davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Mr.. Burton's Good work

Mr.. Burton. chairman of the House
Committee on Rivers and HarbOrs, is re-
ceiving much well-deserved commentator
for the thorough and efficient manner in
which he has handled internal improve
ment legislation for number OF years
past. The great need of the country as
regards river and harbor improvements"
said Mr. Burton on Thursday last. de-
Tending himself from various aspersions
cast upon his motives in refusing to agree
10 certain appropriations, lis more intelli-
gent consideration Of the subject"
That is precisely the service Mr.. Burton
has been performing since mis- appoint
ment to the Craftsmanship of the Rivers
and HsrbOrs Committee The important
measure which he has just succeeded in
getting through the House. practically
without amendment. probably carries a
smaller quantity of what has become
known rather unfavorably as pork" than
any previous bin Of the character. al
though it authorizes the expenditure of
$S4.000o00 Mr. Burton. as is well known
has consistently declined TO take the pork
barrel view Of rive and harbor legisla-
ton. He has endeavored TO reduce the
waste OF money in useless projects and
to see that important permanent works
subscribing substantial and lasting com
mercial needs, are carried forward TO com
pietion. He has, in short, tried to intro
duce definite system into the vast work or
river and harbor improvement, and with
measurable success.
The present bill 4" remarks the Philadel-
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Better Government Demanded

Certain phrases in an address made by
Gov. Hughes, Of New York, at Albany
the other night attract our attention al
expressing q conception Of the great
political need OF the American people. II
not their strongest political aspiration.
Honest and efficient government" and
"betterment of administration" are the
ideals Of this practical executive, and 70
him il seems that the only kind Of
politics that has chance Of winning is
the kind which gives efficient govern
ment"
II IS probable that Gov. Hughes was
thinking more Of the executive than Of
the legislative function when he spoke
Of efficiency in government as the aim
OF the people. Ills point Of view is
symtomatic Of the tendency of the times,
which is toward a strengthening Of the
executive power. The demand for more
legislation is constant and clamorous,
but there is nowadays an accompanying
demand for honest and vigorous admin
istrat!on Of the laws. without which all
legislation must prove futile Without
strong men in positions Of high public
trust, our governments are continually
in danger of falling prey to mercenary
interests and to political corruption.
The highest duty Of the electorate is to
elevate to such positions men of known
viGcr Of mind and probity of action.
Gov. Hughes theory Of winning poll
tics, therefore. excludes from considera-
ton, as a party candidate, what used
to be known as the available man." who
was commonly enough a man without
marked convictions or strong character
The time has gone by, let Us hope or is
fast going. when the chief commentator
of any. aspirant for executive office shall
be that he has no fixed principles Of
action, no political ideals, and a COM
PLEASANT political conscience. The great
need Of the day is honest and efficient
government, and that implies an honest
and efficient executive. Strong men are
needed for the government Of the modern
world, and the people are wisely guided
when they choose for governors and
Presidents such men as Charles T.
Hughes and Theodore Roosevelt. Let
it not be thought that any weakling
may hereafter aspire to the offices which
these strong men now occupy.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
CAPITALS RECKLESS SPIRIT.
Southern Professor Echoes ROOse-
veIts Warning TO the Rich.

Prof. W. T.. Dodd. II RandolphAiacon College, in
Richmond Times Dispatch
Any student Of the course OF events in
recent American history cannot fail 10 see
that the reckless and brutal spirit OF great
capitalists. as manifested in the contempt
OF law. Of public opinion. and the public
veal; In their scandalous refusal to pay
their just share Of the public expense; in
their effort TO dominate the counsels Of
political parties-witness the name OF one
OF the worst OF them on the executive
committee Of the Democratic party in Vir-
ginia-is tending directly TO a more dan
gerOus state OF things. The masses OF
people In the United States are intelligent.
they know their interests and they are
determined that this country shall be and
remain a land where every man shall
have a fair chance. and where none shall
dominate it for the sole benefit of a priv
ileged class.
I have the greatest respect fer property
rights and would &c the last TO limit the
incentives to the accumulation Of wealth:
yet wealth must bear its burdens; il
must respect the law which safeguards Il,
and il must Ofttimes yield privileges quite
Justly granted and maintained in order to
save itself and serve the interests Of the
body polite.
II. therefore. behOoves public men ike
Mr. Roosevelt 20 warn the extremely rich
Of the danger which certainly lies ahead
not only for them. but for all. II is also
the duty Of the public press and Of the
leaders Of the people generally to see
clearly and speak plainly 10 all classes Of
men. We must rise above class interest
and personal advantage If we would save
the Democracy which has been planted in
this fair country by our fathers.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Foraker FIared IN.

