davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
TALK OF THE TOWN
AND E9R4es& QllFfHHE o.
TIMEC ~
Ho1v Melick Won Votes.

Walter S. Melick, the secretary OF
the State Board of Examiners, is one
of the men who do things and wir
out even under difficulties. Some
years ago, when he was running for
Assemblyman in Los Angeles County,
he gave an illustration Of practical
ability which gained him renOwn in a
country community and won him
many votes.
There had been a county candidates
meeting in a small town and the Re-
publican nominees for Sheriff, County
Clerk, District Attorney and the rest,
as we'll as Melick, who as before said
was the Assembly nominee, had made
their little speeches. The meeting be-
ing adjourned, there came the second
portion of the evenings programme,
and, in the opinion of the politicians,
the more important-this being the
usual tour of the saloons. But Melick,
being a good Methodist, refused to join
the procession and started back
toward the hotel, wondering as he
went how many votes he was sacrif1c-
ing to a principle.
AS he walked along the village street
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
Maxinite.

Maximite differs from dynamite, lyd-
dlte, nitroslycerine, guncotton and
other highly explosive compounds in
that 1t is less easily exploded, and.
therefore, much safer to handle and
carry aboard a war vessel. 1t is also
more deadly in its work, for a shell
loaded with 1t does not explode until
after it has penetrated or become i'm
bedded in the object at which it was
aimed. By very thorough tests at
Sandy Hook, the United States Govern
ment testing and proving ground, max
Unite has excelled everything thus far
discovered as a powerful explosive for
projectiles. In every detail 1t met the
requirements of the Government-for IL
had very high explosive power and did
not lose this force by being kept a long
time; yet it could be safely handled as
it would not explode from any shock
except that of the cap made especially
for that purpose. Moreover. the shell
loaded with maximite could be safely
fired from big guns at high velocity
and would withstand the far greater
shock Of piercing the heaviest armor
plate before exploding.-St. Nicholas
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
ILLITERACY.

TT HE findings of the last to literacy are
interesting. The total number of persons in the
United States of 10 years and unable to read
write 6Isoooo OF whom 100000 were whites,
the negroes supplying 29So,ooo. While the percentage
of negro iiterates the whole negro population is
large, still, all things nsdered, the showing is rather
fattering that race.
Among the whites it is evident that most of the it-
crates foreign immigrants but how can one account
for the fact that in the State of New York there are
$4,000 native born literates? With public schools
in operation it impossible that any native born
American should be unable to read and write New
York has population of 7,26So12. The native litter
ates small percentage, but why should there be
any?
In 1899 population of school age was 2I83ozz4;
the enrolment in the public schools was I5I3S7I5 and
the average daily attendance Io,38or4o7. From
this appears that only half the school population was in
attendance, and about five millions of the enrolment did
not attend Our total expenditure the public schools
6o3, of which $50 for the saa-
ries of teachers. 1t would that such expenditure
Should better results in the average attendance
and that there should be native iterates The CEN
dissecons not at hand to enable the location of
the native iterates. When they furnished will
illuminate the subject by tracing the items of expend-
ture, population of school age enrolment and average
attendance what relation they bear to the location
of illteracy.
California stands very well in the list of States having
2533e7 enrolled in the public schools, with an average
daily attendance of 2o3248 and 8I57 teachers That is
small army of teachers but the proportion of teachers
to pupils in attendance large enough 1t implies
too many pupils per teacher the best results If
are to educate in the public schools should not be
at this of the health and strength and sacrifice
of the teachers but at the expense of the State IF
teacher have twenty pupils than should be allotted
to instructor they being educated the expense
of the teacher, who is caring for twenty more than the
State fOr
more in that way to public education than anv similar
number of average taxpayers.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
Ocean Gables.

Less than half a century ago the
hrst under-ocean cable was laid, but
since the earliest message passed be-
meath the Atlantic the enterprise
shown in multiplying the number Of
wires at the bottom Of the seas has
been irresistible, and in every succeed
Ing year the provisions for electric
communication through Neptune's do
mains become more generous and ex-
tensive. The fulfllment Of the most
ambitious imaginings Of the pioneers
in long distance telegraphing in the
greatest depths Of the oceans has been
amazing indeed. and there is frequent
talk nowadays Of adding several more
cables to those already completed or
contracted for.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
MEN analMAaEERS IN
THE F0RE8sZ1 ne WORLD
MOVES

