davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
THE TALK OF THE DAY.

There are three women on the pension rolls of the
government who are daughters OF Revolutionary
soldiers They are Rhoda Augusta Thompson, of
Woodbury. Conn: Phoebe NJ. Palmeter, of Tallette
n. Y, each eghty-ive years old, and Mrs. Sarah
c. Hurlbutt of Little Marsh, Penn. eighty eight
years old The widows of soldiers OF the War of
1872 who draw pensions from the government num-
ber six hundred.
Rasson Tatters-W'at's dat yer swiped outer dat
Weary Willie-A bottle o. nerve tonic! Amt dat
Weary WiIlie-Why, mebbe after we've took a
Iev ooses we II pe aoie ter brace people fur cham
pagne instead o beer-Philadelphia Record.
At Chrstiana, little town IN the TransvaaI
about seventy miles above Kimberley an alluviaI
deposit has been discovered bearing diamonds, and
the entire area has been staked out in claims
which are granted by the government, each 80
yards square. The digging for diamonds, which
are found in the surface deposits is somewhat
similar to placer gold mining. There some three
thousand diamond miners. representing every ma
tonality. are living in huts and tents with their
families.
the animal and the vegetable Kingdom?
Bright Pupil-Yes, mum; there's hash.-Phila-
Writing to friend In the country New York
merchant says: I live in the electric light. leave
my home at o'clock. after dressing and taking my
breakfast by electric light. Then go TO the sub
way, one block distant, and ride to within block
OF my Office. There 1 work all day by electric
light and so home again by the subway and spend
the evening in the glare of the ncandescent lamp.
The weather conditions make difference, because
my fat and my office belong to the semi-dark kind
Sometimes I wonder what would do without cleo
trio light and sometimes ask myself when I
yearn for a little sunlight: Is the light really
blessing?"
"You popular sghs the swain. You
h1T F11QT IIff
THE idea"' smiles the fair young thing. 'Why
can count them all on the fingers Of my left hand.
See. The index finger is Mr. Smugforth, the sec
third finger of my left hand-the third finger, is
Next day he got the ring for it-Chicago Evening
Post.
OF Count julius Andrassy, whose monument
unveiled at Budapest December 8, ]. Chlu-
mecky writes in the ''Neue Presse': Count An
drassy was handsome man, and very par
ticular about his appearance. He had a habit of
smoothing with his hand his richly oiled and
creased hair. One day an important document had
passed the Austrian Council of Minister'S in the
contents of which Count Andrassy interested.
Shortly after met the Austrian President of the
Ministry. Prince Auersperg, who said to
." Count Andrassy has read the latest document
Z" How do you know? asked.
I have discovered on it the imprnts of Count
Andrassy's fingers" Prince Auersperg answered
laughing"
Hostess-Were you seasick coming across, dear.
Miss Pert-Oh, no! You see, papa was with
HOSteSS-But what has that 10 DO with your not
being seasick?
he overruled the motion.-Boston Transcript
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
IDEAS IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

A Chicago refOrmer suggests to the charter
convention of that city plan which he thinks
would do much to remove the scandal attach
ing TO the government Of great municipalities
1t is simple, the change from the present sys-
TEN being merely this, that, while each ward
would nominate its own candidates for the
Board OF Aldermen, the candidates thus NOM
mated would be voted for or against by the gen
eral electorate Of the city. By this device the
proposer hopes to make it impossible, or, at least,
very difficult, for the corruptionist who is all
powerful in his own immediate neighborhood to
secure enough votes in the city to be elected.
That one party may not gain all the seats in the
board, he provides that the terms of the alder
men shall be four years, one-fourth of the board
retiring each year. Such a method of repre-
sentatiOn. he believes would result in the seIec-
ton Of better men, with broader civic outlook,
than those who now aspire to the honOrs and
emoluments of aldermanic Office. The critics of
the plan look upon its tendency to make the
board Of one political complexion rs prime
defect, and suggest that no ward is entitled to
better representation than il chooses. a con-
sideratiOn which would have more weight IL
aldermen legisated solely for their respective
wards. The fate Of the new plan should be
watched with interest by other municipalities
than Chicago some Of which would, we imagine
be ready TO grant that almost any change in the
be an improvement.
reform which has proved successful In its
application TO a number of small cities is that
known as "the Houston idea" The inception
OF IT is credited TO Judge T. II. Stone, of Hous-
ton, Texas, who induced the Legislature OF his
state 10 pass law permitting ward lines to be
abolished in cities having population OF ten
| thousand or more, and the municipal govern
ment to be intrusted TO q Mayor and board OF
| four aldermen the latter TO be elected at large
| from any part of the city. Less than eighteen
/ months ago Houston. a city of about ninety
| thousand inhabitants entered upon this system
/ or government. each alderman being charged.
with the conduct Of one or more departments OF
the administration, having been chosen for his
special htness for that work. Thus one alder
man Is Street Cleaning Commissioner, another
Water commissioner and so on, the Mayor being
eX-oficlo chairman OF each of the working COM
missions Each Of these five officials gives his
whole time to the duties of his office the Mayor
receiving 1890 year and the aldermen 81 400
! each.
/ fnder the new regime the clty's entire public
Indebtedness, amounting 10 about 100000 has
been wiped out. and the price of gas has been
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
Al 1hE WHITE HOUSE
lFrom Tho Tribune Bureau.l

