davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
TIE HAVANA RIOT.

The occurrence Of riot with bloodshed
in Havana will cause little surprise The
wonder is that such troubles have not
been frequent since the experiment Of
self-government was undertaken by peo-
pie who are conspicuously untitled for 1t.
President Palma seems to be a strong
man and to be dealing with the disorder
Iy elements in the proper way. but 1t is
feared that he has little moral support
among the masses Of the people and that
no government In Cuba can be stable any
longer than it Is supported by force and
terror.
The great majority OF the people are ig-
norant, excitable and fractions.
They are easily led by ambitious. design
ing and unprincipled politicians who
abound in Havana and may be relied upon
to make mischief whenever they think
they see a chance to profit themselves.
1t is true that Diaz took the Mexican peo-
pie when they were little better than a
mob and has made an orderly and pro-
gressive nation out of them, but he is a
very extreme optimist who looks for any
such result in Cuba under home rule by
the present population. The average Gu
ban Is far inferior to the average Next
can IN the elemants OF character and
Cuba has no Diaz.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAW.

There is on the calendar of the United
States senate bill for the amendment of
the interstate commerce law that, If pass
ed. win make that law OF great practical
value to the public instead OF the dead
letter that it now is.
The report comes from Washington that
a vigorous effort viii be made to pass this
bill at the session OF congress that will
begin this week.
No valid excuse can be given for fall
ure to make the interstate commerce law
effective without further delay.
The session OF congress about TO begin
viii last only three months. 1t is true. and
many matters are being urged upon con-
gress. but the reasons for the passage OF
this bin are so well known and so convinc-
ing that very little time should be reQuir-
ed for its enactment into law.
For many years we have had an inter
state commerce law. we have a commits
sion. and the commission has Investigated
many things and made voluminOus re-
ports. some OF them of value TO statistical
historians. but that Is about all.
The commission has not been clothed
with the power to make its DEGREES effec-
tive. 1t can do nothing practical.
The railroads find It easy to evade. or to
defy. the orders Of the commission which
was intended to regulate them. to prevent
them from imposing unjust discrimina-
lions upon the people.
1t Is easy enough to make the law ef-
fective and the pending bin points out the
way by which that may be done.
Congress has absolute power over inter-
state commerce as It has over foreign
commerce except that It cannot apply to
the former the tariff method by which IT
destroys much OF the latter.
It remains TO be seen whether majori-
" Of the members of the present congress
are controlled BY the railroads. or are free
and ready to prevent the continuance Of
injustice to the public by the great rail-
road corporations. We believe that most
OF the senator's and representatives from
the south viii be found standing on the
side OF the people-that is for just and
reasonable railroad regulation.
That is what the pending bin provides
for. Il does injustice to nobody. to no
interest. 1t merely insures fair treatment
OF me public by the great railroad cor
porations that are using their unbridled
power in a way that should be tolerated
no longer.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
ROOSEVELT AND THE TRUSTS.

There is good reason to believe that
President Roosevelt has undergone a de-
cided change Of mind as TO the best meth
cd of proceeding against the trusts.
Some months ago he declared that II
would be useless to attempt anything in
this direction until the constitution could
be amended.
This announcement was received with
deep regret by the public and with ILL
disguised delight by the trusts.
The long delay that would be necessary
to the carrying out of that program and
the great uncertainty Of its success at all
created In the minds of many much doubt
as the sincerity and earnestness of the
presidents desire to check the power of
the trusts and caused many others to
lower their estimate Of bis practical
craftsmanship.
It is now believed that the president has
abandoned his constitutional amendment
plan and win urge upon congress that at
it's session about to begin 1t shall amend
the Sherman law in such a way as to
make II more effective in restraining the
tendency Of the combines to destroy COM
petition, restrict trade and raise prices,
and also to make it reach certain cases
which, under the decisions of the supreme
court, cannot be covered by it, This
amendment will doubtless include the in
corporation Of the presidents plan for
publicity" of the accounts of stock COM
panies. and will follow the lines indicated
in Attorney General Knoxs Pittsburg
speech.
The president Is to be congratulated up
on this better second thought. Somebody
has saved him, or he has saved himself
from taking a very unfortunate position
and has determined to make most prac-
teal and timely recommendation to con-
gress.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
vERMoNT,s CHIEF TROUBLE.

