davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
SUPPRESSION OF THE OPIUM rRAFF1

SUPPRESSION OF THE OPIUM TRAFFIC.
The United States government has
agreed to take an active part in the
international conference to be held at
Shanghai, China, commencing January
/, to consider means and methods Of
suppressing or regulating the opium
traffic. Twelve Of the civilized nations
will take part in the deliberations and
it is interesting to note that China,
which has suffered most from the
prevalence of the opium habit among
its people, will present the most radi-
cal plan for the suppression of the use
of the drug, as a narcotic.
For more than a half century Great
Britain has derived an enormous iu-
come from the sale of opium raised
in its Indian possessions to the
Chinese. Public sentiment forced the
British government, about Ave years
ago, to turn its face against the traffic,
although at a loss of some 50,000,-
900 a year to the Indian trade. The
raising of opium and it's use have been
prohibited in China and reports show
that the people are rapidly recovering
from the sodden state induced by its
general use. Canada, Australia and
South Africa have prohibited the, i'm
portation or use of the drug, except
for medicinal purposes, under the
most stringent regulations.
The United States has been slow,
until recently, to follow the enlight-
ened lead OF some of the supposedly
less enlightened countries. This coun.
try annually imports about $4,000
pounds of opium. although the best
informed physicians declare that 100.
900 pounds would be ample to supply
the demands for opium for medicinal
purposes. The greater bulk of the
imported drug is used by opium
smokers, Chinese and natives, in spite
of the hostile public sentiment against
the use of the drug. 1t would seem
that congress could not be too prompt
in enacting legislation, recommended
by the government authorities, barrine
out all opium except the small amount
needed in medical practice.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Senator owen of Oklahoma is trying
to tell the people of Nebraska through
the Commoner how beautifully the
Oklahoma deposit guaranty law is
working out and answering all the OBJ
jections that have been raised to its
provisions. Senator Owen does not
tell, however. how it happens that he
is an officer of the biggest national
bank in his home town that has not
surrendered It's charter in order to give
its depositors the benefits of the state
law. But perhaps it is asking too much
to expect c democratic senator to prac-
tice what he breaches.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
DEFEATING THE LOBBY"

The democratic world-Herald pro-
poses as a new and wonderful scheme
TO defeat the lobby" at the coming
Nebraska legislature that the lower
house shall itself appoint its commit
tees instead OF leaving that all-impor-
tant task to the speaker. It points out
that the Denver platform denounces
the arbitrary power Of the speaker of
the national house of representatives
and asks: why not carry that plank
into effect in Nebraska, the home state
OF the democratic candidate for presi-
dent, which, fortunately. has a demo-
cratic legislature7" 1t re-enforces this
suggestion by citing the state senate,
which now selects its own commit
tees, and the senate of the United
States, which also selects its own COM
mittees.
Whether Nebraska is fortunate or
unfortunate in having a democratic
legislature remains to be seen, but so
far as defeating the lobby by chang
ing the method of appointing house
committees is concerned, that is the
veriest rot. Has anyone discovered
that the lobby exerts less influence in
the senate with its self-appointed COM
mittees than in the house with its
speaker-appointed committees? Is 1t
not a fact that can be verified by our
legislative history that the stronghold
of the railroad lobby has always been
located In the senate end of the state
house, and that the only difference be-
tween the house and the senate is that
in one the interests try to capture the
speakership and in the other they try
to capture the committee on commit
tees? Is II not a further fact that the
speaker before he is elected is often
tied hand and foot by the lobby influ,
ences as to whom he shall appoint to
various committees Of importance, so
that the house committees as we'll as
the senate committees are named by
the membership under more or less
lobby dictation?
Just put it down that 1t is not the
method of appointment, but the men
appointed who will help or defeat the
lobby. II the boodlers and corporation
cappers get the ascendency while the
mountaineering Mr.. Bryan and Cover
nor Shallenberger look on compla-
Gently, the lobby will be in the saddle
and the Denver platform will cut about
as much figure as the Declaration OF
Independence.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
NOTES.

