davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.

That the United States is making
steady progress in popular education is
amply attested by statistics, yet it is a
fact as shown by late bulletin of the
census bureau, that several European
countries have a better record in this re-
spect than we have, which is explain
able by the circumstance that of our
negro population nearly one-half are IL
literate. So far as the white population
is concerned, the educational conditions
here compare favorably with those of
any foreign country and are superior to
most of them. According to the bulletin.
of our native white population only Az
out of every 1000, or fewer than in 20,
are unable to write. While of the for
eign-born whites the number is 1913 out
of every 1000 and OF the negroes 445
out of every 1000 are iliterate. But
these figures, when compared with those
of the census Of 1890, show a decided
progress in popular education which is
reassurlng for the future. They give
pIOLllSt llidl NlNiilh ohoNhSA NSNaNt NV
percentage of illiteracy will be greatly
reduced. not only as concerns the white
population, but also the negroes.
This will necessarily come from the
steadily increasing facilities for educa-
ton, the enlarged opportunities afforded
by the public schools and state UNIVERSE
ties and the incentives to education that
are everywhere prevalent. At no previ-
GUS time has there been so great an effort
for the promotion of education as there
is at present The public school system
of the country was never before so so
licitously cared for the state universe
ties never more literally provided for,
while millions are annually given to pri-
yate institutions of learning for enlarg-
! ing their scope ana usefulness. In many
of the states there are laws compelling
the attendance of children w TO a GER
tain age at the public schools and very
| generally this is strictly enforced. In
every practicable way the youth OF
America are being impressed with the
necessity of obtaining at least common
school education and the effect of this
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
THE DRAMA AND THE CHURCH.
Erect of the Former in Shaping the
Character of Men.
Boston Transcript.

Sir Henry Irving's death furnished an
opportunity TO note just how confirmed or
altered the Christian church is in its atti-
tude Of hostility to the dramatic art when
played by professionals and made a life
calling not a few churchmen and churches
making a distinction between amateur and
professional participation in plays on the
stage, q distinction not always obvious to
the dispassionate critic. Comment on Sir
Henry's death so far as 1t has come from
pulpit or the ecclesiastical organs, in the
main has been appreciative OF his attain
ments. OF his character as a man, and
more tolerant than formerly in discussion
OF the function which the drama plays in
society's educational and recreative life.
The act of the authorities Of Westminster
Abbey in giving his ashes a place there
also has been approved. Here and there.
however, the old note of hostility to the
theater as such has been struck; and in
more journals there has been lack of hope
for the future of the stage even where
there has been approval OF its aims.
Incidentally II has been made known by
an Episcopal rector how profoundly seeing
Irving play Beckett affected the life and
career Of a Japanese student OF Christian
theology, whom the rector once invited to
go with him 10 see Irving, and persuaded
to stay TO the end. To the Japanese Becket's
death, he said, was the solemn pledge and
sign of his own conservation TO his native
land, even IL IL involved death and martyr
dom whereas before the play he had
questioned whether II the hour of choice
between self and country should come he
would be found faithful, after he had come
under the spell of Tennyson's and Irving 5
combined art he no longer had any fear Of
which would be dominant, love OF life or
love OF country. love of ease or love OF
honor.
1t is such tales as these, by no means
rare. but too often never recorded, OF a
sort that the dramatic gossip seldom hears,
or II he hears does not publish. which give
pause 10 the moralist who sees no worth In
the drama, and no honor due to the artist
who produces ethical effects night after
night. Had the stage the mechanism for
following up the good impressions II makes
resolves II incites, comparable 10 the ma
chinery which the church has for register
ing the effect of the pulpit's eloquence
dramatic power and ethical impulse, Il
would have a better repute. II has been
content to let the curtain fall and rise
again, night after night, without following
up It's lessons taught; whereas the preacher
or the teacher devises ways and means OF
testing the dldaetic power OF the words
which they let fall In sermon or In lecture
II in the next considerable gathering OF
men you are a member Of, you have the
chance 10 poll the group as to the effect
| upon them at crises in their lives of certain
plays and actors they have seen, you might
be surprised TO find how many had tale
similar IN tenor 20 that OF the japanese
Eho saw Irving play Beckett
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
SECULAR SHOTS AT THE PULPIT.

