davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
Mr.. Gompers in Politics

From the standpoint Of public policy.
there IS reason to regret the entrance of
Samuel Gompers into the field Of prac-
teal politics His splendid growth as a
national figure has in the past encourag aged
many Of those who fear a class align
ment Of the American electorate. It has
likewise been viewed with satisfaction by
the increasing number Of thoughtful citi-
zens who would like TO find in the trade
union, as intelligentiy conducted by Amer
lean workmen, a conservative influence
that may act as a check upon visionary
schemes and render violent social up
heavals in this country impossible.
The trade union. pure and simple. is 4
business combination. with the end In
view Of controlling the price Of the COM
modify Of its membership. Like any
similar combination. it must, Of course,
give intelligent consideration to the laws
of trade and the paramount interests OF
society. if it would succeed in its object.
Il owes its increasing strength to-day
10 the fact that il has kept reasonably
we'll within the lines here indicated. Aim
ing at one object along a well-defined
course. its membership Is homogeneous
and not difficult TO hold intact. And that
it has been fairly, If not remarkably.
conservative and successful in its progress
during recent years is 10 a great extent
owing 20 The leadership Of the present
head Of the American Federation of La
Dor. \ less conservative mana leader
more given TO alluring dreams Of rapid
social advancement-might have brought
trade unlonlsm into general disrepute and
rendered it less effective as a militant
organization.
In his sturdy opposition to the socialistic
propaganda within and without the ranks
Of his following Mr.. Gompers has been
Of much service TO the state as well as
to the labor cause. Doubtless ne has not
lost sight of his original programme. and
is aware Of the dangers OF his present
undertaking. II is hardly possible, in
view Of his past work and varied ex-
perience, that II is his object TO substitute
party politics for national trade union
ism.
But politics not only makes strange bed
fellows; it likewise involves association
with strange yolzefellows. Unless he is
endowed with more than human ability
and good fortune. Nj Gompers viii in
evitably Impair his usefulness as a labor
leader in the mixed field Of politics. lie
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
spOtting an ImpostOr.
From the Boston Herald.

Prom the Boston Herald.
Joseph Choate. the famous lawyer, re-
lated at dinner party at Lenox some in
tertesting "reminiscences Of the bar and
bench
a striking case" said Mr.. Choate,
''transpired in the Dos II was a case OF
q workman who claimed 10 have lost the
sight OF his left eye in an explosion.
There was no doubt about the explo-
sion. and there was no doubt that the
workmans eye had been injured. but the
physicians claimed that he could see out
Of IT, while he stoutly declared that the
sight was utterly destroyed.
The judge heard all the evidence, pre-
and con. Then, sending the workman
from the courtroom. he said:
Get "a blackboard and write a sen
tence on it with green chalk. Also get a
pair Of spectacles with ordinary glasses
for the left eye. and with red glass for
the right
This in the course Of an hour or 50
was done Then the workman was
brought back. and he was ordered TO put
the queer glasses on.
He put them on and the judge said
to him
Turn the blackboard round and see
If yOu can read what is written The
man read the sentence without hesitation
whereupOn the judge said to him stern
ly:
Your case is dismissed. You are an
impostor You must have read that sen
tence with your left eye, for the red glass
over the right one turned the green writ
ing black and made it quite invisible on
the blackboard
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
Advertising Iifcratnre-

There was d time when literature and
advertising were not synonymous terms
The pages of the magazines were filed
with real literary contributions, to which
were attached a few commonplace an
nouncements. The columns of the news
papers devoted to news and editorial
comment used to be the only columns
worth reading. AL this has changed.
In New York recently a man Of con-
siderable cleverness and intelligence con-
fessed that he had ceased to write for
the literary pages Of the magazines be-
cause his contributions to the advertls-
ing section paid him more generously.
In other words, he found that there was
more money in depicting the beauties Of d
summer resort or the value OF a stove
polish than in describing human emo
tions There is no doubt that he spoke
the truth. The modern advertisement IS a
work of genius. 1t combines fact and
fancy, it is Illuminated by the spark OF
imagination. il is made both interesting
and convincing by the deft touch of
genius. Not only are the best and most
ingenious writer's finding that their talent
IS ilOSL AtlI4HtldlCu bg II dlAl4il6 GAfCl
tisements, but the artists are learning
that the same field is offering great in
ducements TO them. Some of the illus
trations which accompany the advertise
ments Of the present day are genuinely
artistic They are the products of genius.
Advertising literature is, therefore. a
matter of some moment in these modern
times It may be ephemeral in its
nature and it may not rank high in the
niche Of fame, but none the less does It
deserve commentator. II is a product
of our civilization, wherein commercialism
and artistic instinct find a happy c0mbi-
nation. All honor to the writer of adver-
tisements. He is q man of genius and of
taste He knows how to penetrate the
shell Of our Indifference and interest Us
in the wares he has TO offer. He is ful-
dlling a large part in the development of
the world, and we are glad that he is
receiving recompense worthy of his
work.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
Renniescat in Pace.

