davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
MEANING OF srocKBRoKINo.
GambIing shops, Run Wide Open, I"
Conformity with the Law.
Harper's Weekly.


Two scots OF the New York StocS ex-
change were sold last week for $4,000 ana
another one the same day for @sbN. me
value OF these seats has trebled or more
within ten years They are desirable be-
cause they AFFORD 10 competent holder
comparatively easy way to make money.
There arc only 100 OF them altogether ana
tho number cannot be increased and as
by far the greater part OF the securities
dealt in In this country change hands by
means of the New York Stock exchange
the LOO brokers have virtual monopoly
of an enormous and increasing business.
We take II for granted that any judicious
man who had his choice OF what he should
do for a living would choose not TO be a
stock broker. We find therefore that the
attractlvencss OF easy money making out
weighs by nearly 100000 the natural dis
inclination to engage in an Objectionable
calling. All observers may not agree that
the calling is Objectionable. 1t is neces-
sary calling. All will agree as to that.
There must be some apparatus for bringing
together the buyers and sellers of securi-
ties and making prices at which they can
trade Investors who want to buy stocks
or bonds absolutely need, as rule, brok-
ers to act for them and somebody to con-
stitute market, But small number OF
brokers could take care OF all the real in
vestors. About S0-1Ooths OF the stock
brokers' business is done for spectators.
who buy stocks that they believe will SO
up and sell stocks which they think win
go down.
So pretty much all the brokers offices
are gambling shops, run wide open. In con-
formity with the law and under supervis-
ions Of various prophets. We are all gamb-
lers when we buy or sell stocks on a
margin, anticipating a rise or n fall, and
the brokers are the gentlemen crouplers
who assist us In giving up our money and
In getting hands on our gains when we
are winners
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
SUCKERS WILL BITE.
Multitude of easy Marks" an Irre-
sistible Temptation.

Chicago Tribune.
The story of the extensive frauds porpe-
trated by the Force of Life Chemical
company of New York takes the reader
back to the middle ages. Implicit belief in
the philosophers stone" otherwise the
elixir of life." which had the power to
transmute the baser metals into goli and
silver. to restore youth and to prolong life,
was in the middle ages widely ditused.
The immense advances which have been
made in modern times by the physical
sciences and popular education ought ii
would seem, entirely to have dispelled all
such notions. But they haven't done so.
In the age of the public school and the
newspaper many people are as easily duped
as their medieval forbears were
In the glare of midnight light, bending
over his crucible and retorts, DR.. William
Wallace Hadley cried triumphantly: II
have IT, There was lecithin, the force of
life, the power that makes man live and
think with 1t in sufficient quantity you
can combat any disease Thus ran one OF
the Force of Life Chemical company's"
advertising circulars. Force OF Life
would not only overcome any disease and
prolong life, but 1t would also raise the
dead, and actually had done so. The
philosophers stone" could renew youth
but not life. Force OF Life" was, there
fore, represented as far more potent than
even the elixir OF life" was ever claimed
to be.
This was testing human credulity To
the limit. Human credullty, despite modern
science, public schools. and newspapers
was not found wanting any more THAI II
was seven or eight centuries ago. The
| Investigations of the authorities up 10 dote
indicate that more than 100000 persons
allowed themselves to be vietimized by
the Force OF Life Chemical company
One million suckers having been caught
by a bait through which the hook showed
itself so obtrusively, it would seem thai
! the mistake of other fakirs who do less
we'll must be that they repose too htut
! confidence In human dupability. Where
| is the inventor who will make a fortune
by finally discovering perpetual motor
and offering machines run by 1t for sale
WHY does not somebody get rich by hnd
ing the fountain OF eternal youth which
I Ponce de Leon vainly sought, bottling VI
it's precious waters and putting them OF
the market In all parts Of the country
at a fancy figure? There can be no doub
| that perpetual motion machines, bottles
J of water direct from the fountain Of
| eternal youth, and great many othel
| equally desirable and impossible things
would fnd a wide and profitable ma-ke
II only the longing of people TO buy then
| was understood.
That elixirs OF life are not TO be fuunt
I'm every household and silk purses mad
from sow's ears in every lady's hand Il
due TO the deficient enterprise OF pro
moters. not TO want Of suilibility on tn
part of the public.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
STATE PRESS COMMENT.