Chicago Record-Herald! A Cleveland
preacher says pie is worse than beer as
a destroyer OF morality. Perhaps he means
the custard pie that one sits on at a Sun
day school picnic.
Minneapolis Journal: The Episcopal
bishop Of New York has started a fedora
ton of church clubs to take in all Prot
estants, Roman Catholics and Hebrews
They are all brothers, but there will be
abundant subject matter for discussion.
Chicago Tribune: An Indiana preacher
offers $4,000 to any other preacher who
can convince him that baptism by sprink-
ling has scrlptural authority. We will
give anybody s12OOO,OcO who can convince
us Of anything of which we don't want to
be convinced
New York Tribune: The condemnation
of a minister for not believing that Moses
literally wrote down the record Of his
own death suggests memories of that clas-
sic heresy case in which a minister was
accused of not believing in the devil. He
pleaded guilty of such lack of belief
"Then what do you believe in?" was de-
manded. IT believe" he replied, 'in the
Lord Jesus Christ" But some of them
stuck to 1t that he was hereto, all the
same. and declared him to be anathema
maranatha.
Kansas City Journal: A preacher at the
conclusion of one of his sermons said: Let
all in the house who are paying their debts
stand up" Instantly every man, woman
and child, with one exception, rose to their
feet The preacher seated them all and
said: Now every man not paying his debts
stand up" The exceptions noted, care
worn, hungry-looking individual, clothed in
a last years summer suit, slowly assumed
perpendicular position. How is 1t, my
friend" asked the minister, that you are
the only man not TO meet his obligations?"
at run a newspaper" he meekly answered.
land the brethren who stood up are my
subscribers, and" Let us pray" ex-
claimed the preacher.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
AS TO THE CARNEgrE DONATION


At the organization meeting of the
trustees for the Carnegie donation which
is to be used to establish retirement
pensions for superannuated college pro-
fessOrs, it developed that the question
of admitting state universities to share
in the benefits is yet to be determined
by the trustees of the foundation.
When this gift was originally an
nounced with conditions that seemed to
exclude state universities from partici.
patton, The Bee entered remonstrance
in the name of these institutions and
urged strongly that they had the same
claims to equal treatment with the
privately endowed colleges and UNIVERSE
ties, while discrimination against them
would be a positive injury in making it
almost impossible for them to hold de-
sirable members of their faculties, I'M
less they could establish for themselves
a pension fund to match Mr. Carnegie's.
1t is gratifying to note, therefore, an
intelligent comment upon the problem
in 'The Outlook" declaring" that there
is not the slightest question that so far
as claims for consideration are con-
cerned the teachers of state universities
stand on precisely the same basis as
teachers in other institutions, but the
question whether any ether agency shall
step in between the state and its institu-
tons needs careful consideration"
The merit of the remonstrance against
practicing an unwafranted discrimina-
ton upon the state universities must
strike home with every fair-minded per-
son and the trustees of the Carnegie
foundation cannot fail to realize the
awkward position in which these state
educational institutions have been
placed. The main complication in the
situation, as it presents itself now, is
that of the twenty-five trustees twenty
three are presidents of privately en-
dowed universities and colleges, which
must suffer proportionate diminution Of
their shares of the pension fund, If they
'"Ne d" lHS s'"'S universities anu IL ue-
wolves upon these trustees to decide
whether the state universities shall or
shall not be taken in. 1t is certainly
to be hoped they will consider the mat
ter without bias and reach a conclusion
solely upon broad grounds of largest
benefits to the cause of higher educa-
tinn in This country as q whole
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE.