iFrom The Tribune Bureau-l
Washington. Dec 2o.-The President is expected
to go to the Pine Knot cottage. in Virginia, next
week with his family, but no positive announce
ment has been made regarding his trip.
Senator Flint. of California: Director WalcOtt.
of the geological survey and F. II. Newell, chief
of the reclamation service. had a long talk with
the President to-day about ways and means for
checking the flood of the Colorado River into
California. which was caused by break In the
irrigation works across the Mexican border. Later
IN the day the President kilograms bearing
the subject to E. n. Hartman. the Governor OF
California and the director of the geological sur
vey
President Roosevelt received call from DIR. Felix
Adler of New York, chairman Of the National
Child Labor Committee, and Dr. S. NJ. Lindsay,
with him the provisions of the Beveridge-Parsons
Child Labor bill. Labor Commissioner Charles P.
Nein present by invitation
Joseph Rorke a representative of the machinists
In the Brooklyn Navy Yacd who is in Washington
eldeavoring to increase Of pay for his
fellow craftsmen. introduced TO the Presl-
dent by Representative Calder.
Other callers at the White House during the day
were Senators Fulton. Lodge Warner. Long.
Burkett and Simmons. Representatives McCleary.
Lacey and Adamson, Secretary Hitchcock, Assist
ant Secretary Bacon. OF the State Department;
Indian Commissioner Francis E. Leupp, and Gif-
ford PinchOt. chief OF the bureau Of forestry.
Kermit Roosevelt. the second Of President
and Mrs. Roosevelt. is expected to arrive at the
White House tomorrow to spend the Christmas
holidays. He is a student at Groton. Mass. and
is being prepared for Harvard Miss Ethel RoOse
welt is also expected TO return to the White House
tomorrow from few days visit to Miss Landon,
In New York.
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
MR. BRYCE.

1t will not be considered invidious by other
nations If we remark that the British En-
bassy to this country, for Obvious and natural
reasons. is regarded here with peculiar and
exceptional interest as representative Of that
nation TO which America is most closely re-
lated in blood, in traditions in language and
literature and in institutions. Neither will it
be deemed fulsome TO say that that impor
tant place has generally been occupied by men
whose selection for 1t was a compliment to this
country They have been Of varying types, en-
bodying various phases OF British character
and capacity, though they have usually be-
longed TO the class of professional diplomats,
men trained to the foreign service of their
country through years OF work at foreign capi-
tails.
In Mr.. Bryce-whose appointment is appar-
emily about to be annOunced-we have a man
Of new type, man of letters rather than
professional diplomat-which does not by any
means suggest that he may not prove to be
uncommonIy competent in diplomatic work. as
American men of letters have been many times
since the days Of Washington Irving. Mr..
Bryce has never before held place in the
diplomatic service, his nearest approach thereto
having been a few years Of duty as Under
Secretary for Foreign Affairs. He has been
known as barrister. as a professor Of civil
law at Oxford for many years. and as the
author of several highly important books. among
them a history of The Holy Roman Empire"
and a monumental treatise, historical descrip-
tive and critical, on '"The American Common
wealth" For more than quarter Of cent
ury. however he has been in Parliament, and
he has been connected more or less promi-
nently with the government during most of
the time when the Liberal party has been
IN Office. In this latter service he has ad-
dressed himself efficiently to a considerable
istratve affairs, that he is to be esteemed
an expert in politics and civics as well as
in law and letters.
Mr.. Bryce will come TO America better known,
both personally and in his works and his
reer, than most of his predecessors were on
their arrival, and we may confidently add that
be will bring fuller knowledge of this coun-
try than any OF them brought In fact, we are
inclined TO think that he knows America bet
ter than most Americans themselves know ii,
better even than many of our own legislators
and administrators. 1t has been his notable
distinction to be one Of the foremost instruc-
tors on American Institutions following in the
path Of Botta and TOcqueville and certainly
not tagging behind them in the timeliness and
enduring value of his contributions to our
knowledge Of ourselves and the worlds knOwl-
edge of us. These considerations most cord
tally commend Mr.. Bryce TO the hospitality
Of the American people well to favor
able reception by the government. He will be
as welcome a guest in the country to which he
is accredited as he will be a loyal servant OF
the country from which he comes
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21

