davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28

y
X Gompers has been president of
the American Federation of
Labor, an organization contain
ing over 100000 members. the largest
and most influential body of working
men in the world. On Nov. 0, when
the annual meeting is held, he will
doubtless be elected to a twenty-sixth
term. All of his long term of office
has been consecutive with one eXcep-
ton. John Mcbride beat him in 1894,
and Gompers in turn beat Mcbride in
1895. With this one interval Mr. Com
pers has been elected and reelected ev-
cry year since 1882. He was born In
London in 1850 and came to this coun-
try when a mere lad. He is of Dutch,
French and Hebrew extraction, but is
an American by choice, principle and
conviction. lie is cigarmaker by
trade, as his father was before him.
He is a rather squat figure of Il man
and looks like college professor of
pugnacious disposition. His head,
nose, mouth and chin are all large He
goes smooth shaven, although early in
life he wore a mustache and imperial.
He has sparse iron gray hair, Il keen
eye, hitting shoulder and a muscular
front. He is strong speaker-an ora
tor, in fact-tells good story and i'm
presses his hearers as being capable
and energatic. Gompers has never
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28

said the girl. they are frightfully ex-
pensive.'
"'No, no; am not going to give him
any Havana CIGARS said Sparks. Bet
ter than that. l am going to establish
a perfect communion of taste and a
close sympathy between US by begin
ming te smoke his Havana cigars my
SELF"
Here is another favorite illustration
dent:
MANY a rich and powerful man." he
says, lis inclined to treat the poor and
helpless man as the bully treated the
little boy.
"a little boy was peaceably making
a snow man one winter morning when
tall. strong lad, a bully, rushed up,
kicked down the snow man and gave
the little fellow 4 thump on the head.
"a benevolent man saw this outrage
GUS bullying from distance. BE drew
near. shook his fist at the big boy and
gave the little one dime to comfort
him. Then he departed.
But he was no sooner gone than the
bully came up and demanded half the
money
"'I'll be satisfied with half he said
virtuously, but l ought to have all by
rights. for If hadn't walloped We ye
wouldn't have got cent?
Not the Right One.
Mr.. Gompers' quick wit and readi.
ness are shown by the following:
During federation convention oc,
CURED mistake that might have been
painful had not the presiding officer
turned it into laugh in this fashion.
THAT might have been as embarrass
ing" he said. las the position of a
young man of Toledo whom / heard
about the other day.
HE had been calling now and then
on a young lady. and one night, as he
sat in the parlor waiting for her to
come down, her mother entered the
room instead and asked him in a very
grave, stern way what his intentions
were.
HE turned very red and was about
to stammer some incoherent reply
when suddenly the young lady called
down from the head of the stairs:
Mamma, mamma, that is not the
oner"
The labor leaders readiness in the
chair is shown by another incident
He once had a set-to with one OF the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28
By JAMES A. EDGERToN.

"OR twenty-five years Samuel
~ Gompers has been president of
the American Federation of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28

Socialist wing in the federation and
had just ruled the speaker off the floor.
"But didn't you rule the other way
this morning?" shouted the delegate
Indignantly.
''In whose case?" inquired the chair.
"Oh, don't know whose, but
''Thens' drawled Gompers in his
most urbane manner, the chair is
willing to confess that it is unable to
answer the question which the dele
gate is unable to PROFOUND"
Mr.. Gompers' advocacy Of Bryan
and his launching of the federation into
the congressional campaign two years
ago called down on his head storm
Of attacks. Among other things. he
was accused of desiring Office himself.
1t is not the first time the accusation
more virulent form seventeen years
ago. Then Gompers answered it in
this fashion,:
81 have been accused of itching for
politics. OF the number of appointiye
positions offered me / will say moth
AAe. Coi aSo q Iva
atOr-eGuivalent to an election-was
rendered me. l felt. / had not the
right to accept or decline 1t without
consulting the organized workmen of
New York. AS did not seek the prof
fered honor l did not hesitate to de-
cline it when learned the sentiment
Of my colleagues. Before the recent cleo
ton l was positively offered the nom
ination for congress, which / declined
without hesitation. In view of these
facts and the fact that l have ever
held aloof from politics the accusation
is absurd"
1t is evident that his followers be-
lieved him then. as they have contin-
i ued him in power to the present day
In justice it should be said that it is
the executive board of the federation
following the positive orders of the
! body itself, which has precipitated the
organized labor forces into the pres
ent campaign. Mr.. Gompers is only
acting as the head of the organization
! at the orga uiZation'S express command
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28

airy trouble. She has received more
relief ard benefit than from any other
treatment S. Parrett, Jefferson
vile. Ohio.
"Hyomei cured me of terrible ear
|ache and buzzing in the head. l would
gle night Mrs S. p. Fuller, Column
bia, s. c.
H. o. Rolls, the druggist, sells Hy-
|omei pronounced High-o-mee) and
GLIDING inhaler, only costs 81. and an
extra bottle of Hyomei, if afterwards
needed. will cost soc.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28
Envious Inference.

