davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
4 npAcrEIc

A New York dispatch Of Saturday
stated that vessels leaving for Venezue-
Ian ports took n their clearance papers
as usual, Notwithstanding the reports
OF a blockade, no official notice having
been received by the collector at New
York to warn vessels OF n blockade. In
regard to the so-called pacific block
ade," as now established by the British
and Germans at Venezuelan ports, Theo-
dore d. woolsey, the leading American
authority on international law, says of
It that it is an invention Of one or two
Of the leading nations, "the object of
which has been to prevent neutral YES
sells from entering or issuing from GER
tain ports of an offending state Just
as in war, with the same rules Of proc
lamation and arrest for violation Of the
rules as in war, while yet war is de-
clared not to exist" According to Prof.
Woolsey most writer's on international
law who mention the pacific blockade
at all condemn it as unjust to neutrals
and he says: This appears to us to be
evidently the correct opinion. because
If any Measure implies a state of war,
blockade does SO most decidedly, and
no such Measure can be introduced into
the law Of nations without the consent
of all. Ne~utrals, therefore, would have
the right Of making complaints against
such a principle, which affects their
commerce."
II this view be correct, and 1t certainly
appears reasonable, 1t would seem that
our government may properly require
that the blockade Of Venezuelan ports.
which is not regarded as implying a
condition of war, shall not be permitted
to interfere with our commerce with
Venezuela. The United States has never.
1t appears, recognized "pacihc blockade
as a principle of international law and
there is no good reason why it should
nov do so. While the Venezuelan sit
uation is certainly in the nature of war,
not only by reason Of the blockade, but
also because Of the seizure and sinking
Of the naval vessels of Venezuela, yet
there is no admission that q state Of wal
exists and therefore no neutral nation is
bound to observe the blockade. 1t seems
entirely clear that an American vessel
leaving one Of our ports for venezuela
has as unquestionable a right to enter
a port Of the latter as If no blockade
existed, that condition being held by
the powers creating 1t not to imply 6
state Of war.
Nothing has come from washington
to indicate how the executive authori
ties regard the blockade and probably
there will not be unless there is SON,
interference with our commerce. Tha-
is a possible contingency, though I'm
doubtedly 1t is the intention of both tn,
British and German governments t
avoid giving any offense to the Unitet
States and doing anything that would
afford a reason and justification to thi
country for i~nterposing. 1t can be con
fidently predicted that no unwarranteC
interference with our will b,
tolerated and it is not to be doubte,
that this is well understood by. the Brit
ish and German governments. We &C
knowledge their right to collect jus
claims, but In the exercise of this RICH
they must do 10 injury to our interests.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
THE INTERSTATE LAK.

There has been no movement at the
present session of congress in regard to
amending the interstate law
and there is reason to fear that nothing
will be lone to make the law more
effective by this congress. Representa-
to renew their efforts to secure amend
ments to the act. but the prospect Of
accomplishing anything this winter is
not particularly favorable. The New
York Journal of Commerce remarks that
1t is being made every day more plain
that such powers as the courts have
left to the commission need enlargement
and were 1t on no other ground than
the necessity for furnishing a counter
poise to the growth of the ~autocratic
power Of the railroads some increase
Of the authority of the Interstate Com
merce commission would be obviously
defensible. That paper says "As un-
der the new regime of community of
interest or of ownership the railroads
advance one pretension after another,
all having the common end of raising
the rates Of transportation. there is a
public opinion being formed not unlike
that which existed before the passage
Of the interstate commerce act. II
would be wise for railroad managers to
recognize the existence of this and to
make some needful concessions to it,
lest its demands should assume a form
which It might be harder for them to
satisfy"
The popular sentiment in favor Of leg.
'slatien increasing the authority of the
commission and making the law more
effective was never stronger than now
and it will not decline. That It will
ultimately secure what it demands IL
not to be doubted and railroad man
ayers who oppose ~ concessions L
this sentiment are making the graves.
possible mistake, since that course oper
ates to intensity public opinion regard
ing the necessity for a stronger law.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
VALUE OF -CHEERFULNEss.
The Keynote Of Happiness and the
Passport to Public Favor.
Phlladelphla LedKer

