davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11
THF WTDr oprN pRTw1RT.

II is noticeable fact that those persons
who were most violently opposed 20 the
open primary and secret ballot plan are
those that have been for years the political
manipulators, the wire-pullers and conven-
tion tricksters, who haze depended for re-
suits upon the ability. 20 make political
trades IN conventions to the interest Of
whom II Is TO prevent the people, the tnde-
pendent voters OF the state, from being able
10 have a word or two in the nomination
as well as the election Of candidates.
Whether it, effect be the best that can be
obtained or not, It is certain that il is the
plan which r. opposed by the politicians
and II Is the plan which will bring the
nomination Of public ONCE holders down
close 10 the people world-TIeraid
This all sounds very fine, but It does
not jibe with the opinion of another
very high democratic authority sup
posed to be equally solicitious for the
peoples rights, yet who has pro-
nounced against the wtde-open prl-
mary. Discussing the direct primary
in the issue of his paper dated Febru-
airy % last, William jennings Bryan
says:
The Commoner prefers the plan which
compels the voter to announce his party
Affiliations; for without this the majority
party may make the nominations for the
minority party as well.
The editor of The Bee does not hes
itate to say, even with the prospect Of
being classed among the politicians"
that we prefer the primary plan which
compels the voter to announce his
party affliations. The wide-open pTia
mary makes It possible not only for
the majority party to make the nomi-
nations for the minority party, but
also for the minority party, under GER
tain conditions, to make the nomina-
lions for the majority party as we'll
In the last city primary in Omaha, for
example, in which the democrats had
but one candidate for mayor as against
three in the republican lists the demo-
Gratis could easily have undertaken to
pick for the republicans the candidate
they regarded as likely to be most
easily defeated at the election.
The sentimental plea for the indie
pendent voter is we'll grounded for
the exercise of his sovereign right of
suffrage at the election, but it has no
application to a primary election to
choose the candidates of the different
parties. Every qualified citizen has
right to vote at an election. but no
one has any right to participate in the
nomination of a party candidate. ex-
cept as he may be member of that
party, and no one should object to the
enforcement of any reasonable test to
determine whether or not membership
in the party has been properly ac-
CURED
The Bee favors a statewide pri-
mary. It would also like to have the
primary law as nearly perfected for
practical operation as possible. The
wide-open primary cannot possibly
prove as satisfactory in its working as
the plan which compels the voter to
announce his party Affiliations
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Blue Springs Sentinel: II the few demo-
Gratis in the state Legislature are as sue
oessful nllbustering the opposition on
the planks contained In the republican plat
form as they were IN securing their own
main plank. the two-cent fare into law,
they can feel that they have not lived in
vain As the home run Is now being made
the republicans will have 20 look well to
their laurels or there win be none CLEANED.
Newman Grove Reporter: Have the
progressive republicans of the senatorial
district ever figured out how greatly Il
would be to their advantage n they could
only get themselves disenfranchised2 Boone
county Is one Of the leading progressive
counties I'm the state and yet they are
represented In the senate by a man who
is recognized as Burns and McKesson's
chief aid, by man who Is standing
squarely on his past record. II, last fall,
some kind providence had taken away
their right TO vote they would now have
senator who would be working for what
they want.
David City Banner: The republican legis-
lature has gone to work this wipnf to re-
deem and make good every promise made
to the people in the platform on which
they were elected, and we are pleased TO
state that Butler county's representatives
are doing their part in redeeming those
pledges. II is also IA source Of satlstac-
ton to the people to see the opposition
standing shoulde, to shoulder with the re-
publicans, assisting in the enactment OF
legislation demanded by the people In
fact party lines have almost been wiped
out this winter and both branches are al
most a unite In the enactment of all inn
portant legislation.
Schuyler Free Lance: In the legislature
the fusion members all lined up for the
2-cent fiat rate and many republicans were
against any change or for the Sheldon
idea, but in spite of that the republicans
had a majority OF more than three to one
and had it all in their hands and win get
the political credit. They should have Il,
too. The time for fusionsts to get such
credit was In the past when they had a
big majority and had the power in their
hands. But Their they fell down and did
practically nothing and were as bad a
bunch of corporation tools as ever were in
the state. The day for the fusionist to
claim the credit for any such work is past
and It passed because of the failure to do.
after such profuse promises to so do. In
this legislature each fusion member is en-
titled to individual credit, but so far as
the party is concerned 1t is a poor second
and cannot claim anything.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11
NO LnArlNG At PANAMA..

