davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
AS TO INSANITY PLEAS,

T. We have, great respect for exper,
j knowledge and expert testimony in a
court of justice, If 1t be based on en-
! act scientific knowledge and IL It be
/ honest, and such testimony is entitled
| to due weight and consideration by the
| jury. But the plea of insanity in muir
der trials has become alurmingly
prevalent, and in cases OF this
nature expert testimony In behalf Of
the criminal should be received by
the jury with many grains OF allow
ance. Insanity is very broad term
Few men are absolutely sane at all
times and under all circumstances.
Anger is form of temporary insanity,
but anger is not an excuse for crime,
however it may be pleaded in pallia-
ton The lust OF the flesh, the greed
of gain. the ambition for power, any
and every strong desire which takes
possession OF a man, may be called an
insane desire. But If that form Of
insanity is a Justification of crime,
IucIe is no SUCH lHlHS us peTSOllul re-
sponsibility. That is not the doc
trine of law, either divine or hui
man. A man must learn to control
his actions, no matter how strong his
temptations may be. and If he yields
he must pay the penalty unless 1t be
that he is actually crazy as ordinary
mortals understand that term. When
person is arraigned in court for
murder and pleads insanity, 1t may
be proper to introduce expert testi-
mony for and against, but the testi-
mony of his neighbors should also be
introduced. The jury should know his
general reputation, and If it be shown
by honest witnesses that he has al
ways been regarded in the community
as a person of ordinarily sound mind,
| that testimony should also have weight
with the jury in making up verdict.
| We believe that in nine out of ten
cases the plea of temporary insanity
Is a mere subterfuge and in no sense
a Justification. The doctrine of ire
sponsibiity is as quicksand at the
foundation of character, society and
all forms of popular government
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
THE PROMISE OF BETTER TIMES

Brief reference was made in these
columns several days ago to the graft
flying exhibit shown in our foreign
trade report for January. The Times
Dispatch had not then seen the report
in full, and additional figures make it
even more significant. In our pros
perity we bought enormous quantities
of foreign goods the imports in August,
1907 amounting to sl25,S06,000 against
exports of s127,270,OO0. But after the
financial storm a marked change took
place. In October imports fell to SILL
100000 while exports rose to S1S0,000,-
900. In November December and
January our purchases fell further to
| s1l0,942,o16, $92,2479s4 and SIS, $685.
7oi respectively, while our sales have
been s204 900 900, s2oTOoOoOO and $685.
100000 respectively. In November the
excess of exports over imports was, in
round figures, $4,000 600; in December,
s115,000,0 1000; in January, $121, 900 600,
making a total balance in our favor
of nearly s33o,OOOoOo in three months
| These figures when compared with
other periods, make an interesting
and instructive study.
For the fiscal years ended June 80,
| 1888 and 1889, our imports actually
exceeded our exports; for the fiscal
year 1890 there was slight increase
| of excess In exports, but in 1891 i'm
| ports were again ahead of exports. In
| 1892 exports We're considerably in en-
| cess, but in 1893 the balance was once
| more against us. Then it was thu, the
panic came on, followed by period
OF dull times. From 1894 to 1897 the
balance was in our favor but the ex-
cess was not great until the close oil
the fiscal year 1897, when exports fol
tho first time crossed the billion dol
lar mark, while imports showed fall
ing off, as compared with 1896. From
! that time on there was a steady growth
) OF our export trade. For the fisca
year 1897 the total exports were 81,
t O5o,993,556. while for the calenda
9 year 1907 they were $3.50, s5l,o9
/ But in the first half OF 1907 import
S also showed an enormous growth. an,
t 1t was not until October that the bal
ance turned largely in the right direc
: ton.
r If we keep on. however. as we hav
/, been going since October, 1907, on
+ trade balance abroad for 1908 will b
| more thnn hilton dnllare ,rbiob r,,,,
far surpass all previous records an
bring us prosperity such as we hay
not before enjoyed We did not tur
our prosperity to the best advantag,
but we have learned a valuable les
son. Economy is wealth. and we ar
now learning how to economic Q
least in foreign purchases,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
Charges on Pullman.

