davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
The GERMAN BoMRARnMnNr

The bOmbardment of Fort San Carlos,
Venezuela, by the German cruisers, is a
very serious matter. So far as appears
there is no justification for it and it
looks like a piece of wanton aggression,
wholly unwarranted and inexcusable
The right to maintain a blockade of
Venezuelan ports, pending an adjust
ment Of the preliminaries to arbitration,
has not been questioned. 1t is the privi-
lege Of the powers having claims
against Venezuela to make the blockade
as effective as possible. But this does
not include the right to seize and de-
strOy Venezuelan ships of war and to
shell Venezuela ports under whose guns
those ships are at anchor.
The course of the Germans in this
matter would be justifable only in case
of war and there has been no specific
declaration OF war against Venezuela.
On the contrary the understanding is
that the powers maintaining the block.
ade are not at war with the southern
republic, but are simply exercising a
recognized right for the collection OF
their claims. They have consented tC
an amicable settlement through arbi
tratiOn and their diplomatic representa-
tives are to meet the representative OF
Venezuela in Washington to effect ar
rangements for the arbitration. In sucl
circumstances it would seem to be tn,
clear and unmistakable duty of tn,
powers TO avoid any aggressive actor
toward Venezuela. except what may b,
essential TO the maintenance of tn
blockade until Arrangements for the an
bitratiOn shall have been completed.
While the American people feel
great interest in this matter, 1t is no
apparent that our government is calle,
upon to interpose. At any rate it is no
likely 10 do SO unless 1t should be az
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
CARING FOR RURAL DELIvERy.

CAhlNO rOh RURAL DELIVERY.
There is favorable promise that con-
gress will appropriate $12,000,0O0 for
the support of the rural free delivery
service during the next fiscal year. The
appropriation for the current year was
$7,5000 600, which is just about twice as
much as was allowed for the preceding
year. The expansion of this service
has been notable and there is abundant
room for its continued growth. Five
years ago there were forty-four rural
free delivery routes; now there are 12.-
500 "nd by July 1 there will be $4,000.
This is very remarkable progress.
1t is understood to be the intention
of the Postoffice department to estab-
lish 10000 more routes with the money
that will be available after July 1. Al
the present time the carriers travel
daily over 275,00O miles of country
roads to serve about 100000 of the
strictly rural population. The area GOV.
cred by these routes is about 100000
square miles. The establishment of the
service has been fully justified by re
suits. 1t is no longer an experiment
but has become fixed and permanent
part Of the postal department which
must be cared for and steadily ex
panded until there will be no accessible
rural community without free mail de
livery. 1t Is a system the promotion o.
which is for the general welfare.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
MAKE sPEcIFIc APPROPRIATIoN

MAKE SPECIFIC APPROPRLAT TIONS.
The legislative committees that are
formulating revenue revision should at
the outset Of their work plant them
selves firmly in favor of specific ap-
preparations for every state institution,
whether benevolent or educational. Ap-
preparations of indefinite sums by the
imposition of a half mill or mill tax for
any particular institutions are mis-
leading and calculated to produce
either a feast or a famine
The originator Of the mill tax scheme,
the late Boss Stout, understood very
well that it was easier to pull through
an appropriation that did not specify
the aggregate amount to be taken out
of the treasury than an appropriation
that would specifically name the
amount to be levied against the tax
payers of the state. This was the
reason why he preferred to lobby
through the legislatures bills ap-
propriating q half mill or mill tax for
the construction of the state capitol
building than by the imposition Of a
fixed sum, that was likely to be un-
popular and embarrassing to members
of the legislature who were persuaded
to assist him in his jobs.
The university half mill tax and the
later university mill tax were of the
same order. 1t was much easier for
the university lobby to logroll a mill
tax appropriation through the legisla-
ture than would have been an appro-
priation bordering closely on 100000.
The university mill tax, or any tax
based on that principle, should by all
means be abolished.
A mill tax for 1902 was equivalent to
$1S4, ZOO. If the true value basis is
adopted for all assessments a one-mill
tax for 1908 would be equal to not less
than 100000 or an amount sufficient
to pay all the running expenses Of the
state and interest on the state debt
| A tax of such colossal dimensions fol-
university education would create q
popular uprising in every section of the
state; nor would a half mill or quarter
mill tax on true value basis be toler
ated.
The correct principle for disbursine
the public revenues is to appropriate
for each institution a given amount OF
money and compel that institution tC
! live within it's income. The experience
Of other states where indefinite taxes
have been imposed has been identica
with that of Nebraska. Specific, ap
preparations for state institutions ar,
advocated by the governors Of every
state where indefinite taxes hav'
formerly been levied upon the granC
assessment roll of states under tn,
misapprehension that the taxpayer
will never find out how much the!
have been forced to contribute towart
the maintenance of the institutions ia
vored with indefinite tax appropria
tions.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
A SORRY MONUMENT.
American Writer'S Zeal for Glass
and Royalty.
Detroit Free Press.