have learned that the reason why Mr..
Yerkes' intimate business associate.
Clifton Robinson, has become a natur-
allied British subject is that he may
be qualified to contest a seat in Parlia-
ment at the next general election. R..
w. Perks, another O. Mr.. Yerkes'
partners, has been a member Of the
House of Commons since 1892, but the
Yerkes tube and tramway interests in
the metropolis have now assumed such
colossal proportions that the erstwhile
Chicago magnate wishes to have an
other representative there VINO can be
trusted to keep a friendly eye on his
schemes.
In becoming a BritiSh subject Mr.
Robinson is merely returning to the
allegiance which claimed him ae his
birth. He was born in England in 1S4S
but early in the seventies that erratic
genius, the late George Francis Train,
induced him to emigrate to America.
There he became naUuralized and en-
gagged extensively in street railway
construction on the Pacific slope and
elsewhere. Having learned all that
A4aerica could teacS him he returned
to England in 1891 to wake. up John
Bull to the advantages of electric trac-
tion and incidentally to accumulate a
fortune for himself. In both respects
he has been highly successful. 1t was
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

message sent over this line can be OBJ
tained for a few dollars is certainly
hardly credible to Western ears, ac-
custOmed as we are to regard any
thing cOnfided to the wire as strictly
confidential as the secrets Of the con-
fessiOnal. But it is nevertheless the
fact all through China and in all Of
f1ces possessing Chinese clerks and
operators. / have been offered copies
Of state messages by a Chinese Oper-
atOr in Peking. The selling of our mes
sages to the Russians is not the only
grudge we bear against the Imperial
Telegraph. The wire was again tapped
at Tientsin, and, ofttimes, the news
that had taken us many days OF fer
reting and scheming TO obtain was
published in the local Chinese papers
before it was received in London and
New York. Thus. local correspondents
In Shanghai were often able to wire
the same news to New York and Lon
don before ours were received.-George
Bronson-Howard in Sunset Magazine
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

counts, but is perhaps most famous on
account Of his enthusiasm over-clocksi
He probably is the best posted man in
England on clocks and other time
pieces: has written several books about
them and made their study a lifelong
pursuit
At Batch Wood. St Adams, his coun-
try seat, he has an extensive workshop
fitted up with every requisite for the
pursuit Of his favOrite hobby, and in
former days, when attending to his leg
islative duties at Westminster, he fire.
quently carried home with him the
watches Of brother Parliamentarians
that stood in need Of hospital tre"t-
nent. No matter TO what political
party a member belonged Lord Grim
thorpe was always willing to set his
timepiece right for him.
II this peer could have his way he
probably would make Il misdemeanor
10 exhibit a clock that is not 2 good
timekeeper. "A public clock" he once
declared, should not be allowed to
vary more than five seconds in any
week" That this is an ample margin
Lord Grimthorpe has demonstrated in
the great timepiece at Westminster
WHICH ne lllilctL Q6SlSneQ ana which
goes with a weekly variation Of scarce
ly a second
Church restoration is another Of his
hobbies, but in this his achievements
have hardly been so fortunate. He
spent a pile of money in repairing St.
Adams Abbey and bringing it up tc
date. As a tangible and enduring me-
mento OF his labors he added to the
adornments OF the west porch several
sculptured representations Of his own
physiognomy. But instead of the
popular applause that he had antici-
pated his efforts evoked a storm of
derisiOn and il was generally main
tained in artistic circles that the old
church would have Jared much better
II his lordship had kept his hands off
il altogether. The controversy resulted
in the addition by one photographer of
a new verb TO the dictionary. ito
grimthrope," which, according to the
definition appended, means to spoil an
ancient building by restoring it. Also
some irreverent critics made free with
the strenuous peers name and dubbed
him Lord "Grimfault." But that he
meant well nobody disputes and in his
own person he has strikingly demon
strated the value Of hobbies as an aid
TO longevity.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
Ne7V Y0rk's Beggars.

| New York may be lenient with some
nuisances, but the city beggars have
certainly been subdued. 1t took years
and years of wrestling with the ques-
ton before this shiftless, good-fOr-
nothing class could be brought into
any manner of subjugation, but beg
ging in the streets or from house to
house is now a misdemeanor with a
severe punishment. Of course, there
is still tremendous amount Of beg
gtng done, but the beggar has his pro-
fession reduced to such a fine art that
he usually manages to elude the
eyes of the law.
Those engaged in the business are
almost to an individual people with
considerable money. The profession
ais are banded together as closely as
any labor organization. They have
their head leader and their division
leaders; they have inventors of new
begging schemes, they give each other
information, sign codes guiding them
to various parts of the city, and in
trouble they will stick to each other
like glue. Let a beggar get arrested
and the whole fraternity turns in to
help get him "off the island" There
NIC DCSSeAS III IlllS City WHO own NdIu-
able farms in New Jersey, Connecticut
and New York State, who send their
children to college and when they are
themselves are very decent looking
and acting persons. Their respectable
neighbors never know how they oc-
cupy their time when they are down in
the city as working in an Office or
away as travelling men," This Is a
big place, and it is an easy matter for
a man to come here and engage In a
questionable occupation without being
found out.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
What Clothes Mean.

