davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
Az vIRGINIA HOT SPRINGS.

Hot Springs. Va. April q (SpeciaD-There Is
considerable gathering here for Easter ana the
weather, with the exception OF three days has
heen glorious for the last month. Cornelius Van
derbit spent the weekend here with Mrs Wander
bilt, who has been here for the last month taking
the cure" Other NeW-Yorkers here for Holy
Week include Mrs. Frederick Nelson Frederick
Gebhard Mr.. and Mrs. Reginald de Koven. Hunter
Wykes, Mrs. Charles knOblauch Nathaniel Moore
William Nance. William Shipper Mrs Raymond
S. White, Alfred p. W. Seaman. Maurice Heck
scher. William l. DetmoId. Mr. and Mrs Robert
c. Watson. Mr.. and Mrs. William II. Taller Mr.
and Mrs. Augustus Jay. Delaney Jay. Philip
LivermOre, Mr. and Mrs. Plny Fisk. Dwight W.
Taylor. John N Tilden. William c. De Witt John
L.arkin. Mr.. and Mrs Thomas d. Hooper Lorin
and Herman NOgel.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

and other equipment Of first class quality have
been removed from one department after an
other, and passed over to the headquarters of
committees and clubs throughout the city. at
the instance of the city fathers. Politicians
have been highly favored. Some mad whole
clubroom outfits given to them outright While
ell this is not chargeable to the board. it is
tain that some members got their share. In
a man who had obtained a desk had
the nerve to send for employees OF the Public
Buildings Department to have the locks on the
desk repalred
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

The men whom New-Yorlz City selects for its
governing council have often shown themselves
TO be clowns. ana they are occasionally convicted
OF being thieves. Though. OF course not al are
buffoons snd robbers-inGeed. some are men OF
the highest character-neverthel heless it is this
class which is generally dominant other Amer
lean cities also fare much the Same way. so that
the typical ward alderman has come 10 be pic
tured in American politics with hoIid nose a
leery eye. a low forehead. a capacious stomach
a TAT hand that habitualy reaches out behind.
diamond decked shirt front, silk hat ulted
sideways. and speech that reflects the l:fe OF
the barroom and the gutter.
The present Board OF Aldermen Of this city
represents largely. as il generally does low
stratum of society-the slums rather than the
homes the criminal rather than the law abiding
classes. Fifteen Of the seventy-three members
are saloonkeepers: three have no occupation at
all except the business" OF alderman, and the
man who really runs the board who cOmpels 1t
20 hold up" measures or pass them is the al
legged representative Of the racetrack-poolroonn-
gambling house element Of the city.
since Charles F. Murphy became the boss OF
Tammany the Board OF Aldermen has been
using its hold up" power more suspiciously
than ever Whenever measure comes along
with a contract ia it which Mr.. Nurphy's hrm
would like 10 get. that measure is almost sure
10 be hung up" The franchise for the great
Pennsylvania tunnel and station was opposed
by the aldermen bitterly and protractedly.
Talk Of the efforts Of aldermen to get graft"
was heard in every corner Of the City Hall,
well as IN the street A Pennsylvania official
was quoted in The Tribune as saying at the
time:
There are certain members OF the Board OF
Aldermen who seem TO think that a big
pany like ours is perfectly willing to pay them
q few thousand dollars for the franchise We
are after. They have been informed in Just so
many words that the company viii not pay
cent for any lobbying services OF any kind.
It might seem 20 the practical man that II
would pay us 10 use few thousand dollars for
lobbying the franchise through. The company
isn't establishing any such precedent"
At last after a great deal Of pickering. the
aldermen granted the franchise.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
CONVICTED IN ST. LOUIS.

