davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
STILL FINDING IRREGULARTrTES


Almost every day there is disclosed
some irregularity in the government
service. The latest discovery relates to-
the geological survey, the allegation
being that the names of mining engi-
neers connected with that service are
used to boom worthless stocks in fake
mining schemes. 1t is stated that this
practice has been going on for years and
the thing complained Of is the improper
use Of their official positions by these
engineers to promote private enterprises,
with the result that many persons have
been bitten by promoters of valueless
mining stocks bearing the Endorsement
OF engineers in the government service.
1t appears that 1t has been the custom
of owners of mines TO engage engineers
Of the geological survey TO examine and
report upon their properties. 1t is not
charged that the engineers deliberately
misstated conditions and reported favor
ably on mines that were worthless, but
in the most glowing terms the facts per
init, which would be sufficient for the
purposes OF the owners.
Investigation of this is to be made by
the commission appointed a short time
ago 70 look into the methods and regula-
lions of the departments and bureaus
with particular reference TO the arrange
ment Of salaries and promotions. 1t ap-
pears probable that this commission will
have still more work TO do, for there is
no telling when or where the discovery
OF irregularities will stop. The fact that
Attorney General Moody shortened his
vacation and Is back in Washington may
not unreasonably be construed as an midi
cation Of some development OF uncom-
mon importance requiring the attention
OF the head OF the Department OF JUS
tice. The disclosure Of Irregularities al
ready made naturally creates suspicion
that there may be others, but does not
warrant the assumption OF the opponents
OF the party I'm power that wrongdoing
and the betrayal OF trust are general in
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
A CHINESE REFORMER.
Former Minister TO the United state.
Stirs the Celestial Kingdom.


When Minister WI TinE-fanR the
inimitable, departed from these shores.
leaving behind him void that yawned,
there were those who said that his pol
ish and his progressive views and his
general guaranteeing of the Yankees
would be left behind him on shIpboard.
and once again upon his, native soil he
would become "a heather Chinee."
All such base and slanderous prophecies
have been set at rest by the news from
China. The rapier-witted WI, with his full
culver of satire and cynicasm is n reformer
sound to the core, as well as discreet enough
to save his own head, besides manifesting
the great American characteristic of being
! able to bring things to pass. Word has
! reached this country Of two monumental
reforms recently established by the
Emperor of China, at the suggestion Of a
commission headed by DIR. WI. The first
is an edict abolishing cruel forms of pun
ishment, and the second edict does away
with the use of torture in courts of law.
Three delicate attentions which Chinese
law has long bestowed upon it's victims
are ACKNOWLEDGMENT and disembowellng
exposure of the head and beheading OF
the corpse. Now, thanks to the wise WI.
these have, at q stroke OF the Emperors
pen, been made obsolete. For them has
been substituted the more merciful
method of immediate decapitation True
this is not altogether as up-to date as cleo
trocution, but It is progress. Crimes that
formerly were punished by decapitation
are henceforth to be visited with the PEN.
atty of immediate stranglinR
StHl further the reform goes-and
remember, this is China. The penalty of
branding has been absolutely abolished.
That terrible engine of official grafters, the
use of torture in securing evidence, has
also been sent into limbo. No more will
bamboos be practiced. All the barbarous
practices that have been proverbially asso-
ciated with the farcical Justice" of China
are to be ended, so far as the imperial
power cam end them.
The canhy statesman who was so quick
to discern the hiatus between theory and
practice in American institutions has
included vigorous warning in the edict
which has also been widely published, for
| the information of the people generally.
| 1t calls upon vikeroys and governors to
be diligent in making sure that their sub
ordinates carry out the provisions of the
| reform. There is the right ring about this:
SHOULD any be found who, while outwardIy
observing. are secretly disobeying the edict
treading the old path of malpractice let
them be at once impeached. There must
| be no shielding Of them, nor any attempt
| to save their faces"
| Our old friend WI is to be congratulated
upon China, and China is to be congratu-
lated upon her eminent servant, DR.. WI.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
POLITICAL DRIFT.

