davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-06-01
s Current Comment on Leading Topics
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ment should defray the presidents expenses wien
he is travelling on public business:
That is only what he and every one con-
nected with his administration, and every
congressman, should do on trips solely for
pleasure. When travelling on public business
the government should defray all expenses.
1t does SO now in the case of congressman.
but many of them accept free passes and
then charge the government for mileage"
Such passes are in the nature of brides, and
the offer and acceptance of the same should
be made criminal ofense It was bad
enough for Mr.. HIDE to use the French en-
bassador as an advertising medium for his
life insurance company, but It is infinitely
worse for the railroad companies to so use the
president of the United States. It never again
should be permitted.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-06-01
PRESIDENT AND FREE PASSES

The presidents decision to accept no more
red by the New York Post as tardy recognition
duty:
Rather tardily the president has come to
the decision to accept no more free transporta-
tion from the railroads. Undoubtedly he is
moved to such a course by the renewal Of the
fight on rate-regulation. There has been an
obvious improperly in the presidents enjoy
ing hospitality from the very roads he pro-
posed to hale before the federal courts. Evil
IDENTIFY, he proposes to proceed with the in
vestigation of discriminatory rates unhamp-
cred by future obligations of this Sort While
he is to be commended for acting upon this
scruple, one should not fail to see that it
should have prevailed even before railroad
regulation had become capital issue in
congress. The spreading of free passes
broadcast among legislative and executive
officers, while not inevitably a measure of
indirect bribery, rested upon general easy
perversion. Clearly, president should not
do what man of fine feeling would regard
as beneath his dignity, and we fancy that
no lawyer would solicit or accept pass on
line against which he held brief. We be-
leve that to maintain the decorum of our
highest Office should not involve undue sacri-
flee to the incumbent, and we would cheer
fully see congress add enough to the pay of
the president to permit him to travel extern
sively in a manner betting his position.
The San rancsco Star holds that the COVER
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-06-01
RATE REGULATION

The Chicago Tribune demands that the sub
ject of rate regulation be given fair treatment
in the senate:
Possibly the corporation senators who
are members of the senate interstate COM
merce committee are persuaded that the in
terests they represent have been benefited by
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-06-01
BIRDING POWER OF PASSES

Tom Watson in his Magazine gives an excel
snt illustration of the bribing power of free
ailway transportation:
The manner in which the railway pass
can make honest men steal was never illus
trated more clearly than when the Southern
railroad of J. P. Morgan, a few days ago,
f1lched $4,000 from the taxpayers OF this
country. It was a shameless, impudent, vul-
carly common steal-nothing else. The con-
gressmen who stole this money for the Wall
street king, ]. p Morgan, were led by the
well-known statesman of Alabama, John H.
Bedstead Many and many a year ago
stupid postoffce department adopted the
policy of paying subsidies to certain rail-
roads for the carriage of mails which they
had already contracted to carry. It is doubt
full whether a single dollar Of this money
was we'll spent. To secure the ridiculously
high prices which the government pays for
the carriage of the mail, the railroads could
always have been induced to contract for
speedy delivery as was possible. Subsidies
could not make them do more. Even stu
pid p o. department woke up to this fact,
at last, and quit paying the subsidies. Mails
were carried just as fast after that as be-
fore.
The rate of payment is so high-the plum
so very luscious-that the corporation could
not refuse tie contracts, especially when they
could borrow rascally congressman's frank,
stuff the bags with bogus mail, and thus Sc
cure false average of weight upon which
they were paid for the whole year. Congress
man Livingston of Georgia can tell you how
this is done) But the Southern railroad
chung to the subsidy. 1t needed the money
as Meredith of Virginia once p1aintively sta
ed in the house. he p. O. department no
longer asked it or advised it-but certain
congressman from the south who are raven
ously fond of free passes stood by the
hungry corporation, and at every session OF
congress this subsidy is voted. The false
pretense, used as an excuse, is that it secures
fast mail for the south. There is no truth
in the statement. Under an ordinary con-
tract for mail carriage, the government can
secure precisely the same service as the rail-
road gives in return for the subsidy. In other
words, the $4,000 is a gift to the Wall
street monarch J. p. Morgan.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-06-01
. MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP

