davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26

Der of the land-ring for the territory,
and largely through his influence the
survey of these grants was made to
contain hundreds of thousands OF
acres that did not belong to them. He
thus became great land holder, for
through the manipulation of commit
tees in Congress grants thus illegally
surveyed were confirmed with their
fictitious boundaries.
He made himself particularly con
spicuous as the hero of the famous
Maxwell grant, which, as Secretary
Cox decided in 1869, contained only
about ninety-six thousand acres. but
which. under the manipulation of Ell
kins, was surveyed and patented for
l,714,764 acres, or nearly $3.50 square
miles. Congress, through the action
of its committees, was beguiled into
the confirmation of the grant, and thus
the Supreme Court was compelled to
recognize this. astounding robbery as
valid. BY such methods as these more
than 100000 acres of the public do
main IN New Mexico became the spoil
OF the landgrabbers and the ring
leader in this game of spoliation was
Stephen B. Elkins, the confederate of
stephen w. Dorsey. and the master
spirit of the movement | do not
speak at random, but from the official
documents and ascertained facts with
winch ! became familiar during nv
public service of four years in that ter
ritory'
Let us not linger upon the scores of
instances of successful jobbery in
those days-how. for instance, he
tried, but failed. to grab a group of
rlch copper mines by having a grant.
which lay in one direction. SURVEYED
as if 1t lay in exactly the opposite di.
rection; how he took up and tried to
force a claim against the Brazilian
government for fifty million dollars.
which claim Secretary of State Thorn.
as r. Bayard characterized as IAN out
rage upon any nation with which the
United States had friendly relations i.
This indictment of Senator Elkins is
by a responsible author, and was pub
hshed throughout the country in one
or the most responsible magazines in
the United States. and If untrue Sena-
tor Elkins could have indicated him
self by an action for libel against both
author and publisher. which he has
never done.
Is Eikins for the People or the Cor
porations?
No one who is at all acquainted with
the political history of Senator Elkins,
or who has kept in touch with news
paper and magazine literature during
the past six months need have this
question answered for him, but for the
benefit OF the voter who has not enjoy
ed either of these advantages. here is
some more from the same author and
published in the same responsible
magazine.
@Elkins has been assisting in the
development Of the resources of West
Virginia since 1875. He came there
rich: he has grown enormously rich
in coal lands. railways and public facil-
tiles of all kinds-the Mcrgantown &
Kingwood Railroad. the Security Trust
Company of Wheeling. the Wheeling
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26
Ought Elkins to be Elected United
States Senator?

Traction Company, the West Virginia
Bridge and Construction Company,
etc. etc, etc His interests have de-
stroyed independent towns that were
thriving, and have built up in their
stead other towns that are dependent
upon him. One illustration of his
methods, being typical, will serve us
as we'll as a hundred The Fulmers
ed. He owned the railway upon one of
whose spurs the Fulmers depended to
get their coal to market. The Fulmers
found they could get no cars; then the
spur somehow fell into such disrepair
that it was unsafe to run cars over it,
if the Fulmers could get a court order
compelling Elkins to furnish cars; fin
ally, he began to tear up the tracks of
the spur A succession of utterly law
less acts; a miniature of the mans ca
reer, Bold where holiness was neces-
sary, sly where slyness would best
serve. always energetic, implacably
greedy. unscrupulous-such is Elkins
the citizen. And he has got together
more than thirty million dollars; he
represents" the debauched State OF
West Virginia in the Senate"
If the voter wishes more imforma
ton on the "Fulmer case" here is
something written from the scene OF
the trial and published while it was
still in progress:
Senator Stephen B. Elkins was
charged to-day by a witness in the
United States Court with an attempt
to squeeze" a rival coal company out
of business by methods which Presi
dent Roosevelt is vigorously opposing
bill, which has met with more or less
opposition by Senator Elkins' commit
tee. The witness was A. Spates Bra
| dy, a mining engineer, who said he
had been employed by Senator Elkins
and his son, Davis Elkins, to examine
/ the mining property of the Fulmel
/ Coal Company, with a view to secur
/ ing it. The Fulmer mine is located or
the Morgantown and Kingwood rail
road, of which Senator Elkins is reput
ed to be the principal owner.
Mr.. Brady says he heard Stephen B
Elkins and Davis Elkins discussing
the possibility of securing the Fulmel
mine. and that Senator Elkins said i
they could not squeeze Fulmer out hi
would have a resolution passed by the
- al u = inGGt0SS tearing lid the tract
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26


