davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
Years and Efficiency.

What is there about the ordinary duties OF
a departmental clerk that makes II inpossi-
BILE for man who is sixty-hve years Vi
age to do his work less capably than one
who is sixty and prevents man VINO Is
seventy wears of age from doing such work
at all? Is it especially hard work, espe-
cially complex especially delicate? Is II
peeuliar above all other kinds of work
craftsmanship. for example?
If the departmental work is of this CHAR
acter calling for vigorous men in the prime
of life. then assuredly the men who 40 II
should be paid at a much higher rate tilal
al present.
Those who pose as economists may ciaiHs
that the elder men cannot work as fast as
the younger ones. cannot get over rs much
ground, copy as many pages of records or
write as mShy letters and that therefore
they should not get as much pay. true IN
deed. And If a man has not the capacity to
rise by the time he is sixty-five, above he
grade of work the value of which is meas
ured solely by it's quantity he should be
rated as more or less of machine, and.
humane considerations aside, paid according
to his worth as a machine. But the wise
departmental chief in fact recognizes shat
there is something above mere quantity
and it is to the credit of the elder superior
officials that they entrust the elder clerks
with important tasks, relying upon their
ripe experience and judgment and their lorg
memories for the perfect performances
which go to make good administration.
These men cannot be paid for their serV-
Ices by the rule of quantity. What if they
take a few minutes longer to read a paper
than they did ten twenty years ago, or
ponder bit more thoughtfully on the ques-
ton in hand than of yore. The government
probably gains rather than loses by this diff
ference.
If in the judgment of chief clerks and
chiefs of division and chiefs of bureaus and
heads of departments, Clerk A is today
worth 81 500 a year to the government that
fact should suffice to Congress. Indeed
Congress should not look at the individual
incumbent of public office, beyond the SEN
atorial function of voting on nominations
to the higher offices. 1t should merely look
for results. II the heads of departments
complain today that they cannot yield those
results because of the presence of so many
old men in the clerical ranks, they are COM
planning of their own shortcomings. They
are indicting themselves of having failed 10
perform their full duty. They have their
remedy in their own hands. If the civil
service law stands In the way of sltiS-
factory result the heads of departments
must of course apply to Congress to re-
move the obstacle. But in it's removal
there should be no cognizance of indivld-
uals. The clerks must be dealt with as a
body. regardless of age, sex color or quali-
fications.
The economists who have framed this ex-
traordinary paragraph in the legislative bill
have really no argument whatever. And
the friends Of good government believe that
they have no chance to succeed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
Protect the Records!

The appeal of Clerk Young of the Distrlct
courts for an appropriation of $2o,ooo Tor the
construction of fireproof filing cases for ms
office. noted in yesterdays edition of the
Star. calls the attention of Congress point
edly to a great danger If fire were 10
occur in the court house at this time rec
ords of tncaleulable value would be exposed
to destruction Irreparable damage would
quickly be done by flames and water. on
these records depend the titles to millions
of dollars In property in this District ana
elsewhere The original papers in suits at
law must be preserved for the sake of Ger
tainty 1t is astonishing that provision ives
not made years ago to prevent the 2ossi-
bility of their destruction OF muttation.
The records OF the register of Wills, The
recorder Of deeds and the District surveyor,
contained in the same building, have been
placed within fireproof cases These Zee
ords though of the utmost importance, are
no whit more valuable or essential TO the
property interests of the District than the
records of the clerk of the court. Until
Congress provides for the construction or a
modern ffreproof building for the courts
and all their accessory offices the least that
can be done Is to make sure that trfilng
fire will not wipe out of existence the docu-
ments which virtually form the foundation
of property values in this jurisdiction.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
Mr. BRYAN and Independence.