Senator Foraker was called out OF the
Senate into the Marble Room TO meet two
unknown. but influential. constituents.
we hope" said one Of them, that
the people Of Ohio will not treat you as
badly as they have treated old Charley"
referring to Gen. Grosvenor's defeat last
year for nomination.
Senator Foraker exploded like a stick
OF dynamite.
Il will say 90 you" he exclaimed, with
his face flushed. that ! am not so badly
stuck on this job as 10 sell nay manhood.
my independence, my citizenship, my ali
for II. and you can say that 20 the people
Of Ohio If you care to. I hold that q man
fit to be a United States Senator has ideas
and principles of his own. II he yields
them he no longer should serve in the
Senate. and his constituents ought not 10
want him to serve. As long as I am here
expect TO be governed in my conduct
and vote By the dictates Of my judgment
and conscience. II I should have to
swerve from them, I would every gladly
give back 20 the people Of Ohio the cont
mission with which they have honored
and trusted me So YOU can"
But before the courageous and fiery
Buckeye statesman had finished the last
sentence his two visitors had slipped
away. Their reception was warmer than
they had expected. They had touched a
live wire, and they were glad enough 10
let it go.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

its we have set, it does not seem that
harm eoulG result from general adop-
ton Of the views We have expressed.
With the higher critics, so called. we
have. as a rule, scant patience. II is
equally true, however. that dogmatic
ideals, coupled with iron-clad rules Of
conduct not based upon common sense
and clean and intelligent understanding,
approach somewhat the other extreme.
IN our opinion, a minister Of the gospel
might, with entire propriety, attend any
play of the character here cited, and
that without the slightest fear OF evil re-
suits following Indeed. it is altogether
probable that the results would be en-
tirely helpful
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
BRIGGS OF NEW JERSEY.
Connection of Dryden's Successor
with Public Service Corporations.


From the New York Press
The election OF Frank 0. Briggs by the
New Jersey legislature to succeed Dry
den in the United States Senate is not a
cause for congratulation in the party that
strove to get rid Of Dryden. Aside from
the fact that he IS Dryden's residuaTy
Iegatee. his conduct ar the time OF the
Mazet committees investigation in New
York City several years ago would not
recommend him 10 any one hoping for
better conditions in the public service.
One Of the things that Frank Moss.
counsel for the Mazet committee, sought
TO discover vas the conditions under
which members of the Croker family
stocksharing in the Roebling company, a
concern which was supplying equipment
used in the construction work Of the
Third Avenue company. Mr.. Briggs was
treasurer Of the ROebling company at
that time as he is now; he was believed
to be in the habit OF visiting New York
City several days every week. The
books of the company should have shown
what percentage Of the Roebling stock
had been acquired by the Croker inter
ests. and what. if anything, had been
paid for It. This might have thrown
light on the cause for the connection OF
the R0ebling company with the Third
Avenue construction. But Mr. Moss was
unable 10 get hold OF the books Of the
company, or to md Mr. Briggs 10 put
him on the stand to tell what he knew
about this matter During the life of
the investigation Briggs kept out of the
reach Of the subpoena servers Of the Ma
yet committee.
This subpoena dodger is now United
States Senator from New Jersey. The
public need not feel elated over the
choice
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY I2, 1867


