davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
Initial Step Assured.

It is good news for Minneapolis that
is brought from Washington, showing
that Chairman Burton of the rivers
and harbors committee favors an ap-
propriation for new survey of the up
per mississippi. The object of this sur
vey is to get an estimate from the gov
eminent engineers as to the cost of a
six-foot channel to the head of naviga-
ton. .[ ~.
The head of navigation means Mime
apolis, when the second lock and dam be-
low the city is completed. The ~six-foot
channel means a multiplication Of
freight business on the river, and q
revolution in the commerce Of the north
west such as Mr.. A. L. Croker pointed
out in recent interview in T h e
Journal. The first step in getting
the six-foot channel is to make the sur
vey and get an estimate Of its cost, and
such move will meet with the hearth
est approval Of the friends Of river
navigation. The next step is to get
the appropriation, and to this end Min
neapolis is asked to cooperate with the
upper Mississippi River Improvement
association. The association is asking
congress for the money, and it must ask
first before it can receive. It is q lit.
tie thing for Minneapolis to d. in
comparison with the vastness Of the
ends in sight, to join in this request.
! AS concrete instance of what this
six,foot channel means, Mr.. Qrockel
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
CAPITAL DEBATING CLUB
Kansas City Star.

Kansas City Star. i
In view of the great success of Senator
William Joel Stones Grafton on Purity
the Capitol Lyceun1 and Debating society
announces the following interesting enter
tainment in it's winter course: ~;
'The Horrors of Lynchings,' Senator
Benjamin F. Tillman Of South Carolina.
projecting the American Forests
Senator Mitchell of Oregon. ,r
1.-THE Inviolate Ballot" Senator w. A.
Clark of Montana.
SHOULD Most Of the Votes Be Counted?'
Senator Money of Mississippi.
"Postoffices, the Root Of All Evil" SEN
ator Dietrich Of Nebraska.
The series will conclude with a joint de.
bate, in which Senator Stone Of Missouri
and Senator Burton Of Kansas will be op-
ponents. The question will be: RE.
solved, That purity is less monstrous thar
national shame
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
The Handwriting Expert.

To the Editor Of The Journal.
In your comments on expert handwrit-
Ing testimony in a late issue Of r e
Journal, you say: Handwriting
fends got into the Molineux case and
succeeded in swearing so strongly to his
chirography that he nearly went to the
electric chair as a result. Very little of
such evidence is worth the time it takes
to give 1t. Molineux was the only man
convicted upon expert testimony and the
higher court saw the injustice and danger
OF it and sent the case back, with the
result that he is today a free man.
AS the writer was directly concerned
with the expert handwriting evidence in
the Molineux case, he feels that these
statements should be corrected.
First-Molfneux was not convicted
upon the expert testimony.
Second-The higher court did not re-
verse the case and grantAa new trial be-
cause Of the handwriting evidence. The
verdict was reversed and new trial
granted on the ground of the hearsay
evidence of DR.. Douglass and the evil
dence In regard to the death Of Barnett.
AS matter Of fact on all of the four OBJ
jections to the handwriting testimony
raised by Molineux's counsel the court of
appeals decided against the defendant
and in favor Of the prosecution.
In the Collom- Blaisdell case tried in
Minneapolis some years ago, and to which
you refer, you will probably remember
that Colon, at a meeting of Blafsdells
friends and bankers holding the forged
notes, confessed the forgery and ex-
pressed his readiness to be taken to the
penitentiary. Subsequently, after consult
Ing with his friends and attorneys, he
denied that this confession was true and
stood trial. While the jury disagreed in
the criminal case it is significant that nc
attempts have ever been made to recover
on the notes from Blaisdell as the in.
dorser.
and readers are. confused because Of the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
TATTLE