Because Mr. Bryan insisted in a speech at
Manila that a stable government must pre-
cede the granting of independence TO the
FiHpiuos, the Manila American of that town
could discern no difference between his at
titude and that OF Judge Taft. We are led
TO believe" it says that at this time all
politicians are mere than willing TO dodge
the Philippine problem Too bad,
And yet Mr.. Bryan richly deserves to be
cassed with the bloody oppressors of those
people He looked and talked daggers in
the campaign Of 1909 on the subject of the
governments policy in the archipelago His
speeches were turned into smooth and flow
ing Spanish and circulated In the islands
20 show how friendly he was toward the
insurgent sentiment, and how radically DIFF
ferent his course would he in Office to that
Of the Mckinley administration. The re-
suit was to make him a hot favorite with
Aguinaldo and his friends in that race.
And now. bless your soul he talks like Judge
Taft-the man sent by MIR. Mckinley TO the
Islands TO set and keep things in the Ameri-
can orderi
or course. as we all know in this country,
Mr.. Bryan's campaign talk was for cam
pa!gn purposes. 1t was not what might be
called n deliberate cheat. but it was keyed
to create and intensity prejudice. and to
catch votes. He was not excited on the
subject of the "downtrod use Mr.. Dew
erys expressive word-as his language in
dictated. The American people were not
misled. as the election returns showed, but
the Filipinos. unfamiliar with our election
eering methods and stump speech exaggera-
tious, We're: and here. after five years, we
see Mr.. Bryan. while a visitor in the Phil
ippines, bracketed with the men he at that
time condemned
Well, as a matter OF fact. how many
Americans are there today who. regretful
as they may be as 10 our sovereignty over
the Philippines. would yet be willing to
see the administration pull up stakes and
come away. leaving the Filipinos to
wrestle with the problem OF an independ-
snt government. and take chances OF
wreck and chaos and the interference of
outside powers? Probably not a corporals
guard. We hear some very extreme ex-
pressions at times from down Boston way,
but the country refuses to take them seri-
ously, and they pass merely as entertain
meut. And some of them. It must be ad-
mitted. answer that end very well.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
GOLD In GOTHAM.

From the Philadelphia Press.
They have discovered gold digging under
Broadway In New York, and the rural WIS.,
ttor Will now have more reason than ever
TO beware of the traditional brick.
From the Philadelphia North American
A gold mine has been discovered In
Broadway, near Wall street The "Sys-
tenn No; excayators found this one
That's what makes 1t worth mentioning
From the New YorEasun.
There Is gold everywhere In New York
waiting for competent men and women to
mine and refine 1t. All that the prospector
needs is skill. perseverance. honesty grit
ability and brains. Thus equipped he or
she Is sure to strike lead soon or late and
accumulate q fortune. New York is the
City Of Golden Opportunity.
From the Buffalo Express.
Men who were excavating shaft for an
elevator under a building in the financial
district in New York ran across gold bear
ing quartz that assays about s., 600 to the
ton. IL Secretary Shaw had waited few
days he would not have had to come TO the
relief of the money market.
From the Boston Herald
Finding gold In the dust of Broadway
doesn't cause ripple Of excitement be-
cause while real estate In that region of
Manhattan is valued at S20.000,00o a build
ing lot what do these few grains of gold
amount to? One can understand the furry
In the Title Guarantee and Trust Company
but the rest of the town naturally remained
perfectly calm. 1t had long realized its
streets were paved with gold.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
nThe Prominent Family

