davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22

to feed and shelter. He formed con-
centration camps in Golden Gate Park,
and one Of his dispatches indicates that
he was looking after the water supply.
Working in conjunction with the civil
authorities? In a way, yes; but h
stricken city was really under martial
law, and General FUNSTON was saving
it from anarchy.
Meanwhile his reports Of the conditions
that tried mems souls were admirable
for clearness and thrift Of expression.
FUNSTON had had some experience OF
news gathering as we'll as Of soldering.
Through the ordeal he kept his head and
never shirked responsibility. 1t is true he
had the assistance Of capable l~ieutenants,
and particularly Of such indispensable
men as DEvoL Of the QuartSrmaster's
Department and K~RAUTHoFF Of the Divl-
sion Commissary; but the credit OF carry
ing a panic stricken community through
the hell Of earthquake and fire and tr1-
umphing over human as well as the
elemental furies belongs to General
FREDERICK FUNSTON. The achievement
transcends his services in the field and
stamps him as a man eminently fit to
command.
Peace hath her victories no less
renown'd than war, and FREDERICK
FUNSTON must be saluted as a victor in
a s%tupendous crisis.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
The English geoloeist JOHN MILNE is

The English geologist JOHN MILNE is
quoted in JAMES c. FERNALD's Scientific
SidelightsS published In 1908, al saying
that Japanese houses, although Of the frail-
eat construction imaginable, pass unframed
through whole series Of the light earth
quake shocks which are frequent in the
islands. The structure OF the Japanese
house 10 described as = light framework Of
four inch or ave inch scantling, all the
timbers crossing at right angles, with the
spaces filed with bamboo wattlework,
plas.ered over with mud; the whole struct-
ure standing on a row OF square stones
driven several inches into the ground. The
then Minister OF Public Works. who made
q special study Of Japanese buildings, in
formed the geologist that none OF the tenn
pies and palaces, hundreds Of years old,
show signs Of injury resultant from the
earthquake shocks, both light and severe,
which they ave experienced. The great
est damage wrought by large earthquakes
appears to have resulted from the influx
oil large waves or from fires
One of the interesting questions that may
or may not be answered when the full story
OF the San Francisco disaster is known
bears upon the relation Of the various styles
OF construction to the ability to withstand
tho strain Of great u~pheavals Of natural
forces. whatever degree Of elasticity may
be obtained In steel skeletoned buildings,
safeguarding them against minor tremors,
there will always remain the possibility not
only Of a shock that will subject the ediice
to interior strain but OF the sinking Of an
area large enough to topple the whole
structure from its foundations.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
Mr.. william Waldorf Astor's Gift.

One Of the promptest and largest glfts
of money for the relief of suffering in
San Francisco comes from Mr.. WILLIAM
WALDORF Aston, a British subject whose
newspaper in London it was that on the
morning after the earthquake doomed
San Francisco, if not to extinction, at
least to a feeble and degenerate future.
Because we commented on the Pail
Mol Gdzete's lack of confidence in the
American qualities that will rebuild
San Francisco and continue her career
as a mart of commerce and a focus OF
civilization, we are the more anxious
to give prominence to. the fact OF this
generous donation to the relief fund.
Mr.. AsToR's interests in the United
States are such and his family name is
80 conspicuously identified with the
early history of the Pacific Coast that
it is not likely his subscription will be
classed with foreign or outside aid under
the principle delicately laid down by
President ROOSEVELT in declining the
gift Of the Hamburg company.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
BLESSED Old Maids.

To ZEE EDITOR or TEE SUH-sr: I register a
protest that the common idea OF the position which
aold maids" occupy In the world is often erroneous
Instead Of the contempt with which they seem TO
be universally regarded in many cases the very
fact Of their bsine what thsy are expresses all that
IL purest and most beautiful In womanhood.
No doubt there arc many whose Objectionable
qualities are responsible for their failure to enter
she Married state. but the woman In behalf Of whom
take exception 10 she OF refined Intellect who pos.
seases high ideals and requires In . husband every
Quality which she conslders essential In fulnlment
thereof. Ii II surprising that such a woman, 10
whom marriage CONTRARY 70 the too prevalent
idea among single women does not by any means
dignity hfe'a chief Offering. withdraWs her presence
nom q selnah world With oalin resignation. pro-.
fePtnE the oompAnionship OF her own thoughts
end securing happlness from such occupations
A are In keeping with her natural sentimensi
Do her critics stop 70 think how grossly they are
deoeivtug themselves when they shower upon her
their cAeap adicuie or pity. WHOM, % . matter OF
fact, their own ignorance prevents their perceiving
that she could no doubt marry under coalitions
which not only by the world a. large but by these
very critics would be regarded % In every respect
exceptionally desirable. but which 70 her would be
only miBeryf n. ".
.NnW YoEK. April q.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
Who Can Cure Sick Trout?

