davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
CHApTER THELYE.

1t is In accord with the eternal fitness
of things for the manager of the cleo
trio lighting company, acting through
one of it's employees, to ask for an order
of court restraining the city council
from submitting to the voters of Omaha
the proposition to grant ar electric
power and light franchise and to cite
chapter xii of the Compiled Statutes
Of 1901 as a ground for court interven-
ton.
Under chapter xii it is made unlaw-
full for any officer of the city to become
interested in or in n way partake of
the advantages and profits of any con-
tract work or letting to be made under
authority of and by the city council.
If this provision of the charter would
invalidate the proposed franchise, as is
claimed by the attorney for the electric
lighting company, the attempt to re-
strain the council by injunction is a
waste of energy and the employment of
a member of the fire and police com
mission to procure such an order a
waste of corporation funds.
1t is passing strange, however, that
the manager of the electric lighting
company has not had his attention pre-
viously called to the provisions of chap
ter xii, which makes it a misdemeanor
for a member of the city council to be-
come directly or indirectly interested
in contracts with or the purchase and
sale of material furnished to fran
chised corporations. 1t is a matter of
council, who was afraid to vote for the
new power and light franchise ordi.
nance because it might subject him to
penalties for contempt of court, has
been for more than a veal on the pay.
roll of the electric lighting company,
1t is a matter of notoriety also that an.
other member, who entertains such
awful fears, has supplied the Thomson.
Houston Electric Lighting company
with thousands upon thousands of dol
lars worth of fuel in violation of the
charter provisions.
To the ordinary unsophisticated mind
these employments and concessions are
nothing more nor less than downright
bribery and the course of these council
men In opposition to the proposed
power franchise needs no other explana
ton. 1t is also very remarkable thai
in the search for a lawyer capable OF
citing chapter xii to the court the man
ager of the electric lighting company
had to light upon a member of the
police and fire commission in violation
Of chapter xii. when there are at leasi
a hundred other lawyers at his com
mand who could do equally well
Manifostly the astute manager wants
to kill two birds with one stone. HI
wants to knock out the proposed power
and light franchise and annex the 20
lice commission for some scheme tina
he has up his sleeve.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
FRYING OUT SOME FAT.

Indianapolis Journal: The five packing
houses in Missouri, which have been fined
$4,000 each because they belonged to the
Beef trust, can pay their fines and go on.
II they do not pay within thirty days they
will be ousted from the state. That is, It
costs the members Of a trust s., 900 each to
do business in Missouri II paid to the state.
When a democratic state becomes partner
in a trust 1t cannot be so hideous as 1t has
been painted.
Philadelphia Ledger: So far as the state
OF Missouri is concerned, the members of
the Beef trust are made outlaws by a Judi
cial decree, as they are in fact. 1t is true
that the payment of the money fine, high
as It is, will constitute a trihing penalty
in comparison with the enormous extortions
Of the trust. Yet'the power that has i'm
posed this fine upon the outlaws can infict
upon them a more condign penalty should
they continue to treat court DEGREES with
contempt. 't
Brooklyn Eagle, II they recognize the
| Judgment OF the court and pay their fines
within thirty days they may continue to do
business in the state, but not under any
agreement regulating prices. II they do
not pay their fines or in any other way
disregard the ruling of the court. they
are DarGeu from Inc missouri markets.
h decision will be generally approved,
no matter what the constructive effect OF
it may be upon corporate enterprise and
privileges.
Baltimore American. With this demon
stration of the efficiency Of state laws for
curbing the trusts 1t would not be cur
prising to see other states copying the
Missouri statute. Nor do we know that
it would be a bad thing for them to do 50.
The law has operated to free the people Of
Missouri from the operations Of this mon
strous organization which sought to con-
troll the dime tables of the land. 1t said
to them: you may do what you please
elsewhere, but within the state Of Mis-
souri, you shall maintain no combination
for the purpose of regulating the supply
orethe price of meat" iF The fact that such
a combination was maintained has been
proved, and now ttbe guilty trust is up for
punishment. II other states could, by en-
acting and enforcing similar laws, achieve
the same result, there would be no occa-
sion for federal interference with the trust
subject, and the trusts would quickly dis
appear. We take Off our hats to Missouri
and congratulate her upon her success as
a trust buster, about whose effectiveness
there is no doubt. f'
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
FoR BETTERMrNT oF IRELAhp.

