davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Taft Activity in Alabama.

The TAFT boom has struck a consider
able obstruction In Alabama. the first
State on the roll call Of the national con-
vention. There is a strong ant-admin-
istration wing Of the Republican party in
that Commonwealth. II has an organiza-
ton OF its own, a State executive COM
mittee. and en- active chairman. At a
recent meeting It was determined TO hold
a State convention for the selection of
anti-Taft delegates 10 Chicago and a
resolution was adopted expressing the op-
position Of those present-twenty-sl in
alto the attempt of the President to
nominate his successor.
But the live wire OF the meeting. as
an account in the Birmingham Age Her
aid tells us, was the adoption of q reso-
luton calling on the United States SEN
ate to make an investigation OF viola
tons Of the civil service law on the part
of Federal officeholders. as well as Ger
tain peTniciOus political activity OF which
Federal officeholders have been guilty"
In explanation Of this resolution Judge
ID y Cooper, Of the Sixth Alabama dis
trict. said 10 an Age-Herald reporter
that it was common gossip in Marion
County that the deputy marshal had en-
deavored to gain support for Taft candi-
dates for delegateship by stating that he
controlled the patronage OF that district.
the appointment OF bailihs. and the fill
ing Of Federal juries-" The discussion Of
the resolution. according 70 the Age Her
AIDS account. bordered on the sensa-
tional
The terms Of the resolution and the
reasons adduced ny Judge Cooper for its
adoption furnish mighty interesting read
ing. even at this distance from Marion
County. We had not supposed that the
Taft boomers had gone so far as 10 par
eel out bailiffs to men sound In the Taft
filth, CT 20 exchange places in the Fed
eral jury box for Taft votes That IS
raking the Federal patronage with a fine
tooth comb, as it were. for something Of
value TO the Taft campaign. BY whom
is That sort OF thing ordered, or sug-
gested. or encouraged, or does it just
naturally happen? Political activity OF
The sort described b. Judge Cooper is not
only pern.ciOus. as the Taft workers
ought to know. but it is extremely fool
lsh- It does Taft infinitely more harm
than good
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
The scarchllghr on Tho NEW

II is 70 be hoped that Senator Hale, chair
man Of the Senate Naval Committee, and
Senator TiIlman. the head OF the minor
ity membership Of that committee, Will
spare no .one in their proposed inves-
tigation OF naval administration There
is enough TO justify a thorough inquiry,
regardless OF the effect upon people or
politics. There is something radically
wrong in the Navy Department when it
becomes necessary for the Secretary OF
the Navy 10 address categorical ques-
tons" 10 individual officers to ascertain
whether there has been a combination
to influence public sentiment against the
existing system and methods. A firm
head of the Navy Department would not
have permitted the situation TO develop
as Il has since the offense OF last ses-
sion. when the naval general board was
responsible for crude circular sent out by
each midshipman at the Naval Academy
TO My Dear Father" asking the stimu-
lation of neighborhood sentiment al home.
SO that fires might be built under the
chaIrmen of the House and Senate Naval
Committees. and get them TO promote GER
tain radical naval personnel legislation.
This was an onense which ought 20 have
led TO an investigation then and there
by the Secretary of the Navy and the
ordering away from Washington OF the
officers who were responsible for the
composition OF this discourteous COM
munication. II was we'll known in the
Navy Department who wrote these cir
culars. and il was as well known who
instigated this ridiculous campaign.
Another remarkable incident has oc-
CURED during the past week II is the
failure of the Navy Department 10 reply
in full 10 the Senate resolution calling for
information respecting names and duties
OF those naval officers who are employed
IN Washington. The Senate resolution was
plainly expressed Yet the reply sent
from the Navy Department was incom-
plete, in that IL omits from the list OF Of
fcers on duty in Washington on January
last such a prominent officer as the
Admiral of the Navy and the officers of
less rank who are on duty In connection
with the naval general board. Undoubt-
edly this omission is an oversight. but
Il Is striking. and naturally invites the
suspicion that it was intentional. Such
an action would hardly be regarded as
one OF purpose because OF that suspicion,
but this proceeding would probably be
possible 10 those who were capable or
sending out the MY Dear Father" con-
fiagration circulars.
il IS an incident Of this sort which
justifes the Inquiry now promised by
Senators Hale and Tflman.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Mr.. Roosevelt wns Right.