''What Il happy, good natured, jolly
girl Maud is. She's always smiling
and laughing
yes; she has pretty teeth and din.
PIES"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28
Does Not Care For Money.

When Samuel Gompers, the man who
has had such a potent part in bringing
about this peaceful revolution. was
surprised, then amused.
do you own any real estate?" con-
tinued the questioner.
Not shovelful of sand"
ANY stocks, bonds or securities
anything from which you may clip
coupons?',
mot a share of anything. have not
an investment. / have no estate. and
when die all will leave my family
will be $3.50, my cigarmakers' union
insurance
II have no other property. l have no
ambition to have any. / do not care
for money. l believe l can get the few
things l want. If not as president of the
American federation. then at my trade
or some other work. am poor. / am
proud TO say lam poor"
But You have had chances to make
money!"
II have. Offers and opportunities
have come to me, things which would
have made me money. was interest
ed in other things"
That is the whole story. He has
been interested in other things. such as
helping his fellows and making bet
ter day on earth. From that supreme
duty he could not be lured by offers of
wealth or Office. Any one who Won
ders at the power of Samuel Gompers
with his organization and with work
ingmen generally Will find the secret
here.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28

Why be detected when you have the
chance or at least the sweet illusion
Of being one day called TO the highest
iestinics of the country:.Cor. Pail
Mall Gazette.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28

been a cloud chaser. AS his stocky
build indicates, he walks on earth. He
is rather inclined to be conservative,
but will fight for what he believes.
For years he struggled against his or
ganization having anything to do with
politics, but when he did get ready he
displayed great energy and earnest
ness. He fought Littlefeld, Cannon
and several other congressman two
years ago and is fighting for Bryan
now. If Gompers believed that the
cause of the workingmen would be
benefited by his going up in balloon
or down in q submarine, he would do
that, not because he cares anything for
aeronautics or the bottom of the sea,
but all "for the good of the order" He
has been fighting for the toilers ever
since he was fifteen years old, some
thing over forty years in all. He has
never gone to Jail for the cause yet,
but that is only because 1t did not
happen to come his way. Gompers
never looks for trouble, but neither
does he dodge it. If anybody puts a
fight up to him, he can bet every cent
he can borrow that there will be a
good, stiff battle.
Knows How to Lead.
.Gompers is not only speaker, but
an executive and a general. He has
learned the secret of leadership. that
of gathering about him trusty lieuten-
ants and leaving to them the details.
Mr.. Gompers puts 1t in this way:
1.-THE best leaders issue always the
fewest orders. They surround them.
selves with subordinates they can
trust, and they leave all details In
these subordinates' charge. And what
holds good of leaders holds good of
superintendents, foremen and bosses.
The best of them never annoy their
men with useless orders.
"When / was cigarmaker knew
q young man who would not have
made a good overseer or leader. Like
an old woman, this young man was
continually ordering people about when
there was no use for it.
''Once he sailed for England. leaving
in his brothers charge parrot that
he was very fond of. When he got tc
England his old,-pestering, interfering
habit came on him, and, afraid that
maybe his brother was neglecting the
parrot, he sent over this cablegram:
"'Be sure to feed the parrot
"The brother cabled back:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28
BEST cATARRH DOCTOR.
Has Cured Thousands-WiI Cure You
or Money Back

This is the little Hyo-
mel inhaler, the little
doctor that has cured
many thousands of suf-
ferers from catarrh, bron-
chitis asthma, hay fever,
coughs, colds and grip.
It's so easy and pleas
antlto cure yourself with
Hyomei. Just pour a
few drops in the little in
haler, and breathe it in.
The healing, soothing and
antiseptic air will reach
every nook and crevice OF
the mucous membrane oil
the nose and throat, viii
stop the irritation almost
Immediately; will allay the
inflammation; drive out
the foul odor; kill the
germs and cure the dis
ease.
My wife has been us
ing Hyomei for 2 month!
for catarrh and pulmon
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-28
Labor's Official Voice.

