davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
PRoMorINe coon ROADS.
one way Of Putting Pressure on De
ltnquents.

New York Times.
Nc believer I'm or advocate OF improved
highways should neglect TO read with care
that passage I'm the postmaster generals
annual report which deals with the rela.
ton between the free rural delivery and
good roads. The "R- +. D." Is immensely
popular in every part OF the country al
ready favored with Il; indeed, wherever II
has been established for a few years all
the conditions Of life have been adjusted
to II, and II is ranked among the necessi-
ties. not the luxurles of existence. Nstur-
ally there Is an eager demand for the ex-
tension Of the system through new terri
tory and this is a demand that will have
to be met, despite the failure OF postal rev.
enues and expenditures to balance.
In determining which Of the many de.
mands shall be granted the department
has the best OF excuses for asking the
petitioners in each case about the quality
of the roads over which the carrier and
his horse will have to make their daily
journeys, and to view with a cold disfavor
any application that comes from counties
or townships that have not yet learned the
first lesson Of civilization and still think
that a more or less beaten track between
two lines of fencing is a highway. on the
other hand. when the applicants can pro-
claim that the carriers labors will be light
and his motion swift because the wheels OF
his cart will roll over the hard, smooth
surface of a good road in every part Of
his route, then compliance with the re-
quest should be prompt and gracious.
This would be a perfectly proper basis OF
discrimination and 1t would bring to bear
on the rural population a wholly proper
sort Of pressure toward the spending of
money in n way that would be profitable
In q dozen ways. 1t would also make the
appropriation for the free rural delivery go
much further than 1t will II no such dis
elimination is used. Especially is ii neces-
sary that action in this direction be taken
II the postmaster generals suggestion as
to a parcels post is to be needed, for that
would increase the weight of the carriers
load and render 1t almost impossible for
him to traverse some of the miserable
roads he now covers. mo good roads, no
free delivery" should be the rule, and II It
led to the temporary abolition Of some Of
the routes now in operation the lesson
would be salutary and effective.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
ERA OF CHEAP POSTAGE.
Betting Much of the world with the
Two-Cent Rate.
Minneapolis Journal.

minneapolis JOuIAidl.
And now Germany enters on a 2-cent
postage agreement with America This
was the inevitable sequel of the similar
agreement with Great Britain, which
went into effect October l. Germany Is
too hot a rival of England to permit
such an advantage TO remain long with
it's competitor.
It is evident that we are now entering
upon an era OF cheap postage, France
must soon follow the example Of its
neighbors, and in turn the other rations
of Europe will negotiate similar agree
ments with us. Naturally, the rates of
postage etwee the European countries
themselves will fall to the same level
In the course of a year or so the scent
rate is bound to disappear, except fol
the long hauls to the orient and to
semi-ciyilized regions.
The scent rate hetween America and
Europe has been anomalous for some
time. Our Postoffice department has
been carrying letters to Canada, Mexico
Cuba, Hawaii, the Philippines and ever
to Shanghai for 2 cents. The volume
Of the European mail and the ~cheapnesi
with Which it is carried have long justi-
fled a reduction. The effect of the lower
rate, it is confidently predicted. VIII bs
so to increase the volume of the mai
as to keep the revenue fully up to thu
present level. The benefits to commerce
in all it's qualifications cannot be other.
wise than large.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
THE sgoeT SESSION OF CONGRESS.

