davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Illinois Moving 60 Repeal the Law
Limiting Death Damages.
Chicago Tribune.

chicago IrlDuno.
Fifty years ago next month the Illinois
legislature liberalized the common law by
permitting damages to be recovered for
the benefit OF the widow and next OF kin
where the death OF a person had been
caused by the wrongful act. neglect or de-
fault OF another. when the legislature
made this desirable change In the law II
provided that the fair and Just compensa-
lion" for the p~ecuniary injuries to the
family Of the deceased should not exceed
IS. 900. That Limitation on the damages
which a Jury may award has remained I'M
changed to this day.
Half a century ago 81. 900 was a large sum.
II earned for its owner when he loaned II
more than twice as much as II will today.
A merchant who had made $4,000 then
was considered to have accumulated a for
tune and to be in a position where he could
afford to retire from business. The aver
age earning power OF the man who works
with his head or his hands-his value to
the family OF which he Is the mainsNy-
is far greater today than IL was half a
century ago. For that reason verdicts in
suits to recover damages for personal in
juries which do not result in death are so
much larger than they we're. There are
cases where 5000 is ample compensation
III NhHt " hNaAhs 4 Ahng AaAI AaeA 1850
UP to the recipients the loss ocoasioned by
the death, but in an increasing number OF
cases 1t does not.
A bill has been introduced to raise the
limit from $4,000 to $50. OOO.- Its passage
will be a long rtep in the right direction,
but IT will be better to go still farther and
to have no limitation. The general as
sembly should complete the work begun In
1853 by providing that where a person has
of another those dependent on him shall
recover what they prove to be fair and
Just compensation for the pecuniary injury
inflicted on them by his death. This Is
the Law now In the state OF New York. I'm
der Il verdicts we're not long ago returned
against the New York Central awarding
damages for twelve times the amount that
can be awarded in Illinois. The damages
were not punitive. They represented
simply the value Of the decedents to their
families.
The influence Of railroad corporations
and other corporations which are liable to
pay damages for deaths occasioned by their
negligence will be exerted to defeat an at
tempt to raise the limitation or to do away
with It. The Legislature should rise SUI
perior to that influence and make the law
read as 1t should read. Then Il will be
for the railroads to protect themselves by
exercising greater care in the operation Of
their lines, thus minimizing the number Of
persons killed or injured through the
wrongful acts or neglect Of their employees.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
Lullaby.

Hush baby. my darling, the sand man IL
nigh
Rock-a-by-baby-o-byl
And he will soon get you. / see by your
eye
Rock-a-by-baby-o-by!
So cuddle up tight in your fond mothers
arms.
May angels watch Ger you and keep you
from harm.
And when bright morning dawns may you
first loving COO
Be the sound ina shall greet me and call
me TO you
Rock-a-by-baby-o-byi
Your sweet honey lips let me kiss. precious
one
Rock-a-by-baby-o-by!
Your troubles are ended, your days work
Is done
Rock-a-by-baby-o-byi
Now mamma enfolds you with loving en-
While smiles Of sweet innocence halo your
face.
May Your life be unclouded, as bright as
the sun;
May your troubles be few and real sorrows
not one.
Rock-a-by-baby-o-byi
Talmage. Neb. CORHDON ROOD.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

The endorsement Of the Howell water
bill by the Real Estate exchange shows
how easy it is TO pipeline a measure
vitality affecting the interests Of the
community through a body that is not
familiar with the subject and whose
members have not studied the problems
involved or the questionable features of
the proposed act. The bill in question
was first referred 10 a committee, a
majority OF which was In close touch
with Mr.. Howell and is said to be very
anxious to assist him in getting a sub
stantial foothold in Omaha. The COM
mittee heard Howell in behalf OF his
own measure and then asked the man
ager and lawyer of the water company
% state their objections. The manager
declined to talk. The lawyer declared
that his company had no objections to
the proposed purchase. providing 1t
could get a satisfactory appraisement,
but the taxpayers and heavy property
owners OF Omaha were not consulted.
The committee reported back TO the
members OF the exchange that in its
judgment the bill was all right and
the exchange took IT for granted that
il was all right and endorsed it with
out knowing to what extent 1t would
involve the city in needless expense
and costly litigation. In other words
they were willing 10 go 1t blind so Ions
as it held out the prospect OF municipal
ownership of the water works.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
MILLIONS ron DEFENSE.
Large stock of Money in the Treas
uries of Trade Unions.
Cleveland Leader.