In Sundays edition OF The Washington
Herald we reproduced u very interesting
statement by one Of the foreign ENJOYS
resident at the Capital It has caused 50
much comment and aroused 50 much in
terest We venture to print il again for
purposes OF reminder and illustration:
In Europe or the Orient. when have been Of
f-Ted a secretary who has served in Washington, I
iur@rahly refuse 70 accept hnn. Whys Because
son make an Of the small fr o. the corps lot Of
bsmr,iols cads. You spoil them. those children in
tbe diplomatic uUrser you wine them aud dine
them. sou nurse and coddle them: you take them.
the infants. quite seriously, sou even marry your
daughters TO them. But thee have no right ct
title so the honor and distinction son accord them
They are nice hoys most of them: Of good fami-
lies and Weu hrcd; bat Why should that make
them Iets Of s0Ciety: Why should they be liouized
add uam3erod simply because they are members Of
The CORPS diHlomatiquef u makes them impossible
later On. fcT WHEN they leave America they have
a fe,ticus idea q themselves and it takes some
time and yery much suubbiug 20 get ;hem back 10
the strata in which they belong.
Apparently the gentleman who uttered
these perfectly veracious and appropriate
remarks has still something to learn
about Washington society" as it is too
loosely called. The nice boys are not
as much To blame as he implies. They
come 60 this Capital truly enough modest,
vell-bred young gentlemen, frequently of
good family and social position at home.
Treated here as they are in every Eu-
ropean capital-that is 10 say, on their
personal merits. and by no other stand
ard-they would soon find their true level
aad achieve entrance to the social coteries
20 which they had legitimate access at
home. They would not be feted and
caTessed and intoxicated with the vulgar
adulauon Of Founders and newcomers OF
great wealth and mysterious origin. Such
things do not happen in the conservative
capitals of Europe Thus, distributed &C
cording to their true deserts among the
various social strata to which they prop
,.iy appeTtained. they would escape tho
intoxication our envoy refers 10 and re-
main useful servants Of their respective
governments.
We protest, however against the as
sumption that Washington society" Is
-esponsibIe for this Iamentable and more
~ less ridiculous adjustment Real
ATEShingtcEians are not involved in the
affair. Our diplomat should not accuse
g whole community. largely composed OF
cultured and self-respecting people. Of
trc vulgar ostcntation and tuady over
iIr's' OF the imported few. We leave
iil free 90 say what he thinks about
-,c washington society with which
De- is acquainted. bat we must ask that
}Eashingtorians be permitted 10 speak for
taeir OWN town and their own civilization.
.-.,aro - ID ~ DO saa - OH III
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

Senator Clapp. of ADMINISTRATIVE
black eagle of the North Star State
occupies a desk Immediately behind that
Of Senator Spooner. and through a habit
contracted while studying law he consuIts
the wisconsin statesman on nearly every
constitutional question that comes up.
Mr.. Clapp studied law under Senator
Spooner more than thirty years ago, and
he speaks of the Wisconsin Senator with
the same affection and reverence felt by
college graduate for the favorte
teacher of the days Of his adolescence.
This does not however. prevent him
from taking sharp issue with his mentor
on many constitutional issues that arise
in debate 1t is recalled that during the
progress OF the railrOad-rRte debate at the
last session OF Congress Mr.. Clapp. who
was one of the leaders OF the President s
original contention, frequently locked
horns with Mr.. SpooneT, and right royal
combat ensued every time too.
How sharper than a serpeut.s tooth it
is to have a thankless child" Senator
SpOoner was heard TO murmuT going down
in Senate elevator one day just after he
had had a fierce tussle with Senator Clapp
on a constitutional question
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
SENATORIAL PRIMARIES.
Progress OF the Movement for Pop,
uiar Election OF Upper Body.

