davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
TWO CENT FARE LAW
UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Supersme Court OF Pennsyl-
vania Hands Down import
tant Decision.

Philadelphia, Jan. 22.-The 2 cent rail-
road rate law. now In force in Penn
sylvania, today was declared unconsti-
tutional by the state supreme court,
which handed down an opinion affirm
ing the decision OF a common pleas
court of Philadelphia rendered last
September.
The decision declares the real ques-
tion 1 n the case Ia whether the new
rate law transgresses the provisions OF
the constitution that legislative power
to alter charges shall be exercised only
in such a manner that no injustice shall
be done to corporators. Continuing. it
says:
"a corporation is entitled to make a.
fair profit on every branch of its bust
ness, subject to the limitation that its
corporate duties must he performed
even though at a loss. What Is q talr
profit is o highly complicated and diffi-
cult question. The court below awaited
itself of all h best evidence that was
offered or shown to be ~obtainabie- III
considered 1t with exemplary patience
and care. and its conclusion that the
enforcement Of the act against the
complainant would do an injustice to
corporators is beyond just critisim.'
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
MCPHERSON DECIDES
IN FAVOR

Kansas Citv Jan. 22.-Federal Judge
Smith Mcpherson today declared void
and unconstitutional the statute passed
by the Missouri Legislature forbidding
foreign corporations from transferring
suits brought against them from state
to federal courts upon pain of forfeiture
of their charters. ...
The application of the Rock Island,
Santa Fee. st. Louis, Kansas City n
Colorado, Milwaukee and st. Paul and
Alton Railway companies for an In
junction to prevent Secretary OF State
Swanger from enforcing the law was
granted by the court.
The Missouri law upon which today's
decision is based provides, specifically.
that If any foreign or nonresident
railway or. corporation, created and ex-
listing under laws, and other state, and
doing railway business from n point
in the state to another point within
the state shall, without written on
sent of the other party, remov a case
from the state court to the United
States court or shall, without said
written consent, institute any suit
against a citizen OF the state, in any
federal court, hat the secretary of
state shall revoke the license to do
business, from one point within the
state to any other point within the
state, either In carrying passengers or
freight.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
RUEF'S IMMUNITY
Is At AN END; "BOSS"
TO BE PROSECUTED

San Francisco, Jan. 22.-The situa-
tion In the graft-bribery prosecution
brought about by the recent decision
of the circuit court of appeals setting
aside the indictment for extortion
against ex-Mayor Eugene F. Schmitz
on which he was tried and convicted
reached a climax when Prosecuting At
Ftorney Langdon announced hat all
question OF immunity for Abraham
Ruef is at an end and that he would
ask Superior Judge Lawler to set for
trial one OF the charges of bribery
against Ruef now pending in Judge
LAWYERS court.
In making the announcement that
Ruef would be placed on trial the
prosecuting attorney made public a de-
tailed formal contract between Ruef
and the prosecution made last May
providing that the prosecution would
grant Ruef almost complete immunity
from prosecution in consideration of
his going on the witness stand and
testifying to h whole truth against
each and every defendant brought to
trial in the graft cases. An exception
was made in the Ruef extortion case.
which. vas then on trial, and it was
agreed that Ruef was to plead guilty.
which he did in a dramatic a
few days after the contract "a signed.
The prosecution claims that Ruef did
not live up to his agreement when
TREY l.. Ford, general counsel Of the
United Railroads, was tried and &C.
Quilted on one of the charges of brib.
cry against him.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
URGES REFORM IN e..
MASCULINE DRESS

years young, Nine. Cecile Jacques, of
Paris and London, although born In
San Francisco, has come to America
to teach the men of this country the
habit OF wearing corsets.
! Nine. Jacques does not mind the
'public's knowledge of her age, for her
youthful figure, she says, is a living
demonstration that her contentious In
the manner of dress are right. Having
made over" many women abroad, she
now proposes the same for the AmerI-
can man who she says, is inclined to
ohesity.
Although she defines a corset for
mere man as a belt" 1t is the same
that she prescribes for women, with
the exception that the top is cut off.
Dressed today in white flannels, with
ia long coat OF same material, she APP
ipeared on the deck OF a liner as a femi-
nine exponent Of Mark Twain's sar-
torial idea.
Men a live to be 100 years OLD
IL they discard their braces-suspen-
ders, / believe, you term them-and
put on the belt I want to introduce
10 Americans" h said.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
NEW ENGLAND MANU.
FACTURERS ARE RESUMING