The federation itself Is composed of
practically all the trades unions on the
American continent Its voice, there
fore. may be regarded as the official
voice of labor. 1t has withstood at
tacks from capitalism on one side and
from socialism on the other. Gompers
as its head has borne the brunt of
these attempts to destroy the fedora
ton and through it labor uniOniSm
These efforts of its enemies to under
mine or overthrow it have had appar-
emily but little effect on the American
Federation of Labor. 1t has grown
steadily year by year and is now the
strongest numerically, financially and
in influence that it has ever been. It's
other chief officers are Frank Morri-
son, the secretary, who comes from the
printers of Chicago, and John B. Len
non of New York, the treasurer. who
has been in office about as long as
Gompers.
The American Federation of Labor
started practically from nothing. Com
pers was its architect For years it
had its chief offices in Il New York ten
| ement house. Its officials served with
out pay. 1t was slender in finances
and membership. Step by step it grew,
however, following conservative meth
DDS, but forging ahead until it is easily
the greatest trades union association
on earth. 1t has led inuumerable
strikes and. according to the claims of
ifs officers has won n majority oi
them. 1t has been foremost in the eff
forts to raise wages and to better the
| conditions of the workingmen, to short
| en- the hours of labor, to take children
| out of the factories and put them into
school. where they belong, to oppose
court injunctiOns against union mem
| bers and leaders, to make its lodge
! rooms debating clubs and schools FOL
the workers, to fight intemperance ant
/ to be a force not only for the uplift
ment of the toilers, but for the uplift
ment of humanity. Taken all in all
the federation and kindred bodies have
constituted the most significant an(
hopeful movement in the close of Tho
nineteenth and the beginning of thu
| twentieth centuries. Its chief glory i:
that it teaches the poorest and hum
| blest members of society how to hell
| peaceful armies that march on Labo
day. Its followers believe that it.
work is only begun, but that it will We
revolutionize industrial conditions ant
usher in a happier age.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
aisle of Spice. /"

When Allen Lowe and George E. Stod-
dard wrote the book and lyrics of the
isle of Spice" which will appear at the
New Music Hall opening, Feb. &c, they
laid the scene of their clever story on an
island in the Japan sea, where all sorts
of funny things are likely to happen.
There is the funniest kind of king with
a desire to reform things, which to him
means simply to change the existing
laws He has a beautiful ward,
Theresa" who has received an Amer
lean education and desires to have a
young lieutenant of Uncle Sans Marines
thrown in tor good measure. The king,
who accumulates wives, as the average
American boy does marbles, desired to
wed his ward, but there is a law which
makes it necessary for his betrothed to
first spend seven years OF her life in the
tomb OF silence While his majesty is
endeayoring TO devise ways and means
OF keeping his ward from tins ordeal, an
Irishman and a Scotchman, who have
deserted from the United States navy in
a balloon, are precipltated into the
midst OF his cogttations, and he gives
them the choice OF taking her place III the
tomb or beng beheaded. They choose the
former, bur the scheniing court treasurer,
who wants Teresa out of the way,
liberates them and Introduces the pair
to the king as a noted magician and
astrologer. After many mirth-ereating
impostions on the king and the court
the introduce the game of faro and pro-
coed to diminish the bulk of the funds of
the state treasury and the royal wallet
with great success. Then the young
lieutenant, whom Teresa regards with
more than ordinary favor, arrives in
search of the two deserters who are from
his ship. He discovers Teresa instead
and eventually carries her off while the
king has to content himself with Asbena,
lady of the vintage of many moons
past, whom the conspiring court treas
urer has betrothed him to seven years
previously. The story is set to music of
that delightfully."- refreshing kind by Paul
SCHNEIDER and Ben Nj Jerome.
There has been very large advance
sale OF tickets, but few good seats are
to be had if people buy at once. 1t is
that special rates will be
arranged with the railroads. and that
a special train will be run from Lyndon
Vile
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
Academy Notes.

