davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Semi-weekly herald., 1907-12-19
Another Bank Failure
tFrom Mondays D ily.)

Durango was given another shock
this forenoon when the Smelter City
State .ank closed its doors and Presi-
dent Charles Il. Mcconnell placed the
institution in the hands OF State Bank
Examiner Beatty who arrived from
Denver Saturday evening to look after
the affairs Of the Colorado State bank
The bank opened this morning az
usual for business but the drain that
started in last week. especially after
the closing of the Colorado state bank
continued and Mr.. Mcconnell realized
that it would he impossible to weather
~. .ftnpu,
Semi-weekly herald., 1907-12-19

Geo. Slough departed for Denve
this morning
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
sLIcING THE HAM.

washington Post: Perhaps the governor
OF Jamaica was overcome by the fear that
Uncle Sam might be tempted TO add an
other island to his collection OF troubles.
Chicago News: SwettenhRm says that he
was trying 20 be funny when he wrote that
letter to Admiral Davis Earthquakes are
very mirth-provoking as everybody knows.
Chicago Tribune; Presuming that Gov
ernor Swettenham has recovered from
whatever Il was that allied him, let the in
cident close as quickly and unostentatiously
as possible.
Chicago Inter-Ocean: We must be pa
tient and calm. and be ready to fight on
the hrst suggestion of resentment when
ever anything happens that would seem 20
disturb the theory OF those right thinkers
who talk at Puritan society banauets about
across the sea, etc, etc, etc.
Portland oregonian: The action Of Gov
error swettenham of Jamaica, put Uncle
Sam in the role OF the "buttinsky" and
duly snubs him for his officlousness Per-
haps II Is not too late for congress to re-
consider the relief measure that II passed
on behalf OF the Kingston sufferers. We
would not like to have our old money
thrown back in our faces, even though the
act was accompanied by assurance Of
profound gratitude and the highest re-
spect" Like the exuberant freshman in
college. perhaps we would deserve what
we got. but It would not be pleasant,
nevertheless.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
STATUS OF THE PANAMA CANAL.

Chairman Shonts of the Isthmian
Canal commission in his Kansas City
address brings out how successfully
the period which he calls creative"
in distinction from the constructive
has been completed. The vital i'm
portance and vast, magnitude of the
preparatory operations have naturally
not been fully appreciated at a dis
lance or by the average observer, with
mind filled with the idea that 1.-The
dirt should fly" But it was indispen-
SADLY necessary to effective construc-
ton that the canal zone should be
made tolerable place to live in. that
labor should be secured, materials and
machinery assembled, a thorough ad-
ministrative organization effected and
the Panama railroad enlarged as an
auxiliary. In addition. such funda-
mental questions as the type of canal,
plan and location of the great dams
and locks, etc, any one of which is
alone an undertaking of immense
difficulty, had to be concluslvely solved
at the outset.
1t is encouraging that all these
essential preliminaries have been dis
posed of. The picture of results drawn
by Mr.. Shonts is practically identical
with President Roosevelt's report after
his >recent visit of personal inspection
on the fsthmus. The work, however,
required patience and farsightedness,
and though the reverse of spectacular,
1t had to be done If the canal was to
be dug.
Mr.. Shonts' resume as to the actual
constructive work already accom-
plished and now going forward shows
that 100000 cubic yards were exca-
waited from the canal during the fiscal
year ending last June, or an average
of $4,000 yards a month, and that
this average has been more than
doubled since June, though it is the
worst season of the year. In short,
the way has been cleared so that opera
lions should go forward at a rapidly
increasing rate now that the construc-
tive period has been distinctly entered
upon.
Fault finders, a tribe that will never
be extinct. have criticised the presi-
dents optimism" with respect to this
huge national enterprise. Mr.. shonts
exhibit of solid results and success
will tend to confirm confidence in the
presidents judgment and in the out
come of the work.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
ADMIRAL DAVIS PRESIDENTS.

