davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
American FenceIeSSneSS.

A feminine writer in a London Jour
nal. having looked US over, is impressed
with the lack OF privacy IN American
Z life. which she regards as regrettable
/ in several ways. She finds this lack Of
! privacy extending even TO the gardens
and lawns OF our homes The fenceIess-
ness Of private property is noted as a
1 defect in our American cities and vii
lagos. She quotes an American hostess
/ as saying, IN response to an inquiry as
70 why her garden was not fenced IN.
/ that TO fence 1t in would spoil the looks
Of the street-a sentiment that the Eng
lish woman thinks IS pure benevolence
| carried TO its extreme, the benevolence
which, having something 10 enjoy. de-
/ sires all the world to enjoy it, too" She
/ puts it down also in some Instances TO
desire for public display and showing
/ off.
/ In this country we think Of the pride
Of our househOlders IN their own sur
/ roundings and IN their individual con-
/ tribution TO the ensemble OF the local
/ landscape as an exhibition OF public
/ spirit and Of native democracy rather
/ than Of pure benevoIence or love of os-
tentation- Any fencing in Of private
grounds that would contribute 10 pri-
/ vacy would necessarily destroy the
beauty OF the public thoroughfare. and
contribute an inharmonious element 20
the view. In most American cities the
size OF the building lots does not per-
NIT the maintenance OF inclosed gardens
or grounds Of any great size: but by
/ joining Uninclosed areas together along
an avenue a general effect Of pleasant
/ spaciousness is produced that is the
/ common property OF all The beauty of
the vista afforded by many Of our streets.
such as Massachusetts avenue. is largely
due 10 the uninterrupted stretch OF lawn
on either side. a merely useless privacy
being sacrificed to the general advan-
tage. We would have a city Of a very
different appearance. and Of much less
beauty. if every dwelling were fenced
about so that its occupants would en-
JOY complete privacy.
Instead Of having more fences. it would
/ he better FOR the health. comfort. and
esthetic enjoyment Of our people II the
privacy Of our back yards went the way
Of that of our fronts. There are many
blocks in Washington where. II the
! back yards were treated in common, a
beautiful park and recreation ground
would be created in the rear Of the dwell
ings- Nothing can be more absurd OF
more inartistic than the division Of con-
! siderable areas in the rear into narrow
lots bounded by high board fences. It is
not only inartistic. but wasteful, for the
! grounds thus segregated are more often
than not unused or misused. and their
/ treatment as park common would not
only contribute to the popular enjoyment.
but would enhance the value OF the sur
rounding property. How this waste is
/ artisti<ally utilized in foreign city plan
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
NATIONAL EXTRAYAGANCE.
II "ActuaIiy Threatens the Liberty
of the American People,"


of the American People,"
From the Dallas News
AS long as the country Is highly pros
porous and is developing Increases OF val
ues rapidly. extravaganza Up 10 the pres
ent limit may be endured; but. n the first
place. extravaganza threatens 10 go above
tho present limit. and. in the second
place. the time may come when the coun-
try is less prosperous. al least for a sea-
son, than Il Is to-day. When the trying
out pressure comes a nation viii go 10
pieces just as an improvident, bankrupt
Individual viii. When government comes
10 be largely a game Of grab II IS time 10
run I'D the danger signal.
The worst OF IL is that IN our own cOun-
try the more extravagant the man IN pol
itics has come 20 be the more the people
have been taught and led 70 depend upon
him for appointments. special privileges,
pensions. subsidies. and fortunes OF pub
lie money. The extravaganza and grab
berry OF It have, In this way. actually
found lOdgment deep down in the eharac-
ter OF the people The cultivated taste or
appetite for spOils has come 20 them as a
result OF their miseducation. In a few
more generations IL may be bred IN the
bone unless the example OF President
TAFT is made more forceful and unless
thousands OF other men IL authority join
IN the timely work OF saving q great pe0-
PIE from the weakening curse OF extrava-
gance and dependence. The favored ap-
pointee with continuous raises IN his sal
airy. or the public official with enlarge
ments or acquisitions Of public money.
frequently made by himself. or the lucky
receiver. or the fortunate commissioner
IN other words. the favored ones-cau get
along nicely and laugh about the in
creased cost OF living. These do not even
stop 10 consider the case OF the man
whom they are riding-the revenue bear
Ing animal who never receives an appoint
ment, or Office. or appropriation, or sine
cure. OF windfau OF any sort but who
earns every dollars he gets and must dis
cover for himself the opportunity 10
earn g.
The forgotten man." who IS valued for
his taxes and his vote Just as a mink is
valued for It's hide. Is already feeling
sensib.y and continually the burden OF
the tremendous extravaganza which great
men IN politics have thrust upon him
even while they were depriving him OF
the poor privilege Of buying where he can
buy cheapest and selling in the best mar
kets OF Tie world. His complaint OF the
cost Of living amounts 10 something. He
has no relatives or friends with power 70
make I'D Tor extraordinary exactions by
taking more OF the money Of his neigh
bors and generously handing over the
crisp bills 20 him.
The complaint Of the forgotten man
Is now heard the country over. but is ap-
parently disregarded almost everywhere
President Taft has merely turned a toe IN
the right direction 4 more desperate
army OF looters has never infested the
capital Of any nation. and The same thing
over again. on slightly smaller scale, win
be found IN almost every city OF the
country In many places q Is growing
worse all the time. Extravaganza actu-
ally threatens the liberty of the American
people!
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
His High Regard.

