davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
MODERN CIVILIZATION.

In an incisive article in the current
number of Harper's Magazine, compar-
ing and contrasting conditions and ideals
in the east and in the west, former
Chinese Minister WI T~fng-fang gives
expression to some terse declarations on
the subject of civilization, which carry
Instructive lessons. There is a DISPOSE
ton in some quarters" he says, Ito con-
found civilization with political ascend
ancy. Civilization Ices nOt mean merely
the possession Of the most powerful
battle ships or the most effective guns.
II means rather the victory OF man over
his environments. Ii is a curious fact
that those nations which have contrib
uted most to civilization have fallen a
prey to their less civilized foes" And
further on he defines civilization again
as the sum of mans efforts to advance
from n lower TO a higher level" Every
nation" he adds, has had problems
to solve in the course of it's history, and
in reckoning human achievements the
contributions of zach people should be
taken into account so that the expert
ence of one should inure to the profit
OF ALL"
What Minister WI seeks to emphasize
is what we are TOO apt to overlook.
namely. that people may enjoy a high
degree of civilization without succumb-
ing to one particular brand of c~iviliza-
ton. For example, Minister WI frankly
admits that the Chinese have much
10 learn from Occidental peoples. of
which he considers us Americans the
most advanced type. but he would like
this coupled with an admission on our
part that We can perhaps. ind some
thing worth learning from the peoples of
the east. The idea that TO ~civilize the
Orient we must Americanize its inhab-
itants he would repel as just as unten-
able as the suggestion that we might
never attain to true civilization until
we should adopt all the Chinese tradi,
tons and customs.
The pith and point of the whole mat
ter then is simply this; We are JUS
priding ourselves On having broken the
bonds that confined our vision within
national limits. yet in reaching out
into wider fields we are in danger OF
J losing sight of the achievements OF
other peoples i'm an effort 10 impose
upon them in a day institutions it tool
centuries for MS to develop. Civilization
Is hut relative-it is the cOncOmitant OF
evolution through the survival OF IN,
httest in laws, customs, arts, industrie,
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

ter and correspondence Of which the
mails have been loaded for years, and
which have been the means of robbing
ignorant. unwary and susceptible PEG
pie Of unnumbered millions Of dollars.
A large proportion Of these schemes are
violations Of the express terms of the
law. The range Of circumstances, such
as false representations regarding the
officers of the companies, their property
and capital, their profits, etc. which
the courts hold to constitute a fraudu-
lent and therefore criminal undertaking
If the mails are used, is very wide and
renders any attempt thus to make gains
by deception exceedingly dangerous.
The fact that the mails are absolutely
Indispensable to the highest success Of
most of these schemes to defraud is
certain with the continuance of the Wig
orous policy of the department to give
the public n protection which 1t has not
heretofore had.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
WIT, HUMoR AND SATIRE.
Mental Gifts Rarely Possessed To-
gether by One Person.
Portland Oregonian.

A real humorist is a man who without
spasmodic effort uses his gifts as mere con-
dtments to the expression OF his happy
thought; but your quack humorist Is one
who strings his Jokes like beads, not ma
terially to illustrate thought, but to make
his quips and quirks constitute the whole
burden Of his empty speech. This effortless
power OF humor, which wraps some gifted
men like an atmosphere, is a very rare
gift. 1t has been possessed by none OF our
notable public men in any large measure
save Mr.. Reed and Abraham Lincoln. Great
wit and power OF satire have been exhibited
in many Of our leading statesmen, but fine
humor has been denied to them. Fin wit
implies a keen intellectual vision; fine
humor implies more than this. for human
earnestness and sympathy underlie humor,
while fine wit does not date from moral
sensibility, but not seldom from intense
cynicism Of spirit.
The humorist belongs to the land Of
sweetness and laughter and light in litera-
ture. the land to which we may fairly claim
our own Hawthorne, Lowell, Bret Harte
and Holmes belonged, for they all had wit
mingled with wisdom, sense warmed and
lighted with feeling. moral sweetness and
humane sensibility married to intellectual
light. Your true humorist is the man who
makes the body and form and Juice OF all
sound and lasting literature; he is the fell
low whose colors are always fast; he is the
philosopher of the permanent as separ-
ated from the transient in human feeling
and action. Your mere satirist is a differ
ent being. Your humorist is an optimist;
your satirist is a pessimist. Your humor.
list is the prophet of the permanent, while
your pessimist is the prophet of the tram
silent, the present; he feels nothing but the
chill fog that obscures but never ex-
tinguishes the orb of day. In life or in
literature your satirists, your prophets of
p~essimism, are, when sincere, morbid men,
the pure flame of heslthful genius black
ened with the gloom of a diseased spirit.
Humor is always the sign of unspoiled spir-
itual health, while satire is the symptom
Of spiritual malaria.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
JUST THE SAME.