blamed for wanting to the requislte author-
lty for giving them prompt relier intrusped 10
another body. Mr.. Dowling's bilf expressly pro-
yides that the new commission shall cease to
exist as coon as its work is done. Perhaps a
better way can be found to accomplish the OBJ
ject. The Legislature might possibly relieve the
present commission of responsibility by making
Its cooperation compulsory. The essential
thing however is to secure some means of relief
for long suffering Brooklyn. and to secure 1t at
the earliest possible moment
Mr.. Bowling would not lease the loop to any
corporation which operates an elevated road for
more than five years. This is a wise restriction.
If the conditions then prevailing should make It
necessary there could be extension of the
time by legislative enactment, but it should be
distinctly understood at the outset that the
proposed structure is TO be a temporary one
1t is not unlikely-though by no means certain
that In time the circulation OF Brooklyn ele-
waited trains this side of the East River can
be effected by means of an underground road.
If subway which would serve the purpose
should be available when the lease of the loop
expired, the new route ought then TO be utilized.
Whatever may be the decision of the Legislature
regarding Mr.. Dowling's BILL or any OF several
reported measures seeking TO promote the same
end. it is incumbent on the advocates of a SUBJ
way connection for the bridges not only to push
their scheme, but also to do what they can to
hasten the reconstruction of the old Brooklyn
Bridge. According to Commissioner Stevenson
the first Of these improvements would be of lit
tie use without the second, and to effect them
both within five or six years is, in his judgment
impossible. If he is right the opponents of the
elevated loop are. consciously or unconsciousy,
acting with a lamentable lack of consideration
for q multitude of sufferers
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.

IF'rom The Tribune Bureau.l
Washington, Dec. Ex-senator and Mrs Dryden
mad as dinner guests tonight Secretary and Mrs.
Shaw, Senator and Mrs. Gallinger. Senator and
Mrs. Burrows, Senator and Mrs. Scott Senator and
Mrs. Bulkelsy. Senator Piles. Representative and
Mrs. Dalzell. Surgeon General and Mrs Rixey
Colonel and Mrs. Synons. Mrs. John 3. Henderson
and Mr.. and Mrs. Kusar.
Miss Zadie Gaf gave Informal domino party
tonight in honor OF Miss Josephine Durand, asking
fifty friends to dance.
Mrs. Garret A. Hobart has arrived at the New
willard to remain until January 8. when she will
join Senator and Mrs. Alser as a house guest
Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert wadsworth gave a musical
tonight. when Mrs. Chids sang and Francis Nc
Millen played the violin
Miss Helen Cannon left Washington to-day for
DanvlIIe. Ill., her home. where she will spend
Christmas. returning here In time 70 hold the usual
New Years reception at the Speakers house The
speaker will also spend Christmas at his Illinois
home, returning here with Miss Cannon
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
WANTS FRIEND TO PROTECT HUSBAND.
Mrs. Burgess's Will Provides for Columbia
and Barnard

The will of Mrs Annie P. Burgess, wife OF DIR.
Daniel NJ Burgess. Of No $50 West seth street. vino
died December 16. which was filed yesterday,
provides that her husband shall receive $4,000 at
once and $4,000 In addition soon II may be
convenient for executors 70 pay 1t. In the will
Mrs Burgess goes on 20 express the wish that the
doctor may be guided by the advice OF our dear
friend John w. VroOman. In all matters pertaining
my estate
'I especially charge John w. Vrooman as a Ma
sonic brother Of my husband" continues the will
''to advise. counsel and protect him In all matters
pertaining to the management OF my estate as well
as his OWN" DR.. Maynard Is also mads residuary
legatee. the estate his death to go 20 C,or,hia
in equal shares NO4AeeS
columbia University and Barnard College each
receives SlOe under the will for the fondatto-
OF four sch9iarshlPs and the Metropolitan Museum
Hospital. "'>A o'' LUXE
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
4musements.
,-s:le-rhe shepherd Klns.