To THE EDITOR OF THE sUN-Sir: In you
issue Of April is an article appears en-
titled who Can Cure Sick Trout?" thin
that the difficulty therein described Gomez
from feeding the fish in the stock pond will
artificial food. They require none il there
Is an ample supply Of good water tslightly
lime), and if nature is permitted to work hel
will with regard TO the growth Of aquatic
vegetation both on the bottom OF the pono
n along it's shores. These weeds. grasses,
&c, will collect a great deal Of natural food
and 1t is well, also. TO let more or less soft
muck" accumulate on the bottom Of thu
sand. or gravel. Tn muck" will before
long give birth to quite. a variety OF aquati,
plants-an Of them food producers-,and VIII
Will collect here and there on the surface o,
shade for the fish.
ntrout are being prepared for the marke'
artificial food is required to make them grow
fast, but such fish run about five to the poun
and are rarely over two years old. The,
haven't had time to contract disease oelor"
however, are different, because they are KEEP
for breeding purposes.
Good trout water never goes above a tenn
P PssaIy Setter IF 60 S SegtsSfia; n Above So g. Ses dessee IS
will either kill the fish or cause disease ]
refer, of course. to speckled trout. The
rainbow thrives In warmer water. ana he
should never be turned in with his speckied
II not o~vercrowded, and II there is plenty
OF right water. 1t is bad policy to give artificial
f fSS tb se sh Tiv Ri1sedifF s s1HGf' live Let sinners linen n Hps srs
dumped into the pond now and then the
trout will thrive on them. for that !; a naturai
foGd' and Sao The t hbSn tro1t for STg them w snd 81 Ses atsfSlf
keep liver away from them.
ST. PAUL. April II. FISHERMAN.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
Heroism of John Wesley Gaines.

On Wednesday the Hon. FREDERICK
II. GILLETT Of Massachusetts, nov
that the House Of Representatives re-
solve itself into the Committee OF the
Whole House on the State Of the Union
for the consideration Of the District OF
Columbia Appropriation bill. Pending
the motion, Mr.. GILLETT asked the Hon.
ALBERT S. BURLEsoN of Texas II it was
not possible to limit the debate on the
measure. Mr.. G1LLETT had persuaded
the Republicans who had asked for time
to withdraw their requests. Mr.. BURLE-
SON had been asked for four hours and
five minutes, and T~ennessee's volcano
Of words, the Hon. JOHN WESLEY GAINES,
had made application for one half hour
of this. Uprose Mr.. GAINES and spoke:
I'VE have very little chance for debate in the
House anyway. and when the opportunity comes
along we ought TO throw open the doors o little bit.
There are enough speeches suppressed at best
Students of Mr.. GAINES will be sur
prised to learn that any speeches have
been suppressed. His record does not
indicate it. Mr.. GILLETT remarked that
there had been a weeks debate on the
Post Office Appropriation bill, end that
the Agricultural Appropriation bill was
to come up Immediately. But Mr..
GAINES was urgent. He said:
And there are nearly 700 members in this House.
and there are thousands Of subjects that ought TO
be discussed. and we have gotten along pretty we'll
in discussing matters in this Congress, better than
we have for the last eight or ten years. by allowing
trter debate"
There is always freedom OF debate
where Mr.. GAINES is. But he is not an
obstructionist, and to prove it, to show
his heroic devotion to his countrv's
needs, after making evident his desire
to address his 400 colleagues, Mr.. GAINES
recorded this noble remuneration:
so far as | am concerned, I win say to the zen.
tleman from Texas / will surrender whatever time
he has accorded TO me-"
No applause greeted this announce
ment. Silence was the House, tribute.
JOHN WESLEY GAINES stood before his
fellows, voluntarily relinquishing an
opportunity to make a speech. 1t was
a scene of self-abnegation never paral.
leled in a legislative body. 1t was JOHN
WESLEY GAINES %oonsenting to remain
eilent
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
An Exordlum That Exordiatss.