made by Governor Cummings, OF Iowa,
TO Senator Elkins, who few days ago
- -, :laxaltx to the shippers in
strictly to his own business. Governor
Cummings had taken occasion to criti-
cize the way Elkins' Senate committee
conducted its hearings last summer
when the railroad abuses were being
investigated Elkins was accused of
Partially to the railroads. Cummings
rejoinder is what makes the most in
teresting reading We quote one para
graph:
1.-THE truth is, Senator, that you
have fairly established the reputation
of standing for the railroads in the
United States Senate. 1t is most I'M
fortunate that any Senator should &C
quire such a reputation among the
people of the country. 1t is in the
highest degree important that the body
of which you are member shall en-
joy the fullest public confidence. The
SIdN6SI pTODlSIuS WHICH COniIOHI us
are those which relate to the regula-
ton and restriction of corporate pow
err These problems will not be sue
cessfully solved by those whose lives
have been 50 nodded by corporate
thought and corporate influence that
they instinctively turn to corporation
officers and managers for information
and guidance"
This is the judgment of one Repub-
lican of another. Here at home, FL
kins has, since his advent to public
life, been known as a railroad man.
His whole public record, all of his as
sociations, point Enthusiastically to this
The most deplorable feature of the
situation is that, although Elkins' at
titude on the railroad question is op-
posed by nine-tenths of the voters of
tie State, there is no one in his party
to lead the opposition to him. Gov.
ernor Dawson made good beginning
in opposition, but his surrender is an
incident of recent political history
Farmers Advocate.
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26
Who and What Is Elkins?

This question is well answered by
David Graham Phillips in one of his
noted papers on "The Treason of the
Senate" published in one of the lead
ing magazines of the country. Here is
what he says on this question:
"Elkins, having graduated from the
University of Missouri in 1860 and been
admitted to the bar in 1868, went to
the territory of New Mexico, and, by
interesting himself in politics, got the
Federal Office of district attorney. The
Mexican system of peonage. slavery
for debt. was then in full operation,
and Elkins laid the foundation of his
fortune by wholesale prosecutions,
each of which netted him tidy sum
whether there was conviction or COM
promise With the capital thus gain
ed lawfully, the young lawyer and pol
itician went into the business of grab
bling public Iand-keeping firm grip, of
course, on his political power, and get
ting successfully the, to a landgrab
Der. invaluable Offices of attorney gen
eral of the territory and territorial rep
resentative in Congress. AS a citizen
of New Mexico, captain of indus
try" and developer of resources,
he was compactly described by the dis
tinguished George w. Julian, one-time
surveyor-general of New Mexico and q
careful, honest man, in a speech at In
dianapolis on September IA. 1892. Said
Inlian.
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26

whose financial necessities were the
real inspiring cause of the whole new
tax system.
With the view of accomplishing the
above. as well as other salutarv re-
suits, the Democratic party therefore
earnestly and cordially invites all vot
ers' without distinction of past party
dlference. to Join with it in sending
an earnest and faithful antitrust dele
cation of Coneressmen to Washington
and an anti-State machine Legislature
to Charleston.
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26