The staid old state of Vermont is just
now enlivened by local option campaign,
an irritant that never fails to produce ex-
citement wherever tired.
The Vermont legislature has passed a
high license local option bill, but 1t must
be approved by the people before it can
become effective.
1t will be voted on at an election to
be held the first Tuesday in January. Both
the friends and the opponents of the meas
ure are very active and both are conf
dent OF success.
II the vote at the November election
can be taken as indicative of the preva-
lent sentiment in the state the high IL
cense bill will receive a good plurality.
It is conceded, however, that it would
have been defeated IL the movement to
extend the ballot to women for this cleo
ton had prevailed.
A majority of the legislature favors
high license and knew that If the women
voted their plan would be defeated and
so they promptly disposed of the woman's
suffrage bill.
The prohibitionists are greatly depressed
at the prospect, but it is probable that no
more liquor will be sold In Vermont If the
license should be adopted than has been
sold there for years past under prohibit
ton.
In every town where a majority of the
people want prohibition they can get it
under the proposed law. Wherever a ma
jority Is not in favor OF prohibition expe-
rience has shown that the sale of liquor
will go on in spite of statutes and police
regulations.
1t will be interesting to watch the oper-
alton and efforts of local option and high
license I'm Vermont.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
: -@--~----
JupoEs AS POLITICIANS.

The Chicago Record Herald has been
pouring hot shot into United States Cir
cult Judge Grosscup for what 1t justly
terms a gross violation Of the dignity and
the proprieties Of his official position.
In the recent congressional campaign
Judge Grosscup took the stump for Can
bosses in Chicago.
The manner in which this United States
circuit Judge "whooped 1t up" for his can
didate and the character Of the speeches
he made have brought him under the Sc
we're condemnation of a large part of the
Chicago public. The Times Herald has re-
ceived many assurances that it's structure
upon Judge Grosscup are Endorsed. A few
days ago The Times-H Herald published an
interview purporting TO give the views Of
a justice Of the supreme court of the Unit
ed States on the improperly Of such con-
duct as Judge Grosscup has been guilty of.
The justice, whose name was withheld,
expressed his emphatic disapproval of pro-
ceedure Of that character by a United
States judge. Judge Grosscup came back
at the newspaper and denied that any
supreme court justice had made the al
legged remarks. He said It was possible
that The Times-Herald's interviewer had
mistaken nice old lady In a black silk
gown at an afternoon tea for Justice of
the supreme court. Such a person might
readily think 1t not nice to vote. Such
person might confound public meetings
with the cigarette habit and other vices.
Such one might put her hand to the
side Of her mouth, saying, What have
told you is all true, but for PHYS sake,
don't mention my name"
The Herald. thus challenged.
comes out with a reiteration of the in
terview which It had attributed to SUI
preme court justice, giving the name of
it's author, Justice Brown, and then adj
ding similar expressions from other judges
OF our higher courts TO this effect:
Justice Brown-A Judge should not, in
my view Of the case. make speeches in
support of any particular candidate or
party.
Justice Enthusiastically speaking, it
seems clear TO me that judges should alb
stain from active participation in poll
tics.
Justice Brewer-Judges who participate
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.


Reform isn't what It is lectured M TO be-
Worry makes everybody thin except fat peo-
pie who worry over their fairness
It doesn't take a great deal Of kissing Of
lips to kiss away all their sweetness.
Getting engaged is like running to a fire;
after they are married they walk back.
Not one woman in a thousand knows the
difference between loving and being loved.
When a red-headed woman hasn't red
headed temper. It Is a sign II Is bleached-
The man who teaches women to smoke
always marries one VINO won't let him do it
himself.
The moral about deception is that you
would never do II IL you were going to get
found out.
seldom does a woman love a man without
and seldom man love a woman with, complete
self-abnegation.
II women had brain power as well as their
worm than he is.
Whom a man gives a woman a ieweled gar
ter II is a sign he ought not to unless she is
his wife. when he won't
The man who wouldn't be a fool over the
right woman doesn't deserve to have the
right woman be a fool over him.
Engaged people put magnifying glasses
when they look at each others virtues. The
day they are married they take them
of.
A woman's imagination Is so lively that II
her bare feet were I'm a tub Of snow she would
believe that handsome fur around her neck
was keeping her warm
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
SOUTHERN suEERAoE- laws.

The supreme court Of the United States
will soon pass upon the suffrage provis-
ions Of the new constitutions OF Louisi-
ana, Alabama and Virginia. which, 1t Is
claimed. are In conflict with the consti-
tuition OF the United States.
The North Carolina constitution will
probably be subjected to a like test. The
Virginia case has but recently been filed.
The negroes of Washington City are back
OF It and have put up the money to pay
a number Of lawyers to attack the suf-
frage sections OF the new Virginia con-
stitution. John S. Wise. who now lives in
New York. has been one OF the busiest
agitators in this matter. John is a great
hero with the Washington negroes. They
think ne is the greatest lawyer what is. -
and expect that the supreme court jus
tees win sit in wide-eyed wonder when
John proceeds TO instruct them In the con-
stitutlonal law Of the nation.
1t is gratifying to know that the darkies
have hired John as one OF their attorneys.
lie probably expected this employment.
and was certainly entitled to IT,
Associated with him. though in compar-
atively humble capacities. are ex-senator
Thur5ton. OF Nebraska. and Judge Lewis.
OF Richmond.
The substance OF their contention gainst
the suffrage systems embodied in the new
state constitutions in the south is that
they contravene the fifteenth amendment.
which says that the right TO vote shall not
be abridged on account OF race, color or
previous condition OF servitude. ~
The supreme court has in its recent de-
cisions shown a decided reluctance 70 in
terfere with the rights claimed by the
states. and the general expectation is that
very little win come OF the attacks upon
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
THE REVIVED ATTEMPT
TO PUNISH THE SOUTH

