davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
vINDfChrToN IN FIGURES.

The payment into the city treasury
by the Omaha Gas company of s21,-
076.17 as the royalty due for the year
1905 under the terms of its franchise
is another reminder in vindication Of
the fight put up by The Bee with the
backing of a few public-spirited cit.S
zens against the flfty-year gas fran
chise grab in 1898.
For the benefit of newcomers among
us and of those who may have forgot
ten the incident, it is not out of order
I'd recall the attempt then made to rail-
road a fifty-year gas franchise ordi-
nance through the council and over the
veto of Mayor Bemis without any ade-
quate returns to the people. The
Bee promptly sounded the alarm
against this outrage and organized
public sentiment until the scheme was
blocked.
AS a result the period of the fran
chise was cut in two, making it twenty
five years instead of fifty years. The
price of gas to private consumers was
regulated by a self-reducing sliding
scale and a royalty was required of
cents on every thousand cubic feet
of gas sold.
When 1t was suggested that the roy
atty would eventually bring, in nearly
half a million dollars the idea was
secuted as preposterous. The first
years royalty was almost $4,000 and
the year just finished, which is the
halfway year of the twenty-five,
proves to be as stated. in excess OF
$21, 900. On the most conservative
assumption that the halfway year will
represent the average for the whole
twenty-five, the aggregate royalties
paid are bound to exceed $500, 900 be-
fore the franchise expires.
Had Omaha been as wise in fixing
the terms of its other franchise grants
the municipal treasury would be even
now receiving the benefit of hand.
some annual revenue from this source
entirely separate and distinct from the
taxes paid by them.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

FEDERAL PENAL Law REVISION.
The revision of the penal laws of
the United States, though not much
of the work has come to public knowl-
edge, has been in progress for several
years, and the first installment In the
form of bill covering the preliminary
features Is now before congress. The
undertaking is nothing less than to
reduce to consistency and clarity the
national criminal provisions now scat
tered through 5000 sections of the
statutes, many of them antiquated, in
definite or conflicting, or 30 involved
by amendment repeal and re-enact-
ment that the true effect of the law is
often dubious and its enforcement a
matter of extreme dificulty.
Revision and codihcation, however,
is obviously as delicate a task as it is
necessary one, for the commission
has found in compiling the various
statutes that many changes by way
of addition or subtraction are indis-
pensable. 1t is imperative for congress
to scrutinize every line microscopically,
because very slight changes, the effect
of which might not be apparent, would
in many cases have consequences of
the most far-reaching importance.
Particularly is this true in regard to
that extensive class OF penal provisions
relating to corporations which has
come latterly into such prominence.
1t is a wise plan, accordingly, which
provides for consideration of the re-
vision by congress In successive d.
visions and not in mass.
One OF the greatest opportunities
for reform will thus be opened when
the subject of criminal procedure IL
reached. The practice in the federal
courts is far more archaic than in most
of the state courts, the forms and
methods of the common law having
been perpetuated in many respects
long after the reason for them has
ceased to exist. and often even after
reason for contrary forms and methods
has arisen. Secretary Taft In his ad
dress at Omaha last fall referred tC
some OF these anomalies in the fed
eral practice, like the lack OF righi
for the government TO appeal. which
have 30 seriously blocked the way o.
justice. and the necessity Of thoroughly
recasting the system has been lately
increasingly insisted upon by eompe
tent thinkers and jurists generally.
An extraordinary session OF con
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
r HARTMAN.

8. r. Kiser In the Reoord-Herald.
His name is in the headlines on the front
page every day;
The magazines are busy telling how. he
They show us pictures of him as a babe
and as boy;
They are laying bare the methods it has
pleased him TO employ;
For the moment he is casting all the others
And the world is busy grasping at the
progress he has made.
The commissioners are beginning to I'm
vestigate his case;
They have shown us how his projects wind
and cross and interlace;
He is greater than was Caesar at the
height of his career;
He eclipses Alexander, so, at least, 1t
AS a child may play at puppets. so with
other men he plays,
And each day extends his powers in q
thousand subtle ways.
He Juggles millions lightly and he bosses
millionatres;
As if they were but trihes where they
touch in his affairs;
The Vanderbilts and Mongans linger In his
Vestibule
And the Gouds in mild submission yield
where he is pleased to rule;
When he orders Hills and Ripleys meekly
hasten to obey;
Looming like a new Colossus he is DON'T
nant today
Yes, his name is in the headlines and the
magazines are filled
With the stories of his progress; he IL
praised and he is grilled;
For the moment he is casting all his rivals
And the world is busy gasping at the part
he has played;
But tomorrow some new wonder will be
mighty for an hour,
Leaving Hartman to ponder on the brew
ity or power.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