THE SHORT SESSION OF CONGRESS-.
BY reason OF the somewhat awk-
ward provisions OF the federal consti-
tuition fixing the time for the terms
of congress, the body that meets at
Washington today will have really lit
tie, II anything, to do with the ques-
tions over which the American cleo
torate became so excited only a few
weeks ago. The pledges of the Chi
cage platform and the plans of the
officers elected in November concern
directly only the congress that would.
under ordinary circumstances, meet
next December. This arrangement
was made by the trainers of the con-
stitution to meet the conditions of
those times, when, owing to, a lack
of communication advantages, the re-
suits of the elections we're not known
for months and 1t required other
months for the new members to reach
the national capital. AS a result of
the plan then adopted, the newly
elected members of congress, with
their credentials fresh from the
voters. have no voice in the nations
legislation for more than a year after
their election.
Mr.. Taft has. however, announced
his intention to call a special session
of the new congress soon after March
4, 1909, thus paving the way for early
action on some of the issues which
were decided upon by the last con-
test. The special session, it is now
understood, will be devoted entirely to
the consideration of the tariff.
The congress hat convenes today
will necessarily devote most of its
time to unfinished business of the last
session. If the usual plan is followed,
congress will spend a couple of weeks,
at most, in preliminary work and then
adjourn to until after the holidays.
The great money-carrying measures
for the maintenance of the Army,
Navy, Judiciary and other depart
ments of the government will demand
most of the time of the session and
lLCie may Oe eApScISu III INC way vi
new legislation. The postal savings
bank bill Is pending and may be
adopted at this session. 1t is possible
that some effort may be made for
amendments to the currency laws, de-
pending upon the report to be made
by the monetary commission, which
was appointed last winter with in
structions to make a report to the
present session of congress. Some
sentiment exists in favor of admitting
New Mexico and Arizona to statehood
at the present session, but the present
congress is not pledged to that action
and the matter may go " until the
December session of the text congress
Altogether, the outlook is for a tame
and rather profitless session of the ma
tional congress which goes out of ex
istence at noon of March 4, 1909.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The report of the Isthmian Canal
commission for the last fiscal year
contains a most comprehensive show
Ing Of the progress that has been
made upon construction of the great
interoceanic waterway and an outline
of the work yet to be done and the
engineering problems to be consid-
cred. While the report was written
before the recent settling of some
parts of the Gatun dam, the details
of that enterprise appear to prove that
most of the alarm occasioned by re-
cent reports was much exaggerated,
and the engineers express perfect o
fidence in their ability to establish
absolutely firm foundations Cor the
dam and locks.
According to the report. the amount
Of material removed during the year
includes 12,065,13S cubic yards in
the Culebra division, ~7,774,124 in the
Chagres division, 5,0S7,623 In the
Colon dredging division and 5,27S,36s
in the La Boca dredging division. The
motive power and machinery division
erected shops in Gorgona, Empire and
Paraiso, and a large amount of work
was done in repairs and building new
equipment, including the installation
of three automatic fire alarm tele-
graph systems and 1886 sixteen-can-
die power electric lights. The sum of
$~5,645,62 was expended by this
division. The work of the municipal
engineering division consisted of the
completion of the w~aterworks, sewer
age system and paving in Panama and
Colon, the cost of which Is to be re-
imbursed to the United States through
the collection of water rates in those
cities, and of the construction OF
w~aterworks and sewerage system, paw
ing, grading and r~oadmaking in the
canal zone. The total cost of this
work was $~1,067,15O.
The division of materials and sup
plies received during the year material
valued at $11,607, O94 and disbursed
material to the value of $11, 685, 1853.
The report on labor shows thai while
the skilled force decreased during the
year, there were almost as many new
employees as in the preceding year, the
force being practically renewed every
year. The commission has been unable
to get a sufficient force of white work.
men and during the year 1850 West
Indians and $3.50 Europeans were i'm.
ported for the work. The immigra.
tion exceeded emigration by more thar
$4,000, so the commission considers
the labor question solved,
Apparently there is nothing needed
now but time and money for the com,
pletion of the great project. Thu
millions that we're spent by this gov
eminent in improving the sanitar!
conditions on the zone are bearing
fruit, which proves that the invest
ment was most wise. The death rate
in spite Of the mixed condition of the
workmen, is less than hat in thu
average American city and there II
comparatively little sickness. The en-
gineers do not commit themselves t.
predictions, but leave the i~nferenc,
that the canal will be completed ant
ready for use within five or six years
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
rWo GENTS TO GERMANY.

