davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
army PAY Clerks.

There has been introduced in Congress
a bill which seeks to accomplish the
worthy end OF establishing the army pay
masters clerks upon a footing which Is
Just to them and profitable to the military
establishment These clerks are the
trusted assistants OF army paymasters
and accompany them wherever they go.
They share the hardship Of travel in the
tropics and in the Alaskan Territory.
Many of them are men who have seen
service in the old days when the army
was at frontier stations. They have had
the handling OF millions Of dollars of the
public funds. and they are Indispensable
TO the officers who have charge Of the
disbursement of pay and allowances.
These clerks have all the discomfort and
peril Of life in the military service with
out any of the securities or privileges
which are attached TO duty as a commits
stoned officer or an enlisted man.
1t is now proposed by pending legisIa-
tion TO give them the designation of pay
masters assistants. with the paw and
allowances Of a second lieutenant. not
mounted. making them warrant officers.
under bond, with the privilege OF re-
tirement, as in the case of commissioned
officers and enlisted men.
This provision for the useful clerks of
army paynasters is one which does sim
pie justice to "a peculiarly deserving
class Of men, as is stated by the Pay
master General of the army.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
A vital educational Question.

The discussions at the first session of
the department Of superintendent Of the
National Educational Association touched
on one Of the live questions Of popular
education. namely. whether our schools
should not better fit boys and girls for
the actual avocations Of life. Dean Rus
sell. OF the Teachers College Of Columbia
University. struck the proper note when
he said that when we make a man we
should make him good for something.
Our educational system. he said takes
little account OF the boy or girl who
cannot obtain or does not want the higher
education. While the door of opportunity
is open to the pupils who want to com
plete a professional education. It is closed
TO the immensely greater number who
must early in life take UP work that
yields a livelihood. How this system
operates in practice was shown in the
paper read by James p McEIroy a con-
sulting engineer, who said that less than
! per cent Of the mechanics employed
in the industrial establishments Of Albany.
n. Y, had ever attended a high school.
and only about per cent had completed
outside OF an elementary education. the
schools had furnished these men nothing
that wes Of any practical value to them.
while the costly mechanism OF high
schools Is kept up for the sole benefit Of
that minority OF our youth which is pre-
pairing for professional pursuits.
The conclusions reached by Prof. L.
Tkorndike. OF the Teachers College of
Columbia University, from a study of the
statistics OF elimination of pupils from
school. Just published by the Bureau Of
Education, tend to show that our schools
Go not perform the function which ought
10 be required OF them in a democratic
society. Prof. Thorndike has made il
clear that 3 per cent of our school chill
dren learn nothing more than the rudi-
ments Of reading. writing, and arithmetic.
Half Of them never have a man teacher.
Less than one in ten graduate from the
high school and only a third from an
elementary school Of seven grades. Only
about half learn anything about the his
tory Of their own country OF of the
worlds science. literature. or art. And
finally. says Prof Thorndike. zone main
cause OF elimination Is incapacity for
and lack Of interest in the sort of in
tellectual work demanded BIZ present
courses Of study" This observation Is a
serious indictment Of the academic system
Of education. Boys and girls who are not
interested in mental exercises, however.
may be attracted by mechanics or by
constructive manual labor, or by house
keeping and dressmaking. as Mr.. Nc
Elroy pointed out To such children op-
Dortunity under the academic system,
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
wants More Roosevelt History.

From the Los Angeles Herald
Theodore Roosevelt can no longer be
accused Of being an ambitious man.
No one without provoking :. smile could
say that he is a schemer who IS trying
20 improve his condition. No human
being ever re-entered plain society and
everyday life at such an angle Of vantage.
The future is his. What will he do with
It? Let us be among his thousand and
one advisers Let him devote four con
scientious years-a Presidential term-to
writing with circumstance and detail the
history OF the United States from 1886
down to date. II he should tell the truth.
the whole truth. and nothing but the
truth. and neglect no branch of the sub
ject, but devote equal space and study
to social. moral. economic, military. naval
political financial, and educational de-
velopment. the people of the United
States Will not only enroll him among the
greatest Presidents, but the greatest
benefaetors
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
A Dangerous Precedent.