Argument as TO the propriety OF the
Presidents abolition Of the motto I'm
God We trust" from certain coins Of the
United States may be somewhat belated
At this time. Congress apparently having
pretty well made up it's august mind 20
order said motto restored. Nevertheless.
we think the President might did he care
to do so. even prove his plea by the Con-
gressional Record.
Mr.. Roosevelt took the high ground that
the motto on the coin. Willie worthy
enough as an abstract proposition. was,
for all that really a source OF much IT.
reverence: was treated In the light OF a
joke rather than a pious sentiment. and.
therefore, was not only serving no up
lifting purpose. but was actually bringing
tho name of Deity into disrepute. II the
President was right in this contention. no
man will deny that he was doubly right in
ordering the motto's removal. The ques-
ton. therefore. is. Was he right in assum-
ing the position he did?
Mr.. Sheppard. of Texas. delivered very
beautiful Congressional speech-realIy it
was a fine effort-advocating the restora-
ton of the motto TO TIE coins II every
American viewed this matter. in every
day intercourse with his fellow-man.
through the glasses Mr.. Sheppard holds
TO his mental eyes. there would be no d.
vision between thinking men as 70 the
propriety OF the restoration But they
don't; there's the rub, Probably not one
hundred people in this entire land could
give a clear summary M fucr what nv
Sheppard said. On the contrary, every
irreverent joke made at the expense OF
the motto travels all over the country.
When. in discussing this question. Mr..
Knowland, OF California. suggested the
motto. Il know that my redeemer
iteth.'' for clearinghouse certificates. il
was telegraphed out from Washington as
something excruciatlngly funny. when, as
matter OF fact IL was a suggestion
made in extremely bad taste. even II in
tended. as it doubtless was, as a mere
pleasantly. II is only this presumption
that saves the Joke" from blasphemy.
And these are the things. say what one
will, that prove the Presidents case. II
this motto leads people--and it does. ap-
parently. lead them-into the temptation
&c make light Of sacred things. Il were
better that It go from the coins. That Is
the Presidents contention. and It is as
sound es collar, Congress may restore
the motto-indeed. doubtless will do So
but il cannot shake the solid foundation
upon which Mr.. Roosevelt planted him.
SELF when he issued the order mat
brought about the argument.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
DRIFT TOWARD BRYAN.
Eastern EIiminators Ignorant of
Conditions West and south.

Conditions West and south.
From the New York Tribune.
II any Southern State really contains
the nucleus OF an opposition 10 Organism
that opposition ought 10 be visible in
Tennessee. The leading Democratic news
paper Of Tennessee's capital, the Nash
vile American. has fought Mr.. Bryan
consistently for the last twelve years.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal ridf-
euled him in 1895 and 1900. and has bare
" tolerated him since. Tennessee took
the lead among the Southern states in
pushing Judge Parker for the Presidential
nomination in 1891 Yet now it falls into
line for Mr. Bryan without whimper
or protest
We have been somewhat amused AZ the
efforts Of the Bryan eliminators IN this
neighberhOod, because they seem to be
working IN hlissful ignorance Of condi-
tons in the Democratic party in the
South and West. Those conditions are
being disclosed as different State con-
ventions come together and ratify a choice
Tor the Presidential nomination which
circumstances have made inevitable. Mr..
Bryan gets the delegates everywhere for
two sufficient reasons. In the first place.
he has the support of the mistaken rank
and file Of the party. despite his past
failures In the second place. no off,
setting pressure IS being brought on the
politicians to displace him; for displace-
ment would necessitate replacement. and
there is no leader of equal keel and am
plitude anywhere in sight
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Postal Civil Service.

