davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
THE CHEAP LEGISLATIVE SALARY.

To the Times's suggestion that a con-
stitutional amendment may be neces-
to compel legislative candidates to
serve out the terms for which they are
elected, the Newark News says another
way would be to elect men for the po-
sition who were not eternally looking
for a soft map in return for their sup
porting the bosses and deserving the in
terests of their constituents. Trenton
Times.
A constitutional amendment to pro-
vide adequate pay for members of the
Legislature is a suggestion made in ac-
cordance with common sense. 1t is
easy to rail at legislators for neglect of
their duties. but it is observed that even
the reformer falls into the common
habit and negIects things, too. Apart
from a small band of men who have
been Investigating and doing other
things during the hot weather, it would
be hard to choose among the legisla-
tors.
The pay of the legislator is ridicu-
lousy small. 1t cheapens an Office that
ought to be held in high respect. 1t is a
handicap on good legislation. The sal
airy of q member of the Legislature was
made small on the theory that the
honor of the office was compensation
enough. The object. likewise, was to
discourage the poor man from being a
candidate. That idea was borrowed
from the British Parliamentary system.
The effect has not been wholesome.
The average legislator suffers a finan-
cial loss by his attendance at legislative
sessions, his expenses exceeding his sal
airy. He is virtually penalized. What
wonder that some weak brethren take
"money on the side" and that there are
lawyer members who are not above ac-
cepting retainers from corporations for
their legislative services. A fair legis-
lative salary would be conducive to a
higher order of legislative morality.
Cheap pay cheapens a man in every
sphere of life. In the New Jersey Leg
islature the State gets what 1t pays for
and more.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
pRoH1B1T1oN INV THE SOUTH.

The %Southerner who understands the
motive and purpose of the anti-saloon
legislation in the Southern States is
amused at the comments OF many
Northern newspapers and prohibition
writers and speakers, whose knowledge
of the South and of the peculiar social
conditions that prevail there is so
limited. The Southern States have a
race problem to deal with. Their first
step was to disfranchise the negro, and
they have accomplished that object
very effectually by ~enacting laws that
exclude the mass of negroes from the
ballot box. That disposes of the negro
in government He will never domi-
nate a Southern State by mere force of
numbers as he did in reconstruction
days. The next step is a social one.
1t is to separate the negro from the
saloon and compel sobriety as well as
industry. The idle negro is usually adj
dicted to drink, and drink promotes
idleness and vagrancy. Dor the safety
of the whole community as well as for
the welfare of the negro the oppor-
tunities for getting alcoholic drinks
beer cuts no figure in the average
saloon in the South, and the Southern
negro is not a beer drinker-the saloon
must be outlawed.
The Southern whites nave always
been hospitable in their social life. The
Southern household always has its
~sideboard. There is little of the So
called temperance sentiment in the
South. But for the negro and the
necessity for controlling him there
would be no p~rohibitory laws there.
Nor do the Southern whites take any
p~rohibitory medicine for Themselves.
Their ~sideboards arc kept well stocked
they have clubs in which liquors are
dispensed. and their social habits are
unchanged. The traveller in the South
may not find a saloon in a long travel
but he will be 1t no loss~to get liquic
refreshments.
This policy, however, practically ex.
cludes the European immigrant from
nc South. It mean that the South
must continue to depend on its Negro
labor, and. in fact, if the southerE
nlaek can be-keot free from demoraliz.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

Mr.. Fish has left the regions Of philoso-
phic controversy and has entered the
arena of force. We are glad OF it. We
think that If a score Of high finance mag
mates should get into a closed building and
fight 1t out to physical exhaustion there
would be a decided gain all around. e
they would become humanized once more.
At present too many of them are simply
vultures, mere birds of prey perching on
the vantage roosts of Wall street. So
long as they fear no physical injury, no
term in jail, they will continue to use
the defects of the laws and the niceties
of litigation to perpetuate their schemes.
But some good robust fighting and a little
blood-letting will greatly help a situa-
ton that has become so intolerable as to
make he public FESTIVE over the course
of litigation and the effort Of the criminal
rich land there are not many of them) to
pose as martyrs who are being crucified
on the altar Of success and who, in their
own estimation, are the sole promoters of
prosperity.
We await with composure the second
round of the fight. Let the gong sound.
The people will act as referees.-Phila
delphia Inquirer.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
AUTOGRAPH SHARKS.
Ingenious Methods Used to Elicit Let
tiers from Noted Men.