Philadelphia Ledger.
Cheerfulness and good nature have q
value in the market. The lack OF them ex-
plains the slow progress Of the downfall OF
persons otherwise sufficiently endowed. A
good sale has often been missed because
the salesman repealed by his unfortunate
manner, though he may have been a good
fellow at heart. The CHEEKY clerk estab-
fishes a clientage and holds hts place be-
cause he is skilled In the fine art OF friend
illness. One is willing to pay a good price
for cheerful service. II Is not quite enough
to do a thing well. 1t should be done
~graeiously.
Those who sing at their tasks, as many
workmon do. have learned the secret of
getting on in the world and making the
best OF IT. A gracious manner, all the
world knows, explains the rise OF many
men in political and official life, so that
mere good fellowship is often accepted for
craftsmanship. The popular politician al
most invariably has a sunny greeting for
| all sorts aud conditions Of men. This IL the
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

From the beginning Of the controversy
between capital and labor In the authra-
cite region many OF the mining compa-
niles have commended that they could not
pay higher wages, and have pointed to
their low dividends or no dividends as
proof.
1t has been frequently suggested that
the controlling shareholders Of the mining
companies, who are practically the same
men as the controlling shareholders in the
coal-carrying railway companies, charged
themselves exorbitant freight rates and so
took their profits in railroad dividends in
stead OF in mine dividends.
A table of freight rates recently COM
piled by the Interstate Commerce commits
sion seems to afford concrete proof that
this suggestion is true-so far as It goes.
That it does not go far enough may be
shown hereafter. From this table IL APP
pears that the railroads interested charge:
For carrying a ton Of bituminous coal
to Jersey City-946 to 3Ss miles-S1.70.
But they charged for carrying a ton Of
anthracite coal TO Boston-345 to SS7 miles
1925. For the same distance the charge
on anthracite was practically double tho
charge on bituminous.
For carrying a ton Of coal from the
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
ORIGIN OF THE "MEssAGE."
President Jefferson Given Credit for
the Custom.
Journal.

Indianapolis Journal.
II Is a singular fact that the term
message" now universally APPLIED to an
executive communication to congress, does
not appear in the Constitution. Neither
was 1t used in the early years OF the gov
eminent. The Constitution says the presi-
dent shall from time to time give to the
congress information Of the state OF the
union and recommend to their conslderR-
tion such measures as he shall Judge neces-
sary and expedient." Washington and
John Adams read their first annual com
munications" to congress in person, and
their subsequent ones were sent in writing.
All were styled addresses" In Messages
and Papers Of the Presidents" edited by
Representative Richardson, the eight an
nual messages Of Washington and the four
of John Adams are styled ADDRESSED
Jefferson inaugurated the custom, since
followed by all Of his successors, of send
ing all messages in writing to congress,
and the term message was first applied to
his annual message OF 1901 In communi-
eating 1t to congress Jefferson addressed
the following letter to the presiding oficeI
Of each branch:
"Sir-The circumstances under which we
hnd ourselves at this place rendering In.
convenient the mode heretofore practiced
Of making by personal address the first
communication between the legislative and
executive branches, l have adopted thai
by message, as used on all subsequent oc'
casions through the session. In doing this
l have had principal regard to the con
venienee Of the legislature, to the econom!
OF their time, to their relief from the EN-
barrassment Of immediate answers on sub.
jects not yet fully before them, and to thu
benefits hence resulting to the public al
fairs. Trusting that a procedure founded
on these motives will meet their approba
ton, l beg leave through you, sir, TO com
municate the inclosed message. with tn
DOCUMENTS accompanying it, to the honor
able the senate, and pray you to accept 70
yourself the homage of my high respee
and consideration"
This is the first Official use Of the tern
message" The inconyenient eircumstancI
alluded to was probably the bad road be
tween the White House and the capitol
Prior TO this Il had been customary for tn
senate and the house each to make
separate reply in writing to the president
communication, which reply was delivers
TO him at the White House as soon a
possible after his communication was re
ceived. With the beginning OF Jefferson
administration this practice ceased
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
The Railroad Rake-Off
Chicago Inter ocean.

