davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
A Question which Interests Millions
In New York.

1t must have been observed that when
ever any question relating to the public
schools is raised in our columns there at
once pours in on us a flood of correspon-
dcnce on the subject.
This is easily explainablc. Under the
Municipal Government there are no in
stitutons which appeal more directly
and powerfully to the great mass of the
citizens than do the public schools. The
number of pupils Of these schools is now
half a million. That is, they are about
as many as are the voters at an important
election.
The question concerning these schools
now raised is as to the effect of their pure
ly secular training on the moral character
OF their pupils. II is commended, on the one
side, that the secular education to which
they are confined leaves the moral devel.
opment Of their pupils wofully incom-
plete; in other words, that education
without religion is snare and delusion
But how, asks the other side, are YOU to
give religious instruction under the all
thority of the State to body of children
Of parents of many different religious
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
The Citizen and the Ditch.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SrY-iStr: Every
citizen OF New York city without regard 10
political afillation or place Of residence should
support THE SIN in its laudabe efforts TO have
mo more bitches in New York
The conditions which have prevailed for the
last few years are disgrace to civilization
and a proof of the absence of proper civic
pride,
In the approaching municipal campaign
TINT party which will offer to correct this ever
lasting digging up of streets will win large
following from the independent voters. and
these voters hold the balance Of power Let
us hope that no more such unparalleled priv
lcges will be granted when they involve uni
versal Inconvenience and serious impairment
OF property values,
let The =, n hammer at the city Hall group
until tho millennium comes, when there will be
no more bitches in New York"
NEW YORK. Aug. /. C1vIs.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

beliefs? One of our correspondents pro-
poses a compromise. He would teach
the Ten Commandments as moral laws
which are OF universal acceptance by all
religions: but that would not satisfy
those who are demanding religious in-
str,Irtion, for, at the bottom, what they
demand is instruction in particular re-
| ligion. They want more than morals;
they want religion. How is it possible
to satisfy them without stirring up con-
troversy and rebellion, division and re-
elimination, which would lead inevitably
to the breakup of the whole school
system?
1t is contended that because of the abb
sence of religious teaching in the schools
the children from them are retrograding
morally. Where is the evidence that such
is the case? Side by side with the secular
public schools, with half million pupils,
are the Catholic parochial schools, of
whose instruction religion is the founda-
ton. Which produce the better results in
character? If the superiority of the re-
ligious education is as great as some of
our correspondents represent, the fact
must have been demonstrated practically
in the public experience. That is, if boys
and girls whose training has been relig-
ious turn out so much better than those
from the public schools, there must
be flood Of precise evidence to prove it.
The specific criticisms of the public
schools which we receive from parents
and others relate to the character Of
the secular instruction given and do not
complain Of the absence of religious
teaching.
The vast majority of the children OF
New York are taught in the public schools,
and they have been taught there for a
generation past under substantially the
same conditions as now. Is any moral
decline observable among them? II may
be that many of those whose religious
training outside of the schools is neglected
by their parents are less faithful ntheir
Church allegiance than children in the dis
tinctively religious schools are taught to
be; but practically is their moral tone
lower? Are they not showing tendency
which is observable even among the re-
ligiously trained?
Until these questions are answered with
convincing facts it seems to us there will
be no substantial basis for any profitable
discussion of the question in which our
correspondents are taking so much inter-
est. Moreover, religious instruction of
the kind wanted by the advocates Of it is
prohibited by the Constitution of the
State and can only be made possible by
the amendment of that fundamental law.
The census of church attendance taken
last autumn seems to indicate that no
agitation for such an amendment would
have any hope of successful result.
How about the million Jews who will
soon be settled in New York? How
about the great majority of the popula-
ton whose failure to attend religious
worship seems to suggest religious in
difference2
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
The Rescue of Broadway.