Bridgeport, Conn.,, Jan. 21.-Condi-
| MS are greatly improved In Bridge
po.s, the industrial capital OF New
England. During the month Of Deem
Der several factories were closed, due
to one business condition or another.
and a few took advantage Of the dull
times to make necessary repairs or i'm
provements; but every factory las re-
sumed operations, some In full force
and others to perhaps rs per cent of
their capacity, and some which were
running on short time will increase the
number of working hours per week.
One Of the plain signs Of better times Is
the resumption of work in all depart
ments Of the Columbia Photograph
company, which Is n of Bridgeport's
largest enterprises, and which employs
regularly from 1000 to 5000 men.
The following concerns, in addition to
a large number OF smaller one, have r -
sumed operations either on full time or
part time: Singer Manufacturing COM
pany, American Tube and Stamping
company, Billiard Machine Tool COM
pany, Locomobie company of America
and Salts Textile Manufacturing COM
pany.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
MINER ASSAYED
$500 TO THE CWT.

washington, Jan. PA member OF
The presidents special commission to
Nevada, to look into the labor troubles
there, has been telling a good story
about how people get rich in those
parts, and incidentally about how hard
II is to keep the peace between the
mine owners and the miners. -
The commission went out to learn
whether there was any real occasion
for the employment of federal troops
in the state, to put down the labor
disturbance. II reported that not only
was there no iced for troops to pro-
tect the mines, but that in fact the
mine n had apparently engaged
in something like a conspiracy to force
the open shop throughout the state,
and were certain to succeed If they
could only secure the aid of the United
States army and the federal courts.
The president declined to see it that
way and announced that he troops
would be withdrawn.
That Goidf1eld deposit is doubtless
the richest gold territory that has ever
been opened in the world" he said.
There literally is no knowing how
much per ton some OF b dirt
is worth. The miners, not unnatural
ly. are sore because the owners get
nil the profits out or Ii and they ADOPT
the most devious ways OF getting even.
They come out OF the shafts with their
clothes full of bits OF gold, and O com
plete change of clothes on entering
and leaving the mine Is n require
ment frequently imposed to prevent
them Juggling off nuggets.
zone day I saw q man come up from
q shaft and try to get away with
out change of clothes or examina-
ton. He walked q little distance, and
stumbling over a plank, fell. He was
SO laden with pay dirt that he couldn't
get up till he was helped.
What do you suppose he had been
doing? He had struck an especially
good pocket, and concealed as much as
possible on his person. They have
clothes made especially for that pur-
pose in some cases. Well, that chap
was helped onto his feet and inspected
He assayed a bit over $500 to the 100
pounds, and was the heaviest nan in
camp-With his lothe on"
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
FORMER POSTMASTER
GENERAL Is Dead

Philadelphia, Jan. 22.-Charles EN-
Dry Smith. editor OF the Philadelphia
Press. former minister to Russia and
postmaster general, died suddenly al
his home in this city, aged IS years.
Death was caused by heart trouble
following an attack OF grip.
Mrs. Smith on her return from
church found him dead. lying across
the bed. He vas partly clothed and
apparently had been stricken while on
his way to the bathroom, and thrown
himself on the bed.
Mr.. Smith was born In Mansfield,
Conn. on February IL. 1912. He re-
cetved his early education az the Al
bany. N. Y, academy, and subsequent
~ graduated from Union college.
During the period when troopE were
being organized at Albany in 1851
Mr.. Smith vas appointed military Sec
rotary by General John r. Rathbone.
Later he was made judge advocate
general with the rank of general. Sub
sequently he was attached to the ofice
OF adjutant general of the state OF
New York when Horace Seymour be-
came governor. He resigned and for
q time was a teacher in the Albany
academy. a place which he left to ac-
cept an editorial position on the AL
bany Express.
In 1870 Mr.. Smith went to the AL
ibauy Journal. OF which publication he
later became editor in chief. In 1880
he was given the position of editor OF
the Press,
As the result OF his service rem
deed to various administrations
Through his editorial and political la
bors se was appointed minister to
Russia I'm 1890. In the spring OF 1898
he was given the portfolio Of post
master general in the cabinet Of Pres
ident Mckinley, a post which he held
through the period of the Spanish
American war and through part OF
President Roosevelt's administration.
The practical establishment OF rural
delivery and the creation of the mail
service In Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippines marked his tenure OF Of
fice as postmaster general.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
iREcARDEp AS MYTH
EVEN IN PARIS
COUNCIL BLUFFS
GUSTS GAMBLERS