'.Too bad about Mrs. De Smithers," says she,
'That she and her husband can never agree.
They seem quite devoted, but that's pre-
tence
That can never deceive any person OF sense.
These very adectionate couples. you know,
Nine-tenths of the time are Just making Z
show, -
And their fondness in public is really absurd
But hadn't you heards
ST think that the Browns will now lower their
tone. !.
They've mortgaged, you know, everything that
they own. -
She was determined on leading her set.
And 30 It's no wonder they ran into debt.
She had the assurance to snub me one day. .
She bows to now in the frtendliest way.
I'm not caught by chaff, for I'm too old bird
But hadn't you heard?
'sYoung Jones has got into some sort Of dis
fg grace.
At Robinsen's house he can't show his face
hear he was drinking-it broke off the match
I think. tho, he proved not SO much OF catch
But Robinson needn't say much on that score,
His personal habits I greatly deplore.
Well, II I had known I'd have not said word
thought you had heard"
,.UananA ked8Aas
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
How Can Deposltors Known

To the Editor Of The Journal.
Will you kindly give information in T h 9
J r al Of how depositors are to- know
the condition Of banks in Minneapolis,
national and savings banks?
Who is the bank examiner for Mime
apolis banks. and who appoints him?
Can any depositor, upon application,
have access to the actual condition of the
bank? How are Minneapolis savings
banks investing their depositors' money
to make the interest they pay. and whas
guarantee have the depositors that their
money is invested by the officers of the
said banks in any better way than the
Oberlin OF Faribault National institutions:
"A Deposition.
The national banks Of Minneapolis are
examined every six months, alternately
by Lyman D. Baird and l.. H. Parker, who
make their reports to the office Of the
controller Of the currency at Washington
ID. c. Mr.. Baird is a resident Of Mime
sofa, Mr.. Parker Of Wisconsin.
P. M. Kerst is the state examiner. HI
is appointed by the governor. His office
is in st. Paul.
Quarterly, or five times year, state
ments of the condition of all Minneapolis
national banks and state banks appear il
T Jour- i. Principally, one should
note the relation between the deposits and
the loans and discounts, and the cash or
hand. Banks are required by law to carry
IL per cent of their resources in the form
of cash, or its equivalent, and in the larg
er reserve centers the legal Requirement
| Is rs per cent.
II one is interested in particular bank
and desires detailed Information concern
ing the character Of the resources, the ex
aminer's office may be appealed to.
Commercial banks loan their funds II
various ways, and from the interest re
ceived derive income sufficient to provide
for expenses, dividends, etc.
Savings banks are restricted by Law
to the placing Of funds. They, may no
loan as do commercial banks, but are re
stricted to bonds, municipal, state or high
class corporation bonds, or first mortgage
on approved real estate or other high
grade collateral -. 80 Z
!. After all; the best way to Judge Of tn
solidityy Of a bank. Is to familiarize one
self as much as possible with the director
ate. Note the class Of men represented
their other business affiliations, and thei
standing in the community. Note whethe
their connection with a bank is an indi
cation of strength to the institution o
| cOntraryWiSe.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
Jaw Cooke.

The ordinary histories OF the civil
war may be searched in vain for more
than passing reference to Jay Cooke,
and we do not know that he was ever
mentioned at a G.. A. r. campfire, yet
he was the man who did moro to put
down the rebellion than almost any
other except Lincoln and Grant.
At the opening Of the great strife,
Lincoln called for volunteers and he got
them. But volunteers could not fight
without food or weapons and the gov
eminent turned it's attention almost i'm
mediately to the problem of financing
the immense conflict that was seen to be
on. Jay Cooke was a Philadelphia
banker, who was appealed to, and he I'M
dertook to float the government loans.
In fact, before he was appointed fiscal
agent Of the treasury he went among
the financial men Of his own city and
secured subscriptions to 100000 of
government bonds. For this work he
asked for and received no compensa-
tion. Think of Morgan doing an act
like that for his government.
Cooke was appointed agent Of the
treasury and during his connection with
| it he foated loans amounting to the
enormous total Of $4,000, 100000, a feat
that has never been equaled in the
world Of money.
At the close Of the war the admins
| tration notified Mr.. Cooke that il
needed $530,oo0, 900 to pay off the
troops who were to be mustered out
and sent home. In five months hi
raised this great sum, altho the credit
of the United States had already beer
severely strained by the long-continuet
war. With this cash the administra
ton was enabled to honorably acqui
itself Of the debt due to the soldiers o:
the union before the grand review.
1t is known now that Jay Cooke
Co. received very moderate commission
on their gigantic transactions on gov
eminent account. Their methods wer
modern and ahead of their times. TIL
loans were placed by extensive advertis
ing. Mr.. Cooke has said that h
used every description Of newspaper
even to copperhead sheets, for bringing
to the notice of the people the fact tina
the government wanted to borrow thei
money. He was demonstrated with flo
following patent medicine precedents
but he persisted and with success, an
the cash that he poured into the treas
ury proved very bitter medicine for tn
confederacy.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
Artesian Water.
TO the Editor Of Tho Journal,