Miss Marie Fitzgerald, a st. Louis steno-
grapher. will take her typewriter up in a
balloon and transcribe thereon letters die
tated to her by the man at the safety valve
rope.
Speaker Cannon will attend the opening
exercises of the Alaska-Yukon- Pacific ex-
position on June 1 next. His is the first
acceptance OF an invitation by any mem
Der OF the national government.
]. T. Trowbridge. the author OF the popu-
lar poem, Darius Green and His Flying
Machine has sailed for Naples. 1t is his
intention to spend the winter in southern
Italy and Sicily. This is Mr.. Trowbridge's
third visit to Europe. He is 81.
The recent referendum in Massachusetts
on the establishment of public Fairgrounds
showed the great popular interest in the
subject. 1t was voted on in t~wenty-three
cities. of over 10000 inhabitants, and car
ried all but one, the majority being largely
in favor of IT..
Mrs. Rice, instigator OF the anti-noise
crusade in New York. has a daughter who
has three times been fined for speeding
and been given the promise of a Jail sen
tence for the next offense. Mrs. Rice ought
to lift the ban LONG enough TO permit a
noise resembling the fall of a shingle.
Walter Damrosch says that boys should
be taught music as well as girls, and the
fact tina many men cannot appreciate
music has led their wives TO go to the opers
with some man who does, and divorce il
often the result. No man. he says, cat
enjoy a symphony unless he has haC
musical training in his youth.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
DOMINATION IN MISsouBL

Missouri democrats have become
were counted, over the fear of negro
domination of the state. Leading
democratic papers of the state are in
sisting that the coming legislature
must pass a law restricting, or abol-
ishing, negro franchise in order to
rescue the state and save 1t for the
white man. The Kansas City Post,
in a leading editorial which has been
approvingly copied in other demo-
cratic papers, says:
Missouri must and shall be a white
mans state.
And in making Missouri a white mans
state lies the democratic party's sole
hope of success In Missouri.
Missouri is going republican unless the
republicans of the general assembly are
put on record for negro domination.
Missouri is going republican unless an
alright, statewide democratic organiza-
ton is formed, and formed at once.
The situation in Missouri Is GER
tainly ominous enough to justify all
the democratic fears. The state has a
population of about 10000 900, of
whom about 1862 900 are negroes or OF
negro descent. The vote of the state,
in round numbers. was 100000 in the
election of last month. Of which ne
groes cast about 10000, or about one
in eighteen. Under these conditions,
the intrepid Missouri democrat natu-
rally fears that the negroes, most OF
whom are without property or great
intellectual attachments, will rise in
their might and each of them dom
mate eighteen white men and so take
charge Of the affairs of the great
| state.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
BACK TO sANER CHRISTINA.
Simplicity of Former Years Form n
Contrast.

Simplicity of Former Years Form n
Contrast.
William Dean Howells in New York Times,
1t is to be hoped that we will return TO a
simpler and saner attitude toward Christ
mas. Our habit Of Christmas giving has
become a burden in America, and l under
stand that this custom Of making numer-
GUS costly, and often senseless gifts. has
had its influence In England. 1t is in the
American temperament to make expensive
gifts merely because it is the fashion to
do so. II is very much the same with our
tipping habit. We give too much. by all
standards, simply because others do SO,
In my boyhood days in southern Ohio
| Christmas was celebrated with firecrack.
ers, colored fires and Roman candles. 1t
would seem unnecessary that the youth of
the country should be exposed to such
a bombardment merely to express his
Christmas sentiment. Later / went to Bos-
ton, at the time the Dickens revival was
at it's height, and the effort to celebrate
Christmas in the Dickens mode was uni
versal. I recall the reaction which soon
set in. One prominent Bostonian. in a not
unnatural rebellion, described his delight
in seeing at least one man on the streets
of Boston, a very humble person carrying
a bundle of wood, who had the distinction
of not making presents on this day. The
fashion Of celebrating the Christmas season
differs widely from time to time. It was
Washington Irving who in a sense orig
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
IF you DON'T BELIEVE.


