davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
DENIES STATEMENT THAT WE
HAVE MAJORITY RULE TODAY

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 81 Editor
Herald: This question of majority
rule seems to develop a vast deal of
sill ,shod tit-or-miss statement, and
that, too, by people who claim to
speak "by the card and to be backed
by authorities" Ga trifle ancient and
out of date mc-tly, but still author
tiles of a sorD.
The conditions under a cooperative
commonwealth, where a man might
have to work-temporarily some
thing not his choice (until the right
opening should be found) is twisted
by Mr.. Cook into an analogy with
present conditions, where perhaps not
one in five follows the occupation Of
his choice-where, indeed, the chosen
occupation is the exception and not the
rule, and ''no occupation" is an ever
present, imminent risk. We are nearly
all, under this system, "round men
in square holes" simply because the
casualness and uncertainty compels us
to Jump in" where the first dollar
looms up, lest through waiting to "se-
lect" we be shut out among the sur
plus" This kind of loose argument by
! false analogy is most deplorable in
discussion that aims to be elucidatory.
Then his closing statement: MA
jority rule affords but little freedom
now"-is most misleading, is, in fact,
untrue. AS 1 told Economist sew
eral weeks ago. we have NOT majority
rule today. We are ruled by MI
NORITY-and not even an intelligent
minority-a minority whose only "abil-
ity" is the ability of indiyidualistic
self-seeking and money-grab5ing. A
few financiers, business men, lawyers
and politicians, owning or controlling
our common avenues of information
the press-THERE'S YOUR MINOR
ITY.
Now for your MAJORITY. Millions of
workers-not so much unintelligent Qf
the issue were fairly before them)-but
harried and "chiSied" betwc I the ex-
tremes of overwork and no work, kept
constantly too ''rattled' to size up the
misinformation-the" red herrings" and
false issues fed them through an sin
spired" press, and half of them dis
franchised by Purchasing migration.
The remainder vote-as the minority
have worked" them to vote-for
choice of the MINORITY NOMINEES.
Majority rule? Pshaw!
VAL STONE.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
Artificial Grimes Are Made
BY Our Legislative Bodies

III HERE has been a strong tendency
of late years in congress. state
h legislatures and in county and
municipal lawmaking bodies toward
the manufacture of artificial crimes
that is the forbidding of acts not IN
themselves morally wrong, ealllhS
these misdemeanors or felonies, ana
affixing penalties, says the san jose
Mercury.
In many cases such is unaVoidaple
and necessary to secure the enforce
ment of laws. But in other cases. es-
pecially where the act forbidden IS
made a felony, there has frequently
been too great haste and lack OF
wise foiethought. A legislature thinks
that a certain thing should not pc
done, and straightway proceeds to
make a felony of the act without
proper thought as to other circum-
stances, and of the consequences, near
and remote likely to be involved.
A late occurrence may serve as one
Illustration. A certain man is sus-
pected of having aided his brother-a
convict on parole--to leave the state;
Now leaving the state-if he had
agreed not to do so-was wrong, put
cannot be called crime, no more at
least than a misdemeanor. While for
a brother to assist him, or to lend him
money in need might show poor judg-
ment under the circumstances. but
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
STAR DAY


N .-TURDAY is the day set apart for
the sale of Bethlehem stars by the
~ school children of Los Angeles,
The school which sells the greatest
number will receive a handsome prize,
and the second school also will be re-
warded. AS a further inducement to
good work, per cent of all sales made
by the school children will be credited
to their schools. The citizens of Los
Angeles are famed for the generosity
with which they respond to all appeals
for aid.
Bethlehem is one Of the most deserv-
ing objects OF their benevolence. It
fills place In the community which
can be taken by no other institution. 1t
plays part in the social order, and is
a necessity of the social economy of
the time. We hope sufficient money will
be raised on Saturday to enable this
worthy institute to keep on its good
work uninterruptedly. We think the
star selling children will have great sue
cess. We hope that on Saturday every
citizen win decorate himself with a
star and II he should cover himself
with a constellation so much the bet
ter. On Star day remember old Bethle-
hem, and the song of the angels which
Will soon again be echoed in all the
churches Of Christendom. Don't forget
to buy your star.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
ELECTRICITY

