davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
PENSION CRIMINALS.

After Mr.. Evans's years of TRADE
against the wickedness Of pension claim
ants as class, it is very comforting to
read the report of the Attorney G eneral
for the last year, in which lie states that
his Department had charge Of 1880
criminal prosecutions during the year, of
which but 22O were under the pension
laws. Of these there were 1877 convictions
only, IS acquittals. and 65 discontinued or
quashed. Of the 9GO2 criminal prosecu-
tons pending July l, 1902, only 1875 were
under the pension laws. The 220 crimi-
nal prosecutions during the year would
mean only about three in each million of
people, an unheard-of small per cent.
There were 2,SO1 prosecutions under the
Customs laws, 1882 under the Internal
Revenue laws, 1869 under the Post Office
laws, A under the Naturalization acts.
S,541 miscellaneous prosecutions This
confirms what THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
has from the first strenuously argued
that in no Department of the Govern
ment's business is there anything like the
honesty there is among the pensioners.
THERE is very strong opposition to
the proposed abolition of the Inspector
Generals Bureau in the bill now before
Congress "to increase the efficiency of the
Army" The Inspector-G Generals Bureau
has always been very important part of
the staff, and it is claimed has been of the
utmost benefit, not only in increasing the
efficiency Of the Army, but in saving ex-
penscs. great many distinguished men
have been Inspector-Generals, or acting
as such. The first was Baron Won Steu-
ben, who was the drill-master of the Con-
tinental Army, after whom were Alexan.
der Hamilton, Gen. u. NJ. Pike, for whom
Pixies Peak is named; Gen. John E.
Wool, Coils. George Croghan, and George
A. Mccall, Gems. ]. K. E. Mansfield, r.
B. Marcy, D. B. Sackett, Absalom Baird.
r. e. Lee, j. Il. Johnston. Samuel Cooper.
II. w. Lawton, j. G. Breckenridge. and
others known to fame.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
THE POSTAL CHECK SYSTEM.

While the old postal currency of the war
period and the years succeeding was a
great nuisance in many ways, it was an
immense convenience in others, particu-
larry to those who wanted to send small
sums by mail. The mail order business
of this country is increasing enormously
each year, and every family feels almost
daily desire to send for something which
they can order and receive by mail. The
difficulty in this is in sending the payment
conveniently and safely. To get a postal
order involves journey to the post-office
and trouble in making out an application.
To meet this difficulty, the postal check
system has been devised, and is now being
strongly urged upon Congress. 1t pro-
poses to issue the regular forms of money
assnow in all denominations, with space
upon each note for writing the name of
the man to whom it is to be paid. By
doing this, the note becomes a check, only
payable to the party intended, who must
be identified at the Office. II does away
completely with the present cumberous
money-crder machinery. All that it costs
is the attachment of two-cent stamp to
the check, which must be Cancelled. A
great deal of pressure is now being put
upon Congress to secure the passage Of
this law, and there certainly should be no
delay about it. Us it will meet Iong-feIt
want and be of the greatest convenience
to the whole mass of people, as well a. to
publishers and dealers in oil the large
cities.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
The Boys Capture Prisoner Who Unwit
tingly Gives Some Startling Information.

The world has rarely seen two such
great and evenly matched masters OF
strategy as were now again pitted against
one anOther-this time in the swamps of
North Carolna-playing the last fateful
moves for the life of the Southern Con-
federacy.
The To-day campaign of Sherman and
Johnston. from Chattanooga to Atlanta,
has been the study and the marvel to mil
itary students ever since it was waged.
Never were there such perfect logistics.
such consummate moves and counter
moves, such admirable thrusts and dex-
ferrous parties. such fawless strategy on
both sides, such errorlcss tactics. 10th Of
fensive and defensive. Each leader
brought into play all the best that expe-
rience had taught in past wars, and added
to it new features and devices for future
Generals to study and profit by.
Nowhere in the South was there a Gen
eral who could cope with Sherman but Joe
Johnston, and scarcely in the Union army
was there Joe JOhnston's equal as a STRAIT
egist except w. T. Sherman.
jeff Davis, who always hated Joe John
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
WASHINGTON D. c. THURSDAY JANUARY ~ 1908