F. L. Stanton in Uncle Remus Magazine.
II you don't blieve In Santa Claus, and
that your way he'll call,
Don't mind the Christmas s~tocking-don't
NJ hang II Up at all!
But when Christmas winds are whistlin'
and the home-lights burnin' dim,
He rides away from little folks that don't
believe In him!
When you hear his sleigh-bells Jingle on
the house-tops snowy white,
Say: The wind is playin' music for the
When, he's .slidin' down the chimueys OF
the still. and dreamy town
It's the wind that wants to warm him
self-the wind is comm DOWN.
II you don't blieve in Santa Claus. like
othe folks b'lieve.
Just wait till Fourth o. July. and forget
it's Christmas eve!
Say: THE ch~ildren-they just dreamed
him, and they think he's true and
And don't hang UP your stocking-for he
won't believe In y0u!
When the floor is piled with p%laythinRs,
and the Christmas trumpets blow,
Say no fairy-folk have been there and
that Santa Claus amt sol
When your stockin's lookin' lonesome, then
you'll know the reason Why
You'll wish you'd made-believe in him
fore Santa Claus went byl
Your great and great srandpeople-they
knew him far away
CThere's toys that he gave them in the
attic there todayO
The chair grandfather dreams in-he gave
him that, you know,
For beln' once a little boy and beiieyIn'
in him SO!
But-don't you hang your stockin' up IL
you don't think hat way.
And know lots moro bout Santa Claus
than folks that's old and gray:
But-when Christmas winds are whiBtlin'
and the mornin' stars burn dim,
He rides away from little folks that don't
believe in himl
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
Postal Reforms.

The proposed reorganization OF the Post
office department is in direct line with the
has made in the application of business
methods to that branch of the public SER
vice. In the comparatively brief period Of
his administration he has given an impetus
to the improvement of the postal service
which has as yet hardly begun to have its
effect. The restoration of the popular
notes as a means of money transfer is to
be commended. but it is not more import
ant for the convenience of the people than
would be the parcels post and the postal
savings bank plans, which Mr.. Meyer has
recommended.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

these rufisns might be condoned and
their offenses mitigated IL they were
dull, unlettered mountaineers who re-
sorted to violence to correct real or
fancied grievances. but II they pos
sess the intelligence with which the
American credits them, they simply
emphasize by their misconduct the
general disregard OF the law which
appears to prevail in many Of the
southern states.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Congressman Hitchcoek's paper an
nounces that he has learned that the
signal corps will be entitled to a mill
tary band, which will be stationed at
Fort Omaha. If the appropriation is
made according to the estimate. He
n~eglects TO say that his attention was
called to this by the editor of The Bee
with the request that he see to it that
the appropriation goes through. A
little thing like this, however, does not
count.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Attention is being called to the fact
that Congressman Champ Clark was
a country editor. Some folks
are always ready to refer to a mans
fall from a high station to the posi-
ton of a mere congressman.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

1t is definitely known that building
permits in Omaha for 1908 will exceed
those for 1907. With the construction
already in sight 1t is likewise a safe
prediction that the permits for 1909
will exceed the aggregate for 1908.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
CheerinA the Denr...ed.

PhiIadeIphia Record. (dem.).
To the democrats Of the country it can
not but be gratifying to witness the frank
acknowledgment OF the president-eIect
as to the intimate relation Of the tariff
and the trusts. What other republican
politician has given proof of the same
degree of candor?
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

In passing on the Pullman case, the
Interstate Commerce commission
would make a hit by requiring the
company to furnish blankets instead
OF laprobes in both the upper and
lower berths.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

postponed because Governor shallen-
berger and his gubernatorial colleagues
will be busy about that time with their
own inaugural festivities. The demo-
cratic calendar puts st. Jackson's day
down as a movable feast.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Mr.. Debs was exactly 552,349 votes
shy of the 100000 he expected to
receive, but at that his disappoint-
ment was no greater than hat of
more hopeful candidates whose names
might be mentioned.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
Need it in Their Business.
San Francisco Chronicle.

