davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
JUDGE sWAYNE ACQUITTED.

The acquittal of Judge Swayne was
expected. 1t was stated in reports from
Washington several days ago that the
managers on the part of the house
of representatives in the impeach-
ment trial had practically aban-
doned all hope of having their charges
sustained by the senate. Some Of
them, it was said. felt that they had
been treated with scant courtesy by the
senate, that the case had been hurried
along with indecent haste and that not
sufficient time was given the managers
for summing up. 1t is a fact that the
senate manifested little interest in the
case, apparently from the outset regard
ing the charges as insufficient to justify
impeachment. 1t Is admitted that the
specifications of violations of law on the
part OF the accused Judge were badly
riddled by his attorneys, while little has
been said commendatory Of the house
managers, who made a by no means
strong presentation Of the case.
Unquestionably some of the charges
were of quite serious nature, but we
think intelligent public opinion will ap-
prove the action of the senate. in view
of the good record Of Judge Swayne as
a jurist. 1t is noteworthy, though per
haps not especially significant, that the
democratic senators voted for conviction,
thus giving a somewhat partisan tinge to
the result. There have been eight i'm
peachment trials under the machinery
provided for that purpose by the con-
stitution of the United States, three of
these having been political impeach-
ments and five judicial.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
CURRENCY CONDITIONS.

Just before the opening of the spring
trade there is naturally a good deal of
interest in financial and business
circles regarding currency conditions
and the matter is receiving atten-
tion from eastern financial papers. One
of these remarks that the situation at
present is unusual, due to many excep-
| tional influences, and it notes that the
unusual circumstances have been the
congestion of currency at New York
and the persistently low rate for money,
the high rate Of foreign exchange and
the outflow Of gold. 1t is observed as
almost unexampled in times of normal
business conditions for gold to go out
of the country in such volume in the late
autumn and early winter months, when
merchandise exports are at their height.
1t appears that during the fiscal year up
to the beginning of the present month
there was a net loss of gold amounting
to over $50, 900, 900, compared to a gain
of nearly $46,OO0.OO0 in the same period
ending with January, 1904.
1t is argued that in this there is moth
ing especially unfavorable to the finan-
cial resources of the country, since our
production of gold more than made up
for what we supplied to other nations.
The significant point is that this move
ment was facilitated by a general none
tary excess, which filed the New York
banks with currency flowing in from
other parts Of the country and kept down
the rates for money. This unmanage-
able plethora of currency was largely
due to the fact that the bank note ele-
ment, which ought to be the elastic fac
tor to adjust the general volume to cur
rent requirements, persisted in expanding
| all the time when II ought to have been
ontracting." 1t is remarked by the
journal quoted that this inelastic element
in the currency, based upon government
credit. instead of bank credit. presents
the one important weakness in our sys-
TEN and is the only source OF disturb
ance that is strictly monetary. Bank
circulation, II 10 urged could be made
to serve useful purpose in our cur
rency. keeping II adjusted to varying
needs, but its present effect is a disturb
ing one and at critical time It might
seriously aggravate the crisis
Another financial paper expresses the
opinion that no better system than the
one we have could well be devised to
create obstacles to business cause er-
rattle fluctuations. sudden congestions of
money In centers with unwholesome re-
suits and as sudden Withdrawals with
equally injurious consequences. 1t urges
that the system must be reformed
otherwise we shall find the handi-
cap so great that I'm the industrial
race for the absolute indispensable
markets for our products or manufacture
we shall be left behind. These are sug-
gestlons for the consideration OF the
banking interests OF the country, which
can institute the necessary reform II
disposed TO do 80 and which must be
presumed TO have the sagacIty 10 see
what ought TO be done. so far as the
business interests OF the country are
concerned the currency conditions ap,
Ipear to be on the whole favorable. There
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
PUSHING THE "PoRK BARREL"
Petition Passed Up to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives.
New York Sun