The goosebone prophecy Of a mild winter
is hurrying southwark TO retrieve its repu-
taton.
A Chicago judge performed the marriage
ceremony in nine seconds. beating the d.
vorce record by forty-uine seconds.
Hotty Green declares her money isn't
tight" That Is. she doesn't burn any OF
It without a liberal fire insurance policy.
Edwin Markham cheerily sings "Thou
art tho wind and the Tyre" Probably
Edwin butted into bunch OF defeated
candidates.
Three heirs to the fortunes Of California
49ers have been killed in automobile acct
dents. Californians strike a warm pace
when they cross the Sierras.
1t won't be difHcult for the doctors to
convince Judge" Hamilton that the cl-
mate of New York would be fatal 20 a
delicate constitution at this season.
A wagonload of coin rumbllng merrily
over the pavement stopped a run on a
Keokuk bank. The sight OF money is as
good as the feel to a scared depositor.
After ten weeks work a Chicago court
discovered eleven men who acknowledged
sufficient ignorance TO At them for jury
service Incidentally, all OF them need the
money.
A miniature rebellion among school girls
at Richmond, Ind, has been squelched.
The girls insisted on wearing tiny bells
on their garters The schoolmaster said
nay, nay, and mammals slipper did the
rest.
An Official In the Seattle assay office with
more sand than sense exchanged a buck.
etful Of the former for $4,000 worth OF
golddust. But he didn't fool Uncle Sam
and the sand change artist has ample time
In Jail to think about It.
The food commissioner of Pennsylvania
says every old thing in the shape OF drink
in that state is adulterated. Even brands
of Pennsylvania pure rye" are nothing
more than a mixture of raw alcohol, cara
mel and prune juice. No wonder things
happen in Pennsylvania.
Those who have sailed the unsalted scar
in the good old summer time and enjoyed
the felicity OF waveless waters will readily
understand the trouble these ponds possess
by reading accounts of Wednesdays storm.
score OF ships and nearly as many lives
were sent to destruction by q sixty mile
gale which kicked up waves so high that
steel craft could not stand the strain.
Winter winds are terrors on these waters.
Summer breezes make them a Joyous mem
DRY.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
CHURCH, STATE AND MARRIAGE.
Proposed Separation of the Civil and
Religious Ceremonies.
Nau Yorlr Sun


Bishop Doane, in his address to the
diocesan convention of the Episcopal church
at Albany, urged that that church should
adopt and pursue invariably the principle
that no marriage shall be solemnzed bv
the church between persons either Of whom
has been divorced from one who is living
at the time. That is, he would make mar
rage In the eyes of the church indissoluble
except by death.
This, as is well known. is the position
taken by the Roman Catholic church, and
unquestionably 1t is a position which
church can rightfully take without offence
TO our civil laws of marriage and divorce.
A corollary of that position, however, is
the strict separation of the civil and the
legal marriage OF record from the marriage
solemnized by the church.
In other words the clergy should be re-
leved Of the function OF performing mar
riages as civil magistrates and left free to
follow their religious conscience as respects
the solemnization of matrimony under the
canons of their church, however those
might conflict with the civil law.
Bishop Doane would rid the church OF all
responsibility" in the matter OF divorce
and throw the whole burden on the state.
That end would be secured II civil and
legal marriage was made wholly distinct
from the religious service. II under the
civil law people are entitled to marriage,
they have a right to have It performed by
purely civil magistrates; but IL under the
church law the parties are not eligible TO
religious matrimony, the church should be
free 10 refuse TO recognize and solemnize.
the union.
This would be a measure OF relief for the
a - Al.
principle of the separation of state and
church in this republic People eligible for
marriage under the law OF the state cannot
rightfully be refused marriage by a magis-
trate OF the state, nor is 1t in the interest
of good morals that they should thus be
debarred from il; but the church also has
the right to refuse Its sanction 20 a mar
riage forbidden by its own law and its own
conscience.
That is, the legal contract Of marriage
and the solemnization Of matrimony as a
purely religious service ought to be kept
wholly distinct.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
Social Petty Larceny.
Pittsburg Dispatch

