davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
TEE FRUIT or THE CONTROVERSY.

The one net result OF the long-drawn
controversy between President Roose-
welt and congress is the certainty that
II has now become practically impos-
sibie to secure the passage Of any sig
nifcant or vital legislation recon-
mended by the president at the current
session of congress. It is becoming
more apparent that this condition was
hoped for by the r~eactionaries who
have been active IN tanning the fight,
their plan being to prevent action on
important measures at this session,
with the belief that the extra session
will be entirely consumed by the work
Of tariff revision and that other mat
tiers now deferred will be s~idetracked
to the regular session of the new con-
gress a year off.
Bills Affecting railways, labor,
mining. rivers and harboTs, the Pan
anna canal, pure food, currency, immi-
grafton, postal savings banks and a
variety of subjects in which the public
is interested and concerned have been
discussed in a preliminary way, but in
dications are that no definite action
will be taken on any of them. Even
the appropriation bills are in bad
shape, because the men in charge of
them have been wrangling over
Brownsville, the secret service or some
other difference between congress and
the president. With but about thirty
working days remaining of the present
session, congress will be able to do but
little more than get the money-carry-
ing bills out Of the way.
The short session of congress prom
ises to be one OF the most unsatisfac-
tory and proftless on record.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
THE VENEZUELAN CLAIMS.

President Gomez of Venezuela has
made a strong bid for popularity at
Washington by agreeing to a basis of
settlement OF the claims of the United
States against Venezuela, which have
been pending for five or six years and
which have been the cause Of prac-
tically all the diplomatic differences
between the two governments.
There are Ave of these claims,
chiefly those OF Americans who have
had their property rights ~repudiated
by Castro. The claims were similar
to those of certain French and Ger
man syndicates which caused trouble
In Venezuela and which threatened
open rupture had the United States
not interviewed and secured the refer
ence OF the cases to The Hague. After
this had been done Venezuela openly
repudiated the American claims and
defed the government at Washington.
President Gomez is showing a disposi.
ton to adjust all the troublesome
problems left by Castro and gov.
eminent will doubtless meet him hall
way In the settlement or disputes
which have interfered for SO long with
the diplomatic and commercial rela.
lions between the two countries.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

not themselves wish to be investigated, &C
cuses the congressman OF being afraid OF
investigation. This is practically the only
argument adduced in the debate by Mr..
sherley against the secret service, but this
does not I'm the least indicate that MT.
sherley is personally afraid Of being In
vestigated. It Is preposterous TO claim
that, since the only reference in the prest-
dents message to corruption in the house
is his statement that three members of the
house in the Tast have subjected them
selves to criminal prosecution for corrup-
tion. he therefore by implication states
that he has no proof OF corruption In the
Pre- sent house. 1t is preposterous to insist
in violation of the unwritten code of civil
i2ed society. that when a gentleman dis
owns the opprobrious meaning which has
been attributed to his words the words
must still be taken by the aggrieved party
in the opprobrious sense, on the ground
II at he knows better than the speaker
what the speaker meant. And it is pre-
posterous to imagine that the house, by
laying the presidents message or the
table, has done anything whatever to pre-
vent him from getting a hearing before
the country.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
NEBRASKA PRESS COMMENT.

