Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-31
GREAT EVENTS OF The YEAR
Conspicuous Features Of the Record at
Home and Abroad
MUCH PROGRESS ALONG BENEFICIAL LINES
Civilization, Freedom and the "square
DEAF score Distinct Victories
-Distinsuished Dead
other Events.

square deal' in business methods at home
scored distinct victories in the year 1896
Civilization triumphed in the peace Of
Portsmouth. Out Of the havoc of war and
internal CONFUSION, autocratic government
Is loosening its hold on the Russian en-
pire. and constitutional government and
freedom are advancing The square deal'
in tho business life of the United States
moved forward by leaps and bounds
guided by the administration of President
Roosevelt and supplemented by court pro-
ceedings. It's application to the evenues
81 transportation awaits the action OF con-
-ress.
In the United States the year sets new
record in material prosperity. 1t is a top
notcher in railroad earnings, bank clear
ings farm products, notably the corn crop,
building operations and wages of the EN-
ployed IL Is also memorable for an en-
phatic expression OF widespread discon-
tent with existing conditions in the con-
duct of business and government. The
investigation Of life insurance in New
York revealed shocking extravaganza,
speculation and graft and remedial laws
are certain TO follow.
Efforts to check the expanding greed OF
industrial combinations made substantial
headway. The federal supreme court de-
cided that the Beef trust was an unlawful
combination, and the trial of the indicted
packers is under way in Chicago. Pro-
ceedlngs have been instituted in the fed
eral courts at Philadelphia Milwaukee
and Kansas City against railroad COM
panes and railroad officials charged with
violating the Elkins law prohibiting giving
and receiving rebates. and against indi-
viduals firms and corporations for solicit
ing and accepting rebates on transporta-
~ nn1d nna Hrr,, 80
packers pleaded guilty to the latter charge
and paid fine of $4,000.
Notable success attended the prosecution
Of public land grabbers In Oregon and
Minnesota and public land fencers in Ne
braska and Kansas In oregon a United
States senator, congressman and half a
score of unofficial land thieves were con-
vlcted and sentenced.
The squabble between citizens Of the
United States and the government of
Venezuela over the ownership of asphalt
beds developed a diplomatic scandal in
volving the integrity OF United States
Minister Bowen and Assistant Secretary
of state Loomis. Charges and counter
charges were Investigated by Secretary
Taft, acting secretary Of state, resulting
in the vindication of Loomis and the dis.
nissal of Bowen.
Three changes occurred in the presidents
cabinet. Elihu Root of New York, sue.
ceeded John Hay, deceased, as secretary
OF state; Charles ]. Bonaparte OF Mary
land, took the post of secretary OF the
navy vacated by Paul Morton and Georg,
b. Cortelyou succeeded Robert ]. Wynn,
as postmaster general.
The remains of Admiral Paul Jones
famous naval officer OF tho revolution
were discovered in an abandoned GENE
terry in Paris, through the energy anC
perseverance of Ambassador Porter
Identification was complete and satisfac
tory. A feet Of American warship
brought the remains to Annapolis, wher
they were given a final resting place il
the chapel of the naval academy.
After Ave years OF persistent effort &
the courts of Canada the United State
succeeded in extraditing and bringin
home for trial the fugitives Greene an
Gaynor dry dock contractors. accused @
defrauding the government.
Andrew Carnegie donated Sl0,000.00O to
fund for the benefit of superannuated pre-
fessors. the income from which Is to b
used in the form of pensions. A lik
amount was given by John d. Rockefelle
to promote higher education under III
direction of the general education boar
II was a hard year for frenzied flnancier
crooks Frank G. Bigelow, president {
the First National bank OF milwaukee
squandered sl,5Oo, 200 OF the banks fund
plead guilty and was sent to the peniteI
tiary. Seven Ohio bankers were convicte
three await trial and one committed su
eide The group were involved In bar
wrecking, shady transactions ar
Cassie Chadwick loans. The convicio
of the latter was affirmed by the Oh
supreme court N. C. Dougherty. supe
intendent OF schools and secretary of Il
Board Of Education of Peoria, Ill, spec
lated with public funds, lost $4,000 al
is now in the Illinois penitentiary.
Lee Clarke. cashier of the Enterpri
National bank, Allegheny. Pa. loaned q
banks money too freely to Pennsylvan
politicians, lost sl.50O.OoO. broke the bar
and committed suicide. Edward T. Gu
life, an express messenger of Pittsbur
Pa, could not resist the temptation
hit the road when bundle of SOL
came into his hands. He was caught a,
sent up and $4,000 of the bundle reco
cred.
Prince Louis of Bsttenburg, admiral
the British navy, paid oficial visit
the United States with his fleet.
tour embraced Annapolis. Washington a
New York. At each place the prince a
MS STAN were GOTuldily ISSSlNN0 oAN AN
pitably entertained
One great shadow of the year in
United States was the outbreak of y
low fever in New Orleans and immedis
vicinity. lasting from July until the e
OF October. A total Of about 4,500 cas-
we're reported and 900 deaths resulted.
Russo-Japanese War.
The dominant event OF the year OF wo
interest was the war between Japan a
Russia and its conclusion through the
strumentallty OF President Roosev'
Chronologically the events OF the v
were:
January 2-Surrender OF Port Artf
after a siege lasting 9so days. The fg
ing was practically continuous, compI
ing thirty-one distinct attacks and tn
sortes from the city.
January a-9-Battle of Hun river. r
slams under Grippenberg routed by OyaI
Troops engaged. 10000.
February 4March l2-Battle of Mukd
Third great land engagement OF the W
over a battle front OF 100 miles. To
forces engaged, $4,000 men. Russians
feated with less OF 10000 men and 10
prisoners Japanese loss, n.oOo.