURED.
BY MRS. w. H. FELTON,.

ocean, the drainage will be better and
sanitation improved necessarily.
The French nation has spent untold
money on an incomplete canal along this
route, all of which will come to US as a
bargain thrown out on a bargain counter.
Unless earthquakes shake down the stone
work of the canal, the incomplete French
diggings will be extremely valuable.
But we may set IL down that there
will be fat contracts and immense
profits, Just as the Pacific railroads across
the western continent coined money into
bonanza fortunes. Some people are doubt
less in the swim already. IT is a project
that will entice the shrewd Spectator
and scherner.
It will show many fingers that have
been creased, without a miracle, but when
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10

practice prevails.
The New Orleans business organizations.
therefore, prepared a bill and had 1t In
troduced in the legislature which pro-
hibited railroad ticket scalping through
out Louisiana. The aforesaid organiza-
tions urged the passage of this measure,
but it was defeated.
Strange to say, the scalpers appeared to
have more influence with the representa-
tives of New Orleans in the legislature
than did the great majority 6f the bust
ness men of their own city, for these
statesmen stood by the scalpers.
We do not believe, however, that ticket
scalping will be permitted to continue
much longer as it is now carried on, and
It certainly should not be.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10

the canal is open and the ships pass
through without unloading. it will be one
of the greatest days this country ever
saw. FOR the isles of the sea will become
near neighbors. and China, with Japan,
will be our best market for southern pro-
ducts. Without the Suez canal, the late
war with China would have been a long
and tedious affair. but the quick passage
of ships simply obliterated all the de-
lays and journeyings around the Cape OF
olden time were left of as superfuous
undertakings.
When our big ditch is ready to open, It
will attract greater crowds than a Lon
don coronation. May 1t come soon enough,
that you and may see the great oceans
come togetherl
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-10
FOREIGN NOTES OF INTEREST,

Basel has the only geological garden in
Switzerland. cN
England has Just experienced the coolest
May for sixty years.
Great Britain is now running weather
bureau on American lines. -
Only good swimmers are acceptable as re-
cruits in the German army.
The English Salvation Army raised $3.50, OOC
during the recent self-denial week.
In meridinal Russia people gain a remuner-
alive living by fishing for leeches.
Harvard's exhibit to the Paris exhibition
was recognized by grand prix bronze medal
and diploma.
II has been suggested that all English the
aters give one matinee year in aid OF the
atrical charities.
An official report gives the estimated addi-
tional cost necessary to complete Siberian rail-
roads as SS6,050000.
The number Of cremations in London IN 1891
was 49, as against 30l in 1900, according to
the Cremation Society.
In the British army 1923 officers are quail
fed as interpreters in French, 106 in Russian,
81 in German, but only in Dutch.