Uncle Joe CaupeH has been assailed with
petition signed by 300 representatives, re-
questing him, as chairman OF the committee
on rules and as czar OF the house, to allow
the large pork barrel known as the public
building bill to be rolled through the legis-
lative halls. Speaker Cannon is against the
bill because he foresees a deficit anyway,
and he doesn't want 1t to be larger than
can be avoided
There are now 1856 representatives in con-
gress 1t appears, therefore. that an over
whelming majority of them are anxious to
get the barrel started. In spite of this de-
mand. however, the speaker stands fast,
and grins cheerfully as he refuses to take
the brake of
Why? Because a large number of the pc
titioners have gone to him In private and
told him in person TO disregard their sig
natures on the petition and count upon
their support in his policy of no public
buildings bill. They signed the petition be-
cause they did not wish to be uncivil or
impolite or disobiging. but they meant
nothing by attaching their names to It,
The priceless right of petition has been
exercised so often and abused so frequently
that the force of great or monster roll
of paper bearing the names of some scores
of thousands of citizens has been pretty
thoroughly broken. The ordinary voter
rather likes to sign petition. and many
sign the same petition several times, just
to swell the total and give their pen hands
pleasant exercise.
Congressman pay little attention to petf-
tions from citizens But they are not diff
ferent from other mortals. Their own ne
tition doesn't mean anything to the speaker.
In what disnifed position the petitioning
representatives stand before their consti
tuents!
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
A NOTABLE EVENT.
Congregational Church Joins the
Episcopal Body.

Brooklyn Eagle.
BY a unanimous vote the Congrega tionaI
church of East Brookfield, Mass. has
united with the Episcopal diocese of west
ern Massa achusetts. The church is prosper
Gus, owns a handsome edifice on which is no
debt and has not been hampered by division
or dlscoId among its members. The dis
patches announcing this remarkable and
we believe unique event do not state the
reasons that impelled the change, but, that
they were amply sufficient to the congreKa-
ton is apparent from the fact that no dis
senting voice was raised when the merger
was effected. The late Dean Richmond held
the Episcopal church in high esteem be-
cause "it interfered neither with politics or
religion" A more eminent authority de-
clared that II was the "roomiest church In
America" Let this be as 1t may the fact
remains that the retention OF certain dog
mas by the Episcopal church has not in
torfered with the development in Il OF a
theology that Is az far removed from the
theology of primitive Episcopalianism as
the Universalist theory OF redemption IL
from the discarded doctrine OF infant dam
nation. This movement toward a broader
outlook began in the Established church in
England under such men as Archbishop
Temple, Canon Farrar, Dean Stanley and
Charles Kingsley. The beginning and
growth OF II here were nearly cOntem-
poraneous and quite even with the begin
ming and growth OF II in England. Both
movements were indicative merely OF the
general breaking down OF the lines Of de-
mareation between all Protestant sects. a
process OF which the East Broofeld incident
is natural II extraordinary example. The
hold OF dogmatic theology upon Protestant
churches is growing less and less III there
weren't any dogmas there wouldn't be any
deans" said that master OF epigram Dis
raeh 10 the late Dean Stanley. But the
world IL coming more and more every day
10 recognize that the maintenance OF &C.
olesiastieal forms In administration il pos
sible without retaining the narrowing and
exclusive beliefs under which those forms
we're hrst established
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
ONE-SIDED RECIPROCITY.