Iers from NOLeu men.
No one is better posted in ruses to which
collectors resort in order to secure auto
graphs from living celebrities h a GER
tain London dealer. There is not enough
profit In their sale to encourage any
number of people In this country to secure
autographs for the. purpose OF disposins
of them to the dealer. but writing to
celebrities and selling their replies to the
dealer in question is a means OF livelihood
to no small number.
Nc one, perhaps, a outwitted in clever
ness the methods of General Cist, whose
collection, sold after his death, brought
one Of the highest prices Of n sale In
the world. Cist was q skilful penman and
a born letter writer. He wrote In such
a way that he rarely failed to elicit lengthy
and interesting replies. He would write to
a statesman, saying that a party had
applied to him for employment and given
the statesman as reference. Was So-and-
So ever In your employ as private secre-
tary?" he would write. Cist was a re-
cluse, a hermit. He was estranged from
his family. His last days were passed in
America in a room Uttered with books and
papers Of rarest value, secured through the
most ingenious ruses.
The cleverest modern autograph coiiector'
whose methods became known to dealers,
was the late Benjamin Austin, a resident
of The United States. He organized a liter
airy society in his imagination, to which he
elected as honorary members all the dis
~tinguished men and women of Europe and
America. When notified OF their election,
they naturally replied. thanking him for
the honor conferred. In this way he Sc
cured much excellent material. Doubtless
he made the collection with a view to its
subsequent monetary value. After his
death his widow sold It, but values had
decreased and It did not bring anything
near the price that might reasonably HAYS
been expected-London Tkt-Bttss NJ
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

There is altogether too much nonsense
about the appeal hat some one or an
other is constantly making to the rights
of the State as paramount. The States
have got plenty of rights and sometimes
more than they ought to have Witness.
for instance. the helplessness of the ma
tional government in carrying out treaty
rights agreements IL some State. like Cali
forria. for example, takes a purely local
view and causes trouble AS for the rail-
roads. Congress is on the right track. What
could be more injurious If the States
should run counter to each other in their
attempt to control the common carriers?
There must be one general supervision and
that supervision belongs in Washington.
If that is Capitalization, Mr.. Bryan is
welcome to make the most of it.-Philadel-
phia Inquirer.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
h Mary said.

Judge Brewer cites a striking ex-
ample of the sort of spoke which the
trickster can insert in the wheels of
A witness testified in a certain case
that a person named Mary was pres
emit when a particular conversation
took place n the question was asked
what did Mary say?" This was OBJ
jected to, and after some discussion
the judge ruled out the question. An
exception to this decision was imme-
diately taken, and on appeal h higher
court reversed the verdict and ordered
a new trial on the ground that the
question should ave been answered.
At the second trial the same inquiry
was p~ropounded and elected the in
formation hat Mary said nothing
Putnam's Magazine.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
Reward Of wei Doing.

Herei9 exclaimed the man who had
just bought two theatre tickets. you
have given me the wrong change
It think not" said the man In the
box office.
you can count it for yourself re-
Joined the other, handing II back.
The ticket seller hastily ounte the
change.
You are right" he said. Il gave
you $1.50 too much Thank you, sir
but you're. a queer one"
whats all this delay about?' grum-
bled the portly side whiskered citizen
half way down the line.
There's a darned crank up there in
front" said the man just ahead of him,
who insists on giving back some OF
his change. He says he got too much
He's no rank. He's a wild-eyed
lunatic."
Thereupon the purchaser of the two
tickets turned and walked out with the
approval of his own conscience but pur-
sued by the scowls and suspicious
stare of two or three dozen impatient
persons whom he had incommoded in
a most u~nwarranted and uncalled for
manner.-Chicago Tribune.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

The New Idea has not filed any nomi-
mating petitions for candidates for JUS
tice of the peace, and yet this Office
needs reformation more than any other
public office. 1t is nearer than any
other to the welfare of the poor, and its
abuses have been notorious for many
years. Men are elected Justices of the
peace who could not hope to be elected
to any other office. Their names placed
at the tail of the party ticket attract
no attention. so they escape all criti-
cism.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

nually is appropriated for park main
tenance. Nearly a million extra is
asked for repairs. This, if voted, will
be a contribution to official neglect.
The custody of the park has been in
the hands of political heelers and most
of the annual appropriation has been
squandered. The large parks in Essex
County are natural parks except only
as the city parks have been improved.
The mountain reservations are still in
a state of nature, and when the time
comes for making them artistic parks
there will be no need of laying thou
sands of carloads of subsoil. The
parks will endure forever with ordinary
care in their. maintenance.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
A R OUT OF a PARK.

Central Park is an artificial creation
Originally an expanse of barren rocks.
it was converted into a beautiful park
by landscape gardeners by laying rich
soil IN the rocks and planting trees and
shrubbery. The soil has not been kept
up IN vigor and the park is 10Y in
decadence because of the exhaustion Of
the soil. although half a million an-
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
VIEWS OF EDITORS.
MONEY in Political Campaigns.