York Republican; The Republican hopes
the next legislature can find time TO pass
an act for the correction OF n gross in
justice that exists under the present law
in the distribution OF railroad taxes among
the school districts through which the
roads pass. At present only those dis
tricts In a township where bonds have
been voted through which roads actually
pass get any share of the taxes Where
a township has voted bonds in aid OF the
road every district in the township has TO
pay its share OF the railroad taxes. and
each district in the township should re-
ceivc It's share OF the taxes paid by the
road Take the townships In York county
which voted bonds. Only a very few dis
tricts get any benefit from the taxes paid.
while every one OF them have to pay. The
next gentleman from York county can do
a good job in the interests OF Justice be-
tween man and man by introducing a bill
righting this wrong.
Central City Nonpareil: 1t has finally
been definitely determined by Peter Nor
Jensen and by his friends-who from the
looks of things are a great deal more in
terested in the matter than he is--that he
shall enter the race for the republican
nomination for governor. And It is an
cACtlicnh HlONe lndt the announcements Is
made this early. The friends Of the
square deal'-end they are legion in Ne
braska-can now rest assured that the bat
tie to decide who shall govern the state,
the railroads or the people. is now on and
will be fought to a finish. and the fact
that the man picked to lead the fight for
the people is of a character and personality
to inspire confidence is an indication that
will ha vvffh
There is mighty little lace hligree and
parlor frescoing about Peter Mortensen.
He is built on a substantial foundation OF
rugged honesty and there is an abundance
of good timber in his superficial structure.
Arcadia Champion: We cannot see any
crying need for the passage OF Senator
Burkett's measure to divide Nebraska into
two judicial districts, and especially on the
lines that the bill proposes to divide it. In
round figures Nebraska is 400 miles long
and two hundred miles wide. To divide the
state by running a line east and west
across 1t, means to make two districts
eac. of which are approximately 400 miles
long, and 100 miles wide. How a person
would go to work to divide this state into
two more inconvenient districts we do not
know. 1t is proposed to put the second
federal court at Lincoln, q distance OF
ffty-five miles from the present court at
Omaha. II there is hardship on account
of there being but one federal court in Ne
braska, it certainly is not on the people
OF Lincoln. They can get to Omaha in
the morning by o'clock, transact a full
days business and be back at their homes
by s o'clock in the evening If the state
should be divided into two judicial districts
at all. the line should by all means run
north and south and make Grand Island,
Kearney or Hastings the seat of the sec
ond one. What difference does it make to
the people of Western Nebraska whether
there is federal court at Lincoln or not ?
II might lust as well be in Omaha.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
OUTLOOK FOR PROSPERITY.

Very naturally ut this period of the
year there is more or less conjecture In
regard to the business outlook and IL is
gratifying to note that all the forecasts
are of the most favorable character.
Reports of business conditions and pros
poets in different parts of the country
received by a leading commercial paper
OF the east are almost universally indi-
cative of confidence in another prosper
Gus year. or course there are conditions
that cannot be foreseen, and among
these are possible occurrences in Wall
street as to which there may be more or
less danger to the financial affairs OF the
country. The recent effects of an Excess
sive speculation, while not especially
serious so far as the general business
Of the country is concerned. have still
produced a feeling that, while not ex-
actly one OF distrust is yet that of some
doubt and hesitation. The legitimate
business interests of the country have
not been in the least disturbed by the
extraordinary conditions in the specula-
tive markets, but there lisa very natural
feeling that if these conditions should
recur, as it is quite possible they may,
the consequences might become serious
to the legitimate business interests.
The question whether such conditions
will recur Is manifestly one of great
Importance and no one can answer it
with any degree of certainty. At pres
ent the situation seems to be reasonably
conservative. The spirit of speculation
which was dominant a few weeks ago
has been curbed, and the lesson which
its unchecked course taught has per-
haps made an impression that will be
lasting. But there has been no absolute
assurance OF this. 1t is a spirit that il
is very difficult to long keep in subjec-
ton and it is liable to break out again
at any time with renewed energy and
vigor. So long as this spirit is confined
to the spectators in stocks there is not
very much danger from It. This element
in financial affairs is no longer the infiu-
ence it was some years ago, when every
body looked to see what was happening
in Wall street. The drift of the stock
market has lost its old potency. 1t is
only when the legitimate business
interests of the country depart from
their regular course and embark upon
speculative ventures that there is real
and substantial danger to the perma.
hence Of prosperity.
The general situation at this time, SO
far as the legitimate business interests
of the country are concerned. is entirely
satisfactory. There is no evidence in
any direction of excuses or extraord
mary risks. The whole current of bust
ness appears to be running in an even
and regular course and upon conserva
tive lines. So long as this continues tc
be the case we shall have continuance
Of progress and prosperity.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

