davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
THE HOUSTON COMMISSION.


Tho present agitation in this state
to allow Kansas cities to adopt the
commission form OF municipal gov
eminent makes pertinent the testi-
mony of the Houston Post as to what
has been accomplished in that city
during the brief time that the COM
mission system has been in force
there. The Houston commission has
just been petitioned BY a large num-
Der o. citizens to allow themselves to
be reelected for another term, and
in speaking of this petition the Post
says:
THE record made by these faithful
officials during those eighteen months
stands without parallel in municipal
administration in America. From the
very beginning of their service it has
been a record of triumphant achieve
ment An obstinate floating debt of
nearly 100000. which had hung over
the municipality for many years, has
been quickly retired; streets have been
paved; school buildings have been
erected; the sanitary condition of the
city has been greatly improved; good
order has been maintained; the pub
lie schools have been improved; the
tax rate has been decreased; every
vestige Of graft has been eliminated;
expenses have been reduced, and the
waterworks have been acquired and
important steps taken to furnish the
entire city with an abundant supply Of
pure water.
what has been accomplished in
Houston during the brief period OF the
commission form of government has
made this city famous throughout the
entire world. The record has been
the marvel of the press and of all stu
dents of municipal economics every
where, and it is not improbable that it
will be the inspiration for municipal
reform in many other important cities
of the United States
This is good testimony as to the
value Of the commission plan, and
ought to carry with it great weight in
securing a similar government for
Kansas towns.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
QUAKER REFLECTIONs.

LFrom the Philadelphia Record.l
First aid to the injured is seldom
lemonade
Most of us arrive at a conclusion via
train of thought.
Love makes a woman either very
happy or very miserable.
Too many fellows are looking for an
opening with a corkscreW.
The pugilist doesn't like to be con-
sidered an out-and-out sport.
Even when he kisses her a girl likes
fellow to keep a stiff upper lip.
Some of the lambs III the stock mar
ket are old enough now to be mutton.
Hatchet-faced people are not always
sharp, nor are lantern-Jawed people
necessarily bright
When a woman spanks her on,
spring with a slipper she may be said
10 put her sole into It.
Hoax-"How would you advise me
to get in the swim ~ Joax-"Oh there
arc divers ways"
No. Maudc, dear; there in no SINH
larity between the widows weeds and
the morning glory.
The seasons should all be In har-
mony. but just now there seems to be
a GOODNESS between fall and spring.
"a man of your talent should write
for posterity, said the dreamer q
would but for one thing sighed the
practical author; Il have never heard
o; posterity paying any royalties
Dooley-"Seo tn poor dfvil wild both
legs cut on; sure, wouldn't want to
be in his boots.' SWeen would
not be so bad; ye might git a lob as
walkin diligate for a labor union an
ride around in kerrige. dunno"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
NEWSPAPER PASSES.

The fine way the Kansas newspa-
pers have met the request of the Santa
F'e to nut advertising and transporta-
ton on a cash basis indicates the
presence of a real sentiment in Kan
sas against the pass evil Public senti-
ment is measured not by the noise be-
hind clamor. but by the willingness
of people to sacrifice for a cause. The
newspapers have In the main had the
best of it in the old deal with the rail-
roads. The editors had a kind of spe-
cial privilege. But they are giving it
up under the new order and changed
condition aHftie-are@ aetlhe~ like gentle
men. There are few babies in the
editorial fraternity Nothing so wen
proves the fundamental conviction OF
the people that special privileges
should be abolished as this attitude of
the editors. It is not noise 1t has
come to stay.-Emporia Gazette.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
IN THE MUSIC OF THE STREAM.

IN THE MUSIC OF THE STREAM
I stood beside a stream today
That onward flowed to meet the sea:
Its crystal depths a mirror lay,
Revealing untold realms to me.
1 sought my image mirrored there,
To md in it a loving grace
vision most divinely fair.
OF my dear mothers form and face:
And in the music of the stream,
That ever seemed to hover nigh,
heard again, as in dream,
Her dear old song, my lullaby.
I saw the silver in her hair
The loving light in her brown eyes;
And through /. all sweet surprise.
And with my arms outstretched L stood
I scarcely breathed, yet called her name;
1t echoed, ling ring. in the wood,
When, To- she vanished whence she
came
And yet. the music of the stream,
Like waves of heat that onward roll,
Like light from some far stars that
Resistless-fIooded all my soul
At last I dimly realized,
1t was my form, it was my face,
That Time revealed me in her place.
And, OH l longed once more to rest,
Enwrapped within her close embrace,
To hear her mother love confessed,
And feel her kiss upon my face
Fen as my babe closely press
Soft singing Love sweet lullaby
And all my mother-love confess.
And each dear need with love supply.
Song Echoes of a Kansas Dugout.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
ERON OTHER PENS
THE MORMONs.