Editor Of The Times-Dispatch:
Sir.-I was glad to see a recent edi.
torial in your paper on the Pullman
Company, One feature Of the o.ppres-
sion Of this monopoly should be In
vestigated by the proper. authorities
OF the State and corrected, in the in
5terest Of our citizens. The Pullman
Company charges the people of Vir-
ginia higher rates than in other States
where there is no more travel and
where their expenses are no lower,
Some time since I took Pullman west
Of the Mississippi and travelled over
900 miles (Afteen hoursl for SO. On the
same trip I took the Pullman at Ma
rion. Va, after 8 o'clock at night for
charlottesville, about half the distance
and time. charge $3.50. From Roanoke
ride, the charge was 50, at the ticket
office in Roanoke depot. Is there any
reason why the people of Virginia
should be taxed more heavily thai,
others to make up the millions Of dol
lars OF annual profit the Pullman mo-
nopoly squeezes out Of the railroads
and the people? Cannot something; &, be
done? s. Is. w.
Charlottesville, Va
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
ADMrnA1 coNyERsE,s REpoRr.

Admiral Converse's elaborate report
on the state of the navy will doubtless
do the work for which 1t was pre-
pared and given out. 1t will doubtless
be taken as fully demonstrating that
the American navy, all things consid-
cred. is as good as any navy that
floats the sea. That feat was not diff
flcult of accomplishment, Americans
are ready enough to think the best of
their navy, as of any other of their
national institutions. Whatever alarm
had been aroused by adverse criticism
had already died down. Probably that
alarm was never very great. Probably
few persons had thought that our bat.
tleships were likely to blow UP through
the captains not noticing where they
threw their cigars, or fall to pieces al
the sudden popping of a cork,
Admiral Converse's report is too tech
nical for the layman to make mucl
Roadway with. 1t Is ninety page
long--very much longer than the mag
azine article which primarily called I
forth. This may be merely becaus
the admiral Is q less compact penmal
than Mr.. Henry Reuterdahl 1t leave
the impression, however, that he fel
that he had q good deal to defend
This Impression is probably more o
less accurate, II would be absurd 70
any one who knew to assert that ever.
criticism made against our methods o
ship construction was without founda
ton. These criticisms have been mad
by naya! officers for years past. ON
cial reports and service journals hav
often held them. Rear.Admiral Nc
Gala has given voice 10 them Admi
raj Converse, OF course, makes no sue
pretense as that. He says expliciu
that ut is not claimed that mistake
have not been made, or that our ship
are without faults and that admis
sion is well. But The rmes-D ispatc
wishes that he had not thought 1t nee
essary to preface 1t with the announe,
ment that those who make the advsr!
criticisms are amateurs" who.
knowledge Is 'llmited and Incorrect.
The theory OF battleship constru
tion ~ constantly changing. Ere!
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
Rhymes for To-Day
GEORGES WAY.


TV7H15N he was big and wise enough
w to have niue hhtenet,
He used ito accomplish things
no matter II he'd catch 1T:
He did not keep 1t just to knock ant
knociS with all his powers
oh, don't you think that Georges way
was rather better'n ours?
When he had done what he should not
he never slyly hid it.
lie stoutly faced the music with
grieved but brave: Il did IT.
lie did not whine; ~ must not tell
see how my counsel glowers!--
Oh don't you think that Georges way
was nobler far than ours?
When people offered him a trust, he
did not dare refuse 1t;
But taking 1t, he made men sure he
never would abuse IT:
He did the work-forgot himself--ror
thought Of lonor's flowers
Oh, don't you think that Georges way
was twice as good as ours:
When he had won, and nobly won, Il
fine reward of glory,
lie did not try to coin 1T into-quite a
different story:
He never screamed my policies" In
shrill linguistic showers
on. don't you like old Georges way n
whole lot more than ours?
II. S. II.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 20. 1908.
Continue kind and sood-humorcd
to all the world, even to the inju-
rious person himsclf.-Mnrcus Aure-
Illus.
NOT GATES ALONE.