The extensive use of money in a political
campaign is always to be deplored- 1t de-
bauches the electorate and puts the poor
but worthy candidate toa tremendous dis
advantage. When a wealthy aspirant for
political honors has an equally wealthy
man for his opponent, the temptation for
both to spend money lavishly is great, for
the one always feels that the other will
make money count In the result, and ne Is
rot to be outdone at a gam he too can
play. There should be a way by law to
prevent this, and through publicity some
thing in this direction already has been
accomplished. The evil, however. Is still
with us and demands attention If we are
to preserve the purity of the ballot and
nave our candidates stand strictly on their
nerits.-Springfield Union.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
NIeaning of Piker.

To the Editor of the Evening Star:
Occasionally 1 hear the phrase. Hes a
piker'' used. What is the meaning of the
word 'piker?" Is it a recently launched
American colloauialism? d. r. M.
TThe word today is used principally in
connection with Wall Street and the race
track. where it is applied to the man
whose investments or bets are of insight
fcant amount. Hence it has become a
sort of term of contempt for the chap who
does things generally in a small and in
significant way-though we are not sure
how it came to have that meaning. In
English slang a piker is a tramp or
vagrant. Borrow, in his "Wordbook of
the English Gypsy Language says: THE
people called in acts of Parliament sturdy
besgars and Migrants, in the old cant
language Abraham men, and in the mod
ern Pikers." The word seems to be a
striking example Of that large class OF
modern slang expressions that have a
classic origin. as we find it as far back
as piers Plowman":
I have an horne, and be a hayward
And liggen a nyghtes
And kepe my corne and my croft
From pykers and thieves"
1t is possible that the word as used today
is derived from the name Pike that was
given in California In the SOS to the migra-
tory Southern DOOR whites, which was said
to have originated from the supposition
tina the first of the class came from Pike
County. Mo. pike says Mr.. Nordhoff
in his book on California, ''in the Cali
fornian sense of the word. is the wander
ing. gypsy-like. Southern poor white. This
person often lives with his family in a
wagon: he rarely follows any steady in
dustry; he is frequently a ~squatter on
other peoples lands; he owns a rifle, a lot
of children and dogs. a wife, and. If he
can read. a law book" said a lawyer de-
scribing his character. He moves from
place to place, as the humor seizes him.,
and is generally an injury to his neigh
bors. He will not work regularly, but he
has a great tenacity of life and is always
ready for a law suit ."-Ed.1
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

To the Editor OF the Evening Star: 7;
Can you tell me where 1 can find a
poem containing the lines
The mill will never grind
With the water that is past?"
d. R. S.
TThese lines conclude the first stanza of
Sarah Doudney's poem 1.-THE Water Mill"
which can be found in several collections
of popular poetry. They were borrowed
from 1.-THE mill will never grind again
with the water that has passed" a famil-
lar proverb originally Turkish or Persian.
Ed
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

LIE is a dream,
But I'll tell you. my honey,
Still in the dream
You have got to find money!
That's what is maxim
The pathway so sunny:
Dream time, or wakin',
You've got to find money!
Atlanta Constitution.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

To the Editor of the Evening Star: :
Is there any Biblical expression such as
"What is done is done?" A. M. B.
. ACCORDING to John xix, %, What I
have written I have written" said Pom
titus PLATE to the Jews who came to ask
to change the inscription above the
cross. He meant hat it was too late. The
writing had been nailed to the cross. 1t
was gone beyond recall The u
which the text throws into bold relief Is
the unaltera bleness of the past.-Ed.l
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

but what will you do" asked his
confidential friend. "if they imprison
your"
IF they threaten to do that" an
swered the financial magnate, with a
frown, TIL send orders to my agents
to start the biggest panic this country
ever saw!"-Chicago Tribune.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

The new Sixteenth Ward viii assume
its full political tatus after the Novem-
Der election and with the organization
Of the new Common Council. 1t will
have a full representation in the Board
OF FreeholderA
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
Didn't Hurt Him.

MIR. Nervey," said the girls father,
ut seems to me you sit up entirely toe
late with my daughter"
Don't worry about that, sir" re-
piled Nervey. II never require much
sleep."-Philadelphi Press.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

"The idea" exclaimed Miss Passay,
the idea of Mr.. Hoamley asking me II
I couldn't learn to love himi"
why not?' demanded Miss Pert.
"one is never too old to learn."-Phila-
delphia Press.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
The statesman. Breadth.

The Governor Of New York is not only
a clear-headed, practical executive, but
he has the s~tatesman's breadth of thought
In discussing principles OF government, and
also in directing the application of these
principles to the end that the peoples in
terests may be secured at every point
Baltimore Sun.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
A Day.