THE SIMPLE SONG OF BURNS.

The simple song that lives so long
Twas yours to make II, Robert Burns
The purest art that moves the heart
How sweet in your light, happy turnsI
The banks and braes and quiet ways
OF rural Scotia's rugged face.
In songs so dear do they appear
There lies a charm in every place.
Your phrasng free gives us to sec
The cotter's home at close OF day,
And how within, where comes no sin,
The pleasant evenings pass away,
In words that glow you let us know
The winsome lassies OF your land:
Beneath the thorn, the milk-whte thorn.
We see the lovers hand in hand.
How lowly birth may ring the earth
With noble passions quenchless firc.
And make such rhymes that future times
Shall feel them fitting deep desire.
Was yours to find. is ours to mind,
And how the fervent heart and hand
May give ones name a deathless fame,
With words that all may understand.
We see you walk. we hear you talk,
Amid tho scenes that moved your sense;
We feel the lift OF that great gift
Which conquered time and circumstance
Omaha. -BERIAH +. COCHRAN.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
TRYING TO SHIFT REsPoSsIBILI1Y.

TRYING TO SHIFT RESPONSIBILITY
1t does not require a profound knowl-
edge Of law to distinguish between the
functions Of the judicial department
and the functions of the finance depart
ment in their respective relations to the
proper government of county prisons.
The functions of the district court and
the functions of the county board in the
management of the county Jail, and the
treatment and care of prisoners confined
in the county Jail, are distinct.
The court is charged with the duty OF
prescribing the rules and regulations for
the safe keeping and humane treatment
Of prisoners, while the duty of safe
guarding the interests of the taxpayers
in the expenditures required for the
maintenance Of prisoners devolves upon
the county board. The attempt of GER
tain members of the board to shift re-
sponsibility for the perpetuation of the
jail-feeding graft is too transparent to
deceive any man with ordinary intelli-
gence.
The proposition to secure from the
district court revision of the rules and
regulations for the management of the
county Jail so that the cost of bedding
and clothing required in the county Jail
he included in the amount paid for feed
ing prisoners is mere subterfuge to
make people believe that the county Is
to get a square deal at the hands of the
board when. in fact, 1t is simply a con-
cession of $500 year or less to justify
steal of $500 year.
The most extravagnnt estimate of the
cost of mattresses, blankets and under
wear, which the sheriff would be obliged
to provide in addition to the provisions
required for feeding prisoners. would be
$500 a year, and the chances are it
would not exceed $500 a year. Under
the Bruning resolution the county would
pay 80 cents for two meals, while the
city is paying II cents for two meals in
the city JAIL and the Associated Chart
ties and half dozen Omaha restaurants
will cheerfuily furnish two better meals
for 20 cents per day.
With 80 cents for two meals a day
there is margin of more than $12 a
day for the sheriff in addition to his
salary and other perquisites From any
point Of view, except expediency, the
price fixed by the Bruning resolution is
still 33 per cent higher than the county
should by rights pay. How any mem
Der of the board can stand up and op-
pose the Bruning resolution, which still
makes the sheriff liberal present in
addition TO his salary and perquisites, is
incomprehensible.
1t is to be hoped that the judges of
the district court will not allow them
selves to be inveigled into aiding and
abetting the county jail graft under the
guse of rules and regulations for the
government of the Jail. If the law con-
templates that the sheriff shall pay for
bedding, clothing or any other article
required for the proper care of prison.
ers he should be reimbursed by the
county. If he is required to supply pro-
visions for feeding prisoners he should
be paid fair price for the outlay in
volved and the value of services rem.
dered. But the law never contemplated
that any county officer should make q
fat profit in addition to his salary out
of any county contract.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

