davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
PUBLISH the IN

At least once each year every well
managed business house takes an inven-
tory of its tangible property to enable
it to make a correct balance sheet. The
same business methods should be APP
piled to public corporations. The tax
payers of Omaha, South Omaha and
Douglas county, who severally and
jointly constitute the business firm for
whom the Board of County Commits
sloners, the respective mayors and city
councils and school boards are the man
ayers, have a right to demand that an
inventory be taken at the beginning Of
each year of the tangible assets of the
county, city and school district.
These exhibits of tangible property
should be given the widest publicity
through the press, so that the people
may know periodically what materials
and properties are held in trust by their
public servants. For example: The
people of Douglas county have a right
to know how many grading machines,
teams and tools the county owns. They
ought to know how much furniture
owned by the county is in the court
house and how much at the county
poor farm, the character and quantity
Of supplies the county carries in It's
storehouse and other institutions under
direct control of the county.
The taxpayers of Omaha ought to
know what machinery, engineering in.
struments, furniture and tools, etc, the
city owns in the various departments, as
well as the number of horses, fire en-
glnes, fire hose and other fire apparatu:
in the custody Of the fire department
and what other chattel property the city
may have on hand in each OF the de
partments.
A like exhibit should be made by the
respective school boards. The people
have a right to know how many schoo
books are now in use In the various
public schools and how many in tn,
High school library, what apparatus il
the laboratory and what materials o
every description subject to the contro
of the school board is on hand. an,
what quantity in the school boar,
storehouse.
The taking Of these inventories woul,
impose considerable labor on the cler
ical force and c%ustodians, but by right
that should be part of their duty.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
Personal NOTES.

It is the good fortune OF the new German
ambassador to have an American wife. An
American wife is a mascot for any Euro
pean statesman.
Captain Francis Marion Schell, the IA
nous scout and plainsman, has Just died
He took the first wagon train to California
in the gold excitement Of 1S49.
signor Marconi, the inventor OF wireless
telegraphy, is said to have discovered q
method by which oxygen may be extracted
from air at very slight expense.
There are three living ex-secretaries OF
war in the United States senate-Mr. Proc
tor Of Vermont, Mr.. Elkins Of West Vir-
ginia and Mr.. Alger OF Michigan.
Mrs. Betsey NJ. Stevens, the surviving
sister OF the late General Benjamin r,
Butler, has Just celebrated her 95th birth
day at the old homestead at Nottingham
N. H.
Senator Aldrich Of Rhode Island ran short
Of coal the other day and was compelled
to replenish his bins from the village oil
Centerville, some distance from his home
The coal cost him S15 a ton, with 50 a ton
added for carriage.
There is no more enthusiastic hunter In
either branch Of congress than Senator
burton OF Kansas. he mas trophies &c
prove his skill in the chase. While In
Hawaii last summer he enjoyed some royal
sport after the wild bears there.
Billiard experts in congress yield the palm
to Senator Mallory of Florida. whose work
with the cue is OF the highest order. Only
Congressman Cochran OF Missouri and Con
gressman ,Lanham Of Texas are supposed &c
be in his class, and both concede the Florids
mans superior skill.
A recently appointed second lieutenant
in the army on his first public appearance
at one Of the presidents receptions had
some difficulty with his sword and tripped
over It several times while he was in the
line. 1t got between his legs and dangled
about in a most perplexing way. young
man" said Major General Corbin in a most
kindly manner. that thing you are wear
ing is a sword. not a hurdle"
During the speech Of Senator Nelson o.
Minnesota against the admission of Okla
homa, New Mexico and Arizona as states
the senator said that SO per cent Of the
population Of New Mexico is Spanish anC
Mexican. Delegate Rodey Of New Mexico
who was listening TO the speech, scribble'
a note and sent Il TO Nelson. II said
Dear SENATOR recently had occasion 4
inquire into the matter, and. much to m,
surprise. / find that 81 per cent OF thI
population Of Minnesota 10 Norwegian. HoV
| on earth did that state get mr.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
THE THREE ESSENTIALS.

