davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
Wants Postage Stamps at Wholesale Rates.

To THE EDITOR or TIVE SUN-,ST: II must urt"'
TO every civic mind that paying the Same amo!'
proportonallv for single two cent stamp as Joy
A hundred or y thousand Is not fair economical
and not fair to the purchaser. ON almost eve
article sold In a wholesale way nowadays there i
n reduction or rebate, But upon two-cent stamp
and other postage our Government mas not p''"
seized with any abnormal symptoms OF rclenuHF'
and the citizens OF this twentieth century and ar"
permitted TO purchase as many postal CARDS ava
hostage stamps Us they want al the regular marNe!
value.
1t seems only proper that some sort OF chane'
should be made, that books OF postage should
he issued containing nifty two cent stampS ana %"
sold for say az cents And In like ratio DOCK
Of 100 200 and hi rher amounts should be issued ror
s, ~, $685. and 50 on. This same reduction should
amply TO postal cards and In fact, to all KINDS o'
postal prices. ,,,,..
In these days OF prosperity, liberty and hperahP
A merchant citizen Of this great republic ought mol
to nav the same rates some sentimental woman
who buys perhaps n few hundred stamps TO al
advertising merchants who expend yearly S""
or more In postage a rebate OF not less than 80
or more should be allowed.
Boston. Mass. Sept, H. CHARLES n HOLMES
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
Tho Shiftlessness Of Thomas Gowan.

Tho Shiftlessness Of Thomas Gowan.
THOMAS GowAN used to drive a coal
wagon. On Labor Day he and other
drivers employed by the coal firm for
which he was working struck because
they were ordered to work. Last Thurs
day morning GowAN was prisoner in
the Harlem court. He told this story to
the Magistrate:
IL can't get any work now. and the union has
ordered me to stay out. When went home last
night found my children crying for food and my
wife so weak she could hardly walk. In order to
save them from starving l went out and stole the
door knobs hoping to sell them"
A probationary officer investigated
the story and found it true. GowAN's
employers said he was sober and hard
working man. GowAN's family was
weak for want of food. When the strike
was called, A.12 was due him. or this
he had to pay 81 for cap. belt and cane
to wear in the parade. He must have
paraded with happy heart Was there
not IL cents left to support his family
indefinitely?
The trouble with THOMAS GowAN
seems to be that he is shiftless. How
else can we account for his inability to
support his family on II cents? What
would he have done, had the union been
less generous with him?
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
Does England Want the Congo Free
Stater

Prominence has been given recently to
the Congo Free State through charges Of
exceeding brutality toward the native
people on the part of settlers and officials.
SO direct and so vigorous have the
charges been that an official reply has
been made. 1t is merely an old story in
new field. Complaints from English
sources upon such subject do not come
with the best of grace. English residents
we're notable among the offenders and
England's history presents a very long
array Of similar experiences in other
lands. While England's colonial policy
of recent years has undoubtedly been q
wise one, it has, even in recent years,
again and again come into conflict with
native peoples, sometimes with military
force and sometimes by instances of indi-
vidual brutality, all lamentable, but per-
haps not always entirely avoidable.
Perhaps it is not for liz 70 cavil at the
so-called atrocities which have been the
constant attendants Of the vanguard of
civilization. Our own ancestors, both
English and American, were none too
gentle with the Indians whose posses
sions we now occupy. 1t has been the
history of all colonization; but when
England or English people complain
against their neighbors for processes in
which they are themselves adept, we
naturally look for Interior motives.
England never shuffles about her qIes-
tons of territorial expansion although
she may not make premature announce
ment of her desire for any given region
A little study of the map will show how
much that vast area Of equatorial Africa
would mean to the mother of colonies
1t is the connecting link between the ter
ritory which she now controls in South
Africa and in Egypt.
A hundred years ago, nearly EnglanG
took permanent possession Of what Is
now Cape Colony. Through many vicis.
STUDIES of political fortune she has crept
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
InveCtive In Prayer.