After careful and prolonged confer
ence with himself, Willard Fillmore
Funkhouser has come to the conclusion
that while he is eminently fitted to full
fill the duties Of mayor he will be con-
tent to serve in the more humble ca,
pacity OF councilman, subject to nomina,
ton at the democratic primaries and
subsequent endorsement at the polls. II
Funkhouser does not suffer martyrdom
for this self-sacrifce it will prove that
democracies as we'll as republics are un,
grateful.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
Personal NOTES.

Prof. George Howison of the department
OF philosophy of the University of California
has declared his belief in Immortality for
animals.
The tradition is broken. A well-known
prize fighter, steering between the business
temptations OF the stage and the saloon, has
gone straight ahead into the business Of
selling watches and jewelry.
Mrs. Clara Hay, widow of John Hay. has
received a memorial address signed by 1888
Jews in America and Great Britain. com
mending the services of the late secretary
in behalf of the Hebrew people.
NJ FaIlieres. the new president of France,
is noted for his devotion to a simple country
life. Whenever opportunity offers he re-
turns to his birthplace, the home of his
ancestors through hundreds of years. He
still owns the house at Mezin in which he
was born.
The editors OF the Atlanta Constitution
and the Atlanta Journal are rival candl-
dates for the democratic nomination for
governor. This fact makes their respective
papers particularly bright, breezy and
biting. To hear them tell what they know
about each other, their charming traits,
high intelligence and unselfish zeal for
the puDhc good Is Worth seNeral tunes n
years subscription.
]. n. Field of Manchester, England, a
brother of the late Marshall Field. the
Chicago merchant, will succeed to the
charge of the Field houses. Mr.. Field has
for many years been at the head of the
Manchester branch OF the Field business
and has had general charge OF all Of the
foreign business done by the firm. He has
not been in Chicago for many years and
is only known to few of the 1000 en-
ployes of the house who make their home
in Chicago.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
The Telephone in the Country.
Atlanta Constitution,

An important phase OF the rural Invasion
OF the telephone has been its perceptible
effect on the value OF lands II is OF record
that two or three years after the establish
ment OF lines through the country districts
the prices OF lands begin 10 rise rapidly;
immigrants come in with greater freedom;
hamlets develop into towns; crossroads de-
velop into hamlets-and in the meantime
quotations for wild and improved lands are
steadily advancing. The thing Is. OF course.
too new as yet to permit any broadcast
prophecy I'm this direction. but the heaIthfuI
trend is already apparent
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

The scheme to divide Nebraska into
ELECTS unanimous approval from the
newspapers throughout the state, many
Of whom see in 1t chiefly plot to create
few more federal jobs for distribution
at the pie counter. If Omaha alone OBJ
jected it would be accused of simply
trying to hog 1t all to the exclusion of
the rest of the state, but for once the
outside counties see that though a Sec
ond district might be Omaha's loss, II
is not necessarily a gain to them
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
An Embarrassment Averted.

BY naming Luke e. Wright, governor OF
the Philippines. for the newly created dig
nifty of American ambassador to Japan the
president has not only paid a deserved com
pliment to a representative southerner but
has relieved himself of an embarrassment.
The governorship of the Philippines IL
wanted for somebody else, for reasons not
disclosed-since the alleged aversion of
Governor Wright and his lady to social
intercourse with tan-colored natives is
probably a malicious invention. BY pro-
noting Governor Wright to the American
embassy at Toxic the way will be cleared
for the desired reconstruction of the Phil
ippine government without danger OF fric-
ton and possible disharmony in the senate.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
-----------------------
PASSING PLEAsANTRIEs.

