davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

Secretary Garfield, in his annual report
veneWs the recommendation Of his Prede-
cessoF that the Interior Department be
relieved of certain duties relative to pub
lic-seryice corporations imposed upon 1t
by various acts Of Congress, and that
these duties be devolved upon the Dis
trict Commissioners, where they obvious
ly belong. The Secretary OF the Interior
is required. for example, TO pass upon
and approve the rails laid by the Wash
ington and Georgetown Railroad Com
pany An act of Congress requires the
Washington Gasight Company 20 re-
port to the Secretary annually the price
paid by it for coal and the amount of its
purchases SO that it may be determined
whether there may be an increase or re
ducjon i'm the price of gas. according to
whether the price of coal falls below
$3.50 a ton. OF course, this archaic stat
ute is absolutely yalueless. but the gas
company soIemnly makes annual reports
rs required by its terms The Columbia
Railway Company is required also 10
make yearly reports TO the Secretary of
the Interior
As these corporations have no con-
nection with the Interior Department
other than that mentioned, and the de-
partment has no responsibility regarding
them that properly belongs to it. the
legislation which Mr. Garfield would like
to have repealed is simply an example OF
the happy -gO-lucky way i'm which Con-
gress deposits and distributes local author
ity. now in one officer or board, and now
in another. or in the courts. A few weeks
ago the Senate passed a bill to cure an
interesting example Of this distribution
Of authority. The members Of the Board
of Charities are appointed by the Presi-
dent while the members of the Board Of
ChlldTen's Guardians are appointed by
the judges of the Police Court and the
judge holding the Criminal Court of the
District The bill in question provides
for the appointment and removal of the
members of these boards by the District
Commissioners, thus eentraliziug authoSty
and responsibility. We have. heretofore.
commented on the devolution of the power
OF appointing the members Of the board Of
education upon the Supreme Court Of the
District-an administrative anomaly that
has already borne its legitimate fruit of
irresponsible government
Notwithstanding the plain lesson Of all
these instances of misplaced local author
ity, it is proposed To introduce a new
element into the District government by
yesting in the Federal Commissioner OF
Education the duty Of appointing a di-
rector Of education, who shall have direc-
ton and control Of the public schools.
As originally drawn, the Dolliver bill
save the appointing authority no power Of
removal. but this serious defect has been
cured. Once appointed. however. the
director Of education is responsible 10
nobody but Congress, and the Commfs-
si0ue- Of Education has no further duty
20 perform with respect 70 him or the
schools. II is a striking example Of how
not TO do IT,
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
They Need No Tariff.
From the kansas City star.

From the Kansas City star.
The president Of the National Associa-
ton of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers in
an address to the members Of that body
a few days ago declared that the boot
and shoe industry needed no tariff pro-
lection. On the contrary, he said that if
the duty were taken off the raw materials
entering into the manufacture of boots
and shoes there would be a great gain.
not alone to the manufacturers, but also
to the labor employed by them. Yet
such pleas, from the very class the tariff
was established to protect. are met by
the old line pTotectiOnists in Congress
with "stand-pat" deliance.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Probing the G. p. O. scandal.