Ohio voters will ballot this fall on an
amendment to the state constitution chang
Ing the biennial elections from the odd TO
the even years.
Former Senator Billy Mason Of Illinois
enlivens the good old summer time by
nominating Joseph Benson Foraker of Ohio
for president in 1905.
District Attorney Jerome OF New York
City proposes TO run independent for re-
election. Then the rival machines will get
in their fine work on Mr.. Jerome
Mayor woodward Of Atlanta. Ga, has
declared against the Clawhammer habit
and proposes TO stick to plain clothes.
ANY function requiring the spiketail will be
cut OF the mayors visiting list
City Clerk Arson Of Chicago is abroad
with a stout bat urging a tax on cats, of
which there are 100000 in town. A threat
OF 81 head doesn't agitate Tommys whis-
kers and 1t is doubtful IL Arson can get
on to his curves.
The proposition 20 run John d. Rookie
Teller for mayor of Cleveland against Tom
Johnson is seriously made. Should oil
and electricity get into a political mixup,
as courageous, a person as Ida Tarbeli
would scoot for timber.
A police canvass of the voting lists Of
fhIadelphla developed nearly 1900 bogus
names on the registry. A subsequent can
vass by unofficial people produced a total
of 10000 spook voters. The impression is
quite general that Philadelphia's vote will
suffer severe shrinkage next fall.
Carter H. Harrison former mayor OF
| Chicago, is said to have an ambition to
become congressman from the First Illi-
nois congressional district and thus fur
Their emulate the example of his father
who was mayor OF Chicago and was also
member Of the house of representatives.
The Humboldt Turnvereln OF st. Louis
was not permitted TO tap five barrels Of
beer on recent Sunday. During the en-
| suing thirst the members dryly resolved
that Missouri would be benefited II Gov
| ernor Folk returned to his native state,
Tennessee, and stayed there. As evidence
OF good faith and good will. the members
| pledged the governor free transportation
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
GOVERNMENT LAND LOTTERY.
Scramble for the Prizes on the Uintah
Reservation.

Philadelnhia Press.
Although lotteries are not regarded ms
legitimate in the United States the federal
government, by virtue Of necessity, has
been obliged TO distribute public lands open
for settlement by lot. and may shortly
offend the sensitive who regard all chance
ventures as immoral and demorallzing.
over 100000 acres OF the Uintah reserva-
ton. I'm northwestern Utah. are to be
thrown open for location and entry on and
after August Is. By proclamation OF the
president authorized by congress, regis
tration for the right to select sections in
the reservation in rotation to be ascer-
tanned by lot. began on August 1 and will
end on August 70. In some OF the former
distributions OF the public lands there was
a mad rush at the appointed time and the
struggle for the possession Of the best
tracts became a riot. The only way to pre-
vent the recurrence OF such violent scenes
was to assign the choice OF location by lot.
The government makes nothing by this
singular lottery. 1t is adopted only as q
convenient method OF distribution; but
those who draw the early numbers will be
able to secure an immediate sale Of the
choice for much greater sum than the
amount invested, SIS an acre, which may
be regarded as the cost OF the lottery ticket
1t is said that a mining company de-
string to exploit certain promising terri
tory. has a standing OFFER Of $4,000 cash
for the first right to locate drawn. This IL
considered the grand prize in the drawing,
and this is where the gaming character Of
the transaction is in evidence.
There are 1900 farms, or prospective
farms, to be distributed of varying degrees
OF productiveness. IL is predicted that
$1,000 persons will register for the drawing
principally farmers and wage earners
More than $1,000 will be disappointed and
remain landless. Three-fourths of the ter
ritory is said to be without present value
for cultivation. but there are mining pos
sibilities ana enough uncertainty in the
venture to induce thousands to travel far
and to submit to incredible discomfort to
take their chances in the rush.
Some OF the places appointed for regis
tration are $50 miles from the nearest rail-
road station. They are reached by rugged
mountain roads or trails, but this is a
slight obstacle for the man who can buy
land for SIPS an acre, with the chance OF
selling out at once for a snug little for
tune, Under the federal homestead law
any American man or woman, native born
or naturalized, over the age of q, who has
not appropriated land under the home
stead laws and is not the Swner OF 100
| acres, can participate in the drawing.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
FROM BAR TO CELL.
Eject of COmmercihlism on the
Lawyers of New York.
PHILADELPHIA Press