Prom the PittSburg Dispath-
In well-managed railroad the small
est shipping clerk. or even the section
hand. knows that II he can show the
necessary qualities. and fit himself for
higher place. he has almost infinite pos
sibilities before him Say that the ir-
cumbent OF a village post-Ofiice knew
that high position awaited the most in
dustrious and efficient men in the lower
ranks. would not that add an immense
stimulus to the zeal and energy OF the
service? But under the present status of
the smaller post-Offices there is no such
Indictment The stimulus IS really that
the incumbent or the incumbent's rela-
tives shall faithfully serve the interest Of
the politician whose recommendation Sc
cured the small place.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

which owned and controlled the vast in
terests included in our public utilities-a
government whose every important act
could be dictated by the initiative or
estopped by the referendum. whose Off
Gals were subject 20 instant decapitation
by the recall. would be a government so
FAR removed from that which we now live
under as TO justify the appeliation ''revo-
lutionary" II would be. not q represent
alive government. but, as the reformers
say. a pure democracy. in which the peo-
PIE, theoretically. at least. directly man
age the complicated political affairs Of
State. city. and nation, with an indus
trial organism annexed.
When we consider how deeply popular
rule. by means Of the initiative and ref
erendvm. eoajoined with government
ownership and operation Of vast indus
trial and transportation enterprises,
would cut away the foundations Of cur
present political institutions. and when
we observe that there Is a large and in
creasing body of public opinion support
ing these subversive proposals. the con-
clusion is forced upon US that radicalism
has gained a much stronger hold upon
the American people than the timid con-
servatives of old parties are willing TO
admit Mr.. Hearst has been stimulating
this radicalism for a number OF years
through his papers; he now proposes to
test its extent by direct appeal through
party organization-an organization
that will have the obvious advantage
over its competitors of being avowedly
and sincerely and sggressively radical.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Another Naval Inquiry Suggested,

Prom the New York World.
Since Representative Lilley is RESPONSE
BILE for these charges. why does he not
also call for a general inquiry into naval
appropriations, such as he suggested last
summer? The Naval Affairs Committee
consists largely of members representing
districts in which navy yards are stu
ated- Some of the navy yards. as Rep
resentative Lilley has pointed out. are
badly located O. are almost useless on
account OF shoal water. Why should
Congress vote appropriations largely for
the political benefit of certain members
instead Of for the best interests OF the
navy?
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
IN DEFENSE OF HARTMAN.
His Plan Of Building Up Great Con-
Meeting Railway Systems.

Meeting Railway Systems.
From the Philadelphia Press
II is not hostile 10 the public interests
for railroad to extend its system IN
this way. For one company 10 seize a
parallel line for the purpose of crushing
competition might be very Injurious to
the shipper and the traveller. but when
the roads are not parallel and when the
merger merely means an extension of a
system, the result is generally beneficial
1t is so patent as not 10 require argu-
ment that 100 small companies welded
into one concrete system like the Penn
sylvania is vastly better for the public
than II all the little railroads were op-
Grated Independently
Omitting entirely the means by which
II was done and considering the thing
Itself the Union Paci1c's acquisition Of
the Illinois Central was about the most
eommendable bit Of enterprise in which
Mr. Hartman has permitted his com
pany to engage So long as he devotes
his tremendous energies to extending the
Union Pacific's sphere OF influence in
wAolly new territory the people can find
no reasonable grounds for criticism
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Our esteemed relative, the New York
Herald, rather thinks Il has the Joke on
us because OF a story from Georgia in
which we used this expression. 1T con-
Germs a man bitten by a rattler who sub
sequently recovered" We admit that was
a trife awkward; bat, after all. who
could only have referred TO the man
nobody ever heard OF RATHER" being
a who Now, If we had said blind
tiger instead or RATHER" our contem-
porary would certainly have Us down and
out
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