But NeW-EOrk Is not alone in having alder
men who disgrace their city. In St Louis the
office OF alderman has sunk to as low a depth
OF corruption and shamelessness as anywhere
IN the United States. There legislation was onlv
recently sold II by the yard. Any amount
could be obtained II the price paid was big
enough. Such conditions might still continue
had IL not been for the courageous work of
Joseph W. Folk. who as Circuit Attorney re-
Gently exposed the criminal operations of the
'bOodling aldermen" AS a reward for what
he did Mr. Folk was elected Governor of Mis-
souri,.
And not only the exposure of the crimes
OF these men complete. but few OF them were
permitted to escape punishment Seven OF the
ST. Louis House OF Delegates. as its aIdermanic
board is called. are now wearing stripes and
serving time as convicts IN the State peniten-
tary- OF the rest. two awaiting trial now
One. convicted, is dead. Another indicted, is A
fugitive from his home and family in parts
unknown. Eight turned States evidence and
have repeatedly been obliged TO confess their
shame and degradation at the trials and re-
trials of their partners in infamy
The trail also reaches across the ocean. one
wealthy man indicted for bribe-giving has con-
fessed by flight and is to-day a refugee in the
capitals OF Europe. TWO others saved them
selves by confession and turning States evil
dence, but are outcasts among their fellows.
or the two members Of the upper branch of
The assembly who were indicted for corruption
| IN office, one was convicted and his case has
been appealed. The other, perhaps the most
hasrant Of all, after a flight to Mexico. was
brought back for trial and acquitted by a Jury
Of twelve Of his peers
The total amount of money involved I'm all the
deals the uncOvering of which brought about
the downfall OF the combine" was $4,000
but Tor all their pains the most the members
{ cut up among them was mere pttance Of
S4''9OO The rest was seized by the State be.
fore the members had delivered their votes and
since then has been in escrow, 10 be counted out
and identified by the States witness a .legisla-
tive agent" at each successive trial of the IN
dicted men
Inc highest price member ever received for
f. selins his honor and his vote was a trihe more
man $500 although greater wealth was at
hand II only Folk had not interfered
WHEN THE COMBINE" FLOURISHED.
The combine" Of the St Louis House of Del
egates hourshed in the halcyon days of 1901
Evidence showed that in its early stages il was
content with small earnings II only they came
frequently enough
me sworn testimony OF q witness At one Of
the trials showed that in dull times members
were known 70 accept as low a reward as $40
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23

asked what remedy the city would have. the
Mayor said: I'VE got moon yet, amt it?"
For months the city was in darkness Then
the vague mutterirgs OF outraged people
swelled into a roar and there were threats that
the night when the bill should again come be-
fore the House for a vote the people would be
there with ropes as an inducement TO the dele
gates to provide relief.
The night Of the meeting came and the
people made good their threat. They were there,
and were the ropes And was the boss.
laughing in a merry mood for the wrath OF the
people was playing right into mis- hands He
went the floor OF the chamber. just before
stalwart nineteen about him and issued his final
ultimatum:
You can take $47500 which 1 have in my
pocket, If you vote for that bill, you can
vote down the bill and get hung, see?"
With this coarse witticism he strode away.
The Delegates voted for the bill. and the boss
there with the $47 800 in the anteroom
OF the chamber after adjournment. That night
the nineteen went to the house of one of their
number to a birthday party" where the money
was divided. share and share alike.
Since those days a House OF Delegates has
arisen No doodle" revelations have come out
Of 1t. but I'm other ways ii preserves the cher
ished traditions of former houses. Saoonkeep-
ers are still it's leaders. The same old boorish-
ness and slang of the gutter. the same petty
politics, still mark its sessions.
The usual formula Of the clerk of this House.
when informing the Speaker that it is time for
a bill to be voted on, is 10 shout at him. Play
ball!'
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
CORRUPTION AMONG ALDERMEN
INCOMPETENCE and IGNORANCE HAZE BROUGHT
THEN INTO PUBLIC CONTEMPT
Nec-Ior Not the only City HaHd-rpcrences of Other
7gun;dpaftics-Sone Drastic Remedy Is Needed.

man. The meeting took place IN a downtown
office The Tammany man said. I have $1,000
in my pocket and will give you that for your
vote. If that is not enough. name your price
You are a fool not to take advantage of the
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
FRANCHISE HELD up.