Speaking to a representative Of the Buffalo
Evening Times recently Charles Dwight Willard
secretary of the Los Angeles Municipal League
spoke Interestingly of Los Angeles experience in
regard to municipal ownership:
One of the hardest campaigns the league
had was to establish the municipal owner
ship Of the water works at Los Angeles
About three years ago this accomplished
after the private company had done every
thing in it's power to prevent the city from
securing possession Of the plant AS 1T was,
the city had to pay nearly $1,00O,000 more
than the plant was worth. Since taking
charge of the plant the city has made a profit
Of 100000 annually and has reduced the
price Of water charges to consumers 10 per
cent below what the private company re-
ceived. Water meters are very popular and
in time will be used generally.
Mr. Willard divided the cities throughout the
United States into four classes according to their
method OF government In the first class he places
those governed purely by the partisan system
where people voted the party ticket regardless of
how bad the nominees were. In this class he
places Philadelphia and San Francisco. The cities
governed by business men who have queer ideas
Of government he places in the second grade. The
pople in these cities, he says. soon find out that
business men know very little about running
city government. Buffalo, he thinks, is very much
In this class.
The cities in the third class, he says, are
theorists and he places Los Angeles in this class.
The fourth class, Mr.. Willard says, are the cities
governed by experts Chicago Cleveland and
Baltimore he says, are the beginners of this form
Of government. Mr.. Willard thinks that the
mayor of city should have the power to appoint
and remove the heads of all departments and
should not be hampered by board of aldermen.
Home rule, Mr.. Willard thinks, is fundamental
to good government.
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-06-01

and expenditures were almost balanced, and
during the last two weeks OF the month an
excess of receipts rolled up amounting TO
So 100000. Probably from now until the end
of the month better showing will be made,
but no large excess of receipts can be antici-
pated to cut down the excess OF the expendl-
lures Thus far for less than eleven months
of the current fiscal year the expenses have
exceeded the entire expenditures for the fiscal
year 1903 by many millions. We are within
s6S,OOO,000 of the total general expenditures
for the last year and within $14,OOO,00O of
the expenditures for last year. if the Panama
canal and and st. Louis exposition loan
items are omitted That, be it remembered,
is the condition with more than full week of
May yet before us and the whole month Of
June to come
The Buffalo Times sees much trouble ahead
for the administration in this deficit:
BY what means will revenue be raised to
square the rapidly growing deficit in the
national treasury? This is one of the most
important problems that the next congress
will have to solve. There are two ways of
increasing the reyenue-by laying heavier
taxes on beer, spirits, tobacco and cigars or
by amending the tariff so as to encourage
the import of dutiable goods. We made the
Cubans present of several millions year
when the reciprocity treaty with the island
republic was ratified and an increased tax
on sugar will afford no relief from the treas
ury stringency because the bulk of the foreign
sugar imported into the United States comes
from Cuba. A tax on tea and coffee will
yield considerable revenue and provoke
universal howl The brewing and distilling
interests will strenuously oppose the imposi-
ton of any higher taxes on spirits and beer,
and the manufacturers will offer equally
vigorous opposition to any changes in the
tariff that will promote the importation of
competitive products from foreign countries
The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-06-01

The San rancisco Star holds that the govern
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
DYNAMITE FREELY USED
Considerable Damage Done to
Property on tuesday Morning.
WINDOWS AND DOORS BROKEN
Colored Methodist Church Suffered
to the Extent OF $50 Officers
Investigating Outrage.

The opening hours of the great and
glorious Fourth proved TO be strenuous
aud exciting ones for residents in the
western section OF the CITY. the people
living on the boom and those in the
neignborhood of West Martin stree I
being the vict' ms OF a gang of Young
men in possession of ltrge quantity
of dynamite, which they proceed, to
explode as fitting way of nshering in
the national independence dav.
The first and heaviest EXPLOSION took
plsce shortly after / o'clock on n
vacant lot just north of West Martin
street. across the Cumberland Valley
tracks, and was OF such force az to
awaken nearly every person III the
western end OF town. The young men
had prepared for the event by steal
ing about 25 pounds Of the deadly stuff
from the qnafries of the Standard
company. ana IL is supposed that they
placed the whole Of il in Que charge.
The explosion was terrific. and re-
shifted in considerable damage to
neighboring property and consterna.
tior and great excitement among the
neghboring colored people. The
greatest damage was sustained by the
ooicrsd Methodist church. where all the
stained glass windows facing the scene
of the explosion were shattered aud
manv Of those in other parts OF the
building also broken. The door on
she home Of MIR. Preston, kAout q
block away. were torn from their
fastenings, and two holes we're torn
in the roof of the house occupied by
James Smith by large stones hurled
through the air bv the dynamite.
Windows were also shattered in houses
along Charles and West Martin street,
and glass in the house occupied by
George Siler. on North Raleigh street,
two blocks awav. was also torn out.
Ont ON the boom there were fire..
quent, explosions, but they were not
30 heavy as the other. MIR SO close to
the homes, and this saved the latter
from anv considerable damage.
No arrests have been made by the
rolioe, although an Investigation is
being made by the officers. The trus-
tees Of the colored churh. who state
that the damage to the building will
amount to $3.50. have offered reward
Of $40 for the arrest aud conviction
of the perpetrators of the outrage.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
FETE WAS A SUCCESS.
ABOUT 1000 PERSONS wERE AR
iNwooD TUESDAY.
Tournament and Dancing Were Chiss
F.at.rs-Those whs Were
saceessfaI.