AS the basic principle for the proposed
compulsory municipal ownership bill, its
godfather assures us three things are
essential:
1. The enforcement Of the right to
purchase the plant.
2. Keeping the enterprise out Of
politics.
8. That none but honest and com
petent men be appointed as appraisers.
This is about as practical as William
]. Bryan's proposition that the standard
dollar should have the same purchasing
power at all times and under all cir
cumstances. 1t is an old adage that
you can bring a horse to water, but you
can't always make him drink. We
have the right to acquire the water
plant, but it is another matter to com
pei a community to exercise that right
whether the conditions are favorable or
u~nfavorable to It.
To keep the water works out of
politics by comforting upon the governor
IHe pOWtI " dppOlul tic dppIdlStlHch
commission is to presume that governors
have no political affiliations or political
aspirations. Looking backward al
governor-appointed nonpartisan police
commissions, governor-appointed non
partisan normal school boards and
boards of charities, we discover names
Of very prominent politicians, and we
find ourselves face to face with some OF
the most rotten deals in politics that
have ever disgraced Nebraska
But the most childlike and bland propo
sition is the assumption that we cal
create strictly honest and competen'
men by law. On that point we fee
sure the Real Estate exchange com
mittee to whom the compulsory pur
chase bill has been referred will hav,
no difficulty in reaching positive con
illusions. The mill to convert dogs int
sausages was patented years ago
but the device to grind out honest mel
by passing themlthrough the Legislative,
hopper is yet to be discovered. If an,
man can improvise that kind Of q mil
his fortune is made.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
WILL REPORT TIE TREATY.

The senate committee on foreign re-
lations will report the Cuban reciprocity
treaty, amended so as to guarantee that
there shall not be a further reduction of
the sugar duty, which is placed at 20
per cent, and providing for a 40 per
ported to Cuba instead of 20 per cent.
There will perhaps be no objection on
the part of the Cuban government to the
first amendment, but it may not be dis
posed to concede so large a reduction
on our cattle. 1t is the expectation Of
the Cubans to develop cattle raising as
an important industry Of the island.
which Is practicable, so that 1t is quite
probable they will view so large a re-
duction of the duty on cattle as likely
to be unfavOrable to the building up Of
their own industry.
However. this n amendment to the
treaty will hardly prove al obstacle to
it's ratification by Cuba, since there is
chance for a compromise. The prospect
therefore, is to be regarded as favorable
for the early establishment Of closer
commercial relations between the
United States and the young republic
with results which II is confidently ex
pected will be mutually advantageous
There is talk Of In effort on the par
Of some Of the democrats of the senate
to defeat ratification, by a resort t.
flibustering, but it is doubtful IL a sufl
cient number of them can be induced
to take this course to prevent ratifca
ton.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
CHECKING DRIFT TO CITIES.
Electricity working n Transformation
I'm Country Life.
Portland Oregonian.

AaAAA oNNkOUlAns
Country life is becoming more attract.
i've. and Il is probable that the census Of
1910 will show a material check in the drift
OF population to the cities. The west.
always most progressive, exhibits more Of
the modern movement to eliminate the
Isolation and uncouthness Of country life
than does the staid east. but even there Il
Is notable. And in the new states, having
vast areas yet unsettled. the modern agen-
cies Of communication and comfort closely
follow the frontiersman, who complains
that the world is growing too small.
Oregon, II is believed. introduced the
barbed-wire telephone to civilization, but
the device is now widely used. both east
and west, and the service IL being rapidly
extended. The substitution OF wire for
wood fences is a great promoter OF this
modern convenience But it is to be OBJ
served that the farm fence is made to do
telephone duty only where the expense OF
regular telephone lines would be burden
some. In many sections the density OF
population and prosperity Of the people
require regularly equipped telephone sys-
TENS for the service Of the farmers, and the
farms have their own little systems con-
Meeting stock barn, granary, spring house
and back lot with dwelling. Instead Of
trudging miles in the dust and heat Of
summer, and mud or snow and cold of
winter, to the country postofice for the
weekly mail, the farmer may now find his
paper and letters at his gate daily.
Through telephone and mail delivery the
farmers may keep as closely in touch with
the world as the city dweller. The young
folks also get companionship in this way.
and the duties Of the farm are relieved
OF irksomeness.
pit fha aouf uipdte ~n0oN q not
emptier than a lovers kiss by telephone,
and the spreading lines Of ~trolleys add a
material factor to the growing popularity
of country life. They make It easy to
get about, for the people to come in busi-
ness and social contact, and for the va
riety OF intercourse that adds charm to
life. The young folks find here relief
from the hard conditions that have so often
made the farm life a prison from which
almost any escape was welcome. The
trolley car gives quick and cheap trans
portation for people and produce, and II
is reaching far across country and carry
ing light and prosperity to the homes that
have been buried In the deep, dense coun-
try.
Electricity is working most of the trans
formation in country life. The telephone
and trolley car carry city conveniences to
distant farm homes, and in some cases
the residences and barns are lighted by
the electric glow. The daily postman,
however, is the pioneer in undermining most
localities, and the taste Of progress which
he gives sets on foot agencies that cure
the country Of the disabilities II has long
labored under, without reducing it's ma
tive charm and usefulness. The process
will In time relieve the congestion OF cities
and make the country populous and fruit
full. 1t will give our civilization a better
balance and contribute UNNECESSARILY to
the vigor and stability of the race.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