We note with regret, though not IN
tempered by JOY, that our esteemed con-
temporary. the Ohio Penitentiary News,
is no more After a life of usefulness. in
a field unfortunate and lowly, it has
closed its final forms and rests with other
honored dead in the great newspaper
graveyard.
For many years this bright and attrac-
tive little sheet has been regularly is
sued from the Ohio Penitenuary by the
inmates. It's offerings were ofteb bright,
frothy. and cheery-more often pathetic
and sad. 1t was published By the prison
ers exclusively, and its articles were
signed, not by names, but by numbers.
It was the prisoners paper. from the
writing Of the copy to the folding Of the
sheets. II was known to worldwide fame
as a curiosity, in It's way.
Sad as was its demise, the reason for
its untmely end cannot fail 10 bring US
JOY. II has given Up the ghost because
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
THE INNOCENT BYSTANDER
THE DENATURED Alto.


John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and
renUwn
Until his auto got him into rows all over
town:
He took the auto from its place beside
an empty STALL
And filled the tank with what is called
denatured alcohol
The auto sputtered down the street in an
uplifted mood,
jolly gait joyous pace it was that it
pursued;
But soon It's honks grew raucous and its
sputterings grew thick
Instead OF "chuff- -chun-chuff" It changed
10 Observation-Disclosures,
L whirled about. it flew about, # covered
all the street,
1t yowled at scared pedestrians and
Knocked them from their feet:
Il swoOped around the corners with a
mighty careless reel,
And then went half a block or So upon
one wobbly wheel
And then, And then is chufing changed
TO something wild and new.
With great rapidity It yelled "Hurroo-
HurrO0-TIurrOOtT
John Gilpin tried 10 tone it down. to turn
IL roundabout.
IL merely Coughed as though it said
Sit still, or get thrown out.'
The shades Of dusk came on apace. the
auto shTieked with Joy,
and seemed 10 say. Fill up ze tank
anuzzer time. OF boy"
And though John Gilpin did his best 10
slow IL up a bit
The auto struck a gait that meant, Lets
make a night Of it."
AnG 50 ii went along the streets. with
people playing tag
With lamps aglow. now 10 and frO-ar
auto with a Jag
And then it tried TO climb tree. and then
began 20 wsep,
And leaned against a lamp-pOst and went
sOlemnly 20 sleep.
John Gilpin on the morrow found he
could not turn its crank,
Until he'd put a quart OF bromO-seltzer
in its tank
But, Oh. It's sad to tell about; it surely is
a shame
Although the auto had the jag. John Gil
pin got the blame.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
Y.M. C. A. RAILROAD WORK.
President Oscar G. Murray Conn
mends Its Usefulness to EmpIoyes.

President Oscar @. Murray. of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad, in the October
number Of the Pilot, has this to say OF
the Y. NJ. c. A. work along his road.
we are encouraging and helping the
Young Mems Christian Association work
wherever we can over the Baltimore and
Ohio system new building was recent
~ erected for the association at Cumber-
land. Md, and others are IN course Of
erection at Brunswick. Md, and Chicago
Junction, Ohio. The construction Of 9th.
ers is in contemplation.
The growth Of associations and member
ship during the past several years, as
am reliably informed. shows how this
work is regarded by the men and the cor
porations. Up 70 the first Of this year
the number Of railroad associations in
creased TO 207. occupying l30 buildings
with a total value Of over TWO and quar-
ter million dollars. These organizations
had over 1900 paid-up members, being a
gain OF 1900 In two years; while many
others are using the buildings and feeling
the needs OF the associations The rest
room Is one Of the best features. and !
understand that during the year 1906 the
beds IN these railroad associations were
used about a million two hundred thou
sand times, or an increase Of over three
hundred and fifty thousand In two years
THE Baltimore and Ohio was one OF the
first railroads 10 take up the Young Men 5
Christian Association work, and I am con-
vinced that much good has come from i
along broad and liberal lines during It's
many years Of operation. II has been the
policy CT the present management 70
clearly demonstrate 10 all in the service
that the +. x o. is for 3. & o. men,
and the merit system mas been firmly in
stalled throughout the various depart
meuts. The Young Mems Christian AS.
sOciatio work on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad is certainly helpful to the men
in molding tL=.r future course in life, bet
ter fits them for performing the duties OF
their respective positions, and earning
success by promotion TO higher places
through the operation Of the merit sys-
ten"
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
The Hons Committee on RnIes.

