davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
NATIONAL BANK FArLURE s.

The report of the comptroller of
the currency throws an interesting
sidelight on the causes of national
bank failures. showing. as it does,
that more than 80 per cent of them
might be averted by more careful SUI
pervision on the part of the directors
and officers of the banks. On this
point Comptroller Murray says:
Noting the cause of failure of banks
placed in charge of receivers during the
year, 1t appears that seven banks were
wrecked by the cashier, one by defalcation
of officers, and three chiefly through
fraudulent management, among other
causes. OF the remainder, four failed
from excessive loans to others and de-
probation of securities. etc; three by rea-
son of injudicious banking; two from *
cessive loans to directors and others, and
two from depreciation of securities; one
from failure of large debtors, and one
from general stripgency in the money
market.
According to this report only n
of the twenty-four national banks
which failed in the last fiscal year was
closed from general stringency in the
money market" In each Of the other
twenty-three cases, either the crooked
ness of officials or the negligence of
directors and officers caused the fail
ures. The report furnishes all the
justification needed by the comptroller
for his decision to strengthen bank in
spection and make bank directors per-
sonally responsible for the conduct of
the institutions with which they are
connected. His new rules require re-
ports at stated intervals from every
director of a national bank showing
whether he has personally acquainted
himself with the affairs Of his institu-
ton. These reports are to be kept on
file in the ONCE of the comptroller
and will furnish q complete answer to
the didn't know" claim too often ad-
vanced by bank directors when the
banks get into financial stress.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
BUSINESS AND GOLD EXPORTS.

Bankers and Treasury department
officials have failed to agree as to the
significance, or lack of it, of the re-
cent exports of American gold to Eu-
rope. That 1t has no real bearing on
the trade and industrial conditions of
the country is pretty generally as
serted and that it may continue for an
indefinite period is not improbable.
Perhaps the best explanation is
found in the London reports of large
buying there of American securities,
particularly of the newly announced
bond issues, both government and in
dustrial. for which there is a consid-
cradle European demand. During the
panic and in fear Of the federal and
state legislation against certain
classes of corporations, European in
vestors began unloading bonds and
stocks in those companies, creating a
demand for gold that has not yet
been checked. With the renewed
European demand for new American
securities, the gold exports may be
curtailed, although this demand may
be Offset, SO far as gold transactions
are concerned, by the increased import
trade of this country, evidences of
which are already being manifested.
1t must be remembered, too, that
France and Germany are both hoard
ing gold at this time. France for the
purpose of negotiating the proposed
Russian loan and Germany for the
purpose of meeting maturing obliga-
tions. These conditions naturally
stimulate a demand for gold, a de-
mand that this country can well af-
ford to meet, as it has imported more
than 5000, 900, 900 of European gold
in the last five years and has a reserve
stock in no danger of being reduced
to the danger point.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
JEs' FORE CHRISTMAS.

Eugene Field.
Father calls me, William, sister calls me
Mother calls me wnlie-but the boys call
Mighty glad I amt a girl-rather be a boy,
without them ,jsashes, curls and things
that's worn by Fauntleroy.
Love to chaw green apples an go swim
min in the lake
Hate, to take the castor-ile. they give FIR
bellyache.
Most all the time the hull year roun' there
amt no flies on me,
But Jes' fore Christmas I'm as good as 1
kin be!
Got a yaller dog named sport-sic EN- on
the cat;
Fust thing she knows she doesn't know
where she is at. IT,,
Got a clipper-sled, an when us boys go
out to slide
Long comes the grocery cart an we all
But, sometimes, when the grocery man is
worrit an cross,
He reaches at me with his whip, an lar
rups up his boss;
An then 1 laffs and holler, "oh, you never
teched me-"
But jes fore Christmas I'm as good as
can be!
Gran'ma says she hopes when I git to be a
I'll be a missionerer like her oldest brother.
Dan.
AS wuz e't up by the cannIb'ls that live in
Where every prospeck pleases an only man
is vile.
But gran ma she has never been to see a
Wild West show,
Or read the life of Daniel Boone, or else
/ guess she'd know
That Buffalo Bill an cowboys is good
enough fer me-
Except les, fore Christmas. I'm as good
as 1 kin be!
Then Old Sport. he hangs around, so sollum
like an still
His eyes they seem a-saying, whats 'er
matter. Little Bill"
The cat she sneaks down off her perch,
a-wonderin' what's become
Nv them two enemies of hern that used to
make things hum!
But I'm so perlite and stick so earnestlike
to biz,
That mother says to father: "How i'm
proved our Willie is"
But father. havin' been a boy hisself. sus-
plcions me,
When jes fore Christmas, I'm as good
as l kin be!
For Christmas. with its lots an lots NV
candies, cakes and toys,
Wuz made, they say, FIR proper kids, In
not FIR naughty boys.
SO wash your face, an bresh yer hair, an
mind yer ps an as,
An don't bust out yer DantaloonS, an don't
wear out yer shoes,
Say yessum to the ladies, and yessir to the
An when they's company, don't pass yer
plate fr pie again;
But, thinkin' wv the things you'd like to see
upon that tree,
Jes' fore Christmas, be as good as you
Lii hnI
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