At last the secretary for Ireland has
introduced in the House of Commons
the long-talked-OfI land bill. the purpose
of which is TO enable Irish tenants to
become owners Of the lands they oc-
cupy. The measure follows very closely
the terms agreed upon some time since
at the Dublin conference OF landlords
and tenants and which were entirely
satisfactory to the Irish political lead
ers. The proposition that the govern
ment shall make a free grant Of $6O.OOO,-
900 for carrying ou the purpose of
the measure certainly appears liberal
and ought to have the hoped for effect
Of promoting peace and contentment in
Ireland.
II is at least assumed that the new
plan will operate for the betterment of
that country, so long distressed by
rapacious and oppressive landlordism.
Under the existing system the Irish PEG
pie have been impoverished and held
in bondage by the landlords, with moth.
ing to encourage them to any greater
effort than was necessary to obtain a
bare subsistence. The country has been
steadily depleted OF population. while
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The proposition to repay ex-State
Treasurer Hin for alleged expenses in
CURED in defending himself as CO.
respondent with the Capital National
bank wreckers will not commend itself
to people familiar with the case. The
depository law prohibits the state treas
urer from depositing In any bank de-
pository more than 10 per cent of its
authorized capital. Had Treasurer Hill
complied with the law his deposit In
the Capital National bank would not
have exceeded $4,000 and the state
could not have lost more than $4,000
at the very worst. But for reasons best
known to himself Mr.. Hill had more
than $250,000 of state funds on deposit
in the Capital National bank when 1t
collapsed and by his illegal action en-
tailed,a loss Of $4,000 upon the state,
besides the interest and cost Of prosecu-
ton. 1t was a great streak Of luck for
him and his bondsmen that the Jury
cleared him by a Scotch verdict. It has
always been suspected that the potential
influence exerted by the bondsmen was
responsible for this extraordinary find
ing. Would It not be a tremendous
strain upon the generosity of the state
to have to repay the expenses incurred
by Mr.. Hill in defending his illegal de-
post of state money!
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
The NEW GOPHER KHAN.

There is nothing new under the sun.
Old-time politicians of Omaha doubtless
remember the first underground polit-
ical reform movement instituted by
what was then known ~ the Gopher
Khan" Members Of that oathbound
dark-lantern organization were pledged
to profound secrecy and implicit obedi-
ence by the head Gophers, who mas
queraded as reformers, but in reality
were place hunters banded together for
political spells. When the %searchlight
Of publicity was turned on them and
their doings exposed to public view they
dispersed like so many prairie dogs and
were heard of no more.
The Gophers Of 1903 belong to the
same species rs the Gophers of 1873.
Their methods and tactics are abso-
lutely the same. Their object is to go
for everything in sight and out of sight,
but always working in the dark. A
sample brick of Gopher methods is the
confidential pledge which has been ex-
tenslvely circulated in this city within
the past few weeks. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
Omaha, Neb.. March. ,..., 1908.
hereby make application for member
ship to the General Committee" an or
ganization for the promotion OF good clean
city and county government, and whether
accepted to membership or not. / hereby
pledge myself to keep It's workings and
ga.-eN4.. . aAaz-t 80 wunN - 49,
erned by the actions Of said committee.
Address.
Ward...... Precinct......
Recommended y..........."...
The general committee is run by an
inside ring known as the executive
committee. made up Of pie-biters and
place hunters, whose teeth have been
%sharpened by nibbling at the big mu-
nicipal and county cheese. One mem
Der of the General Committee" is re-
puted to be O man who salted down
$4,000 in county warrants. net profits
of four years thrift in feeding prisoners
in the county jail. Another member of
the "Rooters." who was not known Ia
possess a dollar of surplus when elected
to office three years ago, bought a farm
last summer for $4,000 spot casl
cleaned IN from road grading ant
bridge building. Other members of the
General Committee" have lived OIL
public pap since their nurses wiped tn,
milk on their chins. No wonder they
want their identity and their working.
kept a profound secret by the recruits
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
4 MENAoiNv SITUATION.