Yeast-which day of the week do
you like best?
Crimsonbeak-Why, Friday. You see,
my wife is very superstitious, and she
never wants to start a fight on that
day!-Yonkers Statesman.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
This is the way that she retorted

However true it may be that the law has no regard for
the moral aspects of such a controversy, you cannot say that
yu are absolved from considering them with reference to your
own conduct. And I want you to see, Tom, that you are
doing wrong in selling yourself as you are doing. For it is
your character they r buying, to stand between them and the
public. Have they not lawyers enoughf Do you not believe
that those lawyers possess the ability to see and take advantage
of every technical point that you might discover Oh, no.
Tom. 1t is not Thomas Castor, the lawyer, that they want
on their side 81 much as it is ex-Attorney-G General CASTOR, who
broke up the Gas ring; as it is Ex-Governor Castor, with his
record of two terms of honest rule. So that they may say to
the public:
"You know who Ex-Governor CASTOR is. Do you think
he would appear for the Universal Traction Company if he did
not believe their position to be a just onef'
at is your moral influence that they are buying and you
are selling, the best part of yourself that you are bargaining
away to the highest bidder for a few dollars and cents"
OF course the woman had her way and CASTOR retired from
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

This is a Georgia youngsters idea
of it:
The thunder is Nav readin' a lee
tufe to Paw, and the lightnin' is Paw
tryin' to git away from it."-Atlanta
Constitution.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

It's mighty easy to get a reputation
for wisdom, but mighty hard to exer-
else what wisdom we were born with.
Constitution.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
The Fatiguing part.

1T see you've got a motor car l
don't suppose it's hard to run"
Not nearly so hard as it is to walk.
That's what makes me tired."-Phila-
delphia Press.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

Church-Have you read the stock
list today?
Gotham-Yes; just waded through It'll
-Yonkers Statesman.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

Mistress-You may do my hair, now,
Felicie.
Yes, ma'am, which color will you
wear today?'
BLACK. I'm going to a funeral
Nos Loisirs.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
is A LAWYER JUSTIFIED IN TAKING ANY CASE, REGARDLESS OF
THE PUBLIC ANTERESTSP

In one of the current magazines there is a story in which
the central figures ar a lawyer and his wife. As Attorney
General of his State the man had conducted a great legal battle
for the people and pu1verized the Gas Trust. That brought
about his nomination and election as Governor in spite of the
politicians, and he justified the expectations of the voters. AT
the expiration of his term he returned to private life and the
practise of the law. The Universal Traction Company gave him
an unusually large retainer to defend it in a suit for violating
the law requiring it to give transfers.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
IN HUMOROUS VEIN.
They Are curlonItIea.

De folks what loves dey neighbor as
deyse'f is mostly in de dime museums
an you got ter pay ter see 'um.-
Brother Dickey. in Atlanta Constitution
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

She-I see in Germany sound-proof
building blocks are made of a mixture
of gypsum with sawdust, coke, dust or
she's.
He-Why, the combination sounds
just like a breakfast food!-Yonkers
Statesman.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
working Like Bees,

Bill-Those two fellows work like
bees.
Jill-Is that right?
Yes. why. hardly a day passes that
they don't sting somebody"-Yon-
kers Statesman.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03
FROM STAR

Anonymous communications cannot be
printed. Except on political subjects the
names Of correspondents are not required for
publication, but as a guarantee OF good faith.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

Now, most of the people affected by the company's defiance
of the law and its inshtence upon two fares were very poor.
Among them the lawyers wife had done much kindly and
benevolent work. To one family especially, she had been very
helpful, but this family promptly returned her financial aid on
learning that her husband had enlisted on the side of the
Traction Company. He couldn't understand, or tried not to
why there should be an outcry about his action.
He was especially wrathy when one newspaper boldly announced
that he had been bought by the Traction Company. NORTH
cation and chagrin were his when he learned from his wife
that she took the same view of the matter as did his critics.
He tried to brush aside her arguments; it was purely a ques-
ton of law; morality didn't enter into it; he took the case
just as any other honorable lawyer would do-and so on.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-03

Gaston's point of view is the common one among lawyers
and, unfortunately, there are not many Mrs. Gastons to set
them straight and point the right road. 1t puzzles the average
Elayman. to understand why lawyers should assume that an
attorneys license exempts the holder from the usages, ethics and
rules which govern their neighbors. When any other professional
or business man has established himself as a champion of pop
uar rights, he could not sell his influence or services to any
corporation engaged in trying to thwart any law or action de-
manded by the public interest, without mourning infamy and
disgrace. Why should it be different with lawyers ?