A remark made by one of the officers
of the British flagship as the squadron
was about to leave New York calls at
tention to a relaxation of public morals that
cannot be considered with satisfaction.
The declaration of the officer was: I'VE
have saved our guns" The meaning of
that remarkable claim on the results Of
visit of friendship was that during the
days when the flagship was Hospitality
open to public visits the social custom of
petty larceny for obtaining souvenirs had
so stripped the ship of portable articles
that the officers considered it matter of
congratulation that they were able to get
away with their heavy artillery still un-
stolen.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
AGAINST NAVAL INCREASE.

The position taken by Secretary Bona
parte adverse to any further large addi-
ton to the navy at present, which it is
presumed has the approval of President
Roosevelt, has already made an impress
sion which promises to make itself mani
fest in the action of congress. Senator
Hale, chairman of the senate naval COM
mlttee, is quoted as saying that he is
with the secretary of the navy ON that
question. The Maine senator remarked
that aside from the British navy we
support the strongest navy in the world
and he could see no pressing need for
any great outlay in that direction,
1t is altogether probable that this view
will be found to prevail largely with
the question of economy in public ex-
penditures is commanding unusual at
tention. To vote large appropriations
for new ships of war when 1t is neces-
sary to curtail expenses in order to
avoid additional taxation would GER
tainly meet with public disapproval. An
other point to be considered is that we
have not a sufficient number Of officers
and .seamen to properly man the ships
we have. Senator Hale is not exactly
correct in saying that we support the
strongest navy in the world except that
of Great Britain but at least we rank
third and we need only to maintain that
position. That this will be the judgment
Of congress there is very good reason to
believe.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

no means unlikely that Turkey will per
sist in the refusal to accede to the de-
mand for international control Of the
Macedonian finances and take chances
I'm war for the maintenance of her
present authority in Macedonia. To re-
linquish this would not only be to give
up an important source of revenue, but
to lose prestige which she naturally re-
CARDS as of great value. A determine
ton of the issue cannot be long deferred
and the outcome is awaited with univer-
sal interest.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
The Square Deal.
New York Mail.


The evil of American life among those
that have as well as those that want Is
the passion to secure the opposite of what
President Roosevelt calls "the square deal"
The problem of American life, after the
present tasks of fumigation are complete,
will be to compel people to observe the
rules of the game" From college foot
ball up to the rebate quest OF the large
railroad shipper, the lobbying of the pub
lie service corporation, the syndicate par
ticipations" of the insurance 'magnate"
and the grating operations Of public off,
cials, the whole evil begins and ends with
the unwillingness to play fair. 1.-THE
square deal" really accomplished, would
smash some great trusts, decimate some
colossal fortunes, reduce some foot ball
heads, but it would nightly purify Amerl-
can life, redress It's unequal balances with
draw 1.-The spurns that patient merit Of the
unworthy takes"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
ELlM1NAT1Ng BLINK BALLoTs


The official canvass of the Nebraska
election returns discloses one feature of
the voting by machine in Douglas
county, as compared with the voting by
ballot in the remainder Of the state, that
has not attracted public attention. The
total vote polled throughout Nebraska
at the recent election is given at 1872, 152,
but the total vote recorded for all the
different candidates for supreme judge
foots up only 1854, leaving nearly
5000 blank ballots cast by voters who
indicated no preference for the head of
the state ticket.
In Douglas county, on the other hand,
the figures in the total vote column are
1883, as compared with 1885 votes
polled by the four top candidates, leav-
ing only 237 voters unrecorded for SUI
preme judge. Computed by decimal pro-
portion, the percentage of blank ballots
in the state is 100, while in Douglas
county 1t is only 1.35. If Douglas county
were deducted from the state returns,
the percentage for Nebraska, outside of
Douglas county, would be 500, and this
disproportion still greater. Reduced to
tabular form, this is the comparison:
Neb.. ex-
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