While the rebuff to Admiral Davis
at Kingston is regarded closed as an
International incident" Secretary
Metcalf's official statement is pertinent
and satisfactory, because 1t shows that
the admiral's action was regular and
precedented, as well as humane and
beneficial. 1t was not the first time
armed men from our warships had
been landed in a foreign port to pre-
serve order, protect property and re-
lleve suffering. In all previous cases,
however, such action has been CRATE
fully received and acknowledged.
The Kingston emergency was in
comparably graver and more pressing
than the Port of Spain case in Trini-
dad, where an American naval com
mander was so cordially thanked for
landing marines to help against a
disastrous fire. At Kingston our con-
sulate needed guarding, and the
colonial secretary and inspector of
police, in the singular absence of the
governor, entreated Admiral Davis to
disembark forces as a safeguard
against seriously threatened disorder.
1t may perhaps have been the very
promptitude and efficiency of this
action. in contrast with the colonial
governors neglect and extraordinary
absence from the immediate scene of
disaster, that so nettled him.
Even. had diplomatic punctilio been
disregarded in some of the niceties
that are ordinarily observed. still the
imperious need of the situation and
the honorable impulse to relieve hui
man suffering ought to have been pro-
lection against insult and indignity.
The precedents make such treatment
only the more inexcusable.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26

S64,69415, or about 100000 less
than the previous year In 1905 there
was a reduction of nearly S2,0O0,000
in the pension expenditures, while the
appropriation bill just passed, tor the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1908,
carries s13S,1ss,5OO. For the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1905, Nebraska
had 16,575 pensioners who drew f2,-
195,106. Iowa's $3.50 pensioners re-
ceived s5,4sO,O45 and South Dakota
had 4,611 pensioners who drew $780,
38s. From 1855 to 1905 the govern
ment paid the enormous total Of
ts,327,6SS,712 in pensions.
BY the very nature of things, ex-
penditures for veterans pensions must
yearly show a substantial decrease,
but the record already made is an
emphatic refutation, in one respect at
least, of the generally accepted axiom
that republics are ungrateful
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
ABoLIsHING PENSION AGENCIES.

With a credit of having expended
nearly $4,0O0,O 100000 in pensions, a
record uneQualled in national recogni-
ton of the services of its soldiers, the
United States has passed the maximum
of expense in this respect and the con-
gress has Just taken action, by abolish
ing the pension agencies in the different
states, looking to the gradual closing
of accounts with the men who fought
for the flag In the different wars of
the country. The house has voted to
abolish the eighteen agencies in differ
ent parts of the country and to cen
tralize the payment OF pensions and
the conduct of all pension managers
at the Pension bureau in Washington
The senate is expected to concur in the
house action.
The government will. save about
100000 a year by abandoning these
agencies, but that is not the significant
feature. This lies in the fact that the
separate agencies have served their
purpose and that the pension expendi-
lures have reached their maximum
The new business that may arise under
the operation of the pension laws can
be easily and expeditiously disposed
of by the central bureau at Washing
ton. which, by reason of the decrease
of business, now has force larger
he
the pension business Of the nation.
The pension agencies in the different
states we're needed In the days immedi-
ately following the civil war. when
each session of the congress adopted
new laws providing for more liberal
pension expenditures. This was par
ticularly true in Iowa, Kansas, Ne
braska and other western states settled
largely by homesteaders under the
provisions of the laws which gave
veterans a priority and concessions In
acquiring homes in the then unde-
veloped west. Under the general serv-
ice act, by which every veteran be-
| comes a pensioner automatically at the
age of SO years, the number OF new
pensioners has been reduced to a mini
mum and there is no longer any urgent
need for the separate pension agencies
Their continuance would have meant
simply the retention Of lucrative sine
cures to be allied in the distribution OF
federal patronage.
The number OF pensioners reached
its maximum In 1905. when sss,I4l
persons were receiving pensions from
the government for services in the
revolutionary war, the war OF 1912
the Mexican war, the civil war and the
spanish-American war. In that year
the pension expenditures were sI44.-
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
LFcoNTRADIoTED.