Every announcement that comes out
from Washington concerning the re-
Organization of the Panama canal
under the engineers corps Of the army
carries an assertion. in one form or
another, that there will be no more
loafing or dawdling on the isthmus,
but that the real work of excavation
VIII proceed in earnesty. The impress
sion has been created b. these an
nouncements, and strengthened by
critics of the canal management. that
but little progress has been made in
the actual work on the great enter
prise. The facts are all to the con-
trary. and the records show that the
amount of work on the enterprise and
that remarkable progress has been
made in the last year.
The construction OF the canal was
begun under most depressing condi-
tons. While the public sentiment had
been coached up to great expectations,
the engineers in charge found 1t
simply impossible to do anything in
the way of actual digging for more
than a year after the first, working
corps reached the isthmus. 1t was
necessary to practically rebuild all the
towns in the canal zone, adopt a sewer
age and sanitation system, construct
water works and living places for the
laborers and make the zone fit habi-
tation for white men. This required
much time and the expenditure of a
vast amount of money, but the pre-
liminary work has been done and the
force at the isthmus is now devoting
its energies to dirt removal The re-
port of Chief Engineer Stevens shows
that in July. 1904, the United States
removed 1889 cubic yards from the
Culebra cut; 1880 cubic yards in
July. 1905, and 1903 cubic yards
last July. This was increased to
244,S44 cubic yards in August. and a
gain has been shown with each Month
since. Last month 900. 900 cubic yards
we're removed, and Mr. Stevens hopes
TO close the present month with a
record of 100000 cubic yards,
Critics of the administration have
been busily quoting figures to show
the large amount of money that has
been expended on the canal, compared
with the amount of actual excavation
work accomplished, but the conditions
on the isthmus today furnish the best
proof that the money has been well
spent The sanitary conditions have
been perfected, railway facilities have
been enlarged, housing has been pro
vided for the army Of laborers and all
preliminary work disposed of so that
the officials in charge may now direct
their entire attention TO the work of
excavation. and building with a GER
tainty that future reports will show a
progress that viii silence the most
cautious critics.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11
PERKINS SEES THE POINT.
Peril of Using Trust Funds for Cam
paign Purposes.
Chicago News.

chicago News,
George w Perkins formerly vice presi-
dent of the New York Life Insurance COM
pany, has sent his check for S54 9.19 to
the president OF that great depository Of
trust funds. This sum represents the 49,
500, with interest, which Mr. Perkins paid
to the treasurer of the republican cam
paign committee in 1904 He says he paid
the money in behalf OF the insurance COM
pany and at the request OF its president
Though Mr.. Perkins thought he was max
ing this campaign contribution in the in
terests Of those whose money he was CIV
ing away. he has found out in recent
months that there are plenty of persons
who hold firmly to the contrary opinion.
Only last week the New York court Of ap-
peals gave him a close rub on the charge
Of grand larceny. letting him go by vote
OF 4 to s, with some highly appropriate re-
marks about the improperly OF the ex-
penditure.
So Mr.. Perkins has given back the money.
That was the proper thing TO do. Being
convinced against his will. he may be OF
the same opinion still. In any event, he
and other custodians Of trust funds have
had an excellent opportunity TO learn what
the public thinks of the expenditure Of
such funds for political and similar pur-
poses.
The education Of our great fnanclers Is
proceeding In a fairly satisfactory manner
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