Philadelphia Press.
In New York City sixteen lawyers are
under indictment and in the state 1873 are
now in state prison, while SSS have served
penal terms in the last twenty years.
This appalling record is a natural In
evitable result of the lax discipline en-
forced by the courts, the low standards OF
the bar and of bar associations and the
readiness with which lawyers in good
standing condone rascally conduct and
sometimes practice It themselves without
losing their good standing
The bench is, however, the worst Of
fender. Judges are timid. They will not
use the summary power they possess 70
disbar. When in some fragrant case bar
association summon the courage and awake
professional conscience TO bring charges,
those who lead In the matter know that
the courts will only act in cases close to
the criminal law. Judges should be ready
to act on their own account and without
charges. But they hesitate. They have
been lawyers themselves and sometimes ex-
pect TO be again. One ex-justice of the
supreme court is under indictment in New
York now, The corporate spirit" iS>strong.
In cases Of sharp practice and dubious
dealing the bar and bench are too often in
an apologize mood.
lawyers work is liable to blunt his
keener moral sense. Worst of all the
higher standards OF the bar are not main
tanned. Men in good standing fellowship
legally with men whose record will not
bear examination. For a generation past,
in which the lawyer from the day OF David
Dudley Field and the Erie scandal has
been "eommercialized." the bar has cone
10 be less Of a profession and more Of q
trade.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
Job of Counting Money.
Baltimore American.

Counting a billion dollars is no mean
task A billion is easy to say, but it is
simply unthinkable to any finite mind, and
while not uncountable, 1t draws largely
upon time when the count is to be made.
The count OF the actual cash in the United
States treasury at Washington began on
Monday afternoon. preparatory to the sue
cession OF Morgan H. Treat to Ellis II.
Roberts as treasurer. The entire amount
to be counted is 81, i52. SIS, 725 and it is esti
mated that IT will take sixty-three clerks
three months to do It, If John D. Rookie
Teller is really worth a billion of dollars,
he is lucky in being able TO employ others
to count his cash for him.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
RIPS LAST SLEEP.

James ]. Montague in the Cosmopolitan.
The purple shadows lie along
The Catskills, as they did of old;
The robin sings his even-song,
The sky is trimmed with red and gold
Past shining lake and somber hill
The silent footed twilight creeps;
The stars light one by one-and still
Old Rip Van Wrinkle sleeps.
1t is no slumber of pretense
That wraps the wandering idler noWt
No wonder whispering audience
Waits on to see the silvered brow
And tottering form and vacant stare
When, with the dawning OF the day,
The spell dissolved, old Rip shall rise
And take his homeward way.
Not one is left to jeer and hout
Among the chattering village folk,
And greet his looks of fear and doubt
With many a Jest and clumsy joke.
No friends, grown gray with time ana
trial.
No children. changed to wrinkled men
VIII tap their heads and slyly smile
When he halts home again.
For, while he sleeps the stars will fadA
The earth will moulder and decay,
And all things that men have made
Will pass in crumbling dust away.
And when he wakes-ahl would we knew
Before that far-on morning breaks,
II kindlier, friends he'll journey to
When Rip Van Wrinkle wakesl
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
Uncle Sam ms a Host,
Rrooklvn Ea ayIa

The president has received the Russian
ambassador as formally and courteously as
he received the japanese ambassador, and
he will receive the Russian peace plenipo-
tertiary as formally and courteously as he
has received the japanese functionary for
that purpose. Our government will be the
host Of the plenipotentlaries. It will be
courteous and an impartial host. Our
people ,cannot be so impartial as their gov
eminent, and are not expected to be- But
none need think that the government Will
be wanting in any OF the requirements OF
equity or OF etiquette.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
of Express Companies.