did on February % %,
the older legislators
cast uneasy gIances
at the Albanian
w h e n lie & o {
through mis- law
course mere were
few institutions in
Alabama that h9dn' I
the name Of James
Thomas Helm on
their roster.
After going through
the common schools
of Randolph County
he took a course at
the Southern Uni
versity. Greensboro.
Then he took a
course at the A. &
NJ. College. at Au-
burn.~ Ala, later
studying law at La
fayette, under Judge
benson. When twen-
80 farr rsrarr oTI -
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

example of the life Of Christian gentle
man-these are losses indeed: but surely
he earned his rest. A soldiers work he
had TO do in the world. and he did it well.
Through sixty-eight years he never fall
tered In his service; and though we have
lost him. his name and his deeds are part
of the nations history and the nations
gloryi
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

From the Kansas City star.
II Hon. Leslie NJ. Shaw win stay in the
West few days longer he may take a
decidedly more optimistic view of the
situation. II -akes some time to get
the Wall street germs entirely out OF the
system.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

From TIE Boston Globe.
one does not need the statement OF a
foreign missionary association 10 realize
that the heather outnumber the rest OF
mankind Ride on the street cars.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
FACTS AND FANCIES.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
OF First Importance.
Bring me the morning paper" said
the King
Your majesty" replied the premier.
I wish first 20 call your attention 10
certain affairs OF state that"
Never mind them, interrupted the
King impatiently. II want to see whether
have been assassinated or not
Going 10 the front door. the premier
whistled 20 a passing newsboy.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Representative ollie James is being
doomed for Vice President. Parties op-
posed TO Mr.. James. If they ever sized
him up physically, viii state their OBJ
jections at a respectful distance
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Race-trnck GambIinr-

From the Boston Herald
DIR. Lyman Abbott puts it thus neatly
and pungently: There is only one ar
gument in favor OF race-track gambling.
namely. that It improves the breed of
horses. The answer to that argument is
conclusive-it deteriorates the race of
men"
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
VaIue of snow.

From the Chicago Inter Ocean
The entire West is covered with a sheet
Of the spotless. and We hardly know of
anything IL a hard course OF reading on
the subject counts for much. that will do
next years crops more good than this
same mantle Of purity.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
EnduranCQ.

They say her conversational powers
are immense
rs that so?"
Yes. sir. They tell me that girl once
talked clear through Parsifal. -
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
An Architcctura1 omission.

From the Denver Republican.
II present signs at Washington are
truthful, Mr.. Hartman made a great
mistake in not providing his $4000.000
house with an adequate cyclone cellar.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
CAPITOL GOSSIP.

This is the third Congress for James
Thomas Helm. Representative from Ala
eama' and though he is oL,y thirty-nine
years old when he gets as busy rs he
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Beyond All Remedy.

From the indianapolis News
Still, most OF Us feel that when Boston
tries its Christian psychology on New
YOrk's bad habits therell be nothing
doing
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

It now appears that the new rate law
has driven the greater number Of one
night-stand attractions out OF the South.
and left that section victim 10 the week
stand shows. This is clearly a case Of
going from worse 70 even more so.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

The Court of Claims rules that Balti-
more was loyal during the war The
truth Of the matter is. Baltimore had 10
balance It's chew OF tobacco exactly in
the middle Of its tongue in order to keep
from falling of the fence one way OF the
other.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

From the Chicago Tribune.
Bori de CasteIIane had to pay only a
franc as damages to his princely cousin.
and he IS confident that he inflicted much
more damage than thGa.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

From the Milwaukee Sentinel
Hail Game has called some one a hoddy
doddy. a term inadvertently omitted. we
believe, from the special message.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
A Concession.