hR LANDONE is telling the
~ American nation how to raise
children by electricity. He believes
in the judicious use of electricity in con-
trolling, arranging and manipulating
the disposition OF child. When the first
Pedelectric college is started Cf peda-
gogic. why not pedelectric?) there will
be special treatment for every variety
of bad boy. When a youngster raises
his hand to strike a playmate electric
fly will arrest his arm. and he will stay
put, like a statue of Ajax defying
the lightning, only it will be the light
ming that is defying him and restrain
ing him. If child thinks slowly, an
electric current viii be applied to the
cranial bumps which need stimulation.
If he is smart at arithmetic but slow
at spelling. a few volts of spelling Juice
will stimulate the genealogical lobe of
the brain. If he should be a wizard at
spelling, taking six-foot words with the
ease of a thoroughbred vaulting a five
bar gate, but should persist in thinking
two and two add up to five or six,
electricity will be applied to the bump
of arithmetic, and 1t will be modified.
Silent children will be electrified into
talkativeness. Noisy children will be
tranquillized. The teacher won't say
Hush, hush!" or Keep stilp' when
the class begins to chatter, but will
touch a button. We hope DR.. Landone
will extend his idea TO society at large.
If he can arrange a method by which
society can be managed and regulated
by electricity, he will deserve place
in the Hall C Fame. He can have his
electrical currents distributed from a
central power room.
When a community lacks git up and
git, the Hustlem current will be turned
on. When there ars signs of frenzied
finance or other interference with
square dealing, the air will be filled
with common honesty currents. BY and
by the principle will be applied nation
ally, and instead OF a president, an
Electric Regulator win be elected, and
he will sit in Washington in a coming
tower studded with push buttons and
administer volts and jolts where they
will do most good. oh, it is a great
plan!
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18

cannot reasonably be called a crime
certainly nothing worse than a mild
misdemeanor. If assisting prisoners
to escape be wrong-it sometimes is
and sometimes is motif is a wrong
which some of the noblest men and
women known in history have been
glad and proud to do. But this case
did not go that far-the convict was on
parole. free within the state.o
Now consider the consequences of
making the act of assisting him-lend-
ing him money-a felony, may have.
For indulging a proper and commend
able feeling of brotherly affection
(even if doing so with lack of judg-
ment), a person entirely innocent
perhaps one of the best of men and
citizens-(we know not the parties
above alluded to, and speak only In
general terns), may be convicted of
felony and sent for years to herd with
murderers and the worst of criminals
and more than this, his children would
have for all time this stigma and
shame of his imprisonment.
We have not space to give other
Illustrations. The above may serve
for the present to show the folly and
wrong of many of these hastily and
carelessly made artificial crimes. There
are far too many of them. 1t has
gotten to that pass that no one can
know whether he is a saint or sinner
without consulting an attorney.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
ANALYzEs SOCIAL EVIL AND
SUGGESTS METHOD OF CURE

ALEXANDRIA, Nov. 15.-[Editor Her
add: NV letter seems to have been
greatly misunderstood. 1 do not cham
pIon the quarantine restriction methoo
as an ultimate cure. But 1 will state
again that I think it better than nav
inc the redlight district spread over
the city.
We restrict the saloons. The state
reserves the right to define any INJURY
against its welfare as a crime put
laws not backed by public sentiment
are not respected and are not law
1t might be argued that smallpox
was a crime, too; certainly 1t woulo
be criminal to spread the contagion I'M
restrictedly. Then why spread con-
tagion infinitely worse?
Did they have any fewer prostitutes
in New York when DR.. Parkhurst ana
the famous committee got through! "A
few thousands starved to death OF
committed suicide. Does anyone sup
pose that there are any FEWER Al AoS
Angeles now?
This question is thoroughly analysed
In several standard works on socla!
science. (See Bellamy's New Natlon,
Cost of Competition" by S. A. Reeve
etc.l 4o,,o,vs.
Definition: The Social Evil, vice oe-
fined by law as crime, by Webster as
a vice. A symptom of the great eco
nomic disease. .4
Cause: The pressure of the Compel
tive system, with its starvation wages,
enforced idleness of women and lts
Submerged tenth"
Resultant: Increased fecundity ana
activity OF the reproductive instinct OF
the depressed lower classes, and excess
of unearned cash in the hands OF the
underworked, overturned and overturned
upper economic class of men. When
women COR mem are starving and have
something to sell, is 1t unreasonable TO
suppose they will not sell it, even II It
he their very soul? Is not self-preser-
walton the first law of nature?
Treatment: Palliative treatment, as
follows: Moral suasion, mission work.
nrohibition and medical inspection
with segregation. -.-oy mn,
Preventive treatment: ELIMINATE
THE CRUEL COMPETITIVE PROF
- . l = : -1 DIR. HUMANITAs.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
CHRISTMAS