+CADFMy OF MUsIc-s:ib-The Shepherd King.
Afst1sMHRA-2-S-Nauoev
ASTc1t-ssSo-7'he Daughters Men.
BElAS~o-S-1'he Rose of the Rancho.
HlJOU-ss1S-Mrs Wilson andrews.
BRoADWAY-s:15-The Partisan Model
CARNEGIE HAILs-2 :So-Concer7
cAsINO-S-The Blue Moon.
GoiCNlAI-2-S-Nau6evflle.
CRrTER :1S-The Little cherub
DAILY S-S:ss-The Belle OF Mayfair.
EDEN MUSEE-The World in Wax.
FNP1RE-s lS-ff.x House Order
GARDENS :20-Madxm Butterfly.
GARRLCE-s. .20-Clarsce.
ffACKETT-S sS0-The
GAMMFRsTEIN's NlCTORIs-2-s:lS-Na anosfiue
HERALD SQI1ARE-s-Tre Great Decide ard About Ioun
EHPODRoM3-2-s-Neptune Daughter and Pioneer
rDSON-s;1S-The Hyrocrttcs.
IRVING PLACES :2l-De Hochssttel
KERBocKER-SSs-The Red MIL.
IsIBrRTY-S-IS-The Girl Who Has Everything
LINCOLN soUARE-s:1s-The Man on the Box
LYCEE'M-S:15-The Lion and the Mouse.
LYRICS :1b-The New York idea.
MADISON SOCARES-s:1S-The Three or Us
MATESTTC-sl5-The Light Eternal.
MANI TAN-S:Is--The Law and the Man
MANHATTAN OPERA HoUSE-s-Loeia al Hammer
METROPOLITAN OPERA HoUsE-s-Mda-
NSFrVV AMST'FRDAAf-s:lS-'The Spring chicken
New -s:IS-DocIstnder's Ministries . ,,..s..
2.oo-Eedda GROler-s:2O-Ihe 1Feat biN4Ns'
SAVOY-S:IS-The Man OF the Hour
NICHOLAS RINK-Ice Skating.
WATIsAC IsACKpS-S-iS-The Rich Mr- Hog8enneineI-
WEST END-s-The County Chairman
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
PATRICK'S ESCAPE.

The Communication of Patricks death sentence
IN Imprisonment for life concludes case which
is extraordinary, even in the annals of criminal
procedure in this state The memorandum issued
by Governor Higgins makes it clear that he was
chiefly influenced by the fact that three of the
seven judges OF the Court of Appeals believed
that serious errors prejudicial TO the rights of
Patrick had been committed at the trial. With
out therefore, suggesting any doubt as to the
guilt of the prisoner, he is persuaded that doubt
as to the propriety of the conviction may not
unreasonably be entertained. We are not in
clined to censure the Governor for his action In
this case. He was bound by his own judgment
and conscience in determining whether or not
to exercise the power of clemency bestowed upon
him by the constitution. Yet many will find it
difficult to perceive why the extreme penalty
should be carried out under the operation of our
judicial system in any case if mitigation of the
sentence was proper In this instance. Patrick
certainly did not lack stout and skilful defence
The whole history of the case is record Of
multifarious obstacles to conviction successfully
overcome He enjoyed every possible opportu-
nifty which our extremely liberal system bestOws
upon prisoner accused of crime, and he had in
particular the advantage of his own singularly
adroit services, naturally employed with the
utmost devotion.
Whatever else may be thought about the case,
it is a clear example Of the scandal which too
often results from the administration of the
criminal law in this state Rice was murdered
more than six years ago. and since that day the
courts and the public have been almost con-
stantly invited, and indeed compelled to contem-
plate the desperate struggles of a murderer to
escape. 4 date for his execution has been ap-
pointed half dozen times, and the protracted
procedure has cost the county an immense sum
of money. We are compelled to believe that the
spectacle thus presented has not been a deter
rent to crime, but has rather encouraged the
belief that a man committing murder in this
state has a large chance of getting off with his
life. We do not know that a more important
duty belongs to the bench and bar than that of
effecting a reform which would put a stop to
such displays of incompetence on the part Of
justice to secure the execution of its own man.
dates.
If it were certain that Patrick would spend
the remainder of his days In prison, the public
might soon forget the fact of his existence, and
perhaps there would be no great regret on ac-
count of the mercy shown him. 1t is TO be
feared, however that before very long we shall
begin to hear appeals for his release, and that
thus the wretched creature will again come to
occupy place in the thoughts of the community
instead of being buried in oblivion. If he ever
should get out what a demand there would be
for his services as unofficial counsel to men on
trial for their lives and to convicted murderers
seeking to escape the death penalty!
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
ONCE MORE THE BRIDGE LOOP.