We cannot refrain from a little self
felicitation at the prompt and generous
recognition vouchsafed to our course in
regard to the proposed Broadway tunnel
This on the part not only Of the whole
mercantile public, but also of the press
of the city, with perhaps single conspic-
nous and significant exception.
II is not too much to say that in one
brief week the well-established and
thoroughly organized plans of the rapid
transit people have been completely up
set by The Sun and may now be re-
garded as abandoned.
The shallow tunnel will not be dug.
The deep tunnels will be pierced. 1t
may be they will not be pierced by the
marlborough corporation now dominant
in all transit save that of the surface
roads, but tuo or more rapid transit roads
,cW be constructed throughout the length
of Manhattan Island, and that in the near
future. And they will be- real tunnels,
disturbing no property interests, incur
ring no interminable damage suits, inter-
fering at no point with the existing traffic,
and so constructed as to be Of MAXI
mum efficiency and comfort.
We congratulate the merchants on their
escape from an assessment Of from ten
to twenty millions levied by the high and
inevasible hand of the new law of emf
nent domain which is implied in a mu-
nicipal charter to tear up the public high
WaYS.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

Government of Dependencies" ridi-
culed the idea of there being any glory
derived from an extensive colonial EN-
lfre Did the dismemberment Of the
British Empire in 1888 rebound to the
detriment or to the benefit of the Anglo
Saxon race? Is there not good reason
to believe that British manufacturers
have sold far more to the independent
United States than they would have ever
sold TO the American Colonies had these
remained dependent? What harm would
it do the United Kingdom if the Dominion
of Canada and the Australian Common
wealth should become politically indie
pendent in name, as they already are in
fact? II we may judge from our own
experience. both of those great depend
encies would thrive as separate political
entities. M
Moreover. it is too late for the creation
of a genuine Zollverein between the
mother country and her Colonies. A
genuine Zollverein would be one which,
on the one hand, should admit the food
products and raw materials OF the Colo
MES to the mother country duty free.
and which, on the other hand, should
admit British manufactures free Of duty
to the Colonies. Then, if the Colonies
could forthwith supply all of the bread
stutfs needed by Great Britain, and If,
moreover they were able to take the
whole of the surplus OF British manu-
features now exported to foreign coun-
tries, Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN's plan would be
practicable. None of these conditions
at present exists or is within eyeshot.
Both Canada and Australia have manu-
features of their own, and they will not
permit these to be destroyed by British
competition.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

derStand that there Is no way OF getting rid Of an
actor who is engaged TO play In London' ALI am
engaged 10 play in London production nm en-
gagged for the entire run.
And you mean you cannot be got rid of A.-No
why should II tLaughterl
III YOU do not take with the public, has the un-
fortunate manager no remedy Ale should md
out whether am competent to play the part.
Mr.. BOWER i should like 10 know how many
wears experience you have had on the stage? Al
do not know Why should mention my age: | am
mors than seven. ILaughter.l
Afterward came MIR. SEYMOUR HICKS,
40 we'll known on the stage:
"Mr BowER.-.Are sou an actor-.r hope am not
putting too severe strain on your modcsty' Ayes.
And you have been selected by the parties and
approved by the Judge the person to Investigate
tho merits OF Saphostic literature. t1.aughter.l
Mr. Justice LAwRANcE--The ono from the Court
OF Chancery the other day?
Mr. DowER.He is the Judge.
Mr.. Justice LAwRANcE-T wish him Joy. that's
all. Laughtrrl
MI BowER-BNt. o. wise young Judge. how
wise more art thou than thy looks! Laughter
Mr.. SEYMOUR HrcEs also denied the existence
Of the alleged custom"
Finally came Sir CHARLES WYNDHAM:
Arc YOU acquainted with the usages and Gus
toms In London on tour and abroadg Ayes.
Assuming that an actor is engaged for a specific
part In play for West end theatre. is there any
custom OF the profession whereby he can be dis
missed on a fortnights notice. or at any time till
the termination OF the rum A.-No. do not think so.
Sir CHARLES added that he was a friend Of both
parties and only attended on subpTna.
MIR Justice LAwRA NcEThe only way 10 get
rid Of an actor. then, rs to shoot him. tLaughterl
A--Thereis an alternative: you can shoot yourself
for having engaged him, Renewed laughter
Mr.. Justice LAwRANcE-Have you ever tried
that on' tLaughterl
Mr.. BowER--May suggest another alterna-
tive. that you may pay him. that's the easy way.
Mr.. Justice LAwRANcE-Thats when Sir CHARLBs
feels Inclined TO shoot himself lLaughter] If
had to begin life again should begin as an actor,
for could not be got rid OF. lLaightcr.l"
The upshot Of it all was that the plain
tiff was non-suited by Justice LAwRANcE,
on the ground that there was no contract
and therefore no case for the jury. On
this decision we shall not comment. and
We will also leave lawyers and every
body else to form their own judgment
whether the proceedings as reported
were consistent with judicial dignity and
the proper decorum of court of law, or
were frivolous to the point of Stiffness.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
WHY RELIANCE WILL WIN.
Grln,mer. 4. NJ. OF Plnenat Reads the Starr
and Finds That Venus Fayors Her.