President. Roosevelt is now accused of
aiding the Mormons, and Senator Du-
bois says they control the elections in
four states They have not filed the
jails to overlooking. They have made
their lands the most productive in the
country. considering their original quail
ity. They are not in debt. They need
no divorce courts. They are divided
among the two leading parties of the
country. and there has been no evidence
produced that they have broken any of
the laws of this country in the past
years, or since they We're forbidden to
have more than one wife each by mar
riages after that date None of the
Mormon senators have been expelled
from the senate because of being in
the land frauds that have surrounded
them in Utah and other states.-Wor-
cester Telegram.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
HUMOR OF THE DHY

what's the matter, with your grand Grand
saws she's got explana tory roomatics ana
she's all disported wild de pain. '-Balti-
more American.
NaEgus Qiterary editor)-What sort OF
story are you going to grind out nextf
Borus Cstruggling author)-One in which
critic tries to write novel and makes axes
bune.
cording to his means?'' said the minister
wife mo" replied the minister, merely
according to his meanness. -Philadelphia
Press.
Bacon-''Every employe Of the. British
the government when he marries. Egg
bert-"Is that not aiding and aoeteins
Patience-Is that Mrs. Styles extrav,a-
giant? Patrice-I should say so. Why, she
changes the color of her halr.-1 onkers
Statesman
Visiting BritIsher-"But you have moth
ing to see over here-nothtng. mean, In
long since fallen into disuse." Gothamite
I'VE haven't eh2 Wait TIL you get
copy Of the city ordinances. Life,
stella-what kind of an auto did you
buy? Bella-It opens up the back TO
There goes witticus I understand he
has a fund of rare hurnor." Somewhat
more than rare. It's half-baked. Louis
VILE Courier-Journal
Tess-Oh, yes; she's certainly getting
old Jess-Yes? Tess-Yes; she's begin
ming to complain that the styles OF bon
nets and gowns are not as pretty as they
used to be.-PhiladelDhia. Press.
Dramatically dear fellow, I'm so sor-
ry I can't possibly let you have seat
for the first performance of my play
Every possible seat is booked. Friend
Don't apologize. I'll wat until the end OF
the first act Sure to find as many seats
as like by that time.-Paris Rite.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
TILE PENSION IDEA

The announcement Of the Santa Fe
that it will retire its old employees on a
pension, If they so desire. after fifteen
years OF service and after they have
reached the age OF 60 years or are
totally disabled, is another advance
step in the railroad world. The idea
of pensioning old employees is not new.
to be sure, for other roads have done
this; but heretofore it has usually ap-
piled only to one or two classes of en-
ployes after exceedingly long terms of
service. The Santa Fe makes the PEN
sion general among its old and faith
full servants.
This plan will not only reward faith
full and continued service. but 1t will
serve as an incentive to secure such
service. After a man has served
corporation during the best years OF
his life in some subordinate position at
comparatively meager salary, the
prospect that he will be dismissed in
his later years when he is too adj
vanced in life to make a start in other
lines, is not particularly encouraging.
Yet such things have happened Some
men serve for years as station agents
or clerks, only to find themselves set
aside for younger men when they have
outgrown their usefulness.
The knowledge that the company to
which they have given years of faith
full service will help them when their
days of usefulness are over will nat
urally make such men more cheerful
in rendering their services. And these
men are just as necessary in the con-
duct of the business as are those
higher W. Every man cannot be
superintendent or a manager. Some
must labor in the ranks. And the
pension idea Will make the workers
in the ranks more contented, and keep
in the service capable clerical and de-
tail men who might otherwise leave it
to establish themselves in a business
that would maintain them late in life.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR
IRON the New York Press

LFrom tne New York Press.
Lots Of people act as II they We.
sensible before they arc engaged.
One Of the hardest things is 10 con-
vince e girl you love her after sho
knowa you do.
What in the world would a man do
no weren't married II
a girl IS always afraid that n .,o,,
nud out sho likes mince pie Won LII
think she Ia not womanlv. VIII
A woman worries a good deal ahott
inc me ~ col OF necktie her husband is Soe
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
A Big Contract.

winston Churchill, the noted novelist.
difference between realism and romanti-
cisn IN fiction.
ITO make my meaning clearer, Mr..
Young man and a girEsweethearts
The young man, a roman tcist, said
passionately TO his girl:
- Darling, It will be my ife's one pur-
nose to surround you with every comfort.
and to anticipate and crafty your every
:sThe girl. realist smiled family as
oh, Jack. how good OF you. and all
on So a week. toov Los Angeles Times.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
Bryan Smile I'D Turkey.