SANhNAaAAa EaAAN
The public will be astonished TO learn
from the annual report OF the treasurer Of
the United Mine Workers OF America that
the organization has on hand more than
a million dollars. Coming so soon after
the great anthracite strike, when the
miners OF the hard coal region seemed TO
be reduced 20 extreme need, the condition
Of the treasury Of the union OF mine work
ers is far better than outsiders could have
guessed.
The big figures simply show what power
there is in vast number united for a COM
mon purpose. II only takes 81 or s. from
every membe OF the miners union TO
make $L.00O,O 900. and the American FEEDER
alton OF Labor could raise $l0,oOo'0OO BY a
tax Of 81 on every member.
The labor organizations OF the United
States have become giants worthy OF COM
parisOn With the huge business corpora
tons OF the times. Both labor and capital
are being welded into such immense masses
that the citizen who stands alone. as q
worker or as an investor, Is conscious OF
his littleness and his precarious position
whenever there are storms brewing in th'
business and Industrial NoTld
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
BRITISH OFFSET TO CUBAN TREATY

The first thought OF Americans gen.
orally in regard to British objection to
the reciprocity treaty with Cuba is
likely to be that it is IN impertlnent
attempt to interfere with the unques-
tionable right Of the United States and
the Cuban republic to enter into a COM
mercial agreement which they deem to
be Of mutual advantage. 1t is easy,
however, to understand the great con-
Germ manifested by the British manu-
facturers and merchants, since with the
treaty in operation most Of their trade
with Cuba would be lost and trans
ferred to American manufacturers and
merchants. This trade is now consid-
cradle. Another effect Of the treaty
would be to seriously injure the sugar
industry Of the British West Indian pos
sessions, which have been seeking a
reciprocity arrangement with this coun-
try that would be favorable TO their
sugar. or course with a 20 per cent re-
duction in the tariff on sugar imported
from Cuba the British islands cannot
probably compete in the American mar
ket and this would doubtless be disas-
trous to their sugar industry. That is
a matter, however, which the United
States is not bound to consider.
In negotiating a reciprocity treaty
with Cuba our government has had the
interests Of its own people in view.
Great Britain must look after the inter
ests of her colonial subjects as best II
can. The British cabinet win consider
what can be done. Retaliating with an
increased duty on grain has been sug-
gested. Existing conditions in the
United Kingdom are such as to make
exceedingly unpopular a course that
would increase the price of bread. There
are hundreds OF thousands OF unem-
ployed people and much restitution and
distress. A London dispatch of a few
days ago stated that the depression is
spreading steadily among the principal
trades and the number of voorhees,,
starving aborers was increasing. In
such circumstance 1t would be a griev.
J GUS mistake TO increase the grain duty
and it seems most improbable that this
will be done.
II appears that the British ambassa
dor at Washington has been informed
by Secretary Hay that in negotiating
the reciprocity treaty with Cuba the
United States has lone no more thai
had been promised and had no inten
ton Of modifying the treaty. 1t will
certainly not be modified in the inter
est Of the British possessions in tn,
West Indies. which have enjoyed tn
advantages OF the American market 70
their products and done the greater par
of their purchasing in the British mar
ket The treaty with Cuba should caus
no serious controversy. as II is sug
gested IL may, between Great Britain
and the United States. Our right {
make the treaty is unQuestionable an
its negotiation was prompted as we,
from a sense OF duty to Cuba as from
conviction that It is essential to IN
maintenance OF such close relation
with that republic as are panifestl
desirable for the mutual interests an
welfare Of the two countries. Their
are sound reasons for faVoring Crh
and In doing so our government is III
der no obligation to consider what n
eject may be upon the British posse
; s,ons. The conclusions OF the BIRTHS
cabinet viii be awaited with much il
terest
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Ex-senator Allen thinks he sees in
the Sears resolution, which pledges the
legislature to enact a new revenue law
which will insure the payment of out
standing debts and deficiencies before
appropriating money for new departures
in state institutions, "the master hand
Of the Hon. Edward Rosewater." Sen
ator Allen is decidedly complimentary,
but in this case ex-Speaker Sears is EN-
titled to all the credit for his course,
which has the hearty approval Of The
Bee.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

vision Of the work. There Is now In
the county bridge fund $29,403.O7 and It
may confidently be predicted that this
large sun will be dumped into the
bridge trust hopper unless the brakes
are put on and a new policy adopted
by the board Of commissioners in pro-
jecting and constructing bridges.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