the interstate commerce commission
hnishea Its investigation YESTERDAY nv
me REBATES "h'en Aaa oee'' '''''' " l"'''
and fFaudn'enty obtained oy hiefiHo''u
Shippers from 'AG q ''aAs'e '''s
L,he ana 'ae 0es'. u ~ A'-''''
X 10" remains Ae' '"e
sEsaa Jury 20 lha'eS ana i'F 'Ne
ssas-4- COLE : - p'osee1Ne ''te 800
Jams - -As . ~ n " ea'es -
g. 80 '-Es - 10 Hssa iof '''e
ss1esA- .-rF Pass upon S"s rae
LIZ = = III 10 .s'a>'h any ionse'
Z II E.s .. councilman VI
~ ~ ---1----s--1 70 ms eFi''ii-
ID ,ssii-'-is-i --4-2ss, al1 Nnose oi nus
sfs,'i--l.ssr We are qssc-4! winning 70
-1AA- % sun o'S
= ~ e'Af-s EE--E i-aasNe- bus mr. va 'e7
s ooi E2s only enc involved. upon ths
testimony developed petoFe Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Lane 1t Is
clear that there was conspiracy &c
break the interstate commerce law
and to defraud railroads over which
some parties shipped their goods b!
means of false waybills.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
Uniform System of ACCOUNTING.

Editor of the Times Dispatch:
| Sir,-ln any business the business
risks of the individual firm or cor
poration are carried by the respective
parties. as it Is their own money in
| volved.
They are naturally watchful. pru-
dent and painstaking: they. devote
ness, and should 1t not prove sue
cess, they at once proceed to close it
without consulting any one. In the
management Of county affairs the con-
cially interested, and this interest
usually is of but little Importance in
comparison with their individual In
| terest
sciertious, painstaking and interested.
have greater opportunities for COM
hitting errors IN the administration
of county affairs than in their private
are open to many more risks of mis-
| use on the part Of county officers than
Is the case where proprietary inter-
ests are involved.
and constellation has been given to tnis
subject OF late than ever before, and
Justly so, as the result Of a general
public demand for correct business
methods In the management OF al
kept as those Of any business enter
prise? Why should not the, results
Of such accounts present TO d 6he pup
of the countys finances and show the re-
ceipts, expenditures. assets and llabili.
ties in a way all can understand!
What has recently been saia OF s shG
option by any county of a method OF pre-
sentipg its exhibits OF receipts, and l. e x
,n II f rreat step has been
Of good government. With the ador-
ton by number Of counties OF unl,
form system Of inteiiagipttee,p has been
taken in in the honest and economic ad-
minstration, placed at the cot'''''aAu y
Thf s Witne rsp9rtsh OF
make a presentation OF tine Whole
truth" as well. snao,,,
necessity for systematic a and re sSua,
audit of the accounts or every 49,
| Auditing is SUPERVISOR. 2 pr accnraeS
Of the accounts and the integrity sgsI Gool Q,
officers, hut it secures practlcai ec .,,l !,
olmy, and adopts labor-savingn ahe s,pm raiii
teal methods, minimizing any s'i''p''
There are six principal reasons ann!,G w ~
the finances Of every county ss,rn ui NO
audited annually by q PROF roIess'oAa4 I
No; i. The Constitution Of .dth the sttff o,
Iof Virginia, adopted by the eooa saws
. of 10000, section lis, page ~, 81 !,
! The General Assembly shahli no h.pS 40
counts and settlement Of aeG nenhare
county and city officers VINO 70 a M same
No O. The protection Of the . taXh,paaSg
en- as we'll ns fair .dealing W snre IN
'nubliC. depends In O large Insaau1N -, -
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

patch of yesterday that the daughter
of an Italian saloon-keeper in this
city had been indecently assaulted in
her fathers saloon by man to whom
she was selling beer The Dabney
ordinance has wisely safe-guarded
one of its provisions is that no per-
son licensed to sell liquor shall allow
any woman or minor or other person
who Is not a legal voter Of the State
of Virginia to sell or otherwise dis
pense ardent spirits or malt liquors at
his place of business.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
FLYING THE UNION JACK.


rsn y 81 has phs the libra
100000 as n wedding gift And the
beauty of II is, she doesn't have to dig up
another 500, 600 In order to make the gift
available.-Washington Herald.
settlement work is a noble thing, but a
persistent bill collector certainly gets on
ones nerves.-New York Mail.
us there any longer state which Joseph
the Charleston News and Courier. Yep; the
state Of innocuous Observation-Disclosures Post
The possibility of being nominated for the
vice presidency has no terrors for Governor
Guild, of Recommendations Georgian
The opinion of New York justice that
bad cooking drives men to drink arouses u
suspicion that tho whiskey interests are be-
Herald-Courier.
"'Uncle joe Cannon is credited with
saying that ne has declined to be a cand!-
date for the presidency fifteen times" says
the Cleveland Plain Dealer. We should
think as much: even Mr.. Bryan would shud-
der at the though OF being a candidate If
teen times!-Washington Herald.
only immoral. but also injurious to the
health. A Louisville minister says there
are health germs well disease germs!
While the earnest collector of health germs
may eventually bump into "a fatal m!crobe
he has equal chances with the abstaIner
and a much more colorful existence while It
lasts.-louisville Courier-Journal.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
A MISTAKE.