The railroad lobbyists at Lincoln
are busy trying to head of terminal
taxation by persuading legislative
members that the proposition is "un-
constitutional" A little while ago
they were telling that terminal taxa
ton meant merely the transfer to the
cities OF a large part Of the taxes now
paid to the counties and rural school
districts, but they we're stumped when
asked why they should be so agitated
by a measure that did nothing but
change the place of tax payment, with
out altering the amount. They then
had TO confess that terminal taxation
meant the payment of city taxes which
they now evade without relieving them
OF state. county and school district
taxes exacted under the present law.
The point of "unconstitutionality"
is in the same category. The railroad
Spokesman are tremendously fearful
lest they may be mulcted with double
taxation" but they are not at all dis
tressed by their present evasion of
city taxes which makes the owners OF
all other city property pay twice
once for themselves and again to make
good what the railroads escape.
II the proposed terminal taxation
were demonstrations" the railroad
lobbyists would not bother about 1t,
but would be content to let the railroad
lawyers knock 1t out later by appeal
to the courts. But they are apparently
convinced that the unconstitutional
ity' argument is stronger with the
lawmakers than 1t is with the judges,
or they would not resort TO 1t.
The railroad lobbyists are self-con-
tradicted and will again have to take
a new tack.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
GUARDING THE HOME MARKET.
Some Light on the Philosophy of ship
Subsidy.


The Omaha Bee exerts a political in
fiuence far beyond the geographical limits
Of Nebraska. It's late editor now, gath
cred TO his fathers. was a man Of great
force Of character. strong convictions, ster-
ling integrity, admirable courage and dis
tinguished abilities. He left the impress
of his pronounced individuality on the
journal he made a power in the land, and
the paper still retains 1t. One Of the arts
he never acquired, and The Pee never prac-
ticed, is the subtlety of whipping the devil
round the stump.
For example. discussing the proposed ship
subsidy The Bee blurts ont:
Persons interested In extending the for
eign commerce OF the United States may
discover that the real question to be de-
cided is whether they arc willing to fight
with foreigners for the American market
in order TO fight with the same foreigners
for those of the world"
And that is a profound truth. The whole
philosophy of this subsidy is this: Tina;
American ships shall be paid out OF the
public treasury to go forth. loaded with
American products, to exchange for for
eign products that must necessarily COM
pete in the American market with Ameri-
can products.
radical stardpatter; but it il republican
of the straightest sect and a protectionist
from skin to marrow. 1t is for the homo
market for the American producer, and It
has no patience with any policy that will
allow foreign competition In that market
And in this The Bee is in exact accord
with our excellent old friend the present
speaker of congress, who has served notice
that the only "subyention" he will tolerate
is one that reserves the American market
10 American consumers, which Is no sub
vention at all.
And 20 this makes very pretty quarrel
among the advocates of subsidy. Mr.
Cannon and Senator Frye are no more
agreed as to the best scheme of subsidy
than are Mr.. Mccall and Mr.. Dalzell as to
the ideal tariff. When the maximum and
the minimum come on to be heard there
will be uncorked In both houses OF con-
gress more divergent and discordant opin-
ions on the subject of political economy
than all the tongues of Babel.
But It is safe TO say that few will fail to
see the philosophy of The Omaha Bee,
which may be interpreted in the precept
of the old Scotch wife: I'VE Gamma eat
your cake and ha' it," And so you can't
Ship subsidy 70 amount to anything is an
assault on the home market
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
THE NEED OF SUBURBAN rRoLLrrs

THE NEED OF SUBURBAN TRoLLEYs.
In letter to the Des Moines Reg
lister and Leader, discussing "A
Greater Des Moines," President A.
B. Stickney of the Chicago Great
Western predicts for that city popu-
lation Of 10000 when the next cen
sus is taken and among other sug-
gestions for promoting the growth of
population and industry, declares:
can think of nothing which will in
crease the retail trade Of your city i'm
mediately so much as the further ex-
tensions Of pour lnterurban electric lines
to an extent that would afford the more
than half a million of people who now
live within fifty miles Of you hourly serv-
ice to and from the city.
President Stickney's advice to Des
Moines holds just as good, IL not more
so, for Omaha, because Des Moines is
already better equipped with subur-
ban trolleys than Is Omaha. Easy
and frequent intercourse with the peo-
pie living within an hours ride of our
city limits would unquestionably do
much for our business expansion and
at the same time benefit the cities
and towns thus connected with us by
making them more attractive for their
Inhabitants and as a place of resi-
dence for newcomers.
Experience in eastern cities. and
particularly those of the central states
like Ohio and Indiana, has proved
that the interurban trolleys are great
business stimulators, building up a
trafic without apparently cutting into
the travel on the railroads or by other
means of locomotion. They have also
proved that the benefits are quite
reciprocal between town and country
and not at all one-sided.
Omaha and it's surrounding country
have surely reached the point where
they can contribute the traffic neces-
sary to justify an interurban trolley
system and to warrant the investment
OF the necessary capital notwithstand-
Ing it's experimental character.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
GOVERNOR MAGOON IN CUBA.
Words of Appreciation for His Tact
and Judgment.

