davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

1921 persons oted in favor of it;
1905 voted against it and 1882 per-
SonS who voted a the election failed to
vote on the high school proposition
although they voted on all other mat
terS offered at the election.
While the high school proposition
received a majority of votes cast on
it, it did not receive a majority of
votes cast at the election. The su-
preme court holds that the proposition
to adopt the law failed to carry.
This decision will affect the status
of high schools in about forty counties
in the state In nearly every one OF
thSe counties only about two-thirdS OF
the people voting at the election voted
on the adoption or rejection of the
high school law. While the PROPOSE
ton carried in every instance the fact
that there was not a majority of all
the votes cast in favor of the hig n
school knocked out the tax levy made
in these counties to help support the
high school in the cities.
The educational commission is
drawing an amendment to the law
which will obviate this difficulty.
\ WyandOtte Custer.
The Kansas supreme court today
ousted Frank D. Hutchings, judge of
the circuit court of Wyandotte coun-
ty. This court was created during the
special session of the legislature last
winter. He qualified in February and
his court has been doing a rushing
business ever since.
The supreme court holds that the
law creating this court was special
legislation and In violation of the con-
stitutional amendment adopted two
years ago. In the general election
last month Hutchings was defeated
and Democrat elected. Hutchlngs
will be ousted in twenty days and the
new judge will not be allowed to
qualify for the place. The decision
was made on a quo warranto pro-
ceeding brought by the attorney gen.
eral.
In deciding the case the supreme
court suggested that in order to pro-
vide sufficient judges to care for the
legal business of a county that no new
courts be created but that additional
Judges be provided for. This could be
done by a general act and special acts
would not be needed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
BIRTHDAY GIFT OF 500, 900
Comes to the Wife of Poor CobbIer
in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, Dec. 12-WiIliam J.
Perry, cobbler. working at his trade in
a little 4 by Is foot hole In the wall at
S45 South Main street, has been sud-
denly raised from his humble station
to a position of affluence by the Inherit
ance by his wife of 100000 in dividend
paying stocks, and promise of $500 900
more on the first of May next.
Mrs. Perry is sister of Chas. H.
Merry of ST. Louis, wealthy capital
ist and principal stockholder in the
Rail and River Transportation COM
pany. Mrs. Perry recently wrote her
brother that she would soon celebrate
her fifty-ninth birthday, and the $780,
600 worth of stock in the transportation
company came as an advance birthday
gift, with a promise of additional for
tune next MAY.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
Ordinance Concerning Downspouts

An ordinance relating to the condi-
ton of cave cutters and down spouts
was referred to the city attorney, the
street commissioner and the city engi-
neer last night at the S. & w commit
tee meeting. The ordinance provided
for the proper draining of cave cutters
and down spouts preventing damage to
walls, foundations and pavements and
for sanitary purposes. There are so
many sewers in the city unable to carry
off the whole surface water that the
ordinance was left to the proper Off
cials in hopes that it might be revised
to prevent the damage mentioned. There
have been a number of complaints late
ly from the improper draining of such
SpoutS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
AGREE ON FREE TRADE.
Taft and Ways and Means Republicans
Get Together.

Washington. Dec. 12.-Free trade with
the Philippines was one of the most Inn
portant matters agreed upon by Presi-
dent-elect Taft and the Republican mem
bers of the ways and means committee at
the conference of tariff revision while
Mr.. Taft favors free trade with the In
sular possessions without any restrictions
It is UNDERSTOOD that in order that there
shall be no dissension. he has agreed that
the amount of sugar and tobacco which
should be allowed free entry should be
restricted.
With this end in view it is understood
the sugar interests have agreed to a COM
promise by which 100000 tons of sugar will
be admitted from the Philippines an
nually free of duty and that all sugar
over that amount will pay the present
rate of duty which is 25 per cent less than
the duty imposed by the Dingiey tariff on
sugar from other countries.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
TUG BOATS TIED UP.
Crews of % Strike Against Working
Overtime.

New York, Dec. 12.-Because the
New York Central railroad marine
superintendent refused to reinstate
tug boat crew, he had discharged
when they refused to work a half
hour overtime last night without pay,
the tWenty-three tugs of the company
did not move today. The crews of all
these craft, which handle. the COM
pany's floats on East and North rivers
and the harbor refused to begin work
this morning and added a further de-
mand that they be paid twice a month
instead of monthly as heretofore.
Two hundred men took part in the
strike.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
G. f. woRLEY TO REMODEL.
Building VIII Have Modern Front
and Extend to the Alley.

G. F. worley of SIS Kansas avenue
has completed plans for an addition
to the building which he now occupies
and a modern front which will take
the place of the old one as soon as
the material can be secured. The
building now occupied by Mr.. Worley
has a two story front with office
rooms which extend only a portion of
the length of the lot. Plans have been
made to extend this portion of the
building to the alley, which will also
necessitate the extension of the base
ment and lower story of the building.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
smallpox in the Fleet.