When the railroad influence at
Washington succeeded in killing an
amendment to the postofice appropria-
ton bill for a change in the method
of Weighing the mails the railroad
managers we're in high spirits and &C
cepted without great protest other pro-
visions of the bill which provided for
a reduction of about $1,00O,0 900 a year
on the item ofrailway postal cars and
another 100000 a year in lowered
contracts. Under the old law the mail
carried by road for a week, of seven
days was divided by six to ascertain
the average daily weight, on which the
compensation to the railroads was
based. The roads succeeded in defeat
ing the amendment to make the
weeks total divisible by seven to get
the daily average.
But just after the adjournment of
congress Mr.. Cortelyou, then post
master general. issued an order re-
establishing the arithmetic as an au-
thority and fixing seven as the divisor
for the average of the weekly mail
total. This change will reduce the
mall carrying compensation about IL
per cent, meaning, a loss to them of
another s6,OO0,OOO a year. The rail-
road managers have>t told the Postoffice
department that they cannot meet the
new limitations put upon them with
out changing their schedules to give
slower and less frequent train service.
They assert that 9 reorganization Of
the train schedules and dropping of
many trains, especially in the Sunday
traffic, will follow inevitably. They
insist further that If the people com
plain of the poorer accommodations
they must blame the lawmakers and
the Post Office department.
The average American has lived in
the woods too long to be scared by
screech owls Mail carrying is not the
exclusive business of railway trains
these days. The monthly statistics of
the different railroads show almost in
variably large increases in the pas
senger earnings and no railroad mana
ger can deny that. with the rapid de-,
velopment of the country. the pas
senger traffic Of the country justified
the passenger train accommodations
offered, without regard to the item of
mail carrying. The people want the
best possible mail facilities and are
willing to pay for them. but they are
not ready to stand and deliver to the
railroads whatever may be demanded
as compensation for mail transporta-
ton. NJ Ell
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11
personal NOTES.

That air Of profound gloom and melan.
choly you note about the newspaper of
fees is occasioned by the cessation of the
daily visit from the esteemed Congress
sional Record
Secretary Taft is going 70 Cuba on
very grave and important mission. The fate
Of the Cuban republic may rest on the re-
suit Of his visit He is going TO see what
can be done about cock lighting.
It is now accepted that the wind blew
that Chicago subtreasury $4,000 Off the
teller's desk into the waste basket and the
faithful janitor cremated it. Must have
thought Uncle Sam had money to burn.
japanese paper announces that the
king of Siam is about to undertake
journey around the world. He will first
visit Japan, sailing from thence to this
country, and proceeding home by way of
Europe.
The beauties of perfect discipline were
never more forcibly illustrated than they
were the other day when $500 children
marched out of a New York public school
building in perfect order while the roof
burned over their heads ana biazihg brands
fell about them
Many candidates are being brought out
to take the seat of Senator spooner when
he resigns, notably among them being
Isaac Stevenson, millionaire lumberman
of Wisconsin,; Governor James o. Davidson,
now serving his second term, and w. l..
Conner, lieutenant governor OF the state.
March is a sacred day with the fathers
Of Chicago. ~ is the annual strike day,
and was observed this year with ceremonies
BETTING the occasion, All hands quit work
ployers came around and rendered the eour-
tesies Of the season. Then every man
grabbed his Ratchet and got busy. Thus
were the traditions of the craft upheld.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

and establishing and maintaining
healthy conditions in the homes and
working places of the people. The re-
suit Of this activity must soon produce
gratifying beneficial effects. It's need
is painfully emphasized by the depres-
sing mortality statistics Just issued.
The development Of the good physical
health of the nation is more important
than progress in material fiches.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Mr.. Hearst has formally announced
that he has no further use for the
democratic party, but returns from
several New York elections would dne
dictate that the democratic party beat
him to t.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11
Abuses, Not individuals. AssaIIed.