The secretary of the Omaha Board
Of Education is said to be very much
wrought up over the audacity Of
Speaker Mockett in introducing a bill
that will have a demoralizing effect
upon the educational institutions of the
state and should it become n law would
place the schools under the direct power
of politicians" The offensive measure
denounced by the secretary authorizes
the appointment of school boards in
cities by the mayor and council. There
is nothing so absolutely audacious or
revolutionary in the proposition, al
though IL may shock the nerves of the
well paid and not overworked secretary.
School boards are appointed by mayors
subject to confirmation by boards of
aldermen or city councils In Chicago,
st, Paul, Albany and quite a number
Of other American cities. The character
and standing of the members will com
pare favorably in those cities with that
Of Omaha school boards and their re-
lation to politics and politicians differs
very little from the %nonpartisan Omaha
board, whose members are not barred
from participation in active politics.
What the secretary evidently breads is
a reyersion that might leave him out
in the cold when fuel is so scarce. We
a%pprehend. however, that he is unneces-
sarily alarmed over the Mockett bill
and the %audaclty of the speaker, at
least so far as Omaha is concerned.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

When IL ONE right down TO bust
ness and brass taeks, the state senate
has no real %pnerogatiye TO mix in the
work OF formulating the proposed new
revenue measure. y The Nebraska con-
sututiOn expressly declares that all
revenue bills shall originate in the house
and whatever participation is accorded
the senator's in joint committee is purely
by courtesy. Under the circumstances IL
might be proper for the senate end OF
the combination to sit in the back seats
and let the house members occupy the
front places on the platform
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
Fairly PardonsbIe Pride.
ST. Louis Republic

without arrogatirg TO itself any of that
disagreeable, pharisaical superiority which
its own recent crusade for clean govern
ment might naturally inspire, st. Louis
may tender a recipe to gang-ridden cities.
There is no startling novelty or originality
in the recipes determined, fearless grand
jury and a prosecuting officer with honesty
and courage.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
LAUGHING GAS.

willie-Pa, some words are called Jaw
breakers. Arn't they? What kind Of words
Pal guess. my son. they're the kind a
man is forced to eat at times.-Philadelphia
Press.
Sympathetic ListeneF-In these dreary,
desolate wastes. Mr.. Dashpole, 1 suppose
you grew fond even OF your dogs.
Returned Arctic ENplorer-Heavens. no,
miss! We had plenty of pemmican and
walrus meat.-Chicago Tribune.
sezso-Ruyter is not an author; he's a
born chemist.
Tizso-Why?
Sezso-Every novel he writes becomes a
drug on the market.-Brooklyh Eagle.
Why don't you get rid of that mule?"
'Ts done been a-tradin' ali my life, an /
nebber once got de best of a bargain. rs
ho.din' on to dat mule, case II was 70
jail or a case o typhoid feyer.'-Washing-
ton Star.
''Yop were telling Miss Gaussip this morn
again, weren't your said the shrewd man.
why yes" the Tidower Easped in sur
After you left her she began TO count
on her fingers. "-Philadelphia Press.
Mr.. Brighton has a faint streak Of down
on his upper lip.
when / get 10 be a man. papa" said his
big mustache like yours"
That boy has been feeding on candy ever
since.-Chicago Tribune.
"I want my photograph TO be a natural
likeness, without any retouching or embei-
ishing. l suppose you viii charge less for
it?"
ION the contrary, madam. we must
charge more"
More? Why is thatT'
MADAM, to let an exact likeness of you
go out OF this gallery without any work
upon IL would cost us a hundred customers
at least.'-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Philadelphia Press.
Aguinaldo says that he is sorry to emerge
from his quietude and retirement, but he
felt that 1t was his duty to ask the United
States for $50. OOO, 900 in gold and a credit
for $50. 900 900 more for the development OF
the Philippine islands. Aguinaldo had bet
ter thought of this matter before he began
his rebellion and destruction OF property.
II he is anxious to develop the islands he
had better work out some other method of
doing 1t, or else stay in retirement.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

In the year 1901 Douglas county ex-
pended $7S,S6d9l for new bridges. In
1902 the expenditure for bridges was
S25.2T.S4. or a total In two years OF
SlO3,59425 Competent engineers ex-
press the opinion that a saving OF $685.
600 might have been effected in the
construction OF these bridges had there
been fair competition and honest super
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
A Common LnnruaEe.
NeM York Trihune.

