davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
WATER BOARD ORNAMENTS.

Representative Clarke has given
notice that he proposes to fight the
bill introduced by Representative
Barnes to cut of the salaries of
Omaha's do-nothing Water board un-
til such time as the city shall have
acquired a water works for II to man
age. Members of the school board
and the park board and the library
board, all of whom have important
work to do, serve without pay, but
members of the water board. who
have done nothing except heap up
costly litigation on the city, are milk
ing the treasury for an aggregate of
$500 a year.
Omaha is complaining of insufficient
funds to maintain its police and fire
departments on an effective basis and
has been discharging public works in
spectors because 1T has no money to
pay them. The $500 wasted on the
Water board would give us five more
policemen or six more firemen. OF
course, to use the money for this pur-
pose would cut of the rations of the
six Water board sinecures.
AS a matter of fact the Water board
has been a very costly luxury for the
taxpayers of Omaha in the three and
one-half years since it was called into
being. 1t has spent nearly $4,000
of public money and contracted obli-
cation for much more, and apparently
gotten no nearer the purchase of the
water works than at the start. In
spection of the minutes of the boards
meetings discloses that the proceed
| ings have been almost exclusively con-
| fined to the certifying of vouchers for
their own salaries and for lawyers
fees and court costs. During the
month of September last no meetings
whatever were held for want of a
quorum and there is absolutely moth
| ing for the board to do now except to
await the outcome of the law suits
pending in the federal courts.
Should the city actually come into
possession of the water works plant
the Water board might have some re.
sponsibilities and some duties to dis
charge that would warrant its mem.
bers drawing salaries, but there is nc
assurance now when, If ever, the city
will acquire the water plant, and nc
reason why the taxpayers should be
held indefinitely for salaries for ar
ornamental board
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
RAILROAD WRECKS.
Ia saturdays Record Message of
DespRirf


saturdav's succession of terrible railroad
accidents, by which many human lives were
lost under the most narrowing circum-
stances, constitutes a message of despair
to the people of the United States unless
the public authorities set about compelling
the adoption Of necessary safeguards. Re-
cent investigation of fatalities on railroads
have revealed the most abominable viola
tions OF rules, or the complete absence Of
rational rules, for the protection or lives
and property. 1t is, therefore, tustihabls
inference that railroad passengers and
trainmen are being butchered day by day
because the management of the railroads Il
a greater or less degree is in the hands
Of ignorant reckless or otherwise incom-
petent persons.
II men who are directly responsible for
the safety of trains are worked to the point
of exhaustion they are rendered incompe-
tent by fatigue. That 1t is not uncommon
for accidents to happen from this cause
has been proved by past inquiries into fatal
wrecks The LaFollette bill, which pro-
hibits railroad employees from working more
than sixteen hours without taking proper
rest, has passed the senate and should be
passed by the house without further delay.
stems should be taken by congress also to
wrecks on railroads and to provide such
legislation as will compel the adoption Of
methods and appliances that will put a
stop to preventable catastrophes Of this
sort.
II is not necessary that the railroads OF
this country should pay dividends on their
stock while they are making their train
service safe. The question Of expense to
those corporations should have little weight
with congress in considering legislation that
is deemed essential to put a stop to the
continual sacrifice OF human life by rail-
roads which find it cheaper TO kill than
to refrain from killing. This matter must
be taken up in earnest now by the law
makers. In order that IL shall be taken
up in earnest the people must cease to sub
nit meekly, like cattle in a shambles, to
the butcheries that are going on day by
day They must demand that their indif-
ferent representatives at Washington pro-
tect them from this peril
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
CHAIRMAN sHoNTS' RETIREMENT