for clerks, pages, etc, in
Senate, regular and extra
session, 1905, so days. Al. 1915 90
Excess paid by Repubs $10,5S2 90
Amount paid by Democrats
for clerks, pages, etc, in
House of Delegates, for
regular and extra sessions,
l903, 81 days. ..........$ 1920 90
Amount paid by Republicans
for clerks, pages. etc, for
regular and extra sessions,
1905, 90 days ........ 16,4S2 90
Excess paid by Republicans s 1862 SO
Excess paid by Republicans
IN Senate .-.............$ 10,532 90
Excess paid by Republicans
in House of Delegates. ~. 1852 50
Total excess paid by Re
publicans ...... $17794 so
The foregoing shows only few of
the many methods of extravaganza by
which public moneys have been taken
from the taxpayers of West Virginia
and used for no other purpose than to
provide places for political workers
and henchmen who do the bidding Of
the bosses.
For example: The Democrats en-
ployed in the Senate three assistant
clerks, one stenographer. six commit
tee clerks and nine pages. while the
Republicans had sixteen assistant
clerks. five stenographers, twenty-five
committee clerks and sixteen pages
and numerous other attaches. The
Democrats. with 26 members of the
Senate, had in all Fl employees, while
the Republicans, with 30 members, had
in all "A, an excess of SO employees
Virginia Free Press.
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26
CUMMINGS VS.. ELKlNS.

No item of news of the past week
has surpassed in interest the reply
made by Governor Cummings, OF Iowa,
to Senator Elkins, who few days ago
Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1906-10-26

for clerks, pages, etc, in
Senate. regular and extra
session, 1905, so days. -. 1915 90
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
CRIME IN CHICAGO.
In The Indianapolis Star we read

It Is a sad commentary upon the effi- ciency of the police force of Chicago that its citizens have been forced to hire police to insure immunity rom thugs and degenerates after nightfali. TO protect women and girls from dhe attacks and advances of ruffians, the North Side Law and Order League will have officers patrol the district that these warts on the face of society are prone to frequent.
 It is not only a sad commentary but a shamefully true one. Chicago has jest doubled the prices of saloon licenses in order to get money to in crease the size and efficiency of her po- lice force, and possibly some good may come of it. hut whatever is done in the future will not palliate the shame of conditions now existing and whish have long existed. When con- ditions in any city get so bad that the men have to hire policemen to protect their womanhood it is fair to say that such city cannot get much lower in the scale of civic degradation and in iquity.
 And it is only fair to say that some of the responsbility-or great deal of it-of this condition rests on Mayor Dunne While. he has been dallying with socialism, and de- voting his attention to impos- sibIe schemes for municipal ownership Chicago has fallen to the lowest place in bad government and has become byword among American cities for crime and criminals. If the husbands fathers and brothers take the law into their own hands and shoot down the thugs and other scoundrels who make life unsafe, the wrong, if wrong there is, will lie at the door of an inefficient or indifferent administration. If the men of the city have to employ guards for the protection of their women, the Mayor and city authorities must bear the blame and should bear the expense. Unless there is a change the law-abid- ing citizens may find it necessary to organize bands of Regulators, as was formerly done in some of the new settlements of the West, and make a complete clearing out of the lawless element which is terror to good cit izans If the present authorities, from the Mayor down, cannot make Chicago safe they should give place to those who can
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
IS THE END coMINGs

Prospects are not bad for some or the most disreputable disclosures and exposures in Zion City that have come to light within the memory of the pro- verbal oldest inhabitant. Dowie threatens to expose his wife and son and the wife and son say they will ex- pose him. He threatens to tell things about those who have busted him, and they intimate that he will hear some- thing drop if he isn't careful.
 When two persons speak of exposing each other it is pretty safe to con clude that each has something to hide. When members of family fall out and each side hints or speaks of letting the light in on the other we may feel sure that if they keep their word much dirty linen will be washed for the bene- fit of such of the public as cares to be thus entertained. If the dispute and differences between Dowie and his former followers go to the courts with shrewd lawyers on each side there are certain to be revelations made that will shock all decent people.
 It may be that some kind of com promise will be agreed on by which peace will be possible and no secrets get out, but if that is done it can only be temporary. It is not likely that the old man will be satisfied unless he can finally become absolute in Zion City. He has reveiled in power and supreme control so long that we do not believe he will be content with half a loaf If he gets that to begin with he will use every means at his disposal to regain the place he formerly held.
 On the other hand the seeds of re- bellion and dissatisfaction have been too we'll sown to now be choked out by the efforts of an old man who Is past approaching senility and decrepi- tnde. It is not merely that they doubt his honesty, his judgment and his sim cerity, though that should be enough to make the others resent his leader ship, but that is not all. There are those in the congregation who are fir ed by ambition and vanity and who aspire to leadership. Milton. in Para disc Lost makes Satan declare:
 ITO reign is worth ambition. though in hell:
 Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven"
 And we suspect that some of these usurpens feel the same way. They had rather reign over a discon- tented, suspicious people than serve under Dowie, even if he can restore peace and order. Whether both sides determine on a cat-and-dog contest, or whether they patch up some kind of understanding. it is to be hoped that the beginning of the end is at hand and that this blot on our civilization will soon be wiped off the earth.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
MT. Gardner and Crafts Case.
 nadeUi1la ADril i 1