MAR Election OF Upper Body.
From the Boston Herald.
Senatorial primaries are held by law
ia Wisconsin. oregon, Illinois Mississippi.
South Carolina, Alabama. Virginia. Flor
ida, Georgia, and Louisiana State party
committees nave conducted them In Ten
nessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky.
Candidates for Senator have been rec
ommended' by party conventions in
Michigan, Minnesota, and elsewhere.
Bills are either pending or under discus
sion IN Kansas. Washington. Iowa. North
Dakota. South Dakota Idaho, Mime
sofa, and Michigan
The movement started in the South
where nomination by one party means
sure election, and where the people would
rarely designate candidate Of the oppo-
sition party to that Of the majority in the
legislature In North Carolina, however,
two Republicans have been thus sent to
Washington Spreading to the Middle
West and the Northwest. where the
parties are more evenly balanced. the
primary hes found politicians fgnting
against an apprehended DISCRIMINATION
Of parties In Oregon and Wisconsin,
however. most primary advocates re-
sist a provision for party decIara-
ton and separate party primaries
even though a weak minority may
Join the smaller faction % majority
party and defeat party domination. IN
Oregon, 20 guard against reversal OF
the popular will by the legislature. candi-
dates for membership IN the body must
sign a declaration either agreeing to
abide by the primary or else refusing 50
10 agree.
In order 10 guarantee that a majority
and not a plurality only shall be assured
some candidate, ii is proposed in Wiscon-
sin 10 let the voter indicate, in ballOting
for all Offices. a second choice. BY
dropping. in the count the low man." II
would be almost certain that one Of the
others would obtain a majority Of first OF
second choice votes.
II will be interesting 10 see whether the
tendency 10 set the people as a whole
above the parties viii abolish party pTima-
ries and concentrate the whole vote on a
free-for-aU election. The expense OF two
campaigns. one for nomination and the
second for election, has the effect Of eX-
GLIDING all except rich men aud OF
doubling the opportunities OF the graft
ers
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Testimony That Richards Justice.

From the Louisville Courier Journal
There is not the slightest room for
doubt that the cause of justice is greatly
impeded by the activity of pretended
medical experts who swear to anything
that they arc paid TO testify The inn
munity which they enjoy in many cases
is due to the Incompetence OF the law
yeTs on the other side, VINO have not the
equipment necessary 10 enable them TO
expose these pretenders. Every public
prosecutor should be well up in medical
Jurisprudence in order to be prepared for
such witnesses.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

phia Ledger. really marks distinct ad-
vance in the direction of intelligent re-
sponsibility in Congressional legislation. "
That this Is true is due 10 the careful and
labor Of Mr.. Burton, VINO Is
conspicuously the right man in the right
place. We trust he may be persuaded TO
remain at the head Of the committee.
with the work Of which he is so familiar
and where he is in a position TO render
conspicuous service to the country.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

A party OF Republican House members
were discussing the Presidents suggestion
10 Postmaster General Cortely0u TO shut
out from the mails all newspapers that
print the Indecent details Of the Thaw
trial This led 20 a general discussion
of the press. its power. its functions, and
privileges.
If it were not for the vigilant press Of
this country. with its trained corps Of
representatives I'm Washington said Mr..
Littlefield of Maine. Il don't know
whether I would care TO serve in Con
gress. Ny experience here has taught me
that the newspapers perform a service of
inestimable value to the country. ] some
times think that Congress would drift into
many excuses If the press gallery were
not mere TO keep us in bounds
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
CAPITOL GOSSIP.
Maryland senatorship.

The Maryland contingent IS getting all
agog over the big fight opening in their
State for the Senatorship. Preparations
are being made by the managers of both
parties for a close and determined con-
test. The new legislature will be
elected next November and will as
semble early in January II will have
the double duty to perform Of electing
some one to fiji the unexpired term Of
the late Arthur Pue German. and Of elect
ing a Senator for the full term beginning
in March 1909 The veteran William
Pinkney Rhyte has announced his de-
termination to keep out Of the tight. and
will step aside as soon as the legisla-
ture assemblies.
II the Democrats control the legislature
the fight for the tOga will be between
Gov Warfield and Representative J. Fred
.C. Talbot. of Baltimore County. Mr.
Talbot is skilled in the German
school Of politics. and was one Of
Mr.. Germans most trusted lieuten-
ants for years. He is now gen
orally regarded as the successor OF Cor
man in the old organization which was
controlled for so long a time by Mary
lands great Senator He has been desig-
mated by Chairman Taggart to take Mr..
Germans splace or the Democratic ma
tional committee
II the Republicans carry the legislature
the contest will be between Attorney Cen
eral BOnapaTte and Representative Mudd
-"Marse sydney" II is well understood
that the national administration viii be
favorable 10 Mr.. BOnaparte, and thus, so
far as the Republicans are concerned,
the Maryland Senatorial contest will be
invested with a national political char
acter. Should President Roosevelt's A.
torney General win the Senatorship. Mr..
Bonaparte would doubtless control the
delegation TO the Republican national
convention
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
A LITTLE NONSENSE.
IN TROUBLE.