From le Hvden Thousandsaeks.
II Is q man az the head OF tho Government of
Russia.
II is q man at the head OF tho Government OF
Great Britain.
II Is q man at the head of the Government Of the
U. s. at washington. II Is . man al the head OF
the Government OF Ky. at Frankfort. And boys, II
is q man too at the head Of our Common School
System at Hydcn, Ky.
BY the exercise OF important duties resting upon
the shoulders OF the Gear, Russia is q powerful
Empire. !.
BY the exercise OF power vested In King Edward.
England and her provinces are prosperous.
BY the efficiency and knowledge Of Pres.
Roosevelt, we can boost OF having q great good
man at the head OF our Union. BY the ability and
honor abiding In Gov. Beckham our State is
anchored In the haroor OF safety. And by the
knowledge, power and honor vested In our Supt,
Valentine al the head OF our schools, our county
Is growing more moral; more educated: and more
prosperous. .
Don't you believe III Ayei truly may yop be-
lievel
Now gentlemen, I am about at the zenith. All
the great men OF whom l have spoken OF are not
uiterate, not half learned. but educated men. And
/ might mention as many great and useful women,
and they be educated also. See!
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22

in their use, and the increase OF the
agricultural wealth Of the country"
For this purpose the country spends
$40, 900 a year. Hundreds Of new things
are brought in and tried every year.
The receipts vary from a single cutting
of some fruit bearer to a ton OF some
African or Arabian grain. From the
central bureau these immigrants are
sent to the experiment stations where
the conditions of soil or climate offer
the best chance for their successful
development. "The durum wheat, says
Mr.. FAIRcHILp, from which the bread
Of the common people is made / n south
ern Europe and Russia, was almost an
unknown thing on our grain markets
until 1900; but to-day it is a living ques-
ton in the milling centres Of the North
west" From this wheat in Europe 10
made the macaroni OF which We now
import nearly $2,o 0 900 worth a year.
The Smyrna fig industry in California
wa a failure until scientists Of this
Department discovered the proper sys-
tenn for its fertilization. Sixty-five tons
Of this fruit was the output for 1908, and
the industry is only in its infancy. The
rico Of Japan, the citron of Corsica, the
almonds Of Spain, the clover of Egypt
and dozens Of other growths have been
made to play their part in the i'm
provement of our home industries.
Among the practical experiments now
In process Mr.. FA1RCH1LD mentions the
following enterprises:
The finding OF paying crops for the abandoned
nee farms OF the Carollnas: the securing OF some
profitable plant culture for the unemployed hilly
regions Of North Carolina and Georgia: the I'M
provement Of the brewing bareys Of the country:
the hitting In Of new crops into the arctic agncul-
ture Of Neska: the starting OF new industries In
our tropical possessions; the increasing OF the fer
tility OF the California orchard soils: the introduce
ing OF hardy fruits into the Northwest: the suosd-
tuting Of q valuable for q worthless cane In the
cane brakes Of the South. and the exploiting OF Q
drought resistant nut plant for California"
Private enterprise makes many val
liable discoveries, such as Mr.. F1FE's
discovery Of Canada's u~nequalled No. 1
hard wheat, and is always busy in MAX
ing more, from the production Of new
varieties of pinks and roses to the re-
markable work Of LUTHER BURBANK;
but there is much that private enterprise
does not and probably will not attempt,
and the Department Of Agriculture tries
to cover that field.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22