The statement made a few days ago
in the Cuban Congress, in regard to the
trade Of the island, showed that while
the Cubans have gained a very material
advantage from the reciprocity treaty
no great benefit to this country has re-
suited. The figures presented by men,
Der of the Congress show that during
the last six months of 1904 Cuba sold in
the American market products amount
ing in value to $53,OOO,000 and bought
from this country goods to the value of
SIS, 100000. In the same period Great
Britain sent to the island $6,OOO,OOO
worth of goods and bought of its prod
ucts one-third of that amount, while in
the same six months Cuba sent to Spain
only $4S2,OOO worth of her products. Yet
she bought more than $6,O00,O0O worth
in Spanish markets.
The Cuban congressman who sub
mltted these figures, in the course of an
argument in favor of increasing duties,
declared that 1t was undeniable that the
reciprocity arrangement is not now fair
for the United States. He said that
Cuba could buy as much from this coun-
try as the United States buys from the
island and would do 30 If Spanish COM
mercal interests should not prove effect
i've in preventing 1t. He urged that
Cuba should strive to perpetuate reci-
procity with the United States and make
1t so satisfactory that it never would be
abrogated; that the larger Cuba's rela-
tions with the United States the stronger
would he the islands independence. 1t
is perhaps not remarkable that Spain
should continue to sell so extensively to
Cuba. since Spaniards still form
large proportion Of the com
mercial class in the island. but why
should she buy so literally from Great
Britain. taking from that country three
times the amount sold to 1t? The United
States takes SS per cent of the Cuban
exports and supplies less than 40 per
cent Of the islands total imports.
This is a one-sided arrangement which
the Cubans must correct II they wish
to have the reciprocity treaty perpet-
uated and it is well If they are really
awakening to realization of this The
promise that this agreement for closer
trade relations between the United
States and the republic it created would
be of great commercial benefit to us
has not been fulfilled, but on the con-
trary the result Is distinctly disappoint-
ing thus far Whether or not II will
improve depends upon the course of
Cuba and 1t is a question of very great
importance to that people.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
of the Railroad Lobby,

hdIISHS NIIN bIdT.
Members of the railroad lobby in Wash
ington are reported to be satisfied with
their success in smothering the railroad
rate bill in the senate. They believe that
before another session Of congress the agi-
tation in favor OF government regulation
will have died out and that public opinion
will acquiesce in a policy Of non-action. In
taking this position these gentlemen show
less than their accustomed acumen. They
have misjudged the strength of the exist
ing feeling. Because sporadic outbursts
have occurred in other years and then have
died down, they imagine that the present
movement will follow the same course.
They are mistaken. The country has never
been thoroughly aroused before
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
personal NOTES.

Booker Washington says that sInce IN.
civil war our negroes have accumulated
1900. OOO. 0OO
The president and the kaiser can shake
hands over the twin distinction conferred
upon them by the University of Pennsyl-
vania.
Hon. John L. Grifnths of INDIANAPOLIS,
who has been rendered the consulship OF
Liverpool, England, is one of Indiana s
prominent orators.
Abraham Rosenberg Of New York has
been unanimously elected grand master OF
the Sons OF Benjamin, which order has a
membership OF 5000 In the United States.
While Americans are demanding that
their consular service be made better. the
Canadians are declaring that the American
consular service is the most comprehensive
aggressive and excellent in the world
Darwin admitted that the pursuit OF sci
ence destroyed his love OF art but Ernst
Haeckel, who Is one of the greatest living
scientists, is also an artist OF marked
ability. Though Haeckel has devoted a
long and Industrious life to biological re-
searches. he has found leisure to do hun
dreds of paintings and many OF his mono
graphs on biology, which are scientific
classics are illustrated with his own pic
An Ohio man who was recently elected
10 congress went to Washington to look
around and see what his duties were He
was Hospitality received sand was wined
and dined great many times by his col.
leagues. Before he went home he said to
his friends: by George. / have had "A
good time! have had dinners and break,
fasts and suppers galore given 10 me. In
fact, haven't had my knife out OF my
mouth since l struck town"
o. A. Baker OF Marion Ind. accused Of
handing tl00 bills to legislators In return
for their votes against the anti-cisarette
hill. Is a pretty smooth promoter. Some
years back he was trustee for an estate
One OF the heirs was an Austrian coun-
tess. Baker hiked TO Dakota, divorced his
wife and married the countess and the es-
tate Later on he turned similar trick
on the countess and remarked his first
wife. All this time he was leading citi-
zen Of Marion and AN exemplary member
Of s0eiety.'
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
RETURNING THE BATTLE FLAGS.
Time Heals wounds and Harmonises
the Sections.
New York Sun.