The Turkish government is a tneocracy
and the Sultan rules more through his
religious hold upon the people than
through the instrumentalities of govern
ment. but even the Sultan is in constant
fear of revolution and has established a
strict censorship over the press and over
the books coming into his domain Some
amusing instances are given of the rtgor
of this censorship. One man had a set OF
Shakespeare held up at the port because
the censor discovered that it contained a
description of the killing of Macbeth. ut
was not considered safe to allow the peo-
pie to read of the killing of a king, lest
the killing of the Sultan might be sug-
gested to their Ininds-) In another in
stance several Sunday school lessons
were forbidden because they recOunted
the killing of some of the Old Testament
kings. One young man was imprisoned
because he had in his house scrap OK pa
per which contained Gladstones denun-
citation of the Sultan-the scrap having
been given to him because on the oppo-
site side it contained the advertisement of
a hair restorer: and another man was i'm
prisoned because in answering an inquiry
in regard to engine, he mentioned the
number of revolutions desired-the word
revolution having but enc meaning among
the Sultan's spies Yet the schools are at
work and it is only q question of time
when there will be an intellectual force
with which the Sultan must reckon
William Jennings Bryan, in the Reader
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
Do This Problem.

Ray Stannard Baker, in the Amer
lean Magazine for January, describes
the Theosophical Brotherhood run at
Point Iona. Cal, by Mrs. Katherine
Tingley, who, like Mary Baker G.
Eddy of the Christian Scientists, is the
supreme head OF the extraordinary
group she leads.
Here is Mr.. Bakers account of the
problems they give children to solve
at Point Iona:
80 many things were surprising
about this SCHOOL, A class of children
from four to six years old was called
by the principal-the little girls all in
blue frocks exactly alike. the little
boys all in sandals. Most of the faces
in this class, as in others, were plainly
American, but there were also Cubans.
Germans, Swedes, Bohemians. and an
Fast Indian-all studying together
Some of them were the children of
rich parents-very rich parents-oth-
ers were orphans or waits, but all re-
ceived exactly the same training and
treatment. The principal drilled the
class before Us in mental arithmetic.
The children averaged, perhaps, five
years old. but the problems they
solved were something like this:
six times 3. one half, one third,
times plus 8. one-f1fth. time 10 plus
o plus 10 plus 80 plus A square root
equals what?
Every eye was fixed on the teacher
and the answer came promptly every
time, first from one child. then from
another. I suppose the answers were
correct couldn't have solved the
problems myself"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

may make It a triae difficult to sup
press them until they do become fla-
grant, but it seems as though some
method ought to be at hand for sup
pressing them altogether. The average
citizen OF Topeka sees nothing OF them
If ne did they would not last long. for
the average Topeka citizen will not toll
crate such things in his sight.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Following the discovery by an ex-
pert that insanity is caused by a mi
crobe. a bright paragrapher suggests
that this IS the reason they send such
persons to The bug house
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
Ancient Etiquette.

The antiquary took down a small fat
volume, vellum-bound, with a brass
clasp.
This is a Book of Manners lie
said. ut was printed in 1873. Here are
a few extracts" And he read:
do not gnaw bone. like dog, nor
I'm peeling a pear, begin at the top.
DO not wipe the hands on the clothes,
nor suck them; but use the CLOTH
when you drink, lift the cup in both
hands: YOU must rot drink with one
hand. like wagner when he Is greas-
ing his cart wheels.
HDo not eat an apple all alone. but
cut it in two, and give a neighbor
ssDo not use your own knife to cut
your meat If the host has set knife
of his own at your place.
no not spread butter on bread with
your thumb. Houston Post.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

w. a. Deford. formerly Of Kansas
and not SO very long ago either-has
been appointed deputy attorney general
of New York state. at a salary of $4,000
a year. This is better than being at
torney general Of Kansas.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Judging from the spelling that was
in vogue $50 years ago in New Eng
land. reformed spelling has already
made great strides. and it had no An
drew Carnegie to finance it in times
arone either
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

at Topeka receives a salary of $500
a year and has an assistant The chief
Justice OF the supreme court of KAN
sas receives only 5000 a year, and he
cannot do any business on the side.
Comment Is unnecessary.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Hicks. the rescued California miner,
has been offered $500 a week to go
on the stage. Like as not the Bel
lamy Storers will get a chance to do a
vaudeville stunt one of these days.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

If Mr. Rockefeller's income is now
$3.50 a second it Is likely that he can
keep up with the increase in the cost
Of living for few days at least with
out q raise IN wages.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