The Interstate Commerce commission has
lately ventured to assert a regulative au-
thority over transportation by private
freight and refrigerator cars. and this after
vainly appealing to congress for enact
ments to cover the case, as If the present
law were not adequate. So. 1t would seem,
the commission might assert itself in the
matter OF the express companies, following
the precedent now made by the Kentucky
commission. Such a step at least would
serve to force the question upon the atten-
ton of the country and congress. Logic
ally the railroads should conduct the ex-
press business themselves. as their other
freight business is conducted; and this
principle should be extended to the point
also Of eliminating the private car and its
subterfuges to gain special favors. Let
the railroads be made common carriers in
fact as we'll as in name.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
The Rush for Land.
Sd. Louis Republic.

The migration OF American farmers into
the frost-bitten regions OF western Canada,
the eager push for the few homesteads Of
the Uintah reservation and the cheap lands,
mt mostly for grazing, offered for sale by
the State OF Texas, show that the pioneer
ing and land-grabbing spirit is as strong
trait OF American character as ever Il
was But none Of our nelghbors have much
GOOD land 70 be grabbed
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

the public service. Dishonorable and
INSCRIPTIONS men have found their way
into the service, but the very great ma
jority of those who are serving the gov
eminent are honest and faithful. The
assurance is that the administration will
spare no effort to purge the public serv-
ice Of the former class and to punish
such as may be found amehable to the
laws o.. ... ..
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

While the Fontanelle pipe dreamers
who unbOsOm themselves through the
local democratic organ were giving vent
to their fears that Congressman Ken
needy might prolong his tour of Europe
until after the primary election and
thus avoid dropping his mask" that
distinguished traveller had already re-
turned and resumed business at the old
stand, Plans and specifications will
now have to be revised.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
The Chinese Boycott.

New YOrk COmmercIaI.
That Chinese boycott of American goods
is not an idle dream of alarmists in the
Orient. It is a living. rasping reality.
This cablegram to Mr.. Louis Getz, presi-
dent of one of the largest exporting and
importing companies in San Francisco,
from it's correspondent in Shanghai, has
nothing of a myth about II: Cancel all
orders. Boycott of American trade eff
fective among Chinese merchants. All
business entirely suspended" This means
simply that the Chinese will not receive
or pay for any more American goods II
they can substitute others for them.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

The democratic oracle of these parts
derives much consolation from the re-
cent disclosures of graft in republican
Philadelphia and in the Department of
Agriculture, manned by republicans.
Looking backward. the oracle points
with glee to the times when republican
audiences used to cheer when that dis
tinguished prepayment of republican doc
Urine, Robert G. Ingersoll, would tell
them that while every democrat was
not horse thief, every horse thief was
a democrat" AS a matter of fact, that
proponent was Horace Greeley and not
Robert G. Ingersoll. And Horace Gree
ley was honored for possessing the cOur-
age of his convictions by being made the
candidate of the democratic party for
president of the United States.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

patient, and a mosquito to become In
fictitious must bite a yellow fever pa
tent during the first three days of his
attack. How a patient who has the vel
low fever before he is bitten by a mos
quito came by the disease is not yet dis
closed. In the language of Hamlet:
There are more things between Heaven
and Earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
shot Full of Holes.

Never will l conclude a shameful peace
or one unworthy of great Russia" says the
Car. All of which has lofty and high
minded air about It, but, to get down to
facts and conditions as they exist, the Gear
may have to accept any kind of peace that
Japan offers There is nothing very great"
about Russia these days except its grie-
ious blunders. These have proved the won
dor of the world.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

The beauties of divided authority in
municipal government are about TO be
graphically demonstrated. Ask coun-
Gilman who is responsible for the in
creased tax rate and he will point TO
the school board; ask school director
and he will lay it TO the Water board;
ask water commissioner and he win
put 1t on the council. And the taxpayer
foots the bill
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

Report of the damage of a japanese
scout ship in the fight of the sea of
japan has just reached America. In the
course of time the real story of the Rus
sian defense may be told. but probably
not until Japan feels safe to admit its
lnsans
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

There will probably not be so much
secrecy about the meeting of King Ed
ward and Emperor William as there was
about the emperofs meeting with the
car. But the conversation win cause
a trem0r OF nervousness at Paris just
the same.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
Model Commonwealth.
Phlladelphla Record.