Council Bluffs, Ia, Jan. 22.-The four
gambling houses In Council Bluffs
closed their doors this morning, it is
believed for all time. "
Following the visit here and address
last night of Attorney General Byers.
In which he severely arraigned the
county attorney and other officials.
County Attorney Hess this morning
was called before the weekly meeting
of the ministers association.
What transpired at the meeting is
not yet a public matter, but ii is re-
ported that custer proceedings were
threatened and wholesale prosecutions
begun If action was not taken imme-
Idiately by the authorities.
About 100 men were employed in the
-four gambling houses, all of whom have
been doing an enormous business.
That they will never again be per-
United to open is practically a Ger
(tainty. M.an E..
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23

These expressions were characteris-
tic of the t-emperaments OF the re-
leased men. All were supremely hap
Ply and relieved.
On the morning of December 4 Nc
Donald. Brown and Bailey and two
Greeks were working in the bottom OF
the three -coTnpartment shaft So feet
below the pump station n 1895 feet
below the surface. The cavein oc-
Cured at 9 o'clock. The cable used
to a h cage from the third com
partment OF the shaft snapped and
thousands OF tons OF rocks, debris and
timbers fell down into the shaft. From
the bottom of the compartment In
which the men were working to the
pumping station, a distance of SIS feet,
a series of rickety ladders offered the
only means OF escape.
With falling rocks and timbers
streaming down upon them the Ave
men struggled up these ladders. Half
way up falling timbers knocked the
two Greeks from the ladder killing
them. Bailey, Mcdonald and Brown
managed to. reach, the pump station.
Its well timbered roof withstood the
rock and lumber that came down the
shaft and offered them shelter and
safety. Here for the first day after the
cavein h men c~rouched, while at in
tervals they could e the rocks and
timbers crashing above them.
At first II was thought that all the
men had persisted, but "a hours after
the cavein the three men who oc-
cupied the pumping station managed
to make themselves heard by tapping
upon the 6-inch water pine that
stretched from the pumping station
to the surface. 1t was this pipe that
was the means OF saving the lives
OF the three men. When communica-
ton was once established with the
world above and the men had made
known the fact that they were still
alive, food and drink were Immediately
lowered through the pipe. A large
supply was sent down, as it was
thought possible that the pipe COM
munication might break before the
rescuing party could reach the i'm
prisoned men. but throughout their
long weeks Of Imprisonment this pipe
has been in daily use. A portable
telephone was lowered and the men
were able to talk with ..4e people
above. This telephone has been in al
most constant use, friends sending by
this means the news of the outside
world and messages of cheer.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
COAL CARRIERS PROMISE
TO ABIDE BY THE LAW

washington, Jan. 21.-At the de-
partment of justice 1t was announced
that the coal carrying railroads agree
to comply promptly with the decision
Of the supreme court OF the United
States on the constitutionality Of the
Hepburn law prohibiting transportation
companies from owning and operating
coal properties after May 1. II will not
prosecute such companies pending the
adjudication Of the case by the supreme
court.
The railroads that operate coal mines
recently called the attention of the de-
partment to the impossibility to secure
the legal determination of the matter
before May II and requested a delay of
prosecutions by the department until
they had an opportunity to know
whether the law is unconstitutional.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
Nv CONGRESS
NEW BILLS IN THE HOUSE.