Visitor (from Upcrcck)--Don't you people
get tired of the everlasting toot of the
automobile horns?
Citiman-They don't say foot" to me-
They say "scoot. Chicago Tribune.
Stern Parent-What time did that young
Pretty Daughter-Just when you got home
from lodge ma returned from her bridge
party and Bridget came back from her
night out.-New York sun.
"You may not remember inc. Miss Sum-
mer.' he said. but | was engaged to you
once"
Indeed" she replied, coldly; you have
quite a memory for faces"
NO" he replied. glazing at her fair hand,
but ! have for the rings buy. '-Pniladel-
phia Ledger
81 believe you favor a more elastic cur
reney, George
Yes | do"
We'll, think you carry it too far"
How sou
49,, You seem , to think that the 81 you gave
month. cleveland Plain Dealer,
so she married that awful Jack Rounder?
Why, didn't she know that he had been
blackballed by every club in town.
Yes, that's why she took him. She
thought there'd be some chance Of keeping
him at home evenings "-Phiadelphia Press
suitor.Is, your sister Stella the oldest of
the family?
Tommy.-Nope; she was just born first
New York Sun.
The audience was at the bated breath
period.
Suddenly was heard an ominous cracking.
lncipient panic reared it's horrible head.
At that instant the heroine advanced
to the edge of the stage and glanced
toward the gallery.
"If youss fellows can't eat peanuts
quietly" she said, YOU'D better buy EN-
Only a few words b,it the bress Aesnt Is,
authority for tic statement that they did
the observation-disclosures Ledger.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

II 1t is true, as alleged, that son of
the chief adviser OF the sultan of Nor
Deco has made fortune dealing In con.
traband munitions OF war, it will proba-
bly, take more than an international
agreement to stop the traffic. Recent
experience i'm Santo Domingo has EN-,
phasized the difficulty of keeping guns
and powder from the men who have the
price
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

According 10 the latest report British
workingmen are to demonstrate their
political power before formulating n
platform. This method has been adopted
by several parties in America, which.
however, never got very far, even after
they subsequently equipped themselves
with platforms.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

Why should there be a minority and
majority report ON the county Jail graft?
II the affairs of the county are to be
conducted on business principles there
is but one side to the question. If they
are TO he conducted on graft principles,
It may be proper for the sheep to sepa-
rate from the goats.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

Omaha business men want to revive
their Commercial club. When South
Omaha and Omaha shall have united
under one municipal government, one
commercial club will do for the whole
of Greater Omaha.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

Free speech must be maintained in
the United States, but adequate penal
ties should be provided for the man who
exercises his right of free speech by
crying FIRE in a crowded house.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

With a native member OF the Philip
pine commission resigning his office to
emphasize his demands, it would seem
an almost hopeless task to bring the
Islanders to the American standard
where the last thing done by an office
holder is TO sacrifice his salary to spite
his opponents.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

France is to be given a free hand
against Venezuela so long as 1t respects
the Monroe doctrine; but IL France
doesn't understand that doctrine any bet
ter than the average American states
man. it's respect will have to be more a
matter of sentiment than OF practice.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

II Insurance companies can prove
that they have not attempted to influ-
ence legislation in the Centennial state.
Colorado may take comparatively high
place in the union despite it's stormy
recent history.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

The Fontanelle organ screams in red
headlines, Omaha wants no more po-
litical strings attached to its next
mayor" Then why is the Bensonian
candidate striving for nomination as
a republican? Why does he not repeat
the experiment OF 1903 and run indie
pendent Of all parties? That at least
would be consistent
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23
The Sooner the Better.
Baltimore American.

The American citizenship which is al
legged to be used abroad by naturallzed for
eigners simply as a cloak and shield. with
no thought of loyalty or patriotism for
this government, should be stripped from
the men who so misuse it.
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

urday We are so accustomed to hear
ing the police referred to with hippancy
If not ridicule. that a service to the com
munity like this should make us realize
what protection we derive from the 20
lice force at all times despite its fro
quent shortcomings in more trivial mat
Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-23

Had Nebraska remained under populist
control until this time its debt would have
been paid, the taxes would have been re-
duced instead OF increased and the people
OF the state would have been satisfied
OMEN Independent.
What rot