The court had ruled that the railroad
magnate must answer questions.
DO I understand your honor" uueried
the magnate. that I shall first be
sworn
You must answer on OATH
Then. your honor. continued the
magnate, ''in order that I may nor
appear recalcitrant might I have the
privilege Of framing the questions -
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

man named Joe BrowE being urged
as candidate against Gov H0ke Smith
is said TO write faultless English" That
is terrible handicap for a candidate to
wiggle under.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

From the FIorida Tine Union.
It would be the irony Of fate for the
negro vote to defeat Roosevelt and his
policies. and that's what they threaten
10 do
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Bryan. is It? Well. he is an easy man
70 beat" remarks the Baltimore Ameri-
can Perhaps so; perhaps mott Pride, be
it remembered. optimistic contemporary.
sometimes goeth before fall!
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Dream stun.

Il had dream once that I had found
my wife's long-lOst wedding ring. Twice
the dream was repeated"
And then you went out and did ind
ito
No; that's the strange part about IT..
except that I never was married"
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Mr.. Roosevelt appears willing TO admI,
that he recognizes the name William
embroidered on some Of his political gar
ments, but insists that il means Taft and
not Bryan.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

The verdict in the stoessel court-mar-
tial was promptly reversed by the civil
lied world whether Russia ever reyerses
II or no
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

We thank God We are not as Iawless
as Kentucky says the Arkansas Ga
gette; which somewhat pharisaical re-
mark prompts the Louisville Courier
Journal 70 render thanks that Kentucky
hasn't any JEFF Davis in the United
States Senate
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
An Regular.

Yes; the duke loves me for myself
alone
BAH"
But he does. Here are afidavIts TO
that effect. duly drawn up and Witnessed
by hts solicitor"
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

The Denver News calls the Balkans
"Europe's Breathitt County. Poor old
King Peter doesn't cut as much of a
figure as the Judge Hargis OF that baili-
wick, however.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

From the Chicago Record Herald
II is frequently necessary to repeat a
self7evident truth great many times in
order 70 get it believed.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Naturally. Secretary Taft favors 10000
ton battle ships. He may want to make
few Panama trips himself, II he should
be elected President.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Uncle Joe's attention is .respe ctfuny
called TO the fact that Louis XIV was a
great believer in forest preservation:
and he was a sort OF I-am-the-state
statesman himself
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Mechanical and Otherwise.

I want 10 get your Endorsement OF
the finest voting machine ever devised, e
said the agent
Can't give e." replied the ward poll
tician. ''The man who devised the party
organization uD in my district has your
machine beat a city block"
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Can whale Scream" asks the Brook
lyn Eagle. Don't know: but we never
read whale story-excepting that Jonah
busineSs--in which some old jack tar
didn't below. There She blows. Iads"'
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

If book agents and life insurance solicit
tors were forced 10 observe legal hol-
days. we wouldn't care how many Con-
gress created.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
In FinnnciaI Terms.

1--WE took over the Binks Company and
We took over the Winks Company. and
We were doing fine
''Well?'
Meanwhile. our cashier took over q
million dollars and busted US
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

Why send million yearly out OF
Georgia." demands a headline in the At
lanta Constitution. Perhaps Jacksonville
and Chattanooga can tell why.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
Did you say anythlng. senator %?

Soliloquizes thusly the Norfolk viz
ginian-Pilot: Admit we must that
Teddy has cussed many a trust: but
where is the trust that he has bust since
first he fussed2" To avoid trouble. we
say right now. you may search u.s.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25
The Danger Zone.

rs this seat eugaged?' asked the young
man.
No replied the handsome girl. but
it is only fair to state that 1 am not
either"
Realizing that & was leap year. he
FASTENED TO the safety Of the smoker.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-25

The Lord help the Philippines II they
fall into the hands Of Germany" saws a.
Paris newspaper. Is nobody going to do
any praying for Germany in this emer-
gency?