When the President Tipped a coin at
the White House one day to settle the
distribution of certain patronage. he set
an evil example that he might have
known would be seized upon by others
to their undoing. When Mr.. Roosevelt
does a thing in this land of the free,
practically everybody else feels at per-
feet liberty to do the same thing-ex-
cept in the matter Of making wholesale
nominations 10 the Ananias Club per-
haps.
And this disposition to look upon the
President as the Man-Who- Can -Do-No-
Wrong is what got a New York jury into
all kinds of a pickle recently. The jury
was considering a civil suit in which a
plaintiff was trying TO recover damages
from a railroad because of the death OF
her son. Failing 10 agree. one erudite
juryman said: why not flip a coin TO see
who Wins7 Tails. the woman; heads, the
railroad" Everybody consented after the
juryman had reminded them that Teddy
! settles things that way" The coin was
flipped-whether a mOttoless coin or not
isn't stated-and it fell heads; the rail-
road won. and a verdict was handed in
accordingly.
The judge got wind OF the extraordinary
proceeding. however. and was very angry
about it. This verdict" Numbered he.
is Illegal. and I set it aside: also Ine
each juryman $50 for taking part in such
a shameful finding" The foreman en-
deavOred to explain; even cited his emil
nent authority on coin hipping 10 sustain
his point. No use; the judge was not
! impressed; the fine stood. and there are
twelve as sick jurymen in New York
this day as you ever heard Of anywhere.
And that is why we say it is wrong 10
suppose that any one may do things
the President does. and with as much
| impunity. II makes a very great deal OF
! difference who flips. coins to settle propo-
sitions in this country. and juries need
not think they may flip for verdicts be-
cause Of notable precedent in the art of
| Tipping.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
CONGRATULATED TRUTH" "
Is Collective Action Wrong When
Individual Action Is RIghtF

Individual Action Is Rightf
From the Philadelphia Record
In the case of the Bucks Stove and
Range Company. recently decided in the
Supreme Court Of the District OF Co
lumbia. it was contended that as each
Of the defendants had the right to re-
fuse to patronize the plaintiff they might
lawfully do the same thing collectively.
This contention" said Judge Gould in
his opinion, has much plauslbfIity. II
is difficult to formulate the legal basis
Of the proposition that what is lawful
for one to do becomes unlawful when
done in combination. It seems to evade
accurate analysis" And Justice Holmes.
of the United States Supreme Court. in
a prior case involving the same principle
remarked: TT would be rash 20 say that
some as yet unformulated truth may
not be hidden under this proposition"
How TO formulate the ''unformulated
truth" is the trouble. The remedy sug-
gested by the labor unions and at one
time favored by the late Senator Hoar.
that no act should be deemed unlawful
when done collectively II IL would he
lawful when done by one person. would
shut the door 10 the progressive develop
ment Of Jurisprudence along the lines
indicated The oil and sugar refining in
dustries and some others, as we'll as
the greater transportation systems, are
practically under control of single cor
porations; and the suggested enactment
would TO all intents and purposes legalize
the blacklist so far as these Incorporated
persons" are concerned. Judge Holmes
adumbratiOn would remain for all time
an 'unformulated truth" In this con-
nection the question presents itself
whether an employer who dismisses an
otherwise unobjectionable employe on the
sole ground that he belongs to a labor
union does not thereby. in fact. make the
roll Of members OF such union a blacklist.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
Dcs Moincs Plan constitutional.