TO the Editor Of The Journal.
Saturdays UT n a l had another good
article on pure water by A. B. Choate. An
object lesson such as the "Groveland
apartments'' furnish is far more to the
point than a thousand croakers who do
not believe there is any good water I'M
der us, or who can see no way of getting
water other than for the tax-burdened
people to raise 100000 for starter,
which will grow to two or three times that
amount in building. For what? Only an
experiment to furnish polluted water from
the greatest sewer in our country, and
wait two or three years to build the
plant.
I would suggest to advertise for bids to
furnish an artesian we'll at each school,
house in our city before July /. 1t can
be done. Besides giving our SCHOOLGIRL
dren pure water, each well would supply
from 200 to 800 families
Let us spend a few thousand dollars be-
fore asking the taxpayers to spend a few
millions. M B.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
MIR. Hyde, Financier

James Hazen Hyde, who has recently
come into prominence in the fight over
the Equitable, is apparently a very busy
young man. He is director of more
than fifty corporations, and belongs to
more clubs than any other man in the
United States. He goes to his office at
or 10 am, and leaves at and may
thereafter be found in the park driving
or at one Of his numerous clubs think
ing. f..
He is a graduate. of. Harvard college
and an enthusiastic patron Of the
French language and literature, which
he has done great deal to encourage
in this country. ..,. ...': .@.
1t was only recently, however, that
Mr.. Hyde made his debut real good in
New York society. He gave a 100000
dinner, thus outdoing the St. Regis hotel
affair, where the average cost was
$1,000 a guest. The object in New
York dinners appears to be to elevate
the cost per guest and to enlarge the
total cost by increasing the number Of
guests. Mr.. Hyde has distanced> all
competitors and today holds the belt,
having given the largest number Of peo-
pie the least real enjoyment at the most
tremendous outlay Of cash. This is of
itself sufficient to make him a great
J man in New York.
It looks as tho it would be a good
winter for dog shows and sherry din
ners. The spring outlook for golf and
: automobiling was never better. Mr.
Hyde will probably patronize tourn
ament in which solid gold golf balls two
feet thru will be given as favors. The
Equitable's assets are over four hun
dred millions and Mr.. Hyde owns the
majority Of the stock which swings the
whole business. Why should not society
look up2
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
VULGAR HUMOR
Franklin Tribune.

Franklin Tribune.
The Tribune confesses that there are
times when it does not like the politics
Of The Minneapolis Journal, but it does
freely admit that it likes the dignified in
dependence with which that paper ex-
presses its likes and dislikes Of men and
things, while some other papers remain
ominously silent, thru fear perhaps of the
slipping of a cog in the countingroom.
T h e J o ur n a ! has boldly stated that
the placing of W. W. Dunn Of Ramsey
by the presiding officer of the senate
upon the temperance committee Of the SEN
ate, when it was well known that Mr..
Dunn Is the attorney for the brewing in
terests of st. Paul, Is a piece of coarse,
uncovert humor and a. slap at the cause
Of practical temperance sin this state. A
man does not have to- be a temperance
crank or an orthodox prohibitonfst, to
feel a keen resentment of this bit OF
vulgar sarcasm on the part of the pre-
siding officer Of the senate. -.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
Volstead VS.. the Attorney General.