There is so intimate a connection be
tween financial conditions abroad and
financial conditions in this country that
the existing situation in1 the English
money market must command the seri-
Gus attention of American financial in
terests. The marked decline in British
consols during the last few days,
mainly due, as 1t appears, to the none
tary %strlngency in the London market,
is a circumstance the significance of
which should not be underestimated. 1t
denotes a condition which it Is not ex-
%travagant to say, remembering that
there is stringency in other foreign
money markets, constitutes a menace
to the financial affairs Of the world and
may prove to be, the beginning Of a
widespread reaction, with consequences
that cannot be foreseen.
London advices say that the POSSIBLE
ity of consols being in the sos has ere
ated CONSERVATION. mot only among
spectators and investors, but in the
great banking interests which have
hitherto considered 80 as being the
lowest possible price the security
was likely to go to. It is fur
ther stated that should consols
go down to and remain below 90 every
British bank will be obliged to re-
organize it's reserve and get out new
balances upon a fresh basis. There is
talk Of the government stepping In as
a buyer of it's own securities, but 1t is
pointed out that this would not give
the needed relief, since financial lenders
would doubtless withdraw loans. in
order to get more favorable terms else
where. At any rate the British govern
ment is hardly in a position to buy its
own securities. The national exchequer
has no considerable surplus that can be
used in this way and besides the gov
eminent is preparing to negotiate a new
loan of $150,000, 00O-a fact that may
have Il more or less decided bearing
upon the decline in consols.
What effect the English monetary sit
uation will have upon financial affairs
in this country is uncertain, but It
would seem that It must be ~unfavor-
able and that If the stringency abroad
becomes more intense 1t is quite posi-
BILE that it may have a severe effect
here. There has recently been heavy
borrowing Of foreign money. Large
sums nave been drawn from abroad by
the higher rates of interest here, yet
the American money market is still
close and will become more so If there
is no more foreign money to be Dor.
rowed, as seems probable. 1t is easy
to understand that this would cause q
shrinkage in values and very possibly
some curtailment of industrial and bust.
ness activity. If there should be an ex.
tensive withdrawal of foreign capital
loaned here the consequences to bust
ness and prosperity might be serious
but so long as that capital can carr
more here than abroad it will of course
remain with us.
There is probably nothing In the Lon
don financial situation that should
cause alarm in this country, but it Ger
tainly does suggest the expediency OF
conservatism and may well disturb
those who have unduly extended credits
or are heavily loaded with the secur
tiles Of overcapitalized combinations.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

Mark 1t down that in both house and
senate the scheme to turn back on the
fan value taxation of the franchised
corporations was sprung by a member
OF the Douglas delegation when every
representative Of this city and county
ought TO be %sauarely against corporate
tax evasion. That the efforts of the
franchised corporations to unload upon
the other taxpayers have been so far
Unsuccessful Is no fault Of the Douglas
delegation as a delegation
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The bill to change the method of ap-
portioning the state school fund is a bill
to hit Omaha taxpayers, but inciden-
tally it also hits q large majority of the
other taxpayers Of the state. To pass
1t would be for the representatives of
these other counties who would suffer
also to cut off their own nose to spite
their face. 3 = t7~ re
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The tea importers who are organizing
to increase the consumption of that
beverage might get some valuable point.
ers from the brewers. The brewers
have waged a systematic campaign of
printers ink to make their brands and
brews familiar throughout the land.
Liberal patronage of the advertising
columns of the newspapers will do as
much for the tea business by popular.
izing the demand. The only thing neces.
sary for the tea men to do is to wake
up and to adopt modern business
methods.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
Missouri showed Them
Minneapolis Times.