THE LIEUTENANT GENERALS RANK.
The grade Of lieutenant general of
the United States army ought to have
been abolished before, and at latest
when the army reorganization law was
passed. Under that law the chief OF
stan, who may be only brigadier gem
eral, ia the real commander-in-chief
Of the army. -
The practical effect of the lieutenant
generals grade has thus latterly been
merely to add from $500 to $4,000
to the annual retiring pay of those
who reached 1t by seniority, and the
spectacle of half a dozen officers not
specially distinguished passing through
it in rapid succession detracted in no
small degree from the honor which
had previously been associated with IT.,
The rare bestowal of the rank dur
ing the first century of national his
tory upon such great military charac-
ters as Washington, Grant, Sherman
and Sheridan did not comport with the
routine results which have been so
common the last decade, although the
people would have been content with
them IL confined to distinguished COM
manders of the civil war.
1t is hardly necessary, therefore, to
disclaim with such emphasis invidious
intention in abolishing the rank to-
ward the existing line or any particu-
lar officers. If in the course of duty
they shall match or approximate the
services for which the lieutenant gen.
eralship was originally in large meas
ure a reward. as we'll as an oppor-
tunity, the country will not fail in the
future any more than it has In the past
to bestow commensurate honor.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
RIVER NAVIGATION.
Organization Necessary to secare
= Needed Appropriations.

needed ApprOpriuttohAs
st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
It is plain that the Underwater country
including the gulf coast as well as the
Atlantic retains its confidence In its ability
TO get the votes of Mississippi valley con-
gressmen for all that the Underwater Sec
tons and lake regions want, in exchange
for few hundreds Of thousands Of dollars
In cash, half dozen snagboats. few
derricks and a string a lights strung along
our river banks. The attitude Of Chairman
Burton of the rivers and harbors COMMITTEES
would be evidence enough of this were
other evidence lacking. The chairman, who
In from the lake region, has vast scheme
of his own for lake improvement, and IL
is plain that he has made, or is expecting
TO make, his trading arrangements with the
tidewater laLds. and to get the votes from
the valley OF the great rivers on the old
plan OF swapping thousands OF millions ana
trading pennies for dollars. This genera
ton in the great valley has been. In the
rivers and harbors committee, like an un-
tutored savage in an Indian trading post,
giving away untold wealth in exchange for
worthless trinkets and baubles. Some time
we shall drop on our blankets and put on
our war paint. but It is very easy to see
that the rest OF the country is not expect
ing US to do It now.
What we may do, when we put oar
blankets on and our war paint on, and
cease giving something for nothing, would
be worth their thinking about down east
II only they could be brought TO thinking
| of doing II compact body of votes, or
ganized on the line OF forcing appropria-
lions for a ship channel from the lakes 70
| the gulf and for systematic improvements
! OF lateral streams could by trading tia
votes with interests seeking other legitimate
| legislation, defeat the river and harbor bill
at this short session And II the great
rivers Of the great valley are to continue
getting nothing out Of the river and harboI
appropriations, why should the representa-
/ tives OF the valley region continue voting
for the river and harbor appropriation? II
| we are TO have nothing, let us be generous
enough to divide It with the rest of the
country There would. of course be protest
| from those who have designs upon lands
/ lying between shores and islands; from con
/ tracing and navigating companies which
| like the status quo; from light-keeperi
along the shores. from sand suckers and
snag rooters These would cry out, as with
/ one voice that TO defeat the river and har
Dor appropriation at this session would b'
treason. stratagem and spells. We waive
the argument 10 say that freight blockades
prohibitive railroad tolls. coal famines
mergers and other like afflictions and ca
lamities are arousing a public opinion
which will soon force organized and con
centrated action among all OF the repre-
sentatives OF a people long robbed OF thei
bIrthrIght as citizens Of fertile and fruit
full land lying between two Of the creates
watersheds In the world.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
FOOLHARDY

