davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
LATEST THING ~ CONSTITUTIONS

1t is more than a decade since any state in
this country has had to make constitution out
OF hand. Oklahoma enjoys. therefore the great
advantage Of being able 10 avail herself of the
latest theories of what a constitution ought
to be. When we read few Of the provisions
Incorporated into the still incomplete instru-
ment Of Oklahoma we realize how far back In
the misty past the fathers Of the American Con-
stitution were. They were mere tyros. abece-
darians I'm the art of making the fundamental
law Of government. The modern constitution
maker has ideas they never dreamed Of They
laid down few of the general principles of
government and were quite content but the
constitution makers of to-day are alive to the
problems Of the hour and are ready TO solve
them all ia detail In the fundamental law
They leave nothing 70 legislation that can DOS
sibly be put into the constitution. They Will
start the state right with all tie brightest and
best of modern notions. If there is a bit of
experimental legislation popular in a large part
Of the country they put it into the constitution
50 as TO be strictly UP to date
Two-cent passenger rate bills are pending IN
ten or a dozen state legislatures Oklahoma
VIII start of ar a point which the most ex-
peditious Of the other states are Just reaching
Her constitutional convention has already in
corporated twO-cenr maximum passenger rate
IN the constitution. She is the first TO do IT,
and II may 5e years before another will catch
up with her. Some other states have constitu-
tional provisions forbidding state officers and
employees 10 accept passes from the railroads
Oklahoma has the latest idea. Sections have
been adopted compelling officers to take an oath
that they viii not ride on passes during their
terms of Office and disqualfying judges who use
franks OF passes. There is also under consd-
GRAFTON a proposition TO make II misdemeanor
FOR any person other than employees of the road
and physicians and nurses in cases of emergency
to ride on pass upon any railroad In the state
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28

If that impetuous youth who struggled up an
Alp with a flag marked "Excelsior" ha,i ONLY
waited few years he might have been spared
much futile heroism by getting aboard a cable
road and being whlsked TO the snowy goal OF his
ambitions. Indeed, he might even have attained
SUBMITS quite beyond the reach Of any flag
bearing wayfarer, for to-day even the Jungfrau
has her railway, and the stubborn Mattprhoru is
threatened.
And yet we fancy that the impetuous youth
would have been much irrltated if he had found
a comfortable car awaiting him mt the foot of
the mountain. lie would have dlsllkcd to see
his embroidered motto painted in vulgar white
lead on the sheet iron TANKS Of a locomotive
We are sure of this because find all his col
leagues-to wit, the thick calved AIpinists-
raising a howl against the proposal to build Il
combination cog and rachel and cable road 10
the tip Of the Matterhorns stony spur. The old
school mountain climbers are wrathfu because
this almost inaccessible peak would become Il
tramping ground for the pestilential tourist
Bald rocks, strangers TO all save the climbing
artist and the cirCllng lammergpyer would be
scratched with the initials Of cockney lovers
Academic Founders would smear the dizzy cliffs
with the figures of their graduating class Pea
nut shells and greasy paper would sully the
virgin snow with reminders of the last family
party. What mountalneer would want to risk
his life IN clambering up the threatening sleeps
that lead TO such pollution?
Worst Of all, though, the engineers urging the
undertaking plan to erect hotel on the summit
and even hope 70 equip the building with a com
pressed air room wherein novices unable to
breathe the thin air of the upper Matterhorn
may take their natural gas straight" and I'M
diluted Thus will the solitude Of the majestic
peak permanently cease TO be eternal; the click
of the billiard ball and the latest story of the
commercial traveller will resound there until
MIN shall be no more
In some moods there is much pleasure in
grieving over the plight of the true Alpinists
1t is sad to see the world being swiftly stripped
of its poetry sad TO see men who are willing to
be heroes for pOetry's sake driven out of their
Jobs by gangs of rock blasters and section hands
But progress takes no heed of such melancholy
musings. The time seems perlously near when
there Will no longer be on the face of the earth
a single dangerous occupation whose pursuit
docs not benefit mankind. Can the Alpinists
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
About People and Social Incidents.