The Postofice department has an
nounced it's determination to establish
no more rural free delivery routes over
roads that require the payment Of turn
pike tolls. Rural free delivery has K
erted an important influence for the
good roads movement and If it serves to
hasten the abolition Of the turnpike
toll roads still remaining in different
parts of the country it will be entitled
to another credit mark. When it comes
to giving up rural free delivery or giving
up private toll roads, we may be sure
that free delivery will have the prefer
ence If the people themselves are al
lowed to decide.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
INCREASE IN JUDGES SALARY.
Difference in IA Measures Pending
i'm Congress.
Philadelphia Press

Hhilauelphla Press.
An increase in the salaries OF United
States judges ought to be made by con-
gress, and there appears to be a strong
probability of such action. The senate
passed a bill making the salary Of the
chief justice of the United States $13, 900
and that of each associate justice S12, 500,
The house judiciary committee agrees to
that part OF the bill, but cut down the
salaries of circuit and district judges from
$500 and s6,25O agreed to by the senate
to $1,000 and $4,000, which would be an
increase of 81 1000 each over the present
salaries. If the difference between the
two houses does not defeat any legislation
1t will be fortunate. An increase is badly
needed, and II It is only 81 900 that would
be much better than the existing rates.
The amount fixed by the senate for the
circuit and district judges was not too
much, but the cut made by the house com
mittee is not very large.
The lord high chancellor OF England re-
ceives $50. 1000 a year and the three lords
OF appeal and the master OF the rolls $50, 900
each. The lord chief justice receives a
salary Of $40. 900, while various other Judges,
including the fourteen on the queens
bench, receive $25, 900. Such salaries are
not expected In this country, but the
United States can well afford to pay rea-
sonably well. A judge in New Jersey re-
Gently resigned because he could not live
satisfactorily on a $4,000 salary. whic is
$4,000 more than is paid to the district
judges OF the United States. The judges
OF the supreme court in New York CITY
receive ST., 800 each and the judges Of sub
ordinate courts in that city receive twice
as much as is paid to circuit judges OF the
United States.
No sensible person favors what might be
called large salaries for United States
Judges, but the amount agreed upon In the
senate bill Is not large, but only suficien.
to enable these judges to live I'm a re-
spectacle manner ana leave something fol
their families when they die. The hous,
OF representatives ought to pass the senat,
bill, hut an agreement even on the hous'
bill will be a great Improvement over thi
i existing situation.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
GROWING

The statement that the president is
growing impatient at the delay in the
canal negotiations with Colombia is not
surprising. The vacilating course Of
that country in the matter has been well
calculated to produce such a feeling or
even one of irritation. At the outset
the Colombian government manifested
the most earnest desire to have the
United States take the Panama canal
and complete it's construction. II pro-
fessed "A willingness to make any faiy
and reasonable concession which this
government might require. But as soon
as congress had expressed a preference
for the Panama route, by the passage
of the bill giving authority to the pres
ident TO negotiate for 1t, the Colombian
government experienced a change OF
feeling and the efforts TO conclude nego
tiatiOns upon terms which the United
States can accept nave been fruitless.
President Roosevelt is anxious to have
the isthmian canal matter disposed o.
before the close OF the reeent congress
and it is stated that II Colombia doe
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
Improving the schools.