La Lucia, Havana.
Tn a very short space of time Governor
Magoon has made a complete study OF our
fundamental problems. and all of his de-
cisions have been in perfect accord with all
that was promised by the commission, an
assurance that there are no differences OF
opinion between the commissioners and the
present governor, nor has there been any
change in the ultimate object OF their mis-
sion.
On the other hand, Governor Magoon has
revealed a capacity in Cuba which has been
the subject OF general appreciation. He lie
aovernihR the destinies of the island In an
absolutely impartial manner. He Is neither
moderate nor liberal. He confines his gov7
ernment to simple justice. He frequently
denies the requests of one party as the
other but in neither case does he refuse
With the spirit OF stubbornness or haughti-
ness. When he believes he SHOULD say no.
he saws II without hesitation and explains
his reasons for doing so. He uses judgment
instead OF force He listens with attention
and questions with intuition. He discusses
with calmness and firnness and only yields
his opinion when convinced that because
~ incorrect information his point OF view
is erroneous,
governor possessing these qualities Is
very necessary to Cuba at this time. II
the American government does not wish Its
mission In Cuba to suffer It should not in
terr,upt the work that Governor Magoon Is
doing with such great effect and 30 credit
ably.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
POLITICAL DRIFT.

As a funny man Senator Tillman may DO
put down as a bowling success
The upper house OF the New Hampshire
legislature put through an anti-pass bill
by unanimous vote.
Dom Shelby NJ. Cullom Of Illinois got his
fifth term in the senate without Earring a
cog in his machine.
Two rubber Kings and a revolver captain
of industry are contending for the sena-
torial toga in Rhode Island. These are
Little Rhody.
Since Speaker Cannon had his salary
boosted several notches above that Of ordi-
nary members, he considers the house OF
representatives ''the most sagacious legis-
lstive body on EARTH"
Senator Dryden received the republican
nomination for senator from New Jersey
but che caucus is short FIVE votes Of enough
to elect. For the present the road TO re-
election looks as rocky as a Gibraltar.
Milwaukee is taking steps to absorb ad-
Joining villages. abolish county govern
mapt. and concentrate powers OF govern
ment in one central body. Measures having
the legislature.
In defending the right OF Senator smoot
to seat in the senate, Senator Sunderland
described one Of the opposing witnesses
as a "drunkard, n liar, a deadbeat. an
spostate from the Mormon church, an en-
bezEler and a lunatic" In addition to these
qualities the witness lives in the city Of
saints.
New York lawmakers who profess to be
lawyers are a thrifty set. A report made
to the governor shows that Jonathan p.
Aids chairman of the senate committee
on forest. FISH and game. has drawn $685.
as counsel for the state forest preserve
board and~for the fish and game commits
sion. Other senators have drawn about
$4,000 for legal services, and these favored
legislators in both branches are many.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
GueGENHEIWs GOOD EXAMPLE.
COIOrado's Standardized Cuts Loose
from All Corporations.
phiiadolphio Drnas


from All Corporations.
Philadelphia Press.
Simon Guggenheim sheds various as
sortment Of corporation toys to don tho
senatorial mantle. In stepping from Colo
RADIO into the capitol at Washington this
eminent man of business feels obliged to
sever NIL oficial relations with every COM
pany with which he was associated. IL
was a most credtable thing for him to do.
Public men in this country from the days
when the hot partisans of Jefferson and
Hamilton spied upon the adversary OF their
respective chiefs have always been watched
closely. but at no previous time quite so
keenly as today. The universal disposition
Is to peer into public officials actions and
to analyze his motives. Taken all in. all.
however, the men who make up the con-
gress OF the United States set high aver
age standard. The list of the incompe-
tents or the unworthies is far shorter than
the roll of honorable legislators who bury
selfish aims in the cause OF the general
welfare.
Mr. Guggenheim has been a notable and
extremely successful man of business. He
begins his senatorial career by an act
which shows that hereafter he means to
give his large abilities to the service of
his state and country. and to do this he
lays down the Official connection with his
private money making enterprises.
The new senator from the west sets an
example that might be followed with profit
by some men who are old in the pay OF the
nation. Moreover. he points the way in
which a very rich man may win plenty OF
public confidence. 1t has come down to
this, that II an individual or an institution
wishes to win respect there must first be
proof that II is deserved.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
CRITICISM OF THE COURTS.
Extraordinary Privileges Claimed for
Human Institution.
New York Void.