From HarpeT'5 Weekly.
A very recent Secretary Of State one
day looked up from his desk and sud
denly asked.
DO you speak Spanish, Mr.. Jonesg'
NO, sir; I am sorry 10 say I Go not. -
the clerk addressed replied regretfully.
Too bad, too bad.'' the Secretary COM
mented. and turned again 10 his papers.
The clerk had visions 0f an offered
appointment IS secretary OF legation al
Madrid and that very night set dili-
gently 20 work 10 acquire the language
Of the Dons, and with unusual success.
Two months later he ventured 10 sug-
gest:
Mr.. Secretary. a short while ago you
asked me If I was familiar with Spanish
At that time I was not. but I have since
mastered it,
Indeed? Very good the Secretary
said. Have you become really proficient
IN the language in this short timer
1t seemed 10 come easy-I suppose
that accounts for H. sir" the clerk mod
estly admitted.
Excellent" the Secretary said. You
have a treat IN store for yourself Now
YOU can read Don Quixote' in the orig
inaIr'
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
Where Wives Are Wanted.

When Romulus and Remus and their
band OF followers built huts upon one Of
the seven hillocks that were destined 10
become the military and political center
OF civilization, their semi-savage settle
ment felt one dire need. II this band Of
rovers were to found a commonwealth
upon arms, it must have homes. fresides,
and descendants. Hence the invitation
20 the Sabines 10 a rude festival; hence
the forced abduction OF the Sabine wOm-
en-; hence the threatened assault by their
fathers and brothers upon the young
town OF freebooters; hence the appeal OF
the women who. taken by capture had
become willing allies Of matrimouy; hence
the reconciliation and the Sabine partner
ship in the unwilling birth Of an empire
There IS an analogy. with modern DIFF
ferences. in the present stress OF civilized
settlement in the Pacific northwest corner
Of the United States. There are great
stretches OF the fertile regions Of Oregon
and Washington that are the abode OF
bachelors These bachelors are pioneers
OF Commonwealths; but they realize that
the freside Is the focus Of the State. and
they want wiyes-two thousand Of them.
They have won the land and the shelter:
now they need the essential partners in
the civilization that is 70 grow.
In the earliest days OF the founding OF
the colonies along the Atlantic fringe OF
the future republic Of the continent there
was a Ike need. and there went east
ward across the ocean a similar cry. The
response was ready. There was an album
dant supply in England Of women con-
victs. not hardened criminals. but vic
tins Of the sterner Jurisprudence Of that
day, whose fate was transportation. and
yet who were nj 10 become wives and
sharers in the adventures Of subduing
a wilderness One OF the most interest
ing historical romances Of earliest Vir-
ginia is based upon the arrival and re-
ception OF the first shiplOad Of these
fair immigrants in the strange land
where Pocahontas had set them the
irst example of matrimony.
The difference IS that not old Eng
land. but New England. can now supply
the demand wherein history finds a
transcontnental repetition. There is q
surplus Of feminine population in the
region east Of the Champlain and the
Hudson. which has led TO a dispropor-
tionate development Of spinsters and an
overplus OF sChoolma'ams. The need Of
the Northwest once made known. the
Northeast can respond. Instead OF ships
there are railways for transportation.
No obstacle insuperabIe divides demand
and supply. Here IS an opportunity for
railway passenger agents 10 boom busi-
ness to-day. with a canny eye to IN
creased traffic IN the future.
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
Wherein We Congratulate a Duchess.