What seems mostly to have i'm
pressed the negro Alake, or King of
Abeokuta, in the western part of
Africa, on the occasion of his recep-
tion the other day. by King Edward
was the gorgeousness Of the gold laced
liveries and knee breeches of the royal
fcotman, and on taking his departure
he explained that while he himself
was going to wear in future on state
occasions a uniform exactly similar to
that Of King Edward, he intends to
dress his retainers in liveries "just like
the Kings family at Buckingham
Palace"
This dusky King has been one of the
successes Of the London season, driv-
ing about in royal carriages and tre-
mendously cheered by the public when
ever they caught glimpse of his gor-
geous apparel.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

not generally known here that during
his sojourn on the other side of the At
lant1c he had become an American citi-
zen, and it was in entire ignorance of
that fact that the representatives of a
Conservative constituency recently ap-
preached him with the suggestion that
he should become their Parliamentary
candidate. In England, quite as much
as in America, elective political honors
are apt to seek the man with a bari"
and that Mr.. Robinson will find the
Parliamentary path made smooth for
him is foregone conclusion.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

The ST Louis Exposition has had its first experience
with fire. and by the kindness of the ates has escaped
without serious harm AS might have been expected the
confagration started the pike" If reports from
the exposition city measurably reflect the TRUTH
the Pike must be about the warmes spot the Amer
lean continent to-day
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

Louise Michel has ngenuously and with every evil
dence of desire for the widest publicity given her de-
scrpton of the sensation of dying patient world has
been waiting long time for the next step in The
womans career. The deluson of her mundane usef,,,
has long since been dispe1led.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
President must abandon the Monroe doctrine.
that what Mr.. Williams wants2

Federal inspectors of steamboats, stationed at this
port have made thorough inspection of the ferry boats
plying in the harbor and hazard expert opinion that
the steamers perfectly safe Some authorized
to act should now to it that the transportation COM
panies do not overtax the boats past the limit where
normal safety is nothing and the stanchest craft
put danger
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

Let US be thankful for the in a recent dispatch
from Italy that the last of the brgands that made the
lives of the travelling public uncomfortable and the
nsula picturesque is dead and with his unworthy faith
We may find relief from the impossible
comic operas which these old rascas have figured so
ingoriousy and unmelodious1y.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

Another Russian warship has gone the bottom and
another Japanese victory has been added to the credit
Of the fighting sailors of the Mkado If for no ether
reason than to relieve the monotony of this thing
to patient reading world Russian friends should
make desperate effort record at least one lonely
triumph land.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
Oriental TeIegrabhv.

A word as to violation of trust on
the part of the Chinese Imperial Tele-
graph Administration would not come
amiss. The fact that copy of any
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
Special Correspondence.

HEADQUARTERS Og THE CALL.
6 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT
GARDEN, LONDON, June 15.-Lord
Grimthorpe, who celebrate7 his eighty
eighth birthday the other day, is SyeH
known in this country, on many acc
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
IN american IN Parliament.
Special Correspondence.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE CALL,
5 HENRIETTA STREET, COvENT
GARDEN. LONDON, June 15.-From
an unusually weIl-informed source L
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

Special information supplied daily 20
business houses and public men by the
Press Clipping Bureau (Allen's 81 gao Cal
ifornia street Telephone Main 10A3.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

LEGAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., City.
Nickels, two-cent pieces and one-cent
pieces are legal tender to the amount
of 25 cents. You cannot force any one
to accept more than such sum in minor
coins in one payment.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

PUBLIC SPEAKING - Subscriber.
City. When a person at a BANQUET or
meeting is called upon to respond to
toast or say something for the good
Of the cause such person should re-
spond and not try to avoid making an
answer by saying Excuse me. but I'm
no speaker" While it is not probable
that every citizen Of the United States
can attain the standard Of Daniel
Webster, Henry Clay OF J. G. Calhoun,
1t is both proper and expedient that
all, whatever may be the vocation or
position in life, should occasion re-
quire he able to acquit themselves
creditably in a public utterance OF a
formal character.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

CLASS PERIODICALS. s. p
City. The monthly periodical called
Good Government and another called
Municipal Journal and Engineering.
both published In New York, devote
much space to municipalities and mu-
nieipal works. Poor's Railroad Manual
and the Railroad Gazetteer of New
York are authorities on railroads.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30
AHS7verS to Queries.