The Supreme Court Of Iowa has sustain
ed in every particular the eonstitu-
tionalty OF the elective commission sys-
TEN Of local government about to be
established in Des AIoines That system
was attacked on the ground. among other
things. that legislative. executive, and
judicial functions were combined In a
single body. and that the legislature dele
gated legislative functions to the people
by providing for the Initiative referen-
dun, and recall AS 10 the first OF these
allegations, il was sought 10 establish
that government by an elective commits
sion was repugnant to that clause of the
Federal Constitution which guarantees 10
every State republican form Of govern
ment. The court. however. held that this
provision related only TO the form OF
State governments and not to the political
entities created by State legislatures.
Moreover. the court found that the COM
bination of all three Of the primal func-
tons Of government in local officers was
within the competency of the legislature.
inasmuch as the State constitution con-
tained no express provision restricting the
In view OF the growing sentiment for
the initiative and referendum. particularly
in local governments. the disposition by
the court Of the second allegation is Of
widespread interest. The court said that
the question narrowed down 70 this: rs
it within the power Of the legislature TO
provide that a popular vote may be re-
sorted 10 in the enactment Of municipal
ordinances and by-laws?'' This question
was answered in the affirmative. the court
declining to. pass on the general question
whether the initiative and referendum
would be unrepubhcan # adopted as
method Of State legislation. but holding
that the legislature had plenary power 70
prescribe that method of local legisla-
tion. As TO the recall by which Is meant
dismissal OF an elective officer by popular
vote, the court decided that as the State
constitution contained no provision pro
hibiting IL. the legislature had authority
10 prescribe that method OF removing a
municipal officer.
Summed up. the Iowa courts decision is
that the initiative. referendum. and re-
cal may be established as features Of
local governments where the State con-
stitution contains no express provision TO
the contrary II simply asserts the
plenary legislative power over the form Of
local governments, in prescribing which
tn legislature is not bound. unless the
constitution so prescribes, by any Ine-
oretical considerations as 10 the separa-
tion of governmental functions. or as to
the precise nature OF a republican or rep
resentatiye form OF government. The city
Of Des Moines is now free 10 enter upon
political experiment the success or failure
G, which viii do much to determine the
future OF our municipal governments.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
GOOD ROOSEVELT DOCTRINE.
Reasons for NOninterference of Of
fee Holders Clearly stated.

From the Civil Service Commission Report OF lssl
signed By Theodore Roosevelt.
The public service should be divorced
from politics. No government Office should
be used TO control the results Of any
elections whatever. whether il is an cleo
ton for State or Federal officers. or a
primary. held for the purpose OF electing
delegates TO a nominating convention. No
ofticeholder belonging 10 a dominant
party should act in any way which would
cause a scandal or create friction in any
Office II the person belonged to the party
in opposition Under the spOils system.
the theory is that politics belong especial
ly 20 the officeholders. Under the merit
system. the theory Is that politics belong
TO the people, and that the people are
quite capable OF managing their own af-
fairs without interference and dictation
on the part Of those whom they have
chosen TO serve the whole public in merely
administrative positions.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
Question of imprisonment.

From the RostOn Globe
There is, nevertheless. one point upon
which President Roosevelt and Gov.
Hughes may be said 10 be in antagonism.
and on that point Gov. Hughes took
occasion to reiterate the view expressed
In New York when his speech was de-
livered in the evening or the day on
which che President submitted HIS re-
nlarkable message 10 Congress In that
message. President Roosevelt accused Of
bad faith those who say that imprison-
ment not fine, should be the punishment
for offending corporations. Gov. Hughes
firmly recommends again the penalty OF
Imprisonment and not fine, and makes
his position more distinct than before.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
MR.. LILLEY'S CHARGES.
VIII Make or Break His Political
Future in Connecticut.

Prom the Springfield Republican.
The leap into the limelight by Con-
gresham Llley, Of Connecticut. may
make him or unmake him as the next Re-
publican candidate for governor or Con-
necticut There should undoubtedly be a
Congressional investigation into Mr. LII
leys charges as 20 the House Naval COM
mittee being exposed 10 improper infiu-
ences in matters relating 10 submarine
torpedo boats. and If Mr.. Lilley can make
good his accusations every one will ad-
NIT that he has performed a public serv-
Ice. a scandal in Congress cannot fail
TO be highly obnoxious 10 the House man.
ayers and the statements that they are
anxious 20 avoid an investigation may be
accepted as well founded. Mr.. Liley Is.
however. a man Of too much responsible
ity and repute TO be ignotsd II he choose
10 press the matter. Should he fail en-
tirely TO make good" the price he would
have to pay in political prestige would be
heavy.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
4 Greek Revival.