night, asking to meet them Senator ana Mrs. Dry
dem Senator and Mrs Buckley, Dr. Edward
Everett Hale, Senator Perkins. Mrs. Nelson Ding
ley, Representative and Mrs. Van Nechten Olcott-
Mrs Warner. Justice and Mrs ClabauSh the
president of the Carnegie Institute and Mrs Wood
ward Mr. and Mrs Frederick d. Mckinney and
Colonel and Mrs. NJ NJ. Parker.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Phelps Emo had dining
with them tonight Justice Moody. Mrs Z. b
Wood and Miss Grace Allen. from New York and
house guests of the hostess; Mr.. and Mrs Hennen
Jennings Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Bell. Mrs. Will
lam Keep, Admiral SchIey. Colonel Ras3opon, Mrs
Stanley Mathews, M. HemphH dhI Colonel and
Mrs. Denny
The Hon. Maud Pauncefote who has been the
guest of Mrs. Richard TOWNSEND for several
weeks will go to New York tomorrow. where she
will visit Miss Kate b EiCe and other friends
She will return Washington before sailing Tor
Europe.
Mrs Walker Fearn will leave Washington FOR
Cincinnati tomorrow. where she will be tae
guest of Mrs Nicholas LonSworth-
Representative and Mrs. j. Slott Fassett have
bought the house belonging TO Rear Admiral and
Mrs MCGOWAN in y street, opposite the home OF
General Miles
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
THE PERSEVERANCE or ENGINEERS.

THE PERSEVERANCE or ENGINEERS.
In one respect the latest change in isthmian
canal affairs will be generally regarded as sat
isfactory and reassuring. With the departure
of Mr.. Stevens a member of the General stan
of the army is put in charge of the work. 1t
may safely be assumed that he will not sud
denly offer his resignation. but will stay at
his post and do the work TO which he has been
assigned. That circumstance will mark a graft
flying improvement IN the conduct Of the en-
terprise
The first chief engineer employed by the gov
eminent from civil life did excellent work. He
took hold of the canal when ii was in the
chaotic state in which the moribund French
company left II, aud. despite the handicap of a
lack OF sympathy and cooperation on the part
of the Canal Commission quickly evolved a
highly efficient degree of order and did a vast
amount of Invaluable work. But then he sud
denly and Unexpectedly resigned and in so
doing came very near TO causing the govern
mcnt grave embarrassment
The second chief engineer succeeded to the
fine state of organization left by his prede-
ceSSOr. and continued the work in an energetic
manner He had the important advantages OF
the unhesitating and cordial support of the
commission, of which he himself one of
the principal members, and OF the ready ac-
QuescenCe of the whole government in all his
though a sea level canal might have been made
as quickly and as chcaply, and the President
and Congress sanctioned that plan. He wanted
a blanket contract made for the whole job
instead Of a series of individual contracts such
his predecessor had suggested-and wanted
it made on novel percentage plan, and the
President let him have his way. When the
bids for the contract were in he recommended
that they all be rejected and the President
consequently rejected them And then he, too,
suddenly and unexpectedly resigned.
In view Of such an experience, there would
be cause for some apprehension if a third chief
engineer were sought in civil life. 1t would be
feared that he, too. might resign to accept
some more lucrative job. and that he might do
so at time when more embarrassment might
be caused to the government than has arisen
from the designations of Mr. Wallace and Mr.
Stevens. 1t will therefore rs we have said, be
reaSSurng to have the place filled by a dis
tinguished army engineer who has devoted his
whole life TO the service of the government, and
who may be trusted not 10 desert the Colors
in the presence Of the enemy. There Is no Oc-
caslon to enter into comparisons, odious or
otherwise. between the abilities of engineers
in civil and in military life, but il is appro-
PIRATE TO say that the nation has full and we'll
founded confidence IN the competence and IN
tegrity Of its army engineers ana also IN their
perseverance in the work 10 which they are
assigned.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
4 MISCHIErOUs pROP4G4yD4

The Fictitious propaganda against Cuban
autonomy is probably productive of more mirth
than mischief in Cuba itself. where the utter
holowness Of the thing is well understood
Even there, however, there is some possibiJitv
Of its aiding and abetting the forces Of disorder
and crime. 10 which its appeal is somewhat di-
rectly made, and it certainly is discreditable
and might, were the campaign less futile, be
dshearten!ng, 10 have such uncalled for and
virulent attacks directed in his own land
against the man who is quietly, bravely and
successfully maintaining the nations honor and
good faith in Cuba and at the same time
is doing n work of inestmable value TO that
Island and it's people Governor Magoon ought
to have the loyal support of the whole United
States instead of being stabbed in the back
But there is danger Of real mischief being
done elsewhere, in the more remote lands of
Latin America where the circumstances are
not so we'll understood and where this anti
Cuban propaganda may be estimated at more
than its actual worth, or worthlessness. There
are still, as there have been heretofore those
who desire to keep North and South America
apart. and who eagerly seize upon any oppor-
tunity to arouse or to increase distrust of the
United States among the southern republics
Properly understood, our present action in Cuba
should, of course, increase confidence in the I'M
selfishness and benevolence of this country or
at least demonstrate that in serving it's own
interests this country offers no menace TO the
interests Of its neighbors. Misunderstood and
wicliedly distorted into a hypOcritical attempt
TO burke Cuban autonomy under pretence Of
aiding (which is precisely what these propa-
gandsts are trying to make it appear-the Incl
dent of Intervention and temporary administra-
ton might inspire some nations with deplorable.
though wholly unwarranted, dstrust.
We must hope that the truth will prevail and
that throughout Central and South America the
Cuban situation will be seen as 1t is, and not as
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28