as $500. the taxes on which have been
paid.
In addition to these all persons who
have honorably served in the United
States or the Confederate States army or
navy and their lawful descendants and
"an persons who are of good character
and who understand the duties and obliga-
tons of citizenship under a republican
form of government" 1t would appear
that to ascertain the number disfranchis-
ed by this constitution would be almost
impossible The registration IS no guide
for here in the city of Baltimore there are
now over $1,000 people who are entitled to.
register and vote and who are not regis-i
tered.
The south can view with equanimity any
such attempt upon its constitutional
rights Congress has so long been con-
Quoted as a sectional body that the south
would perhaps fare as well II 1t sent no
representatives and took no part in It
The southern states, in their poverty and
ruin from which they are now recovering.
have been levied upon for many years to
pay twenty or thirty million dollars an
nually in pension money TO the north,
and one would think that the most exact
ig, cruel and relentless conquerors would
be satisfied with that. But 1t seems that
there is a strong sentiment in the north
in favor of continuing to treat the south
as a conquered province.
Perhaps the real reason why Mr.. Payne
and those who agree with him wish to
reduce southern representation in the
house is found in the second article OF
the constitution, which fixes the number
of electors in a state. This number Is
equal the whole number of senators and
representatives. With any material re-
duction Of the southern electoral colleges
it is believed 1t would be impossible for
the Democrats to elect a president.
But Mr.. Payne should remember that
the history Of this country shows that all
such revolutionary schemes for maintains
ing party power react upon the party
which attempts them. The Force bill
movement in the Fifty-1rst congress was
an illustration, and the gerrymandering OF
states has often been found to injure the
party which does IT.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01

male citizens shall bear to the whole num-
Der of male citizens twenty-one years OF
age in such state"
The fifteenth amendment prohibits any
denial or abridgment Of the right to vote
on account of race, color or previous con-
dition of servitude.
The representatives of the states in con-
gress down to the time Of the adoption of
the fourteenth amendment was apDor-
toned among the states according to their
respective numbers, which were deter
mined by adding to the whole number of
free persons three-ffths Of the slave popu-
lation. In framing or enforcing law to
carry out the views of the postmaster
general there will be many practical diff
culties. OF course the object of the bill is
to reach every state in the south, but os-
tensibly 1t will be directed against those
whose constitutions contain the so-called
grandfather clause" That clause is in
tended to disfranchise as many negroes as
possible without coming in conflict with
the fifteenth amendment to the federal
constitution,fIf they DISTINGUISHED the ne
gro because of his race, then that provis-
ion would be null and void and Mr..
Payne's bill would be unnecessary. All
that would be required would be for the
persons so unconstltutionally deprived of
their votes to appeal to the courts. But no
one is deprived of his vote on that ac-
count The disfranchised people are
mainly the illiterates. If all the illiterates
were disfranchised. the census would be
a guide to the number. But all flliterates
are not disfranchised, and IT is practically
impossible to ascertain with any degree
of accuracy the number DISTINGUISHED
The number, in fact, varies from year to
year.
In the Constitution Of Alabama, for in
stance, the following persons who have
the requisite qualifications OF age, sex
and residence are permitted to vote:
Flrst-All who can read and write the
English language and have been engaged
in some lawful business or occupation
for the greater part Of the II months pre-
eding the registration. Second-The own
er or the husband Of the owner of 40 acres
of land In the state or of real or personal
property assessed for taxation at as much
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
DRINKING AMONG WOMEN.