One of the largest crowds that ever
attended the annual fetes of the Mar
tinebnrg chapter OF the Daughters Of
Confederacv was at Inwood park
Tuesday, 1t being estimated at 1000
persons. There were many features to
amuse and entertain the crowd, the
program published in The Evening
World on Monday being carried out
in detail. Dinner and supper were
served by the ladies OF the chapter,
and hundreds OF persons took adj
vantage OF this accommodation. Danc-
ing was INDUCED in from 2 o'clock
until 10. Thompson's orchestra furn-
ished the music.
The chief feature OF the day WAS
the tournament, In which knights
from Virginia, Maryland and West
Virginia contested. The charge was
delivered by Mr.. G. II. Martin. Of
this city, and Hon. Richard Byrd, Of
of Winchester delivered the coron-
alton address. DIR. ID. L. Lefever,
knight of Bunker Hill = won first
prize and crowned Miss Sheetze. Of
Frederick county, Virginia, queen.
Edgar Gordon. knight OF Pleasant
Point" was second, Harry Henderick-
son, knight Of Hardy, third, and
James Hoffman, Knight Of Half
Way, fourth.
The evening was somewhat spoiled
by the downpour OF rain, which sent
the crowd scurrying for shelter, and
as the dancing pavilion was the only
available spot, 1t was crowded uncom-
furtably ALL evening.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
WILL TAKE OVER CHARGES.
Baltimore Conference Will Be En-
larged at Next Session.

A commission appointed at the last
session of the Baltimore conference,
Methodist Episcopal church, in April,
has decided to report favorably to the
next session OF the conference, on The
subject of annexation of almost the
entire Alexandria district OF the
Virginia conference. This report win
carry with it the actual annexation
of that district. The ten charges
which will be taken over by the Bal
timore conference are known as Berry.
vile, Hillsboro, Waterford, Herndon
Falls Church. Arlington. Alexandria,
Manassas, Garrisonville and Accotink.
The charges to be annexed will bring
into the Baltimore conference mem
bership of 1000 persons, 100 proba-
TONERS, church property valued al
$50, 900, with total Indebtedness oil
$775,and 900 Sunday school scholars
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
WAS A QUIET FOURTH.
Nothing But Dynamite and Cannon
Crackers Used Here.

SA1SACfe ScC0 ACiC'
The Fourth in Martinsbnrg passed off
very quietly, aside from the frequent
fractures sustained by the MAYORS
proclamation against the firing of
crackers aud other explosives within
the city limits. There was an almost
incessant bombardmept throughout the
early morning and evening hours, and
MANY pieces of fireworks and q num-
Der of ballops were let go. For the
most part. those who celebrated spent
the day at other points. many going
to Inwood, others picnicking along the
river and creek aud others going on
fishing expeditions. Business was
practically suspended throughout the
day. only the drug, ice cream and
frait stores remaining open. The rain
Of the evening caused many persons to
retnrn home in q. somew hat 3edraRgled
condition, but no accidents as result
of the festivities have been reported.
PARADE IN WINCHESTER.
The Fourth was celebrated in Win
chester Tues lay light by torchlighi
parade by the fire departments. Mr..
Richard e. Byrd. of the local bar,
made an eloquent speech.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08

action OF the board on Monday even.
ing fixing the salaries of the teachers
Tor the coming year was resoinded aud
= more liberal increase granted than
ut the previous meeting.
All the commissioners were present,
and there was not dissenting voice
when il was proposed to give the
teachers farther increase of s5 per
ymonth for the principals of the ward
Schools and 81. so per month for each
u the assistants. The salary list for
All the schools has been definitely fixed
y follows:
Ky High School--Superinten Brit
die. $3.50 per month; Assistant Super
intendent Dreamer, $40; Thomas b.
Moullendore, 500; Miss Florence Gill,
sc; Mr.. J, N. Fries. 500.
Ward Schools Principals. $40 per
month first assistants, $40; all other
assistants, $50. 80.
The principals of the ward schools
get total increase of $40 per month
and the assistants IS. This ia slightly
less than the teachers asked for, but
IL an indication that the board is
disposed to be fair and Liberal with
the teachers.
The board also decided to pay off
1000 Of the indebtedness on the
schools, and orders for this amount
were drawn and ordered paid. This
cuts the indebtedness to about $500,
a portion of which the board will
probably paw during the coming year.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
CHANGES AZ SSANUTTEN.
{,
Q,
NEW PHINCIPALAa@ yERTEACH-
EEs ARE Sell D.
,ERTEACH.
Academy VIII Be Placed Jon Higher
Plane In the Fasure-The
improvements.