Chairman Landis OF the Committee on
Printing. is rendering a real public serv-
ice in probing the affairs Of the Govern
ment Printing Office. All honor 10 him.
lie proposes 10 lay bare the facts bear
ing upon the contract system, and once
these facts are laid bare We fancy there
may be something for others to do-the
Department of Justice perhaps.
Since the disclosures of rIscalities in the
pOst-0ffice, which, ia the end, furnished
recruits 10 our prison colony at Mounds
Vile. conditions have been brought TO
light IN no department that, on their face,
looked half SO damaging as these Gov
eminent Printing Office revelations. If
not graft, appearances strongly suggest
graft-plain, unadulterated graft. Chair
man Lands puts it very mildly indeed
when he characterizes as 'mauifestly inn
proper" the things which the Public
Printer bIandly admits 10 be true
From It's inception the StHlings regime
has loudly, even bosstfuIly, proclaimed
its lofty aims. In the Drofessed purpose
10 pat the Government Printing once
upon an economical, business-like basis.
this newspaper in common with the pub
lie generally, has been IN fullest sym
pathy But Mr.. SuIings' administration.
it a0w turns out. is neither economical
nor businesslIke. If 1t is a clean ad-
ministration, existing conditions belle il.
This is the blunt truth about IT,
The most charitable view 20 take of
the Public Printer is that he is incapable
properly TO handle the vast business in
trusted to his hands. Proof In point is
found TN the fact that the big printery.
Tor months past has virtually been con-
Quoted ana operated by The Audit Sys-
tem-thls New York concern. now under
the probe, that Is costing Uncle sam SS5G 900
year in salaries alone, and costing him
countless thousands more for innovations
OF doubtful utility. while it is simulta-
HeOusly engaged on the side, through afFl-
lated concerns. in contracting for sup
plies which Tale Audit System recon-
mends.
'ManifestIy improper" When Chair
man Lands gets through he will call fl
by its right name, We are sure Of that
And it will not end there. II cannot
end there with credit 10 the Printing
Committee, or Congress. or the admins
traGon.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

As an abstract proposition, If nothing
more Gov. HOke Smiths definite with
drawal Of his name as a possible canGi-
date for the United States Senate in sue
cessiOn 10 Senator Clay is highly inter
esting, Whether as his enemies charge.
It was merely the result Of untowaUd
political conditions in Georgia. OF. as his
friends declare, the real utterance Of a
patriotic official, IL has the right ring.
and must be accepted as sound doctrine
by everybody.
The governor frankly admits that he
cherishes an ambition To sit in the Sen
ale-has cherished It for years. He says.
moreover, that he had intended becoming
q candidate for that office at this time,
believing that he could accomplish within
the time limit Of one term in the gov
ernor's chair such reforms in Georgia as
he had promised the people. In survey
ing the work done thus far. however. Nj.
Smith has reached the conclusion that
lie cannot complete his contract with his
felIOW-CitiZens without cOnsenting to an
other term-and he can have it for the
consenunE-aud he. therefore. puts aside
ambition 70 stick 10 his post to the finish
We candidly confess that Mr. Hoke
Smith is more or less Of q political puzzle
10 Us. When ne was Secretary Of the
Interior under Mr. Cleveland. he seemed
the most conservative and high-minded
OF men; throughout the late Democratic
movement involving Judge Parker he
aligned himself with the staIwarts of the
stalwart No sooner was that fight end
ed. however, than he plunged headlOng
into a railroad-abusing, negro-baiting,
demagogic and mud-slinging campaign for
governor of Georgia almost if not quite
unparalleled i'm the history Of the South
lie was elected, Overwhelmingly. He
promised the sun. the moon, and the
stars from the stump: naturally, he is
having trouble delivering the goods The
only really big thing that has been de
lVered is something he didn't promise
prohibition One cannot help wondering
If Mr.. Smith is not. at heart, the same
conservative he was iL the old days, and
only made the bitter fight he did in order
10 get control of the machinery in Geor-
Eia. without which he could not progress
at all
At all events, the governors determina-
tion 10 sit tight where he IS is to be COM
mended. That he is a strong brainy man
is not 10 be denied. he is one OF the
South's intellectual gIants-mayhap one
moving in a most mysterious way his
wonders TO perform. If Mr. Smith de-
liveTs the best OF his platform promises.
the nondeliyerancc of the worst viii
probably not hurt him in the long run.
Being "a demagogue for campaign pur-
poses only is a good deal better than
being a demagogue in acts of state The
chances are the governors attitude In the
Senatorial matter viii strengthen him in
its final effects; there viii come other
Senatorial races-and the governor is in
the prime of life and Of robust health.
Anyhow when all is said, his present
position reminds one of the old Hoke
Smith of seeming, il not real sincerity
and fidelity to the right though the
heavens fan. The spectacle is much more
pleasing than the one he lately presented
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Castles in the Air.

From the Manchester Union.
There never was a righteous castle in
the air that did not inspire to something
good for the soul. The castle may tumble
to the ground or float away in the smoke
of the dream, but if architecturally and
morally correct, the castle in the air may
leave a few good thoughts that will be
istence.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
1t May Prevail.