The mayors Of Ohio cities are organic
ing for a cooperative campaign for
municipal home rule and immunity from
legislative Interference in purely local
affairs. If the new organization win
make it it's first duty to prosecute re-
lentlessly the agents and lobbyists of
public contractors and franchised cor
porations who make it a business to
mutilate city charter legislation, it may
possibly score success.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

If this is fair criterion it is plain
that the introduction of voting machines
throughout the state would practically
eliminate the shortage between the total
vote and the aggregate vote cast for can
didates for any particular office-in a
word, the voting machine appears to
make voting for every Office to be filed
compulsory upon every voter who exer-
cises his electoral suffrage.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

1t seems strange to find New York ex-
pressing apprehension that harbor i'm
provements at Antwerp may put the
American metropolis back in the rank ii
has long occupied as a shipping center
The Dutch laid the foundation for New
York's greatness, but no one ever sup
posed that any Dutch city would ever
again block the way of the new Ans
terdam on this side Of the water
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

The state of Nevada has been rotten
borough for many years and the an
nouncement that former Steel Trust
Magnate Charles NJ. Schwab aspires to
represent Nevada in the United States
senate will not startle anybody. The
assurance that Mr.. Schwab will be very
strong in 1908, when the legislature will
be selected that will name Senator New
lands successor is no revelation. The
total population of Nevada is less than
$4,000 and Mr.. Schwab will encounter
no serious difficulty in convincing a ma
iority of its voters that an iron master
is more generous than a bonanza king.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
Mistaken Opinions.

President Ripley Of the Santa re rail-
road thinks President Roosevelt is sincere
in regard to rate legislation, but mistaken.
1t is unfortunate. but the same compliment
cannot be paid to all the railroad presi-
dents who oppose the plan, though the
general opinion seems to be that they are
mistaken
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03
Bigness Has Its weakness.

There are signs of reaction against great
industrial combinations AT last people are
beginning to perceive that exaggerated en-
phasis has been put upon the value of mere
growth in size. There is a point evidently
at which company becomes too big to
control, to manage and to resist success
fully new competition. Mere bigness is no
certain proof of strength.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

at is not known" says the Washing
ton forecaster of the Omaha fakery,
whether Representative Kennedy will
seek to erect a new public building in
the Second district during the coming
year" Inasmuch as there is not a town
of more than a thousand population in
the Second district not already supplied
with postoffice building, it may be
safely predicted that Representative
Kennedy will introduce no postoffice
building bills during the coming session.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

Judge Hamilton is willing to tell the
investigating committee all, but he feels
sure he can tell 1t with much less en-
barassment when the Atlantic ocean Is
between him. and his inquisltors.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

Residents of Nebraska who secured
homesteads in South Dakota by rafie
will either have TO squat or quit 1t is
held to be a fundamental principle of
land grant physics that one body cannot
occupy two spices at the same time.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

The big nine" conference probably
reflected the real student sentiment re-
garding brutality in foot ball games
when it decided that the price of admis-
sion TO games should not be more than
80 cents
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

authentic accounts Of affairs at the Rus
sian capital. including star chamber con
ferences between the car and his cab
met, will be transmitted by wireless
grapevine to all parts Of the United
States by exclusive correspondence.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

The resgning habit has not yet be-
come epidemic with big life insurance
officials, but the virus seems to have
worked in several noteworthy cases and
may be expected also to take I'm several
more
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-03

There will be at least two vacant seats
in the United States senate during the
session about to open. One of these was
occupied by Senator Hipple-Mitchell Of
Oregon and the other by Senator Burton
of Knnsne