Colombo, Ceylon, Dec. 12.-The battle
ship Georgia, preceding the battleship
fleet under Rear Admiral Sperry due
here tomorrow morning, came into port
today with a smallpox case on board.
The patient was at once removed to a
hospital The Georgia separated from
the fleet at 10 o'clock the night of De-
cember 8, and came ahead at speed of
IA knots. The fleet itself is coming at
a speed of 10 knots an hour.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
Weather Continues Pleasant.

The Weather today has been very
pleasant and just the kind for the
gridiroII veterans who are attempting
to make things interesting for the
Washburn team this afternoon. The
sun is shining and the cloudy weather
of this morning has changed. Tomor-
row will be such a day as today, with
the sky clear and the wind having an
edge a trifie raw The wind today is
9 miles an hour from the south, while
the temperatures for today are as fol-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
J. D. M'FARLAND BUYS.
Pays Eleven Thousand SIX Hundred
for Kansas Avenue Property.

]. D. Mcfarland closed a deal for
the property at 6O21a Kansas avenue
Friday, paying $11,675 for the two
story brick building and the lot, 19A
feet in width by as feet in depth The
building is occupied by G. Schmidt as
a tailoring establishment, and was
bought as an investment by Mr.. Nc
Farland, from the heirs of the Bodwell
estate.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

The case comes up for trial Monday
Dext, December IA, and the interest here
is intense.
Nothing will cause the people at
large to sit up and take notice, as
quickly as will a contemplated change
in school text books During the sum-
mer of 1907, Missouri was the battle
ground of one of the fiercest school
book fights in the history of the busi-
ness. This was caused by the new text
book law passed by the legislature and
The law provided for county uniformi-
ty of texts instead of state uniformi-
ty, which had been in force for some
years. AS there are ia counties in
Missouri, the various publishing con-
Germs sent in hundreds of their best
men from all parts of the country and
they succeeded in raising turmoil
from one end of the state to the other.
The fight continued all or last sum-
mer.
Under the new law, every county has
a text book commission of three mem
bers empowered to let contract for
all books used in the county for a
period of five years. The county school
commission is ex-officio, member and
president of the commission. One mem
Der is appointed by the county court
and the other member is appointed by
the state board of education.
In the aggregate. the contracts let
by the various counties, will amount to
several millions of dollars. AS Davies
county is one of the largest in the state,
it was the scene of a particularly hot
contest. Among the agents competing
for the business, appeared Samuel
Burnett, of Springfield, ILL.,, one or the
Illinois agents of CHM & Co., one Of
the largest school book concerns in the
world After the smoke of the battle
cleared away, there was considerable
talk going the rounds that perhaps un-
due influence might have been brought
to bear on the members OF the board
The talk finally reached such proper
tions that a grand jury was called to
Investigate the matter. The result was
that the grand jury indicted Burnett
representing CHM & Co., for attempt
ed bribery.
The Davies county board is compos-
ed of s. w. Shreckengaust, county COM
missioner Prof John L. Anderson,
superintendent of schools of Gallatin,
and Miss Elsie Fischer, teacher IN
the Pattonsburg schools
The specific charge against Burnett
was that he had offered Anderson 5000
for his vote on the Frye Biographies,
one of the publications Of CHM & Co.
Although the indictment against Bur-
nett was found April 81, the arrest was
not made until october 21, at which
time he was apprehended in Kansas
City by Sheriff Hutchinson. Burnett
gave bond for $1,000 for his appearance
December IA, his sureties being J. G..
Hisey. one of the Missouri agents for
CHM & Co., and J. c. Grover, an ex-
agent of CHM & Co., but now practicing
law in Kansas City. 1t Is said that
Grover recently had personal encoun-
ter with Anderson on the street in
Prof. Anderson stands high among
the leaders in educational circles in
Missouri, and has held a number of
prominent positions.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
AT THE CAPITAL.
Congressman MurdOck Is Still
Fighting Cannon.
Says Those Who Support Speak
er Face Defeat.
NH GADINET DI AGE
THAT CABINET PLACE.
Wichita Congressman Suggests
Maj. Hood for Treasury.
Dodge City Land Office Leads
in Fees Collected.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 12.-"Every
member of the Kansas delegation in
the house who votes for the re-elec-
ton of Joseph G. Cannon for speaker
of the Sixty-first congress will find
himself facing inevitable defeat in his
own campaign for reelection two
years hence"
This startling statement was made
by Congressman Victor Murdock, who
is prominently identified with the
movement to defeat Cannon for the
speakership.
kansas people are demanding a
new deal here and are strong Tor a
change in the speakership," continued
Mr.. Murdock. ''They are so intent on
revising the rules of the house and
the speakership that If these de-
sired changes are not voted for, they
will undoubtedly revise the member
ship of the Kansas delegation at the
next election"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
Bank Clearinrs.