To THE EDITOR OF The Sun sir: Mr. Tome
SarQcntlch In TO days SUN objects 10 the use by
Mosem students and devotees of the prayer against
the enemies Of Islam wherein inndels and poly the
lists are declared be the lawful booty OF the faith
full would like 10 point out that on the thirteenth
day OF every month the sixty eighth Psalm Is
read In all Protestant Episcopal churches by both
Minister and people in which the following tn rec
Christian verses occur
"2f God hall wound the cad OF his enemies and
the hairy scalp OF such one as goeth on In his
wickedness
"22 The Lord hath said I will bring my people
again as | did from Basan: mine own will bring as
did from the depths OF the sea.
"23 That thy foot may be dipped In the blood
Of thine enemies and that the tongue OF thy dogs
may be red tn rough the same"
Surely the tone OF this Is no better than that OF
the Moscm prayer referred to, The fact Is that In
both religions this style OF lnvcctive has become
a matter OF FORM relic OF past age, to the literal
meaning OF which only fanatics adhere.
| should add shat Mr. MohammAd BarakatuIlah
Is not q Turk. He does not know word Of Turkish,
but Is a Moslem HIndoo whose native tongue is
Urdu or Hlndustani, FAIR PLAY,
NEW YORK, Sept 10.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19

northward until her northern boundary
line touches Lake Tanganyika, nearly
1000 miles from Cape Town, and marches
with the southeastern border OF the
Congo Free State. At that point the
Congo State and German East Africa
form a continuous barrier from the Az
lantic to the Indian Ocean. Upon the
north England holds Egypt, from
which she is in no way likely to re-
lease her hold Her influence extends
southwark from Alexandria to the sources
of the White Nile, more than 500 miles
away. There her holdings join the bor-
der of her East Africa Protectorate, with
its Indian Ocean port of Mombasa and
the new Uganda railway. Here again
she strikes the sea to sea barrier OF the
Congo State and German East Africa.
Control of the Congo State would give
her control, through British territory,
from Cape Town to Cairo, nearly 5000
miles.
We're England in control Of the Congo
State, now intervening between her lines
in Africa, her holdings in that continent
unbroken by foreign possessions would
embrace an area of nearly 5, 900 600 square
miles, or about As per cent. OF the entire
continent of Africa. This, in its area,
would be about the equivalent Of Canada,
Alaska, and one third of the United States
proper.
But the Congo State would mean even
more than that to England. Her pres
ent ports of traffic for her more than
900, 900 square miles of South African
territory are Durham and Cape Town.
The commerce of Rhodesia must go l'5OO
miles >southward and return 1900 miles
| northward in order to reach it's destlna-
ton. Transvaal products must travel
900 miles. Pretoria ships it's products
200 miles southwark to Cape Town.
from which point they are forwarded
5000 miles to England. With England
in possession of the Congo State Rho
desian and even Transvaal products
could go northward by rail to a port at
the mouth of the Congo River, only lit
tie further away than Cape Town, and
save 1000 miles Of sea voyage to England.
Nor are the natural resources OF the
Congo State itself to be left out Of con-
sideration in a question of England's
possible desire to possess it. Its area il
approximately 100000 square miles. 1t
is now peopled by some 100000 of the
Bantu race. It's European population
numbers about $500. Although bisected
by the equator, it is not all unhealth-
full and portion of its area is even re-
garded as salubrous. 1t includes vast
forests Of valuable woods. Its agrl-
cultural possibilities are almost llmitless'
Valuable deposits Of metals and min
erals are said to exist within its borders.
Good government, transportation facill-
ties and intelligence and persistent
industry are needed.
In undeveloped possibilities the Congo
State has perhaps no rival to-day. Bel
GUM, its practical governing power
does little with it. England could per-
haps make it possession Of great value
AT all events, the region is certain to
attract interest in the early future.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19