THE DaUd nrERs of the American Rev
clution, at q eensburg. Pa, have started
a movement FOR a suitable monument to
Gen. Arthur st. Clair, whose remains lie
in an abandohtd graveyard at that place.
The inscription over the grave states that
it was erected ito supply the place of
robler one due from his country" Gen.
st. Clair certainly deserves better than
this. He was IA native of Scotland. and
was educated for the practice of medicine.
but went into the army. and after having
served in America, resigned and settled in
the Ligonier, Valley of Pennsylvania. He
entered the Revolutionary Army AMI rose
to be n MajorsGeneral, doing very much
excellent service After the war he was
elected to Congress and became its Tresi-
dent. He vas appointed Governor of the
Northwest Territory, but is best known
for his unfortunate expedition against the
Ohio Indians, which resulted in a defeat
III Darke County, o., which was so fatal
as to take the proportions of massacre,
losing 500 men out of the I,4OO engaged.
Much of the responsibility was doubtless
due to his infirmities of body, but great
deal was also due to the acknowledgement
of others connected with the expedition.
Washington was terribly angry at the de-
feat, and is said to have used language
quite as strong as that at Monmouth. st.
Clair passed his latter years in poverty,
keeping little wretched wayside inn for
the accommodation of wagoners across the
Alleghanics. He died in 1908 at the age
of a.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

FAR-A|AY memories are reused by the
announcement that Gen. G. c. Gilbert died
Mt Baltimore. Jan. II. He was born in
GAINESVILLE, O., in 1892, and graduated
from West Point In 1896 He served with
credit in the Mexican War, and command.
ed company at Wilson's Greek, where
he was brevetted for galiantry. He got
another brevet for Shiloh, and third for
Richmond, Ky. He was appointed Brig
adier-General Of Volunteers, and then
Major-Genaral. ard in some Incompetent
sible manner was assigned to command
the Third Corps, Army of the Ohio. He
failed to give satisfaction ut the battle of
Perryville, his appointment WIS 20. -
hrmed, and be quietly returned u i.s .,.u!s
Of Major Of the 10Th q. g., and no more
was heard of him. He was one of Gen.
Don Carlos Bueil's friends, and his star
rose and sank with his commanders.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

J. A. TRAYLoR, manager of the York
and Nevada Copper Company's mine in
Utah, is strenuous gentleman, and he
gave very disagreeable quarter of an
hour to a party of miners walking dele
gates WHO attempted the pleasant little
pastIme of running him out of town.
Twelve of them entered his Office Mt Kris
tone, Utah, to carry out this facetious
idea. and gained the first fall by throw
ing him down. Then Mr.. Traylor went
into action, battery front, with large re-
yolrer. He killed three and wounded
three more, which will probably, therefore,
have discouraging effect upon gentlemen
In that section who take fancy to rum
ming other gentlemen out of town.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

No ONE expected that we were going
to have anything but the most aggravat-
ing tortuOusness in getting the rights and
privileges to construct n canal across the
Isthmus. There is entirely too much in
the job for the South American politician
not to play every trick in his repertory
for the biggest possible slice of it. And
what he may not be up to the Pacific
Railroad lobbyists will teach him. Nat
urally, therefore, when the Colombians
think we are about to close with the
Nicaraguans they come forward with
tempting offers, which resolve themselves
into impossible demands when they think
we are committed to them. The Nicara-
guans have seemed much more tractable,
but possibly this is because they did not
think they had us fast enough. This
week the feeling in Washington is that
no deal can be made with Colombia, and
we had better turn to Nicaragua. Presi-
dent Roosevelt, it is believed, inciines to
giving Colombia little more time, while
Secretary Hay thinks that it would be
wasted. One thing is sure: the Canal will
never be dug unless the people are reso-
lutely insistent upon its being done. There
are too many strong interests against it.
They nave plenty of money, and can enl-
ploy the most capable agents to block
progress, forI every year that the canal is
delayed means many millions in the treas
uries Of the Pacific Railroads and the
Panama Railroad and Steamship Com
pany. y p.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