Bradstreet's bank clearings report for
the week ending December 10 shows an
aggregate of s. lis, 900 as against $3,523-
121.O00 last week and $2,273, 471,000 in the
corresponding week last year. The fol-
lowing is list of the cities:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

The total revenue to the United States
from these three land offices amounted to
$23 1854
The president has nominated Charles
James MCGEE, of Kansas, to be appoint
ed a first lieutenant in the army
Carl Cooper, of Newton, has been ap-
pointed private secretary to Congress
man Murdock
William Stephens has been reappoint-
ed postmaster at Ogden, Kan.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
Death of Pat Mcbride.

Bridgeport. O.. Dec. 1z-Pat Mcbride,
first secretary of the United Mine
workers of America. died today of
pneumonia, aged so years.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
BAD FOR BURNETT
Indicted for Bribery in School
Book Case.
Trial Set for Monday Lively
Interest.

Gallatin. Mo-, Dec. 12-The case of
Samuel Burnett. representative of CHM
& Co., indicted for attempted bribery,
is attracting a great deal of attention.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
Weather Indications.

Chicago, Dec. 12.-Forecast for Kan
sas: Fair tonight and Sunday.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12
rhe people of Kansas VIII watch ia.

The people of Kansas will watch the
outcome of this case with considerable
interest. The big contract recently let
in this state and the charges made in
that connection are of sufficiently re-
cent occurrence to be still fresh in the
mind.
1t will be remembered that Mrs. Ella
Burton. Democratic candidate for state
superintendent made many grave
charges against the various publishing
houses Indeed she practically made
her campaign on this issue.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

There is no discussion here in
Washington among the Kansas people
concerning the possibility of the state
securing a place in the Taft cabinet
Members of the congressional delega-
ton declare they know of no can
didate seeking such honor or that
they will even consider the question
of asking for such an appointment in
the future. AS one of the members
of the delegation said. Its just
newspaper talk. The delegation has
not considered any action along this
line and probably will not in the
future
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

Village OF Patton Burned.
Boone, Ia, Dec. 12.-The village Of
Patton was destroyed by fire Thursday
night. There was no fire protection.
Loss $25,000.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

The chief of police of Washington
breathes a sigh of relief in which is
mixed a tender sympathy for his trou-
bled colleague in Ireland when he learns
that Carrie Nation is now in Dublin
and is having heart-to-heart talks with
the head of the police of that thriv-
ing, but much drinking Irish metropo-
lis.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

introduced in the house by Kansas
congressman: By Miller-Bi1ls to in
crease the pensions of Stephen A. Dew
ers and John n. Raley; petition of EN-
poria citizens, against bill to observe
Sunday in the District of Columbia By
CampbelI-Petition of E. V. Langon
against duty on zinc ore.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

Congressman Murdock says that if
Kansas is to get a cabinet job, he
wants to see Calvin Hood of Emporia
named for the. secretaryship of the
treasury. HE is one of the biggest
men in Kansas" said Murdoch, land
is well qualified for the office"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12


The attention of the postoff1ce de-
partment has been called to the re-
cent publication of an article to the
effect that according to an order of
the department, mail boxes along
rural routes belong to the department
and not to the patron, even though the
latter pays for them.
1t was authoritative1y stated to the
State Journal correspondent that no
such order has ever been issued by
the postmaster general or the fourth
assistant postmaster general. The
erroneous impression probably arose
from the fact that the department
will not permit mail boxes erected on
rural routes to be used for any other
purpose than the receipt and dispatch
of mail matter.
The position taken by the depart
ment with reference to rural delivery
patrons boxes is that while such
receptacles are the property of the
patrons they are erected exclusively
for the receipt and dispatch of mail,
and matter placed therein is con-
strued to be in the mails and subject
to the laws and regulations govern
ing mail matter, including payment of
postage.
The secretary of the treasury has
just made public statement
showing the total amount of fees and
commissions collected at the several
land Offices throughout the country
during the fiscal year ended last June;
from after deducting the amount
earned and paid to registers and re-
ceiVerS as compensation for service
rendered during that period. Re-
port on the three Kansas land offices
follow:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-12

Continued on Page six.>
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-13
Our Tin PInto Mil.