population In the world. And the culture
of the plant grows in perfection and also
In expansion, When, through the operation
Of obvious economic causes, the production
Of wheat shrinks. as 1t must in the near
future, corn will still be conquering moro
and more acres every year.
New industrial uses for the plant are
being discovered. Soon no part of 1t, from
stalk to cob. will be waste. So great is
the demand for corn this year that Kansas
Is finding 1t too valuable to feed to Texan
cattle. Texan cattle. therefore, are stay.
ing in Texas this winter and will be put
upon the market without fattening.
We Americans eat corn. Europe esteems
1t as a food for cattle. But Europe is sur
rendering to missionary effort. However,
the chances are that about the time
Europe has developed an appetite for corn,
corn will be too valuable to serve as an
European staple.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
THE FUNCTION OF A Grand JURY.


There seems to be a wide difference
of opinion in various quarters as to
what. constitutes the function of a
grand jury. The last grand jury
which sat here handed in a lengthy
report containing thinly-veiled accu-
sations against all sorts Of people in
public and private life, together with
recommendations which, If carried out,
would make the grand jury the real
governing body. The report was re-
ceived by the judge in charge with
manifest approval and an expression
of thanks to the jurymen.
Almost at the very same time that
this grand jury reported a grand jury
closed its labors in New York City
with a few passing criticisms and
recommendations, which, however,
called forth from the presiding judge
a distinct and scathing rebuke. This
is what Judge Dixie said TO the New
York grand jury that presumed to tell
how the government should be run:
Criticisms of a public official by men,
bers OF a grand jury reach the ears of a
community with the added force and
power of the body making the charge.
Whether the charge be false or true, II
would have in any event a serious and
perhaps lasting effect on that official.
1t would tend to hamper the proper adj
ministration OF his office. and thus ulti-
mately seriously affect the public well
fare.
If officials are unjust or unfair the
remedy of the citizen Is TO apply to those
having power to compel a correction of
the acts complained Of. II no redress is
granted and the great mass of the citi-
e believe that an injustice has been
done by a wrongful Official act, the rem
edy is in their hands. But II every
grievance OF citizens against the policy
or procedure OF their officials was to
become the special subject OF investiga-
ton by the grand jury they would quickly
lose the dignity they now possess and
would become embroiled with political
situations with which they have nothing
to do.
You will recall that when instructing
YOU. Immediately after you were sworn
In, I laid stress on this point-that a
grand jury speaks by indictment. 1t Is
the effective and final expression of that
body.
So in conclusion l would say that I'M
less a grand jury, after serious consid-
GRAFTON OF the legal evidence before them,
have found an Indictment they should
not make a presentment against an Off
cial or any individual in the spirit OF
criticism or vague accusation containing
suggestions for the administration Of his
office. Such matters can be LEFT 10 the
people TO redress II they feel a wrong
has been done. IL certainly ~ not the
function. and never was Intended TO be
the function, OF the grand jury
The New York judge a y that 1t is
not the function Of a grand jury. when
not so expressly invested by law, TO
do anything but to bring In indict-
ments where the evidence gives
reasonable presumption OF guilt. Our
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Announcement is made that the
ent congress of the findings of a joint
commission on the fixing of the bound
airy line between the United States
and Canada, a question that has been
in dispute since the close of the war
of the revolution. Most of the troubles
have been in the northeast, along the
borders of Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont and New York. The present
commission, which is composed of en-
gineers of the two countries, has es-
tablished permanent monuments and
it is expected that future disputes will
be avoided.
In Andrew Jackson's time this coun-
try came near going to war with Eng
land over the disputed claims of
Maine and Canada to a strip of land
that was not capable of producing
much of anything but trouble. The
country later became wrought up over
the "Fifty-four-Forty or Fight" slo-
gan, but the fight was averted. An
other dispute arose over the boundary
in Minnesota and the map line shows
that the engineers of those days cared
very little, or knew little. about paral-
lels and straight lines, but took the
most accessible route between given
points and let it go at that.
The two nations have spent more
for commissions and engineers than
the value of the disputed territory,
but that is the usual history of COM
missions. With the completion of the
Canadian Boundary commissions
work, we will have nothing to quarrel
about except the Alaskan boundary,
which has been in dispute since this
country acquired hat territory.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
Pudd'nhead WiIson's Dream.
Boston Transcript.