Prom the New York Evening Post.
In kendriCk Idaho. a town of 500 souls,
is published the Roosevelt Prevailer, a
four-page newspaper the object of which
is Ito prevail on Roosevelt to accept an
other term" Later, it may have its
name changed, after the fashion Of Jacob,
"for as a prince hast thou power with
God and with men, and hast prevailed
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

one Congressman characterizes the
Presidents message "undignifed and in
temperate" The late Sam Jones had to
meet that same charge frequently in ref
erence to his sermons; he always replied
by stating that he was merely trying 10
get down to the lever of his crowd.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
PnhIlsh the Contribntors.

From the St. Louis Republic.
Mr.. Bryan speaks for all Democrats
IN demanding full publicity for contribu-
tions TO campaign funds. Patriotic con-
tributions made and used nnly for right
and lawful purposes will honor those who
make them. Money contributed and used
to corrupt the ballot ought to have the
full publicity on the jail records It's con-
tributors deserve.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
DISCUSSING THE MESSAGE.
What Western Editors Think of a
lemurkabIe Paper.

From the Kansas City star.
Politically considered, this message IS
addressed to the Republican party rather
than 10 the country II is a vigorous ar
raignment Of those reactionary influences
almost wholly within the Republican
party-that have employed ali the re-
sources that money and machine politics
could command. to discredit the admin
istratiOn, TO block Congress. and to defy
the people. This message is a ringing
exhortation to the whole country I'm a
determined war against business and
political dishonesty. It is also one Of the
most suggestive documents ever laid be
fore a great party.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

II wasn't born in
Indiana; oh, no,
says he. II am a
native OF Ohio,
where Presidents
are born, and IL
not born are made.
and your Uncle
Charlie has a
chance"
Representa- tiv e
Lands was edu-
thttN IN tiir Ithlls
schools Of LOgGn6-
port, Ind, and was
graduated fro m
Wabash College.
CraWfOrdsVills. He
has been an editor.
and looks every
inch the part. For
four years the
LCgansp0TG jour
nal carried his
name AT the head
ID
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
ROOSEVELT AND BRYAN.
Is the Former the Logical Candidate
of the Democracy

From the Baltimore SUM-
In the light uf Mr. Bryans and other
Democratic tributes 90 Mr.. Roosevelt and
the general recognition Of his sympathy
and identification with Democratic pTiH-
ciples, IL would seem - be time for Hon.
John Temple Graves 90 renew his sug-
gestion- Six months ago Democrats
smiled at the idea that Mr.. Roosevelt
should be nominated for President by the
Democratic national convention. Il IS 10
longer a time for amusement. but for
serious reflection President Roosevelt
seems to be the logical candidate" for
the Democracy Many oC the Democratic
members OF Congress are ~ the opinion
that his last message 10 Congress is a
Democratic deiiverauce of the latest
quality. The most radical Democratic
Senator asserts that hc is not in the same
class with MU. Roosevelt as a progressive
Teformer. Mr. Bryan loses no opportunity
10 praise Mr.. Roosevelt and advise DEM
OCratiC members Of Congress 70 support
him. Thus II appears that az last De
moCracy has found a leader who COM
mands their uUstinted confidence and ad-
miration. How can they fail TO recognize
that the logic Of the situation makes Mr.
Roosevelt the imam of destiny" for the
Democratic party2
If It be objected that the Democratic
party is, on principle, opposed 20 a third
term, a way may be found to remove this
difficulty. The President is serving his
second term as a Republican. If he We're
nominated at Denver and elected next
November. he would begin with his third
term as a Republican but HIS first term
as Democratic Chief Magistrate. Why.
then, should this man Of destiny not be
received with open arms into the Dem
ocratic fold, especially as many Dem
ocrats in Congress seem 10 be the most
ardent and loyal supporters Of the policies
he has just enunciated? If Mr. Bryan
were nominated on the same ticket for
Vice President, nothing could be more
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

when an Assyrian girl takes a hus-
band, she doesn't speak for three days" 4"
says the New Haven JOuTnal-COurieT
Doubtless the male population of the
country has long ago ceased 10 build up
false hopes about that apparently seduc-
tive fact. however.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

The next time those Democratic lead
ers" iu Congress resolve 20 talk right
out In meeting 10 Mr.. Bryan they would
do well 90 borrow Dr. Foraker's elixir OF
grit and swallow a few heroic doses.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Masculine Fashions.