One billion, thirty-siX million, four
hundred and eighty-nine pounds OF
tin plate were imported into this
country from foreign countries dur
ing the year 1891 which was along
about the beginning of the tin plate
industry in the United States. That
year only 552 long tons of tin plate
were manufactured in this country.
Last year the imports of this manu-
featured product had fallen to 57,7TS
long tons while the amount manufac-
tured in this country had grown to
the enormous amount of about half
a million long tons, or, one billion,
one hundred and twenty million
pounds. A Republican protective
tariff system did this. From a mere
beginning less than two decades ago.
the tin plate industry in the United
States has expended into a very i'm
portant manufacturing institution
while during the same time the inn
ports have dwIndled to a compara-
lively small amount. Not only has
the American workman, but the
American consumer also has been
benefited.
In 1890 the average price of tin
plato in New York was $0.15 for a
box of los pounds. Last year the
average price OF the same box was
$500. BY making a careful esti-
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-13

raflfoad ana IN peFsofials prop rtJs
Tor the support OF the state govern
nent. or a adherence Of ISL 900
less. as compared with 1904 In 9TH
er. words, over q half million dollars
less to support the state government
was raised from direct taxation, than
four years ago.
II you limit the comparison to taxea
upon real estate and personal prop
erty. as Candidate Bennett talks about
which was 90 percent of all that was
being paid ShSe years ago. the saving
AMOUNTS to $52s.OOO a year. SO the
farmers and general tax payers are
paying that much less than they did
four years ago for the support OF the
state government.
Need aytlIing more be said about
saving to the people in their di-
rect taxes than the above?"
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-13
Prices and Wnees.

The Wheeling Register is giving
much space to comparisons of prices
in the last Democratic national adj
ministration with prices that prevail
today. But the Register articles
stop before completing the COMPARE
sons. The matter OF wages receives
but scarce notice, save in a few iso-
lated instances. II the average
prices are to be compared with aver
age prices, average wages should be
compared with average wages
According to government statistics,
bricklayers are receiving 3O.4 per
cent. more wages now than they did
in 1898. Boilermakers receive 24.2
per cent. more. The increase of
wages of blacksmiths is 1914 per
cent. Carpenters received 52.4 per
cent. more wages now than they did
IN 1893 Not many carpenters were
employed in 1893 as there was very
little building going on them. Hold
carriers receive 36.2 perc emit. more
wages than they did in 1893. Iron
moulders receive 25.5 per cent. more
wages than they did in panic times.
And so 1t goes, all the way down the
list, Jaborers, machinists, painters,
plasterers, plumbers, printers, stone
workers and others.
The Register articles try to show
that prices of food stuffs were much
lower in 1898 than they are now.
Evidently the figures do not take the
averages, but only sub-normaT in
stances. Prices were in many in
stances lower than they are now. but
in that era of depression and suffer
ing everything was low, prices,
wages. markets and about eVerything
else. The purchasing power of hour
" wages measured by the retail
prices of fod in 1893 was $50 per
cent, while now it is 1868 per cent,
the computation being upon a basis
of 100 per cent. as the average of all
the years from 1890 to 1907. This
shows an increase of 1912 per cent
We have better wages now than we
had in 1898 and the purchasing pow
er of these wages is larger than be-
fore. Bulletins from the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor show
that the increase In wages in 1907
over the year of lowest wages in the
last two decades was greater, by 3 1.
per cent. than the increase in the cost
of living. But. tthe Democrats say
we have hard times now and that the
system that produced the good (?)
times of 1893 is what we ought to
have. Surely the voter cannot hesi-
tate in taking his choice!
The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-13
PnhIic utiIitr Tnxas.

Corporation ridden the Dem ocratic
party has been known to be in this
state for many years. That party
through John j. Cornwell. its nomI-
nee for governor four years ago. Bit
terly fought the proposed tax reform
laws and it developed that the reason
he did 1t was that he was backed by
the big corporation, but the people
won and the new laws were enacted.
After what they have done It is as
founding that the Democratic party
and Its present nominee for governo or,
Louis Bennett, persist in resisting
those laws and cIamor for their re-
peal or importation. Examine the
question of the assessments OF pub
lie utilities compared with other as
sessments and all must be convinced
of the fact that the new laws have
shifted the burden of taxation to
such an extent that these utilities are
paying Il more proper proportion of
the taxes than before the laws were
passed.
The total value of property In the
state now is $93O,OOO,OOO.OO. 1t
was in 1904 $27s, 900. 10000 in
round numbers. The assessed value
of public service corporations as de-
termined by the Board of Public
Works has grown from $4,000, 0OO.-
90 for railroads alone to $252,OOO,-
10000 for all public service corpora
lions this year. Personal properly,
including lease-holds, has grown
from $SO.OOO,OOO.OO to 100000
10000 this year. Now real estate,
which includes all the State improve
ments and valuable mineral lands.
and there is a steady growth in our
State. has risen from $15s, 10000 100000
to $4S7,OOO,OO0.OO
The increase in the assessment or
the value of all public service cor
poration property is five to one, as
all such property was assessed at
forty-six millions In 1904. The In
crease In personal property, which
now includes chattel reals, Is two and
ope-half to one. Tho increase in real
estate, which includes all urban and
suburban property and coal property
Is 2.s9 to one.