A few weeks ago Lady Henry Somerset
one OF the most prominent Of temperance
reformers, said in an interview which
she gave a Chicago newspaper, that
drunkenness was increasing at a fearful
rate among the women OF Great Britain
and had actually become more common
among them than among men.
This statement was denied emphatically
in some quarters and provoked no little
discussion.
We observe that the bishop OF London
has in a recent address endorsed much
OF what Lady Henry Somerset said in her
Chicago interview.
Speaking to the women's Union of the
Church Of England Temperance Society
this eminent prelate said that there has
been OF late a great growth OF intemper-
ance among women in the use OF both
splrituous liquors and drugs.
This remark applied. he said, TO women
OF all classes. The drug habit is more
prevalent among the wealthy, while gross
drunkenness is shockingly common
among the poor.
The bishop produced statistics TO show
that out of 1000 women in a certain
work house one-half were there for drink,
and he told an astonishing story Of the
abandonment OF factory girls to this vice.
II was a custom among them to form
what were known as spirit clubs, in
which contributions were accumulated
for the purchase OF liquor. These were
regularly assessed for a grand celebra-
ton on Christmas eve. when the money
went for wine and spirits and cake.
The bishop expressed his conviction that
sheer poverty and its attendant worries
cause much Of the drunkenness that pre-
walls among the women of London and
he dwelt at length upon the influence Of
environment, declaring that In the East
End districts It was mot so much the pig
that made the sty as the sty that made
the pig and therefore all this intemperance
IS very much bound up with the question
Of the better housing Of the working
classes"
Sir 7. Barlow, physician to King Ed
ward. also spoke at the meeting which
was addressed by the bishop OF London
and went quite as far as the bishop in his
estimate Of the frightful increase Of
drunkenness among women OF all class
es. Tho habit of drinking to excess in Sc
cret. said this eminent physician. is
growing among women at a rate OF which
very few persons are aware. The chief
causes of this evil. in his opinion, are
lack OF occupation. as well as sorrow and
worry. bodily weakness. and the various
forms OF pain which were temporarily re-
Heved by alcohol.
There is a very strong temperance re-
form movement now in progress In Eng
land and. according to all accounts. It
has TO contend with conditions and ten
denotes that will tax all its powers.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01

the constitutions Of southern states which
contain general provisions that in effect
disfranchise large part of the negro vote
In those states.
The Birmingham Age-Herald thinks
that. whatever may happen to some OF the
other state constitutions that have lately
been adopted I'm the south, the permanent
suffrage plan that has been set up in Ala
bama cannot be successfully assailed,
''for II Is absolutely impartial, applying
alike to rich and poor, to whites as well
as blacks" The Age-Herald goes on to
say:
mo one can for a moment seriously
question AlaDama's permanent plan'
which goes into effect on January /.
"A declaration against the grandfather
clause of the temporary plan might In
validate perhaps the present registration
and the next legislature should keep SUCH
a contingency in mind when they propose
and pass laws providing for registration
under the permanent plan. Another legis-
lature will not convene until January,
1907 and I'm the meanwhile the supreme
court will havl acted and the status or
the temporary plan and Of its registration
will be defined.
cit is difficult to see what is to be gained
by upSettlnB the temporary pan U SUI
frage, for under the permanent plan not
many more negroes could be registered
than are registered at present.
It may be that the Alabama statesmen
who constructed the new constitution Of
that state builded better than the trainers
of the organic laws which have recently
been made for some other states of the
south.
At any rate. they view with serene self
confidence the assaults that are being
brought to bear upon their work. and we
trust that this complacency will be found
to have ample justification.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
CLEVER LITTLE STORIES.
Chicago Daily News.

Henry Iabouchere, when he was an attache
at the British legation at Washington, was
once sent by the British minister to look after
some Irish patriots at Boston" He was not
in the city a couple Of hours before he found
his way TO a gambling den and was stripped Of
all his money but 80 cents. On this he lived
for a couple Of days, sleeping on the common
and washing in the bay. Then he could stand
IL no longer and dropping into the best res
taurant he could come across, ordered a thor
oughly satisfying dinner. The walters were
ali Irish and he noticed they seemed 70 be
examining him pretty closely. BY the time ne
reached his cigarette the walters were stand
ing around him in crowds At last one OF them
Iesned over him and said: "Axing your pardon,
sorr but are ye the patriot Meagher9
'sHushP' said 'Labby," looking round mys-
teriously Then he called for his bin and went
boldly up TO the desk to pay it. But the pro-
prietor was an Irishman and would not hear
Of it. He thanked me with tears In his eyes,
said ''Iabby'' afterward, "for the honor had
done him in patronizing his poor hosiery, ana
asked TO be allowed TO shake my hand. al
lowed him and went out with the air Of naughty
gloom peculiar to exiled patriots"
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01

What makes it, writes a correspond
ent, that all 'watchdogs of the treasury
are named Joe7 There's Uncle Joe Can
non and Dom Joe Hall, for Instance"
Really, we hadn't thought Of that. but
we are much obliged to you for calling
our attention to it. Having taken day
off yesterday, we had run out of Joe Hall
paragraphs. But to get back to business;
we are taking something for your ques-
ton. and will try to answer it in our
newt N
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-01
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.
Chicago Daily News.

Chicago DaIIy NtWs
Large checks arr the correct thing in law
suits this season.
Don't argue with fool. Listeners will say
there are two of a kind.
A coward likes to believe that discretion is
the better part OF valor.
A mans heart is blamed for a lot of things
that his head Is responsible for.
When a woman keeps a secret she can't keep
secret the fact that she is keeping one.