.AAANA W.
bituminous region TO Baltlmore-229 TO
240 miles-the charge was S1.45. But for
carrying a ton Of anthracite to Baltimore
lie to 224 miles-the charge was 50. For
carrying anthracite a distance averaging
% miles less So cents a ton more was
charged.
The hard coal trust, when confronted
with such facts, replies that the coal
carrying roads do not pay huge dividends
and that some OF them have paid no divi-
dends for years. And that is true. on the
other hand, Il is also true that these roads
which pay small dividends or no dividends
have been frequently "reorganized' and
their nominal capital swollen with every
reorganization.
From these two sets Of facts 1t is easy
10 see where the profits OF the hard coal
industry have gone and are going. They
have gone and are going into the pockets
Of promoters and reorganizers. II they
are not taken in dividends now these
profits have been taken In advance by
the sale Of inflated stock and are being
taken now in interest on bonds issued to
effect the reorganization,
These are all very simple facts, but they
also are very luminous ones. -
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
THE DUTY To A NAME.
Pointed Lesson 20 Men of Mark IN =
Community.
New York World.

Community.
New York World.
A man was asked to invest some money
in an insurance company. He saw In the
list of directors such names as Chauncey
NJ. Depew, John Jacob Aston, Benjamin F.
Tracy, Levi p. Morton. He invested
$50, 1000. The insurance company is now
dead. He has lost his money and Is
suing the directors TO recover 1t. Sew
eral prominent men have already paid him
$4,000 each, realizing that they were duped
in allowing the use Of their names.
This should be a lesson to men of mark
in the community. He who has made a
name for himself owes to It a duty.
The willy promoter is happy IL he gets
the name Of one prominent man as a d.
rector. other prominent men say to
themselves. IF So-and-So is in 1t. It must
be all right" II "~So-and-So" has investi-
gated the enterprise IL must be ''all right
but the chances are that he has not. There
have been cases where the name OF a
prominent man has been used without
authority as a lure for others. Every bust
ness man owes 1t to the community to allow
his name to be associated with nothing he
has not thoroughly and personally ex-
amined,
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS.
Strange Protest Against American
Methods in England.
Indianapolis News,

Indianapolis News.
We get a glimpse Of British industrial
methods that shows that the employer is
as badly inoculated with the false economy
Of the relation OF work and wages as Is the
employee. There is an American electrical
works at Manchester. 1t has been paying
wages 33 per cent higher than the rate pre-
vailing there, with a result OF getting all Of
the best labor. The Employers Federation
Of Manchester has demonstrated with the
American concern, saying that this is de-
moralizing the condition of things. But
the Americans reply that, though they do
pay twelve pence an hour where the English
works pay nine, they get twice as much
work done for 1t; therefore, that the higher
wages are ~demonstrably cheaper than the
lower. This is a simple fact Of industrial
economy as we'll as human nature, though
II has not indeed, in it's philosophy, been
always recognized in this country. Ameri-
can labor has been taught that wages are
naturally higher with US and that, there
fore, the employer must have a heavy
tariff so that he can pay them, whereas
the American laborer has won his higher
wages because he has worked for them.
He has given the equivalent or he never
would have got them.
The Manchester employers, instead OF
initiating the Americans. are trying to
drag the wages down to the old level,
although II Is manifest that these old wages
are dearer for them than the new increased
wages. In this they act precisely as British
trades unionism has acted, and as American
trades unionism has acted when It has
tried to compel a uniform rate for a poor
and a good workman and to limit produc-
tion. The Manchester incident shows the
dry rot from which British industrialism is
suffering, shared by the employer and the
employee. The admonition in It for US is
that our supremacy is won by hard work
and can be maintained only by hard work.
AS soon as we limit ambition and industry.
hamper output and enforce a socialism that
makes the best man In the lot fall back
abreast Of the poorest, regulate the whole
procession by the gait Of the weakest in
II, then we shall fall to that low level just
as certainly as the law OF gravitation acts,
Advance in the world is made and kept by
those that strip for the contest and do the
best that is in them. In the long run the
man as we'll as the nation wins the greatest
reward that works the hardest.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
TIMa ZOE PrBLlo piscussIoN.