WASHINGTON, April 2i.-The President
and his ACKNOWLEDGEMENT are evidently
somewhat disguised with the outcome OF
the. case against the beef packers. There
are many others who are perhaps equally
dissatisfied, although their view OF the
matter is taken from a different point
The chief desire Of the people has not
been the mere punishment Of alleged law
breakers. That is an incident in the situa-
ton. What has been and is wanted ls
relief from the pressure exerted by an
alleged m~onopolistio combination, which
10 said to nave forced cattle growers to
sell their cattle at unremunerative prices
and to nave compelled beef buyers to pay
unreasonable prices for a necessary article
Of consumption. II such relief was I'M
possible, If neither producer nor consumer
was being robbed by an unholy monopoly,
the country wanted assurance to that effect
and information ooncerningthe ground upon
which the assurance was based.
There has been much cry and little wool
in this matter. On March 7, 1904, the House
of Representatives passed a resolution TO
the effect that the Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor be requested to investigate the
low prices of beef cattle and the unusually
large margins between the prices Of beef
cattle and the selling prices OF fresh beef
and to determine by means Of an inves.iga-
ton whether the evils Of which complaint
was made were the result Of any contract,
combination or conspiracy In restraint oil
commerce.. Pursuant to this act a valiant
band Of incorporation crusaders, led by
the ardent Commissions Of Corporations,
sailed forth upon the warpath, firmly re-
solved to secure the scalp Of the iniquitous
beef trust, suppress it's iniquities and to
increase the price of cattle on the hoof and
decrease the price Of beef on the block.
For two years the whole matter has been IN
the hands Of agents Of the Administration.
The outcome OF this costly activity is
summarized by the President in a deolara-
ton that there has been a "miscaiTiage OF
Justice" that the decision Of a Federal
Judge in Chicago comes meas1rably
near making the law a farce The pro-
priety of such comment is not entirely be-
yond question, but the interest excited by
it submerges a matter Of perhaps equal
importance, that is, that there has been
a suggestion Of the farcical in the whole
proceeding. As the Cinnamon Of San
Francisco turned out and beat gongs to
exercise the earthquake demon, 30 did Mr..
Garfield and his band parade with tom
toms and cymbals to chase the trust demon
from its lair and relieve the country from
it's sore oppression.
So far as the relief Of the public is con-
cerned there is a strong resemblance be-
tween these two enterprises.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
GENTLEMEN.
Their Characteristic Qualities Derived From
Women.


TIC THE EDITOR OF THE SuS-Stv: To NJ all lands
and ages q definition OF gentleman" must be scien-
the rather than sentimental. A gentleman 70 not
his own ancestor, nor is his family or natlon-but
his race, and Its women's incarnated Ideals.
A gentleman Is a true aristocrat. is a fine Unborn
spiritual eniorescence of the best qualities OF his
race; upon these as supreme ornament ana decora-
ton blooms the gentleness OF woman.
In character and disposition a gentleman 10 an
Intense expression Of the mind OF the life cells them
selves, as made mani. est through mans mind. Man
is one vast union cell, all his qualities resulting from
the union OF millions of small cells.
A gentleman can be no other than a transference
and implantation OF the spirituality OF the mothers
Into their sons. Therefore he Is q natural reflex
replica. a human historical document an epitomiEed
Living history OF the SORROWS. sacrifices and victories
OF the mothers of his race. these secondarly trans
mitted into their sons.
After having tanned. shackled and spintualized
the blood and soul Of man. the most untanhahle.
inaexIble and bloodthlrsty animal the world has
known. let none doubt the organic spiritual genesis.
the living vital day spring in woman's life. Ami
mails nght for females, food and life. but man muir
ders millions in mere blood lust. Behold the terrific
vision OF O near ancestor. In Africa are bull gorilas,
seven or eight feet tall, Weighing six or seven hun
dred pounds, with teeth like daggers, eyes like
Vesuvius. hands like Satan's. In their battles IL
ia but q clasp and a crunch and one or both are dead.
Man and the male monkeys are creations limit for
untamable ~obstlaacy and ferocity: whereas the
female monkey Is never exceeded In gentleness and
devotion TO her children and mate.
A gentleman In Instinct Is intensely true to women
and ohildreu-to the love passion Of his race In its
greater cycle, through courtship and the rearing Of
offspring TO liie's close-and being the spirit and
perfume OF q century of centuries of wuman's love
shirt and sorrow, must have great Ideals, poetry,
religion, sweetness, hrmness, endurance, courage.
BY his stainless sword. his honor, works and
majesty, Washington was the gentleman para
ae,,n, ~ tho rorld- with pAtTeh Harry 0ntammA-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
Our Plant