Detroit Free Press.
Few American newspaper correspondents
are able to Withstand a European environ
ment For every MacGahan, who is the
soul Of conscientious devotion to his work
there are a dozen smalleys and Ralphs who
are so dazzled by the glitter Of rank and
caste that they blindly SINCE their poor,
weak wings in the flame. Mr.. George
w Smalley went to London as the corre-
spondent of the New York Tribune, and
became so saturated with the spirit OF
British institutions that he soon earned
the sobriquet Of 1.-The Tory squire" which
still clings to him AS the Washington
CORRESPONDENT of a great New York daily,
Julian Ralph, who died Tuesday, gained a
national reputation for able, intelligent,
fair-minded service. Then after few
years Of Tree lance" work he was sent TO
South Africa by one Of the lingo news
papers Of London and succeeded in casting
discredit oa the efforts Of a lifetime.
No nstive- born Englishman who accom-
panied the British troops equaled this
American correspondent in ecstatic devo-
tion to the British cause and venomous
denunciation Of the Beers. Mr.. Ralph set
out from London to maintain the thesis
that the Beers we're semi savages with
|
he allowed nothing so inconsequential as
fact to interfere with the elaboration oi
this theme. Days before he was in sight
OF the Transyaal or the Free State he was
sending letters to the Mail describing
minutely the baTbarity Of Beers he had
never seen and acts Of savagery that were
never committed. The British army repre-
sented all that was chivalrous and brave
and noble; the Beers represented all thai
was brutal and degraded and detestable.
Presumably, that was the kind Of newi
from South Africa that the Mail desired
but the writing of it was sorry business
| for a reputable newspaper correspondent
to be engaged in. And in the end, wheI
the truth became commonly known an'
Englishmen generally had begun to testif!
to the valor and courage and honor Of tn
Beers, Mr.. Ralph had nothing TO show 70
his worse than wasted opportunities exeep
the wreck OF reputation for accuracy an
impartiality. This will remain as warn
ing. perhaps, to other brilliant fellows VIII
are seduced into the belief that there
lasting profit in writing down TO the pas
sions and ignorance and supeTstitiOnS Q
the mob.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
STATUS OF THE ISLE OF PINES.
Americans There Anxious to Know
" Where They Are At.

Philadelphia Record.
Forcible resistance is threatened by 300
American citizens residing and owning
property in the Isle of Pines to any fur
ther exercise of sovereignty there by the
Cuban government. The malcontents make
out fairly good case against the Cuban
authorities; the taxation is high, but the
taxpayers receive nothing in return, all
the money collected being appropriated to
the use Of Cuba, and the Isle Of Pines re-
mains without adequate police protection,
without proper courts of justice and with
out schools.
The position of the island is certainly
anomalous. In, accordance with the Platt
amendment it has been excluded, from the
constitutional limits OF the Cuban republic.
Hence, probably, the neglectfulness of the
Havana government in providing a system
of administration. Nevertheless, the island
not having been ceded to the United States,
the government at Washington can exercise
no authority therein. The situation ought
TO be relieved. Still, the American resi-
dents ought to be the last persons to set so
bad an example 10 their Cuban neighbors
as to seek redress through lawless methods
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
PANAMA CANAL rREATY sIeEED.