New YOrk TTlDune.
The common school system has been the
boast of Americans, but enlightened teach
ers are waking up to the fact that our
progress has not kept pace with our pride.
We have been developing fads, but weihave
not been developing in proper measure ex>
cellence OF teaching of the few things
which would make the great body OF boys
and girls efficient and useful men and
women in the spheres of life in which they
will be placed. This is one Of the most
important questions which can face the
state, and the governor will do a great
service If he can indicate how the central
authority can within reasonable limits OF
expense make our common schools more
efficient instruments for the development
of character and the training Of children
for practical life.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
Expansion of American Capital.
Phlladelphla RECORD

American capital is not yet adequate for
the country's industrial opportunities and
needs. and a good deal Of foreign capital
will long be invested here. But in the last
few years We have taken up q good part OF
our obligations to Europe, and the amount
Of American capital now seeking invest
meIE abroad is an important item In the
worlds finance. Consular reports have di-
rected attention TO the investment OF $500,
600, 900 or more United States capital in
Mexico, a large majority of whose railroads
are controlled in this country. and to the
imposing list Of American investments IN
Canada. American capital is developing
Cuba and our insular acquisitions, seeking
gas works in Japan and Paris and contest
ing with itself for the control Of LOndor
rapid transit.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
INTRODUCTION OF Fake CastIes.
Springfield Republican

6EAAA6AhAa 1SENAN@
Some of our millionaires, in building
their houses, are bothered, no doubt, to find
architectural styles which suit them. One
thing, however. they ought never TO do,
and that is TO build an imitation In whole
OF in part of some European castle dating
back to the middle ages. Nothing could
be more absurd in an architectural sense.
than the importation Of the castle style
INTO America; for the castle was the spe-
cial outgrowth Of feudal conditions Of war
fare and il has no reason for existence to-
day except as It may survive TO tell It's
own history in the lands that developed II
But more than that. The introduction ol
fake castles into America, 70 emphasize tbs
social Importance OF their millionaire build
ers is excrutiatingly vulgar. abnormalll
snobbizh and disgustlngly alieP TO the ali
We breathe.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
Majority &C.,
.ic. .'1sOf plurality.


Democratic. ''19Oi plurality.
strained calculation this is. Only two Of
the states mentioned outside the south
went democratic in 1902 and they were
Rhode Island and Nevada, with a total cleo
toral vote Of only seven. The latter alone
went democratic in 1900. The attempt to
argue that because most OF these states
gave smaller republican pluralities In 1902
than they did in 1900 they are drifting to-
ward the democratic party is to forget all
previous premises. The same states gave
smaller republican pluralities In 1898 than
they did in 1896, but they all swung into
line again in 1900.
In the table OF states there is probably
only one that is likely to go democratic In
1904, and that is Nevada, with three cleo
toral votes. But, taking the table as it
stands, the himsy basis on which Il is
built is readily discernible. At the most
1t gives only ten democratic majority In the
electoral college. The loss OF Connecticut
and Delaware, or of West Virginia and Ne
vada, would make a tie and throw the
election into the house OF representatives.
Either New, Jerseys or Indiana's vote
would defeat the democratic candidate. In
fact the construction of such a table re-
veals the weakness Of the democratic out
look. An attempt to figure out a possible
chance for the election OF a democratic
president in 1904 is like a child's house of
cards. 1t falls to pieces at a touch.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
"wAIT TILL YOU'RE DEAD"
W. D. Nesbit in chicago Tribune.