From the star of the Ma0t for August.
In estimating the probabilities OF the ShamrocRs
success in the forthcoming race for Americas Cup
It will be necessary adjust the horoscope for the
longitude Of New York.
This adjustment places ia degrees OF Taurus on
the ascendant and 2s degrees OF Capricorn on tho
midheaven.
Venus rules the adjusted chart. and this planet
Is in the sign Aries, which is very unfortunate
sign for Venus to be in.
The solar orb afflicted. the moon and the ruler
Of tho horoscope weak, and the moon quadrating
the eleventh house. prcsignify the destruction OF
the gallant Lptons hopes and wishes, and the
ruler OF the eighth mansion in the eleventh is an
additional testimony.
Notwithstanding the exalted position OF Saturn
in the midheaven (Which indicates a skilful cap
,alr). success cannot be found In the Shamrock's
chart.
now give a dellneation of the chart Of the Cup
defender Reliance.
At the moment the Reliance slid from the ways
into her element. degrees of Cancer eliminated.
and nearly degrees OF Libra on her ascendant.
BY a strange coincidence. Venus Is the ruling
planet OF the Cup defender and that OF the chal
lenger also. In American waters. the horoscope
OF the Reliance is very much moro fortunate than
that Of her competitor
The ruling planet OF the Cup defender Is very
strongly posted in her own house and sign, and
Is the disposer OF Mars the lunar orb, and. ind'
reCtly venus dlSpOScS OF the sun anu MeFCury also
These stellar testimonies OF success are pronounced
and other good conngurations follow.
The moon rules the tenth house, the house Of
honor and she Is conjoned with Artsta q fortunate
star OF the nrst magnitude This conjunction
imports success for the Reliance.
Jupiter. in benevolent aspect TO the midheaTen.
is doniccd in the NTH housc--the Cup defenders
sporting house
The position Of Jupiter is q very strong astro-
symbol OF victory
The ruler OF the fourth house unafriicted and In
the fourth. Is indeed a happy omen OF success
This last important factor in stellar prognosc'
Indicates that the end which the owners and de-
ssgners had In view will be fully realized.
The astral forces favor the Cup defender she was
launched under favorable auspices. and she will
certainly win the race. G. A. GRIMMER, A. ~
pINEFLAT. Cal. May 8.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
The Anatomy OF Prophecy,

The up-to-date prophets are not always
accurate, but they are sometimes anus
ing They may be divided into two classes,
those who really endeavor to reach far
into the future and those who make a
sure thing of the business by predict
ing the past, or advancing three steps
backward
Among the latter must be cassed the
Illuminating group that came into prom
inenoe after the murder of the King and
Queen of Servia. They claimed that
they foretold the whole tragedy. I'M
fortunately, their predictions came to
light after the event Nobody ever
heard of them before the tragedy at
Belgrade occurred.
The fellows who read the stars have still
to skip the hard words; but they make so
many guesses that some of them, when
couched in cautious language, come out
all right. Here, in brief, is portion of
what is said to be certain prophets
advance history of the twentieth CEN
fury, published in London in 1853:
Russia will conquer Finland. the Crlmca and the
Scandinavian peninsula. She will be the ally OF
France and the latter country will rem ain under tho
rule of the Bourbons The English Colonies Of
North America will In 1920 have a population OF
eleven millions"
OF course. such small matters as the
French Revolution, the close of the Colo
NAL era and the birth of the Republic Of
the United States were beneath the notice
of great prophet; but as for the popua-
ton of eleven millions. that is perfectly
correct. We have eleven millions, and
more, too.
Now isn't it strange that the far-reach-
ing prophet of the eighteenth century
should omit to give us even the slightest
hint in regard to the Cup races of 1908?
Out of the corner of his albatrossian eye
he might easily have taken peep at the
Sandy Hook lightship and sighted
Reliance and Shamrock III. But per-
haps he thought that there could be moth
ing new in the races and that it was not
worth while to repeat an old story.
Well, we shall have 10 console our
selves with the assertions of the living
prophets of the day. When the contest
is over there will be plenty of them to
tell us, told you So
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
Backbone Durbin.

