davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30
The waterways.

The holding Of the waterways con-
gress at Sioux City this week may ap-
pear to the casual observer as being
entirely in the interest Of cities along
the Missouri river but, as . matter Of
fact, IL Is directly for the good Of
everybody who ships freight in or out
Of the Trans-M Mississippi country.
The problem Of transportation is
one Of the most important that comes
to jewellers in the interior where pro-
ducts must all be transported from
long distances and supplies must DO
brought from states near the Atlantic
coast or imported from abroad.
While the river rates do not mean
that any great quantity Of goods will
be shipped by water compared with
the total amount handled in the mid
die west, it does affect railroad rates
to a degree that few people realize,
Every cent on q bushel Of grain means
millions Of dollars to the grain raising
states and every reduction On imPOr-
tations helps the buyer BY Just that
much. The nearest point to Abilene
that will be affected by Missouri river
transportation Is Kansas City and
that metropolis has been giving a
great deal Of attention to this very
proposition.
1t is to be hoped that the meeting
at Sioux City will get things in q
shape far more practical than the
speech making stage and will'map out
. plan for the practical benefit Of this
section.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30
A Significant Order.

One Of the most significant orders
recently issued by railroad company
10 that Of the Union Pacific In regard
to the report Of wrecks. II Is arrang-
ed that whenever q wreck Is inyesti-
gated, the committee that acts on the
matter Is to include q citizen from the
nearest town to the accident. The
effect will be to give the fullest public
ity to the causes and results Of
every accident that takes place on the
Union Pacific line.
The FIRST Of the Investigations to be
conducted under the new rule lie going
on now on the Concordia branch
where passenger train went of the
track several weeks ago. The order
itself was issued last fall but since
that time there have been few oppor-
tunitIes for carrying It into effect 40
there has been a notable decrease In
the number Of accidents on the Union,
Pacific in that time. That road has
installed the block signals over nearly
the entire milage Of the system and %
conducting each month q series Of
"surpriss tests In order to keep en-
ginesrs and train men constantly on
their guard concerning the operation
Of trains. Over 5000 miles Of the
Union Pacific and Southern Pacific are
now protected by this block system
and It reflects in a very COmmsndatOry
way upon the roads management.
In nothing can a road appeal more d.
dectly to the travelling public than In
having prompt and reliable service and
safety.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30
A Worthy Measure.
improvements.

The members Of the G. A. r. Of
Abilene are making an effort to for
ward the interests Of q measure that
Is now before congress. This Is one
which in effect will create q volunteer
retired list for surviving volunteer
officers Of the Union army and navy
Of all grades who served actively with
credit at least one year in the Civil
war. The bill provides retired pay
equal to three-fourths Of the present
active pay Of officers Of corresponding
rank, such pay not to exceed the full
pay Of captain Of cavalry.
This proposed measure has 9 good
deal Of merit. The veteran officers
are relatively few in number. They
are advanced in years and rapidly
passing from the stage Of life. OF
1871 msjor-gsnerals Of volunteers. only
two are living and Of $40 brigadler-
generals who thus served, only
twenty-eight survive. Since the war
no legislation has been enacted In
recognition Of the service and sacri-
fice Of these volunteer officers while
all officers Of the regular army who
served In the Civil war in any capa-
city have been and still are literally
rewarded with increased rank and
liberal pay based upon the fact that
they once served during the Civil war.
In vlev OF the character and magui-
tude Of the service rendered by these
soldier citizens, Of the value Of the re-
suits achieved and Of the near APP
proach Of their departure, the present
measure, carrying with It both q
timely benefit and a farewell salute Of
honor and appreciation from the new
generation in the full enjoy ment Of
the fruits Of that service, Is justified
by every consideration Of patriotism,
OF national expediency, Of gratitude
aud Of equity.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30