The circumstances of the Tesigna-
man of the Isthmian Canal commits
sion seem to be altogether different
from those of the retirement of Chief
Engineer Wallace over a year ago.
Chairman Shonts goes out with the
good will and most fattering encom-
fums of President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Shonts has been in chief ad-
ministrative charge of the canal com
missions work almost two full years
and will leave it with the first great
stage practically completed, so that no
special embarrassment will be inflicted
upon the government by his retire
ment. The close of that stage is
marked by the taking over Of the con-
structive operations under private
contract, though of course with eff
Client government control. The bids
we're opened at Washington only a
few weeks ago, and the contract will
undoubtedly be let before Mr.. Shonts'
resignation goes into effect.
While Mr.. Shonts' relations to the
president, whose every energy has
been strained for the one supreme end
of forwarding the great national en-
teTprlse, the course of the senate has
been irritating and hampering, so as
to render his position one of unusual
difficulties. The senate, through jeal.
ousy or sheer perversity, refused to CO.
operate in important matters of or
ganization and in many. matters In
dulged in what amounted to obstruc-
ton. 1t is to Mr.. Shonts' credit that
he nevertheless persevered in faithful
cooperation with the president until
juncture has been reached at which
he could retire without serious detri
ment to public interest and with the
acquiescenee of his superiors.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Senator Pettus of Alabama, whose
present term does not expire until
March 4, 1909. has been reelected for
another six-year term. He is Sc years
of age and, If he survives the term for
which he has now been sentenced, will
be in position to retire from public life
at 92 and resume the practice of law.
His colleague, Senator Morgan, now
SO years of age, has been elected for
another six years, which will give him
time to complete his speech on the
Panama canal question.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
HOMESTEADE IN THE CANADIAN
NORTHWEST.

The official statistics show that 49,
4S5 of the 1859 homestead filings
last year in the Canadian northwest
were made by immigrants from the
United States. The number of home
stead settlers from the United States,
although hardly as great as was ex-
pected, is still, more than double the
number from England. 1t is also a
material increase over the record of
the preceding year.
The fact, however, marks a distinct
tendency of farmer emigration across
the boundary into vast new agricul-
tural region that has been made avail
able by railroad construction only
within a few years. These home
steaders in Canada are almost exclu-
sively practical farmers from the
states west of Indiana and as far
south as Missouri and Kansas, which
is precisely the section in which the
value of farm lands has enhanced
most rapidly, the last six or eight
sSaiss Nhi0
across the boundary is. it would have
reached vastly larger proportions but
for the prosperous times and the re-
markable success Of farming in the
dryer portions of our own west which
are attracting thousands who other
wise might have looked towards Can
Ada
Opinions, o. course. diner as TO the
wisdom of a western farmer seeking
a home in the Canadian northwest
much OF which is certainly as arid
as our own public domain available
for the homesteader. While so much
unOccupied land remains here, the
change is at least questionable. for
the average small farmer who wants
low-priced acres. Nevertheless this
movement is a fact TO be reckone6
with. The seductions of the land
boomer and immigration promoter
are certain to overpeFsuade multi
tude of our land hungry farmers, IN
spite of the fact that they could with
prudence do better nearer home.
It is a singular circumstance thai
Nebraska, with all its rich and com
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
THE LYRE THAT BURNS LAID DOWN

The Tyre that Robert Burns laid down
AZ his brief LIES pathetic end
There's none to wake IL, an, there's mona
To give the thrill OF master hand.
The chords that felt his passions breath
And to his soul responsive grew
Fell into silence at his death.
And since have felt no touch so true.
The flame that warmed his simple verse
Was sometimes so uncouth and wild
'Twould seem no art could make IL worse
But nature loved her Maynard child.
And from her inmost heart bestowed
Such gifts others ask in vain
And so that rarest feeling flowed
Which charms in every fluent strain.
This lowly and untraYeled bard
Who loved so well the land OF birth
Whose humble lot was deemd so hard
Made songs that travel round the earth
And echo, sweetly echo still
From lowly cot and mansion wallis
From ocean wave and wooded hill,
From river banks and waterfalls.
In every place where lovers meet
Where plowmen tread the furroWed field
Where harvesters their fellows greet
Where social games their pleasures Yield
The soul that saw the depths of woe
Had pinions, too, for Joyous flight;
The sweetest pleasures mortals know
lie brought 10 view with wondrous might
BERlAH +. COCHRAN.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
UNCLE JOE" CANYONS FORESIGHT