There is much growing in the army over
the physical tryouts ordered by the presi-
dent, but there is every reason in the world
why they should be made. 1t is the BUSH
ness Of officers to lead their men, and IL
they are not in a condition to do so they
should step aside and let their places be
filled by those who can.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

1t is now proposed to grant PEN
sions to the teamsters who served
with the army in the civil war. The
men who handled the government
mules risked dangers as great as those
who led the firing line.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
An ImDrovemcnt me.
Washington Herald.

W"SHITIBIUH IIVIdIu.
Now that the supreme court has decided
our high financiers need not necessarily
answer all the inquiries fired at them by
Jealous prosecuting attorneys, we suspect
the recollection departments of the said
financiers will become rapidly convalescent
from recent atrophled conditions.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Our old friend Edgar Howard. ad-
dressing himself to the democratic
members Of the legislature, says: I'VE
must make good" Edgar evidently re-
members the last democratic legisla-
ture and that 1t took ten years for
other people " forget 1t.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

A Paris report says that James
Hazen Hyde is now going barefooted
in the early morning for his health.
Some folks in this country who had
business dealings with Hyde came
ear going barefooted from necessity.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The decision of the supreme court
knocking out the extortion law is pub
lie notice to blackmailers that their
business is a legalized and legitimate
industry in this state.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
RestfuI Tribes.
Boston Tranacrint.

.. oOSluH 1CdilScTlpl.
The president is warned against the In
sects of Africa. But to anyone who has
had his experience in fighting the political
insects which have been industriously bug
zing about Washington for some years
past the African species should be an easy
matter.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Mr.. Bryan says free silver would
have averted the panic of last year.
With free silver we would have had
the panic about 1898, or ten years
ahead of date.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Omaha is expanding so fast and the
theater habit growing so strong that
another theater can come in and the
intrusion will be scarcely noticed by
the established theaters.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

DR.. Wiley recommends that the i'm
portation of absinthe be prohibited.
The French people are a standing
illustration of what long use of this
intoxicant will produce.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Carrie Nation will probably be sur
prIsed at learning during her visit to
Scotland that most of the Scotch
whisky is made in Peoria. Ill.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
Honors NobIy Earned.

Senator Warren is right. The Spanish
war correspondents ought to have honor
badges. Why, their dispatches from some
where near the front for a couple of days
made some people believe a real war was
going on.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Boys can hardly be blamed for
leaving the farm, when. as Secretary
Wilson shows, there's an $4,000. 00O,-
600 crop to be gathered every year.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The Water board seems anxious to
start some more litigation. Is it an
other trip to Europe or an automobile
that the Water board lawyers want
this time?
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

ried a girl on his deathbed, Just so that
she could have his money when he was
gone. Could you love a girl like that?
He-Could / love a girl like that7 Where
does she live?-Philadelphia Inquirer.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

us this the financial editor?"
Eyes, sir" -.
Just to settle a bet, will you please tell
me II there is such a thing Nas a IS billg'
Certainly. l had a So bill in my posses
Sroceris on INV way down town and paid
Il. You lose."-Chicago Tribune.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Tom Longboat has broken all rec
ords of tho Marathon race winners.
The rece of the red man has not been
run
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The speaker of the Russian Douma
has resigned on account of u~nfavor-
able criticism of his course. They do
things differently in Russia.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The average housewife is hardly
optimistic enough to hope that anyone
will give her anything so valuable as
a basket OF eggs for Christmas.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

A Chicago minister charges that
women pay more for adornments than
for necessities. He should know that
adornments for women are necessities.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Us the fact that Charles P. Taft is
a brother of his brother really an ar
gument against his senatorial aspira-
tons.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Little girl. where's everybody"
Mamma is in the kitchen, sir, excoriat-
ing the apples for the pie, and brother Is
in the back yard, scare-ifying the chickens
he wants to catch for Observation-Disclosures
American,
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

It is becoming apparent that the
Dutch blockade of Venezuela is for
the purpose of keeping Castro out of
his own country.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