Governor DURBIN of Indiana has
shown himself by word and deed to be
Il courageous official. He lis not afraid
of mobs He is not afraid Of hard words
thrown at him by persons whom he Of
tends by any Of his official acts
The law, says Governor DURBIN, in
the Independent, " is as much outraged by
a lynching based on heinous crime az
by lynchinS without provocation.
This goes to the root of the matter. 1t
is not, however, what Governor DURBrN
has been saying, but what he has been
doing recently that has raised him so
hirb N the estimation of the American
pcggiu of ali parties.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
American Athletes Hrishmcn.

FTOW TN' IOHHOH SuTNF7IV RFNfW.
We have often been struck by the hStonlshn M
number OF lrshmen to he found among American
athletes, II Is scarcely too much to say that the
greatest weight puttcrs. hammer throwcrs and
jumpers In Britain tho States have all been Irish
OrOf rish extraction. The of the Americans
In the Palma competition AT Bisey, though due in
tho main to the perfection we may say the excess We
perfection, OF their weapon. may DO claimed az nm
Irish victory. The nrst three names were all Irish
surely extraordinary instance OF the way In VIII oh
Irshmen come TO the front as soon as they leave
their own country
We have heard much lately OF the degeneration o,
British physique II Is probable that the PHYSIQUE
OF the In some parts OF ireland Is the best in tn
civilized world. not excluding the Sikhs; and per.
haps the rRwareks only excel them from among tho
less civilized.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
The Days OF the landaulet,

To THE EDITOR or The Sr'N-Sir. Are we
changing since the day when The SrN and
other papers found fault with the then At
torney-Gcneral of the United States for hav-
ing landaulet at the public expense?
Certain notorious facts about the semi-ofri-
cial use of public funds and property indicate
We are losing. perhaps, the keen sense Of honor
when but little notice is taken of public en-
pendtures for private pleasures of our repre-
scntaIives.
Are We less critical ito put it mildly than we
were in the days of Landaulct Williams?
ell fares the land. TO Fastening Ills prey,
Where wealth accumulatos and men decay"
New YORK AUG l. NJ
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
From The Nem York World Of Aug. l.

The protest against rapid transit ditch in
Broadway has had an immediate effect, We
may take ii for granted that the danger of a
snap Judgment in that matter. II II ever en-
listed. is over Chief Engineer Parsons Of the
Rapid Transit Commission says that the con-
tracts for the extension cannot possibly be
signed before spring. This will allow time
enough to exert all the pressure the COM
mission may require and also to secure any
needed legislation at Albany.
1t is clear from the remarks OF Mr.. Parsons
and Contractor Mcdonald that If there had
been no popular revolt the ditch scheme
would have slid through Both OF these
gentlemen insist that they can do on Broad
way what they have failed to do on Fourth
avenue and Forty-second street. IL Is the
force of Publicity alone that blocks the ex-
pertinent.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
Comments From a DlsaHectod Porto RicaB.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Str: AS novel
addition to Walter j. Ballards letter, published In
10 days SUN, regarding the comparisons suggested
by the anniversary of the landing Of the American
troops In Porto Rico the following two Gnc spec-
mems would make wonderful showing in favor
OF the mpcr.alstic policy:
Five years ago. though we were subjects OF
weak Spain, still we could call ourselves Spaniart
while now we are nobody Of nowhere. that s. We
are neither Americans nor Spaniards, thanks TO
the judicial iugglery kept up In determining our
legal status.
Five years ago though starvation was staring
us IN tho face the skilled wage rarncrs OF the colh
try were making 81 a day, while now they are
migrating TO san Domingo and Mexico
Kindly put the above two paragraphs In your
impCTia.stlc pipe and smoke IT, u. CoLLA4o
NEW YORK Juv 30.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
Other Courses Were Open "a Mr. Rnhu.