Il
Congress has passed the Joint resolution
| providing for the return TO the proper state
| authorities OF the union and confederate
battle flags that have been in storage In one
Of the attic rooms Of the war department
| building since the close OF the civil war. In
| opposition to this disposal of these relics
not protest has been made. There are Sl4
| OF the faEs, about 100 being union banners
which fell into the hands OF the confeder-
| ates during the war and were surrendered
| TO the federal government when the con-
| federacy fell
Immediately after the close OF hostilties
Senator Sumner Of Massachusetts, offered
| resolution providing that the battle fags OF
the federal army should not bear the names
OF engagements in which they had been
borne in the war. From time to time the
War department granted requests from
northern states for the return to them OF
their battle flags which, after being cap
tured by the confederates. came finally into
the possession Of the Washington authori-
ties. Twenty-Five union flags were thus re-
turned by the department previous to 1887
In the same period an equal number Of con-
| federlte flags were disposed OF by the sec
retaries of war, going mostly to the union
organizations that had captured them.
Nobody paid any attention TO these gifts
by the War department until Adjutant
General r. c. Drum in the third year of
President Cleveland's first term recon-
mended to Secretary Endicott that all of
the flags in the possession of the depart
ment be returned to the states whose names
they bore Secretary Endicott, himself
Massachusetts, man, laid the proposition be-
fore President Cleveland who approved IT,
On May 26, 1887 Secretary Endicott ordered
General Drum to notify the governors Of
the states represented in the collection OF
flags that they would be returned and on
June General Drum sent out letters dis
charging this pleasant duty" Subse-
quently, however, the plan was abandoned,
on the ground that the legislative depart
ment and not the executive had power to
dispose of the trophies
1t is probable that II public attention had
not been called to the matter by the pro-
posal to return all the flags at once the sec
retaries of war would have continued 70
dispose of them after 1887 as had been done
before, and no one would have paid any at
tention TO their action. But no flags have
been distributed since 1887. Now congress
republican in both its chambers has voted
to do what General Drum. Secretary Endi-
colt and President Cleveland wanted to do
eighteen years ago, and a republican execu-
tive will carry out the resolution
Since Cleveland's time veterans of the
confederate service have led veterans OF the
union armies in war against a foreign
power. The rebel brigadiers" have ceased
TO be OF value to the aspiring politician
The bloody shirt is almost forgotten
johnny Reb fraternzes with Yank in cele-
bration OF their battles. The war is over
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
BALFOUR PLANS A BLOW.
striking Back at the IrIshmen who
Irritate Him.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.

u.
II Premier Balfour carries out his con-
templated plan of equalizing the parliamen-
tary districts of the United Kingdom he will
reduce Ireland's vote in Parliament to a
comparatively small figure. England and
Wales have 1876 members OF the House of
| Commons, Ireland has 1903 and Scotland has
~ These make up the SO members of the
popular chamber Of the British Parliament,
AS many years have passed since there has
oeen redistribution of seats in that cham
Der some important inequalities have re-
suited England. Wales and Scotland are
growing In population, while ireland has
been shrinking for sixty years
At present Scotland has more population
and casts more votes for members OF Par
lament than does ireland. but Ireland leads
1t In representation in the proportion which
loS members bear to 70. Naturally the grow
ing portions Of the kingdom object to the
representation which gives Ireland a voice
IN parliament out of all proportion to it's
inhapitants One OF the planks in the Tory
ministrys platform Is redistribution OF
seats which will make an approach toward
equalization OF the voting power OF the in
dlvidual electors in the various sections OF
the kingdom. Premier Balfour promises IN
carry out this demand in the present Par
lament II he can.
Manifestly when this question of depriv-
ing Ireland OF twenty-five or thirty mem
bers of Parliament comes up there will he
some exciting times in that body. This
menace has been hanging over Ireland's
head Tor many years. but 1t was aIways
averted by one contingency and another
Premier Baifour has a majority of So in the
House OF Commons, as indicated by the re-
cent division involving a vote of confidence
In tho ministry. He can carry through his
program without regard to the attitude OF
the irish members But the Irish party
STICK together on all issues involving their
own country. They will vote solidly against
reducing its vote in Parliament. II reduc-
ton comes 1t will be hard blow to Irish
aspirations for home rule. measure
winch reduces lrelands vote In the House
OF commons as sweepingly as this will IL
1t should pass will seriously diminish thar
locality's weight in the British politicaI
scheme.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
COMMODITY :. VT MAXIMUM RATE
nTTTc