Through an error communication
was printed in yesterdays paper as
an advertisement in the column set
apart on the editorial page for Voice
OF the People" The Times-Dispatch
does not accept paid expressions Of
opinion for this column. The CON-
munication was not an advertisement
and should not have been SO printed.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

tho Star that 1t visits moro homes in
Washington than any other newspaper
and that 1t never carries MESSAGE
that is unit for tho women and chill
dren to read. The newspaper which
Mr. Noyes created and inspired is but
all expression of his own abilities, SEN
tIments AMI morals, and 1t Will ever be
q monument to his memory more hon
orable than any shaft OF voiceless
stone
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
New Version of the Old story.

I've heard this story more than once
You'll scarce find one to match 1t.
How Georgle's papa had tree
And George a little Ratchet.
And George would not have been a boy
Though future fame he sought not
If he then had rot gone to work
And cut down what he ought not.
But when his papa dear roared out:
"foungster, where's my tree, sir?"
George bristled up and answered back
i've cut it down, you see, sir!"
And then MS papa winked at me.
And said, with proud admission:
II tell YOU what he SAID says he.
Hell make Politician
And then that noble father did
Exactly what he oughter--
He ran his hand his pocket In
And gave the kid a quarter
@.
The years rolled en-, as years will roll,
so runs the nations story
And George, grown to MANS estate,
was wrapped around with glory.
| Who're Is my col'ny," England roaret
That grew so We'll for me, sir?"
George answered back, all bristled III
I've cut It off. you see. sir"
! s,
me moral Is apparent here,
10 every growing laddie,
ihat ne who chops cherry tree
= Should be his country's daddy.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

The West Virginia Legislature has at
last realized and recognized the fact
that there is such a thing as the West
Virginia debt and that it is a serious
matter. Had the Legislature taken that
view several years ago, when Virginia
was begging the members to act. the
obligation might have been settled out
of court on very liberal terms.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
cRosny s. MOVES.

The death of Crosby S. Noyes, editor
of the Washington Evening Star, will
cause profound sorrow throughout
Hewspaperdom. Mr. Noyes was an able
and manly editor, and he conducted a
family newspaper which was dlstin-
gu!shed no less for It's high character
than for its cleYerness and enterprise.
~ has eyer been the proud boast of
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
"Locnl Option" and "Communior
Winc!"

,LOCAl u
Editor Of The Times Dispatch: u
either indirectly or directly, either
by law or otherwise, to say to the
at her communion table.
2. The State has no right, either
indirectly or directly, either by law
or otherwise, to prevent 81. Or even even put
securing for her communion table the
elements she prefers to use.
3; The State has no right, either
eally' or formally. to intarpret for
the church the sacred Scriptures. as
to the use of wine" or as to any
other subject.
a law which practically puts the
church sooner or later, between the
laws penalties or her conscience; be
tween being. criminal at the bar
of God; law which forces her to
use a substitute for the wine she be-
lieves her Lord and Master appointed
blessed and used, or be fined. and
possibly imprisoned. for buying 1t for
I submit respectfully that these prin-
ciples have a value to society trans
they are full Of vitality. full Of prae.
teal Importance, and are OF manifold
application. The violation of them. If
permanently established, means no end
OF sorrow to the church. to the State
and to the Individual citizen.
Bible authority, Bible ethics. the
Independence of church and State
Christian and even civil liberty, the
God given prerogative Of the church
(and not the State) to be the acher
Of morals and religion-all are involved
in these principles.
Respectfully,
P. ID. STEP IINSON,
Pastor Presbyterian Church.
woodstock, Va, February IS, 1908
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
Voice Of the People.