Aurora Republican; Governor Shallen-
berger is exactly right in his message
recommendation to clothe the railway COM
mission with power to determine the physi-
cal value of railroads and all other public
service corporations doing business in the
state. His recommendation in this regard
Is Just as wise as his recommendation to
divest the State Board of Equalization OF
some of its present authority is Vicious.
His on-the-fence position on the county
option issue is absolutely consistent with
the method of his campaign. He is against
county option. So is his party.
P~lattsmouth journal: 1t is quite a COM
pliment to Secretary william Hayward Of
the republican national committee that he
should be chosen as the new head of the
committee. While people may doubt seri-
ously the capacity Of the young man for
the important position to which he is to be
called, they cannot but congratulate him
upon the opportunity to make good. 1t
must be that his work has been satisfac-
tory to the powers that be during his term
as manager of the western branch of the
committee, and IL this be the case it Is
all that is required. 1t is due to Colonel
Hayward that everyone in Nebraska at
least congratulate him upon his advance
LNA anu "A5AA AAAAA ' AAN@'NaS -
success in the new position.
Columbus Journal. The attempt on the
part of Ex-Governor Sheldon to commit the
republican party to the plan of statewide
prohibition is not in harmony with his
record on the liquor question. Like all
politicians, Sheldon did not decline the
support. of the breweries when he was a
candidate the first time. and even up to
the opening of the polls last November he
remained on the fence. undecided which
way to jump, and for this reason he was
opposed by one faction of the liquor inter-
ests and by the Thomas faction of the
Anti-Saloon league, which resulted in the
election of Shallenberger. The returns
prove that had Sheldon been supported by
such strong anti-saloon counties as York,
Polk and Boone, he would have defeated
the democratic nominee. Both Boone and
Polk counties returned majorities for Shall
lenberger, who received hundreds of county
option votes. The combination that de-
feated Sheldon was made up of the two
extremes-the Anti-Saloon league and the
representatives of the brewery interests,
assisted by the element that always claim
taxes are too high and for which, in
their ignorance.sthey insisted that Sheldon
was responsible. If the republican party
follows the advice of the former governor
and declares for statewide prohibition, II
will give the democrats of Nebraska the
opportunity that party took advantage of
In Iowa when the question of prohibition
was submitted to the people. In every
northern state where the republicans have
fathered the prohibition movement in the
past 1t has resulted in the DISCRIMINATION
and defeat of the party until the law was
repealed. That has been the history of the
prohibition movement in Kansas, Iowa and
South Dakota.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
Hard Won Victory of Justice.

The trial and conviction of J. B. F. Rine-
hart for the loOtlng of the Farmers and
Drovers National bank of Waynesburg is
a notable triumph of justice. Through his
political pull Rinehart had managed to
so delay his trial as to be almost able to
escape through pleading the statute Of
limitations, after the precedent set by the
late Senator Quay. But appeal was made
to President Roosevelt and he In response
put life and motion into the torpid admin
istration of Justice. Rinehart was tried
and convicted in the federal court. He
will be accompanied in the pe~nitentiary
by a bevy of lesser accessories TO his
crimes. The methods Of political banking
in Philadelphia ave been so audaciously
corrupt that If the law had its due course
Rinehart would not lack for ompany to
the end of his f~ifteen-year term.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
SPECIFIC APPROPRIATIONS.

1t is gratifying to know that the
State university regents have aban-
doned the plan they were considering
to ask the legislature for an additional
percentage mill levy to run for a series
of years to take care of new construc-
ton. Instead the legislature will be
asked to make specific appropriations
for the different buildings desired and
will thus be able to pass on each of
them strictly on its merits, and in re-
lation to the urgency of the need.
This is In line with what The Bee
has repeatedly advocated and 1t is to
be hoped 1t will mark the pace Of
other branches of the state govern
ment that have been figuring on get
ting in on an indefinite appropriation
by the percentage mill levy route.
Outside Of the established university
fund levy the only other appropriation
of this kind is that imposed by the
Sheldon act designed to sink the state
debt, and this will have to be abol-
ished within the biennium, because its
purpose will soon have been accom-
plished.
The rule requiring specific appro-
priations of public money is the salu-
tary one offering, as it does, the only
way to keep strict check on expendi-
lures. Whenever the indefinite APP
preparation is favored it is favored in
the belief that the amount of money
thus secured for the particular object
will prove to be more than the law
makers who hold the purse strings
could have been induced to give had
they known how much was really in
volved. What seems to commend the
percentage mill appropriation to those
who spend the money is just what
condemns 1t to the taxpayers who sup
ply the money.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
CONSERVATION QUESTIONS.