w. d. Nesbit in Chicago Tribune.
You grieve because men do not seem
To understand your WORTH
Because the good you try 70 DO
Remains unknown on earth1
Because no laurel hts your brow
Or bay entwtnes your head?
Twill all be yours one OF these days
Wait TIL you're dead.
II saddens you because your faults
Are blazoned TO the skies,
While all your Virtue seem to be
GaZed on by sightless eyes?
Why worry over such a thlnB1
WHY not rejoice, Instead,
Because of all the coming fame2
Wait till you're dead.
Folks do not understand your plans,
Appreciate your deeds?
They do not aud you when you meet
Some weaker brothers needsg
They do not say kind things OF your
No rose leaves for your bed?
They'll praise you, all In goodly time
Wait till you're dead.
Wait TIL you're dead. They'll tell II Then
They'll chisel Il in stone,
And put II in a chosen place,
Secluded and alone.
Perhaps your splendid traits may all
In epitaphs be read
Al any rate they'll stretch the truth.
Wait till you're dead.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

Delaware democrats offer TO fuse with
he anti-Addicks republicans0n an agree
ment to elect a republican to represent
Delaware in the United States senate
for the long term in return for the cleo
ton OF a democrat for the short term.
Another epistle from Colonel Bryan will
be in order, showing this to be a plot
of the money power to capture the Della.
ware democracy for the reorganizers,
The fusion Of Bryan democrats and
populists in the west is all right, bat
any fusion Of democrats and republican.
in the east is all wrong.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

In order to placate competing candi-
dates for the United States attorney
ship, Nebraska is to be divided into
two federal judicial districts, although
there is scarcely business enough to
keep one court grinding. A few years
hence when another set of competitors
enter the race for the district attorney
ship congress will doubtless be asked to
divide the state into four districts. No
wonder hogs grow spontaneously on
every bush In Nebraska.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16
Tribute to Governor Taft.
Philadelphia Ledger

Rnlladelphla Ledger.
%he demonstration made by the Filipinos
in protest against the proposed retirement
Of Governor Taft is a iattering tribute to
him as a maj and to the United States as
a colonial power. Our new colonial service
has gone far to Justify itself when natives
so recently in insurrection rise up not to
rebel against our rule, but to oppose the
plan for the withdrawal of our governor.
The incident is one that should reassure
our anti-imperialists and reconcile them to
the continued occupation OF the Philippine
islands.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

The omnibus public building bills at
Washington have suggested omnibus
public building bills at Lincoln. Omni-
bus building bills are pernicious, de
moralizing and dangerous. They foster
extravaganza and jObbery and become
a source or legislative corruption In
directly by making members tie up to
support measures and appropriations in
conflict with their conscientious con.
victions simply because there is some
pork in that barrel for their constitu.
ents.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

A deadly blow is being struck at the
long-haired, battle-scarred swashbuckler
by a bill introduced in the lower house
of the legislature proposing to impose
a fine and Imprisonment for carrying
concealed weapons on second convic-
ton. Calling guns and navy revolvers
as side arms are of course to be priv
LEGGED.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

The management Of the st. Louis ex.
position is losing no chance to make
hay while the sun shines at the national
live stock convention. The territory
comprised In the states carved out OF
the Louisiana purchase constitutes the
greatest live stock country Of the world
and II the live stock exhibit at st. Loui,
does not Guido all others there will b,
great disappointment.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

Ex-Speaker Sears seems to be imbued
with the strange idea that the state
should try to clear up its debts before
plunging headlong into additional ex-
pense for new state institutions and
new buildings. Mr.. Sears must be labor
ing under the delusion that the states
business should be run on the same
business principles as a private business
establishment.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

ton of the United States and the con
stitution OF New Hampshire In every
public school once a year. This is just
about MS rational as would be the enact
ment Of a law requiring children of all
the kindergartens to be able to recite
the Declaration of Independence by
heart 1t is doubtful whether 80 per
cent Of the members Of American state
legislatures, including those Of New
Hampshire and Nebraska, have ever
read the whole constitution of the
United States or that Of their own state.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

Real Estate exchange men say they
are encouraged at the prospects Of rev.
niue legislation in accordance with their
recommendations. But they must not
let their encouragement make them
neglectful. The only way to secure the
legislation i%mperatively demanded is to
keep everlastingly after 1t.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-16

The legislatures of several states are
just now engaged in doing thei5 utmost
TO convince doubling people that the
election Of United States senators by
direct vote has become an imperative
necessity.