Uncle Joe" Cannon, speaker of the
house of representatives in congress,
has been dealing in Nebraska farm
lands, to his liberal profit. He has
just made a profit of $1,000 by the
sale of Saunders county farm of $40
acres which he bought four years ago
and has just sold at SIS per acre, Civ
ing him little matter of Al per cent
profit.
Mr.. Cannon's investment and re-
sultant profit are not surprising, when
it is remembered that he is the pos
SCISSOR of large wealth, nearly all of
which has come from dealings in farm
lands. When he was a prosecuting
attorney in the Danville district in
Illinois, about the time of the civil
war, he invested every surplus dollar
of his savings in farm lands that we're
then valued at from $40 to $25 an
acre. With each sale, at an advanced
price, he reinvested his principal and
profits in other farm lands and today
owns large tracts OF lands in the vicin-
ity of his home town that are valued
at 5000 or more per acre. He has kept
in touch with the progress of the mid
die west and has a keen appreciation
of the worth of landed investments
in prosperous and growing sections
He has other real estate holdings in
Nebraska, and doubtless counts them
with his safest investments, most Ger
tain of increasing value and higher
| PROFITS.
Mr.. Cannon may not contend thai
all wealth comes from the soil, but he
understands that most of it does and
comes more certainly than from any
other source. His example of invest
ing in Nebraska land is worthy Of
emulation.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

The local democratic organ is trying
to make believe that all interest in
primary election legislation, has died
out at Lincoln. But If the republicans
were really losing interest, why
should the fusionists become luke
warm? Both the democratic and the
populist state platforms gave distinct
pledges of a statewide primary law
which the fusion members of the leg
islature are as much bound to redeem
as are the republican members.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
want to protect against outside poach-

Mayor Jim" likes Denver better
now than ever for several reasons,
which may be gathered from his inter
views on his return from that city:
First-In Denver the mayor appoints the
police commissioners, the health depart
ment. the street department and everything
else.
Second-All the big interests are behind
the mayor and they stand as a unit to
keep things going ahead. The town Is
wide open and everything goes.
Thrd-'rhey have a fund there to pay
for painting the pictures of big public men
and maintain a picture gallery in which to
exhibit them.
Here are some tips for Omaha, If it
wants to do the right thing by Jim. a"
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
AN EMPIRE BUILDER.
Death of the Man who Introduced
Alfalfa IntO This Country.

Alfalfa Into This Country.
Chicago Chronicle.
In Topeka, Kan, the other day there
died a man to whom the farmers of the
west and southwest are under heavy
debt of gratitude.
He was Harrison Parkman, and he was
the man who introduced alfalfa into this
country from South America His death
was far more briefly chronicled than 1t de-
served to be. Future generations of Amer
lean farmers will perhaps. do tardy honor
to his memory.
The plant which Parkman introduced to
the farmers OF the arid and semi-arid
regions Of the west has proved 10 be the
most valuable. all things considered. of
their crops. Not only In New Mexico and
Arizona and in southern California. but in
western Kansas and Colorado and western
Nebraska alfalfa has been the salvation of
the farmer and cattle raiser-the sure fod-
der crop, the unfailing money Garner
Give II water and the fecundity of
alfalfa Is marvellous In the Imperial val
ley of California, which is now threatened
with submersion by the Salton sea, II has
been said that ranchers have cut a crop of
alfalfa every two months the year round.
In almost any climate two or three crops
are to be relied upon.
Alfalfas greatest BioTy u that IL Is an
absolutely sure crop. IL never fails. II re-
produces itself. II It has any insect en-
emies Il has overcome them. IL is the
sure reliance of the southwestern rancher.
Alfalfa has played the most prominent
part In the retaining OF the arid south
west. II is the agricultural backbone OF
the region; so that, although Parkman
may not have realized II. he was the
builder OF an empire when he brought the
hardy plant from South America to this
/ country
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Great American spcnders.
Cleveland Leader.