With congress out of the way until
January s, the hot air factories at
Washington will have a chance to
cool of.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Pullman patrons are not proper
witnesses in the hearings relative to
the disadvantage of the upper berth,
They are all prejudiced.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Il want to give her a useful present tina
costs enough &c make 1t seem worth while
he said to the obligtng salesman of the
great department store.
What do you say to a dozen strictly
fresh eggs?' the salesman obligingly sug'
gested.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

1t does not help any to be reminded
that the price Of anthracite coal at the
mines Is only SO a ton.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The country should be properly
thankful that the congressmen's al
lowance of free seed packages is to
be reduced,
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

A prominent New York politician
appears In the city directory only as
a 'clubman." Ananias?
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The Corn show has established its
fame as a cornucopia.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Women appear to take naturally to
business. Big deals don't seem to scare 'em
a Bit"
"Well. they've always been used to buy
ing hats, haven't they~?'-Louisville o
rier Journal.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Even II Castro finds his health
abroad 1t will be dangerous for him
to take 1t home with him.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

A hen has been sold in Chicago
for $4,000. It must have laid an
sgg.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Put that picture of the champion prize
fighter at the top Of the a 1t is the
logical position"
why logical?'
Because isn't 1t an upper cut7"-Balti-
more American.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Lancaster county republicans put
S26 into the national campaign fund
and pulled out $4,000. Pretty good
business.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

STATEMENT OF CIRCULATION.
stare Of Nebraska. Douglas County. S.:
George 3. Tzschnck, treasurer OF The
Bee Publishing company, being duly sworn,
says that the actual number OF fuu ana
complete copies Of The Daily, Morning,
Evening and Sunday Bee printed during the
month OF NoVemher. 1908. was as folloWs:
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The love feast for democratic gov
errors, which was to be pulled of In
| Chicago on Jackson's day, has been
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Current Events Cleaned from the
Arnnr nnh 49, nnnl

Current Events Cleaned from the
Army aud Navy Register.
It is hoped by the army signal officers
to establish a system which will not be as
complicated as is the present in regard to
the supervision Of the telephone systems.
At present the regular post telephone sys-
tenn is under the army signal corps. while
the exchange system installed at army
posts is under the care Of the quarter
masters department from the funds for
which provision is made for this work. 1t
has already been recommended by the
quartermaster general that telephones.
whether in the regular post system or con-
nected with private systems in the post,
be placed in the hands of the Signal corps.
There seems to be nc good reason why the
quartermaster's department should be bur
dened with the details of private telephone
systems within a post or with the details of
telephone authorized at posts for official
communication. AS It is the three dlffereht
parts of what is really one system are
under two different departments, which
might be better administered under one
department. The chief signal officer of
the army, moreover, does not believe In
the inspection of post telephone systems
by an enlisted man of the signal corps,
for the reason that IL a suggestion Of any
thing wrong is made 1t is Immediately con-
sldered an insult by the officer in charge,
and an unbiased criticism and opinion can
not be obtained in this way.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

The legislation in the act OF May IL pro-
hibiting the employment of army bands in
competition with local musicians, does not
apply to a chief musician on the retired list.
Such q question was recently presented
to the War department in the case Of a re-
tired soldier who was once a chief musician
on the active list. 1t is held that this
chief musician is neither an army band
nor a part thereof, but a soldier on the
retired list receiving the proportionate pay
of a chief musician. The law, therefore,
does not prohibit him from following his
profession in civil life, merely because once
upon a time he formed a part of a mill
tary band.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22
WHEN % on rowN.

Subscribers leaving the city tsms
DOrariIy shOuld have The Bee
mailed 20 them. Address will be
changed m often as requested.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Giles-Peckern has a bad case Of matri-
monial dyspepsia.
Miles-How's that7
Giles-His wife doesn't agree with him.
Chicago News.
Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-22

Aunt Mary-I hope, Emily, that you and
Charles will never become cold and dis
tant.
Emily-We may get cold. auntie, but l
am sure there Is no danger in our be-
coming distant. We intend TO live always
in a flat.-Puck.