The dsieAt Or the ilrst definite prop.
oaItiOn that Abilene ever had for paw
Ing should mot discourage those cIti-
zens who are endeavoring to give us
some up-to-date streets. II = 70 b
hoped that those who objected on the
ground that more streets were not In.
cIuded in the petition will be willing
to help in securing paving for the
larger portion Of the business part Of
town.
Abilene is far behind the other
towns Of its size In Kansas 10 this
respect. Its business streets In time
Of wet weather are something beyond
expression and unquestionably causes
the town loss Of prestige that Il can
not afford. The paving proposition
Is one that is certain to come in .
short time and it should be met as
promptly as possible and with an en-
thusiasm that will carry 1t beyond the
paving Of a single street.
: A start could be made with dozen
or twenty blocks in the business part
Of town and we are certain that the
owners would approve Of
such an undertaking. On streets out
side the immediate business portion
the roadway could be- and should be
several feet on each side
which would add to the beauty Of the
thoroughfares and lessen the expense
Of paving.
Along with all the other improve
ments that. Abilene possesses this
should come very soon. tits the one
touch that is needed to make the city |
appear what it is, an up-to-dats and
beautiful residence town with modern
improvements.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30
Bailey in the Third.

The intsl esting report that ismade Of
! vote taken In Parsons the other day
when the third district Republican
committee met, shows that Governor
Bailey Is BY no means . passive factor
in the fight At this time. There were
thirty-nine Republicans present at the
committee meeting and out Of these,
thirty-elght voted for Bailey.
, The Parsons Sun, which seems TO be
thoroughly Informed, says that the
same ratio would DO maintained Il the
vote were taken Of the entire third dis
trict. 1t says: IF any other man re-
ceives vote from this district in the
state convention for governor, 1t will
be because some delegate secures his
election by false pretense." whether
or not this ratio would be maintained
generally through southern Kansas
we have no means Of knowing but from
the tone Of the papers in that section
Of the state there seems TO be q very
strong sentiment for Bailey among the
people there and 1t may be that when
primary Is held be will surprise even
his most sanguine friends.
lit is true. as the Sun says, that
he Is almost the unanimous choice Of
the Republicans Of that district It
would indicate that something is go
ing to happen that viii give distinct
JOLT to TIE square dealers campaign.
The Sun says that stubbs has never
appealed to the people Of the third
congressional district and ths. his
methods now being used to advance
his own interests are received with .
great deal Of disspprObation among
TIE voters IN thai psFt Of the state
Mr.. Bailey has conducted himself
with . great deal Of dignity and has
Won great deal Of respect during ne
pat lev woska Re has shown >
nuaA better temper and . grust dol
nors ulldnoll In Ne otliipde ~ kns
..,.n orr lhs rtainlilon iur govern
Or 'a.n A. l,-asg orE1nsut
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30
Rees to Withdraw?

The Manhattan Nationalist which
seems to speak with authority says
that it is likely that Judge Rees Will
soon be out Of the congressional race.
1t says: ut 10 understood that
Judge Rees is about to withdraw bis
name from the congressional race.
For the past few weeks be has mot
been pushing his interests very hard,
for bis managers have found Il Inn
possible to arouse the slightest de-
gree Of enthusiasm. The thing which
has absolutely killed the .Rees move
ment at this time is the fact that his
candidacy is now everywhere known
to be unconstitutional. A Judge cam
not legally hold any other Office until
after the expiration Of the term for
which he was elected. In the case Of
Judge Rees his term runs until 1910,
He might run for congress two years
from now, and have right to hold
the office II elected. But II the Re-
publicans Of the district were foolish
enough to nominate and elect him
this year, he could not qualify for the
Office, vacancy would be declared,
and Democrat would get the job"
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30

This Was written for another town
but It so exactly fits Abilene that Il
needs no change, "WhAt a hne thing
Il would be for the town II the Com
mercial club could have al By itself
Z couple Of rooms comfortably ar
ranged and convenient Of access
opsnod regularly on certain EVENING"
Of ne weak. How much easier Il
would be 70 get he membership out
when Important matters were up for
discussion and action and how much
enalsr 70 keep up . continuous inter
ct This Il certainly one Of We
,hlne5 that must Be provided for JUS
& 500 a he rush natten aeg
l.tsnr np Cur peoples tina ~ 81
,rI niis
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30