It is evident that the accusation often
made against Americans that they struggle
fiercely for money to be piled up beyond
all possible needs reasonable desires.
is no whit more true than the other charge,
often heard, that they are immoderate in
their expenditures. We are masterful
people in the production and getting of
wealth, and we are the most successful OF
all nations in saving and accommodating
riches. but we are certainly eXtravagant
and self-indulgent. AS a general rule
American spending Is at least as extra
ordinary as American earning power. 1t
rather overtops American thrift because
1t is farther beyond the standard set by
other nations.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
THE IRON AGE.
Americas Leap to the Front as =
Producer.


The development of the IRON and steel
industry during the last quarter OF a CEN
fury Is one Of the most striking facts Of
the time.
In 1870 the total output of pig iron
throughout the world was 1s.5o0.O0O tons.
OF this total England furnished 7,751ooo
tons and the United States 100000. Ger
many supplied 2,5OOOOO tons.
The estimates for last year show a total
output Of about 100000 tons. with this
country In the lead a producer. Our
output Appropriated 100000 tons, or ore
third more than the worlds total supply
In 1880. Germany increased to II, o.Ooo
tons and England TO TO- $1,000 tons.
During this time England dropped from
first to third place as a producer, and the
output of the United States increased until
1t now doubles that of the total of both its
competitors. About 80 per cent of our OUT
put is used here at home. The value OF
the material in its various finished forms
runs up into billions of dollars.
No comment is required.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Fraud by Mail.

81. Edul IlouStI-IteaS'
To transfer TO the courts the power OF
declining. after a trial, the question
whether a person accused Of using the
mails for purposes OF fraud shall be barred
from such use, would be to give wide OPP
portunitv for the continuance OF such
fraudulent operations. To that extent II
would make the government connive at
the robbery Of the people. Expert lawyers
would. by continuances. appeals and re-
sort to techniealities, make Il as difficult
TO punish a practitioner of fraud by mail
as II now TO punish a murderer or an
artist in high finance. The essentials OF
justice are in this case safer in the hands
Of the postohice department than they
would be In the courts.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Monopoly ana socialism

Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The relation of cause and effect between
present-day monopoly and socialism is
reasonably clear; and If the president shall
be sustained in his effort to extirpate the
baleful monopolistic root there will be little
to apprehend from a no less baleful so
clalistic fruit. He sees clearly that the
time Is not yet come when the country car
choose only between the two tyrannies rep
resented by monopoly and collectivism.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

paratively low-priced land and ex-
tensive areas Of government land still
free. should be 50 large a contributor
to farmer emigration to Canada, al
though our proportion is less than
that of most of the Heighboring west
ern states.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Strange what changes are produced
by the whirligig of time. Here we
have the Independent telephone peo-
pie antagonizing the compulsory con-
nection of the lines of the different
companiea whereas heretofore they
had been elamoring loudly for just
such relief. The reason. of course,
is easily found in the voting of the
second telephone franchise at Omaha,
giving the Independents the entrance
to this city which they 50 much COW
eted and which they now themselves
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

w. K. Corey and his chorus girl
bride propose to take a three years.
honeymoon trip abroad No objection
will be heard on this side to his add
ing twenty years to the trip.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Gle as Has, GIFTS"

Possibly no one more eagerly awaits the
presidential ship subsidy message than
Messrs. Hartman, Morgan and Spreckles,
who are ever eager to promote the pros
perity OF the country with such incidental
usufruct as may happen as a result OF
good management
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

The British built their battleship,
the Dresdnaught, in such big lines
that it can not squeeze through the
Suez canal. Accurate dimensions of
the Panama canal should be secured
before the government starts work on
those warships that are to eclipse the
Dreadnaught.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Governor Vardaman of Mississippi
is out with a strong endorsement Of
Colonel Bryan for the presidential
nomination next year. but It is only
fair to Colonel Bryan to state that he
could not help II. -----...--
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

The Utah legislature is considering
a bin which allows amateur dentists
to practice on eonvicts. That is a clear
violation of the constitutional inhibi-
tion against cruel and unusual-pun-
ishment.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

The headquarters of the IsthmIan
Canal commission will be removed
from Washington to Panama. it hav-
ing been decided to dig the canal with
shoyels instead of typewriters.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

WashinEton Herald.

washington Herald.
Since Governor Vardaman came out for
Bryan. the Nebraskan must understand
how good ii made Mr.. Hearst feel to have
Mr. Murphy announce his friendship and
support during the late New York fight.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Diplomatic ImagininEs.