Manager Powell of the Academy base
ball team has arranged the following
schedule for the team during the season
of 1908: April 25, St J. A. VS.. Lyndon
Institute at Lyndonville; May 6, St. J..
A. VS.. Rockland Military Academy at
St. Johnsbury; May 16, St. J. A. VS..
Peoples Academy at St. Johnsbury; MAY
%, st. ]. A. VS.. Goddard Seminary at
Barre; May %, St. J. A. VS.. Montpelier
Seminary at Montpelier; May 30, open;
June /, St, ]. A. VS.. Montpelier Seminary
at St. Johnsbury; June 6, St J. A. VS.
Peoples Academy at Morrisville; June 9,
st. J. A, VS.. Goddard Seminary at ST.
Johnsbury; June II, St. ]. A. VS.. Lyndon
Institute at St. Johnsbury
Mrs. Rowland gave a thimble party
Saturday afternoon from four to six to
the young ladies of South Hall and c. F.
Cottage, who met to sew for the hos
pital.
Mrs J. II. Wilson has for the past two
weeks been visiting her son and daugh-
ter John and Dora, of this school.
Through the kindness of the Y. NJ. c.
A., the girls of the school are allowed to
practice basket ball in the gymnasium
Saturday afternoons from two to four.
1t is hoped that sometime in the month
the girls will be able to play their first
game.
Saturday evening the Adelphians enter
tanned the Athenians by holding a mock
trial in which Robert Ward was found
guilty of stealing Dwight Wells horse.
After the trial social hour was enoved,
with light refreshments and promenades.
This week Saturday evening the class
OF 90 will give their reception, to which
all members OF the school and all inter
ested in it are invited.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12

recently and has been obliged to under
go an operation in a private hospital
there. They will be glad to learn, how
ever, that he is recovering as rapidly as
possible.
Miss Julia Nav Estahrooks returned
to Boston last week after spending a
week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
H. F. Estabrooks Miss Margaret Con-
ners of Boston, who has been her
guest while here, returned with her.
Miss Alice Anderson. who has been
employed with Young& Young lawyers
at Newport, since last July, has been
enjoying a two weeks vacation with her
parents on Cliff street and greeting old
friends.
Joseph and Thomas Legendre were
called to Hartford, Conn, Tuesday by
the death OF their brother, William
Legendre
Arthur Patterson was at Hanover last
week to attend the funeral of his grand
mother, Mrs Sarah W. Patterso |, widow
OF Senator James W. Patterson of New
Hampshire.
Mrs. Annette Magoon of Hardwick is
spending a week here
Mrs. Arthur Wilder from Woodsville
and William F. Wilder of Yonkers, N. Y,
were called here last week by the illness
and death of 0. D. Rogers
George F. Cushman was in town few
days last week, having recently returned
from an extended visit in Des Moines. On
his return he visited relatives in Mont
clair, Boston and Lowell.
Miss Maude E. Brown was one of the
artists at a pupils recital at the New
England Conservatory of Music, Boston,
on Saturday evening, and her picture
in the Sunday Globe.
Miss Louisa A. Hoyt, who has
been spending some time in Mount
Clemens, Mich, where she hoped to re-
ceive benefit for rheumatism, returned
Saturday, and will reside for the present
with Miss Addie S. Alvord.
New patients at Brightlook are Bert
{. Hill, Mrs. Alice |. Rogers, Mrs. Flor
ence A. Camp, of St. Johnsbury;
George W. Moulton, Waterford, Mrs.
Lydia A. Harvey, Groton. Mrs Ralph
:. Sulloway, Charles A. Hurlburt, Mrs.
Ethel Drown and Miss Annie Stuart
nave been discharged.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
Advent Conference.

The northern mid winter convention of
the International Advent Christian con.
ference was held with the church here
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of
last week. There was large attend
ance at all the meetings, considering the
severe weather. Twelve ministers came.
two of them from Boston, and singing
evangelist from Boston made the meet
ings more profitable Among the speak
ers were Rev. S. M. Wales of Waterloo,
?. 9" Rev. Linden ]. Carter of Cole.
brook, Rev. Allan H. Bissell of Danville,
T; 2" Rev. Daniel Gregory of Beebe
Plain, Rev. A. H. Davis of Boston, Rev.
Arthur G. Lynn of Haverhill, Mass, and
Rev. Frank Hooper of Newport Center.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
WOman'S Auxiliary Meeting.

At meeting of the Woman's Auxiliary
of the Y. NJ. c. A., held Friday afternoon,
the following committees were ap-
pointed
Committee on Rooms-Mss Lula
Lewis, chairman, Mrs. Frank H. Miner,
Mrs. E. N. Randall, Mrs. Abbie NJ. Nc
Neil Mrs Gordon X. Goss.
Committee on Social Gatherings and
Receptions-Mrs. H. H. Carr chairman,
Mrs. Robert w. Simonds, Mrs. D. c.
Homer, Mrs. Eugene S. Smith Miss
Lillian E. Henderson.
Committee on Visitation of the Sick
Mrs. Fred E. Potts, chairman, Mrs.
Clark p Rowland, Miss Tilla E. John.
son, Mrs Lyman S. Hooker, Mrs.
Thomas c. Wallace
Committee on Work among Boys
Mrs. Charles G. Flint, chairman, Mrs.
Robert S. Fisk, Mrs. Fred N. Elliot, Mrs.
Horace A. kidder, Mrs. Clara J. Packard.
Committee on Flowers-Mrs. L. p.
Slack, chairman, Mrs. John M. Perham,
Mrs. David Williams, Mrs. W H. Sar-
gent, Mrs. A. F. Nichols.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
Round Table.