BY the terms of a recent postal
agreement, negotiated between this
nation and Germany, on and after
January 1 letters can be sent to Ger
many for a 2-cent stamp instead of
the scent stamp heretofore required.
The new arrangement was made at
the request Of the German postal ON
Gals, who discovered that hundreds OF
German firms were sending their mail
to England by freight to have II
posted under the accent rate recently
established between the United States
and Great Britain.
While the reduced rate on letters
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
LIFE's LESSONS.

J. Mortimer Lewis in Houston Post.
We used to think in the days gone by,
With a little longing and little sigh
AT ~grown-up's freedom, and grown-up's
Oh. what's the use of being a boy!
Oh, what's the use of an old rope swing,
And the knowledge We nave Of a wood
land spring,
And all we know OF the twisty creek,
For the wary trout and the g~rayiing SLIM
But the grown-up man! how we envied
him!
On, the grOwn-up man. footloose and free
To choose all things he would do or be,
TO 80 g or stay, to be iii IL q nights ,,rn..
Have n ekered cut, nd he morn comes IN
With its pallid mists and its walking din:
Oh, the grown-up man who can sit and
And can go to shows and can eat ice
cream
TIL he wants to stop! Oh. where's the 10y
In being only a little boy9
But we've learned llfe's lesson. we have.
At least ] have. and imagine you
Look back sometimes down the misty
That leads to youth. and would wander
4 you only could to the other days.
That rambled over the meadow Hill
10 the orcnard wall, to the whippOorwfn
Ihat called az night as you lay awake
And titled the nights with it's own heart
break.
And you exclalm at some gone-wrong plan.
on, what does II help one to be a mani
And your thoughts are thoughts such as
do no good.
OF a vanished day and a vanished wood.
And manhood seems In an old rope swing
Not worth the cost OF It's garish lights,
And then you think OF the fun OF nights
When the babies meet you AdoWn the
And being a mans worth while ana SWEET
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

in the distribution Of charity. IL So
ciety could be so organized that work
could be provided for those able to
work, with the understanding that IL
they refused to help themselves no
help would be extended to them. the
charity question would disappear. As
that can not be done readily, the pres
ent plan of feeding and aiding the
undeserving rather than let the de-
serving suffer will probably be con-
tinued indefinitely.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Heads of the several state lnstitu-
tions are making reports to the gov
ernor, which show al excellent condi-
tion in the management of the Ne
braska public charities. No complaint
of extravaganza can be laid against
the republicans in this regard in face
of the steadily decreasing per capita
cost. The economies have been ef-
fected not at the expense of efficiency
or the unfortunate inmates, but by
prudent business management. This
is the greatest reaso why Governor
Shallenberger should be careful in
making any changes.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
Three Spirits of Modern Life.

Three groups of men in modern life chal-
lenge attention and admiration for their
ubiquity and their audacity. They are the
exploret. the pioneer trader and advance
agent OF commerce, and the religious propa-
gandist Science, and religion
are fundamental facts in contemporary life,
as are the motives of truth seeking, gain
getting and altruism, which are back OF
them. OF the three great missionary faiths
Of the world, Buddhism, Mohammedanism
and Christianity. the Christian religion has
planted it's outposts on the most continents
and has developed the most effective
propaganda machine.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
Nebraska's state house has been out

Nebraska's state house has been out
of date for a long time, and is now
crowded to its utmost. This forces
the question to the 'front.' and the in
coming democratic legislature will
very likely be asked to take the initial
steps toward providing Nebraska with
a suitable capitol building. The dem
ocrats may not welcome the intrusion
of. this issue at the present time, but
the needs of the state business de-
mand Il.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

between the United States and Great
Britain has been in force but a few
weeks, the postal officials Of both
countries report a marked increase in
the quantity of letter mail carried, as
surfing a emu that will be much
larger than hat obtained under the
old scent rate. II is certain o that
all Of the countries in the Interna-
tional Postal union will soon come in
on the 2-cent basis.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
HoIdInr Democraer rone,h.r

Louisville courier-Journal (dem.).
Clean politics, honest politics, wise poll
tios-the good OF the country-would seem
to demand that the democratic party, much
discouraged and depressed, and thoroughly
beaten, should stii hold together, seeking
to preserve Its morale, and as the saying
hath IT, keeping It's powder dry. II II
should go to pieces nothing would remain
between our institutional system and the
deluge except a body OF able and self
confident opportunists, calling themselves
the republican party, and quite equal to
the commercial exigencies OF the times,
and that vast master, the mob, tame
enough when fed and clothed, but very
destructive when turned loose hungry upon
whatsoever it may devour.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
Origin of a Party Name.