The moods q railway owners and oper-
ators like Harriman-whether deferential or
arrogant-are matters OF supreme indiffer-
enoe 10 the public. But 1t would save them
and the people alike much annoyance II
they would quickly realize that the people
are engaged In no agitation against the
railways. but against the abuse Of railway
privileges. and that the public Is 70 friendly
70 the railways that It intends they shall
DO fully developed for the benefit OF tho
public service and not OF the stock brokers
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

The strongest word against the
theory OF the "unwritten law" was ut
tered by Judge Harrison at Culpepper,
Va. the other day in delivering his
instructions to the jury in a sensa-
tional criminal case. Two Strothers
brothers were on trial for the killing
of one Bywaters, said to have wronged
and then married their sister. There
was no conflict in the evidence of the
case. The brothers had been present
at the marriage of their sister to By
waters, and had shot him to death
when he attempted to leave the house
to return to his own home after the
ceremony Both families were promi-
nently connected and identified with
all the traditions of honor" on which
Virginians have held almost a mo-
nopoly. In his instructions to the jury,
the evidence and arguments having
shown that the defense proposed to
rely upon the ''unwritten law" appeal
Judge Harrison said:
4 CdNlOt let Int OCCASION pass WlluOuA
saying emphatically that no such law is
known to the courts of this commonwealth
II by such law II Is meant that a person
can take the law in his own hand and
right his wrong, however great the wrong
suffered by him may be- Provocation,
however great, cannot Justify or excuse
homicide by a responsible person. 1t can
only be considered in mitigation OF the
offense. Under certain circumstances It
will reduce murder to manslaughter, but
an fn1 rsnHf iona
person must seek redress for wrong through
the law and leave his vengeance to his God.
The courts declaration came as
something of a surprise to the Vir-
ginians, whose respect for the 'un-
written law" had always been ample
to warrant acquittals in cases such as
was on trial. The jury evidently was
impressed more by tradition than by
the courts instructions, for it
promptly returned a verdict of not
guilty. Judge Harrison's comment on
the verdict was rather remarkable. in
view of his charge to the Jury. 1t can
be explained only on the theory that
his instructions were given as a Judge
while he spoke as a virginian gentle
man after the verdict had been re-
turned, when he said:
Gentlemen Of the jury, I thank you for
a verdict which I think will be approved
by the public. It is an established pre-
cedent in the state Of Virginia that no man
tried for defending the sanctity of his~home'
should be found guilty
It is we'll for the country that the
Virginia idea does not obtain gem
orally. If juries were to accept these
excuses murder would flourish as
means of gratifying personal revenge
and hate. The right to kill in self
defense is as old as the ages, and the
courts and juries have been slow to
punish a man who kills another In
defense of his home. but Justice is
thwarted when the higher plea" is
successful in acquitting man for
wrecking one home on his plea that
he is defending his own. Defense be-
hind the "unwritten law" is nothing
short of a plea of guilty with an APP
peal to the preiudices of the jury. 1t
is as much a suspension of law in re-
Spouse to public opinion as is a lynch
ing in response to public passion.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11
Back 20 simple Division.
Navv Wortr Trfh,,pa

Mr.. COrtelyou's last act as postmaster
general is. much to be commended. In
indicating arithmetical principles In the
computation of days carrying Of the
mails he cut a knot which congress could
not ind a way 10 loosen, The mystery OF
construction" was never carried further
than In the departments time honored
method OF obtaining the seventh Of given
dividend by dividing 1t by six.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

compelled to pay more for shelf in a
Pullman car than for well-furnished
room with a bath n irst-class hotel.
Pullman car patrons may be fewer
than the patrons OF ordinary passenger
coaches, but they VIII welcome a
measure OF relief just as warmly.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

A California orator declared In
burst OF eloquence: ''This movement
is fathered by thousands OF Cali
fornia's best women" That's almost
equal to Congressman Billy sulzer's
declaration. Having set our hands 10
the pillow, We must sail ahead. let the
chips tan where they may"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Mr.. Cortelyou celebrated his first day
as secretary of the treasury by taking
a lunch of salmon sandwich. mince
pie and a bowl of half and half.
Clearly the president should have
made Mr. Conelyou secretary of the
Department Of Interior Affairs
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