The Journal gives substantially
in full today the letter Of Congressman
Volstead to Secretary Shaw, Arguing the
legal aspect Of the mixing privilege.
Mr.. Volstead has been a vigorous oppo-
Inent Of granting to the millers on the
American side the privilege of draw
back on Canadian wheat imported for
the purpose of mixing with American
wheat in the manufacture of flour for
export. His legal argument is interest
ing and strong, altho he takes issue with
the attorney general Of the United
States. Mr.. Volstead 8 letter was drawn
upon literally by Mr.. Hansbrough in his
argument in the senate in favor of an
amendment to the agricultural bill pro-
hibiting the drawback for mixing priv
ileges and will be Of interest to Journal
readers turnout the northwest, where
there is so much difference of opinion,
not alone with regard to the legality Of
the drawback, but with regard to the
effect upon the northwestern wheat
grower on the American side.
AS to this aspect Of the matter the
facts do not seem to sustain MI. VOL
stead's theory, set forth in the closing
paragraph of his letter, inasmuch as in
the face Of the importation of 100000
bushels of Canadian wheat for grinding
in American mills, the price of Ameri-
can wheat has been maintained and it
is claimed has been advanced because it
was possible to use more of it in the man
ufacture of flour for export than could
have been used without the Canadian
wheat Of higher grade to mix with It.
J But it is not our purpose to argue that
question in this connection. h
: journal simply wishes to- give all
} sides of this controversy, and for that
reason devotes large space to MIR. Vol
stead's legal argument, which, it must
be conceded, is well constructed.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
railroad representative told tn

The railroad representatives told the
house committee yesterday that demur-
rage Is not imposed for revenue. 1t it
charged in order to secure a free move
ment of cars. That is true, and but for
demurrage charges rolling stock would be
seriously blocked by negligence of ship
pers. The demurrage charge is a proper
and wise regulation. All the shippers ask
is that the railroad companies take the
same medicine that they give. The pro-
posed bill permits demurrage rules to be
suspended by the state railroad commits
sion in times of car famine. It will only
operate when the car supply is or ought
to be easy, and will be a guard against
unreasonable delays. If the companies
are attempting to operate with insufficient
rolling stock. as the testimony of one rail
road man would indicate, then the pro.
posed law will compel them TO secure
proper equipment.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
Our Street Car Service.
TO the Editor of The Journal,

: H. N. O.. in Saturdays Jour a l
knocks hard Having lived in Mime
apolis twenty-five years. and seen our
street car system grow from the little
dinky cars, with the little sheep bells on
the front end Of the mule-power, and
straw on the floor the only heater; when
each passenger walked solemnly up to the
front end and deposited his nickel in the
slot. grow to the present magnificent
equipment, with the best service of any
city; / know, where one can step on a car
every seven minutes, ride three and one
half miles: in twenty-three minutes to the
center Of the city, makes one ask, what
does H. M O.. want for cents?
Let US all forget the one day when the
power was off and we trudged cheerfully
home, thinking only Of the 364 days we
were carried so comfortably In our beau
| tlful cars. Bright Side.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
VOLUNTEERING IN RUSSIA

While strolling down SADIE street in
Moscow a few days ago the attention Of
an English visitor was attracted by the
scuffling Of feet and swish of whip and
the sound of loud words.
Looking across the way he saw a
stocky fellow in a blouse flat on the
ground and stoutly resisting the efforts
of two soldiers to set him on his feet and
make him go along.
The Englishman turned to a man in Of
fetal uniform at his side, who also was
watching the struggle, but without ex-
element or interest. ''.'.
whats the trouble?'.' asked the Eng
ltshman.
The official shrugged his shoulders.
''There's~ no trouble he replied 'It's
only peasant turning. volunteer ~. g
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
present status Of expert handwriting evf-