A BILL has been introduced into the
Legislature of Virginia to furnish statue
of Robert L. Lee for Statuary Hall, in
the National Capitol The sculptor is
ready TO 50 ahead with the work, as soon
as the Legislature makes the appropria-
ton. This is most startling prospect.
Unless something can be done to prevent
It, We are likely to have the statue of a
man who made all his fame by his efforts
to destroy the Government, placed in the
National Capitol alongside those Of Wash
ington, Jefferson, Webster, Grant and Lin
coin, who labored so hard and well to save
the country, and build it up to greatness.
Lees statue among those patriots would
be dissertation which would ruin the
value Of the Nations Hall of Fame.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
g Sikleqq, Shorty
SN MaMeB0NS@rLn q
WzxM On the March M20veahMe CarolinaS


briars tore them and the tanks of their
steeds. and the drench from the branches
was heavier than that falling from the
clouds.
They soon lost their direction. but kept
their way by making toward the sound
of the heaviest firing.
At last they came TO an open field.
across which they could see an officer sit
ting in the rain. Sergeant with cascd
colors, with two or three others near. and
others coming and going, as if bringing
reports and taking orders.
The officer was apparently in a state of
energetic excitement over what was going
on. for he could be seen to gesticnlatc
strongly toward those around him, and
t" those coming and going.
That's Fitzpatrick" said Shorty. 81
recognize his voice"
why, you can't hear word,' said 81.
YES, l can hear him swearing, by the
way he throws his hands around. Xii
can Outswear any man in the army. but a
Chief Wagonmaster of corps, and he
does whole lot of his swearing with his
hands"
Going through the plowed field seemed
even worse than through the brush, for
the horses sank deep into the quagmire.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
Qo be continued.)

Hon. Binger Hermann, Commissioner Of
the General Land Office, has resigned
from that Office, and will retire Feb. L
He will return to Oregon to resume the
practice of law. Commissioner Hermann
is one of the most prominent Republicans
of the great Northwest, and is as popular
as he is famous. He enjoyed the personal
friendship of President Mckinley while
they were in Congress together, and this
friendship, Mr.. Mckinley remembered, ap-
pointing Mr.. Hermann to the Commission
ership of the Land Office very shortly af-
ter his first Inauguration. Mr.. Hermann
took possession of his office March %,
1897, and has held it ever since. William
A. Richards, now Assistant Commission
er. will be promoted to succeed Mr.. Her
mann.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

VEsPAsIAN WARNER has introduced a
bill to appropriate $4,000 for an eques-
TRAN statue of Gen. Franz Sigei in Wash
ington. Gen. Sigel deserves a statue for
the good work he did with the Germans
in saving st. Louis and Missouri to the
Union. Gen. Osterhaus would be bet
ter representative German soldier, how
ever, than Gen. Sigel. There was no
better soldier anywhere than the "Flying
Dutchman" of the Army of the Tennessee.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

APPARENTLY, the brash young COM
mander of the German warship Panther
has received black eye in a recent ex-
show off that he sank the Haitian gum
boat after it had virtually surrendered.
He recently attacked a little four-gun
Venezuelan fort, but after an hours she'll
ing had to withdraw. German prestige
was not at all enhanced by the per-
Torrance. The dispatches say 'The
shelling is deplored." Probably mostly by
the German commander, VINO thought he
was going to win cheap little victory.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

New YORK guardsmen are considering
listment from five years to three-the
same as the Regular Army. 1t is thought
that this will greatly promote recruiting,
but it is objected that it will increase the
cost for uniforms, and that, as the regi-
ments only go into camp every second
year it would give each man but one ex-
perience in camp duties.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

WE HAVE at last something from Rep
resentative Littlefeld. whom, it will be re-
membered, vas placed in charge Of the
legislation against trusts. He has intro
duced bill to expedite the hearing and
determination Of suits in equity under the
Trust Act. 1t provides that whenever the
Attorney General shall certify to the court
that in his opinion case is of general
public Importance such case shall be given
precedence before all others, and be as
signed for hearing at the earliest practical
bic day, before not less than three Circuit
Judges. This will have the effect, Mt
least, of letting, us know at an early day
whether the antitrust law is effective,
and in what, degree.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

The voters of Illinois have directed the
State Legislature to submit to the people
Constitutional Amendment providing for
Initiative and Referendum. We are glad
that Illinois is going to try this experi-
ment. Many people are agitating it and
expect it will accomplish wonders, in
which belief we do not at all join. We
have all the advantages of such a sys-
tenn now in the annual sessions of the
Legislatures, which can within a year
amend or repeal any law that may be
passed. 1t seems to rs that the adoption
Of this measure will simply complicate
law making without securing any advan.
tage over the present practices. :.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