NiAANeeN ANNNoAA-AANAaAus
The uncharitable are wondering what Mr..
Harriman's game" Is, and what scheme
OF stock manipulation his soft words are
concealing. But let US hope the conversion
Is genuine and suspend judgment while
while the commission. the Department OF
Justice and the conservative railroad men
continue their work OF separating railroad
ing from stock gambling and OF vigiiantiy
watching the Harrimans
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Our old legislative friend, requiring
gasoline cans to be painted red, has
bobbed up again at the top of the bill
file at Lincoln and managed to run the
gauntlet of one branch of the legisla-
ture. A red oil can. of course. will
not explode half as easily as blue
one or a green one.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

That Missouri woman who is seek
ing a divorce because her husband
threw her valuable alarm clock out
the window ought to get a verdict.
No man should be allowed to waste
other folks time.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

And now we are told that South
Omaha is delighted" with the Lee
annexation bill. This is substantially
the same bill that was killed two years
ago by the South Omaha petition in
boots. oh, what difference two
years makel
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

The city of Milwaukee is Offering
prize for the most appropriate design
for a new city seal. That's easy-a
loaded schooner crossing the bar.
Please remit by money order or certi-
ned check.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

When that chicken stealing bill be-
comes law hen-roost Doaehers will
have TO keep in close touch with the
poultry market 10 make sure that they
are stopping short Of IS worth of fuss
and feathers.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

When Omaha comes to celebrate the
one-hundredth anniversary of its city
government, wonder II anyone will
take the trouble to dig up the names
of the present council members.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Apparently Secretary Taft wasted his
time in trying to Induce congress to
pass the Philippine tariff reduction
bills. instead of going direct to the
Sugar trust with his arguments.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Colonel Bryan certihes in his Com
moner that Mayor Dunno of Chicago
has been an honest. courageous and
faithful mayor" who deserves a re-
election. Roger Sullivan's endorse
ment has not yet been printed.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

One odious lobbyist has finally been
elected from the floor of the senate
wing Of the state house. No hired
lobbyist Of the railroads, however, has
found the door closed IN his face.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Ambassador Bryce may find IL
necessary to explain at the White
House what he meant by that chapter
in his American Commonwealth" en-
titled why Great Men Are Not Made
Presidents"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Omaha High school boys lost out in
their debate at Des Moines in which
they advocated election of United
States senators by direct vote of the
people. But they should not be dis
couraged. The irresistible logic of
events is pretty sure to vindicate their
position, even though it may not re-
trieve their oratory.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

If Mr., Hartman fails to carry out
HIS conciliatory promises relative TO
the future management Of American
railways President Roosevelt may be
pardoned II he has what the alienists
call a brain storm.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Census reports show that Pittsburg
has fewer divorces than most cities.
but the newspaper reports would indi-
cate that Pittsburg pays less attention
than most cities to the formality of
getting divorces.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Omaha, Los Angeles, Louisville and
Detroit are well punched in the weekly
bank clearings exhibit. That is pretty
good company to be in.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

The announcement of the appoint
ment of deputies for County Assessor
Reed should warn every one that the
tax assessor will soon be once more
abroad in the land.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

With the ministerial half fare cut
off. the congregation may expect an
application for increased salary for
the occupant of the pulpit.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

Editor Congressman Hitchcock is
still boosting for Greater Omaha in his
editorial columns and knocking
against It in his news columns.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

WHEN OUT OF TOWN.
Subscribers leaving the city tenn
pOrariIy should have The bee
mailed to them. Address Will be
changed as often as requested.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-11

The president has not been very sue
eessful in getting his treaties ratified
by the senate, but he may have better
results If he succeeds in negotiating
treaty with Hartman and his associ-
ates.