There Is this advantage in not doing
ones Christmas shopping early: By
leaving il till ten o'clock on Christ
mas eve there isn't so large an assort-
ment TO select from and it isn't so
hard to make UP ones mind.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

That Great Bend bank robber has
now begun TO write poetry. There is
no telling to what depth a man will not
descend when he once starts down hill.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Commenting on the assertion of the
Jewell Republican that the two great
authors OF tragedy are Shakespeare
and whisky, the Washington Post
thinks this proves an alibi for the wo-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Mr.. Rockefeller insists that he has
been out Of the Standard Oil business
for twelve years. It is noticeable that
he participates in the profits, however.
10 the extent Of good many millions
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Although their railroad passes have
been cut OF and their salaries have
not been raised. members OF congress
need not worry about their finances.
Look at the ease with which Senator
Bailey borrows a fortune now and
then from the oil trust
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
rREE sEEDs INVINCIBLE.

There is to be another attempt to
stop the distribution of free seeds by
the government The chances are that
If will fail, but it looks as If little
thing like failure is not likely to drive
its opponents from the field of con-
dict.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

The Plat resignation rumor IS once
more getting a good start. but the re-
alization Of this rumor would be al
most TO good to be true.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

An exchange refers to young James
G Blaine" Young James G. Blaine
mus be getting pretty we'll along in
years about now.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Think what choice assortment Of
messages the president will have had
time to prepare for congress during
the holiday recess
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Wichita and Leavenworth would like
70 have the laws fixed 50 that they
can have open saloons without danger
Of molestation from the law, but it is
doubtful II the coming legislature win
be able to Accommodate them.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Speaking OF people who work over
time, there is State Treasurer Berry of
Pennsylvania. who has undertaken
the task OF keeping the state capitol
grafters In that state from carrying
OF everything in the treasury.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

The japanese continue to arrive in
America at the rate OF only 1900 a
year. or less than one-eightieth OF the
number that come from Europe in the
same length OF time That does not
look very much as though the Japs
would soon overrun this country.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Four hundred people die of con-
sumption every day IN the United
States. It looks as though the Big
Stick ought to get after the White
Plague.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

After the vote on the salary question
never again can the members of the
house of representative be accused of
seeking nomination to that august body
for the sake of the leaves and fishes
Baltimore American.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

Railroad rates are doubtless too
high. but II we can hold them where
they are for awhile longer the prices
Of other things will probably reach
the same level. judging from the way
they have been climbing in recent
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
ILL LEASED WIRE IIEPORT
OF THE A$SOCFA TED 'IESS-

Mr.. Carnegie says an income tax will
make liars of US. Does this mean that
Andy expects to lie about his?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

The president has taken his family
and has gone down to Pine Knot. Va.
for a few days. Very likely Oyster
Fay will regard this as an encroach-
ment on its rights.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
IARRED HIM LOOSE.

The king of Sweden has notified his
minister at Washington, Mr. Grip. to
loosen himself from the job--Baltimore
Sun
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
FOR WONDER

Mr. Bryan Is doubtless wondering
whether some of the topics the admin
istration Is now discussing are not
quite as dangerous as government own
ership.=Washingto Star.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

There is no reason why the south
ana the constitution should. not live in
peace and concord.-New York World.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
HITS THE POLITICIANS.

The Santa Fe is one railroad that is
going to cut out passes during the
next year. The Farmer has already
received communication from them
wanting to know its lowest advertising
rate Tor cash. This means that the
Santa Fe will advertise as formerly.
put 1t Will pay for it In cash instead
Of Transportation. On such a basis at
the end OF the year every editor in the
state will be ahead. The editors who
have been gadding all the time will
stay at home and work more and
spend less; the editors who have been
in the habit of staying at home will
get cash for their advertising A whole
lot of people think the editors are sore
over the deal. Ninety-nine out of
every hundred are tickled to death If
the editor of this paper had received
cash for the transportation he has per-
sonally used the past two years he
could have paid three cents a mile
with 1t for every mile he Travelled and
have money left And he has travelled
just about an average with the rest of
the editors. 1t is the judges, the poll
ticians and the fellows holding state
jobs who are going to be hit.-Os-
borne Farmer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28

It cannot be said that Uncle Sam
does not pay good salaries to his post
uasters. For instance the postmaster
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-28
a 81. PAIrI. sMOKER

st. Paul, were he alive, would be
much gratfied by the signs of religious
interest at Princeton university, in the
society which bears his name The
Daily Trincetonian says: 1.-THE st.
Pauis society will hold smoker We'd
nesday night. The society is also plan
ming several changes in regard to It's
work Among these will be more
smokers while only one preacher a
month Will be secured by the society
instead of one every week" Why not
countermand the preacher and have
another smoker New York Evening
Post.