In much the same way the aldermen have
held Up the application OF the Port Chester Rail-
road for franchise. only IN this case they re-
main obduFata and stiu show no sign OF
rTssn6liness toward this corporation. 1t Is IN
vain that they have been deluged with petitions.
Il makes 40 difference with them that the cities
q Mount Vernon and New Rochelle and the
Supreme Court at White Plains acting for the
rest OF Westchester County, gave the necessary
authority 20 the company 20 begin work
The aldermen also showed the greatest ami
mostly toward the New-York Connecting
Railroad Company. which has asked for the
right OF Joining the railroad system OF Long
Island with that OF the mainland by means OF a
bridge across the upper end OF the East River.
Although all the interests affected ask for the
franchise on conditions which other municipal
ofcials declare 10 be fair 10 the city the alder
men refused 10 act until last week, when IN the
face Of vigorous and widespread protest they
rejected the application.
There have also been other "hold-ups" and
The board has manifested such a bulldog afti-
tude toward every improvement which has a
possible JOB" in II that action has been taken
At Albany 10 strip the aldermen Of all authority
10 grant franchises and vest this power instead
In the Board Of Estimate. The bin was intro
duoed by Senator Elsberg. and has passed the
legislature. Should Il be vetoed by Mayor Nc
Clellan II viii be passed over his head. accord
ing 10 the friends Of the measure
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
WOULD DISPENSE WITH ALDERMEN.

-'N---N--N ~ ElNh0lll alAtflLGl from holding
franchises, and he even goes so far as to advo
cate wiping out the board almost entirely AZ
Mr. Grout says: The Board OF Aldermen &c
simply an impediment in the path OF municipsI
improvement II should be cut out ike ,be
Nermtorm appendix from the body OF a sicl,
man. II is worse than useless. II IS dangerous
As lhe board stands to-day It is an organized
'hoid-up' 1t paralyzes all serious attempts At
progress along broad and intelligent lines. Wbat
important or substantial public Improvement
has originated in or been facilitated nv III.
aldermen in the last few years? None. On the
"'heF hand' every one knows that they have at
tempted 10 Xii any number Of highly meritori-
Gus measures Of public Improvement
one reason for the incoinpetent character %
thls board is that il is almost impossible 10 get
The right kind Of men The board is based ON
olstract representation. that each man is only
expected to voice the needs OF his own particular
nlsulcI He does not need 10 be O man OF broad
views OF high ideals of large character 10 do
that. When an important measure comes Nm FOR
discussion the alderman consultg his nun eo,,
Sntuency rather than the interests Of the whole
city Accordingly, a system Of petty log rolling
mas grown up, by which one alderman viii vote
hhe Nay another alderman wants him 10 do on
Noiuilioh mat The courtesy be returned when
the time comes. Petty politics is plaved in
in
tefest are disposed OF ia preference 20 measures
OF vide and momentous Importance
instead OF the present Board OF Aldermen
'hereiore' would advise small CITY council
OF tMeiNe or hiteen members and il should in
ciuoe the present Board Of Estimate and five
OF SIX men elected from the whole city. who
eouio voice The interests Of the entire cou,,n,,-
MY. As things now stand most Of the measure.
Tor great inploH eineIts come from the Fsoar5 -,
Estimate. BY sitting three hours q dav for f,,a
days Ia The week this small central bod, co,,ld
dispose Of the business Of the city far ,,o,a
thoroughly and cXpe6itiously than The nres.nt
great cumbersome Board OF Aldermen"
TAINTED WITH CORRUPTION
The history of The Board Of Alderme, ~ ,b,s
city is tainted with corruption almost as ,ar
back as u goes. Only IN those periods vgl,er =,
had htrle power WAS II free from CHARGES %
bribery Stree II has had authority il has con-
urued consistently TO abuse it, No matter how,
good Mayor is elected he has been bar5f-
capped by aldermen who would seek Ia boTd
him up such was Mayer Lows experie,oa
Hardly had be taken Office when the Tamrnan,,
members OF the board tried 10 get control nv
DrDing Fusionists 10 join them Such q cbar-a
Was made against a certain TamInany reDre-
sentative by Alderman GoIdwater. A Fusion
member. on January 3 1902. who tod Mavor
Low ihat Tammany had tried 10 bribe him
Other efforts were also made and such a scan
oal was created that Mr. Forsies. me Fusion
President q the board. made this settlement;
1t Is perfectly true that representative Of
Aamnany Hail. tried 10 bFibe Fusion alder
New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
IN BOSTON.

