davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15

Of letters. On the whole. however, the
world is satisfied with the present orthog
raph., and as long as this continues to
be the case il viii be useless to expect
any radical changes TO be universally ap-
proved. All successful and effective re-
forms have had their inception in pub
lie need. Spelling reform viii be success
ful only when there is a general appreci-
alton of the shortcomings of the present
system, situation which will result in
popular cooperation toward the desired
change
The action of the President retarded
rather than aided the movement in the
direction Of new spelling. The American
people are not accustomed TO having i'm
provement pills forcibly rammed down
their throats, so to speak. They are apt
10 buck and strangle over the operation,
and, as shown in this instance, may finally
refuse to swallow. At any rate. Presi-
Dental edicts are something new In our
history. and 1t is no wonder that this par
ticular declaration excited opposition. We
are more accustomed to laws enacted in
constitutional fashion, and we obey these
laws because we know that they are ap-
proved by the representatives of the psO-
pie. and are made necessary by the con-
ditions which they seek TO regulate.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15

amend that instrument. The process Of
emendation or revision is clearly defined
by the Constitution itself; and although
this process IS extremely difficult of
achievement. the people have always re-
sponded TO a demand for amendments 10
meet new and changed conditions, Fol-
lowing the civil war. two amendments
the fourteenth and fifteenth-were add
ed, and these additions have increased
the powers and responsibilities of the
Federal government beyond a point that
was not contemplated by the fathers, and
which has not yet been fully realized by
the people.
Before another twist can be given to
the screws Of Capitalization. such ap-
parently as that advocated by Mr.. Root.
the constitutional barriers now in the way
Will have to be swept aside by amend
ments authorized by the people of the
several States. When they are called on
to do this they will put on their thinking
caps and do some very serious and care
full cogitation. Meantime. every thought
ful American citizen should hope for an
early test in the Supreme Court of the
constituticnality of certain Capitalization
laws enacted by the Congress within the
past decade OF so.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
Adhering to Traditional policy.

The sO-caiiei A!geciras treaty, which
has been ratified by the Senate was
signed by the American plenipotentiaries
with the important reservation that the
United States should not incur obliga-
ton or responsibility for the enforcement
of any OF its provisions.
The Senate. however. in ratifying the
treaty. went a step further by the adop-
tion OF a resolution declaring the under
standing of that branch of the treaty
making power to be that the participation
Of the United States in the Algeciras
conference and in the formulation and
adoption OF the convention there agreed
upon was without purpose to depart
from the traditional American foreign
policy, which forbids participation by the
United States IN the settlement of politi-
cal questions which are entirely European
in their scope" All honor to Senator
Hale for suggesting. and to the Senate
itself for adopting this eminently proper
safeguard.
To what extent this declaration of
American foreign policy may be cOnsid-
cred binding upon the executive branch
Of the government is conjectural. seeing
that the Presidential initiative in matters
OF foreign policy is unhampered and unre-
strained save by precedent; but We are
not without hope that the Jenersonisn
maxim, NO entangling alliances" will
for all time continue the guiding principle
of our relations with the nations Of the
earth.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
MARSE HENRY ON TARIFF.
Wreck of Wilson Bill Beginning of
the DemOcracy's Troubles.

from The Louisville COurier-IouruaI
Il is safe to say that the tariff. as it
stands, is the most monstrOus tax budget
that ever existed in the world. II is
prodigy Of fraudulent legislation. Mr..
Mckinley could not have stood a civil
service examination upon the act that
bore his name. nor Mr.. Dingley: even Mr..
Morrill, but a partial examination. Every
tariff schedule is a masked battery Of
special privilege. every tariff classifica-
ton a rife pit for the protection lobby
70 get in its work Of devastation against
the raw militia, that is. the people. The
Wilson bill was a jumble of MOrrillism,
Baineism. McKinleyism. and Diagleyism
Il was so banged and battered in the
House that when il got to the Senate
no one or a dozen OF the authors Of its
being would have recognized il, and
what the Senate did to thunder Mr.
Cleveland's instruction to pass a bilT'-
was what Mr.. Randall or Mr. Kelley. had
they been alive. would have called "a
plenty"
Well might the Courier-Journal. which
from the outset opposed the Wilson bill
and for the reasons named, have called Il
perfidy and dish0nOr" But il did not
lie with Mr. Cleveland to use any such
language, for he had been sufficiently
warned and, with his eyes wide open, he
had rushed his bark upon the rocks
From that day to this Democracy has
lain a splendid but helpless wreck. wash
ed by the waves of socialism and fac
riOnism the sport and prey Of political
adventures, the easy and ready victim
of the Republicans
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
The Constitution in the Way.