James Barton Adams in Denver Post
The New Year is coming and people win
swear
Just in the same old way
That drink viii be cut from their list for a
Just in the same Old Nay.
With moral intentions our eosOms Nfn
The gSod EesoluuO@ fr0m sOal-fOuuts
Enough 10 pave even highway h-Esl.
Just in the same Old way.
Wen sianOe Ger the year hats dyins so
Just in the same old way,
And Wv that The next win not be IS the
Just in the same old way.
Wen vow that ven shed cur trsUssres-
As saAkss % the spuas shea their old
And enter the New Year as Ousht as new
Just in the same y ~ay.
In vritlns each manly ~RssSNea" We pre-
Just IN the same old way.
Wen read and revtso them With sradiOus
Just in the same old way.
Our souls viii expand Win a tesans most
when al Of the rs, Ne have hnally so.u-
And thsg We VIII sian them With rssOluss
Just in the ssms old way
In less than a month veil be aned with =
Ncafn.
Just Ia he same old way,
Wen Sish the reform ans would sha~ us
Just in the same old way.
Wen view the Oh temptcT at Grst With
alarm.
Then lagsh a. h thousht se can bring Us
% harm.
And soon sci b on with atm, arm aakA
ln arm,
Just IN The same old WNy.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
FRAupULENr IS OF ~ 80

FRAUDULENT USE or THE MAILS.
There will be general approval of the
vigorous effort Of the government TO en-
force the law against the use of the
United States mails for fraudulent pur-
poses. During the last two years the
attention Of the PostOffice department
has been especially devoted to this class
of cases, and a great number Of prose
cutions have been successfully carried
TO conviction. The cases have covered
so many phases of the federal statute
that it's broad effect may now be ascer-
tanned from the decisions of the courts
and it is of far-reuching Importance.
Comparatively few have any ade-
quate idea of the enormous extent To
which the mails have been and are
used for fraudulent purposes within
the meaning Of the law. for it Is only
recently that the postal authorities have
| devoted such systematic and cOmpre-
hensive effort 20 its enforcement. but
the fact remains that any scheme or
device with the intent TO defraud in
which use is made Of the mails renders
the offender liable not only TO debar-
ment from the mails, but also to impris-
onment and heavy fines. What makes
the matter more serious Is the re-
sources of the department for develop
ing the legal proofs OF the onense and
of the federal courts for securing con
victiOns.
The most notable recent ~vindications
OF the law have been in the getrich-
quick propositions and in fraudulent
mining, oil and similar schemes with
the prospectuses and other printed mat
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
TITLE OF OUR CONGRESS-.
Call IL simply "COnRress' and Let IL
Go at That.


Several Of the papers are discussing the
use OF the expression. THE" congress,
which there seems an inclination to sub
stitute in som quarters for congress.
Periodically the expression hobs up and
when it does It is generally used under the
impression that it is superior to the plain
word congress, both dramatically and in
elegance. There is an assumption, more
over, that authority is to be found for its
use in the constitution itself and the early
custom Of the republic. These people have
evidently read only one part Of the con-
stitution.
That document speaks OF congress in
both ways. The" seems to be used when
1t is intended to designate congress as a
distinct and separate branch Of the gov
ernment-that is. to distinguish it from
any other congress-while in other in
stances the article "a" is used OF both OF
them are dropped. Writers contemporary
with the adoption Of the constitution, or
figuring shortly afterward, do not use the
"the"-men such as Jefferson, Chancellor,
Kent and Bancroft-and IL is ridiculous to
suppose that they would have dropped It
had 1t been the custom to use II. The
assumption that there is superior wisdom
or elegance in the use OF the phrase THE
congress" appears to be gratuitous.
This does not contravert the right of a
person to use such an expression. II is
merely Intended to show that there is
absolutely no reason for preferring it 10
the usual method Of speaking Of congress,
AS there are fully 5000 900 Of American
citizens who speak of congress and not OF
the congress" 1t is a matter OF some i'm
portance for them to feel that when they
do so they are committing no offense
against good taste. Congress will survive
whether 1t be called 1.-The congress" "a
congress or congress-" all OF which
epithets are bestowed on 1t by the consti-
tuition. but to call 1t simple congress will
not convict anyone of a capital ofense.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