The South church Round Table met on
Thursday evening to enjoy an oyster
supper and listen to talk by c. P.
Rowland on Some Neglected Elements
IN our Educational System" The fol
lowing officers were elected for the com
ing year:
President, c. P. Rowland.
Eice-president, Joseph Fairbanks.
Secretary, E. l.. Hunt.
Treasurer, H. NJ. Nelson.
Executive committee, NJ. E. Merrill,
+. n. Garter, E. R. Mackay, B. l.
Staples, L. M. Fisher
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
-
DEATHS.

AT North Walden. Feb 5, Mrs. Amy Scott
Kimball, aged Is years.
At Peacham Feb 3. Mrs. Laura Barrett
At Gray. Iowa, Jan. 81. William " Nc
Lochlin, aged 81 years. formerly of Peacham.
At Walden, Feb. 3. Mrs. Electa Kittredge
At Lyndon Center, Feb, 6, Mrs. Charles
Mathewson.
At Lunenburg, Feb. 7, George E, Currier.
At Roxbury Mass. Feb. g. Mrs Timothy
Marshall, formerly Of West Burke. aged rs
years.
At Danville, Feb. 7, Mrs. Abial c. Palmer
aged 81 years.
At St. lohnshury. Feb, 9 infant son of Mr.
and Mrs. Philippe NORM
At Newton. Mass, Feb. =, Byron s. Burt.
formerly of st. Johnsbury, aged nearly IS
years.
At Whiting Feb, g. Rev. Frederick b.
Phelps, aged 70 years, a former pastor OF the
Congregational Church at East St. Johns
bury.
At st. Johnsbury Feb g. Marie, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs, 6. II. Belanger. aged four
months.
At st. Johnsbury, Feb. s, Mrs. Jane W.
George, aged 50 years.
At Searsport. Me- Jan. 81 Bessie Gray.
wife of Harry Davis, aged 80 years.
At st. Johnsbury, Feb, S. Isabel Higgins,
widow of ;. N. Houghton. aged 55.years.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
Wanted, For Sale, Etc.

For SALE.-A very good roll top desk
in first-class condition. Can be seen at
30 Cliff street.
TENEMENT to rent at 5 Pine Street.
Six per cent. 500 Gold Bonds for
small Investors. See Powell & Co S
adv.
Five cents will be paid for two copies
of the CALIFORNIAN of June &c. 1907, in
good condition. Address this office.
Position WANTED as house keeper.
Would not object to child. For parti-
culars address, Mrs. p Baker, Box 432,
Woodsville, N. H.
WANTED. Some logging teams for
winters job. Good roads; good pay.
Come now. Willoughby Wood &
Lumber Company, South Barton, Vt.
For SALE. One secondhand furnace.
Is in good condition. Call or write.
George H. Cross Co., Railroad street.
For SALE. An Angelon piano
player with 30 rolls of music. A great
bargain. II. M. Cross, fl Portland
street.
For SALE.-Gilson and Woodpecker
Gasoline Engines, any size; all kinds
Woodsawing Machinery; second hand 5
H. ?. Alamo engine in good condition.
Write me your wants. A. E. COUNSEL
St. Johnsbury,
WANTED. A position as stenographer.
Lillian Lyster, South Durham, Que.
Sealshipt oysters are sold at slightly
higher price than tub oysters-and they
are worth it. They are solid meats-ail
oysters and no water. Try them. Spauld-
ing's Market, Al Main st.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-02-12
North Church Mems Club.

George H. Colby of Lancaster renewed
acquaintance here yesterday afternoon
and was the speaker last evening at the
ladies night of the North church Mems
Club. Mr.. Colby visited Japan as the
guest of Henry W. Dennison, the
Mikado's foreign adviser, and gave a
most interesting biography of the dis
tinguished Vermonter who has been a
resident of Japan for almost 40 years.
Mr.. Colby discredited the report that
Mr.. Dennison was about to return to
this country and during his address gave
some graphic descriptions of some Of the
court functions which he attended. He
is an interesting speaker and his descrip-
lions ofroyalty were greatly enjoyed.