Secretary Roots simple social visit to
Ottawa now attracts European attention.
and leading Paris paper avows that
France cannot be Indifferent to the re
suits. The effort to place diplomacy on a
level with a o'clock tea is ancient, and
Mr.. Root does not expect anyone to be
really deceived.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

One of the arguments OF the South
Omaha anti-annexationists Is that
they want TO get more public improve
ments first before being merged with
Omaha. Judging future by past.
however, they will only get more law
suits the longer they stay out
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Oregon has just elected the young
est member of the United States SEN
ate, They have to pick them young
out in oregon to make sure they are
not mixed up with timber frauds.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

A bill to make judges ineligible to
hold other Offices during the time
they are on the bench has been APP
proved by the state senate and sent
on to the house for ratification. This
particular bill is designed to meet
conditions that have arisen in Ian
caster county. where complaint is
made that the district judgeship has
come to be regarded simply as polit-
zeal capital to be used in getting some
thing better. Public sentiment is I'M
questionably in favor of divorcing the
judiciary from politics as far as posi-
BILE. The same principle is involved
in another bill before the legislature,
whose purpose is to put the Omaha
police board out of politics by disaual-
flying members from seeking other
elective and appointive places while
serving as police commissioners. The
political police commissioner swing
ing the police club for his personal ad-
vancement mas been In evidence at
Omaha even more than the political
/ Judge at Lincoln.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

The Omaha city council has a new
way of getting even with the Ice trust.
which is sure to be effective. II has
decided to cut on the ice supply for
the city hall altogether until the warm
weather makes resumption necessary.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Though Senator Burkett recorded
his vote against the salary increase
bill, he will doubtless take the money
when it is thrust upon him.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Uncle Joe Cannon is said to have
cleared up $1,000 on a transaction in
Nebraska farm land. When the
speaker put his money in Nebraska
soil he showed where his head is level.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Sudden Change of Tune.
Pittsburg Dispatch,

The railroads all agree that it is not
their fault that there is so much traffic
that they cannot carry it all; but they are
the same railroads who a short time ago
were testifying that they actually had to
give rebates in order to get the business.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

The senate resents Mr. Tillman's
assertion that 1t is a minstrel show,
even II 1t can not prevent Mr.. Tillman
from his daily vaudeville stunt.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

New York paper says "E. H. Har-
riman has very few friends in Wall
street" Evidently, then, the man is
not as bad as he has been painted.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

An assistant surgeon general wants
tea substituted for coffee in the army
We might get around that anti-can-
teen law by using the cold variety.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Irritation of the system,

James Stillman, the New York banker
and standard OIL magnate. says his health
requires that he shall live abroad. Those
Ohio subpoena servers have a depressing
effect upon the system
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Senator Baileys presidential spe-
cial has been stalled, the tracks hav-
ing been found creased with Standard
oil
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

The New York legislature is con-
sidering a bill providing for the use
of pure embalming fluid. It's grave
subject.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Jamaica is receiving welcome relief
from all its troubles and Affections
except Governor Swettenham.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

Senator Foraker and the Ohio river
show signs of subsiding.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
Pressure on the safety valve.

ST. Louis Globe-Democrat.
What fine privilege the senate enjoys
1t orders the doors closed when it feels
that its anger has reached the explosive
point.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25

What is congress for?" asks the
Philadelphia Ledger. Well, for one
thing, it is for increased pay of con-
gIessmen.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
that he apes

The trouble with him is that he apes
the swell people,"
You're wrong; that's not the whole
trouble. He might ape the swell people
all he pleased If ne didn't afterward monkey
with the plain people. "-Philadelph Press.
Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-25
AfIRTHFUL REMARKS.

IAN oculist ought to be the most poetical
Of men,
II don't see it."
isn't his whole time devoted to eye
deals ?"-Baltimore American.