The prominent family is one of the
most troublesome families In the country
j. is especially lawless. Whether the prom
irent family becomes prominent because of
its criminal proclivittes or finds # necessary
to Indulge In crime to maintain its promi-
hence, is a hard question to determine.
But it seems that everybody who gets
into trouble belongs 10 prominent family
or a least to one of the oldest families in
the state. News dispatches telling of muir
der arson. etc. always fix up the family
Of the evil-doer. 1t might really seem that
In be member OF prominent family Is to
lie In imminent danger of arrest. Promi-
hence has Its obligations.
II should not Ice overlooked, though. that
in this country there are a great many
prominent families. In fact, If you take the
word OF the family for It. every family
either Is prominent or was prominent. Any
way. prominence Is concealed about ii
somewhere There are so many kind of
prominence that it would be strange If a
family at some point along its chain OF
genera lions should escape IT.
Some men are born prominent some
achieve prominence and some have promi-
hence thrust upon them. In these days
when the newspaper gives so much space
10 society. politics and other crimes. promi-
hence is easy.
Then again. prominence is variable
quantity. \ fumily may be more prominent
at one period than at another. This hap
pens In the District of Columbia as well as
elsewhere There are families proudly
prominent today that were not so proudly
prominent In other days and to whom the
city directory Of ATTY years ago or the ad-
ver,Ising and court columns Of the news
papers OF another generation must be most
unhappy reading. Il Is well enough to be
prominent. but 20 be snOhbish about ones
prominence IS very unsafe pastime. For
I'm the case Of many brilliantly prominent
uersous one needs 70 go back but a genera
ZION TO disclose Iamentable lack of promi-
Jvuyc.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
WOMAE'S WAYS.

From the Baltimore Evening Herald.
The question, Where have you beeny IN
q tense feminine voice. doth make cowafos
of US all
From the jacksonville Times Union.
Ohio has a woman who hasn't spoken TO
her husband In twenty-five years. some
men are just naturally lucky, anyhow.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
The Russian girl arrested with d bomb
in her hair must have worn the sort OF mr.
suite hump much affected In this country
by the restaurant waitress.
From the Boston Advertiser.
The new woman movement is dtsruptins
Indian traditions. and there are great do
ings among the red men. In North Dakota
sauaws are being deserted by their nus
bands on no better grounds than that the
sduaws- refuse to do a fair share OF the
work.
From the Dayton News.
1t is reported that Mrs. John ID. Rookie
Teller stated to q reporter that she did not
know where her husband was. good
many women have not known where their
husbands were when they thought they did.
From the Kansas City Star.
On the ground that prison life does not
agree with her Delaware woman serving
a sentence for murder asks TO be pardoned.
Unless the governor OF Delaware has
heart OF stone he cannot turn a deaf ear to
a plea so irresistibly feminine as that.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

over here were models upon whom aspiring
men shaped themselves. without any sort
OF capacity to reproduce the great effects
of those great leaders. The result was q
good deal OF highfaiutin, and very small
amount Of clarity and instruction. In many
cases II the speaker had message he
failed 10 convey II to his hearers.
With us recent years have shown our
public speech strengthened. and in a mess-
ure beautifed by recruitings from the vo-
cabulary of the everyday. The large NUM-
Der of successful men of the noa-profes-
sional classes who have found their way
into political once have brought with them
many words and phrases and figures OF
speech good to hear and helpful when heed
ed. What we have lost In ceremony we have
gained In clear understanding OF objects
aimed at; and in that way everybody mas
benefited.
Those baggy trousers, and wrinkled-back
coats, and crisp phrases from the shop ana
mine and blacksmith's forge. will be good
for old England And may their number IN
grease
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
BILL BROWN, VOLCANO.