The signing of the Panama canal
treaty may be accepted as settling the
question of an isthmian canal and as
suring the construction and control Of
the Panama waterway by the United
States. The matter that had obstructed
the negotiations and seemed for a time
to threaten their failure, the question Of
the amount OF annuity TO be paid to Co
lombia by the United States, was set
tied by compromise. Investigation
showed that the original proposition of
our government was too low, while the
demand made by the Colombian govern
ment was excessive. The amount Of
the annuity agreed upon is not yet
made public, but 1t is said to be equi-
table and it is believed will be approved
by congress when the facts upon which
it is based are fully set forth. Co
lombia has accepted all the terms and
conditions proposed by the United
canal and the strip of territory contigu-
Gus thereto required by the United
States. The general features of the
treaty as at first framed have been ad-
hered to, the only important change re-
lating to the pecuniary consideration,
which is considerably more than was at
first contemplated. The sum to be paid
down to Colombia, when the treaty
shall have been ratified, is $10,000,OOO
instead of 100000 and the annuity is
probably three times the amount at first
proposed by our government.
The treaty must be ratified, Of course,
by the senate Of the United States and
also by the Colombian congress. The
expectation is that there will be no un-
necessary delay in its ratification by
the senate, but the Colombian congress
will not be in session until spring
There appears to be no doubt, however
of the ratification of the treaty by that
congress. 1t seems safe, therefore, to
regard the isthmian canal question as
settled and that within the present year
the work of completing the construction
of the Panama canal will have begun
The Spooner bill giving authority to the
president to negotiate for the purchase
Of the Panama route and make a treaty
with Colombia, provides that when this
shall have been accomplished "the pres
ident shall then cause to be excavated
constructed and completed, utilizing t.
that end as far as practicable the worl
heretofore done by the new Panama
canal company of France and its prede
cessor company, ship canal from tn,
Caribbean sea to the Pacific ocean
President Roosevelt, it can be conf
IDENTIFY assumed, will lose no time IL
inaugurating the work when everything
is in readiness therefor and will hav,
it pushed with all possible vigor. Esti
mates as to the time that will be occu
pied in completing this great enterpris,
vary somewhat widely, but probably n
least ten years win be consumed in th
construction and the cost will yer,
likely reach $2O0OO0,OO0.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
now MEXICO DEALS WITH trusts.
President Diss Drops n Hint and n
Conspiracy COllapses.


Cleveland Plain Dealer
II the gentlemen in Washington and else
where who are losing sleep In trying to
solve the monopoly problem in this land
Of the free will cast their eyes southward
they will see across the Mexican border
something that they may hnd to their ad-
vantage. The strenuous gentleman who
presides over the destinies Of the Mexican
republic is given 60 taking short cuts and
is not in the habit Of being hampered by
red tape or legal formulas. Just at this
time the story OF how he tanned a Yankee
octopus that had found its way into his
bailiwick may be OF interest.
Some months ago the Mexican Central
railroad suddenly changed hands, and
thereon hangs a tale. II appears that a
Mexican, while trying to obtain water near
Tampico, struck Oil. He was ignorant OF
the value Of his discovery, but a chance
American recognized Il and the two went
into partnership in the oil business, doing
eventually a large and profitable trade.
Like most parts of the earth Mexico is in
the grip of the oil monopoly and the big
concern was soon aware OF the operations
Of the humble pair who had Ventured TO do
business for themselves. An offer TO buy
them out was made and refused. The COR
poratlon's agents hastened to San Francisco
and soon the news came out that the Mexi-
can Central had changed hands.
The trusts agents knew why the road had
been sold even II the public did not, and
the old familiar process OF putting the
screws to the Mexican and his Yankee
partner was at once begun. The trick was
played that has for years driven out Of
business every American oil producer who
has dared to stand out against the trust.
tariff was adopted which practically pro-
hibited the sale of Tampico oil fifty miles
! from that place, and the two humble part
ners we're forced to suspend operations.
| But they were not to be beaten so easily.
| They wasted no time in taking their griev-
ance to court, but proceeded posthaste to
/ the City Of Mexico, laid their case before
! President Diaz and showed him all the
| accumulated evidence. He promptly or
! dered that the former tariff of the railroad
| be restored under penalty OF forfeiture of
| its charter to the state in case OF refusal.
| The old rate on oil was at once and by wire
| ordered restored. The oil wen is again in
operation and the monopoly is booking no
| business In that section of the country. In
the meantime the railroad bought for the
purpose Of freezing out the two partners,
is paying a reasonable dividend on the
! investment and the new owners are suffer-
ing no loss on that score.
All of which goes to show that there may
be something in the claim 80 often set up
that a benevolent despotism may be the
best of governments. We are rather in
clined to look down on Mexico; not always
It would appear. with good reason.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
ELECTION EXPENSE LAW vOID.
New York supreme Court Works It's
Hammer Effectively.
Philadelphia Ledger.