President Roosevelt has broadened
enormously the scope of the movement
fer the conservation of the national re-
sources by inviting Canada and Mexico
to participate in the conference to be
held in Washington next month to dis
cuss plans for making the movement
as wide as the continent and asking the
cooperation of our neighbors in the
work. The invitations have been sent
by private messenger and there is
every reason to assume that the Cana
dian and Mexican governments will &C
cept the Invitations and send distin-
guished representatives to participate
in the conference.
1t is true that all three of the coun-
tries have a selfish interest in the de-
velopment of their and their
conservation, but there is room for a
concert of action by which the mutual
interests of the three countries may be
promoted. Some commercial features,
however, may enter into the considera-
tions with the effect of upsetting har-
mony plans. The United States has
not maintained an attitude with ref
erence to trade with it's closest neigh
bors that would encourage them to a
reciprocal action in the use of their
national resources.
The of Canada are very
/ similar to those Of the United States
and the conservation Of the timber,
mines and land resources in this coun-
try will simply postpone the day when
our demand for supplies in those lines
will furnish Canada with a splendid
market for it's abundant riches. We
have followed the policy of exhausting
our own and keeping Canada out OF
our markets until Canada might feel
justified in asking some trade con
cessions before agreeing to help us
out of a dilemma of our own making
With Mexico the matter is simpler
because hat country has been devel.
oped largely by United States capital
and has little in conflict with us In
the way of trade interests. Mexico
too, is deeply concerned in the con.
s~ervation of the water supply, depend.
ing, as it does, upon rivers that have
their source in this country for much
of It's supply OF water for mining and
irrigation purposes. Mexico will doubt
less enter into the conference with {
disposition to meet this country hal
way. Canada may not be 80 Cheerful
about it, except as the Canadians recog
nize that they have national Interests
which overstep national boundary line
and which may be better conserved ant
served by cooperation than by singl,
effort.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
PREPOsTEROUs ASSUMPTION.
The Real Issue Between the Presi.
dent and the House.

The outlook. New York.
II the Board of Aldermen OF the city OF
New York were to pass an ordinance for
bidding the employment of the detective
police in ferreting out gambling houses. no
one would doubt that the effect would be
to give immunity to gambling, and few
would doubt that the effect was intended.
II this ordinance were passed after three
aldermen OF a previous board had been
caught in a gambling house, the Disagree
able impression would be strengthened.
This is what the house of representative
has done. 1t has prohibited all use Of the
secret service In ferreting out corruption
in or against the government. And it has
done this after three representatives and
two senators nave subjected themselves
to criminal prosecution. The president is
absolutely right in saying. This amend.
ment has been a benefit only and could be
a benefit only to the criminal classes
The action of the house will make the de-
lection and punishment OF political cor
ruption more difficult. the practice of
political corruption more safe. The house
can be defended from the suspicion OF in
tending that result only by the charitable
belief that its unreasonable passion has
blinded II TO the inevitable effect of lite
legislative action. The president now calls
for the repeal of this prohibition. Ought
IL to be repealed? Does 1t promote or does
Il tnjure good government in the United
states7 This is the fundamenta issue be-
tween the president and the house OF rep
resentatives. 1t is the only issue of any i'm.
portance. On this issue the country should
fasten its attention. From this issue It
should not suffer itself to be diverted by
the personal controversy. Yet 1t may be
said with confidence that In the personal
controversy the attitude Of the majority
OF the house is preposterous. It is pre-.
posterous to claim that the president, by
saying that the chief argument in favor Of
the prohibition was that congressman did
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
RaiImakers Brought to Time.

IITIWUUIpIlU INVNVIN'
The public has never been informed why
1t was that steel rails began about three
years ago to break frequently. The pre-
vious discard from the end Of the bloom
had been about II per cent. Why this sud
denly became insufficient has not, we be-
lleve, been explained. The late Mr.. Cassatt
demanded a discard OF 25 per cent. The
railmakers refused unless the prices were
advanced. From this point they have re-
coded, and under the new contract with
the Pennsylvania railroad there will be "a
sufficient discard to insure a sound rail. -
and every rail will have the name of It's
maker and the date of making rolled into
1t, so that responsibility for fragile rails
can be determined easily.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
personal NOTES.