Little mouse IN the trap,
Yours is quite n dire mishap.
In a trice
You have drunk Of sorrows lees
Bartered liberty for cheese
Psltry price,
Still you did not, ] dare say,
Guess the price you had TO pay
Till too late.
As you for the cheese did go,
Poor OLD chap, you didn't know
Twas bait.
/ by bait have captured been.
In trap. with sickly grin.
Forced TO bide;
Getting out as best I might.
Likewise losing in my fight
Lots OF hide.
Therefore I will set you free;
And when trouble comes to me
Some dark day.
May find, like you. a friend
Who will me rejoicing send
On my way.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
BROwNING'S LINEAGE.

How blind the toll that burrows Ike the mole.
Ia winding gTaveyard pathways under ground
For BTowEings liEesgol What if men have foam,
Poor fo0tmen rich merchants on the ron
OF his forebeaTs9 Did shey bcget his soul
Nay. FOR he came Of sncS~-Ey renowned
IN poesy through all the world and crowned
With fadelesg light that shines from pole to pole.
The hlazons his poet's shield are these:
The flaming sign Of Sheileys heart FIRE,
The golden globe Of Shakespeafes human stage
The STAFF and scrip Of Chaucer's pilgrimage
The rose Of Dsute's deep. divine desire
The tragic mask q wise EuTipides
Henry Van Dyke IN Atlantic Monthly
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
where Hartman Might Be Useful.

From The New 1OTk NOrld-
Mr.. Hartman airily suggests that il
they Will raise the salary he may Apply
for a job on the Interstate Commerce
Commission. If the commission is TO
run the railroads. I think they ought to
want ,yc" Mr. Hartman might in GER
tain circumstances make a very useful
Interstate Commerce Commissioner; but
isn't il a curious commentary on Mr.. Har-
rimans theory Of the universe that he
should regard as a joke the notion of his
rendering public service? When did the
business Of government become unworthy
Of a Harriman's talents?
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

A good many States in the Union would
be glad of an opportunity to choose be-
tween John Sharp Williams and Gov
Vardaman to represent them in the
United States Senate.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
They Are. Indeed.

DO You trust your staff humorist to
select the clipped jokes you use?''
Yes, and he clips good ones. too. Oh,
newspaper men are an honest lot
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Our Swollen Tariff.

FIom the Richmond Times Dispatch.
Meanwhile, there lies the tariff. stil
awaiting a political surgeon who under
stands how to operate for dropsy
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

The South Carolina dispensary system Is
said to be the product Of one Hon. T.
Larry Gannt, a gentleman whose name
reminds one of a couple of tons of snow
sliding OF a roof Having done his
worst in South Carolina, the Hon. T..
Larry. &c. has taken to the woods some
where across the line I'm Georgia
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

From The St. Louis Post-Dispstch.
War means murder. vice graft, theft,
debt vainglory, unspeakable human suf-
fering
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Two ConsIderntIons.

Il suppose il you could give everybody
an outside room, your troubles would be
few"
They would" responded the hotel
clerk. IL I could give everybody an out
side room at an inside price"
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Our New Apostles of Liberty.

From the Boston Transcript.
Tt is remarkable that the oil promoters
and the coal operators have attached an
Importance 10 the liberty of citizenship
in the Indian Territory which they do not
manifest for il in other communities.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
WeIcnme 10 Him

From the Chicago Record Herald.
The Gaekwar OF Baroda is reported to
be thinking OF hiring an American as his
personal adviser. 1t would be gratifying
if he would take Chancellor Day.
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
To nndro With

Have these commercial bandits no con
scientlous scruples whatever"
They must have some. You seldom
hear Of one Of them doing jury duty"
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12

The Rochester Herald calls attention to
the fact that Chauncey VI. Depew received
ninety-nine votes for the Presidential
nomination in the Chicago convention Of
1855. There is hardly any doubt that the
next convention would cheerfully record
tWenty-three for him
The Washington herald., 1907-02-12
Largo VACANCY Threatened.

From the Milwaukee Sentinel.
It win be pretty difficult to get used to
Theodore Roosevelt in the role Of private
citizen