THE hurricanes of bad language which
have been sweeping over South Carolina
have at last resulted in cold-blooded muir
der. Lieut.-Gov. Tillman, nephew of the
Senator, armed himself and went in search
of Mr.. Gonzalez, an editor who had been
publishing many damaging and shameful
charges against him. Without giving the
man a chance to defend himself-he
could not have done so, for he was I'M
armed-he shot him down with wound
of which he has since died. Probably
some good will come of this shocking bru-
tally. It will, or at least should, stun the
people of the State into energetic action
to redeem their good name. The friends
of the murdered editor are acting well,
discouraging all suggestions of mob
vengefulness, and insisting that the law
take its course. So far there has not de-
veloped a single palliatory feature for the
murderer. The killing was not done in
hot blood, for some time had elapsed after
the publication of the charges, and Till
man had met his victim without any man
Hesitation of heat several times before the
murder. Of course, there are apologists
for Tillman, but they are under a heavy
burden.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

Mrs. CARRIE NATION seems at last
to tie getting down to something practical
She has bought large residence in Kan
sas City. Kan, to be used as home for
drunkards' wives. She paid $500 for it
and will spend several thousand dollars
more in fitting it up for its new purpose.
This is most worthy charity, for If there
is any one in the world who deserves SYM
rathy and support it is drunkard's wife.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

Miss FLORENCE L. BRUToN, of Ala
media, Cal, 1S years, has shown I'M
usual sense for a girl of that age, by
renouncing for $4,000 her adoption by the
wife of an Italian nobleman which would
have given her the title OF countess. 1tal-
ian titles are very cheap, and she prota-
bly, knew where she could buy bigger
one at the bargain counter for less money.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

THE UNITED STATES is still paying
5 per cent. on $100,000,00O outstand-
ing bonds. but as these are redeemable
after Feb. 1, 1904, a part of the surplus
will be used soon to get rid of them.
Coy. Van SAINT.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

THE Supreme Court has given another
very bad Knockout to South Dakota dr.
yorces 1t holds that a residence in the
State for the purpose of securing n di-
vorce is distinct fraud, and vitiates the
decree. This is q ruinous blow to a very
thriving industry of that progressive young
State
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

WE MUST either allow others to serve
writs on delinquent South American debt
ors, or serve them ourselves. We do not
want to become Constabies, but we shall
So that those who do keep strictly within
the letter Of the Law.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
once. sss Pennsylvania Avenue n. w.

GERMANY does not like the Monroe doc
frine. Purely question of taste. We do.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

THE BILL which Representative Jen-
kins, of Wisconsin, has introduced calls
for Commission to investigate the organ
ization and conduct of the business cor
porations, joint-stock companies, and COM
binations engaged in commerce, to collect
such information and data as will enable
the President to make recommendations
to Congress for additional legislation, and
report annually to the President such in
formation as may be collected. Whenever
the Attorney-General shall direct, such
Commission shall Investigate the acts and
methods Of any such corporation, ETC., and
repoi the result. The Commission is
given power to require the attendance and
testimony of witnesses, the production of
books papers, etc, and no person so sub
penaed can refuse to testify, nor will he
be exempt from prosecution for perjury.
Heavy fines and Imprisonment are pre-
scribed for failure to attend and testify.
Such Commission seems hopeful of
good 1t will ut least correlate the pres
ent information, which will be of the
greatest value in considering the trust
question, but whether it will have any
real corrective power will have to be de-
termined by experiment.
The National tribune., 1903-01-22
WASHINGTON, d. c., JAN %. 1908.

WASHINGTON posrotrct As sfoospcAss MATTEL
The National tribune., 1903-01-22

The following bill represents the Admin
;stration's idea as to the staff reorganiza
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-09
FEARS or MASSACRE
Christians Flee to Lebanon-The Druses
Are Under Arms.