Senator Tillman complains OF mail thefts'
hut nobody stole the typewriter he ranked
SIG worth.
They have statewide prohibition IN Ala
bama; but III persons In Birmingham are
adve rtised as having taken out retail
liquor licenses under the requirements of
the United States Internal revenue laws.
An American woman and her daughter
rode i,5oe miles on horseback, from Mexico
10 Arkansas because they were too poor
70 pay railroad fares and wanted to get
where the daughter could have a good
education. White House and army test
riders. please take notice.
II want to say, gentleman, I have been
a kicker for twelve years" said John
Wesley Gains in a recent speech, "and II l
should stay in this congress until I
arrived at the age Of la years, / would kick
against the rules OF this or any other house
that suppresses free speech
Thanks to the new army pay table
adopted by congress at its last session.
Brigadier General Robert Nj. O'Reily. sur
geon general. who is now on the retired list
with the rank of major general, will draw
Just the same pay, 5000 a year, for
doing nothing the rest of his life, that he
has received in the last year for directing
the important work of the medical corps.
Charles Taylor. the oldest trainer and
driver of trotting horses in the country,
died at his home, White River Junction,
VT. on Saturday. He was born on Decem-
Der Is, 1906, and was therefore 102 years
old. During his lifetime he had seen tho
trotting record lowered from 2:5SIh to 2.Oll4.
Taylor campaigned many fast horses, one
- 4 a -uo. 49, arp frOfHnr Lranfprx-
Boy, that gained a record Of 2:2ON, about
tuyantv wears ago
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

the public domain thus in danger Of
being fraudulently taken from the
people assumes alarming proportions.
For the further prosecution of these
cases the secretary asks for an appro-
priation OF $1,000, 900, or one cent
on the dollar Of the value OF the prop
erty which It is. believed can be re-
stored to the public. AS a business
proposition It would seem to warrant
congress in providing the needed ap-
preparation regardless of the fight
now waging over the uses and abuses
of the secret service branch of the
government service.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
POINTED -PLEAsANTRIES.

1T was when Adam ate the apple that
the persistent troubles OF the human race
Yes. Adam was the first to discover
that the fruit crop was a failure
Chicago Record-Herald.
The exchange editor clipped a sparkling.
but unidentified, epigram from the paper
TITS a scream" he chuckled. "rll credit
it TO the War Cry!"-Chicago Tribune.
do you think it possible there's any
ting jealous of Taft?"
might he so. | understand the 'possum
has Completely knocked out the Teddy
ear."-Philadelphia Ledger.
"One of these standard jokes about
chemical blonde hair is like a compilation
Good gracious! How could a joke on "A
laws?'
American.
IT had an interesting talk with Bunsen
the other day. l find I haven't understood
his real character. OF course, you know he
was a utilitarian?'
That's funny. He told me he didn't be,
long to any denomination. cleveland
Plain Dealer.
Rankln-Do you think you could ride
ninety-eight miles on horseback in seven
teen hours straight?
Fyle-No, but walked the floor nine
IOuTb SlISLBul VIII a. SqudihnS bPhDy idsl
night, and I'm willing to bet that no presi-
dent OF the United states can do that
Chicago Tribune.
Brown-Did you ever have absent treat
ment?
~Jones-0h, yes, and when I get home I'll
have present treatment for being absent so
ong.-Brooklyn Life. srF d
Papa can swim like a fish, can't he,
mamma p"
NO, dear; he swims like a sea lion or a
muskrat. He has to come to the surface
to breathe. Chicago Tribune.
I'VE allus seem to pick a time when our
congressman is powerful busy to come to
Washington" said 81 Smiling.
tossel. Our congressman HiIus turns In
an gifts busy when he sees any OF us
comm. "-Washington Star.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

A consolidated tax receipt for all
city, school, county and state taxes
would be welcome to the taxpayers of
Omaha, who now yea out shoe
leather making repeated trips to the
tr%easurer's office.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
LOOT OF THEPUBLIo DOMAIN

Secretary Garfield of the Interior
department has furnished congress
with a striking Illustration of the need
of a secret service to protect the pub
lie domain from the syndicates and
trusts that have been perpetrating
Wholesale frauds In the last two years
in an effort to secure possession Of
lands designed to go to homesteaders
and actual settlers. The ~secretary's re-
port alleges that lands valued at about
$40, 0O0, 900 have been taken up
through fraudulent entries within the
last few years, much of which may
be recovered IL prosecutions are
promptly made before the fraudulent
titles are perfected.
The enormity Of the proposed steal
is shown by the statistics OF the Inte-
rior department hat $4,000 distinct
cases of alleged and frauds are now
pending and demanding further inves-
tigation. The number and distribu-
ton Of such cases now awaiting inves-
tiRatiOn Is as follows.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

The new governor OF Indiana OBJ
jects to a legislative bill appropriating
$150,O0O for an executive mansion.
He is wise in estimating how much of
his salary he would be unable to save
by living in a $4,000 house.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
Fine Old Man Is Uncle Sam.