Whether Secretary Roots speech on
the subject of Capitalization was plea
or a warning. its vast significance can
not be overlooked or minimized. That he
voiced the matured opinion of the ad
ministratIon is the feature OF chief inn
portance The present administration IS
more powerful in the affairs Of one of
the great political parties Of the country
than any administration since the days
of Lincoln. Hence, the Secretary Of
State has probably defined a policy o.
sounded an alarm which viii be needed
by the Republican party. If its control
of the Federal government is TO be con-
tinuad, its platform declarations will have
to speak out plainly and clearly in fu-
ture on the subject OF concentrating in
Washington the powers Of government
which the trainers of the Constitution
thought they had distributed among or
reserved to the States. Thus, the issue
will be squarely drawn. The people viii
be given an opportunity to indicate their
preference for the old or the proposed
new system.
There Is a great barrier between the
centralizationists and their goal The
Constitution OF the United States is that
barrier. No other government has its
powers so Enthusiastically defined and limit
ed as has that of the United States
Certain vital functions still are confined
TO the States. although the Congress for
the past decade or so has been ignoring
that pregnant fact For example. in the
extension of its police power over the
affairs of the people in the States Con-
gress has imposed upon the Federal gov
ernment a function which the Supreme
Court more than once has declared IN
warranted by the Constitution; but this
does not deter the lawmakers from per-
sisting in a course which the judiciary
is likely to check by its mandate when
ever its authority is invoked.
A dangerous tendency OF our national
lawmakers IS to ignore constitutional re-
stTaints and limitations under the influ-
enee of popular clamor. The Congress
Of the United States, in thus following the
line of least resistance. arrogates to itself
the powers and prerogatives OF the Brit
isb Parliament, upon whose powers there
are no constitutional limitations The
British Parliament, in fact, is a constitu-
tional convention as we'll as a legislative
assembly, as is that of France, and in a
sense also that of Germany. AS our
Congress has no right to ignore the Con-
stitution. neither has it the power to
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
An Unennnl Partnership.

The American public is the partner in almost
every enterprise where great fortunes are made hon
orably. Andrew Carnegie.
Yes; and the American public was a
silent but heavily contributing partner
in the fortune made by Andrew CarnC-
gle Tariff taxation, that was levied on
every consumer Of iron and steel in the
country in the form OF monopolIstic
prices, swelIed the Carnegie millions.
Loose and inadequate incorporation laws.
permitting the issuance of watered stock,
enabled the formation of the steel trust
and the purchase at high figure of the
Carnegie properties. thus swelling the
Carnegie fortune stlll more.
Mr.. Carnegie is willing that the gov-
eminent should take a substantial share
Of his fortune. II he leaves any, after
he is gone. But would the imposition of
an Inheritance tax restore 10 the people
a 1.-THE Of the sum taken from them by
exorbitant tariff taxation during the
period Of their partnership with Mr..
Carnegie?
Why should not the public dissolve q
partnership which has resulted in so un-
equal distribution OF profits as that
which has built up the enormous for
tunes of the iron kings?
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
nc nenth of SOW snellinr.

The House of Representatives has ad-
ministered the coup DE- grace to President
Roosevelts order directing government
officials to adopt the fads and fancies of
the simpli1ed spelling board. The reform
has been blighted in its infancy. We are
TO retain for the present, at least, the
orthography to which we are accus-
toned
With fearful eyes. we bid adieu. there
fore, to thru" and ''thOroly." and 'op-
prest. and the other 297 words in the IA
nous list promulgated by the spelling re-
formers and indorsed by President Roose-
welt. We shall exist without them as best
we may; but, even while we say good-by,
It may not be inappropriate to dwell for
a moment upon some Of the features
which the situation presents. Briefly ana
lyzed, these demonstrate two things.
First. that no reform can hope 10 be sue
cessful until it is shown that it is neces-
sary and that the world is ready to accept
il: and. second. that the edict of a Presi-
dent is not all-pOwerful enough TO fasten
an Objectionable thing upon the American
people.
The crusade for simplified spelling. so
called. was not undertaken in response to
any public demand. Some Of cur words
are incongruous, II is true. and some of
them are characterized by a multiplicity
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
AIobhv-And Arotber Lohbv