A man attempting the role of Ajax
defying the lightning in this modern
day when there are no miracles would
be called foolhardy. No other term
will more aptly describe the action OF
the Omaha liquor dealers who insist
on raising the lid at this particular
time when the lightning is playing all
around them.
The Bee will not be accused Of ia
naticism on the liquor question. 1t
has always been in accord with the
sentiment of the majority of the peo-
pie in this city and state who believe
In reasonable enforcement of such
sumptuary laws by which regulation
can be had Without producing worse
evils than those sought to be cured,
At the same time 1t must be recognized
that the sentiment of a good minority
favors the enforcement of the letter
of the law up to the hilt and that any
unnecessary batting of this minority
only invites reprisals.
1t must be remembered, too, that
half dozen bills are pending in the
legislature now sitting at Lincoln de-
signed to make the liquor laws of Ne
braska still more onerous To the liquor
dealers and to take the state several
steps further in the direction of prohi-
bition. The liquor dealers cannot
help their case before the legislature
by assuming their present attitude
especially when the temper of the leg.
islature is at best none too friendly to
Omaha and its business interests.
The wise man who has made mis-
take corrects 1t at the first oppor-
| tunity, ar ,.-
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
Personal NOTES.

A plumbers combine has been indicted In
Ohio. Now we are getting after the real
magnates.
Philadelphia surgeons are experimenting
with artificial backbones. Bomb throwing
has taken the starch out of the natural
article.
Reports give assurance that in a few
days Mr. Hartman will be able to sit up
and take a few railroad systems for nour-
ishment
A New York man who demonstrated that
he could live on IS cents a day died of
fatigue and left fortune Of $4,000 To
the heirs his memory is treasure only
equalled by the divvy
A woman principal of public school in
Pennsylvania has introduced the custom Of
allowing her pupils ten minutes sleep dur
ing school hours. She declares that It
enables them to make better progress in
their studies.
The highly praised versatility of our cap
tafns of industry isn't much after all.
Their talents are insignificant beside the
Nebrask an whose intellectual breadth en-
braces the professions of minister, doctor,
undertaken and tombstone dealer. As the
darkey remarked, He catches EN- a-comin'
an a-goin'."
William Alden Smith, who will succeed
Russell A. Alger as United States senator
from Michigan, has sci seven terms in
congress and is a lawyer. He received a
common school education. was appointed a
page in tho Michigan house of representa-
tives in 1879, studied law and was admitted
to the bar in 1888. He received the degree
Of master OF arts from Dartmouth in 1901.
The chief hostess of the British embassy
at Washington will command admiration
by her vivaclty, charm and high intelli-
gence. Mrs. Bryce dislkes publicly and
has not coveted distinction as one of the
"smartest" entertainers whose doings are
chronicled by the paragraphers of the So
ciety papers, but she has the old-fashioned
habit of making her guests feel at home
and the faculty Of drawing them out by
means of her tact and consideration.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
LAUGHING GAS.


Oars heap o. colleges started" said
Uncle Eben, but I'd feel safer II mo OF
'em was givin' special lessons in how TO
run a railroad wifout hurtin' nobody
Down with the police and their clubs"
The idea was partially carried out. The
clubs went down. That there was an an
archist under each as IL fell mere
detail.-Phlladelpha Ledger
Arc you related to the bride or groom
elect? Inquired the busy usher.
Then what interest have you in the cere-
"im the defeated candidate. Louisville
Courier Journal.
yes, my son."
why do people travel in cog? p
ITO show that they have wheels sup
pose, my boy."-Yonker Statesman. -
Grace-why did she break the engage
Myrtle-He told her that she was the only
girl he had ever kissed.
Grace-What of IL?
Myrtle-Why, she naturally reasoned that
he was either untruthful or absurdly fool
ish, and he was hardly worth having in
either case.-Puck.
my friend" said the man who had been
making long and tiresome speech, there
is little more that l can say on this sub
ject:"
why morey asked an impairment one
who had Just finished yawning.-Chicago
Record Herald.
Confidential Adviser-Senator how much
did your campaign cost you? -p
Senator Lotsmun-It was pretty expensive
| this time, Ringgold. 1t cost me one days
| income and two OF three nights sleep-Chi-
cago Tribune.
Alexander fiirts so much that sometimes
/ believe he doesn't want people to know
we are engaged" u. - ,,..
That's because he's a smart Aleck, dear
est"
"Oh! BY the way, has Guy proposed to
| you YETI" rUf' .-..t
| Not yet but"
"Ah, that's because he's a wise Guy.
darling. Baltimore American. ''
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