Editor The Advertiser:
 My attention has been called to publication in the issue of The Adver- tiser of the 10th inst. concerning. negro boy who Is living with me under apprenticeship by the Probate Judge of Tallapossa county.
 It is Indeed surprising that a news naper, calling itself a great daily. would so violate every principle of de- cency and proprietv as to take up q case while 1t is pending in the courts, and without waiting to learn the facts on trial of the case. publish such Statements as the one referred to. in true yellow journal st, le. Now. I do not expect fairness from you; no one acouainted with your paper ever eX- pects fairness from The Montgomery Advertiser, but as a matter of common Justice l ask that you publish this letter, and give to it equal prominence in your paper with the article above mentioned.
 The facts are as follows: Curtis Tav- lor's mother died when he was about three and a half years old; his father had deserted his family some two years before that time and was not
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
SUNDAY. APRIL IS. 1906.
WHICH SHOULD wINf

According to The Commercial a com plication resulting from the coal strikes Is now on in New York. There is a section of the sanitary code of that city which makes it a misdemeanor to burn soft coal inside the city limits, because of the smoke and soot resulting from that kind of coal. The owners of two of the largest hotels in the city have just been arrested on the charge of violating the section alluded to. They promptly confessed that they were us- ing soft coal, and stated that on ac- count of the disturbances in the min ing regions 1t is impossible to get enough hard coal to keep their fires going, and that, as they are compelled to have fires all the time for heating and cooking. they must either burn the forbidden fuel or close their hotels
 There are the undisputed facts, for the contention of the hotel men is sustained by coal dealers of the city. It is an old adage, used by Rabelias, we believe. that Necessity has no law or. as usually written, necessity knows no law" Here is case where a positive law butts against absolute necessity, and the question seems to be, which must give way? It seems to be a case where the law might be sus- pened for such time as users of coal are helpless to obtain the kind that is not barred by the city code, or the law might be so modified as not to punish a citizen for doing what he has no power to avoid except by closing his business.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
PUZZLE PICTURE. Find the Man Without an Easter Suit.