A heavy frost in Colorado this week is
estimated to have spoiled $3.50 900 worth
Of cantaloupes at Rocky Ford. At New
York prices this would mean that 100000
melons were nipped by the cold The
melon raising business and the number OF
communities interested in it increase an
nually The st. Louis Globe Democrat has
been investigating the melon industry OF
Marion county, III. In 1885 Uncle BILLY
Ross, having lived in Texas for a time,
returned to his home in Alma, bringing
with him a pocketful of melon seeds
At first he grew only enough melons to
supply the home demand, but the fertile
bottom land was 80 rich that he was able to
send some melons to Chicago. The commits
sion merchant to whom he consigned them
called for more Other farmers began
to plant melons, and since 1885 the trade
has amounted to 81 400 900. II is growing
constantly Land which was worth $40
an acre twenty years ago now sells
for over 500 an acre if it is ever thrown
on the market.
In one year an acre Of land produced
melons which netted $3.50 to the grower.
Returns Of 500 to $500 an acre are not un-
common, according to the Giobe-Democrut.
Through August and early September the
harvest extends, and the whole section has
felt the benefit OF the trade.
Marion county ought TO erect monu-
ment to Uncle BILLY Ross.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
Town Meeting Cake.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir' learned
friend OF mine who Is especially well versed In Ne"
England culinary lore informs me that when nc
was boy in Abngton. Mass, no respectable cili
zen ever failed TO attend Town Meeting or 10 carry
home with him from that great gathering otlhr
prople A liberal supply OF Town Meeting cake !
am A Southcrner, and until he told me OF II novef
hea I'd Of Town Meeting cake.
NV learned New England friend describes II as
kind OF bun definition which Is entirely too vague
Ex Senator william Eaton Chandler OF New Hamp
shire says he distinctly remembers the Town Meet
Ing cake as one OF the most delicious morses lmaS
Unable. and agrees with my learned friend from
Abingt ION that every respectable citizen was eh
pcctcd to carry back home at a considerable OUTLAY
Of cash liberal supply OF Town Meeting cake a.
evidence that he had participated In tho Town
Meeting: but Mr. Chandler aSsevcratcs that the
Town Meeting cake of his boyhood was a kind o.
doughnut.
What are the constituent elements OF the New
England Town Meeting cake, how Is II cooked. VIVA
relation IL 1t to the doughnut the crullcr. the bun
&c and how much OF II can the unlnltlatcd eat WIN
safety j, J. DICKINSON
WARRINGTON n. G., Sept. %
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
NEW WARSHIPS LACK GUNS.
vessels Completed Faster Than the Gun
Fsctory Can Furnish Armaments.

WARRINGTON. Sept. 1s.-The impera-
tive need Of providing facilities at the
naval gun factory in Washington for turn
ing out guns at q faster rate than is now
possible has been brought TO the atten-
ton of the Navy Department in report
of board composed Of Capt. W. M. Fol-
ger, Commander j. NJ, Bowyer and Lieu
tenant Commander +. +. Fletcher. This
board was appointed several months ago
as the out come OF a statement by CHIEF Naval
Constructor Bowles, that completed war
vessels we're delayed In being commits
stoned by the failure Of the gun factory to
furnish their ornaments on time.
According to the board, the factory
facilities should be greatly increased. At
present three shifts OF men are employed.
each eight hours, hut they cannot DO the
work required on account Of lack OF shops
there should be a factory big enough to
do all the work with only one shift work
ing eight hours. 1t ia recommended that
facilities be provided for turning out all
guns Of Z, 8, 10, II and Is inches calibre.
and half the guns OF smaller sizes. the
remaining half to be built by private con on
tract. On account Of the demand for the
batteries Of new ships. the Navy Depart
ment was recently obliged to place an order
for sixty guns.
In describing the condition produced by
the limited work which the gun factory
Is able TO perform. the board says:
by january. 1907. when the last Of the
present ships authorized IL due, there
will be required 1913 guns OF s-inch calibre
or their equiv alont in Finch guns, over and
above the number that can be completed
at the gun factory up to that date. At
| an output of sixteen s-inch guns per year.
working double time, the delivery OF the
last guns will be about eight years behind
tho date Of completion Of the last ship =,
In view of the serious condition pointed
out by the board, Secretary Moody is ex-
pected to ask Congress to appropriate
literally to build more gun shops. Esti-
mates Of 81, 40 1853 to make the necessary
| improvements are submitted with the
boards report
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
Joseph Chamberlain.

Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN really wrote his
resignation and his announcement OF
independent action weeks ago when he
said:
Unless the question OF trade and commerce 10
settled satisfactorily. for one do not believe in the
continuance OF the British Empire,
Protesting that view and believing
that the continued existence OF the Brit
ish Empire depends upon the adoption OF
a particular policy of tariff reform, Mr.
CHAMBERLAIN could continue to act
ministerialy only with Cabinet equally
convinced of the supreme Importance
of his idea, and prepared to go with MN
to any extreme in realizing 1t.
Otherwise, Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN, on his
own statement, would remain in the I'M
perial Government only as an accessory
10 its ultimate destruction. This, from
his point Of view, would be very much
like treason.
Therefore he takes himself off and
stands apart and alone, a leader just now
without party, but waiting for one to
gather to his support. Meanwhile, he
leaves his former party free.
The manner of the doing of the same
was artistically perfect. Nothing hand
somer in the way of political CORE
spondence has been printed for years on
either side of the Atlantic than the letter
of Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN relieving Mr..
BALFoURs Ministry Of the inconvenience
Of his presence, and the reply of Mr..
BALFoUR bidding CHAMBERLAIN God
speed on his mission to the country.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19

York city. Much more money Is spent
on education than on the policing OF the
city, the prosecution of accused persons,
the maintenance of the courts. and the
punishment OF criminals.
Out of a total budget of approximately
500, 100000 to be raised by taxation,
practically a quarter goes for the educa-
ton of the children through the Board
of Education. Large sums are also APP
propriated for this purpose through
other channels, and the expenditures for
school sites and buildings made from
the proceeds of bond sales mount into
the millions each year.
No one complains because Of these
vast expenditures. In fact, there Ii loud
and continual complaint because suffi-
Gent sums are not spent to give seat to
every child of school age in the city-a
community angry because its officials DO
not spend money fast enough. About
$4,000 children of school age are in part
time classes now in the city OF prodigious
expenditures.
Some of the school officials believe
the time will never come when the school
capacity will equal the demands made
on it. They are wrong. Some day an
administration will come into office
that will spend such sum for school
sites and buildings as has never been
appropriated before, provide a seat for
every child for full days tuition, and
thereby earn a great name in the city
annals
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
An Interna tiOnal Romance.

A young English woman named st. John,
Met n red skinned American 1t. John,
who made her his bride.
And gave her beside
4 costume with gaudy bead FRI, John,
Her old sweetheart. fellow named Beauchamp
when he heard the news, said, IN teauChamp
4 lesson or two,
IN make them f,el blue
As soon as m able to reauchamp."
He invited his side partner. Cholmondely,
To assist him, but he acted glomondely:
Just sat still and heard
But said not word
. Expressing unwilllngness dolmondsly.
So Brauchamp. whose homo was In Gloucester,
Returned there. convinced he had loucestcr.
Nor griryed at her fate
When he heard that in hate
Her spouse o er = precipice toucesier.
y. ". ". -
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
Amendment of the Naturalization Laws
Called For.

To THE EDITOR OF THE Sun sir what advo
cate Is n very simple proposition
I. To put stop TO the degradation of the ballot
by the repeal of the naturalization laws and m
amendment of the Constitution, SO That the dignity
of citizenship can be conferred on men OF foreign
birth who may have distinguished themselves in
any way TO the honor and benefit OF the country
as did John Ericsson.
? To establish Is Judicial revision Of all ouls,and
Ing certificates OF naturalization. thereby cancel
ling very large number OF fraudulent issues. with
the effect OF eevatlng, In the public mind, the est
nation Of the ballot ALBERT GRANGER
\ DIRK Sent. Ii.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
VAIL FROM NORMAL COLLEGE.


The Normal College on East Sixty-eighh
street is in something Of a hot and fearful
state Just at present over a rule passed by
the faculty last year. the effects Of which
are just beginning to be felt.
Studies at the Normal College are CLASH
fed by the faculty into seven groups. The
new rule says that any student who failed
in two groups out of the seven would have
to take the years work over again Who
ever failed in one, could try another ex-
animation in that subject in the fall.
second failure sends the student back
again.
The $500 students of the college didn't
nav much attention to the new rule when
it was first made Since the July examina-
tions. however, about 300 have found that
they've got TO spend this year going over
old work.
Yesterday The SUN received com
munication inscribed in the bold angnari'y
of feminine youth. 1t was signed Edna
Rice, lis East Forty-sixth street and
pleaded that reporter be sent to the col
iepe, Immediately, $50 that the public may
resent by lust clamor this unjust action"
The reporter found the door Of the Normal
College guarded by policeman who said,
President Hunter has given orders that
he won't see any one and superintendent
Leafs gone home" One of the teachers
said,
"Its the silliest thing | ever heard, !
know that when lot of the girls found
they'd have to take last years courses
over again, they made some fuss and their
parents made a little protest. but tnar
| all thought the new rule fair enough until
thew found they were going to be caught
by L themselves. As for Edna Rice, there's
not such girl in college. But ia almosl
rather one Of my girls should fail In all
seven courses than write to paper under
| an assumed name
The building at the address Edna hice
gave has been torn down for two weeks.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19