The Nebraska delegation in con-
gress is devoting more time to the ju-
dicial division bill intended merely to
create few fat Jobs for favored place
hunters than to all the other legis,A-
ton of special Importance to Nebraska
awaiting congressional action. There
are lot OF things in which the people
of Nebraska are much more interested
than in doubling up the judges, court
clerks, marshals and district attor.
neys.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
CuttinE PaaaenEer Fares.

The governor of Michigan recommends
the enforcement of aimaximum 2-cent pas
senger rate in that state So does the gov
ernor OF Missouri and the governor of In
diana for those statess7 The governor OF
North Carolina urges a. 2tk-cent rate for
that. state, and igovSraors who are not
urging lower railroad rates are urging
higher railroad taxation or closer restric-
ton In other ways 1t will not be long
at this rate, ere. the private owners OF
railroads will be begging that the govern
ment buy them out. 1880
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
Competition and Mergers,
Chicago Chronicle. -,

]. c. Stubs. traffic director OF the Harri-
man lines, puzzled the Interstate Commerce
commissioners by insisting that competition
is not throttled by railway mergers until,
with smile, he let out the secret that
there was not much competition before the
mergers were effected. But that did not
make 1t entirely clear why mergers were
desired. If there is practically no compe-
tition anyway 1t may be suspected that
mergers promote the interests of those who
engineer them rather than of the railroad
companies concerned.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

Lincoln hotel keepers are all against
popular choice Of United States senA-
tara. They would much prefer the
old-fashioned deadlock that kept the
candidates and their followers quar-
tered as their guests for weeks and
months.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

Persons interested in fair trade in
neeessaries of life will find little pleas
ure in the report that Attorney Je-
rome is beginning to investigate the
alleged theatrical trust" AS a rule
people will bear without complaint ex-
actions upon luxuries, and such inves-
legations necessarily interrupt work
which will do the greatest good to the
greatest number.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

gress is a costly and unwelcome alter
native, but its expense would be we'll
bestowed to hasten the genuine mod
ernization Of the criminal laws and
practice, IL there is no other satisfac-
tory way
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

The rumor that the Pennsylvania
road is acquiring the Santa Fe in an
effort to get st-to-coast" line
indicates that Mr.. Hartman and Mr..
Hill are not the only aspiring railway
managers-but their plans are now
public property.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

In all the invitations to Secretary
Shaw there seems to be none from
Wall street. which has heretofore been
anxious to secure former United States
treasury oflcials. &.tt
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

The fusionists in the house are said
to be satisfied with the consideration
accorded them by Speaker Nettleton,
but nettled at the treatment given
them by some of the republican floor
leaders. SO long as they are not net
tied by Nettleton they should be
haDpy
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

History OF Nebraska shows that
much time has been saved for legisla-
ton by naming candidates for United
States senate in convention II no other
advantage has been gained.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

That Iowa legislator who says he
has learned not to advocate innova-
lions until the public is ready for
them must have taken to heart the
decrease in the republican vote last
fall.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

The predicted retirement of John
Sharp Williams as leader OF the DEM
ocratic forces of the house will be re-
GREETED by those who admire the
Fabian policy In politics. and IL
Champ Clark succeeds him fire.
works may be expected to take the
place OF diplomacy.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