The Timcs-Dispatch will print
signed letters on all questions which
relate to the public welfare. Such
articles should not exceed In length
$50 words, except under exceptional
circumstances, should be signed
with the full name OF the writer,
and should benr his or her address,.
The name of the writer will be
withheld II desired.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

Nothing could have been moro en-
thusiastic than the reception accorded
our fleet in Callao on Friday. If these
people have ever spoken unkindly of
US in the past. we can only conclude
that the Peruvian bark is worse than
his bite,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

'The Big Secretary's friends say that
he talks with the fire of genius" OBJ
serves the Atlanta Constitution. Yes.
we believe the Big Secretary did talk
with Senator Foraker once
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

At bank "house-warming" In Au-
gusta, Ga, the other day, the officials
John D. Rockefeller a SOU
venir penny and he accepted 1t. 1t is
never safe to offer the old gentleman
unless you really mean 1t.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

England. 1t was copied from tram
script In the handwriting of Judge
The foeasr Gf his &c fs he
man. History and tradition are
explored In vain for a parallel
to his character. In the annals OF
modern greatness he stands alone,
and the noblest names Of antiquity
lose their luster in his presence.
Born the benefactor of mankind.
he united all the greatness neces-
sary to an illustrious career. Ma
ture made him great; he made
himself vrtuous. Called by his
country to the defense OF her lib
critics, he triumphantly vindIcated
the rights of humanity, and on the
pillars of national independence
laid the foundation Of great re-
public.
Twice invested with supreme mngis-
tracy by the unanimous vote or a
free people. he surpassed, in the
Cabinet, the glories Of the held,
and, Voluntarily resigning the
the shades of private life; spec
tacle so new, and so sublime, was
contemplated with profOundest adj
miration, and the name oS Wash-
inEton, adding new luster to hui
maaity, resounded, to the remotcst
in Youth, glorious through l iHs
greet In death; his highest ambi-
tion--the happiness Of manllind;
his noblest victory-the conquest
Of himself. Bequeathing to pos
terity the inheritance of his. fame
hearts of his countrymen, lie lives.
the. ornament of the eighteenth
century; he died, regretted by a
mourning world.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

According to the news dispatches,
Charles w. Morse's nerve is already
gone. This seems to be direct refuta-
ton OF the maxim that large bodies
move slowly.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

Americans are the only people worth
cultivating," says the Grand Duchess
Olga, of Russia, without mentioning
at that writing. what 1t is she has to
sell US.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

Such anti-Roosevelt demonstrations
as may take place in the future, the
President will doubtless trace easily
to the Frank S. Black hand.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

where is heaven?" demands the En-
poria Gazette. William Allen Whites
paper. 1t is about nine blocks west OF
the Richmond City Hall.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

If. as alleged, King Edwards cigar!
cost s3.o0 each, we rise to inquire
What does ne do with the stubs?
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
HOW 70 CALL TrMns-p1spATcH.

HOW TO CALL TfMES-D1sPATCH.
Persons wishing 10 communicate with The
Times Dispatch by telephone will ask CEN
trai for -ioif," and on being answered from
the office switchboard Will indicate the de-
par,ment or person with whom they wish
to speak
When calling between A. NJ. and 9
a. NJ. call to central office direct for Ao41.
cemposing-roon; 1912, business office; 4o4s
for mailing and press-rooms.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
WIASHINGTON,S BIRTHDAY

On March 81. 1876, the General AS
sembly of Virginia directed that the
history of the Houdon statue of Wash
ington. written by Colonel sherwin Nc Nc
Legislature. The State Library has
a limited number Of copies of this
most valuable and interesting pam;
phlet and will donate one to any ser e
The history of the statue Is compiet,s
and Is supplemented by brief sketch
Of the artist. AS this Is quite the most ! !
valuable possession o. the , Sea1e Know
It's history and become farllllar VIII
its appearance.
Of washington in the. State Capitol,
Wf''een GR "a fssl WSAsHiNGToN.
The General Assembly Of the Common
statue to be erected as monu-
Who. uniting the endowments of the
hero to the virtues or the patriot,
the liberties Of his country, has
rendered his name dear to his fell
low.-citizens and gwen tn. the world
an immortal example or true glory.
Done In the year Of Christ, one
Thousand, seven hundred and eigh-
ty-eight, and In the year Of the
Commonwealth the twelfth.
General Fitzhugh Lee on the occa-
sion Of the centennial celebration OF
Westinghouse inauguration Though
born, though living though dying
within her I, limits u.s. Xiirginia lays no
cognizes that no State can bound his
reputation. but that every State in
the American Union Is now equally
Interested In all that pertains to the
sword, indeed, carved out the liberties
OF the country and to him
more than any other man is due the
formation OF the American republics"
The following beautiful epitaph was
discovered on tho bncls of portrait
OF Washington sent to the family from