When Mark Twain wrote "Pudd'nhead
wilson he doubtless little dreamed that
in emphasizing the fad upon which the
fortunes Of his hero turned he was offer
ing a suggestion that would subsequently
be made Of wide practical value. Last
week Henry Taylor. a Puyallup Indian,
made his mark" in the registration Of
flee by making an imprint Of his thumb
after dipping it in green ink, and he was
the first Of his race in the state of Wash.
ington to thus identify himself. This was
in accordance with a new ruling of the
Indian bureau which has adopted this
method Of Identification, especially among
Indians, In order to prevent forgeries,
which have been too numerous.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

The alluring prospect is held out
that Nebraska's state debt will be
completely ~extinguished within a
period of a little more than a year and
that after that we may expect the tax
rate to be reduced by taking of the
special levy made to sink the debt.
We have all heard Of reduced tax
rates in prospect. which, however,
seldom materialize because other
ways of spending the money are de-
vised, and this is another case where
the taxpayers will prefer to be shown.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
Tho prow1 choo rnmuanv IN
Build Big Addition 10 Factory.

nave broken ground 10 build a large adj
dition to their Buster Brown Factory at
18th and Lucas Avenue. st. Louis. In which
are made Buster Brown Blue Ribbon Shoes
for Boys. The new building will be Of
brick and steel construction, fire-proof
throughout; size OF new building to be 1866
feet long, So feet wide and five stories
high, and will be completed as soon as
possible.
The Company reports a gain in ship
ments Of 5000, 9es.66 for the month OF No
vember. 1908. over the corresponding
month a year ago, and have a two million
dollar stock OF shoes to apply on orders.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
Personal NOTES.

Samuel b. Whitney, one of the most
noted organists of New England. has re-
signed as organist of the Church of the
Advent, Boston, after the almost unequaled
term of thirty-six years IN this position.
King Edwards fondness for a cigar is
well known, but when with a few intimate
friends he not infrequentIy INDUCES in a
briar pipe. His liking for tobacco is shared
by nearly every reigning monarch Of Eu-
rope.
Three friends of the late Edwin Burritt
Smith of Chicago-George l., Paddock,
Albert II. Tolman and Frederick w. Gookin
are preparing a memorial volume contain
ing the more important papers and ad-
dresses OF MI. Smith, who was a leader in
the fight for honest municipal government
in Chicago.
Theodore p. shonts and his titled daugh-
ter nave Just returned to New York. Mr..
Shonts is stin unable to pronounce his
~grandson's name, but the duchess can say
Emanuel Theodore Bernard Marie due d
Luynes d'AiIly ct due de Chaulnes OF Pic
quiny," without turning an eyelash.
Another member Of Yale's famous class
of SO died IN New York recently, Sher-
man willard Knevals. who was at one
time a partner of Chester A. Arthur. The
roll OF that class is coming to be a small
one, and one of the survivors is Samuel
B. spooner Of Springfield. Mass. Wayne
MacVeagh, Andrew ID. Waite and Justice
shiras are also OF that narrowing circle.
William T. Hornaday, director OF the
Bronx Zoo park. New York City, has called
the attention of the Mey,can government
recently TO the fact that Rocky mountain
sheep were being ruthlessly slaughtered
in Lower California. Acting on this in
formation President Diaz has issued a de-
cree forbidding the killing or these animals
by any person except by special written
permission OF the minister Of Fermento.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