I went TO see the revival OF one of the
plays by an old Greek author who lived
such a dreadfully long time ago"
Did you enjoy il?
Ever so much. II was awfully quaint
and the gowns and sandals were very
becoming. And I'm sure never heard
such stately language
Who was the author"
''Erysipelas. I think"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
Ambiguous.

Yes, the editor scanned my poem and
seemed surprised. He said that il was
fortunate for the world that I hadn't
turned my peculiar Salent into other
channels. Rather a neat compliment.
wasn't it,"
Perhaps. Il depends entirely on the
point Of view. Il Is quite possible. you
know, that he meant 10 convey the i'm
preston that your poem; was stolen
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

statesman and shrewd
politician. He was
born in Scioto County.
Ohio. ffty-four years
ago, and his early life
was one Of hard work
at a number of call
ings. After leaving
school in Illinois. he
worked at farming.
railro aiding, and
school-teaching. II e
studied law and was
admitted 10 the bar
while still a young
man. When twenty
eight years Of age.
Mr.. Carter removed
from B ur1in e TO n,
Iowa. where he had
previously gone. 10
Helena. Mont. and
was elected a Dele
gate from the Terri
tory 10 the Fifty
first Congress.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
AS regards the judicial temper and
ability 10 consider the issues OF the day
broadly. the governor is more Ike Secre-
tary Taft than he IS Ike the President.
As A member OF the Presidents official
family. the Secretary Of War may not
feel himself at liberty 70 pick flaws in
the administration OF his chief Freed
from this restraint, II restraint it be. Mr.
Taft might be found more in accord with
Gov. Hughes than he is with the Presi-
dent
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

4 suppose you listened 10 washlngton's
farewell address as read in the Senate on
Saturday iast?"
Yes. answered Senator Broadhead
and / enjoyed ii immensely. II was the
first document have heard this session
that didn't want anything"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
watching the Orient.

From the Portland Oresouiar-
Japan has never purchased anything
from this country that she could secure
10 better advantage elsewhere. and she
never viii. II we are TO share in the
growing trade OF the far East. we must
insist on the preservation OF China as a
neutral market. This integrity may be
maintained By the action OF other Es-
tions. but the situation viii Bear close
watching oy the United States.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
n Didn,t Touch Ara,

From the Chicago Record Herald
Andrew Carnegie says this country has
the worst money system in the world II
Is hard to understand how a man who
has made as much money as Andrew
managed to accumulate under our finan-
cial system can have a poor opinion of if
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

From the Boston Globe.
The Washington correspondents have
begun telegaphing the prayers OF Chap
lain Couden. of the House Of Representa-
tives. 1t must be encourag ging 20 the
chaplain 10 see that his prayers are at
tracing attention somewhere
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
4 SaddenIns Echo.

The day Of valentines has passed
Relief for either gender.
We know not which we must despise,
Recipient or sender.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

A number OF Southern papers are learn
edly discussing the gentle art Of kissing.
We suppose the advent OF the prohibition
laws down that way has brought about
something Of a revival of that pastlme.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
InsuIar PrOIihcacy.

FTOm the Boston Herald
According to the very latest enumera-
ton. our Philippine Islands number s1l.
This shows an increase Of 1871 since We
acquired possession. They are almost as
prolific as rabbits
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

fr1Ln NE wilmington -NVNs.
A New Jersey man OF eighty-two years
has just married widow OF thirty-nine.
Talk about the courage Of youth. It does
not compare with the heroism Of some old
men in these DAYS
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

1T viii kill his father. maybe.
Quoth ma i'm deepest gloom.
That careless. careless baby
Has stepped on papa's boom,"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