After all, was there any real need for
the precipitancy of England and Ger,
many in blOckading Venezuela and es-
tablishing a state OF war? Why should
not all this negotiation about arbitra-
ton have been carried ON and concluded
before overt acts Of hostility were com
mitted, especially as those acts conSti-
tute the greatest embarrassments TO ar
bitration? II is a most serious business
that England and Germany have en-.
tered upon and it is to be hoped that
they will not get Of Of it without being
impressed with the necessity OF going
somewhat slower next time.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
BLASTS FROM RAn-s HORN.


old age has its sunrise as well % sun
set.
Self in the sermon is like sand In tho
seed.
A SIRENS voice in the choir cannot cover
a sinners vice.
He has a b~eggar's idea Of prayer to whom
Il is only begging.
No man becomes wise until he has often
called himself a fool.
God will always set the picture Of char
acter In a worthy chamber.
Forethought is better than afterthought.
but innerthought is best Of all.
You don't need to treasure your sorrows;
you will always find enough when you
need them.
The footprints on the sand OF time all
lead at last to the great white throne be-
side the tldeless sea.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
RAILWAY PENSIONS.

P%ensioning railroad employees prom
Uses to become general and it is a pol
icy that is to be heartily approved.
With the beginning Of 1903 seven rail.
way systems will have established pen
sion funds for the benefit Of the men
faithful service. All the pension plans
adopted are reasonably liberal, but the
most generous OF them as a whole is
that of the Canadian Pacific. This pro-
vides that all officers and employees of
the company who have attained the age
of 60 years and been ten years or longer
In service shall be retired and pen
stoned. The pension allowance is to be
for each year Of service 1 per cent of
the average monthly pay received for
the ten a preceding retirement.
Thus If al employee has been in the
service for forty years and received an
average for the last ten years of $50 a
month, the pension allowance would be
40 per cent of $50, or $40 a month.
In the circular issued by the president
of the Canadian Pacific announcing the
new departure 1t is said: 1.-The com
pany hopes by thus voluntarily estab,
fishing a system under which a con.
tinued income will be assured to those
who, after years of continuous service,
are by age or infirmity no longer fitted
to perform their duties and without
which they might be left entirely with.
out means of support, TO build up among
them a feeling of permanency in their
employment. an enlarged interest in the
company's welfare and n desire to re,
main in and to devote their best efforts
and attention to the cOmpany's serv.
ice" 1t is not TO be doubted that this
will be realized. Every railway com.
pany that has adopted the pension sys.
TEN will, it can confidently be pre-.
dicted, find it advantageous in the .di
rections indicated by the Canadian Pa.
cifc's president. 1t will prove an in
centive to faithful service, to a desire
10 remain with the companies and to a
disposition to maintain ~peaceable rela.
tions. The policy is wise and commend
able from every point Of view.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

President Schurman's suggestion that
W will make a mistake II we try to i'm
pose the English language upon the
FilipinOs willingly or unwilingly is
elicitlng several notes Of dissent, but il
h none the less dictated by prudence.
We have sections Of this country where
English is only an alternative language
aud have only by slow degrees sue
eeeded In making IL the accepted Ian
guage. In the Philippines the transfer
process Is bound 10 be still slower. II
will be the part Of tact for us to make
the Filipinos want 60 learn the English
language in preference TO the Spanish OF
native tongues to which they are accus.
toned. II they can he brought 10 that
point the other obstacles in the way
VIII be easily surmounted
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
AMERICAN CAPITAL IN MExICo