II a maximum freight rate IS also put into the
constitution Oklahoma will start with the rail-
road problem solved out of hand Think Of the
blessed boon of being constituted in this year of
grace 1907
Oklahoma Will have the constitutional right
TO engage In any business wherein the dignity OF
the state is never likely to be assaled except ag
rlcultural pursuits which are specially excepted.
The new commonwealth will thus be full pano-
piled for war on the trusts and ready for state
ownership whenever necessary. The initiative and
the referendum are of course in the constitution.
There is a fine plan in II for taking the talnt
ont Of iniunctions. A section gives any person
cited for violating an injunction the right or
trial by jury, thus barring Judges from the I'M
mediate enforcement Of injunction orders IN
times of strike or other public disturbances
4 person who has enjoyed an immunity pain
may never hold Office in Oklahoma. one cor
poration is forbidden to own stock in any other
corporation definition Of n Negro as per-
son within the third degree Of African descent
will probably go into the organic law
These are few novelties which should make
Oklahoma Johnny on-the-Spot in regard 10 its
constitution. And vet there are rumors here in
the East that the constituent assembly is not en-
loving itself, We should think it must be
having the time Of its life What do Oklahoman
tastes run 10, anyway
When we read of the Western notions Of con-
stitution making we cannot help feeling a GER
tain satisfaction that the American ConStitu-
ton Is hard to amend The constitution max
ing habit might easily become as bad as the
law making habit, and an excessive constitution
might be as troublesome as excessive leglsia-
tion. Then think Of how hard it would bear on
the members of Congress, When Oklahoma's
constituent assembly gets through It will have
all
What will her legislators have left TO do, poor
things
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
From The Tribune Bureau


Washington Feb. 27.-The Presidents visiting
list to-day was the largest the attaches Of the
White House have seen for many months His
callers included almost all manner OF cltlzens from
Cabinet officials to country cousins. from Senators
TO office seekers. and. if his right hand is not
weary tonight it Is because It has become much
toughened by the constant gripping Of his adj
mrers.
During the afternoon the President he'u an III
nortant conference with Secretaries Root and Tart
Attorney General Bonaparte, Henry L" Stnlsoh'
United States District Attorney at New York. ana
Henry W Taft brother of the Secretary OF War
who has been employed by the Department OF
Justice in the prosecution of the Tobacco Trust Off
Gals
ham Ala called at the White House to assure the
President that there is plenty of good Republican
legal talent in her state from which 10 select a
federal district Judge. Mrs. Bailey came to rec
onInend her son. ". Moseby Bailey. Of Birming-
ham, for the place but admits she is qualified
herself if the President is willing to waive the fact
that she is a
Among the Presidents callers to-day were Sen
ators Allison CulIom, Kittredge, Flint Penrose,
Pettus Clay, Warner, Piles. Long. La Toilette
Burrows and Du Ponti Representatives Hayes
Madden Often, LongwOrth, Alexander. French
Martin. Hamilton. Scott. Littauer, Steenerson
sherman Calder Duuwen, Law, Bennett, Cocks and
Gardner The Brooklyn Congressman introduced
delegation from the Long Island Real Estate EX-
change TO invite the President to their Home
Builders Exposition May 1, but he was unable
to accept and Mr.. Gardner, Of Massachusetts, pre-
scented the graduating class of the Swampscott
High School
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
APPROVES LAcKAwANNA FERRIES