II seems to us that the Hon, Robert Baker p'fNo
crate Representative OF the sixth New Nor. 'oN,
grcsS district, might have returned the anna
pass rendered him By the Baltimore and OHo h'''
road Company without paving the -'rth ava
throwing dirt upon his back more than three Nm' .
For example. he could have buttoncd np his f''.'
coat. made the most OF his chest, folded his AZ 5
dchantly and said: "Avauntl' In low, CIr"''
kissing tones Or. again, he might hav" h"'' NJ
his shirt front to the storm and with cold, S~"' ,
eye Axcd upon revercnt space, exclaimed, "G'"''
Preferably. he could have said. Thank YOU. 0''
7 don't need II" That he has preferred 10 lSS''
= circular proclamation 10 mankind pointing WV
pride, hurting back. appealing to the pyram'd''
&c. seems TO us a waste OF energy. kswsv' y
this Is . matter OF tast. .--..-1 - -
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
Progress Of the Great Inspection.

To THF EDITOR OF The Su'N--.Sr, No doubt
the Postmaster General has reported 70 the
Commander-in-Cher Tint the Orondng ga Is in
the ofriug. In good trim and that he awaits
further orders Cor inspection, II is not incon-
ceivable that they discussed aud depored the
graft among subordnates But there IL No
reason for encouragement tho example of
those in high places viii have its effect in time
NEW YORK. July 81. y. ". s.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
From the Ddilu Ec,rs of ANA.

A determined and strenuous fight should
be begun at once to block this Broadway
scheme Ultimately it will he well to pre-
pare for an appeal to the Legislature to abolish
the Rapid Transit Commission. to the end
that the control of the streets and subways
shall be restored to the people and their re-
sponsible agents
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
The Hanging Gardens.

Ncbuchadnc2zar asked why he built the
hanging gardens OF Babylon.
THAT was ttr idea u my own, he explained.
eff my nrghbors hens want 10 get IN. they n have
10 walk upside down"
Feeling ne lad solved mighty problem, he
gayly trckkcd forth With - lake.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

Readers OF THE SUN leaving the city can have the
Daily and Sunday editions mailed TO their addresses
which may he changed when necessary for 20
,cnts o month Order through your newsletter
or TIE SUN. 40 Nassau street.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
AROUSED!
From The ye,u York Tribune o, Aug. I.

From the NcaD York Tribune Of Aug. I.
II members of the Rapid Transit Commits
sion and underground railroad contractors.
| actual or prospective. have been taking II for
granted that there would be no general OBJ
lection to the digging of future tunnels by tho
same methods and processes which have
been employed in the work now nearing com"
pietion, they have been undeceved this week
They will not deny that the opposition il al
ready formidable or that. though it has found
rather sudden expression n is far more likely
to increase than to diminish.
From the New York Herald OF Aug. l.
II is only recently, with the completion OF
the roadway in great part, that the process
OF filing in the trench and clearing away
the surface has been undertaken. And yet
Mr. Mcdonald artlessly tells us that the con-
struction of the branch on Broadway from
Forty-second street to Union Square will be
unobjectonable if it can be built as was the
line further up! II won't do. Warned by
past experience and sufering-and in places
still present-the people are determined that
the theatre and shopping stretch Of the great
thoroughfare shall not be given over to
trenches and muck heaps during the con-
struction of this loop.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
The Cantor Lights.

To TuE EDITOR or rHE SrN-tSir suggest N
President Cantor the placing OF an ornamental
sign, similar TO the the opposite corncr ".H
the Inscription isle OF Safety" on the posi- So 'Ha'
strangers rs well as jewellers OF our city may Sr' ut
once the haven OF retreat and know the purpose Tor
which the locality Is selected.
Otherwise, many may regard the lSIr ~ N''c'y
simply as an advertisement for some l'Ert
NEW YORK, July 30. +. : GRAFT
To THE EDITOR OF TIRE suns WIZ yoN
kindly throw some light on thr Hon, LAX" h"'of
lamp pest. corner Of Rcade street and brNaiNN''
II reads Restaurant" j, \ Nonn
BROOKLYN, July 30.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

PARISH osQu- No. ~. near Grand Hotel. and
Mosque No. no. boulevard dcS CapucincS.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

II is now the turn Of the Hon. ETHAN
ALLEN HITcHcoCK, Secretary Of the In
terror TO pick up the glove of Gloversville,