How much American capital has
done in the development Of Mexico is
shown in a statement by the United
States consul general at the capital OF
that republic, who estimates hat $500.
100000 gold is the amount Of American
capital invested in Mexico. This
amount has practically all beef invested
within the past quarter Of a century
and about one-half of it within the past
five years. The development OF the rail.
road systems has been to a large extent
done with American capital, which rep.
resents about 20 per cent Of the total
Investment in railroads. The mining in.
dustries Of the neighboring republic
have drawn a large amount of capital
from this country, estimated to be $50.
100000, while Il very considerable
amount is invested in agriculture and
manufacturing.
Mexico and finding there profitable EN-.
ployhNnt 1t is at present especially
active in developing the agricultural
and manufacturing industries ard the
progress made in the last few years
slves promise of great results in the
near future. Mexico offers a fine field
for enterprise in these directions, the
agricultural possibilities, particularly in
the cultivation of coffee and cane sugar,
being great, while manufacturing,
though as yet in its infancy, gives
promise Of good returns under the pol.
icy of protection and the liberal en-.
enlargement of the government.
1t goes without saying that American
influence in the financial and business
affairs of Mexico is strong and steadily
growing. 1t dominates most of the rail
road interest and it is felt in otLel
ways, manifestly to the material ben
eft of the country. 1t appears not i'm.
probable that within the next quarter
of a century most of the Industries and
a large part Of the m Of Mexico
will be controlled by Americans, the
tendency at present clearly pointing tC
this.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
WEALTH AND LONGEVITY.
The Former Not Incompatible with
the Latter.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
One of the compensations of poverty has
been the belief that a scarcity OF food
and the absence of luxurious and even OF
comforts promote long living. while IN
timely death is the common fate of those
who can afford costly foods and drinks,
soft beds and whatever a luxurious taste
can suggest. Statistics have sustained this
view. A German statistician has gathered
from the census returns OF the various
nations figures which show that there are
proportionately many more centenarians
among the poor and uneducated than
among peoples whose educational average
is high and whose plane Of living is
exalted. The census returns have been ac-
cepted as accurate. or at any rate. as the
only source OF ofhcial information. Soeio-
logists, therefore, have drawn impressive
lessons concerning the rewards Of inyol-
untary virtue. No doubt many OF those
whose poverty compels plain living would
be glad to accept a shorter span OF life.
with better opportunities for enjoyment,
in lieu of a century OF hunger and hard
ship; but having no choice in the matter
they are disposed to boast OF their longe-
witty.
Very recent social statistics of England
show, at least, that a long life is not in
compatible with riches. OF 2O6 persons in
that country who, in dying this year, left
each an estate valued at more than $500, 900,
six were over 90 years old, fifty we're over
so years and the average was 70 years.
This is far above the average of an equal
number Of poor people taken haphazard.
II is explained that a considerable proper
tion OF these long-lived rich men inner
tied their wealth and had lived from in
fancy TO death in luxurious circumstances
As far as known not one OF the group had
the alleged benefits OF a meager dietary,
a hard bed and the constant anxiety about
the immediate future which is common TO
the centenarians who close their days OF
restitution in the almshouse.
Perhaps the late Prof. Ovens investiga-
tions and conclusions offer the true ex-
PLANTATION OF the seeming inconsistency Of
the statistics. He found that in no single
case was there any documentary proof
as 10 the real age OF the paupeT centenarisn
and he inferred that most OF the very aged
among the permanently destitute are with
out any accurate knowledge Of their ages;
that sometimes in ignorance and sometimes
in order TO become the center Of unusual
attention the unedueated poor give 70
the census taker ages which he has no
means 10 verify. Perhaps the rich do eat
too much and meet too few h~ardships, but
this is probably less dangerous 10 life
than is continued half-staryation and eK-
Posure.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

and institutions. The very fact that
civilizations other than our own have
survived Is proof conclusive that there
is substance in them-had civilization
been constantly at a dead level all the
world over, it is morally certain lone
Of the great nations or races would have
made as fast progress as they have or
have reached the points of vantage now
Occunicd
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
Growth of the Drug Habit.
Boston Globe.