THE KEY ROUTE. ]. B.. City.
The Key route is owned by the Oak
land Realty Syndicate.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

MADEIRA For information in regard to
Government lands in Oregon, address
a letter Of inquiry to the General Land
Office at Washington, d. G.
The San Francisco call., 1904-06-30

Townsend's California Glace fruits IN
artistic hre-etchsd boxes. us Marker St
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27

horror Of lOop-the-loOp feats on bicycles, she
consented And here 1 am
Here am, and what, after all, have to
show for the day but these close packed pages?
have been moved to tears by another mans
music, but not one whisper of a song has
stlrred In my own heart. l have been thrilled
10 admiration by the sight of another mans
HluScles and a wOmans symmetry, but not one.
ming nave L done to strengthen my own mus
cIes, 10 train my own body into poise and power
and shapeliness. / have lived other peoples'
lives; l have failed to live my own When I
was a youth and read eagerly all the time my
rather used TO say, Don't be a sponge con-
stantIy absorbing. Go apart from other men
sometimes, and then give of yourself Let others
absorb from you All IL is n wise son who
can obey his own father! From n symphony to
the circus, seeking amusement, seeking senSa-
tons, seeking emotions, TO blind me TO the
poverty of my own nature-that has been my
day. \ long swim. a walk with the sunset and
the Infinite. then bed and healthfuI sIumber-
that would have been my day IN the life I
dream of.
Il wonder II Alice keeps n diary. 7 should
Ike 10 see what she wrote tonight. Few wOm-
en- have the Pagan independence OF soul but I
think she has, in spite of her pitiful loyalty to
Central Park / believe she would cling to that
convention, though she cast aside all others,
There goes the first milk wagon; the cans are
jingling. Go TO bed. so to bed I'm going"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27

The Major was really in a most rcprehensible
temper as he entered his little villa at MAZDA
Vale, and consequently made matters generally
unpleasant for every body and every thing about
The parrot. weird bird. had squeaked a wei
come to him while lifting up one foot and dis
tended claw. though giving him its benedic-
tion. but he had only replied by finging his
muller at it, whereGpon It had burst into
series OF strident laughs, interpreted with a
few choice eXpletiyes il had learned from the
Major himself The black cat had also mewed
welcome to her master, whercupon that master
had endoavored to kick the harmless neCcs-
sary" one though he had only missed his mark
and fallen forward On TO the coal scuttle and
bariled his shins. which aid not make his temper
any the more angelic. Meanwhile, the cat
jumped the arm OF chair and sat blinking
her green eyes at the dear Major with semi
ContcInptuous and scmi-scraphic appearance.
Here, you. down there" the Major howlcd.
rushing TO tho had of the basement stairs.
Mary, Eliza, where are you? Taking to the
butchers boy again, en-? What? The pos;man.
is IL? I'll postman you-I'll have discipline
maintained. What arc you singing? I'm not a
colder at thirteenpence day. ell? III show
you Come Up hereP'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27

beauty unpleasant. But in the circus they are
the only garments possible. and the almost
complete disclosure they effect Of strong, keen
bodies in violent yet perfectly trained and con-
trolled action is a clean and wholesome sight
The woman above me was remarkably beauti-
full; even her face, from that distance, at least.
looked neat and pretty. There were litheness
and grace, strength and vitality I'm every line
OF her form. and as she sat poised IN air. far
above those thousands OF spectators. some too
short and fat, some too long and lean, some
stoop shouldercd some weak and white. some
gross and red. but probably hardly a one OF
them beautifully formed beneath the uulovcly
garments which the sin OF Eve did envclop US
withal and only the Greeks Of civilized races
dared remove, she, the 'trapeze artistic the
pink symphony Of the press agent, was as an
angel OF light 10 my upturned gaze!
Somehow Alice didn't follow me so complete
ly in this mood
But presently 4 contortionist bent over back
ward. and sticking his head into hat, came
up erect gain with the hat on / could do that
once, and II made me so cross to think l could
not do it now to my life that suggested
We go home. AS Alice very properly has a
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27

Then. n few minutes afterward. the nymph
named Eliza appeared.
Il amt your wife" she began, -thank cvings."
and 1 amt a soldier servant. for which 1 says
thank 'evinEs again. II l don't suit / can go;
mother says l oughtn't TO stay in n 'ouse with
man who uses the langwidge you do. So here's
a months notice for you, and you can go to the
old registry ofTiss again. Oh! I don't want any
character. thank you kindly. I'm going TO be
married to perliceman shortly
Where's your mistress?" the Major asked. in
Il quieter voice now, perhaps because he thought
that before n future rnatron ne had better sim
mer down n little.
"Gone-to the club. She's got appoint
ment."
HAS she?'' the Major slii. looking ominousl5
for his wife's future comfort. And as sh4
thought l was going to be away for week. ]
Continued fourteenth page