Graft" incompetency. peanut politics and
ignorance have characterized the City Council
OF Boston 10 a degree that would seem astound-
ing when the high mental standards OF that COM
munity are considered. For years 1t
tomary TO have all carriage bills of the alder
men charged to the city. the alderman simply
20 king" the bills and the City Treasurer pay
ing them Cab and carriage bills climbed at an
alarming rate some of those for individual
aldermen running up into the thousands every
year. Investigation disclosed the fact that
some aldermen had been sending out their fam
lies for afternoon drives in the parks the city
paying for the carriages used Others had had
whole strings Of carriages used for the funerals
Of some member of constituents family, per-
haps dozen of these city paid carriages being
in line at one funeral In some cases even the
hearse paid for by the city. and it is charged
that flowers and the coffin came also under the
item Of carriages. other aldermen charged up
carriage bills for carriages that they never used
either drawing the money dividing up with
the stable keeper. II finally became such a
scandal that there was an investigation, and
since then sldermanic carriage bills have been
decidedly more moderate.
Other petty gratis" have been developed ac-
cording to the ingenuity of the city fathers
The theatrical pass graft" was another evil
The aldermen had the power OF granting theatre
ana amusement licenses. ana Tor years they
We're accustomed 10 hold up the theatres for
large numbers OF passes for almost every per-
formanee, giving them out TO their friends and
the friends of theiF political heelers. Circusez
coming to Boston and annually taking thou
sands OF dollars out of the city were enabled to
get low license rate, which the aldermen had
the power TO Ak by judicious distribution Of
passes. All this is changed now BY statute
enacted last year the power Of licensing amuse-
ment places is taken out of the hands OF the
aldermen and vested IN the Mayor.
Whenever there Is a big parade IN ths city,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-27

more moral and less disposed to yield to temptations that are put in front of honest men at every turn.
 'The people are just as mighty now in the matter of elections as ever before and just as discriminating as to whether a man has done his duty. No man ever gets so big that he cannot easily be wiped off the political map. And how quickly the people do 1t, too. They set tie man quickly that he is soon for gotten. I venture the prediction that few of the best read men in the country could sit down today and give off-hand the names of 100 men who have helped to make history in the House of Representa- tives. The others were defeated and for gotten, and that was the end of it. There was William J. Brown, who put through the House the appropriation of S3O, GOO to build the first telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore. He did the world an immense service, yet at the next election afterwards he re- ceived hardly enough votes to count. The opposition put up man who ridiculed the idea of sending messages by lightning and he beat Brown thousands of votes. So it is today, although the mans ser vices are not now so easily condemned" ]"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-27
CHURCH PRESENTS
 ITS SIDE OF CASE
FRENCH TRANSLATION OF VATl- CAN WHITE BOOK REGARDING SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE REACHES PARIS.

Paris. December 26-A French trans lation of a vatican white book regarding the separation of church and state. reach ed Paris tonight. The volue consists of 300 pages divided into a preface, two sec- tions and an appendix, the latter contain ing many unpublished documents. The book disclaims any intention of replying to those whom it calls the detractors of the church, and expresses the desire not to offend any one, saying that its chief objects are to enlighten public opinion regarding the facts, and to prevent the handing down of msstatements connected with the history of such an important event.
 In the leading chapters effort is made to demonstrate that the entire onus for the rupture between the vatican and the French government and the resultant sep eration of church and state rests with various French cabinets, the members Of which pursued an anti-relgious policy. including the suppression of the congrega- ton and of religious instructions In the schools.
 The book next proceeds with the rejuta-
 
 ton of the accusation that separation was rendered inevitable by the attitude of the church. It declares that this charge was made because French states men. knowing that the people of French had no desire for separation, which to dis claim responsibility for the consequences, which it is pointed out would be equally serious for France and for the church.
 Then follows arguments showing the alleged baselessness of the charges brought against the church of acting con trary to the interests of the republic.
 The question of the nominating or bishops is discussed at length.
 The appendix deals in the man With M the French protectorate over Catholics In the far east. and the argument is advanced that although this protectorate is founu- ed on international treaties 1t must oe- pend on the will of the vatican
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-27
EMPEROR WILLIAM
 IS STILL HOPEFUL
Sends Messages to Nicholas Express ing Hope that Crisis Will Be
 Passed Safely.