During the last week Of August the New
York city death rate was 1851, against 1s.sO
for 1902. The corrected death rate in
compiling which non-residents and infants
under one week old are excluded, was 1877.
In spite of the presence of several large
institutions, whose population is IN part
drawn from other boroughs, The Bronx had
the lowest death rate, 1497 for all classes,
and 143S for residents more than week
old. Richmond's death rate for all classes
was 10 40, and the corrected rate was 1881.
The figures for Queens were l7l3 and Is 90
respectively Brooklyn's death rate was
1884, and the corrected figures we're 1912.
In Manhattan the rate was 1899, uncor-
rected. and 1855, corrected. 1t appears
that Richmond was the most unhealthful
borough for strangers and infants, and
Manhattan for its own residents. The cool
weather had much to do with the low death
rate throughout the city.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19

violation OF the treaty, and war with
England in consequence.
We do not think the Times will main
tain that the limit originally set upon
the life Of the first Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty marked the expiration of reason
ableness in that attempt; or that Secre-
tary HAY was unreasonable in using
more time in his further and finally sue
cessf,ll efforts to accomplish the great
end then in view.
1t seems to us that the President will
be justified in awaiting further instruc-
tions by the Congress whose meeting Is
now in the near future.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
The Expiration of the Proposed Hay.
Herran Treaty.

Our neighbor, the Times, contends
with its usual force of persuasive argu
ment, that Mr.. ROOSEVELT himself fixed
and determined the limit of reasonable"
time for dealing with Colombia when he
or his Secretary of State, allowed eight
months for the ratification of the Hay
Herran treaty negotiated on the 22d of
last January. The eight months will ex-
pire on Tuesday next. Hence, in our
neighbours opinion, the reasonable time
predetermined by the President expires
next Tuesday likewise, and Mr.. RoosE
WELT, under the terms Of the law, must
on that date turn to Nicaragua and
Costa Rica, and prepare to dig a canal
by the inferior route.
With due reference to our neighbours
opinion, we feel ourselves compelled to
make distinction between the idea of
a reasonable time for the accomplish
ment of great purpose, and reasonable
time in which to ascertain the success
or failure of particular instrument de-
signed to accomplish that purpose. The
duration Of the one reasonable time is
not necessarily coterminous with the
duration of the other
This may seem metaphysical to those
who are more in a, hurry to turn back to
Nicaragua and the inferior route than
we believe President ROOSEVELT to be;
nevertheless, we must insist upon the
distinction.
The reasonable time allowed for the
ratification of proposed treaty is itself
reasonably elastic, and is frequently ex-
tended. AT every period the reasonable
ness depends on circumstances existing
at that time, and not on any precon-
ceived calendar or schedule
For example, our neighbor will recall
the case Of the negotiations with Great
Britain for the elimination of the re-
straints imposed upon this Government
by the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, Suppose
law had given the Administration a
reasonable time" in which to secure
from Great Britain the abrogaton of the
treaty, with the alternative Of action in
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
BRONZE TABLET UNVEILED
In Memory of the Officers and Men OF the
Ninth Infantry.

UTICA, Sept. ls.-Lerayede Chaumon'
Chapter of the Daughters OF the American
Revolution has unveiled a handsome bronze
tablet at Sacketts Harbor in memory OF the
officers and men Of the Ninth United State
Infantry who lost their lives during the
campaigns in Cuba, China ard the PhiIlr-
pinies. 1895 1902. It bears the names OF me
II Jisc,1m. and the names of 2S8 men who
fell with them in the service.