New York World.
Vice Chancellor Pitney of New Jersey
claimed extraordinary rights for the
judiciary at the banquet in celebration of
his eightieth birthday Its absolute indie
pendence as one OF three distinct depart
ments OF the government is beyond dis
pute The judges freedom from personal
criticism from any other person, except in
the very rare case of evidence of corrup-
ton. is an accepted principle. But to de-
mand that no judgment OF any judge, ar
rived at conscientiously in the due course
OF the administration of justice, shall be
subject to criticism lest II fall into disre-
speet, is to assert an unwarrantable privi-
lege.
Blind and demagogic attacks on the
judiciary as a working institution and ma
tional discussion OF a courts decision are
wholly different matters. Our lower courts
are In frequent conflict among themselves,
our higher courts constantly reverse tho
decisions of the lower courts. In the So
called ave to-four" decisions OF the United
States supreme court. as in the insular
cases, now one justice. now another. ex-
ercised a deciding voice. In such circum-
stances Is minority opinion never 20 be
weighed against a majority opinion out
side the court room? The income tax ques-
tion was finally settled adversely TO the
Cleveland administration because Justice
shiras on second hearing changed his po-
sition. Now that President Roosevelt has
revived the income tax issue, shall no one
be permitted TO discuss the expediency Of
new legislation in the hope that as times
change supreme court justices change with
themf
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
CoIoneI Bryan as a Farmer.

Colonel Bryan's success as farmer con-
tinues to pump enthusiasm from visitors to
his agricultural experiment station. One
OF them says that every foot of available
ground on the Bryan place is made to
produce the maximum" Nebraska has
long been hot for minimum freight rate
laws. Why doesn't some Bryan enthusiast
propose a maximum farm product law?
II is unjust to smaller or less skilled tillers
of the soil than Mr. Bryan to expose them
20 mis- competition. There should be a
legal limit 10 cultivation and yield. Why
should the swollen wealth OF the land
escape regulation?
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
swETTENHAM.

w. ]. Hampton in New York World.
The tyrant's heel is on thy shore,
Swettenham!
His help is at they ruined door,
Bwettenhami
AVenge the earthquakes awful gore,
Command his Y8nks to leave thy shore
And never come back any more,
Swettenham! O Swettenhaml
Thou wilt not cover in the dust,
Swettenham!
And take the Yankees help, we trust,
Swettenham!
Jamaica's cracked and trembling crust
The dead In burning buildings thrust.
The hooters and the looters' lust
Are scarcely things to be discussed,
swettenham! o swettenhaml
Thou will not yield the Yankee toll
Swettenham!
Thou will not crook TO his control
SWettenhaml
Better the earthquake be thy goal,
Better the fire upon thee roll,
Than softening OF the British soul,
SwettenhSm! o Swettenham!
The killed in Kingston now are dead,
SWettenham!
The injureds blood has all been shed,
SWettenhaml
The hungry ones need not be fed,
The ieaderless need not be led,
The houseless. homeless need no bed
The British standard, flying red,
Floats proudly DER Jamaica's head,
Swettenham! o Swettenhaml
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26
Activity in the Two-Cent Belt.

Nearly every state legislature In the
country Is now in session, and so far as
the railroad journals have canvassed them
there is not one which fails to have before
1t a variety of radical bills for closer pub
lie regulation of the roads. No less than
five bills reducing fares to a maximum
of cents were dropped into the Iowa
legislature at the outset Of the session,
and 50 II goes all over the country. But
to the mind OF the railroad managers and
owners it will appear that President Roose-
Welt and not they are to blame.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-26

The concern that has undertaken
to print the bills for the Nebraska
legislature thinks 1t strange that 1t
should have a demand served on 1t to
live up to its contract or forfeit the
penalties. II the contract were vio-
lated on the other side. however. 1t
would be prompt in putting in claims
for extra compensation. 1t is a poor
contract that does not hold both par
tles