The board of trustees of Massanut-
ten academy the school conducted ut
Woodstock, Va, / z the Reformed
church, and OF which DR.. j. A. Hoff.
helms, of this city. is an officer, met
in Woodstock on Monday and remained
in season. until 10 o'clock that night.
The affairs of the academy were
thoroughly discussed and there was q
manifest determination on the part of
the officers to place the school on .
more substantial footing than at pres.
eDt, and make 1t an institution worthy
of the widest patronage.
1t was determined to make change
in the faculty from the principal
down, only one teacher, Prof. Bolger.
being retained A strong effort will
he at once made to secure sufficient
funds for an additional building and
better equipment, and the present
buildings will be completely over
hauled and repaired.
Prof. Howad r. Benchotf, of
Chambarsburg, was elected principal.
He has had wide and thorough
training in managing schools and as
a teacher, and has been unusually sue
cessful in his work. Prof. Rolger,
the head of the department. of music,
is an efficient instructor aud thorough
musician and his depar tment will be
kept up to the high standard of the
past.
Miss Elliott. graduate of Wilson
college. Chambersburg. was selected
as teacher Of Latin, German and
English. She comes highly recon-
mended.
The other teachers have not yet been
selected. A graduate of some military
school viii BIZ elected as assistant
PRINCIPAL and professor of mathematics
and have charge of the athletic de.
partment. Prof. Benchoff will i'm
mediately go to work to prepare for
the opening of the school early in
September.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
SOME FUNNY CIRCULARS.
Unknown Persons are After Balti-
more & Ohio Road.

unknown PERSONS are AItcT ohiti-
more & Ohio Road.
Numerous circulars have been tossed
abont in Martinsbnrg. bearing the
heading Heads-the Baltimore &
Ohio wine. Tails-the people lose =
These papers caused much discussion.
especially among Baltimore s. Ohio
men. VITO eagerly inquired whore they
came from. The circulars charge that
the Baltimore a. Ohio has received ex-
emption from taxation and many other
favors from the people of this state
and la return charge fifteen cents a
ton more for hauling Georges Greek
soal than for hauling coal from the
Somerset or Kingwood regions and
does many other things detrimental
to the prosperity and comfort of the
people.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
LIEUTENANT WHEN HERE,
Calvary officer Guest of His Parents
In This City.

Lieutenant John WHEN, of the
Thirteenth United States regular
cavalry and a son OF Mr.. and Mrs. w.
Fl. Wilen, of this city, arrived mere
Tuesday to be the guest of his parents
ON West Martin street. Lieutenant
Wilen recently returned from pro-
longed stay with his regiment in the
Philippines, and is now stationed at
Fort Riley, Kas. He will be in the
east for about two months, and will
make this point his headquarters
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
DATE OF PICNIC CHANGED.
Sunday Schools of This City May
Not Go to Island Park.

Not Go to Island Park.
The union picnic of the First Metho-
diet Sunday school and Trinity
Methodist school, which was schedul-
ed to be held at Island Park July ~,
has been postponed, owing TO the
fact that the park has been engaged
for that day for the picnic OF Miss
Jennie Smith. The local Sunday
school will either select later date
or 20 to some other point for their
outing.
The First Baptist Sunday school OF
this city will picnic at Island Park on
July 10, at which time the Baptist
Sunday schools of this section will
unite for a days outing. The presby.
terrain Sunday schools OF Duffields and
Shenandoah Junction will join the
picnic parties that dav.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08

Celebration There After Being Closed
For Two Years.

Island Park, at Harpers Ferry. WAS
opened tor the season. after being
closed for two years. The Fourth was
celebrated at that old resort by a
picnic under the auspices OF the
Harpers Ferry band. Music and
dancing were the principal features.
A flag was raised on Bolivar HEIGHTS
by w. Il. Hallam. summer resident.
with appropriate ceremony. The pole
is 60 feet high.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08
PARADE IN WINCHESTER.
BROTHERS DRAW PRIZES.
Danced on the Fourth and Must
Now Pay the Fiddler.

Two young men named Snyder,
arrested for disorderly CONDUCT on the
Fourth of July, were assessed IS and
and 81 and costs respectively in police
court Thursday. They failed to pay
and went back to their cells. The
little boys arrested for shooting fire.
crackers on the Fourth were released
after being confined long enough to
give them good scare. They promis-
ed not to do it again.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-07-08

Carrier Nicely Renews His Contract
With Uncle Sam.

Frank II. Nicely, mail carrier for
Uncle Sam between the post office and
the railroad stations at this point, re-
newed the contract with the govern
ment on Saturday, and Immediately
blossomed forth with two very hand
some mail wagons. Both are artistical-
ly painted, the usual coloss Of blue and
red predominating.