When Iowa has paid $500 apiece for
the men implicated In the Charles
City lynching and Floyd county has
paid twice as much for trying them,
the taxpayers may decide that after
all legal methods for dealing with
criminals are not only less startling.
but more economical.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
Wind, a samplinR Tourt

new lOrh Worlu.
Now the government is going to investi-
gate the distilers. If average drinkers are
compelled to drink straight whisky the
strangeness Of the taste may drive some
of them to reform.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

All the Nebraska pioneers of the
vintage of 1857 are in line this year
for fluctuations. on having lived for
nifty years in this great and growing
state
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

Persons interested in extending the
foreign commerce of the United States
may discover that the real question to
be decided is whether they are willing
to fight with foreigners for the Amer
lean market in order to fight with the
same foreigners for those OF the world.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

Our old friend NJ. F, Harrington in
dignantly resents the imputation con-
tanned in the report that he was pres
emit at the late Jacksonian club feast.
Realizing that he would be out OF har-
mony in such an aggregation of demo-
cratic plutocrats. he declined a press
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
Pleasure beyond Reach.

II it were possible to give the anarchist
hypnotic suggestion to retire to some
quiet. lonely place when the spirit moves
him to drop bomb under himself, he
might become a most useful member of
society. "-vs
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

When Raisouli remembers how
much Perdicaris was worth to him he
must regret his inability to capture
the men who are making his strong
hold open ground.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

Ross Hammond's refusal to deny the
allegation that he holds stock in an
elevator company shows his wisdom
in retiring from the senatorial contest
before 1t really began.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

The overcrowded condition of the
county jail is responsible for scheme
to put up a temporary addition to the
building. Such an addition would be
an eyesore, with no telling when we
would get rid of 1t. There ought to
be enough room in the front part OF
the present jail building now occupied
by the tailer's family to provide the
necessary relief, especially as Douglas
county is under no obligation to keeI
the jailer's family under roof at the
county Jail
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

Chief of Police Donahue occupies
difhcult position. He is appointed by
the Police board, but gets his orders
from the mayor. The only thing for
a police oficer to do, however, is to
obey orders like a soldier.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

The Union Pacific during the past
year has raised enough money In ad-
dition TO a surplus approximAting
s60.0OO,O0O to buy stocks in other
companies to the extent Of sl20.O0O.-
COO It is unable. however. to dig up
enough to pay its taxes in Nebraska.
but is asking the supreme court to let
Il scale them down by 30 per cent. !.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

With an estimated consumption of
100000 tons of anthracite less than
last year, nature seems to have taken
a hand in the contest between the
people and the trusts"
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

The complaint of Illinois that the
Illinois Central has unjustly favored
branch lines at the expense of the
charter line sounds strange to Ne
braskans, who have seen branch lines
ISaded with charges and bereft OF ac-
count book income for years; but in
Illinois the charter line pays taxes in
proportion to receipts.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
The appointment of an attorney

The appointment OF an attorney
general in Pennsylvania, who is
skilled in law, but a novice in poll
tics" is hailed with delight by the
public, which is no doubt surprised at
the discovery of such a man in the
keystone state,
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

President Roosevelt evidently puts
confidence in the bullets of the men
behind the gun, whether as evidence
or as offense.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
shume the Cards.

AIIutHIdpUIIH INVWs'
But what will the action of the Nebraska
senate in barring all persons from the
floor, except those provided with cards
from members, avail2 Cards are cheap.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
Another Means of retreat

PhlIadeIphia Press.
The big men who are wanted as wit
nesses by the Interstate Commerce COM
mission and who are to be served with a
writ Of ne exeat to Keep them from skip
ping away to Europe might try the fire
ekcaT1e '- ssl' '.'.-
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

ing invitation without even sending a
polite letter of regrets. Mr.. Harring-
ton is entitled to publicity for his ex-
PLANTATION that will keep his skirts
CLAIR
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

chicago News.
Members OF that Iowa lynching mob who
prayed for forgiveness for their victim
ought to have been seeking forgiveness
for their own prospective crime.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15

1t is up to the weather man to take
away the ice mans excuse for exact
ing famine prices next summer.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
WHEN OUT OF TOWN.

Subscribers leaving the city tenn
DOrariIy should have The nee
mailed to them. Address will be
changed ms often as requested.