Pmladelphla Ledger.
The supreme court of New York has
decided that the election law Of that state,
so far as It provides for the forfeiture
of office by the failure to make and file
a sworn statement of the election expenses
of candidates, is unconstitutional and void.
That instrument provides that no declara-
tion shall be exacted from officials except
the oath prescribed by the constitution.
The constitutional provision applying to
the case in New York is not to be found
in all state constitutions. The laws of
other states requiring sworn statements
of election expenses from candidates for
ofice may be unassailable. The New York
law was accepted as a very desirable re-
form. 1t was expected that its execution
would purify elections, check bribery and
all illegitimate expenditure. 1t has been
helpful in these directions, though many
candidates have probably been ingenious
in devising ways and means of evasion.
The forfeiture of office which followed ex-
posure was severe penalty.
The law was believed to be necessary,
or II would not have been enacted. II was
earnestly discussed before passage, and its
enactment was regarded as a very inn
portant and eficacious reform measure.
Similar laws have received public approval
in England in the Parliamentary contests,
and in certain American states. Too much
money is spent in elections. 1t is a COM
petitive prodigality sure to become more
and more demoralizing unless some way
be found to check It.
The direct or indirect purchase OF votes
cannot be stopped entirely by drastic legis-
lation. Crime of all descriptions exists
and persists, despite the criminal code
The portion Of the New York election Law
now declared void was in line with other
measures designed to secure pure elections
and It is regrettable that 1t is not con.
stitutional. In order to revive the law II
will be necessity to amend the eonstitu-
| tion In many OF the modern constitu-
| tions the oath OF office prescribed is in.
tended to restrain officials from spending
money corruptly in securing appointment
or election.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

Springfield Republican.


corrupt practices legislation was quite
the rage few years back, but its prac-
tical achievements are not known to have
been tremendous. Bills are pending in the
Minnesota Legislature repeating the cor
rupt practices act, and Judge Herrick of
the New York supreme court for the dis
trict of Albany has just pronounced un-
constitutional the law requiring candidates
for public Office to make public returns OF
their campaign expenditures. While this
legislation has probably been of some re-
straining influence, still money seems to be
as potent an influence in politics as ever
and as largely used.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
Objections to the Lease Bill.

hihHeapoHs SOurnal
That the problem Of how to utilize the
arid public, lands is no easy one to settle is
Indicated by the protest OF western Ne
braska stockmen against the lease bill in
troduced in the senate by Senator Dietrich
The small grazers think this bill is favor
able to the big ones. They want lease
law, they say but not this one. Yet IL
must be entirely possible to work out some
sort of scheme which, while not interfering
with the privilege Of the homesteader, will
make 1t possible to utilize the public lands
for grazing in more advantageous manner
than at present, both to the public and the
cattlemen.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

The county board is getting ready to
launch its reform program for 1903.
The first reform in order will be the
discontinuance of star chamber sessions.
Public business should be transacted in
public. That relates as much to COM
mittee meetings as it does to regular
meetings OF the board. Star chamber
sessions have cost the taxpayers of
Douglas county thousands upon thou
sands of dollars.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

In proposing to do away with odd
year elections in order to double
the terms of county officers, the
county commissioners association has
undertaken a larger job than it can
carry through during the present year.
1t will take a constitutional amendment
to do away with state and district judi
cial elections, and that means the post
ponement of the scheme to 1905 or 1907.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