Some indications n tho Star and
the Topeka papers show that Angel
Stubs Il not considered quiseas much
an angel IS he was. The Star says be
went into an agreement with Ave other
men on the primary bills and now
comes out and says he made no such
agreement. putting al che ether i've
| in an Ananias club while be- is an
angel. The Star seems alittls dubious
about the matter. The State Journal
also doubts his railroad reform and
says;
while some Of the members Of the
legislature are shaking In their shoes
over the certainreceptlon they will re-
ceive at the hands Of their constitu-
ents, upon going home after q session
which has accomplished little. they
should remember the story Of the
small boy and the jam jar. The cat
did IT, is the best answer they can
make. House members should charge
the failure to the Senate and vice versa.
Constituents with any sense Of humor
should enjoy the pickle in which the
ruling gang Of the house finds itself at
this time. Let them dwell on this
little joke, and be easy with their
members. Last winter the house bos-
ses passed a two-cent fare bill, and the
senate killed It. Stubs, the alleged
boss OF the house. has been harplng on
this point during this campaign. and
deposing thus: 1T amt my fault we
amt got q 2-cent fare bill. See what
/ done in the house. That miserable
senate was controlled by the railroads,
and they done the dirt. OF course.
/ am boss Of the house, but can't
quite control the railroad gang YES.
Of course he Is boss Of the house --he
admits it. Why, then, when the sem
ate, without Q moments hesitation,
checks . 2-Cent bill up to him, does
he fall down thuslyP How win this
u
affect his campaignp What will hap
pen to the bunch Of voters who have
said, He's boss anyway, We might as
well elect him governor
Is 1t possible that Stubbs is simply
working the dear people for StubbsP
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30
"splito Primary Or Not?

1t seems to create excitement In the
columns Of our somewhat nervous
contemporary, the Chronicle, to see
that the REFLECTOR does not agree
with everybody at Topeka on the pri-
mary question. The Chronicles idea
Of the newspaper in politics appears
to be that it shall pick out one man
and whenever that man holds up two
fingers the paper shall turn double
somersault regardless Of what is
under discussion.
A newspaper ought to have few
ideas Of its own and be courageous
enough to express them. So far as
the REFLECTOR Is concerned it has not
considered who liked or disliked its
opinion Of the various kind Of pri-
mary bills before the legislature at
Topeka. Our own idea is that II we
are to have primary 1t should be
one that includes every name to be
voted for and that all should be con-
sidered at one time. We do not be-
lieve that it is In the interest OF good
government to mix up part Of pri-
mary with the general election. 1t is
far more sensible 10 elect at one time
and to nominate at another. There
are dangers connected with the ming
ling Of the two operations that ought
to be apparent to nearly anyone.
The direct primary proposition has
q great deal Of rubbish about it as
will be discovered whenever the law
is finally up in any portion. The
simplest bill now before the legisla-
ture has fifty pages Of fine print that
nobody can fully comprehend and
that will require several years Of law
ing to get an Interpretation from the
courts. The direct primary is not
going to solve all the troubles nor
make this state a paradise. Some
other things will have to be done. II
all the voters will 60 to the, polls at
the direct primary and vote their
honest convictions. 1t will be fair
way Of nominating officers, without
question; but II they do not it will
give the rich men and those living in
cities ami those who are able to SO.
cure the help Of the big newspapers
great advantage in getting Office.
II the voters.would go to the polls now
and vote their honest convictions they
would also get exactly the men they
want nominatedi but they do not go
now. either at the primaries nor at
the election. Even In the latter in
stance 1t requires . big campaign
fund to hire carriages TO haul the
voters into the polls or,else they win
not 70. Whether they viii do better
10 the direct primary system or not,
remains 70 be seen.
nKsnsas wants to try il out let's
Try Il, but does not look like good
and fair proposition to hold primary
to nominate only part Of the officers
and mix up the rest with the general
election
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30

Education pays. Il pays the bssi
returns Of anything ksOw." ssid ST.
lee Porter. one Of the judges Of the
Supreme Court at K. Q. Friday. "In
The world Of solve life there Is . su-
psrnulty Of hsll-bsksd. that Is hall
auslIsed, men. Ths man Win tEnin-
d mind In llis Is never u adil.dvnnt.
nrs. Thuts never pasa tlne IN an
hi.lory Wien a, World uui more
4. } q ,prla1a u, man uho Pr.
lsln. So tely
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30
Longs Good Action.