Christians Flee to Lebanon-The Druses
Are Under Arms.
Paris Sept 9.-The following telegram
has been received from Cairo, Egypt:
'Disquieting rumors are current in re-
gard to the situation in Syria. Bedouins
arriving here from the Arish desert say
the Druses are In arms, and fears are en-
tertained Of a massacre in Lebanon"
Official reports from Beirut show the
growing gravity Of the situation there.
Another Christian was killed yesterday;
Turkish soldiers are making common
cause with the Mussulmans in the at
tacks on Christians; a number Of houses
have been pillaged; one French shop was
completely destroyed and the French resi-
dents, becoming terrified at these depre-
dations have abandoned their homes and
sought refuge at the French college,
where between 400 and 500 refugees are
now gathered.
The American naval commander, 1t is
asserted in the dispatches received here,
proposed to land marines at Beirut, but
the foreign consuls believed the step in
advisable as it might lead to an increase
Of the excitement prevailing and precipi-
tate a crisis.
The vail Of Beirut has proved himself
to be weak and incompetent to deal with
the situation, and therefore Nazim Pasha,
the vail of Syria, was ordered to assume
the direction Of affairs in Beirut. NaZim
Pasha, who has already arrived at his
new post, is displaying great energy. The
consuls express the hope that he will be
able to stem the disorders.
The nearest French warship to Beirut
is in the Gulf of Volo, Greece but unless
Nazim Pasha speedily restores order and
completely safeguards French citizens
France will act decisively by dispatchine
| warships from Toulon.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-09
ASK FOR WARsHIPs
Foreign consuIs at Beirut Decide to Re-
quest Protection,


quest Protection.
Constantinople, Sept 9.-Consular &C
counts, received here from Beirut, totally
differ from the Turkish governments YER
sion Of the recent outbreak there. The
vail of Beirut was not on board the United
States flagship Brooklyn when the first
brawl occurred, but was In the country.
Contrary to the official version, consular
dispatches say the Mussulmans first at
tackled the Christians, and the troops
which interviewed sided with the Mussul-
mans. One Of the pillaged houses be-
longed to French citizen. Tho there
has been no further disturbance at Bel
rut since Sunday, great uneasiness,
amounting almost to panic, prevails
among the Christians, many Of whom have
left Beirut and sought refuge in Lebanon.
Ask for WarshIps.
The foreign consuls at Beirut met on
Monday and decided to make serious rep
reservations to the local authorities, look
ing to the preservation of order. They
also decided to telegraph to their respec-
tive ambassadors or ministers at Constan-
tinople, demanding the recall Of the in
competent vail of Beirut and requesting
that warships be sent for the protection
Of the Europeans.
Nazim Pasha, vail Of Syria, was or
dered from Damascus to Beirut, where he
arrived yesterday. The porte announces
that Nazim Pasha was sent to Beirut with
two battalions of troops to take temper
aryi charge Of affairs there. The vail of
Beirut 1t is also announced, has not been
deprived Of his authority, but he will
probably remain inactive at his post"
during the stay Of Nazim Pasha at Beirut.
Asked Cotton to Land Marines.
While recruiting was in progress, the
Beirut advices further state. an appeal
was made to Rear Admiral Cotton to land
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-09
HE MURDERED MRS. KENT
Death in the Prison at Bismarck Of
Thomas swidensky,
LITER.
Special to The journal.

Special to The Journal
Bismarck, N. D., Sept 9.-Thomas Swi-
densky, life prisoner at the state prison,
sent UP in 1896 for the murder of Mrs.
Myron R. Kent at Mandan, died this morn
ing after a years illness Of inflammatory
rheumatism
swidensky confessed to having commit
ted one of the most sensational murders
in the history of the state, and charged
Kent with having instigated the crime
and paid him to do the deed. Kent, whose,
real name was Pancoast, was twice tried
for the murder and both times convicted
and sentenced to death. His sentence was
COMMITTED to imprisonment for life ON the
eve Of his execution by Governor Allin
The murdered woman was formerly
Julia Laird Of Minneapolis, and Frank M.
Nye, the attorney, and Detective Hoy
were both active in the prosecution Of
Kent.
So far as known, swidensky made no
statement before his death, altho the
prison officials have expected that he
might throw some further light on his
connection with the crime. He is the
first life prisoner to die In the peniten-
tiary. The coroners inquest was held
this afternoon, in accordance with the
law.
Trolley to the Capitol.
The city council last night granted a
franchise to the state of North Dakota to
operate trolley line from the city to the
state capitol. Materials have been pur-
chased and it Is expected the line viii be
in operation within sixty days