William Jennings Bryan has renewed
the oft-repeated criticism of the rules OF
the House Of Representatives as putting
it within the power Of a few men to
control legislation. He proposes that the
Democratic party begin a fight for a
change in the rules now. with q view to
curtailing the power Of both the Speaker
and the minority leader, both Of whom
he thinks, exercise a too autocratic sway
over the House. Whatever may be the
merits Of Mr.. Bryan's proposal. recent
parliamentary history gives little ground
for the belief that either Republicans OF
Democrats are likely TO make any I'm
portant modification Of the present House
rules.
The extraordinary privileges and power
Of the Committee on Rules are the
product of parliamentary evolution. They
did not spring at once from the brain OF
any one man. Many Speakers, including
Randall and Keifer. Blaine and Carlisle
Crisp and Reed. Democrat as we'll as
Republican, have been factors in this
evolution. The Speaker was first made
a member Of the Committee on Rules in
Of the Speaker and Of the committee have
grown with equal step. In 1880 the com
mittee was given exclusive Jurisdiction
over changes III the rules. In 1851 the
committee acquired the right to report
at any time as 10 the manner Of conduct
ing the business Of the House. The i'm
pCrtant special-order privilege of the
Rules Committee was developed in 1SSt
under Democratic auspices. Randall, Nor
rison. Mills, and Crisp being then the
dominant party leaders. II was well un-
derstood at the time that the privilege OF
reporting at any time a special order re-
lating TO the transaction OF business
would endow The committee with large
powers OF control over legislation and
strengthen the hand Of the Speaker,
nevertheless, John c. Carlisle, when
Speaker. cinched the special-order privl-
lege and still further enlarged the powers
Of the committee by ruling that special
orders must be referred TO the Committee
on Rules alone, and could be reported
from that committee only
Such were the attributes Of this re-
markable committee wren Mr.. Reed took
-4lE AN4llo III TIC lAsg ~ ODllEiESs. Nj.
Reed initiated a novel method Of determin-
ing a quorum, but he did not add to the
powers Of the Committee on Rules. It re-
mained for the Democrats in 1888 TO give
this committee the right which it now
has to sit during the sessions Of the
House Thus fashioned by the paria-
pentarians Of both parties, the Commit
tee on Rules. powerful though It be, has
become generally regarded as a parlia-
mentary fXture-a device for the expedi-
ton Of business and for the GENERALIZATION
Of responsibility for legislation. No mat
ter which party happens to have d lua-
jCrity in the House, its leaders have sl-
ways been eager TO accept both the auto
cratic power over legislation against
which Mr.. Bryan inveighs and the re-
sponsibility for the exercise Of that power
imposed on them by the organization of
the House.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20

has a standing to-day which is among the
most valuable assets OF organized labor
standing secure among all classes. be-
cause Of his devotion TO a principle. his
honesty Of purpose. his common sense.
and his vigor as a fighter. But he will
now undertake a complex task. wrere
heretofore he has been engaged in a
simple one. His followers may divide
along academic lines and according 10
nonessential predictions. and trade
unionism, deprived Of its singleness Of
purpose and involved in a tangle of poll
cies and personalities. may become the
disrupted plaything Of professional
schemers.
Should Mr.. Gompers finally be vindi-
Gated. however. and the labor movement
thrive, with politics as a seawOrthy tend
er. in one respect at least his position
among representative men would be ma
terially changed. AS a labor politician
he will lose much of his influence in the
general work Of social progress. And
this result will be regretted by many
who have admired his public spirit and
effective generalship without special ref
erence to the cause he represents.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
National Anthems.