Of course the King of Belgium has had
lobbyists. or agents, at work in this
country. A very clumsy, brazen crowd
they appear to have been. too. But
let US not deal too harshly with them.
We do not see that any particular harm
has been done, unless il be to the King
himself and his interests in the Congo.
If anybody has been corrupted, anybody
Of Importance, by these blatant ennis
saries and Kingly-commissioned adveu-
turers, the fact is yet TO be disclosed.
But we are glad the Hme-ight has been
turned upon them, and their devious
methods exposed, for il may teach the
Belgian government, and possibly other
foreign governments. AS well. that it is
the part of wisdom TO transact any busi-
ness they may have in this country
through the properly constituted agencies
their ministers and their consuis. In
the case of the Congo, certainly Baron
Monchcur ought to have been deemed
entirely competent 10 guard the interests
Of his government
II King Leopold, however. really finds
II necessary to maintain a lobby or con-
duct a propaganda, he should follow the
example Of the anu-Congo crowd. and
do it in a smooth. up-to-date manner.
For years we have seen concurrent
action in Liverpool and Boston-greedy
merchants joining hands across the sea
with unselfsn, well-meaning people in
carrying On a crusade that. in the very
nature Of things, must involve a heavy
outlay Of money, but with everything done
in the name of humanity. so adroitly and
effectively that evidences Of the lobby
and propaganda have been completely con-
cealed. Tales are told that harrow our
souls, shock the moral sense Of the whole
country, and at times prompt the people
10 rise up as one man and blot cut the
miserable misrule OF the suffering Congo.
II may or may not all be true. We do not
know. An atrocity no sooner IS announced
than it is officially or semi-oficially de-
MED Our own consul fails % verify the
stories in their hideous details. it ap-
pears.
No one questions the righteous motives
Of the Christian people engaged in this
crusade It is just the sort of thing they
should be engaged in. If but half the
dreadful tales are true. Nevertheless.
there is a lobby behind it ALA lobby
that makes King Leopold and his agents
appear the veriest amateurs.
Some day. possibly. we may learn the
truth-the unvarnished truth-about
actual conditions IN the Congo. but We
never expect TO hear it through the King
Leopold lobby or the LiverpOol-BO
lobby Meanwhile we are inclined to
think the United States government viii
devise a plan 10 intervene in the Congo.
We shall be surprised, indeed. If il does
not. What could be more in keeping with
our policies and ambitions as q world
power? This strong centralized govern
ment of ours has mighty duties TO per
form. VIII 1t shirk them? Never.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
POIitest on Record.

From the Philadelphia North American
The most polite man has been found
In Robert Wilder, of Clarksburg. W.
Va. He has never been known to say
a cross word TO anybody and he is
respected highly by his relatives, which
is saying a great deal.
When Wilder was neld up by high
wayman near Dugan's dam Mr.. Wilder
handed over 1925. and apOlogized for
not having more with him.
Wilder smiles when a person tramps
on his corn. and cOngratulates his wife
on her discernment when she calls him
names.
Taken i'll one day, he insisted upon
telephoning the undertaken. expressing
regret at the trouble he might cause
him.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
Services for Peace.

The third Sunday IN December-that is
to-morrOw-has been selected by the ad-
vocates of the worlds peace as the day
on which special effort shall be made TO
bring the question Of international arbi-
tration before the people. A circular has
been issued by twenty of the prominent
supporters Of the International peace pro-
pOsals asking that the matter be brought
before the congregations Of the churches
without regard 20 denomination or creed.
The exact request of the committee is.
Let every church of every name give a
hearing on Peace Sunday, the third Sun
day of December, or at some other suit
able time, 10 its own minister, or else TO
some other capable speaker who shall
show by Illustration and object lesson
how needless war will be in the truly
civilized world. Let there also be definite
instruction with regard to this peculiarly
suitable subject IN every Sunday school"
This request is modest enough and mod
crate enough, and is not saddled, as so
many similar efforts are, with a request
for a collection TO help the cause along.
But is anything TO be accomplished by
such an observance Of a Peace Sunday?"
The theories about international arbitra-
ton are wonderful in their simplicity, end
il is one Of the easiest things in the
world TO point out the waste Of war, the
suffering it entails, the homes ii renders
desolate: but one cannot help thinking
how shortly it was after the Gar OF all
the Russias called for a peace conference
at The Hague that he found himself in
volved in a war from whose effects there
has resulted a revolution within his bor-
ders that Is carrying his nation toward a
higher civilization and a better govern
ment than it has ever known.
1t is the rulers, the representatives Of
nations, who make war, but not without
pressure behind them. There is In the
average human heart so much OF the old
Adam that we are quick TO resent insults,
eager to avenge injuries; and until this
gray old world reaches the millennium 1t
will probably always be so. It was not
the President of the United States who
declared war on Spain; IL was the people
it was the burning indignation of 70, ,000 900
people over the destruction OF the Maine.
There is no use In crying Peace, peace,
when there is no peace" And though it
seems most appropriate tkat there should
be stronger efforts towarc' the policy Of
international arbitration as the time ap-
proaches OF Peace on earth, good will TO
men,, there is, after all, but slight utility
in the project
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
willing to Let Her Pay.