II It be true that the Duchess Of Morl-
borough, formerly Miss Consuelo Wander
bilt. Of the United States Of America, has
saved to the British nation the famous
HolbeIn masterpiece. Duchess OF Milan. %
We congratulate her heartily and applaud
her very enthusiastically.
There can be little doubt that the pros
pective loss OF this famous painting was
bitterly resented by the British nation. It
is one OF the precious relics OF the his
toric past very dear TO the heart OF Brit
ons. and no people on earth set more
store by such things than they. II is,
perhaps, a little difficult for nation so
young as ours Thoroughly to appreciate
the British point Of view in matters of
this kind; but we would be blind indeed
did we not recognize the facts in the case.
even though their satisfactory explana-
t:on might be a trife beyond US.
We are not particularly impressed with
the idea that It is quite the thing for our
heiresses to seek alliances with the no
billty Of Europe in preference TO their
own eountrymen here at home. and we
are not inclined to think such matrimo-
nial arrangements produce that average
degree OF domestic content and TRANQUIL
lity ideal conditions would suggest as de-
sirable. Birds OF a feather do well TO
flock together. we think; the proverb may
be quoted 70 a good and uplifting purpose
no less than otherwise
But If this or that American girl must
be a peers wife. We rejoice 10 see her act
the part well. In assuming the straw
berry leaves OF an English duchess Miss
Consuelo Vanderbilt did the right thing Il
she simultaneously accepted in full meas
ure the significance OF that proud old
motto Of the aristoeracy "Noblesse
oblige." along with her coronet Plainly
enough It Is the nobleman's duty 10 stand
between HIS nation and humiliation when
the occasion presents itself wherein he
may; no less is it the noblewoman's part
10 play. If England was shamed and
shocked that its glorious Duchess Of
Milan was 20 fall into alien hands. who
should have rectihed that condition II not
an English duchess possessed OF the
means and the genuine inclination 20
do il?
Far from quarrel!ng or finding fault
with this ex-American for acting the
splendid part she has in this matter. we
rejoice that It fell to her lot 70 rem
der a service in this particular crisis.
II she must be a duchess, let her be a
real duchess IN every fine and worthy
sense Of the words II is the true AmerI-
can way. and she thereby reflects credit
upon the genuinely gentle and sturdHy
courteous training OF her native land.
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
HOW CORBIN MADE TAFT.
just the Man Needed in the Philip
pine Islands in 1899.

From the Boston Tnnscript.
That tail oaks OF events from little
acorns OF incident grow has become a
commonplace OF everyday Observati0n.
Gen. Henry c. Corb.n. now IN retirement
tells The Cincinnati Enquirer how Taft
came 10 be President IN a manner thar
illustrates anew this truth. Corbin went
from Washington 20 his home in Ohio 70
vote IN 1899. After casting his ballot
early IN the morning. he left for Canton
10 join President Mckinley. Al Milford.
Ohio. Corbin in changing cars met Gov.
Pattson. who introduced him 20 Judge
Taft OF the United States Court about
10 take the same train, as an agreeable
travelling companion. Corbin had met
Taft but once before, and then only oasu-
ally. They rode together. making sew
eral changes OF cars, with the trains al
behind the schedule, but sriu with con-
siderable enjoyment
Two days later IN washington Mp.
Root, then Secretary of War, said 70 Cor
bin that the President WAS determined 20
establish civil government n the Philip
pines. and bad asked Root 70 prepare a
list OF names from which a governor
general could be selected Roor wanted
Corbin 20 see what he could do toward
Increasing the number OF possibilities.
/ With the recent journey ln Ohio fresh IN
mind. Corbin remarked that be should
think Judge Taft. OF Cincinnati. would
be about the right man. Root looked out
of the south window OF his Once Tor q
few seconds. and then turned % COrbin,
saying; I asked for a suggestion what
you make IS nothing less than an iuspi-
ration Root vert straight 10 the White
House with 90. and the President. equally
impressed. telegraphed for Taft 70 come
on az once That night C0rb.n hurried
over 70 say 20 Mckinley that De was
afraid he had recommended Taft with
out the Presidents knowing al that he
ought 20 know about him. Corbin adding
that the jgdse had said on the train thar
he did not view with favor the American
policy OF holding the Philippines. Ne
kiuley replied that he had heard this.
TOO. but that Il was among the reasons
why he thought Taft would be a good
man 10 help work out the American prob
lem there
on reaching Washington Judge Taft
confirmed this view o. his attitude toward
the Philippines. but with reluctance
finally accepted the once of governor
( general Corbin adds that he made a
great Philippine ruler and that De is now
making a great President II he had not
taken one task he would hardly have
been called 20 the other. Thus history is
made. COrbin's narrative IS entitled 10
fun Credeuce. He figured largely IN the
affairs Of the McKinley-ROot admiuisra-
ton, and helped 10 shape its great poll
. l-Hn
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
USE OF THE FILTHY WEED.
Tobacco Stories Told Of the Chan
celIOr Of Georgia University.