Bill Brown of South Tehachipee
Come of q famous family,
His uncle preached. his father wrote.
His brother a famous pois,
His sisters husband. bright by natur.
And his third cousin, Andy Boggs,
Was lynched for stealth sheep and hog
And Billy7 Oh hIm-he Joke
His only trick was jest TO smoke
And smoke and smoke-and say. by 3inss,
Ye simply should a-seen the rings
what Bill could blow-the twirls and swiria
The grapevine twists and eorkscrey curls
Whs, B, from Plsi coI plug cut e1uid s"ipe
Bill didn't have no mind to soil
His lily hands with common toll;
He SHE'D when Their was wood to saw.
He hated preaehin'. tsschin'. law.
So lofty thoughts what others spoke
He lavished on the Gift OF Smoke,
And some effects he done, guess,
Was Architecture nothin' less.
I've often seen BIZ blow ring
From here to sawdust Mountain Spring,
wher' IL would bounce upon tree
And float back 10 Techachipee;
And be could blow a chain Of I'm
From Frisco 10 Jerusalem,
Then. Jest to please his many friends.
He'd tie bow-knot on the ends.
One day the bandit. Wildcat white.
He got can o. dynamite
And wreck the Flyer goin by.
Then Bill. with Characteristic nerve.
He seen the train around the curve
UnknowDin' of the risk IL run
Then what dye think that wiIium donel
He blowed a ring In proper style
Which scared three-quarters OF mile
And settled right across a rail-
The Engineer, a-turnin' pale,
He IL lynn the track,
Throwed the brakes and hollered Back
And everybody shook and shivered
When that explosive was discovered.
So Bill famous from that day
And many years he smoked away.
TIL onct RIG caught IN his breath
And strangulated him 10 death.
We wrote upon the grave Of Bill
The teuehia' motto. Smoking Stin.''
And rings IL often seen to rise
froi out the mound where Wflum lies
WALLACE IRWIN In the n. y Globe
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
THE SOCIALISTS.

From the Columbus Evening Dispatch.
Those millionaire socialists VINO arr
meeting in Connecticut will find plenty OF
takers when they decide TO oesih the uisi-
sion of their own property.
From the Boston Transcript.
Young Joe Patterson's father says tnal
municipal ownership far as chicago u
concerned lis dismal failure, ano
socialism Is the widest kind of fanaf-
icism. Still. young Joe will probably
come around to Sunday dinners at the
paternal mansion, just the same.
From the Toledo Blade.
You feel socialism" says Joseph Medih
Patterson. Tho next symptom appears 20
be an uncomfortable desire to talk.
From the Knoxville Journal and Tribune.
Joseph Medill Patterson, grandson OF
Joseph Medill, founder of the Chicago Trfb-
une announces himself socialist. he Is
a very wealthy man. but it is not believed
that he will be social enough to divide with
his poor neighbor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
Burrlar-Proof Music.

Two burglars engaged in the beneficent
assimilation of fiat in Harlem were inter-
rupted and driven off by strains OF music
coming from q neighboring fat Many per-
sons will pour out their sympathy to those
unhappy and abused burglars. There are
SO many persons who know just what those
poor burglars suffered. Many men have
heard the same kind of music coming from
ne.ghboring flats and know fuH well tnal
for purposes of interruption there is moth
ing else like it. Men who have felt Its IN
terrupting influence will understand now
human beings engaged in the gentle ART
and innocent diversion of burglary would
be disturbed by the strains. These strains
are too much for q man to stand Ihey
would drive away anything except care,
Perhaps something may be said IN pehaii
OF burglar proof music, but it is difficult to
say it. Few persons would believe It, In
all apartment houses there are tenants who
would prefer the burglars to the music.
They claim that burglars are more consid-
crate: that while it is the ambition OF
burglars not to wake them up, the chief
aim of music seems to be to keep them
f, ON sleep Then a burglar is apt to break
in only now and then while music is much
more persistent
So far as known the burglar Is not SO
vain as to demand that his victim shall sit
ND watch him perform, look pleased ana
then. clapping the hands till the palms split,
shout Bravo, How brilliantly you per-
form. With what sympathy you burgle'
And how plangently you use the jimmy.
Just let some gentleman or lady black
smith become involved with piano, ana
the performer is not half so considerate as
the burglar
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
AHDY'S RETURN.

From the New York World.
McCurdy goes. Hamilton comes. Thus is
the great eternal law of compensation JUS
titled theoretically. But where has MeCur-
dy gone and where has Hamilton come, and
what Is either to do when they get there2
From the Springfield Union.
Judge Hamilton received warm welcome
on his arrival in Albany. OF course he did,
none OF his friends is going to take any
risks by giving him the cold shoulder just
at this time.
From the Rochester Herald.
Judge Hamilton appears to have
neglected to cache the swag. and the new
officers of the New York 6ife are going
to try for its recovery. Now. will they
also make an effort to~reeover the cam
pafgn contributions to the G. o. P.2 That
Is an important question.
From the Rochester Post Express.
OF course Judge Hamilton will be. de-
lighted to see his old friend MeCurdy.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
A springtime Persuasion.