contributing to their support and had not done so since he left them; the children were left absolutely desti- tute, without food and without cloth ing except what was-in rags. The fa- ther and mother had both been ser- wants of my father for a number or poosa county on being made acquaint- ed with the condition of these children and with the circumstances apprentfced them to me as suitable person to have the custody and control of said chill dren; the proceedings were in accord apce with the statutes of Alabama, | executed the necessary bond as re- quired bylaw and took the children in- to my custody. Their father was not living In this county nor in this State. but learning that he was living in New Orleans, after had taken the children to my home, wrote, to him that his children were at my house and that 1T he wanted them and would come ana get them and provide for them, ne ter stating that he was glad that had the children and wanted them to remain with me and he has never contributed as been to see them since they were apprenticed to me. As for the aliega- tfon of cruel treatment and over work Is absolutely and unqualifiedly tis Taylor Is receiving better treatment and is in every way better off, than great majority of the children of his
 Now I make you this proposition: That you send a reliable mana man who can and will tell the truth. let him come to my neighbors and every one else that knows about the matter, examine, fully into the facts. and If the facts are found to be as you published them, I will cheerfully bay the expense of the investigation: if the facts are found to be different from what you have stated, that you bear the expense and retract the state ments published. If you refuse to make the investigation then I demand full and complete retraction of the gross and ubellous misreprestntations con- tained in the article referred to apovo.
 Kespectfplly.
 Thomas R. Gardner. R. F. D. No.s
 TO show MT. Gardner that we mean to he fair and at the risk of doing our selves an injustice. The Advertiser pun" fishes his letter in full.
 We can afford to laugh at his ridicu-- Ious and unfounded charges for we did not know of his existence until this case arose and expressed no opinion about it.
 The matter which arouses his ire was taken from a bill of complaint filed In inc United States Court and IS or pup nc record. This was clearly stated Tn the article which MT. Gardner denoun- res as unfair. It was not stated that fhe allegations made against MT. Gard ner by the Crafts woman were true; It was plainly stated that they were charged by the woman. This char acter of matter. allegations made Tn legal documents, is published daily III The Advertiser as matters of interest to not retract a statement of fact-that the woman did file such a paper and that 1t contained the allegations as published-The Editor)
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
SIDEWALK PENCILINCS
Dr. Ricc at Greensboro.

Monday to Thursday, April g to 13, inclusive, Dr. J. A. Rice of Montgomery gave series of seven lectures at the
 The subjects were Literary Move ments in Ancient Israel"
 Proverbs an Everyday Philosophy.
 Job, or the Tragic Ideal"
 The Song of Songs, or Loves Invio- .Eeclssiastes. or the Souls Search for
 Jonah, or Gods Relentless Cali to World Evangelization.
 How Shall I Read the Old Testa-
 Dr. Rice brings to his work laborious, painstaking and scholarly research. and with It a reverential spirit which should make it impossible for any one to doubt prets the Scriptures. The Y. M; c. A.. the student body in general, and many of the. townspeople have expressed with and Den rented by MT. Rice's method of studying the Old Testament. He gave to Proverbs. Ecclesiastes, Jonah, the Song of Solomon. etc, greater in terest and a more vital meaning than they had ever had before.
 The following resolutions were adopt ed by the College Y. NJ. C. A:
 Tn the name of my teli9w hss studenfs tn ofs fer the following resolutions:
 Resolved, first, That words can but fnadequately express our gratitude 10 Dr. J. A Rice for the instructive and inspiring lectures he has just favored us with.
 "Second-That we have received from these lectures such an impulse towards the study of the old Testament that we feel sure that the fruits of 1t in years to come shall be seen in some of our lives; and that the memory Of the forceful words of the lecturer shall abide with us all to comfort and to help when shadows gather.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15
PRIMARIES AND REGISTRATION.

{ The next Legislature should amend the election laws of Alabama so as to require the registrars to open the book for registration of voters thirty days before every general primary election. The present laws on the subject are an injustice to thousands of young men who have become of age since the books were last open.-and who will not be given an opportunity to qualify themselves for voting before the first of July next. Past experience teaches that this is wrong, and the Legislature will no doubt remedy the defect as soon as possible.-Greensbo Watchman,
 There is a good deal of merit in the above suggestion. It would be better still, however, for the Legislature 'o fix definite time for primaries and for the registration books to be open" ed so that all would have opportunity to register. Suppose for instance the Democratic or Republican State Com mittees should decide for primary cleo tions. The law could say that pri- maries should be held within a certain time in the month of July or August, or any time which the Legislature might fix. This is the law in many States, and it works well. It would avoid multiplicity of primaries. The law al- ready provides a registration plan for municipal elections.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-15

ture. but the crowd was so small that he declined to do so The Birminghara News can tell the sequel:
 Mir. Conner volunteered to speak. and turn the receipts over to charity, but withdrew his proposition when iu- formed that politics was barred. An other offered his services as an expert whistler. and a stranger declared he was considered pretty good cloK dancer in his home town. and was will ing to do a few stunts The evenings program was never completed. how ever. because it was soon found there would be no audience. the entries com prising the list of those present.