Hackney, Missouri.-A bill de-
signed to prevent federal interfer-
ence with state rate statutes during
the tendency Of trials. II provides
that no circuit or district court or
the United States shall have power
to issue any temporary writ or or
der restraining any state officials,
boards or commissions from enforc-
ing any statute Of the state pend
Ing federal litigation to determine
h validity or constitutionality or
that statute, or shall have the pow
err to issue any order restraining
such officials or board from enforc-
ing their judgments or decisions
rendered by state authorities pend
ing federal litigation.
Floyd, Arkansas.-To prevent
committeeman or officials Of any
political party from selling their
> Endorsements for federal positions.
and providing as punishment a fine
not In excess OF $4,000 or tmprison-
ment for o more than two years,
or both. ..
Alexander. Missouri.-To prevent
corporations from contributing
; money to campaign funds.
; Adair, Misunderstanding lumber
; on the free list.
Hackney, Missouri.-A bill so
: amending the interstate commerce
; act that common carriers are per-
; mitted to issue passes to the
; widows of deceased employees and
; to their minor children.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
&c hit AGAINST OPIUM
IN The PHILIPPINE S

Washington, jan. 22.-The first oI-
fetal revival meeting to which the gov
eminent of the United States has ever
given its countenance, is now in prog
ress in the Philippine island 1t is a
government institution, this new en-
terprise In the uplift; it is to be pushed
along as q good thing Of the most or
thodoX sort.
Exactly how 1t Is working has not
been announced. Necessity has suddenly
arisen for improving the moral one in
the islands; for getting just as many
people as possible to sign the pledge.
In order to get this done instructions
have been sent to inaugurate a re-
Ivival wave and induce everybody pos
sible to take a pledge to cut out the
dope habit.
On March 1 the new law against i'm
porting opium into the islands will be-
come effective. Many of the natives
and q large proportion OF h large
Chinese population, think they really
must have 1t. The authorities realized
the danger of shutting off the supply
all at once unless the people were In q
measure reconciled to 1t. Smuggling,
disturbances, frauds Of all kinds, would
be certain to result.
So It was decided to anticipate
these difficulties by starting a moral
reform wave; talking to the people
about the evils of the habit; hold
ing mass meetings, etc. 1t is a regu-
lar temperance movement or church
revival, with the opium habit as the
bette nolr. After the people are worked
up TO the right point, they will find
the law coming to the rescue OF their
good intentions by shutting off the
supply.
Ii is just as If the whole popula-
ton of q country were to go on the
water wagon on January ], with fine
intentions, but weak resolution, and
then on January 3 when they were
ready TO fall off, they should find there
wasn't, a drink In the country. The
discomfort Of having no drink would
be moderated-presumably-by reason
on the previous resolution not to take
Ii. anyhow.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
TRANSFERS
MILLlUNo IN REALTY
TO %ROTHSChILD

NV York. Jan. 21.-August Bel
mont personally and the Park Row
Realty company, which ne controls.
have transferred to Nathaniel M.
Rothschild. the great Park Row build
ing and Fifth avenue properties and
real estate in the Bronx, valued. all
told, at between Sc, 000,0 900 and $1,000
900. The actual consideration was not
revealed.
Neither August Belmont nor Walter
L.attgen, his partner In Belmont a
Co, would give any indication as to
the reasons for the transfers TO one
Of the Rothschilds, whose American
representative Mr.. Belmont's firm has
been for nan years.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
NAB CHAMP ON
OF BIGAMlSTS

New York, Jan. Gas. George A.
Witzshoff, the worlds champion biga-
mist, who is credited with having 500
wives, is believed to be under arrest
at Bristol, England. Reports from
that city say that the prisoner gives
the name of Arthur Hynes, but his
description and career fit those Of
Witzshoff.
Hynes or Witzshoff was arrested on
charge of matrimonial frauds. He is
wanted in many cities of the United
States, scores of women being com
plainants. The prisoner has the same
German. parentage and the same
knowledge of chemistry as W%itzshoff.
His matrimonial advertisements are
worded: mo ~trifiers need apply
His arrest vas brought about by q
Bristol young oma who answered
one of his advertisements and then
loaned him $400.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
FORTY MINERS HAVE
FORTUNATE ESCAPE