From AnsTers
Much as it pains me TO have to tell
you, Mr. Simkins," said the fair Miss
Robinson in tremulous tones, Il do not
love you and so cannot accept the ring
you gave me. Please, viii you take it
back?T
"Oh, I could not dream OF doing such
thing. said Simkins gravely: pray
keep ii in remembrance of me and my
broken heart"
Thank you! A thousand thanks"
murmured the girl; how good, how
generous you are, / shall never, never
part with it,"
"Oh, that's all right" answered Sim
kins, with his hand on the dOorknOb. III
tell the man you're solely responsible.
You see there are five monthly install
ments TO pay on II yet. GoOd-by,' And
before the astonished Miss Robinson could
reply Simkins was running down the front
door steps.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
THE INNOCENT BYSTANDER.
UNCLE WILLIAMS sNORE.

When Uncle William coined 20 stay
An visit az our house
Ny mamma made me stop my play
An keep stu as mouse.
Because my uncle haf 70 take
A nap. to get some rest,
an mamma say If I don't make
Much noise IL will be best.
SO. Uncle William-He's as bald
An got double chin -
He say at he ike 10 be called
When papa has come in.
An nen lay down 10 go TO sleep.
An I just keep as still
An never even go 20 peep
Like sometimes childerns will,
An by-un-bye. why. there's a sound
Like when you're sawin' wood
Or when you whiri a can around
An get Il hummin good.
An men Il changed to awful hOwls
Like lions when they roar
''G-r-oO, Gr-r-roo," Tre-menjus howls
At fairly shook the floor.
An I asst mamm; what Il is
An che Just smile an say:
It's nothing but that snore Of his
He always slept that way"
An when he's slept all through his nap
He dressed % sDiCk an span
An say. Sleeps good for any chap
feel another mani
So he stayed here two weeks. Yes, sir
An nights he'd snore an snore;
He'd start of with a little puTr
An tnen change 10 a roar.
An sometimes he would choke an choke
An seem 20 lose his breath.
An papa'd say: We'll. that's a Joke
He's snored himself to DEATH
But in a night OF two. why. we
Kept gettin' use TO il,
His s1Ores-hOwever loud they'd be
We didn't mind a bit.
Now Uncle Williams gone away
An we don't sleep no more
We lie awake TIL almost day
Awaiting for his snore-
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
THE BROKEN NOSE.

We've got a baby. Since il came
There's not a single thing the same
I act Just like | did before,
But no one loves me any more.
I guess I'd better nIn away.
] might as well. for II ! stay
Who'll know or cares Perhaps a year
Wdl pass before they even hear
IN take the things ike the best,
Ny Sunday tie, my velvet vest,
The SPOTTED eggs and bluebini's nest,
The autumn leaves that mother pressed.
The rabbit skin that father dressed.
All these III take ami so o'lt West.
I ought to start, but Oh, the sky
Is dark to-day and very hight
StilI, after all / guess III wait
For father by tbs --='Nu gate.
He'll maybe rough nv hair and say:
well, we'll my boy How goes the dayl
Your big enough 20 make it pay"
oh. dear. | wish he'd come, though he
MAY never even notice me-
And yet I guess III wait and see.
Louise Garnett, In American Magazin
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
Gninen fn thc Fnre-