minneapolis Times.
The beef trust has been brought to a
realization OF the fact that the Missouri
antitrust law means something. 1t may
not stand the test Of the supreme court OF
the United States. but It certainly has
been approved by the highest tribunal OF
the state OF Missouri. Whether it is a
perfect law or not II is a significant in
dioation OF the trend of modern legisla-
ton relating to combinations for the ar
bitrary control OF the market for certain
necessaries OF life. II courts and Iegis-
latu-es-to say nothing Of congress-keep
hammering away, such corporations as the
beef trust and the anthracite coal com
bine may become a little more regardful
OF the rights Of the public in time
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

to the Gopher Khan. whom they are en-.
listing for this war and the next
II all the tenderfoot Gophers can be
prevailed on to follow blindly in the
path laid out for them by the committee
and ask nc questions, the Gopher chiefs
confidently look forward to a superb
repast at the municipal crib. But The
Bee would enjoin upon all loyal
Gophers to keep this fact a profound
secret.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
pairing railroad Projects.
New York Tribune.

With unbroken railway connections be-
tween Behring strait and Patagonia, prom
ised in no long time by Special Commits
sioner Pepper, Cecil Rhodes Cape to Cairo
scheme. continentally embracing as Il is,
enjoys no monopoly of grandiosity. Both
are worthy Of the ~enterprising period in
which they originate, the sunset and dawn
of the past and rising centuries bringing
richer gifts to man than any in the process
sion from the times Of Hammurabi, and his
old tables OF law outdating Moses, down to
the present.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The newly appointed assistant TO the
attorney general who is TO be specially
assigned To the Department of Com
merce TO enfopce the law upon the
trusts is known as a legal authority on
bankruptcy. Some of the trusts may
need an expert in bankruptcy in rum
ming up against, the prohibitions of the
federal laws while President Roosevelt
is at the helm.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
COMING OF SPRING.
Alfred Tennyson.

Alfred Tennyson.
Now fades the last long streak of snow,
Now Dungeons every maze of quick
About the Towering squares, and thick
BY ashen roots the Violets blow.
! Now rings the woodland loud and long,
HI distance takes a lovelier hue,
And drowned in yonder living blue
The lark becomes a sightless song.
Now dance the lights on lawn and lea,
The hocks are winter down the vale,
And milkier every milky sail
On winding stream or distant sea;
Where now the seamew pipes, or dives
In yonder greening CLEAN, and fly
N happy birds, that change their sky
To build and brood; that live their lives
From land to land; and in my breast
Spring wakens, too; and my regret
Becomes an April violet.
And buds and blossoms like the rest.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
POINTED AND PLEASANT.

at never saw a man witt such a head for
business" said the first fly,
Smart, is her aneried the other ~
very bald-headed. Chicago Tribune.
He-But you admitted to my sister yes
terday that you were in the wrong.
She-Suppose / did2
He-Weii, then, why won't you make up
She"f will as soon as you apologize
Philadelphia Press.
Tramp-Is dis all yer kin simme-er cup
full NV cold water?
Kind Lady-of. course not You can nave
News
well, SUM- said Brother Dickey, 'Br'er
Williams sho' did fool CO bailiffs one time
in his life!"
'Wy-dey come to levy on him, en- foun'
| dat all he had in the roun' worI wuz de
rheumatism en- one wtfe!"-Atlanta Constl-
tuition. rH--f"'f9ii sIiMfH Nil'i@
80 YOU are opposed to government own
II am" answered Senator Sorghum; II
hold our glorious government In too much
affection to run the FISK OF nearing II De
ton Star.
She stepped into a place whose window
Messenger Boys Furnished"
Walking up to the clerk behind a DESK
could I get a boy any cheaper unfur-
| nished ?"-Baltimore American.
Hell met your friend Biz when was
down in my automobile this morning.
She-Indeed! Did he say anything to
your"
I-Yonkers Statesman.
Remember said the optimist. every
day'll be Sunday, by and by"
''Yes,' groaned the pessimist, land I'll
bet there'll be morning and evening services
! right along, too. "-Philadelphia Press.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

General Miles has made an official
report of his observations on his ORR
entail trip, but it is to be kept as a
confidential document. 1t would not
do to let the Oriental monarchs know
how much we know about their mill
tary establishments, They will be per-
fectly welcome, however. to send all
the ENJOYS they please over here to
observe how Uncle Sam prepares for
war. "'TtS
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
stands to HIS Credit.
st. Paul Pioneer Press.