"
Martin w. Littleton, the New York
lawyer who has been more or less
prominent in the councils of the dem
ocratic party since he made the speech
placing Judge Parker in nomination
at st. Louis in 1904, has been telling
the Southern Society OF New York
what the democratic party must do to
be saved. His first suggestion is that
1t should establish and maintain a bu-
reau at Washington for the purpose of
detecting the shortcomings Of the ad-
ministration and reporting them for
the beneft Of democratic editors and
orators.
The plan is not complimentary to
Champ Clark, the minority leader at
Washington, and the correspondents
Of the democratic newspapers who are
supposed to make republican short
comings a part of their regular order
of business. The Littleton suggestion,
however, is just another illustration
that the democratic party, instead of
being a party of opposition, is simply
a party Of negation. Instead of pre-
senting a constructive policy and Of
fering a solution Of any of the many
problems confronting the people, 1t is
content to rear back In the trace and
denounee the efforts Of the republican
party to meet such issues intelligently.
Instead of proposing remedies that
commend themselves to the intelli-
gence of the people. the democratic
party has been content with the role
of Pathfinder and obstructionist.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

posed to be checking up and the ethics
OF the transaction are being debated
in the public prints. 1t is safe to say
that this condition Of affairs is not
confined to Illinois. or at least has not
been so, and that both state and fed
eral bank examiners have in the past
ridden free ON the trains and collected
mileage. The argument for putting
bank examiners on salaries and max
ing them urn in receipted vouchers
for expense accounts is unanswerable.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Mr.. Bryan says he will not have any
part in the distribution of patronage
to be handed out to the faithful in Ne
braska by the incoming democratic
governor and legislature. This means
that Mr.. Bryan will, as usual, sit idly
by without raising a protest against
any notorious rascal or recognized
rogue applying for preferment on the
strength of the local democratic vic
tory.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

judges here, however, seem to think
that the grand jury function includes
a general dissertation upon the ad-
ministration of public affairs and a
complete license to reflect by innuendo
upon any OF every local ofieial.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
THE RED CROSS CHRISTMAS STAMP.

. THE RED CROSS CHRISTMAS STAMP.
1t is cause for regret that the peo-
pie of the west are not showing the
enthusiasm prevalent in the east over
the Red Cross Christmas. stamp as
one of the features of the Christmas
1t is not yet too late to learn
about this stamp and to take advan-
tage of the opportunities it offers for
contributions to the war against tuber-
culosis.
The Christmas stamps will not
carry anything through the mails.
The government will not honor them
in payment of duties and they will not
be taken at the shops in exchange for
goods, but they have a buying power,
nevertheless. They will buy national
relief from an international scourge.
The proceeds from the sale of these
stamps are to be devoted entirely to
the work Of graduating consumption
by caring for those afflicted and safe
guarding the country against it's
spread.
The stamps are issued by the Ma
tional Red Cross society. Of which Mr..
Taft is president. They are to be af-
fixed to letters and packages as an
expression of good cheer and a con-
tribution to a much-needed fund for a
worthy purpose. There is no limit to
the number of these stamps that may
be affixed to packages and letters and
they cost 1 CEN each. The people
everywhere should avail themselves of
the privilege of aiding in such a wor-
thy movement.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

With Roosevelt, jr., a major as mil
itary aide-de-camp to the governor of
Connecticut, the only way to keep the
scales level is for Governor Shallen-
berger to make Bryan, ir, a colonel
on his staff.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Mr.. Bryan complains that the news
papers sent out false reports of his
shooting experiences in Texas. News
papers should learn that it is not
necessary to misrepresent Mr.. Bryan,
as the truth about him is as strange
as fiction. -
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

King Edward has breakfast at 9
O'Clock, luncheon at 2, tea at 5, sup
per at 7 and another supper at mid
night. Apparently he is too busy to
stop for dinner.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
Fine shot for an Explosion.