There is serious ground for appre-
hension that all railroad legislation will
be defeated during the present session
of the legislature by division among
the friends of railway regulation, The
! failure Of former Nebraska legislatures
that have undertaken the same task has
in almost every instance been due to a
multiplicity of railroad regulation bills
that were in many instances pitted
against each other through adroit ma
nipulation by the railroad lobby.
The most feasible, IL not the most
practical measure providing for a re-
duction of local freight rates is the COM
modify rate bill, which contemplates a
reduction of 10 per cent Of present
freight rates on the staples and products
Of the farm and factory, including grain,
coal, lumber and live stock. While a
greater reduction of these commodities
may be just and reasonable, such an
act would be a measure of relief which
the people Of Nebraska would gratefully
appreciate.
Instead Of antagonizing the ccmmo-
dity rate bill, the friends Of the maxi
mum rate bill should fall in with
proposed to be established for the trans
portation of the articles named In the
commodity rate bill at the same or
nearly the same rate as would be charge
aIN fhn ,,,O1itxy rof hill In
other words, fix the maximum rates for
the twenty-seven commodities mentioned
in the commodity rate bill as near as
possible in the maximum rate bill, the
same as would make a difference of 10
per cent on present rates. Such an ad-
justment would not necessarily conflict
with the maximum freight rates to be
established in all articles not mentioned
in the commodity rate bill.
If, as is now asserted by opponents
of the commodity rate bill, such a meas
ure would be declared unconstitutional
by the courts. no harm can come to the
maximum rate bill from its enactment.
The maximum rate bill would and
should stand on its own bottom.
II the members who are supporting
the commodity rate bill and the men,
bers who are supporting the maximum
rate bill earnestly favor reduction of
railroad tolls and constitute majority
Of the legislature both bills can pass.
If there are not sufficient number Of
members in the legislature to pass
a maximum rate law. there should be,
at least, sufficient number to support
the commodity rate bill, which is not so
complicated, and therefore less likely to
meet with serious legal obstacles.
It is safe to assume, however, that
any measure reducing railroad tolls that
may be passed by the legislature will be
attacked in the courts by the attor-
neys of the railroads, but the friends
Of railway regulation will not be eX-
cused for falling to support every meas
ure that tends to lessen the burdens Of
the producers Of this state on the plea
Of fear that it would not stand the
ordeal Of the courts.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28
Increasing the Presidents salary.
Washington Post

Republican institutions will not he
wrenched from their high pedestal by rea-
son of an increase OF the presidents sal
ary. The precedent exists in the case of
President Grant, who received $4,000 dur
ing his second term through the wisdom of
congress in providing, on the last day of
his first term, for the appropriation of
that amount In course OF time. however,
the increase to 100000 will certainly be
made. Why not authorize it now? Other
wise, four years must elapse before 1t can
take effect There is no generosity or IA
vorltlsm to President Roosevelt In the sug-
gestion. 1t is simply a proposition to
atone for neglect which has been too long
endured.
Omaha daily bee., 1905-02-28

If the frenzied anu-Standard Oil leg
ton of Omaha as the distributing sta
ton for oil by one or more independent
rehnerles Omaha will welcome the op-
portunity for competition. AS a matter
of fact, however, Omaha looks to the
Wyoming fields rather than those OF
Kansas, not only in the distribution Of
oil. but the eventual esta tablishment of
large oil refineries. The Wyoming OIL
field, which has scarcely been tapped,
promises to be more extensive and more
permanent than the Texas field. and
possibly may become more extensive
even than the oil fields OF Ohio and
Pennsylvania. The existence of large
deposits of petroleum in Wyoming was
known in Omaha more than forty years
ago and Omaha capital was invested in
the very first development of the Wyom-
ing petroleum field, the late Frank Muir
ply being one Of the pioneers. Without
the remotest anticipation Of the Kansas
oil war, a bill was introduced and
passed by the last legislature at the in
stance of the editor of The Bee. grant
ing the right OF eminent domain TO any
individual or corporation that would ex-
tend pipe lines across the state of Ne
braska for the transportation OF oil. so
that Nebraska Is in condition TO take
advantage OF the development of the
Wyoming oil field on large scale, that
is now only a matter of months instead
of years.