When Sir Thomas Fletcher wrote, Let
me write the songs Of people and care
not who write their laws" he must have
had his regard fixed upon sentimental or
devotional minstreIsy. He surely could
not have had in his mind our modern
national anthems.
Take the "Star-Spangled Banner" II
at once recalls Joe Jenerson's criticism
He said, in his autobiography. that when
he was a tyro he was playing in New
Orleans During a season Of grand opera
he was asked to declaim The Star
Spangled Banner" in one of the entire
acts. He not only consented, but thought
he could emphasize his own scenic and
histrionic genius in the rendition. He
religiously memorized the lines, day and
night. However, when he stepped behind
the proscenlum lights his wits abandoned
him, and he could only chirp:
20 say, do you.'
The audience grew frantic with merri-
ment and braves. He grew desperate,
and repeated the formula three times.
with crescendo effect; and was hissed off
the stage.
He solemnly avowed in his book that
while he believed himself TO be a sincere
patriot, yet he had always hated The
Star-Spangled Banner" with a perfect
hatred
One may scrupulously aver that no
singer, with cheeks as classic as Diana s.
can put her soul into two stanzas with
out her face becoming more aname than
the guns Of Fort McHenry.
The popular Dixie" is In words dog
gerel and in music ragtime.
The Marseillaise" is fun of esprit and
FIRE
The Watch on the Rhine" may be
taken upon trust, because whatever the
Germans do is finished and stirring.
God Save the King is only America"
with a dash of salt-and by the way, why
should ,his whole land emphasize OF
partialize Land Of the Pilgrims pride?"
The Russian national anthem, as set 70
Pope's exquisite lines, Rise. crowned
with light, imperial Salem. rise" is
most beautiful and enhancing.
There is one genuine poem, national In
character, The Bivouac of the Dead"
engraved upon iron tablets in all our
national cemeteries. It's last stanza may
be weighed against them ali.
On flames eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread:
And Glory guards with solemn round
The biFouac Of the dead.
But national anthem. Is there not an
American who can write one that will
touch the American heart? 4 PATRIOTS
country awaits H.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
PEOPLE OF NOTE.
Judge Griggs, Good work.

Largely because Of his name and his un-
falling good nature considerable fun has
been had by the newspapers with the Hon.
James ~ Griggs. OF Georgia, chairman
Of the Democratic Congressional Cam
paign Committee The opposition press
has dubbed him Grim Jiggs.' and all
that sort of thing. but It is noteworthy
that nobody has ever intimated that he IS
a fool. In point of fact, Judge Griggs is
one Of the ablest members Of the House.
He served his people on the district bench
several years before coming to Congress,
and is a lawyer Of first class ability.
Under his management the Democrats
came very near carrying the House in
1902. and he then exhibited the sort OF
capacity which recommended him 10 his
colleagues in Congress for chairman OF
their Congressional committee in the cam
paign just closed Although the circum-
stances under which he labored in both
the campaigns he has managed we're
unusually discouraging, he succeeded in
cutting down the Republican majority
considerably over half in each fight IN
both contests the committee was woefully
short OF funds. and Judge Griggs and his
associates were very hard put TO meet the
absolutely necessary expenses Of their
committee Whether he will care TO con-
duct another campaign Of bis party for
control Of the House is doubtful, as in do
ing SO he has had TO neglect his private
affairs and 70 a certain extent the inter
ests Of his district.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
A LITTLE NONSENSE.
THE SENATOR'S.

They get themselves spurned
And in efitgy burned
They get themselves hated,
Berated.
And baited.
They get themselves scorned
And emphaticaIly warned.
They get themselves married
And by the press hurried.
They scheme and they plan;
They grab all they can.
They skate through a maze
OF devious ways.
They get themselves trounced,
And roundly denounced.
And when they are nailed
And very near Jailed.
They whimpeT and wheedle and whine.
They do this and that.
But this much is flat
They never, no, never resign
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
She studied in Washington.