From the New York Herald.
a woman from abroad purposes to put
all American men In corsets. We are glad
she doesn't propose to make their coats
hutton I'D the back
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
WouIdnIt AGect tha Plot.

'Hey." yelled the star Of tho musical
comedy You've got the stage set for
the third act instead of the first Make
a quick shift It's sl5 now
'Aw," responded the stage manager,
wen Just give the third act first. Who'll
know the ddg'
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

A headline i'm the Macon Telegraph
makes mention Of the "RHaW jury" hav-
ing completed its job. This may he a
slight eXaggersti8H. but a jury compelled
to sit through that late famous trial in
New York, Hypothetical questions and all,
might naturally be expected to De more
OF less sore on its job.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
His FnvorIte Renhinr.

From the Cleveland Leader
It Is evident our Presidents favorite
reading is among the warmer words Of
Noah Webster.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
FiIinInos still Unit.

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat
Even Senator Stone thinks the Filipinos
are not fit at present for an independent
government Of their own. The Senator
reached this conclusion when he visited
the islands. and it is an invariable result
among observers on the spot
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

broke and Count Won Fewelothes, how
ever, as long as the county in question
has no heiresses for barter.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

on the stump. "cussing" ''niggers'' and
abusing the railroads and so-caIed 'ring-
sters"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

The President is inconsistent. lie got
very angry with Admiral BTOwnson for
disagreeing with him, and then appointed
a doctor 10 supreme command OF ship
Perhaps. however. he does not realize
how supersuperlatively a doctor can dis
agree with you when he sets forth 70
do It,
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

The Philadelphia North American has
thought it all out, and decides that the
President is a second Lincoln. We still
doubt. nevertheless. that Mr. Jacob Riis
will admit him to be less than two Lin
coins
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
CAPITOL GOSSIP.

Representative Charles Beary lands
represents the Ninth district Of Indiana.
lie is only fifty years old, his gray hair
as he says. coming from early piety'"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

Mr.. Joseph Choate says Legislation is
enough epigram, but we believe the sub
stitutiOn Of politics for Legislation"
would have brought It nearer the truth.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
An Error I'm FIattery.

From the St. Paul Dispatch.
The man who compliments nine women
on their looks and the tenth on her cIev-
erness makes but one mistake,
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Superhuous Warning.

From the Charleston News and Courier.
Tom Bawson's public warning against
himself Is the first piece Of superHuous
advertising that he has had inserted
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

Speaking of tyTaEts, how about the
King of AMMAN? He has been proclaimed
absolute monarch of the realm, though
less than one month of age.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Almost Human.

Ever see an educated hog?'
Yep. Saw one on Is street car to-day.
He handled a newspaper just as II he
could read.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

Justice must blush a little whenever
she thinks of Abe Ruef." says the New
York Mali She ought to-liirting with
an absolute stranger.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Too Nfuch HcnIism.

Life as a stage is not so nice,
As m0rtals know
Who must contend with real Ice
And real snow
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

''They say it's hard 10 live with a
genius
"Boshi Were not all women geniuses,
how would most families exist:'
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
A LITTLE NONSENSE.

NO PROPOSAL.
He vainly tries
To tit his chair
The floor he eyes
With vacant stare
Her maiden heart goes pit-a-pat
She wonders what he means by that
He eyes her books;
The carpets grain.
He says it looks
bit like rain.
EXpectant maid. She cannot chat.
She wonders what ne means by that
He's had 20 roam
For years. says he.
lie thinks a home
Must pleasant be
She keeps her eyes upon the mat
And wonders what he means by that.
His idle gas
Doth onward flow.
II comes TO pass
IT'S time 60 go.
Poor little maid! The game falls nat.
lie didn't mean a thing by that.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Rad News.