MATTER CHRISTMAS is coming
down the road. and he will soon
II be here, distributing blessings and
happiness and bidding people be good
and kind. He is always welcomed by
everybody, but perhaps the Joy of the
children at sight of his aged and benev-
olent figure is even more enthusiastic
than that of the grown up people.
Every man and woman should have
one Christmas wish, bigger and more
powerful than the other wishes. He
should wish a. Merry Christmas for all
the children. He should wish that none
of these eager youngsters may be dis
appointed on Christmas day in the
morning.
He should form a resolution, right
now, to help Santa Claus-the old fellow
won't object to being helped out-and
should aid in any practicable plan that
may be proposed to enable him to do
his duty. The good old saint certainly
wishes to do well. He doesn't under
stand why one child should have an
automobile for a Christmas present,
and another a rag doll, because all
lDOk dIlhC " AAAllAB IokESAAAAJ
in the United States of America, where,
he has read, all men are born free and
equal. In the United States he nat
urally expects to find the merriest,.
happiest Christmas in the world, and
in California, the choicest part of the
United States, he expects to find the
choicest, rarest, finest, most unsurpas-
sable and unapproachable kind of
Christmas festival, one that will pro-
mote the pursuit of happiness, and will
assure the greatest joy to the greatest
number.
The Herald recognizes the need for
some concerted effort to help Santa
Claus provide for the children on
bountiful and Joy bringing scale. We
know there are many warm hearted
people who will gladly lend their aid to
a children's Merry Christmas festiyity,
but It is necessary there should be some
agent of publicity like The Herald to
marshal Santa Claus forces and act
as his steward. We are glad to assume
the arduous duties of this stewardship,
and will unite with our readers in
bringing to the young folks of Los
Angeles a Christmas that will not only
be merry, but will be the Merriest
Ever. The Herald will give full credit
to everybody who will enlist with 1t in
Santa Claus Merry Christmas army.
Working all together, we will have the
finest Christmas Good Cheer celebra-
ton in the history of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
SAN PEDRO HARBoR

NO clearer conception of the magni-
tude of the San Pedro harbor
= project and the possibilities of the
port has been expressed in words than
that OF Captain Fries when he said:
San Pedro harbor can be developed on
a scale equal to that of London and
Liverpool for about one-tenth the cost
to those municipalities"
In the San Pedro and Wilmington
harbor. the people of Los Angeles pos
sess the means of establishing the I'M
rivaled supremacy of their city in the
far west. Every citizen should take an
active interest in the project. We are
we'll aware that, owing to circum-
stances, harbor plan needs more mis-
sionary work to make it fully under
stood, comprehended and appreciated
in Los Angeles than in some other
cities. The reason for this Is that our
population is largely recruited from in
land regions, where harbors form no
part of everyday life. Many citizens of
Los Angeles have had their first glimpse
of the ocean at San Pedro or Long
Beach. On the other hand, there is an
element in our population, the repre-
sentatives Of which, owing to their up
bringing or early associations, are lost
in wonder that Los Angeles should ever
have hesitated for one minute over
making a harbor plan the predominant
feature in development, because they
realize and have always realized the
tTnV7andn17G rrffo1tzfrnr ~, ,.
will come DER the spirit of the life of
Los Angeles and all Southern California
when the world reaches our portals by
way of the wide waters.
A completely equipped and fortified
harbor to receive and protect the COM
merce of the Pacific, greater by far in
its possibilities than the commerce of
the Atlantic, because of an immensely
greater population, in some measure
dominated or Influenced by English
speaking peoples, will be rewarded by
a widening of the commercial horizons
of Los Angeles and a rapid increase in
population and prosperity.
Los Angeles is to be congratulated on
the finding Of the legislative committee
that there is mo reason at this time for
the appointment of a state harbor COM
mission for San Pedro. There are no
duties for the commission TO perform,
and there is no revenue to pay the ex-
penses of such commission"
There is. however, every reason why
the civic and commercial bodies of Los
Angeles and the harbor cities should
redouble their efforts for an untram-
meled development of our splendid free
harbor, a development which will be
absolutely independent of the narrow
ing and selfish interests of politics and
railroads.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
STANDS BY NoN-INVAsIoN AS
OPPOSED TO INVASIVE DOCTRINE