The governor of Nebraska, like the gov
ernor of Indiana, is determined 20 Eetain
in office no man who drinks or swears, and
we presume the embargo includes ciga-
rettes, which have been prohibited in the
latter state Pennsylvania looks on in
admiration, and wonders If 1t will ever
attain such a moral level; at present the
most It hopes for is to get rid of the men
who steal
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

Members of the Northwestern Hotel
Mems association have decided to favor
Omaha next year with their compliment
tary patronage, and Rome Miller has
agreed to foot the bill.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

Secretary Wilson's determination to
take no vacation while the investigation
Of the Agricultural department "grafters"
is in progress shows that the secretary
is becoming interested in the matter to
a degree not always shown by heads of
departments where irregularities are I'M
Covered
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
China's surpriainR Nerve.


The spectacle of China shouldering its
way into the Russo-Japanese negotiations
with a demand for indemnity from both
parties is calculated to excite worldwide
amazement and amusement. We have so
long been accustomed to regard China as
an indemnity payer that its appearance in
the opposite role is startling.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

According TO the learned medicine
men who have made yellow fever a pro-
found study, the infection Of yellow
fever is carried by mosquitoes and by
no other means. Persons take the dis
ease by being bitten by mosquitoes that
have previously bitten a yellow fever
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

Predictions are made that the Omaha
q Beatrice Interurban will be completed
from Omaha to Papillion before the fall
elections communication devoutly to
be wished-but, we shall see what we
shall see.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

Former Captain Kirkman will have to
get his book on the market soon or that
Indiana divorce case will take all Of the
novelty out OF army scandal stories.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

Mr.. MOody's Characterization of work
IN the Agricultural department as the
personal house-eleaning Of the admins
tration" should be a warning that It will
not end with the department under IRE
at this time. No good housekeeper con
nnes her house cleaning 70 one room. ~
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

The story that it is part Of NJ. Whites
mission to look up the American market
for Russian bonds is interesting, despite
It's denial, and may give our Wall street
plutOcrats an opportunity TO strike an
effective blow for peace.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
sadness as a Mask.
BROOKLYN Times.

Baron Komura is certainly a respondent
looking gentleman. One would think that
he were about to represent the defeated
nation In the coming peace conference.
Let NJ. witte look out. Perhaps the sad
demeanor is put on to make the Russians
think that Komura hates to let them off
so cheaply when he asks for only one
billion of dollars.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

SO far. the yellow feNo, proves more
effective than striking telegraphers in
stopping trains. Score another victory
for the mosquito.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

The fact that Mrs. Chadwick's estate
will pay mills on the dollar shows that
she was not as expert in hiding her re-
sources as some Of the other frenzied
dnAnciers
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

The Lincoln Star wants to know how
much longer it must wait for some news
paper fakir to have another interview
with Pat Grove. Look for reply In
omaha's senior yellow.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05
difference in Methods.

Detroit free Press
Study of the municipal methods employed
In England shows that over there the gov
eminent uses the politicians and here the
politicians use the government
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

Perhaps the Chinese boycott will not
assume such fierce proportions If the
United States first stops the ''hold-up"
methods said to prevail among some OF
the inspectors in China.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

The general attorney for the Wood
men Of the World and the attorney gen.
eral for Nebraska do not quite agree
On the Interpretation of our revenue
iaWa
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-08-05

II tell YOU" the landlord was saying, 1t
takes a good deal of skill and management
to run a hotel A man has got to Know
how to put two and two together"
well, you can do that, all right" said
the guest. In convention times I've known
Just big enough for one" ---Ckicago Tribune.