Berlin, December 27.-The rageblatt says it learned from a diplomatic source that, Emperor William has received from Emperor Nicholas telegram of thanks for his congratulations on the Russian Emperor's nameday In which the latter expressed himself hopeful in the present situation in Russia, saying:
 We are going through trying times. Still I hope that the severe crisis will soon be passed without inficting irrepalr- able damage on the country"
 The papers informant denies that Elm peror Nicholas disagrees with the mem- bers of his cabinet regarding the ques- tion of universal suffrage. He says that his majesty is in full harmony with Count Witte on that matter, but that the imperial douma will have the prerogative of deciding on the form of suffrage
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-27
SERENADER FATALLY
 HURT BY THE GROOM
Students With Pans and Kettles Had to Be Driven Aaway With
 Weapons.

Bethany, w. Va, December 26.-Byron Scott, aged IS years. son of c. B. Scott a member of the West Virginia legisia- ture. lies at his home in a critical condi- tion from the effects of an assault alleged to have been made on him last night by John and Charles Whitsett, who are nv~ under arrest.
 John Whitsett, who returned home With his bride last night, was serenaded by q crowd of Bethany college students who made the night hideous with pans and kettles After several vain attempts to have the serenaders disperse the Whit sett brothers, John armed with revolver and Charles with poker, attacked the students who fled in all directions. It IS said several shots were fired by both siaes but without effect Young Scott fell and when found later by his fellow students was lying unconscious at ms fathers home, with his head mass of cuts and bruises.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-27
LEADERS DECIDE TO
 ABANDON THE FIG
Will Watch for an Opportunity, How ever, to Take Advantage of Last
 Success in Moscow.

St. Petersburg. December 26, 40 D. m.- The revolutionary leaders in St Peters burg who on Sunday decided that it was absolutely necessary to preeipitate an immediate conflict here as a diversion in favor of the revolutionaries at Mos COW, reconsidered their decision last night on the ground that it would be sheer mur- der to send the proletariat into the streets Nevertheless, they voted to con tinue the strike and to use every means to force out all the workmen, but at the same time to hold themselves in readiness to take advantage of the situation in the event of the success of their com rades at Moscow. Tn spite of the seizure here the leaders claim that large quan- titles of arms. including quick-firing guns, have been smuggled through Finland.
 Weather is Extremely Cold.
 The weather is intensely cold and foot of snow has fallen in the last forty-eight hours
 Reports from Moscow say that the con stitutional democrats and other liberal parties, appalled, by the strength of the proletariat. are seeking measures to save the country from civil war.
 It was with difficulty that the landlord
 (Continued on Second Paae)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-27
POLITICAL SCIENTISTS MEET.
Two Associations Gather at Baltimore
 for Annual Sessions.

Baltimore. December 26.-The annual convention of the American Historical association and the American Political Science association. opened tonight in Me Coy hall, Johns Hopkins university, with a joint meeting of the two associations. Many of the delegates have not arrived. but there were several hundred persons present
 President Ira Remsen of Johns Hop klns university. who presided, welcomed the delegates and extended to them the use of the university buildings.
 Prof Frank J. Goodnow, of Columbia university president of the. Political Science association. spoke on the Growth of Executive Discretion" and an address on "Old Standards of Public Morals was delivered by Prof. John B. McMasters. president of the American Historical as- sociation.
 The meetings of the associations, tho remaining sessions which will be held separately. will continue until Friday eve ming. as will also the meetings of the American Economic association. and tho Autographed Society of America. which are to commence tomorrow at the Johns Hopkins university.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-27
INSURGENTS ARE
 FINALLY WHIPPED
No Repetion of Moscow Horror is Expected to Develop in St.
 Petersburg.

St. Petersburg, December 26. 7:o5 D. m.- The revolt at Moscow has practically been crushed
 A representative of the Associated Press telephoned at I o'clock tonight that the insurgents no longer have a chance. and that they are making last stand. He predicts that there will be no further heavy fighting. All the troops. he says are now fighting on the side of the govern ment.
 Police and troops in St. Petersburg to- day surrounded and captured all the mem bers of the executive committee of the fighting revolutionary organization. while they were discussing plans for an armed uprising here. They captured also the de- tailed plans for the uprising, as well as large quantities of arms, bombs. etc.
 It is understood that as result of these captures, the government has ob- tained extremely important information concerning the connection formed by the eevolutionaries with the army.
 4 man named Scholman was at the head