The president OF the German Reich
stag has resigned his position as pre-
siding officer because OF adverse senti-
ment reused by one Of his rulings dur
ing debate. Presiding officers of
American legislative bodies are not 50
sensitive TO public criticism. II they
were to give way for every objection
entered against official action and fol.
lowed up outside. none OF them would
serve very long
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
Uncovering Ancient scandals.
indianapolis Journal

For those who have rated General Fre-
mont among the bright lights Of the repub-
lican party 1t is unfortunate that a recent
debate in the house brought to light the
scandals incident to his command in Mis-
souri, in 1861. He showed himself visionary
and unequal to the task he had undertaken.
He became victim Of rapacious army con-
tractors, but his objectionable sin was in
consenting to be a bolting candidate for
president against Lincoln.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

President RoOsevelt's proposition to
accept an invitation TO go hunting in
Wyoming conditioned on the eviction Of
all newspaper reporters from the hunt
ing ground is hardly fair. 1t would be
giving the newspaper men a hunt for
news about the president to which they
arc not accustomed.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

The prospectus of the consolidated
street railway for 1908 is a little more
modest than the New York news broker
laid out for II. Its 200-mile suburban
street railway system will for the pres
ent content itself with an extension
from Omaha to Florence. The remain
ing links are ON the map.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
The Unreasonab1e Producer.
New York Evening Post.


In connection with the recent extraordi-
nary advance in the price OF petroleum, we
hear of some mutterings from the produc-
ers because they are given so small a share
Of the enlarged profits. To the consumer
oil has advanced in the last four months
$1.47 barrel. The producer maintains that
he gets but q cents OF this, and perversely
argues that he ought to have more. But
he should understand better the wise and
benevolent ways Of the Standard Oil COM
pany. The considerate gentlemen at the
head OF that charitable institution know
well the temptation which sudden wealth
brings in its train. They could not think
Of subjecting a mere producer to such a
test. So they restrain their instructive de-
sire to give him six-seyenths of the in
creased price, and keep it themselves out
of regard for his moral character Besides
how could they be sure that he would en-
dow Chicago university?
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

pealed to by the Venezuelan govern
ment What the German government
should do is to instruct its naval officers
in Venezuelan waters to confine their
operations to the blockade and stop in
dulging in such warlike demonstrations
as that at Fort San Carlos.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

While the legislature is in the repeal
ing business why not repeal the mo
treat" law. That law has been on the
statute books just twenty-five years
and the first man is yet to be arrested
and fined for violating it either behind
the bar or in front of it.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

When ID. Il. Thompson looked at
himself on the front page of the Lin
coin Journal the morning after the re-
ception he exclaimed with Marc An
tony. "This was the most unkindest
cut of ALL"
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
Lacked CuIture in the Art.
Indianapolis Journal.


The woman who called member Of con-
gress a liar from the galleries because he
made a prediction about the future attitude
of Canada toward the United States had
not studied the ethics Of lying. A mere
difference Of opinion regarding some sup
posititious event in the remote future does
not furnish just cause for a charge Of
mendacity.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

The exalted ruler of all the Elks is
going south. The potential pOtentate
Of all the Buffaloes will probably go
north, and the grand Mameluke of the
imperious and imperial order Jiasti-
cutuses is preparing TO take a tour
around the world to pay his respects to
all the crowned and uncrowned rulers
Of the earth.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
Small Risk in Travelling.
Mlnneanolis Journal.

nIINHtdpOIIs JUuIUdI.
According to the figures of the Inter-
state Commerce commission it is safer to
travel than to stay at home Last year
the railroads carried 6O7,27S, ,121 passengers
Including killed and injured the aggregate
Of casualties was $3.50. 1t appears that
only one passenger out of 119,543 was in
danger Of injury. however slight; the risk
Of death was only as to 3,7O2,9 ,9OS.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24

The oG:y labor organization that is
not preparing for a strike is the politi-
cal wire pullers. They have altogether
too much business in prospect to take a
lay-off In these coal famine times