The combination of all the powdermakers
of the world to divide the earth among
them-a $4,000 fine to be paid by any party
to the agreement encroaching upon for
territory-furnishes a new argument
for inter- ational arbitration. A peace com.
Dir alton would be the best protection
a gainst q gunpowder trust.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

over in Illinois something of a
scandal has been stirred up by the
resignation of a state bank examiner,
accompanied by the disclosure hat he
had been favored with free railway
passes and extra work at good pay
from the very institutions he was sup
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
. Financial Training school.

Secretary Cortelyou, If he accepts the in
~vitation of a New York trust company to
become it's president, will follow a well es-
tablished precedent. The treasury still re-
tains its reputation as the nations imam
cial training school for bank and trust pres
idents.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
VaId9 OF soft Speech.
Pittsburg Dispatch

fTIlbUUTB DISpdICh.
II. 1t is 3r7effhat Mr.. Taft before his
inauguration has got Mr.. Cannon tanned
so as to eat from his hand will Mr.. Taft's
predecessor consent to the deduction that
speaking softly may be more efficacious
than the big stick?
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Reports show that the number OF
marriages for the year is about 10 per
cent below the normal. 1t appears
to have been a look before you leap
wear.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

The deposits in the banks of the
country amount to more than $4,000
100000. Santa Claus will put a large
share Of 1t in circulation.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Omaha had it's biggest delegation
yet at the recent session Of the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors congress.
This is a sign Of increasing apprecia-
ton Of the Importance of the water
ways movement to Missouri valley
territory.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Chairman Gary of the United States
Steel corporation say he is in favor
of the golden rule. Still, ne has moth
ing against the steel rule.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Testimony shows that most of the
big trusts are interested in byproducts
and side lines, but 1t has not been
shown that the Powder trust is back
ing the Undertakers' trust.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

1t is not believed that plans for the
improvement of the inland waterways
will be abandoned just because Speaker
Cannon is opposed to the issue Of
bends for the purpose.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

The New York American is CRITICS
ing the New York World for printing
rumors instead of facts. There is a
previous record of satan rebuking sin.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Just as Mr.. Hartman showed signs
of becoming talkative the supreme
court has told him he need not speak
unless he wants to.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

A New Jersey man with assets val
ued at 500 has failed for $4,000. 900.
How would you like to be able to go
into debt to the tune of $4,000, 900?
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

II has yet to be announced whether
or not the rate schedule for Bryan
lectures has been Increased as a result
of the third battle.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Among other reforms, the incoming
legislature will have a chance to give
US is q revision Of our divorce laws
that will take Nebraska out OF the line
Of succession to South Dakota as the
mecca for mismated couples from
other stats&
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
TeiIing is What Hurts.
Baltimore American.

Congress fierceIy resents the idea that It
might need watching. And yet there have
been times when the country dimly sus-
pected it, even though everybody was too
polite to say so,
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16

Rev. Frank Crane, formerly of
Omaha, insists that only one worker
in twenty is competent. Every worker
feels that way about nineteen of his
fellows. ..
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-16
RouNp Apour SEW YonK.
nipples on tke Current of Life in the
Metropolis.

Since Harry Lehr's celebrated monkey
dinner. a few years ago. nothing has hap
pened to raise New York's social fooldom
to proper heights OF ecstacy until Miss Eu-
dora s. Sinclair's tea party in honor of her
2-year-old Boston terrier. The function was
pulled off last Saturday in a local hotel.
The affair was attended from 3 to 5 In
the afternoon by dogs of every description,
among them many bench show winners
and others Of high degree. all accompanied
by their mistresses. The animals frolicked
at will about a parlor set aside for their
own use, while their owners amused them
selves in various ways and partook of re-
~freshments, shared simultaneously by the
dogs.
The party was literally a 'howllng sue
cess" and the four-footed aristocrats lap
ped wine punch and ate ice cream. served
by two walters. The decorations were
elaborate. Pictures of dogs adorned the
walls and tables were strewn with red
carnations and ferns. The fee cream was
in dog forms and the favors we're candy
filled dogs and notices.
On one table was a large frosted birthday
cake, bordered with tiny silk American
flags and having one lighted candle in the
center. There was also a Jack Horner''
pie, from which each guest" received a
gift suited to the occasion.