1T was r. Ii. Lindsay" a former Kan
san said this morning. who frat gave the
populist party In Kansas its name. The
party had grown out OF the farmery alli-
anee. and gave itself the nam OF the
peoples party when it organized in 1880 to
become a political organization.
Lindsay was at that time the Topeka
correspondent of the Kansas City Star. He
thought a shorter term than peoples party
was desirable. so he began to refer to the
party as a whole as populists. Other corre-
spondents and the Topeka papers adopted
the same word, and populist became the
generally accepted name OF the party. al
though II still uses the title OF peoples
party when 1t places the names OF eandi-
dates on the official ballot"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
CURRENT POLITICAL COMMENT.
ExtendinG the Merit system 60 Fourth
Glass POstmnstera.
WashinRton Hernld nndl.

Washington Herald dnd.).
President Roosevelt, by adding over 1900
fourth class postmssturs TO the classified
civil service. has struck a severe blow at
VIA remains Of the spoils system, That
the whole number OF fourth class post.
masters VIII be Ultimately placed under the
same classification seems certain unless
congress shall interpose objection 10 losing
this form of patronage. When Mr.. Roose.
welt recommended in his last annual mes
sage the action he has just taken. his pro.
posal met with much congressional opposi.
ton, and a bill introduced to carry Il into
effect was given no consideration The
president has now taken the matter into
his own hands. as he had power TO do,
doubtless with a lively anticipation of the
stern of opposition likely to arise from the
spoilsmen. Yet he will have the support
Of the postmasters themselves, who in their
various organizations have favored the ac-
ton just taken. and Of the National Civil
Service Reform league. Nor should It be
taken for granted that members of congress
will unanimously oppose any reduction In
the amount of patronage at their disposal
for a number Of them would be glad to get
rid of the annoyance OF settling cOntro-
v~ersies over minor appointments.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The grand jury fired a blanket
charge and almost everybody in sight
was spattered a little. This will be
the justification when the county
comes to pay the bills. If some of
these grand iuries would hand in in
dictments instead of innuendoes the
public might feel a little more kindly
toward them.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
CorroboratIve Evidence.
nz.AoA nlDha

The theory recently advanced that some
OF the mound builders mounds were con-
structed for use in a game something like
base ball Is perhaps strengthened by the
discovery OF sixteen skeletons in one OF
them-presumably umplres whose decisions
didn't suit.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The Woman's Christian association
picked the proper season for asking
donations for the Old Peoples home,
and the public apparently enjoyed
playing Santa Claus.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

II surprises the public 10 learn that the
cost OF the postal Thanking privilege last
year was t42.0Oo.oOo. or more than twice the
amount Of the postal deficit. This leak de-
mands the promDt attention OF congress.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
Always ON Hand.
indianapolis News.

Notwithstanding the considerable number
Of new and inexperienced men IN the next
congress It is believed that there are enough
of the old and foxy members left 70 pre-
vent 1t from doing most of the things it
should.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
Great ETpectationa Shattered,

Nearly every one who had followed the
noise which the socialists were making
would have thought before the election that
the socialists were becoming formidable.
They made an energetic campaign and pre-
dicted a vote of more than 100000, This
vote was in the neighborhood of $4,000. or
about 1900 moro than in the 1904 election.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
woes ID . Ma.aIea warrlor.
Philadelphia Record.