John Wesley Gaines took the bit In his
mouth early IN the proceedings, OF the
House yesterday on the increase
bill. and held It there ali through the
debate
I.il7't the gentleman from Alabama
vote to Increase the salaries Of Federal
judges" he asked Mr. Underwood, who
was speaking against the increase bill.
Il did" calmly replied the Alabamian.
Then the Tennesseean wanted 70 know
If a Congressman was not worth as much
as Federal judge.
Mr. Gaines was on his feet soon again.
His colleague. Mr. Sims, was speaking
In favor Of the bills.
Il want 10 tell the gentleman right
here what Senator Tillman told me not
long ago" shouted the Hon. J. Wesley.
wildly waving both hands above his head.
Senator Tilman." he went on to say.
told me that If he should try 10 live
on his salary in Washington. he and his
family would starve 10 death"
We'll" responded Mr.. Sims. Il don't
believe there is a member Of this House
who wants Senator Tillman TO starve 70
death"
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
New York in the Cabinet.

When Mrs. oscar S. Straus becames
Secretary of Commerce and Labor in the
arrangement Of Mr. Roosevelt's Cabi-
net, the State Of New York will have the
unusual honor Of being represented by
three Cabinet officers at the same time.
and the entrance of Mr. Garfield into the
Cabinet will give Ohio two positions.
With the retirement of Secretary Shaw.
Iowa will have but one Cabinet officer in
Secretary Wilson, now the senior mem
Der Of the Presidents official family in
point of continuous service. Six States
will furnish all the members Of the re-
organized Cabinet; New York supplying
three, Ohio two, and California. Iowa.
Maryland. and Massachusetts one each.
Geographical consideration in the past
have not infreQuently had much TO do
with Cabinet making, and personal fit
ness and conceded qualification have more
than once had to give way to the claims
of State or locality. But Mr.. Roosevelt
has never allowed precedent or custom TO
hinder him in his methods or alter his
plans, and tradition apparently cuts but
small figure with him in Cabinet build
ing. In wealth. population, and CONNER
cial importance, New York has long oc-
cupied a commanding position in national
affairs, and in political affairs is a pow
erful factor always. Its Cabinet record
is unique. Twenty-eight citizens Of New
York have held Cabinet positions, serv-
Ing under twenty-five of the twenty-five
Presidents. John Adams Thomas Jeffer-
son, and Gen. Zachary Taylor were the
only Presidents in whose Cabinets no New
Yorker held place; but every portfolio In
the Cabinet has at various periods been
held by a citizen of the Empire State,
except that of the Department OF Agri-
culture. The name of Alexander HamIl-
ton heads the list as Secretary Of the
Treasury in the first Cabinet of Wash
ington, and the long Est Of his successors
In Cabinet stations embraces names hon
orably interviewer with the best tradi-
tions OF the republic.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
He Didn't Fear.

From the Arg0naut.
When Kipling was twelve years old
his father took him on n sea voyage,
and as Kipling senior suffered badly from
sea sickness he left the boy to his own
devices. Presently a tremendous commo-
ton was heard and the boatswain dashed
into Mr.. Kiplings cabin, shouting at the
top Of his voice: Mr.. Kipling, your boy
has crawled out on the yardarml If he
let's go he'll drown 20 a certainty
Yes" said the sufferer, falling back on
his pillow. but he won't let goi'
The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
GiIIett Is Crestfauen.

Hon. Frederick Huntington Gillett, Of
the Second Massachusetts district is the
most Crestfallen looking statesman IN
Washington to-day. When he entered
the House yesterday everybody took a
crack at him soto voce. He had fought
valiantly for spelling reform, and the
complete squelching Of that movement
the day before seems to have overwhelm-
ed Mr. Gillett with shame. He had not
the slightest hint from the White House.
so 1t is said, that the great reform move
ment was 70 be deserted IN that quarter
He had espOused it in the lire OF party
and patriotic duty, and when he learned
that the President had dropped il and
left him to hold the bag he was unpre-
pared 20 believe that such was the case.
His colleagues on both sides Of the House
hazed him from his entrance to his de-
parture yesterday.
Now that we are going TO save the
English language from ruthless mutiIa-
ton at the hands OF you and Carnegie
and the President said Champ Clark TO
Mr. Giilett. we are thinking Of passing
law compelling you people in Massachu-
setts not only 10 spell correctly, but also
to give every word in the language its
proper pronunciation. No more Of your
broad as in these diggings. if you
please. Mr.. Gillett.