Inquiries from physicians in all sections
OF the country show how rapidly and how
hercely the appetite for stimulating drugs
is growing. Hospitals and sanitariums now
derive no small part Of their patronage
through the treatment OF victims OF them.
Physicians in private practice discover
these secret drug habits among their pa
tients and specific drugs whose uses are
understood universally are openly adver-
tised broadcast. The slaves Of drugs are
multiplying everywhere and the wrecks are
drifting dangerously near the shore.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

Whatever yet remains to render Mar
coni's method commercially available, it
has gone far enough to raise an aglta-
ton in Great Britain of the need Of
government supervision of all wireless
stations, very suggestively the PROPOSE.
ton Is first put forth by the naval au-
thorities.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

1t would not be strange If the re-
ports were true that President Roosevelt
Is beginning to show the physical effects
OF the strain TO which he has recently
been subjected. 1t would not be
strange either II President Roosevelt
would begin TO show visible signs of
the fact that he is not as young as he
was when he occupied the executive
mansion at Albany four years ago.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
Cuha'. Debt to Ameriea.
Phlladelnhia Record

Few things reflect greater credit upon
the United States than the fact. stated
by General Wood before che American
Academy Of Political and Social Science,
that there has not been a case OF yellow
fever In the east end Of Cuba for three
years, and none in Havana for mOIe than
one year. though the disease hzd never
been absent from Havana a single day in
10 years" The immediate result Of this
10 a u thai for three years there has
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
DOMESTIC PLEAsANTRIEs.

Chicago Post: What did the lovers
quarrel aboutg"
she wanted him to promise to love her
forever and ever: and ne said he wanted the
day for himself"
Philadelphia Press: ''she SAYS she would
earth"
what nonsense. II he were the last man
any woman would marry him Just 20 spite
the other women"
Smart Set: F~1udubbe-Do you suppose
that girl Bilkins is to marry is as rich as
Pinhedde-NO question about It'll know
Bilkins.
Town Topics: Mrs. Won Riumer-The
doctor told me today that my vitality was
al us lowest ebb between 4 and 5 in the
Won Blumer-That's the reason I ALWAYS
try TO get home about that time.
Chicago News: GroweIls tat the theaterl
Mrs Neighsors certainly does look charm
Mrs. Groweus-Yes. She has A husband
who likes TO see her dressed decently and
isn't too grouehy 10 pay for it.
Washington Star: And do Won never
wish 10 experience loves young dreamr'
asked the romantic young married woman
OF her bachelor brother.
No. sir replied he, for. you know.
dreams so by eontraneA"
judge: 'NNm you marry meg' tremb-
lingly inquired the honest Youth OF the coy
daughter OF the grass WideW.
'oh. Kind sir, answered the dinadent
Il did. AYERS the truthful swain but
she said she couldn't have me. as she was
engaged 10 old Goldrox"
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

Governor Mickey has very good rea-
sons for planting himself firmly against
the claw-hammer coat David Butler,
the first governor of Nebraska wore a
claw-hammer coat every day, but he
was impeached and removed from office.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

been no epidemic OF yellow fever In our
southern states. The last epidemic is es-
timated to have cost the country in bust
ness az least 500. 10000, 900. Happily Cuba
is disposed to preserve the condition ere
ated under General Wood and The lower
branch Of the Cuban Congress has just
voted $780, 600 TO aid the city governments
in maintaining good sanitary conditions.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
Hesitated ON dine Rrink.

Chicago Chronicle,
We were upon the point of lauding as
most upright, wise and learned a St. Louis
judge who has e~njoined a boycott until We
learned that the boycotters were members
Of a plumbers supply trust, This. Of course.
puts another face upon the matter. The ST.
Louis jurist will have to be impeached.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
Kent on the Jump.

Chicago Record-Herald.
A trolley line has been opened in Porto
Rico. This thoroughly disposes Of any dan
ger there may have been OF Porto Rican
revolutions. The people will be too busy
lodging the cars hereafter to engage in po-
litical disturbances.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28
Another Peril Bobs Up.
Minneapolis Journal.

The latest American peril discovered by
an Englishman Is that there are too few
children in the United States. He fears
the approach Of a time when a handful Of
Americans will he lost on a great conti-
nent. as the Indian were before them. Our
population increased 1900. 900 in the last
decade.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

The IA revolutions that have &C.
Cured in Venezuela are not to be taken
too seriously, but rather as the Latin
American expression of the Jeffersonian
doctrine Of frequent rotation in office.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-28

Attorney General Knox won't want
for financial for the legal fight
upon the unlawful trusts. But neither
viii the trusts attorneys retained on
the other side.