Because Of certain eccentricities which
have recently appeared in the expert
ence of the Department Of Agriculture
that important institution has undoubt-
edly suffered somewhat In its reputation
with the public, but these little irregu-
larities are only incidents in a work Of
wide extent and great industrial and
commercial value to the country, and
what has already been done is almost
trivial In comparison with what prob
ably will be done within the next decade
or two.
The April number OF the National
Geographic Magazine, published by the
National Geographic Society Of Wash
ington, D. c., contains a highly inter-
esting article on Our Plant 1mml-
grants" by Mr.. DAVID FAIRcHILD,
whose business it Is to soour the world
for plants and crops possible Of profit
able or advantageous cultivation in this
country. Our two million acres Of
alfalfa fields and our thousands OF acres
of olive orchards are the result Of inn
migrant plants brought in by the Cath
Ollie fathers who established their mis-
sions in the Southwest. A few orange
cuttings brought from Erazil were the
progenitors Of our now extensive orange
groves.
Few understand the extent Of our
indebtedness to the immigrant plant.
| The tomato came from Peru, the potato
from the highlands Of Colombia and
| Peru, rhubarb from central Asia, aspar-
agus from England, celery from south
ern Europe, and a long list Of other
articles for use or consumption came
from all sorts OF places the world over
The work of importation is now reduced
to a system, and men Of special training
carry on painstaking experiments with
the immigrants. "The Government en-.
terprise of plant introduction, says Mr.
FAIRcHILD, ais the introduction ano
establishment in America Of as many
of the valuable crops Of the world a
can be grown here, the education Of th'
farmer in their culture and tho public
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
Derivation Of "Skiddoo."

To THE EprroR or THE suS-str; An eminent
philologist informs me that the popular slang term
"skiddoo- Is derived from the older words "skee-
daddle" and "shoo," as used In barnyards to drive
the fowls 10 roost. AZ hrst the two words were
pronounced separately and distinctly, but grad.
uany they were run together, the second and third
syllables of "skeed nd die" were dropped, the "sh"
of -shoo" was eliminated, the double "e" OF IS kee.
daddie" changed TO H." the ID" was doubled and the
present word was the result.
had thought the word originated with some
comrnuter bowled out by a barrel sliding down o
pair Of skids, the machine furnishing the Arst
syllable. the commuters cry OF pain and rage the
second. My learned friend assures me that In this
| am wrong.
Would the Simplihed Spelling Board eliminate
the second I'd" from the word and change the
double 20" TO ~. NOAH WEBSTER, JR.
PATTERSON. N, j., April 20.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
Talk nm the Bench.

The late Police Justice DUFFY has
much to answer for. Weak headed
magistrates following him remember
the fame he attained and strive to EMU
late him. They lack his wit, his fund
of native humor. his everlasting good
nature everything he possessed except
the ability to utter sentences. And
these they pour out on every subject
under the sun, taking on their shoulders
the duty Of regulating the material and
social affairs OF the whole universe.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
The Army Ration.

To THE Enron OF THE SuN-Sir: I offer
the suggestion for what it is worth that a
large portion Of the fund raised for the relief
OF the sufferers at San Francisco be placed in
charge Of the subsistence department OF the
army. The army ration Is good and SUBJ
~stantiaI, and the department. being accus-
toned to feeding large numbers. would give
results that could not be achieved along other
lines and not a dollar would be wasted,
NEwBURGH. April Fl. c. NJ. MILLER.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
~Thackeray's Gentleman.

To TEE EDITION OF THE SuN-sfr: Thackeray
could see no difference between Q gentle
man and O gentle man. See his End Of the Play:
Who misses or who wins the prize.
Go lose or conquer as you can;
But II you fall or II you rise
Be each, pray God. q gentleman.
"A gentleman. or old or young
Dear kindly with my humble layO.
The sacred chorus nrst was sung
Upon the hrst OF Christmas days:
The shepherds heard IL overhead,
The joyful angels raised II. then;
Glory 10 Heaven on high. It said,
And peace on earth TO gentle men,"
NEW YORK. April la. &.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-22
Was there q Vesuviusi

A question laterally attached to the San
Francisco story, to be answered by those
who are making war on war: What forces
OF peace, what arm OF the civil Government,
could have controlled the situation as the
national military, under command of Gem
eral FUNSTON. has controlled 1t? Soldiers
OF the peace army what is the answer