To the Editor of The Tribune.
ST. ! have read the various letters IN your 7apFr
concerning the controversy between the superv.s-
ing inspector OF steam vessels at New York and
the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western Railroat
Company. In regard tho Belyea matter have
nothing 10 say. but when the Lackawlnna pilots
are accused OF reckless action think ir only fair
give the results of twelve years experience
and observation.
During this time / have crossed tho North River
least twice a day, always on the outer deck for
ward in all kinds OF weather l am racluS
member Of several Of the prominent yacht clubs
and perfectly familiar with the rules of the road
During all this time / have never known u
Iackawanna pilot to give a wrong whistle signal
and have always been strongly impressed WIN
the fact that these men We're the most careful 2tL
conservative of any of the rcrrybOau pilots the
river, / hive never once seen them take advantage
of sailing vessel force another power craft
having the right of way Co give way. 10 take
any chances in dangerous situation Their policy
has always been To wait and let tho other craft
get away, rather than to take any dangerous
chances This cannot be said of two OF tho
other ferry lines tho North River.
l travel only part of the time the Lacka-
wanna boats and have no prejudice either Tor o.
against them but IN my opinion the Gardiner boats
Of the Iackawanna line are the hest and strongest
ferry boats the river HAROLD L. BROWN.
New York. Feb - 1907.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
AmuSements.


ACADEMY OF MUsIC-s-Ben Hur
ALHAHBRA-2-s-V
ASTOR-S: l5-Genesee Of the HIS.
6ELASCC-S .I5-The Rose OF the Hancho
RIJOIT-s -7t--All-o of q Sudden Peggy.
tROADWA E-S: io-T7le Partisan Acdel.
CARNEGIE HALIs-3-I>ecture s.l6-ConoeT'
COIlOSIAI,-2-s-gaud
CRITERION S.l5-The TBttooed Man.
DAILY S-s:IS-The Belle OF Mayfair.
apraiu
GARRICK-s 50-Caught iu the Rain
HACKETT- 2-20- S-5e-The Chorus LADY 90,
IdANNERSTEIss'S EICTDKTA-2-l5 SID hlaeVlls
HERALD SQUARE-s.l5-Tne Road Yesterday
HIPPODROME-2-S- Neptune's Daughter and Pioneer
DayE.
HCDSON-S :l5-Brevstsr's Millions
IRVING PLACES -2O-KIen Dorr!t.
NORTHUMBERLAND Red MIL
lIBERY- S:I5-Sslomy Jane
LINCOLN SQTA HE-S.l5- f'harley's Aunt
LYCEIM- 2:I5-S. 1B-The Lion and the Nous
LYRIC-s-Romeo Juliet.
MADISON SQUARE, -l5-Ihe Three OF
MAJESTIC-s-l5-On Parole
MANHATTAN OPERA HOTSE-S-S'arnen.
MENDELSSOHN EALIs-11-Lecture; s:lh-Conceit
METROPOLITAS. OPERA POISf--S-l-a BoneEne
NEW AMSTERDAM l5-PeeT Eynt
NEW YORK-S.I 5-GeorEe Washington j,
PEiINCESS-22o -S.28-The Great Divide
SAVOY 2:15-S:1b-The Man OF tie Hour.
ST NICHOLAS RIEK-Three sessions
ELHARMONIC EALLl-2-S-ElectriC Music
WALDORF .30-Conrert-
WALLACE E-s.15-Ths Rich Mr. HORgenhelTGer
WEBER's-s :15-Dream city and The Magic Knight
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28

The ease of the girl who lodged the gates
at a grade crossing near WoodSldc Station and
was killed by n train recalls the fact that &c
cording 10 the railway accident statistics. more
than half the persons killed by the railroads are
neither passengers nor employees. but trcspassers
To be exact In 1904 there were 1OO4G victims
ali told, Of whom 5,973 We're, in the strictly legal
sense, trespassers. of whom. in turn. 1897 were
killed, not at crossings or stations. but on the
mterurban stretches Of track.
Nothing could demonstrate more forclblv than
those figures the witleSSness Of blaming railway
officials for everything and the public for moth
ing. The bald fact is that an enormous number
Of Americans not only match with Destiny for
beers, but match with locomotives for life. And
they accept the fearful risks involved IN such
gambling without the hope Of any great gain
EVERYWHERE in our land railway tracks are used
as II they We're village lanes Workinguen 20
10 and fro along them. schoolboys short cut"
over them, tramps promenade their level
stretches, and all this is done solely for the petty
convenience of a short way home or easy going
10 be sure there are regions where the rail
way is the only decent thoroughfare and there
trcSpassing is more excusable But on the
whole the case is strong against the ma jority Of
trespassers, who show n lack of common sense,
an inability to tell whether the game is worth
the candle
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28