From the Atlanta Georgian
Several years ago when Chancellor Nell
os the state University. was presiding
over one Of the Baptist conventions, a
speaker who was addressing the body IN
the interest Of some cause launched into
an impass!oned arraignment Of the IObaC-
co habit. He came very near defeating
his object But Dr. Nell adroitly parrieG
the effect by some go0d-natUred remark.
and he afterward declared that while the
man was making his attack upon the
weed he was himself almost dying for a
smoke
On another occasion one OF the fair
Pensioners Of Dr. ". w Landrum. for
me-ly pastor Of the First Baptist Church
OF this city. saw him with a lighted cigar
N his mouth and expressed her disap-
prOval IN hOrriied terms.
But the ever-ready clergyman was not
IN the least disconnected Madam. said
he. springing an argument which the de-
vout lady could not resist, i am doing
what the Scripture enjoins-I am burning
al idol"
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
BALLOON DEFENSE NEEDED.
Contests in the Air Expected in
the Next War.


trou1 the PIlla1elQci1 Pres
Count ZeppelIn's success has awakened
the War Department 10 the need Of pre-
pairing dirigible balloons and aerOplanes
for coast defense.
This Is needed. Congress has denied
adequate appropriations for this purpose.
and the War Department has been with
out the means for preparation.
The result is that a country which has
furnished the most successful aeroplane@
used anywhere. and before Count Zeppe-
Inns work had carried the dirigible bal
loon farther than any other. has provided
less balloon defenses than any OF the
larger powers. Japan included.
The next war viii be fought in the air.
as well as by sea and land. Equipment
is required. Training for balloon crews
IS demanded This takes money as well
as time. Our appropriations have thus
far been small They need next winter
20 be thrice the $l.600o00 the War De-
partment asked and Congress denied last
winter. When the next session opens the
army signal service should have ready
the comprehensive plan for balloon coast
defense now under preparation.
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ST. Louis Man Dehes All Laws of
Nature as Laid Down.

Prom the Atlanta Coustitutic--
Herr simon Budstein. OF ST. Louis. is
a centenarian; also he is an iconocIast Of
Is-karat dimensions.
Understand. az the start. that we do not
youch for the story. II comes from the
St. Louis correspondent OF the New York
World. and We have not the honor OF she
genrleman's acquaintance.
Al any rate, The vivaeious Herr Bid
stein has been doing. all his life. the very
things upon which The austere specialist
IN longevity frowns most prodIgiously.
At his advanced years he consumes
about pint Of whisky every day; he
smokes "a formidable German pipe from 6
o'clock IN the morning until taps: and
he eats anything and everything he
wants, including mine pie and lobster.
when he can SET hold OF the latter deli
cacy-
BY all hyglenic laws. he should have
been these last fifty years IN his grave.
On the contrary. he is one % the liveli-
est residents Of the Missouri city. he
does all the chores round the house.
chops wood, and carries hods OF coal for
daily exercise.
Above al. he doesn't w0rry. II Is worry
that ages. he says. not moderate" IN
dulgence IN stimUlants and the other good
things OF lie. Likewise. he abhors IN
temperance.
To the chilly scientists who believe long
life IS the reward Of abstinence. and thar
regular indulgence IN whisky and tobacco
clips of years al a rate indefinite. we
refer The bafiinE case OF this gentleman
from Missouri. with more than a hundred
summers and winters TO his credit.
Likewise. his history may be OF Infinite
solace 20 the gentry who consistently
hold that the cup and the pipe are first
aids 20 smoothing the rugged pathway
OF daily existence
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
Hardship. OF street Car Strike.