Senator Long in Introducing a billiCr
Abllene's public building has made .
great many friends in this city, u
Is characteristic Of Mr.. Long that
when a thing Is to be done he does Il
promptly and with every possible
effort to benefit his constituents. d
was this that made him q congressmAn
in the seventh district year after year
and that brought to seventh district
more positions and hOnOrs than many
an eastern district Of much greater
population received. Il was this thai
made him United States senator and
bis constant effort 70 see that The
people get what they want from con
grsss % far as he can getit for then
Is likely to keep him there.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30

An otlshomA dispatch says; "eOv.
srnor Haskell has SeCeIvsd = tslegIsm
nom Sensi0r Robert L. Owen an
nounclng The consent Of the national
eoupirollsr Of the currency 70 allow
nailoual banks In oklnhana % tale
adranisgs q thsnsE asposiipri guar
znty laa. Plans q ne rallolul t.nl-
81 f6T ss'rsrnls lnsursnos esnp1nl
~ aantfsH . nh,sian,is
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30

A preacher Of that town has COM
menced series Of sermons on 1.-THE
Sins Of junction City" 1t is expect
ed that it will extend over several
months.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-01-30

No wonder the flags were up-Mc-
Kinley Day and Kansas Day make a
winning combination.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-07
App.ndiciti. and Horseback Riding

Appendicitis and Horseback Riding.
The man behind the desk in the ho-
tel sees and hears many funny things
about guests that would make good
reading, but it is only occasionally that
he finds time to tell them to his news
paper acquaintance, writes the New
York correspondent of the Pittsburg
Dispatch. "See that man over there"
said a hotel clerk That's John H.
Pattison, manufacturer Of Dayton.
o. A man from the Buckeye State
told me a story about him the other
day. He said Mr.. Pattison noticed his
clerks lacked ginger, and, patterning
after President Roosevelt, he bought a
number of horses and ordered them to
get in the saddle and shake themselves.
One of the clerks. who had never put
his leg over a horses back, got nerv-
GUS prostration when he heard of the
order, so he consulted a physician, who
gave him a certificate that he was
threatened with appendicitis and that
it would be fatal for him to ride horse
back. The certificate was presented to
Mr.. Pattison. Now that clerk Is sorry
he presented it, for the manufacturer
ordered him to take a months rest
eco to the hospital and have your ap-
pendix cut out and send it to me with
the bill" The clerk had to make good.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-07

There vas IL dead silence, broken at
last by the doctor with violent ges-
ture toward the telephone. Talk to
the girl. Why don't you talk to the
girl. II. she's worth a hill O. beans
she'll help you to hang on. What's she
for ii she isn't for such moments n
Tell her you need her voice. Tell her
you need her faith in you. Good
night"
siward lay still for a long while
after the doctor had gone. More than
an hour had passed before he slowly
sat up and CROPPED for the telephone
book, opened 1t and searched in
blind, hesitating way until he found
the number he was looking for.
He had never telephoned to her. He
had never written her except once in
reply to her letter In regard to his
mothers death-that strange. timid,
formal letter in which. grief stunned
as he was, he saw only the Formally
and had answered 1t more formally
still. And that was all that had come
of the days and nights by that north
ern sea-a letter and Its answer and
silence.
And, thinking of these things, he
shut the book YEARLY and lay back In,
the shadow OF the faded curtain, clos1
ing his ST..
sTSo d Continued
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-07
oHIoAN's PLAN TO FREE THAW
Offers to Take the Prisoners Place
For S5,000,00o.