Lydia kemekoha Liliuokalani remarks
that there is no nation under heaven that
loves Justice and practises it more regu-
larry than the United states of America,
and she has no doubt that her claim for
her Hawaiian lands will be recognized and
settled in due course. Which is another
way of saying that you can catch more
files with molasses than with vinegar.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

Oklahoma proposes to give one of
its places in the national hall of fame
to an Indian who did great work for
his people. The other place should be
reserved for Haskell, just to show the
difference between a good Indian and
q BAD one.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
THE FUTILE REToRT
Washington Star.

W WI SNaAs
When a man says you're another in a
fierce, vindictive key
To accusations which have been a-passin'
round so free;
l sort o. give up hopes that we're about
to be set right
On the merit of the question. I'm les
lookin' for a fight.
You see that sort o. talk was held to be
agin the rule
Among the talent that took part in our
debatin' school.
It's a certain indication OF a mind on
trouble bent;
It's highly interestin', but it amt no argu-
ment.
1t doesn't shed enlightenment, so far as
l kin see
on how we're goin' to run this land so
mighty an so free:
An raise the glorious standard whose stars
shall never pale
Without a-raisin' taxes on a correspondent
scale.
An even If you're out for good old-fash-
Toned rhetoric,
The style is sort O. jerky. 1t gifts to the
pint too quick.
OF course, it's good as a relief for feelin's
that are pent,
An It's bound to git applause. But pshaw.
1t amt no argument
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
Fad Feasts for Taft.
Baltimore American.

Since the south won over Taft with its
succulent 'possum and ''taters'' dinner,
there threatens to be an epidemic of fad
feasts for the president-elect. Oshkosh is
tempting him with frog legs, Portland
offers craw-fish; Denver. beavers tail
Maine, fresh fish; New Orleans, crab
gumbo, and Omaha, corn In SO1 varieties.
Maryland might get in line with terrapin.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

The democrats In congress propose
TO prepare a tarif bill OF their own
and oisr 1t as a substitute for the re-
publican measure. AS soon as the
democrats get their bill ready the
country Will know what 1t does not
want in the way OF tarin legislation.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

Pop" Arson has told the bank
ruptcy court in Chicago that he owns
nothing but a base ball bat, a base
mans mitt and a few base balls. With
that equipment he may still retain his
popularity on the vacant lots.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

The 100000 voted by congress for
the relief of stricken Italy is to be
used in buying building material. An
other Ease of asking for bread and get
ting stone. cement, structural steel
and plumbing supplies.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

Needless to warn the street-cleaning
department Of the Dahlman admins
tration to save some of the money for
spring political street cleaning just be-
fore the city primaries and election.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

Wanted-A suggestion as to the
best way to let go of that attack or
the supreme court. Suitable reward.
Send to any demo-pop mem
Der of legislature at Lincoln.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
Sudden Change of Tune.
Pittsburg Dispatch.

IIVlbUUTb DIbPdNVH'
With the Texas antitrust law and big
fine sustained by the United states su-
preme court the organs that acclaimed
Grosscup's decision will now discover that
the landmarks are overthrow and the
country headed straight to the everlasting
bow-wows.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22
Pointing with Pride,

Baltimore American.
When asked what financier he has sent
to prison President Roosevelt's friends can
point with pride to the Pennsylvania bank
wrecker, who. after a hard fight as ever
was made by n rich criminal, is in prison
stripes with a long term ahead Of him
Such arguments nobody can successfully
controvert.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

Judge Lands has been reversed in
a case he decided in favor OF the
Standard OIL company. The oil peo-
pie have caught lands coming and
Going,
Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-22

Nebraska's bed sheet statesman In
sists that every travelling man who
makes one-night stands on branch line
railroads is with him in his demand
for nine-foot coverings. Any dissent?