There ss a chance that the Brooklyn and Will
iamsbug bridges may be connected by an ee-
vated road in Manhattan. after all Mr.. Ed
ward G. Dowling, an Assemblyman from Kings
County, intends TO introduce a bill relating 10
the subject ct the opening OF the legislative ses-
sion next month. It provides that the Mayor
shall appoint a commission consisting of five
members % adopt plans for such a line and also
TO contract for its construction, provided that
the Board of Estimate has first signiaed fits
approval
At the present time the proposed improve
ment cannot be undertaken without the Joint
sanction OF the Board OF Estimate and the Raptd
Transit Commission. Though II took no action
which fully committed It. the first of these bodies
showed the project some favor last summer and
us votes at mat time encourage the hope that
II would gave It's formal consent If asked to do
So The Rapid Transit Commission on the
other hand, after repeated postponements. acted
adversely on the proposition and there is appar-
entity no chance that it will voluntarily change
its attitude. The aim Of Mr. DOwIing's bill ia
10 deprive that commission OF any voice I'm the
matter and 10 make the fate of the loon denend
mainly on the Board OF Estimate The heller
prevails that Mayor Mcclellan would be glad m
see the plan carried out but apparently his
responsibility is limited 10 the choice of suItsble
commissioners TO do H. Mr.. DOwlings bill
lnaAeS IL Ha"ualory On the Mayor to act within
ten days after the Board OF Estimate has Give,
its approval.
There is one obvious, though not necessarIIv
lalaA oDJecuOn 70 the measure The multiplied
non VI COMMISSIONS municipal or state, is al
ways 20 be deprecated Besides. 10 take eron
a single affair out OF the hands of the hodv
which has been charged with the duty or doToi
OpiDg local transportation facilities might ha
regarded as an undeseryed reflection on the good
judgment, If not on the character. OF its NOM
bers. Nevertheless. the people of BROOKLYN have
occasion for impatience at the dilatory policy
or Tie Rapid Transit Commission. and cannot be
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
NEW.YoRK 4,Arrr TRIBUNE FRIDAY. DECEMBER 1906.

reduced from 81 so to 81 25 thousand feet.
The streetcar company, operating under a new
franchise pays the city per cent Of Its gross
earnings. and all public service corporations
are required to open their books for the inspec-
tion of an auditor appointed by the city. Ap-
parently the citizens OF the various wards OF
Houston are not Jealous of their local impor-
tance in the face of these economies of admin
istration. and their example has been followed
nv Galveston and Dallas, while most of the
other important towns of Texas are considering
the adoption of the same system.
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21
PROFITABLE FARMING.
10 Post-Intelligencer.

From The Seattle Post-Intellgencer.
Twelve years ago w. B. Williams secured
homestead of 160 acres from of the first set
tiers in that district CYakima) AT that time such
claims were selling at $3.50 to $500. The land was
left In sagebrush until three years ago, when Il
was cleared and planted. There at present 80
acres in alfalfa. IS in clover, % acres in
one acre in grapes An offer Of 500 an acre has
been refused for portion of this farm
Hay has been the money producer that Ken
newick place. The total yield for the last season
was between 600 and 100 tons Timothy gave a
of six tons to the acre. That hay is in de-
mand at SIS a ton. Mixed clover and timothy sell
at the farm for SIS ton. Alfalfa is the standard
crop. and ranges about $40 or more ton. II is
easy to figure out how that farm is worth $4,000.
1t was only desert four years ago. The crops
have paid the first cost of the land and water
fencing and improving, and left the land complete
TO the owner. Next year the orchard will begin
showing results.
New-York tribune., 1906-12-21

Senator Tillman complains that the North is
denseIy ignorant of the facts of the race con-
flict In the South. That is a stale complaint,
which has been heard whenever one part of the
country has criticised anything In another part
We are told that the North doesn't understand
the Southern situation. that the East doesn't
understand the Japanese question on the Pacific
Coast and so on Yet the South would be
grossly offended If anybody raised question
concerning its absolutely perfect knowledge of
everything i'm the North and San Francisco
would never speak to again IL we intimated
that it might not know .every minute detail OF
New York's affairs. The chances are-to para
phrase Sam Patch-that some people know
some things as we'll some other people.