Frcn the Philadelphia Pres.
a street car strike differs from almost
any other strike. as the Inconvenience OF
It falls most heavily on the general pub
lie who are not at all IN fault They have
no concern with the subject OF the dis
pute, and yet they are the chief sufferers
nom the disturbance. Their means of
getting TO and from their fields OF work
are interrupted They live in apprehen-
SION and uncertainty caused by a dispute
which Is not their own. and which they
ought not TO be troubled with. The peo-
pie OF Philadelphia had a week OF this
and they became very weary Of H.
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
MARRYING MIDSHIPMEN
New Rule Adopted at Naval Academy
Meets with Approval
From the Phnadelrhia Press.

EroIn the Philadelphia Press.
No midshipman al Annapolis IS allowed
TO marry before he leaves the Naval
Academy. This is the rule with all col
ieges. No undergraduate is allowed 10
marry while IN college.
When the Navy Department extends
this prohibition to six years after leaving
the Academy Il begins the adoption Of the
same rule as IN European armies and
navies- All officers there are required
either 10 have a private income OF a
certain amount before marriage or 20
marry a woman whose doWry yields the
required sum.
II is assumed. as a matter OF course.
that no officer can marry on his pay and
live on the scale required OF man with
a commission Social duties are required
OF officers and their families. certain
standards OF dress and the household are
expected. These require more than an
officers pay.
Marriage has hitherto been left optional
% any oficer IN our army and navy.
Adj. Gen. COrhin urged IN his report some
years ago that the same rule should De
adopted IN our army. and no marriage be
permitted until a man vas a captain on
s., $50 a year. second ueUtenants having
yl,Z75, and first $3.50
A midshipman aCJer leaving Annapolis
has SL5lo. and the new rule practically
pOstpOnes marriage until a man is an
ensign. with $3.50 Few college grad
yates who enter a profession are earning
enough 20 justify marriage under SIX
years after graduation. except in the
ministry. Many marry later. Few wed
earlier.
The new rule IL the navy limits mid
shipmen. who leave Annapolis on the
average younger than men. are gradu-
ated from college 10 the prudent delay
customary to educate men in civil life.
II Will do nobody any harm and Il VIII
rrrorrc-e co-.. TnnTreH vra-uFle~a e~ae
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
Progress Of the Negro.

From the Bostcn Herald.
Statistics just gathered by Atlanta
University. Georgia. show that property
owned by negroes IN that State has in
creased from S.00aO00 TO S25.0O0.O0O since
1870. In ISIS 81 per cent OF the negro
students Of that school were supported
by their families. now 6S per cen: are. in
dicating the higher economic status and
condition Of the supporting constituency.
Georgia shObl6 take these facts into ac-
count before attempting TO cut the negro
out from opportunities 20 maintain him
self and 10 rise economically.
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
ALITTLR NONSENSE.
A FINE OLD TEAM.

The Hittites were an ancient nine OF
more than local fame.
Their inside play was very fine; they
studied well the game
They bested Babylon one year by twenty
games or 50;
Lef; Tyre and sidon in the rear, and beat
out Jericho.
The Hlttites all knew how 70 bunt and
sacrifice wlthal
But hitting brought them 10 the front
for they could slug the ball.
And that is where they really shone and
that Is why I vow,
When everything IS said and done, we
need some Hittites now
The Washington herald., 1909-06-06
bob wynne'. 4BuIIy rime.'

From tbe Springfield Republican.
So Robert J. Wynne. former Washing
ton newspaper correspondent and for two
years until 1904 Postmaster General. since
1905 consul general in London, is 10 retire
from that post to make way for John L.
Grimths. now consul at Liverpool Mr.
Wynne must have had a bully time in
the English capital Is he TO continue ~
sail aloft in Official life or win there be
some bank presidency opening after he
lands on our shores2 His successor used
10 be lawyer in Indianapolis and wrCte
biography of President Harrison.