New 1ork Tribune.
Secretary Shaw In a carefully considered
speech expresses the earnest hope that
within a reasonable time English will be
the common language OF all the countries
in both the Americas. The advantages OF
such a change almost surpass imagination,
but IT canno be doubted that they will be
enjoyed by after generations. Perhaps not
at any time in this century, however, for
the obstacles and difficulties will be ex-
ceedingly hard 20 surmount.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
in Men.
Chicago Chronicle.

NHINdbV NHTULINIts
John Mitchell has refused a 500 900 resi-
dence rendered to him by the miners union
"a circumstance which will deepen Deacon
Eaer's conviction that Mitchell is a vision
airy and a crank. So far from refusing any
thing that is offered to him. the deacon Is
in the habit Of reaching forth and acquir-
ing anything that he want whether 1t is
submitted to his acceptance or not.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

A free distribution of copies of the
Kansas commissions revenue bill has
been instituted, with the palatial quar-
tiers maintained by John n. Baldwin
at the expense Of the Union Pacific as
the distributing point. The railroads
may be able to fool legislators who
want to be fooled, but they cannot fool
the taxpayers.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

John n. Baldwin OF Iowa has taken
upon himself the patriotic duty Of pro-
viding Nebraska with new revenue leg
islation. The Iowa statesman feels per-
fectly safe from any OF the pains and
penalties he would impose upon de-
iinquent Nebraska taxpayers.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

The wOman who has been playing
wetnurse to the royal family OF Italy
seems to have struck the most lucra'
tive occupation yet opened to the sex.
But will the club woman who has been
,lamoring for new money-making vo,
cations follow suit? "a.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Two of the scholarships established
by Cecil Rhodes to provide education
at the English universities for students
from the outside Engllsh-speaking
world have been awarded for South At
RIGA. AS yet there has been no visible
scramble among American students to
connect with the Rhodes b~enefactions.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Senator Teller of Colorado says he ex-
poets he will have to defend his election
against a contest. The chances are
good, too, that the senator viii not be
di%sapDOinted.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Several Nebraska legislatures have
successfully gone on record in favor OF
the election OF United States senators
by direct vote OF the people and it would
not be out OF the way for the members
OF the present body to give expression
again to this demand. which voices the
practically unanimous sentiment OF all
their constituents without regard to
party affiliations.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

The board of university regents has
figured it put that they viii be able to
spend the entire income of the institu-
ton from government aid, endowment
returns and proceeds OF state tax to a
penny, There is no flaw in the mathe-
mates OF the university hnanciers.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

According TO all reports, the Kansas
state government is worse railroad rid
den thar the Nebraska state govern
ment ever was. That explains why the
railroads are so anxious to have Ne
braska copy after Kansas in all matters
Of lawmaking in which the railroads
are directly interested.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Omaha is forging to the front among
the clearing house cities and II it keeps
up Its gait to the end Of the year it
win rank as the sixteenth clearing
house city in America.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

The output Of Nebraska beet sugar fac
tories for the year just closed is almost
2S.OOO.OOO pOulds, according to figures
compiled by Deputy Labor Commits
sioner Watson. II will be remembered
that beet sugar production is another
OF the Industries which it was predicted
could never be developed to substantial
proportions in this country.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Nebraska dairymen are to be given
special permission by law to color their
butter. Why can't they also be given
special permission by law to chalk their
milk2
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Minister Bowen gives assurance that
the pending controversy between the
three allied powers and Venezuela may
be settled soon and satisfactorily. There
is no good reason why this controversy
should not have been sent to an arbi-
tration tribunal without first indulging
in acts OF war.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

Now that the city election has been
postponed two months there is no good
reason why the primary elections for
city nominations called by the re-
spective county committees should not
also be set ahead sixty days. A city
campaign II three months would be an
ahoRinable nuisance as well as an un-
heard Of thing.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