Monongahela, Pa, Jan. 21.-Mirac-'
an explosion, 40 miners employed I'm.
the Catsburg mine of the M~onongahela
River Consolidated Coal and Coke COM
pany, made their way through dark
headings for a distance OF sever rifles
and finally reached the open air with
out lights to guide them. They had
been given up as dead. vt
The men battled for five hours with
fire. When they reached the surface
their faces were blackened, their
clothes were torn and all were severely
bruised from stumbling in their flight
for safety. ">
Fortunately the mine contained very
little gas.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
@
AIDS ROBBERS

Jackson, Miss, Jan. ga unique
confession was made today to A. F.
Thomson. president Of the National
Bank of Hattiesburg, by James Har-
per and w. T. Smith, bank robbers,
brought back here from Seattle.
Harper says the bank president
walked in his sleep. He and Smith
watched the bank for several nights,
according to their confession, and fire.
uuentIy witnessed aThomason enter
with the aid OF his door key.
They never dreamed he was not In
full possession OF his senses until they
saw him under an electric light with
his eyes closed. Then the robbers say
they conceived the plan TO enter the
bank with Thomason and gag him IL
he came out OF his trance.
.. They declare that Thomson gave
them the combination to the safe which
they looted and that they left, leav-
ing Thomson asleep in the bank.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
EDMUND c. sTEpMAN, POET
AND BANKER, EXPIRES

New York, Jan. 22.-Edmund Clar-
nee Stedman, the banker and poet
died suddenly at his home In this city.
Mr.. Stedman, who was rs years old,
was born at Hartford, Conn, and while
a student at Yale earned distinction
in English and Greek composition. Az
ter a brief editorial experience in Nor
wich and Winsted, Conn, MI. Stedman
took up his residence In New York,
where ne was connected with several
OF the daily papers and with Putt
MANS and Harper's magazines.
During two years of the war he
served as Washington correspondent OF
the New York World. Returning to
New York In 1854 Mr.. Stedman became
a member of the stock exchange, re-
tanning his seat until 1900.
OF late years Mr.. Stedman had given
his attention more to literary criticism.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
RIGHTS OF INVENTORS
TO BE PROTECTED

Washington. Jan. 21.-The House
committee on patents, through Mr.. Hin
shaw, OF Nebraska. reported ~fayorably
the Dalzen bill, which bestows on the
United States our of claims the power
TO consider claims by inventors for
compensation on account of patents ap-
p~ropriated by the government without
recompense TO the ~patentees in cases
where contracts were not entered into.
A similar bill was passed by the Sen
ate at the last session and was favor
ably reported to the House, but on ac-
count Of the inclusion Of a retroactive
clause as an amendment the measure
failed of passage by the House. The
Dalzell bill Is nonretroactive.
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
PASS UP YOUR FRIENDS,
SAYS ROCKEFELLER, JR

New York, Jan.h 22.-John d. Rookie
teller, jr, gave the members of his
bible class what he considered good
advice on money matters.
1T is the custom Of many people
TO follow the words OF scripture literal
~" he said. "and I want to emphasize
the fact that you canno do that. Il
lis not Intended that you should take
the teachings of Christ in a literal
sense.
There Is another matter ] want to
talk to you about and that is the loan
ing OF money. We all know that &C.
~caslons ~arise-crises in mems life
then it becomes necessary for him to
borrow. b.
Never loan money to a friend; IL
YOU do you lose his friendship. II you
know that you will get 1t back, and
have to loan 1t, take his note and
charge him interest"
The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-01-23
PEoNAeE PROSECUTIONS
TO BE PRESSED

Washington, d. c.. Jan. 21.-Both the
departments OF state and justice have
taken steps to investigate the complete
breakdown Of the peonage prosecutions
In Mississippi. Several indictments
were secured in the early stages OF in
vestigations, but since then Mississippi
grand juries have declined to consider
any case OF this kind to the extent Of
returning true bills.
The state department already has
heard from the Italian government and
the chances are that In the near flu
ture immigrants from that country will
be warned not to SO to southern states
until the present labor conditions there
are. materially altered.