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. Al Editor
Herald. my lack of faculty for as
Stimulating Socialism is commented on
bv A. c. d. c. T. SpradinC is also
classified with me. He might well have
added that this lick is true of that
prince of philosophers, Herbert Spencer.
We are in good company. Tolstoy'
Kropotkin, Tucker of today, Proudhon,
Stirner. Goodwin, Warren and host or
fine nast are with us. The tendency Of
their thought Is libertarian. Socialism
proposed on parliamentary basis, is
authoritarian.
Mr.. Spreading, myself and lastly Vic
tor H. Telford have proved it. IL the
conclusions we offer are faulty let So
cialists point to the defect in facts or
logic. But If Socialism is admittedly
authoritarian then let us have a valid
justification Of uthoritarianism.
1 am only searching for truth, ana
defend it only as ! find 1t. If you can
prove to me that elderly for the nom
invasive Individual" is a wrong princt-
pie | shall abandon it. Or If you can
proye that political Socialism Will
maintain such liberty 1 will no longer
criticise 1t.
am a public school product, but
whatever faculty 1 possess for clear
thinking is in spite of that fact. The
public school system stiles individu-
atty, because the very schools that
would develop it are taxed out of ex-
istence, in fact never come into ex-
istence.
Very little love of freedom, and prac-
ticaIly no originality of thought, can
be generated by a public school curri-
culum. Schools, like "a postal system,
should survive or suffer on their merits
alone. CASsIUS v. COOK.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18

HHERE is great activity among the
worlds most brilliant young men.
Il The theories held by DR.. Osler
are certainly made intensely interesting
by a study of the busy careers of some
such young men as John Burroughs. who
is now II years of age, and many men
who have become famous and are stlll
active in their walks of life, says the
Fresno Herald.
We notice that the Earl of Wemyss
celebrated his ninetieth birthday re-
Gently, having served his country in
both houses Of parliament for sixty
seven uninterrupted years. This young
fellow gave the following prescription
for success: 1.-THE only thing TO do at
90 or before 90 is to keep busy in fight
ing for what one believes to be right.
Another young fellow who is Keep
ing the world wondering over his cour-
age and achievements is Count Zeppe-
lin. At the age of 70 he shows no dis
couragement in his struggles for domi-
nation of the air. No matter how often
his ships cast him down, he struggles
and rises again.
We should remember that Langley
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
Activity OF Grand old Men
RefuteS DR.. OSIer'S Theory

struggled with the same problem at
the age of Y, caring nothing for the
worlds ridicule, and showing neither
physical nor mental weakness.
Francis Cation, the author of a re-
markable book on hereditary genius.
is busy at the age Of Sc in work of
original investigation With unfiag-
cling mental power and the character
istics of genius he is pursuing his stu
dies and doing as much work as at
any period of his life.
DR.. Osler might also profit by study
ing the present activities of George
Meredith, a hot-headed youth who was
born in 1925 He was not too feeble
two years ago, after writing many nov
els, to startle the world with his theory
or limited installment-plan marriages.
When he reached close to 80 the great
Ibsen was still sapping and mining
many of the fundamental beliefs of the
conservative old world, meanwhile
writing as brilliantly as ever.
The great Tolstoy, who has been
brain and muscle worker ever since
early youth, is now beyond 80, but he
shows no signs of a break in his men-
tal ability.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
A QUANDARY

w HEN high protective tariff gov
w eminent goes into the business
of annexing territory it must ac-
cept the Industries along with the ter
ritory. Colonizing, in fact, may be-
come a kind of self sacrificing passion
with nation. In the old days, before
the quarrel, Britain was anxious to
encourage the American plantations,
therefore g law was passed making II
criminal offense to grow tobacco In the
United Kingdom. 1t is somewhat NOR
tifying to think the fruits of this early
paternalism are being enjoyed by an
un-American tobacco trust, which rep
resents and exemplifies all the princi-
pies which were repudiated by the colo
nists when they asserted and won
national independence.
The annexation Of the Philippines has
introduced a problem into American
national life. The Philippine plant
ers and merchants have taken the
position that the United States must
admit their sugar duty free, or go.
on record as having Disseminated
against a colonial product, and reduced
to absurdity some of the most interest
ing and significant passages of Amer
lean history. When a government I'M
dertakes the business Of colonization
1t should look ahead and count the
cost. in which it should not fail to In
cIude the possible competitive effect on
home industries of the industries which
have been taken under the fostering
protection of the star spangled banner.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
GAMBLING.