the enemies Of Cuba represent ii. The all but
unanimous voice Of the Cuban press ought TO
persuade Latin Americans that the island has NOT
become the pandemonium which 1t appears TO
some distorted visions la Lucia" puts it cor
rectIy when it says in reply to the raw head
and bloody bones" alarmists: The truth Is
that to-day we are doing we'll because OF the
honorable policy Of the President OF the United
states. who directs with unfailng tact Mr..
"AIagoon inspires the majority of The people OF
Cuba with confidence that we have a trlehu
and not a boss. and that soon we shall have
government free and republican which VIII
strengthen the independence Of Cuba Beyond
doubt that correctly expresses the attitude o.
the United States and the mind Of the Cuban
neOnle.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28

newspapers t7ud the books too) OF Che present day.
viii have returned dust long before the -~ese-
century rolls by Who. then, is going q prove o-
dslgOve TO posterity tl4- our present Ea-"-'t
President actually preached from tle pulpit or A
little oyster Bay church"
Washington on his knees Mt the commercial D. y
Of the country cannot inspire any isuchls tors "a
in the passersCy- Would i- not be Wei Tor .
city 70 have replica of this unique panel made,
and have u temporarily dashed 90 the Washington
Arch in Washington Square sort OF tiS.g
fectant2 y JERSEY COMMJ TER
PIaintieId, y. j. Feb ., I505
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28

Mr. Raisull, in a conversation with an iuqulsi-
tive tourist who had invaded the great chiefs
mountain Businesses promised 10 rebuild his
homestead out OF the bones OF those who have
destroyed It. Architects the world over win
welcome this revival OF the long neglected cata-
comb style Of architecture. Depraved modern
tastes have been unable TO appreciate the beau
ties OF the skull and bone style. Only the col
lege fraternities have succeeded I'm keeping II
alive Now that Ralsull has lent his prestige
thereto, We may hope 20 see jawbones used IS
knockers and the thighbones Of mastodous sup
planting the marble column.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
NEW YORK SOCIETY.

Grace Church chantry was she scene yesterday
afternoon of the welding of Miss Dorothy Lee
Higsiuson to Arthur Dclano Neekes jr. the bride
was dressed in white satin trimmed with point
lace and wore n lace veil Miss Elizabeth Higgtn-
son was her sisters only attendant Albert T.
Gray James Randolph Walker, EockhiI and
George H. Potts. James J. HiggtnSon IT.. am
Bradford G. Weekes were the Ushers, and Harold
IT, Weekes his brothers best man. After the cere-
mouy a small reception was given by the parents
OF the bride, Mr. and Mrs James ]. Higginson, at
their house. in East 4lst street. But few invita-
tons had been issued for the reception. owing 10
the family of the bride being in mourning.
Mrs George Ogivy Haig. who has been staying
with her mother. Mrs. Aston at the latters houss
in Fifth avenue. is booked 70 sail for England on
March @
James Henry Smith is having extensive altsra-
lions made at his house i'm Fifth avenue in view
Of his return with Mrs. Smith 10 this country in
May The entire second floor has been not only re-
furnished and redecorated. but alza'remodeIled.
Miss Janet Fish. daughter Of Hamilton Fish;
Miss SybH Douglas Miss Elizabeth Devens AMI
little Anette Markoe will be the bridesmaids OF
Miss Weuonah Wetmore on the occasion OF her
marriage TO Arthur /. Deveus. OF Boston, on April
in St. Georges Church. Stuyvesant Square As
already announced in this column. Miss Dagmar
Wetmore viii be her sisters maid of honor
BISHOP Henry e. Potter and the Rev Dr. William
Huntington. rector OF Grace Church win Of
hciate at the wedding Of Miss Natica Rves n VIII
lam P Burden. in Grace Church chartry. On
Wednesday. April II. The young couple viii sps7G
the early summer in Europe. returning in time for
the Newport season
NJ. and Mrs. Henry Spies Kip have leased Rsd
Shingles from Mrs. q. J. White AT Cedarhurs5,
Long Island. for the summer. and s 7. Schoo--
maker will be at Brar Hail. which he has rented
from 5. P HInckley. Charles p Auchincloss viii
spend the summer at Lawrence, Long Island,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28

Senator Bailey has been telling the Texas
Legislature that 1t ought to close up its investi-
cation Of his record at once. in order TO let him
arrive In Washington In time TO take the oath OF
office for his new term March 4 AS there IS
to be no special session OF the Senate this year
the Senator-elect Will not be able to take the
oath OF office until next December There seems
10 be a good deal of confusion of thought as
well arrangement OF temper these days at tho
EeNas nAnILaL