The readiness with which President
Roosevelt recedes from any position wher
convinced that be, has made a mistake is
ais much to be admired as his t~enacity in
sticking to a purpose when he knows he
ID right. The Plimley case. where he with.
drew a commission for an $4,000 appoint.
ment after the nominee had been con-
hrmed by he senate, on a request from
that body. illustrates one characteristic
his attitude in refusing to exclude negroes
from office, the other.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

II we only have a few more legisla-
tive committees to look into the crooked
manipulations of former state treas
urers. the taxpayers OF Nebraska will
learn that while the treasury has been
looted to the extent of hundreds of
thousands Of dollars, nobody ever bene-
fitted even a penny by the loss.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

1t is said that tariff reform and trust
extinction are to take the place of i'm
perialism and militarism on the demo-
cratic program. If so, which will rank
as paramount will depend upon which
wing Of the party holds the winning
hand In the convention of 1904.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The Real Estate exchange and the
Commercial club have withdrawn their
cross bills in the suit for divorce. Both
are supposed to be working earnestly
for the advancement and prosperity of
Omaha and they can certainly accom-
pllsh more working together than they
could pulling apart.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

Just to keep up the excitement Great
Britain will hold a court-martial on the
conduct of one Of its chief military
commanders. From the advance news,
embalmed beef and Philippine atroc-
tiles will not be IN the same class.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
Hustle for Your snare.
Portland Oregonian.

A current circulation of $50, barring a
tiny fraction, for every man, woman and
child in the commonwealth, is probably
the best showing ever made by any nation
the p~rice'of a cow or a spring overcoat
for everybody. It's distribution is a trihe
irregular, but that is like the seas level
always in a state of disturbance and
r~ectihcation. 81 tt
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

George Gould is ambitious to make
his Wabash road one Of the coal lines
sharing in the traffic of the anthracite
region. In other words. the profits in
sight from prospective coal business
Notwithstanding higher wages to the
miners are toe tempting to be resisted.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

AS long as DR.. Parkhnrst and General
Funston content themselves with shoot
ing paper wads at each other with the
whole continent between them, their
pastlme Is not likely to become dan
gerous,
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The BARLEY investigating committee
has made it's report, but as the commit
tee has not yet been discharged, the
important business that keeps BARLEY
out Of the state cannot be neglected.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
Crucial Test OF skin.
San Francisco Can.

San Francisco Call.
The erort of the Agricultural department
TO breed a CHECKED without feathers is good
In It's way, but after all it is nothing in
comparison to the effort to produce a dem
ocratic candidate for the presidency with
out a political record.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
Not Much of a Load.
Atlanta ConstitutIon

He"nla CONSTITUTION.
Our army OF 60, 900 men costs the peonIe
just a little less h 81 per capita ner
annum. This lacks a good deal of making
every taxpayer carry a soldier on his back"
lin fact, we are hardly carrying a soldiers
cap apiece.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
The UniversnI Critic.
New York world.

MI. Bryan in the role of universal critic
is one the people are becoming accus-
toned to, but he should not object when
he in turn is held up to criticism. AS an
old laconic saying expresses it, HE who
would shun criticism must not be a scrib-
bier; and he who would court 1t must
great abilities OF great folly"
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

Having entertained the fusion mem
bers of the legislature at luncheon,
Colonel Bryan can nov defy the dem
ocratic re~organizers to crush him in his
own state at their peril.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The appointment by both houses of
the legislature of committees on final
adjournment is pretty good evidence Of
the beginning of the end.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

Hurry up those constitutional amend
ments. There is not much time TO be
lost If they are to pass before the SEES
sion closes.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26

The BARLEY investigating committee
appears to have exhausted itself in a
feeble effort to find nothing.