INRIENDS Of decency. Americanism
and the American home must not
n waver in the fight to have race
track gambling banished from the state
of California. An indefinite continual
ton Of this evil, under any conditions.
means an indefinite continuation of the
consequences of this evil. Gambling
of all kinds is absolutely contrary to
the teachings of reason, as we'll as of
morality. If society were to reduce It
self in every detail of life to roulette
or rouge ct noir or race track basis,
truly the world would be turned upside
down. Yet this evil, which we cannot
permit to dominate civilization, is al
lowed to influence and affect civiliza-
ton. and always for the worse, never
for the better.
One of the principal arguments adj
vanced by race track patrons and sup
porters is: Horse racing improves the
breed of horses" To this Governor
Hughes of New York made an irrefut-
able and memorable reply when he
asked: us it not more important to
improve the breed of men?"
Indeed. the governors question is
susceptible of a very wide application.
All legislation should be effected with
reference to its effect on the human
being, mentally, physically, morally.
When mankind begins to think babit-
ually in terms of men, and makes hui
man nature and human needs the first
considerations in determining a course
of action, the world will begin to march
steadily toward the conditions which
are described as millennial. but are GER
tainly not impossible. Excelsior"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
GOOD ROADS BONDS

n WING to the stupidity and blum
dering of some of the members
" of the board of supervisors, the
good roads bond sale has been inter-
fered with. In the opinion Of Hartley
Shaw, chief deputy district attorney,
the best interests of the county will
be served If the supervisors rescind all
the steps heretofore taken relative to
the printing and sale of the $3,50O,OOO
issue.
Mr.. Eldridge resents the appointment
of an advisory committee. He Is
reported to have said yesterday: "Mr.
Shaw is advising us to do just what
that advisory committee has been try
ing to whip us into line to do. I have
never at any stage made a promise to
work In conjunction with that arbitrary
committee until the roads are to be
constructed. When the money is In
the treasury is time enough to consult
with them"
When The Herald led in the good
roads movement the earnest hope was
expressed in these columns from time
to time that when the period came for
financing plans for road improvement
there would be neither scandal nor
occasion for scandal All good cit
ixens of Los Angeles have felt
q keen sense Of modification over the
interruption to the good roads program
caused by the financial tarantella
danced by the supervisors.
It Is deplorable and disgusting that
any hitch should have occurred to mar
the history Of good roads; and the
supervisors will not redeem themselves
By opposing the advice Mr.. Shaw and
the advisory committee.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18
SOUTHERN PACIFIC GENUINE
SAINT OF PROTECTION IDEA

PASADENA, Nov. 16.-[Editor Her.
add: In this week, sancitified to the
high ideal of protection to goods made
in California" ought we not to erect
a special shrine to the worship of the
Southern Pacific railroad, with this
statues of the Holy Saints Hartman
and Herrin in solid brass, with paste
diamonds and imitation silver leaf be-
hind the veil in the hottest of holes?
For, to favor the consumption of
goods ''made in California" who in
heaven above or on the earth or in the
waters beneath the earth has done
half as much as they? By excessively
high freight rates and smashing of
goods in transit and then refusing to
pay the damages they have well nigh
suppressed the wicked propensity of the
denizens of this section to buy better
goods, made for cheaper prices, else
where, and thus have they greatly mag
nified the blessings bestowed by the
Holy Saint Dingley L. w. H.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-18

In his manner of dying the Chinese
emperor was guilty of a gross breach
of etiquette. He was taken to the
Palace of Peaceful Longevity and told
to put on his die-robes and pass out in
state, but he insisted on cashing in his
checks before he could be robed and
left his courtiers gaping, shocked and
Disguised with his conduct, which is
said to be unprecedented in the his
tory of the court etiquette of China.
Never was such an unceremonious
royal death.