Geraldine Farrar. the American girl
who has come back from Germany
crowned with lyric honors. laid the foun-
dation Of her fame as a song-bird in
Washington. Her father was for years
coach Of the Harvard football club and
although Miss Farrar was born and rear
ed at Boston, she came 10 Washington to
have her voice cultivated by the late Mrs
Perkins. OF this city. She studied here
three or four years. and while in this
city was the protege Of Miss Westcott.
principal Of the Western High School in
Georgetown. She used 10 sing in i'm
promptu concerts at the Western High
School. and Georgetown then raved over
her voice. while Washington proper knew
nothing OF her. She composed a march.
called Company H and dedicated 10
the crack military organization OF that
school, which has the sweep and swing Of
the Sousa compositions When she comes
60 Washington TO sing in grand opera the
Western High School will turn out en-
masse. and with a brass band, welcome
her with Company H
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20

there are no newspaper men in the peni-
tentiary any moreno one TO write the
copy. set the type. feed the press. or fold
the papers. If only one all round news
paper man were there. he could do il all,
of course; but from wall TO wall not a
newspaper man is 70 be found. The peni-
tentiary is without the one speck of
leaven that might leaven the whole loaf
Bankers are there-attorneys, merchants,
janitors, and other magnates-but not a
compositor or an editor. Hence the sign.
"Wanted-A printer" Long may it wave!
Let the memory of the Penitentiary
News be as a tale that is told. The news
paper men are on the outside.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
Defiance from California.

From the san Francisco Union
Our schools are our own; they are main
tanned for the education OF our own chill
dren; we have a right to make such reg
ul3tions concerning them as We choose,
and Japan Will have to be satisfied, or at
least she will have 10 accept the decision,
whatever il may be. Nothing could be
more foolish than TO yield a point, or even
to consider the matter Of yielding a point
10 the presumed military power Of coun-
Try which Uncle Sam could speedily wipe
Of the map with his right hand tied be-
mind him
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
Bryan sold the Maps.

William Jennings Bryan has never been
book agent, as 50 many other American
statesmen have been, notably Senator
Beveridge; but he has come perilously
near it, and as this incident illustrates,
he would have made a good one. In a
conversation in London recently with the
representative Of the publishing house
that is bringing out his new book. "The
Worlds Famous Orauons." Mr.. Bryan
said: Ny brother in Illinois once took
the agency for selling county maps down
az Salem. but he could not make a go OF
II. He had ten maps left on his hands
l took them out and sold them all IN one
day. OF course when I couldn't get cash
for them I took IL out in groceries
shaves. and other forms o. legal tender
peculiar 10 that section-but I got rid Of
those maps at a profit "
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
..Revi-ion by It's Friends

From Tic Louisville Ccurier7journaL
The revision of the tariff by its friends
is a barren idealty,' an "iridescent
dream" If the voters really desire a
reform of the tariff schedules, in the
interests of the people, and not of the
trusts. they must imD0st the task upon
those who do not believe in monopoly.
who wage a real and not sham battle
aGainst criminal combinations
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
NInnnnIIan EnnaIitr.

From the Richmond Tmes-Dispatch.
If the Republican party had endeavored
to enforce Chinese equality in the far
West as it has tried to enforce negro
equality in the South. there would have
been a solid West" as solid as the solid
South"
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
Evidence of Good Faith Needed.

From the Baltimore sun.
Congress already has the tariff issue be-
fore it in a very practical way, SO far as
reciprocity with Germany is concerned. II
the short session is long enough 10
decide the principle involved in the con-
troversy with Germany. il ought not
to be too snort for the Republican lead
ers to give other evidences Of their good
faith in regard to tariff revision.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
InNIIIC.

Her eyes are glowing. for she knows
What joys the future holds for her;
Her cheeks are pink as any rose
What promise sets her soul astir?
Has some romance been newly born
Is ii loves dawn that sweeuy breaks?
All. no. She knows tomorrow morn
She'll breakfast on fresh buckwheat
cakes.
WILBUR NESBIT.
lCorrrirbt lals hv " d Neshifl
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
All the Coons i'm one Tree.

From the Montgomery Advertiser
IN view of the fact that Roosevelt and
Bryan are continually adopting each
others methods. according to the friends
CT the two gentlemen, the Charleston
Post suggests that We have two national
tickets in the field in 1893: one being
Roosevelt and Bryan. the other Bryan
and Roosevelt. That looks like getting all
the co0ns I'D one tree.
The Washington herald., 1906-11-20
The Question,

Say Tiffins." inquired Dusty Rhodes,
would youse take work If youse could
get de kind dat suited?'
Sure would answered Tired Tiffins
But who's goin' to pay my fare to Pana-
ma, hey?"