Only three weeks remain from now
until the converting Of the legislature,
but no action has as yet been taken
either by the city council or commercial
bodies toward discussing and formu-
lating amendments to the charter and
other important legislation Of vital con-
Germ to the citizens and taxpayers of
Omaha. The Bee is informally advised
that the members-elect to the legislature
from Douglas county desire to be in
formed and instructed as to the wishes
of their constituents and are willing to
exert their influence to effect proper
legislation.
In order to arrive at a rational con
clusion no time should be lost in calling
meetings for public discussion and care
full elaboration by committees OF citi-
zens and public officials with a view to
impressing upon the representatives to
the legislature from this county the es-
sental features OF proposed charter
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

The mayor and eleven city aldermen
Of Denver, who are languishing in Jail
with Christmas in sight, have applied
to the Colorado supreme court for relief
from involuntary confinement on the
ground of error in their sentence. If the
court should find that an error was made
by the lower court In sentencing them
to a few weeks in idleness in Jail in.
stead of requiring them to break stone
for twelve months in the Fort Collins
state boarding house. the Denver officials
might repent the error Of their ways.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

The days of martyrs are not yet over
A striking example is Elmer Pettiford
a colored Seventh Day Adventist EN-.
ployed in the Treasury department, who
refused to work on Saturdays on account
Of religious scruples, and has been trans
ferred from one corridor in the treasury
building to another corridor, with a re
duction of $3.50 a year in his salary fol
worshiping two days in the week, while
any number Of white folks working IL
other parts Of the building enjoy a Sab
bath all the year around without having
their salaries trimmed Off.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

The railroads OF Michigan will pay
about 100000 OF taxes on an assess
ment of $2Os.O 1000 for the year 1908,
or about double the amount Of taxes
they have paid for the preceding year
II the Nebraska railroads were hon.
estly assessed in proportion to the valu.
alton Of all other classes OF property
their taxes would also be doubled and
the state wOnld not be running into deb
at the rate Of more than 100000 q
year as it has for the last ten years.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
amined.

Washington Star: MANY a man" said
Uncle Eben, thinks he's a gettin' sumhn'
fob muffin, when, in reality he's done a
hahd days work hxin' up fairy Stories"
Philadelphia Record: wigwag-It makes
me hustle to pay my rent.
Harduppe-The question of rent keeps me
moving, too.
New York Times: Jaggles-Are these
relatives of yours near or distant?
Waggles-The ones who have any money
are very distant.
Brooklyn Life: but there's plenty of
money in politics. said his friend,
"Oh, yes" said the politician. but, like
other remunerative lines, It's overcrowded."
Chicago Tribune: what do you know
Nothing" replied the witness. I'm the
expert"
clusively that he knew less than nothing.
Philadelphia Catholic STANDARD. Hloks-
Peckham's wife has quite a temper, hasn't
wicks-I can't say. She lost it the last
time / was there, and l didn't wait to see
II she found 1t again.
Smart Set: Mrs. Blank-Is your husband
going to Mrs. Jason's funeral?.
Mrs. Dash-Decidedly notl She never re-
turned my last call.
Washington Star: II trust your son does
not read trashy juvenile literature"
mo. indeed" said the fond mother vii
he wants In the historical novels that his
father brings home"
Chicago Tribune THAT orator is a deep
thinker and q great speaker"
How do you know."
Because he discussed his subjects in
such a way that there wasn't a soul could
understand what he was driving at"
Philadelphia Catholic Standard: ST sup
pose,' said the emaciated new arrival at
the Colorado health resort, "all the people
here have lung trouble"
NO" replied the clerk, glancing involun-
tarily at the white stones dotting the dis
tant hillside. 'some of them have no trou-
bles at all now"
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
The Lady and the Cow.
New York Sun.