What Is to become OF Captain HObson
and his hobby If the agreement between
the United States and Japan should bring
enduring peace? Where then would the
veriest lingo find a pretext for increasing
the naval armamsnts on both the Atlantic
and Pacific coastsf
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The democratic statesmen are hav-
ing their troubles in trying to arrange
In advance for the organization OF the
legislature, A few new jobs wrlf>have
to be made II all the patriots are to
be cared for.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The M York Herald has pre-
scented a mass of testimony to prove
that the Chinese are in favor of an
alliance with the United States. Moth
ing has been offered to prove that the
United States favors it.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The boom in the clearing house
statement bellies the pessimistic asser-
lions that business il not good in this
country, and the reports from the
omaha banks show that the Gate City
business men are sharing in the gen.
eral activity. Prosperity is surely on
its way. II 1t has not already returned.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
Another Idol Shattered.

Chicago Record-ftersld.
An Italian historian asserts that Horace's
odes were written as adve tisements for
some wine company. II Horace were liv-
ing now he would probably be writing such
poems as one reads on the cards that are
fastened upon the walls of trolley cars.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
peserves to Dc soakea.
baltimore American.

A woman in Nebraska is suing a man for
$4,000 damages for a stolen kiss, and SlO,O 900
more for teHing about 1t afterwards. To
kiss is human. but to kiss and tell is some
thing that the mean man who does It ought
to be made 70 pay for.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07
BathOs OF the hats.
Chicago Tribune.

Some parsons are 30 blind as not to see
that United States senators chosen by pri-
mary elections are any better h those
elected In the way prescribed By our blum
derinS forefathers.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Mr.. Carnegie says he got his first
$1,000 by saving 1t. Mr.. Rockefeller
got his first $1,000 by borrowing 1t.
Both plans are dihaOult OF accomplish
ment,
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Texas is now Boosting about the
size of It's corn crop, Texas has Just
discovered that corn Is measured by
bushels instead of by quarts and gal
Ions.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

jenator Plat a he would be glad
to have Mr.. Roosevelt succeed him.
The rest of the country will be glad
to have almost anyone succeed him.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Mr.. Archbold has furnished a list
of the by-products OF the Standard Oil
company, without naming any MEM
bers of congress who have been sup
posed to belong in that list.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

American women appear to be suf-
fering from a strange nervous afhic-
ton" says a New York physician. 1t
is just Christmasshoppingitis which is
not serious.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Castro is to have an operation per-
formed for stomach troubles. He
seems to be in need of an operation
for swelled head.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The French government has de-
cided that it will not recognize Castro.
That is a little surprising, as Castro
is known to be travelling with a
plethoric purse.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

A wealthy New York girl lie said
to be engaged to marry a Chinese
prince, She might have done worse
by getting one of the French variety.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

FRITZ Schef has postponed her
marriage until after Christmas. Evil
IDENTIFY FRITZ does not propose to have
her holiday spoiled.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

II is now declared that Paul Revere
was a myth. On the contrary, he was
the founder of the American Society
of Rough Riders.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The Washington Post a y "a new
era Is dawning In Ireland" That new
era has been dawnihg in Ireland for
about 500 years.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Attention is called to the fact that
The Bee and the World-Herald are for
once in substantial accord. They
agree in the main as to the report Of
the grand Jury.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Physicians insist that crawling is a
healthful exercise. Those not caring
for that exercise are recommended to
p~atronize the Harvey car line as
something equally as good"
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

win the kaiser keep his word?"
asks the London Times. He is keep
ing his word and his words.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

Local traffic officials are reaching
out for a club, but it is to be a social
club for their own use.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The retirement OF Senator Platt
may be a hard blow to the express
combine. but their loss will be the
states gain. -
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

"There is q remedy for every case
of Crouch" says the optimistic Hous-
ton Post. Prove 1t, If you can, by
curing the New York Sun and the In
dianapolis News.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The inventor of the cobless corn is
entitled to praise, but glory awaits
the inventor OF the acheless corn.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

How long can the voters be
driven?" demands Mr.. Bryan. Who is
driving them?
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-07

The democracy is in debt" says
Chairman Mack. 1t is also short on
credit.