The adverse action of Governor
Mickey and the Nebraska legislature
ON the Dietrich land leasing bin is taken
at Washington to sound the death bnell
of that measure. Congress is not apt
to do something for Nebraska which
Nebraska does not want.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

in the packing plants at Omaha was,
well, there is a big difference in talk
ing for advertising purposes and in
talking for taxation, you know" A
comparison Of the tax assessments re-
turned for these big meat packing and
stock yards corporations with the
stockholders reports will quickly
verify the truth Of this sage pronounce
ment.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

When Manager Kenyon was on the
witness stand before the Interstate
Commerce commission last week the
only answer that could be elected
from him in response TO the question
what amount OF money was invested
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
CiviIIsation's Rocky Road.

chicago hecord-Herald.
The army of the sultan OF Morocco is
armed with fintlocks and muzzle leaders,
and his people believe that the devil in
vented the cannon. How can civilization
be expected to flourish in such a pitiful
country as that?
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

II Nebraska telephone subscribers will
put in a ground wire they may hear
something interesting on the Lincoln
circuit.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
Loved FOR Hi. Enemie..

Cleveland Leader (rep).
The bosses do not like Roosevelt; neither
do the trusts. These are two and sufficient
reasons why he will be elected president
in 1904.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
ROUND ABOUT NEW York.
nipples on the Current Of Life I'm
the


T big skyscraper opposite the Fifth
Avenue hotel, known as the Flatiron. and
which is one OF the sights Of the big city,
is pronounced "a public and private
nuisance in a complaint filed in court by
Gibson w. Vincent, a clothing merchant
doing business within wind range OF the
building. Mr.. Gibson swears the Flatiron
so defects the air currents that his plate
glass windows have been crushed like egg
shells, and he wants 5000 for damage to
his stock and anxiety Of mind. To cor
roborate his contention Mr.. Vincent sets
forth In his bill Of complaint that the Flat
iron lis Of al extremely peculiar and un-
usual shape" and for this reason the air
currents sweeping around the structure
perform some fearful and wonderful tricks.
According TO Mr.. Vincent's bill. so fierce
has become the disturbance at times that
pedestrians have been hurled violently to
the sidewalk. Occupants Of buildings IN
the neighborhood tell OF being eyewitnesses
to some Of the frightful and alleged unlaw-
full acts Of the wind after Its natural course
has been changed by the Flatiron. There
have been days, they say, when persons in
trying TO board street cars at the corner of
Broadway and Twenty-third street have
suddenly found themselves blown ten feet
away while the car moved on. They CON
tend that It is out OF the question for a
woman to walk down Broadway and retain
her hat in proper shape, and that among
men the habit of profanity has been la
mentally increased since the Flatiron be-
gan TO interfere with the air currents. Ex-
perts on wind, air currents and the like
will figure in the trial.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26
A Pertinent Inquiry.

Boston Transcript.
Why are not the flags hslfmasted over
the death Of his royal majesty, the sultan
Of Sulu?
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-26

A party Of Brooklynites returning homo
from a theater in Manhattan the other
night walked down the east side OF Broad
way to Twenty-third street, relates the
Brooklyn Eagle. At a point nearly oppo-
site Twenty-ffth street one Of the women
stopped suddenly and, throwing up her
hands, uttered a piercing scream. Conster-
nation seized the other members Of the
party and they gathered about her with a
rapid fire Of solicitous questions. When
she could gasp the words she said:
ooh, 1 thought it was falling overt"
In time she explained that 1T was the
Flatiron building, that marvellous slice Of
architecture which splits Broadway and
Fifth avenue apart at Twenty-third street.
She had CHANGED to look up at 1t just as a
flock OF clouds was flying rapidly south
ward through the moonlight and at first
glance the Illusion was perfect. The build
ing did seem to be pitching forward.
1t is worth a trip to that point to see this
remarkable structure by moonlight, es-
peeially IL there be clouds passing south
ward over It. Not much imagination is re-
quired to make the spooky-looking build
ing seem to do all sorts of strange things,
1t is no trick at all to make yourself be-
lieve 1t is a twenty-story steamboat, rush
ing, stem on, straight at you.