NOW IOTh sun
solomon In South Omaha. The Hon.
Charles Epstein asserted that he was the
owner of a certain Jersey COW. He ar
rested the COW. Mrs. Emma Houghman
had him arrested and brought replevin pro-
c~eedings. Then she summoned the COW as
a witness. The Judge directed that the COW
be brought into court. Mrs. Houghman
called the COW by name. Immediately the
Jersey walked over to her and kissed her
by rubbing her muzzle against Mrs. Hough-
mans face" Thrice the COW then testified.
The Judge couldn't help giving judgment
for the plaintiff; and so the lady and the
Jersey went out Of court happy.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
Mi.directed postal Reform.
Chicago

Chicago Chronicle.
Postal reform, like charity, should be-
gin at home. Before we reduce foreign
letter postage we should bring the local
service up to the standard of foreign local
service. Before we reduce foreign letter
postage we should perhaps reduce the do
nestle rate to 1 cent. There is no clamor
for such a reduction. The demand of the
American cities especially is not for a
cheaper stamp, but for a better service.
Better service will cost more money. We
cannot afford to be generous with foreign
ers before we are Just to ourselves.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

A bill has been introduced in congress
10 make punishable the levying Of po-
lihcal contributions upon federal ap-
Dointees by members Of the house and
senate. A bill giving appointees a right
to recover political contributions ex-
acted of them under the guise of loans
might be more effective and would hit
more Of the honorable congressman who
make others pay their campaign bills.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

Ambassador Storer, who has just been
promoted from the position Of minister
of the United States to Madrid, declares
that the young king of Spain has been
basely maligned in the stories about
his health and private conduct. In
spite Of the late unpl~easantness, the
United States has only friendly feelings
for Spain and no interest in the circula-
tion of defamatory fabrlcations about
the Spanish monarch.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

The worst advertisement Yale has re-
ceived as a rich mans college comes
from the account OF the imposition OF
fines ranging from 500 to $500 on foul
students charged with breach OF the
peace, with the notation: "The fines were
Immediately paid" Poor mems sons
will do well to keep away from an edu
cational institution where they will bC
expected TO strike such a high gait.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

amendment. In this connection Il
would. in our judgment, be very desira-
BILE that every department Of the city
government, and the Board OF County
Commissioners as well, should submit
briefly such recommendations as expert
ence has shown to be essential for more
economic and efficient management Of
departments of city and county govern
ments.
Incidentally it might also be desirable
to ascertain what, If any,, legislation the
Board OF Education is disposed to recon-
mend for the better government Of the
public schools. With this information
in their possession public bodies and
committees will be better able to discuss
~intelligently the various changes pro
posed in the charter and the statutes re-
lating to county and school government
1t may also be eminently appropriate
after the conclusions have been arrived
at on these subjects to discuss the pro-
posed reforms In our election laws
which also affect this community in a
great measure.
There certainly is no time to be lost IL
we are to arrive at any definite con-
illusions before the legislature convenes.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15
A MODERN
Brooklyn Eagle.

Eagle.
He voiced his admiration,
But learned with CONSERVATION
She had no time for Cupid.
She spoke without emotion,
And showed she had a notion
That love was rather stupid.
He promised ease and pleasure;
She did not seem to treasure
The Joys that he depicted.
Despising old conditions,
To feminine ambitions
She would not be restricted.
She scorned the protestations
That once, throughout all nations,
Fair woman had delighted
The time was now prOpitious
For freedom most delicious,
And greater deeds melted.
"Alas!" he cried, despairing,
"'Twas waste of time declaring
The love that ! have rendered"
But then he thought to urge her
To Join him in a merger
And straightway h surrendered
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

That offer of $1,000 reward in support
of the assertion that The Omaha Evening
Bee has a subscription list in Douglas
county exceeding by 1000 the subscrip-
ton list of the Morning World-Herald
and by 5000 the subscription list of the
Evening World Herald still stands.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

Members of the city council who are
trying to obstruct the submission of the
electric power franchise proposition to
the people at the coming city election
should remember that they cannot play
ostrich very much longer.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

The National Civil Service Reform
league wants the credit system In the
federal service extended to the Indian
agencies. If the league had it's way
there would be lamentation and gnash.
ing Of teeth in the nelghborhood Of the
Omaha and Winnebago reservation.
Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-15

A coroner's jury on the recent Chicago
hotel disaster that extinguished four
teen lives has come in with the usual
verdict OF condemnation and lets It rest
there. In the meanwhile nimsy con-
structlon OF buildings that constantly
~endanger life and property will con
tinue without fear Of penalties.