Offers to Take the Prisoners Place
For 100000.
or the thousands of letters received
by the various interested persons dur
ing the second trial OF Harry Thaw.
charged with the murder Of the late
Stanford White. the most amazing
came to the wife Of the prisoner the
other day, says the New York Times.
The writer was man In Ohio. who
sent 600 page communication by reg
istcred mail.
His proposition is to change places
with the prisoner for S3,000.O00, to be
placed in the hands of an intermedi-
airy, he to run the risk Of the death
chair or Matteawan. The letter was
accompanied by photographs showing
likeness between the writer and the
prisoner. The letter is sanely written
and goes into minute details OF the
proposed escape. The double, 1t Is
wig ana disguise that can be easily
changed from one to the other. The
writer says that he Is not making the
proposition to kill time, as he is a
married man and has family, but
has been a failure in life. The COM
munication was turned over to her
husbands counsel by Mrs. Thaw.
One Of the proposals made is that
from Staten Island hypnotist, who
offers for sum Of money to put a
quietus on District Attorney Jerome
and ruin his summing up by telepathy
Another Is from ventrilOquist who
for fee will sit in the courtroom and
when tne foreman opens his mouth to
pronounce the verdict Of the jury will
throw his voice in his direction and
pronounce Thaw not guilty. He guar
antees that this will at least result in
a mistrial
Cranlls anxious to marry Evelyn Mes
bit Thaw IL her husband goes to the
electric chair or to the madhouse have
put in 100 applications 80 far.
Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-02-07

matters. This being true. the COM
| mittee of congress to which these bills
are referred. do not know what to do,
| nor how to do it. The best men In
| the house committee are beginning to
| say that this entire question ought to
go to a congressional commission,
there to be worked out along scien-
titc lines and a report made which
will give Il body of law that is har-
monious, just and reasonable, that
will hold an even hand as between the
railroads, the employees and the pub
lie.
This is the opinion of Representative
r. c. Stevens OF st. Paul, who for sew
eral years has been arguing for u COM
mission, and has introduced bills to
that effect. Speaking to The Journal
today he says:
Il am in harmony with what the
president has recommended regarding
legislation affecting interstate COM
merce, but at the same time l am
aware that it will not be possible for
congress to comply with those recon-
mendations in any single session And
even if it were possible, 1t would be
highly inatvisable. There are no ex-
perts on transportation matters in
either house of congress, nor will there
ever be- Congress will want to do. the
best thing for all concerned 1t knows
that legislation of some sort Is neces-
sary, and that the president does well
in calling attention to it. But when
it comes to working out the details of
It, we are as helpless and inefficient as
children. The great problems connected
With modern neutrality-suspicious.
which are becoming more difficult year
after year-cannot be mastered by a
body of men such as sit in congress.
In the very nature OF the case. this
work must be done by experts.
"Our transportation laws are already
a hodge podge. We have now piled on
the interstate commerce commission
several times as much work as 1t Is
able to do, and each session of cong
ress Is increasing that burden. The re-
suit is that the commission is unable
to satisfy the public Its work is done
too slowly and too superficially. What
we want Is legislative commission
that will take up the entire question
of federal control over interstate COM
flPTcc, WOT'N OUT Viz utlallS VI q s'NiViA-
tific system. embody it's conclusions In
an elaborate report to congress, and
then submit the draft of what 1t thinks
is a bill which would make the sys-
tenn operative. In no other way can
the country get the relief to which 1t
is entitled. To pass law now and
then year after year. without refer
ence to laws already on the statute
books, is further to complicate mat
ters. We must have profound scien-
titic basis on which to build. and this
can only come thru the careful work of
experts"
The hearings which are to begin
March will continue several weeks.
and by that time 1t Is Mr. Stevens
opinion the committee will become
convinced that it will be out Of the
question for congress to proceed with
intelligence Then, In his opinion. the
sentiment in favor of a commission.
already quite strong. Will begin 10
crystalize and to gather strength.