"How's Wassar fixed for baseball the
coming season.
Poorly. I hear their star pitcher has
gotten the slim craze, and lost all her
curves"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
NoiseIcss Mnrcment.

From the Baltimore sun
If Cortelyou is stin running It's on
rubber tires.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

As 20 undertaking, Link Steffens ct al
Of the same persuasion look Ike rank
in this day and time
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

For the present, al least, we presume
Senator JEFF Davis viii reserve his
further critical remarks concerning the
bigness Of Presidential pay. The Sena-
tor is now convinced that Mr.. Roosevelt
is cheap at any prlca 10 the country.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
Practical,

This man Burbank has done wonderful
things with flowers
HAS ne brung violsts down to a nickel
bunch?"
NO"
"Then wot good is he to a feller wots
I'm luV?'
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

A Massachusetts county has raised the
price of marriage license from 50 cents
to 81. This will not worry Lord dc Dead
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
LIE in New york.

MY house was robbed last night
Have you notified the detectives?"
''No; but I VIII as soon as I'm sure Of
my own alibi"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

Tariff reVisionlsts should not be quite
so dispirited, now that II is known the
duty on champagne is to be reduced
I'd per cent
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

The Houston Post refers 10 a Mr.
Onion and q Mr. Peeler, both candidates
for Office IN GrandoldteXas. We sup
pose a number of "skinners' are al
ready in
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

Dear Mr.. President:
Yours received, and contents carefully
noted VIII think it over until after the
election Yours, CONGRESS.
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

From the Indianapolis News
On the whole. We do not think that even
Congress viii be the worse for the Presi-
dents sermon. But we believe that the
main purpose sought to be accomplished
by its delivery at this time is political
Il is very plainly an appeal to the people.
not only IN behalf Of the Roosevelt
policies and Ideals but in behalf OF the
Roosevelt idea Of what the national con-
vention of the Republican party should do.
From the Chicago Tribune,
He has voiced the general demand for
a better ethical standard i'm business and
in politics, which came into being before
he came into office. and he has performed
a great public service in arOUsing the con-
science Of the country. The Tribune he
lieves in the principle to which he sub
scribed, but the Tribune also believes
that the message which he sent to Con
gress was unnecessary and inopportune.
From the Detroit News.
Bravest Of all the brave words Presi-
dent Roosevelt has ever spoken are those
contained In his special message TO the
Sixtieth Congress. It is the Presidents s
personal challenge to the corrupt inter
ests. his burning shame for a negligent
Congress, and his appeal to the people for
a sign Of the eternal Justice of his cause.
From the st. louis Globe Democrat
The general Judgment with regard to
this special message can hardly fail to be
that it is ill-timed and ill-tempeTed No
body questions the Presidents motives or
purposes, but unfortunately his methods
are now and then such as to invite
criticism from hts friends and give COM
fort 10 his enemies.
From the Ohio State Journal.
The message is terribly incisive, and on
this account it may not seem eminently
proper from Senatorial standpoint. but
the people will like it. They will ap-
plaud it. 1t comes very near expressing
what they feel about this matter. They
viii stand by the President more firmly
than ever.
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Most people will approve of what he
says. No one can read this message with
out feeling that the head of the nation
has the heart Of a common man and the
courage Of a brave one.
From the Louisville Courier-JOuTnal
What manner of document, by what
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

Tie Chicago Tribune says Mr.. Leslie
NJ Shaw would like to be President,
Vice President or Senator Observe.
the Tribune says would like to be,
not lis likely 90 be-"
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

The American citizen Is a joke says
Thomas ". Lawson. Certainly Mr. Law
son IS a Chestnut
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

A Missouri minister has left the pul-
pit 90 become "a chauffeur. He should
have a clearer understanding OF the text,
In the midst of life We are in death,
than ever before
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer
Most people will approve of what he
says. No one can read this message with
out feeling that the head of the nation
has the heart Of a common man and the
courage Of a brave one
The Washington herald., 1908-02-04
from the Louisville Courier-Journal

From the Louisville C0uTierJouTnal.
What manner of document, by what
manner Of man, is this latest message to
Congress by Theodore Roosevelt? What
was it's prOvocation? What is its purpose?
What is its meaning7