A Nebraska woman sewed her husband
between two blankets and belabOred him
with a rolling-pin until he agreed to sign
temperance pledge We rather suspect
that is one variety OF prohibition likely
TO actually prohibit
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Two enthusiastic Populists have just
pulled off a State convention in Montana
4 Populist convention out there must be
quite as jolly as Democratic conven-
ton in Maine
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

From the Hartford Courant.
There are grounds for a belief that
It's going to be cold June at Chicago
for sham delegates
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

February showed US a varied assort-
ment OF weather"
''Well2"
But wait until April. with its line Of
samples. arrives"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

1.-The 775. .245. .2S9. lis. .SS3. .6l9th report Of
King Alfonso's death has just been Off
cially denied" says the Rome (Ga) Tri-
bune- Herald. Sull. those anarchists are
patient; they may get him yet.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

A physician says minee pie has caused
more harm in this country than whisky
and cigarettes combined. Heretofore,
that latter combination has been consid-
cred unbeatable
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

The Richmond Times-D Dispatch IS brag-
ging nightly these days about the star
eyed blonds OF Royal Richmond from
whom IL asserts. no one ever steals a
kiss" Peroxide blonds, doubtless.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Did your ancestors have a family tree.
Mr.. MagUire?"
Family tree. is It. ma'am? One Of me
ancc cstors controlled tn intire privilege of
the Garden OF Eden"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
All Wives Have.

yes; I'm setting up in business for my
self"
You haven't had much experience.
take ii. in hiring help?"
No; but my wife will advise me. She
has"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
"UncIe Joe,s,s Daily Diet.

From the Nashville American.
Uncle Joe" counts that day lost whose
chsttering session does not find him de-
nounced as an autocrat, czar, and a
variegated tyranL
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

The Montgomery Advertiser Is talking
Of rare money as If there were any
other kind
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27
CAPITOL GOSSIP.

Born and r>tced In State where you
can find all kinds OF politeness. the State
Of Ohio, Senator Thomas Henry Carter.
Of Montana, is an example of real
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

We suppose -its no use. We tried 20
head Off that story about King Humbert
still being a member OF the king trust,
but it's marching on. for all that.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Our hat is of 10 the Denver Posts
Miss Dinah Might" a belle Of that city.
even though there is something about her
that rather jars on one.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Surely, the governor OF Kentucky
should understand how to suppress those
night riders by this time. The news
papers have been advising him all about
it for several weeks
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Mr.. James Corn has been arrested in
Birmingham, Ala, accused of illegally
dispensing rectihed spirits. We suppose
II Is more or less suspicious to have a
name like that IN that locality.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

It's such proposed things as "fotograf'
and "fonograf'' that make simplifed
spelling look so funny.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

From the Detroit Free Press
Down IN Washington. p. c, It is pro-
posed TO put tax on cats. which viii
no doubt make the owner OF a maltese
cross
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Mrs. Hetty Green says she would not
know diamond II she saw one. This,
however. doesn't mean that it is at all
worth while for any one 10 undertake to
sell her some near-diamonds
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

A New York man asked that his salary
be reduced. whereupon his employer had
him packed off to a lunatic asylum IL
was. OF course, a clear case.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

From the Atlanta Constitution
Hitchcock Will hold up Taft's hands.
1t was wise in him to tackle him on the
instalment plan.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Mayor Schmitz's proposed debut on the
lecture platform may produce another
spectacular rise in the price Of eggs.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

The English commission investigating
the theft Of the jewels of the order OF
ST. Patrick appears 20 be very much
afraid it will find out the truth of the
matter.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Washngton's Farewell Address appears
in the Congressional Record without any
applause" great applause" or laugh
ter scattered through it. Isn't that dis
elimination?
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

The suggestion OF Mr.. George Ade as
a suitable man for the Republican plat
form committee was made. no doubt
with an eye TO having somebody on that
committee well versed in fable writing
The Washington herald., 1908-02-27

Cheer up. Looks like we shall have
fine fishing weather soon,"' says the Sa-
vannah News. But who wants to fish
down that way any more?