1 felt as cross as could be
When de Sun he come a-coaxin' me,
A winkin at me from de trees
Like he was sayin Wont you please
Jne in-wes gwinter sing a song
An hep 70 push de tune along"
l fohgot my sorrows; fongot my sin,
An de fus' thing knowed was a-jinin in.
Al fus l says Mistuh Sun go long!
/ ain't got time to stop an sing no song.
re- got such worry sence de rent done riz
I kin skasely take de time TO rub my rheu-
matiz.
But he KEEP on smilin' an he seem SO brigh,
An he KEEP AKIN OF me so polite
lad to take shine to him. like all de res
Al hyuh l is a-singin' OF my level bes'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

Very probably the reports of DR.. Osier s
regret at having his chloroform speech so
widely quoted are true. But this chance Ut
terance has made DR.. Osler known to many
people who will continue to admire him as a
man and a student long after the jest of the
moment has been forgotten.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
SHOOTING STARS.
ENDANGERED Dignity.

I'VE millionaires rarely laugh" said the
finaneier.
NO" answered Mr.. Dustin Stax. But
It is hard to keep from 1t when we see peo-
pie hustiing around trying to meet the con-
ditjons we impose In donating library.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

Mr.. Thomas Ryan has explained that very
high salaries are justified as compensation
FOR extraordinary services. But there are
-.aubts whether the men who really perform
the most service in legitimate ways are
those who get the salaries.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
An Unworthy Doubt.

Il tell you" said the earnest patriot. the
American public is not going to lose inter-
est In the Panama canal"
mo" answered the sceptic. Il shouldn't
be surprised If they kept on discussing. II
just as they do now, for several genera
TONS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
Staunch Affection.

Are you sure that man truly loves your
daughter" asked the friend of the family.
Yes" answered Mr.. Cumrox. he has
heard her sing and speak pieces. and he
wants to marry her anyhow"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
Consideration.

Are you one of the taxpayers of Crimson
Gulch?' asked the tourist.
mo. sir" answered Bronco Bob. Grim
son Guich don't have any taxes. We're
peaceable community. and We don't ask
any man TO risk HIS life by actin as as
SCISSOR.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11
Beatitude.

If hopes OF future bliss come true
Well tread a path of roses.
Where all the things we wish to do
Are those which duty shows us.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

Russia's new hall of parliament will have
a press gallery. This will make 1t easier for
the officials to pick out journalists who are
entitled to the courtesy of transportation.
one way. on the Siberian railroad
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

Mr. WI Tingfang's prominent activity in
Chinese affairs proves that he learned
great many things besides the two-step
while in this country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

The Chinese imperial commission will con-
tinue to receive every courtesy, despite the
impression among the lower classes of Asia
that politeness is sign of fear.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

Poultnay B!gelow must a least be com
plimented on his chivalrous martyrdom in
continuing TO protect the people who gave
him his Instrumentation about Panama.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

The time and money expended In connec-
ton with the examination OF Mr. William
Nelson Cromwell may as we'll be charged to
profit and loss.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

John Mitchell can always figure ON paying
the fun market price for every ton of coal
ne gets If President Baer has anything to
say about 1t.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

For people who have nothing to conceal
the beef packers have had a great deal to
say about violations of confidence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

The Japanese should not worry about their
small stature. The little men of the world
have done more than the giants.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

The assassination rumor is as common
and also as unreliable in Chinese official
circles as II Is in Washington
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

Pittsburg has had its share of divorce
troubles but Il will hardly submit tsmely
10 Chicago's attempts 10 lecture on them in
a tone OF superiority
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-11

The Yerkes-Mizner marriage was scarcely
discovered before it ceased to exist.