present status Of expert handwriting EVIL
dence. ~
Il Handwriting as means Of positive
Identification of the individual is better
than photographs even. Nothing else
that person does is so characteristic as
the handwriting. The employment Of pro-
fessiOnal handwriting experts as wit
nesses in court cases that often involve I
enormous sums of money or the liberty or.
even the lives of suspected malefactors,
has awakened widespread interest as to
the methods of this class of experts. their
resources and capabilities in conserving
the ends of justice.
There are cases In which skilled and
conscientious experts might well differ, !
but in the majority of cases in which ex-
perts appear on both sides / am frank to
say do not believe there are any
grounds for differences of opinion and.
there should be but one opinion. But sol
long as the present method of consulting
and calling experts is maintained and sol
long as human nature remains as it is, i
I presume these differences will exist.
If experts are compelled to give reasons
for opinions, the average hard-headeds
juryman is able to see whether these rea-
sons are reasonable or not.
There are experts In handwriting who
are skilled and honest-men who cannot
be purchased with fee, no matter how
large, and whose training and experience
are such as to enable them to determined
accurately whether or not certain writ
1ngs were written by the person sup
posed to have written them. The honest,
handwriting expert after preliminary
examination has to decline many cases,
| and of course 1t pains him to see charges
| that all experts can be bought going the
| rounds Of the press, and to see public
| opinion Influenced by them.
| My records show that in one out of
every four or five cases I have given a
| decision adverse to the contentious of
those employing me-. OF course in such
cases am not called upon to testify, and
of course the newspapers and the public
do not know about these decisions. This
proportion Of adverse decisions holds true
| in regard to every other honest handwrit-s
ing expert. --.: =:
There may be no perfect method Of
putting in expert handwriting evidence in
| the courts of law, but I am convinced
that method that would be much pref
cradle to that now in vogue would be
! the appointing Of official experts by: the
courts. Both sides of the controversy
could submit their. writings to these ex-
perts and of course the decisions must
be in favor of one or the other. Then
have the experts testify in open court for
the side for which they have made the
decision and allow the counsel for the
other side to cross-examine them as at
present, but do not have any opposing ex-
perts.
When the days Of official experts are
here we can look for greater confidence in
\ the opinions expressed, and the wider
use of the Identification of the individual
by his handwriting, and in that day life
and property will be safer. =
j w. J. Kinsley.
|
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
1T WAS A LOT
Memphis Commercial-Appea

Memphis COmmercia1-Ap
Senator Clapp made a pleasant adnis-
sion the other day of the cost of sena =
torial election-not by popular vote. He
had just returned from Minnesota, where
he was triumphantly renominated He
was in the elevator and was in the act
of transferring IS from his hand into his
pocket. ..- 49, s..- g.
'rHow much?" inquired Senator Tallia-
ferro, "Ilave you left?'' .f :.
Precisely So said Senator Clapp, "but
lately?" .-~-F-- "a e. r
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18

closely with American agriculture and
its intelligent betterment, that it would
seem more appropriate for the mighty
agricultural interests Of today to make
his birthday anniversary day Of rec
IGNITION Of his services to the cause
Of Intelligent scientific agriculture, of
his personal integrity and patriotism,
and his championship Of the purity Of
tho home and all that this implies.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18

Emperor William having detailed a ma
val lieutenant to trail Mrs. Robert Goelet
while she mouses about among the curios
Of Potsdam, Mrs. Potter Palmer will never
rest until she has secured a major OF
marines to tell her which is Rembrandt
and which water color. - sv..:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
.Saturd day Eve ming,

amounts to as it stands. It will 10 no
particular harm if passed, and Gov
ernor johnson will hardly take the
trouble to veto it. The issue raised is
too petty for the dignity Of either the
legislature or the governor.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18

1t is no wonder the country editors are
such an important factor in politics and
legislation. Papers read at the meeting Of
the State Editorial association this year
show an alertness and grasp of pub
lie questions not exceled anywhere. John
G. Applegate's paper on the railroad ques-
ton, and Frank M Eddy's dissertation on
the paper trust are documents of which
the association should be proud.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
1T is NOT LARCENY BUT WORSE
Nebraska. State Journal.

Nebraska State Journal.
Speaking of the enormous rebates given
by the Santa Fe to the Colorado Fuel &
Iron company, which have sometimes ag-
gregated as high as $1,000 day, the
Chicago Journal says: HE Is indeed an
intrepid operator who SEXES the earnings
Of a great property and returns them to a
favorite shipper. In any business but
railroading such proceedings would not be
designated by the mild tones Of 'rebat-
ing The word larceny or embezzlement
would be more likely to be applied 1850