davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
Foo Filters In London.

"A1l London public buildings are
now erected with fog filters" said an
architect. '.They are essential. Lon
don's yellow brown fog, made of the
smoke Of a million soft coal fires,
smells of sulphur, irritates eyes and
throat and causes headache. 1t pene-
trates houses. Waking on winter
morning, you can't see across your
bedroom for it. So now all public
buildings filter it. The air is drawn in
one orifice only, and fans hurl ii
against curtains Of cotton six inches
thick. 1t is forced through these cur
tains. 1t comes out on the other side
for distribution through the various
rooms fairly clean, pure, transparent
air. But the white filter curtains! Ev.
cry day they must be changed. 1t
takes only an hour to gray them, and
by nightfall they are as black as ink"
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
Assembly Kills Bill to Abolish County
Tax Boards,

Assembly bill No. 1, by Assembly
man Nichols, of Cumberland, came up
for final passage in the Assembly last
Monday night, and was killed by a
vote of 23 to 81. Assemblyman Heri-
tage, of this county, was absent, being
at home attending an anniversary
party of his son. The debate, pre-
vious to the vote was spirited.
. Mr.. Nichols said that the people of
the State demanded the repeal of the
law creating these county tax boards,
which have been nothing but an ex-
pense to the taxpayers. and are Of
practically no value. The Assembly
man quoted from the message of Gov
ernor Fort, in which the executive
condemned these tax boards. Mr..
Nichols spoke in glowing terms of
Governor Fort, and said he was the
greatest executive New Jersey has had
in years.
The speaker said that even in view
of the great tidal wave of public opin-
ion, this iniquitous measure would not
be repealed, because it is wanted by
the politicians. Along this line he
said that there was no yoke of sub
serviency about his neck, and he spoke
as an Independent Republican.
Mr. Nichols said that his party
should be ashamed to have to stand
for this law, and referred to it as the
most shameful act that has been pass
ed since the power was wrested from
the Democrats many years ago. The
speaker warned his fellow members
that if the bill did not pass they would
be held to account by their constit-
uents
Mr.. Martin followed Mr.. Nichols,
and also quoted Governor Fort. He
called the attention of the economists
to this expensive bit of machinery,
and said that the Governor asserted
in his message that their further ex-
istence was unnecessary Mr.. Martin
said that their only purpose was for
the iniquitous expenditure of $91 900.
Minority Leader Sullivan said that
this was the most meritorious bill of
the session, ,and predicted that it would
fail of passage because there were so
many good political jobs at stake. He
called attention to the fact that when
the Joint Committee reported on the
financial situation, they overlooked
these boards, and said that great pres
sure had been brought to bear on the
members SO to do.
Mr.. Smalley, of Somerset, spoke
against the bill. He said the boards
had not yet accomplished the objects
for which the bill was passed. Mr..
Vredenburgh also opposed the bill
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
PROPOSAL



Sealed proposals for layin a cast-iron
Of 81 the K e woodbury. Water : Works Works to the
reservoir on Roe's Hill, indorsed "Propo.
sails for Laying Csat-Iron Water Main, !"
CITY G Of Of Tedsu Woodbury by by the city # Council
until s o'clock p. NJ. of April 6, 1909, and
at that time and place will be publicly
opened and read
All proposals must be made upon the
blank form hereto annexed, and must be
signed by the bidder with full name and
address.
Bidders are required to declare that the
proposal is in all respects fair, and. made
without connection or colusion with any
other person making proposals for the
same work.
The prices proposed must be stated both
in writing and in figures, and all proposals
vertisement will be considered informal.
Each bid must be accompanied by a prop
erly certified check for Five Hundred Dol
the G q safd cheek to Sc
returned to the bidder unless forfeited un-
der the condition herein stipulated.
The amount and character of the securi-
ties for fulflment of the contract will be
determined by the City Council after the
proposals are opened.
If a bond is required with the contract
the sureties thereon must be satisfactory
to the City Council.
The person or persons to whom the con-
tract may be awarded will be required to
appear at the City Hail. with the securi-
ties offered by him or them, and execute
the contract within ten days (not includ
ing Sunday from the date of notification
of such award, and the readiness for sig
nature ofthe contract; and, in case of fail
ure or neglect to do So he or they will be
considered as having abandoned it, and
the check accompanying the proposal shall
be forfeited to the City of Woodbury..
Bidders will state the price in the fol-
lowing proposals for laying the pipes,
i castings and valves. The price is to cover
all the expenses of hauling from Sewell,
Wenonah and Woodbury. Heights on the
West Jersey and Seashore Railroad in pro-
portions as directed by the Water Commit
tee, of the pipes, valves and other castings
as set forth In the annexed form of agree
ment.
The Engineers estimate of quantities of
materials to be laid is as follows:
10000 It. Of 16-inch pipe weighing 1925
lbs. full length.
Eight (S) 16-inch stop valves
One az 8-inch stop valve.
About two tons Of special castings, more
or less.
These quantities are considered to be
only approximate and the City Council
therefore expressly reserve the right of in
creasing or diminishing the same as In
their opinion may be necessary, not exceed
ing 20 per cent. Of the total amount of the
contract, at contract price
Specifications may be obtained and plans
seen at the Office Of the Water Superinten-
dent, City Hail. Woodbury.. N. J.
The City Council also expressly reserves
the right to reject any or all bids, should
they deem It for the interests of the City
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
PROPOSAL
For Furnishing Cast-Iron Water Pipe For
City Water Works, woodbury., N. j.

For Furnishing Cast-Iron Water Pipe For
City Water Works, Woodbury., N. j.
Sealed proposals for furnishing water
pipes, special castings and valves, endorsed
proposals for cast-irOn water pipes, will
az b5 the y 5ne
O'Clock P. NJ. of the sixth day of April of
the year 1909, and at that time and place
will be publicly open. opened 4, and read; ga +na
blank form hereto annexed and must be
signed by the bidder with full name and
address.
Bidders are required to declare that the
proposal is in all respects fair, and made
, without connection or collusion with any
other person making proposals for the
same work.
The prices proposed must be stated both
in writing and in figures, and all proposals
containing bids not called for in this ad-
vertisement will be considered Informal.
Each bid must be accompanied by prop
erly certified check for Five Hundred Dol
lars $4,000 payable to the Treasurer t Of
returned to the bidder unless forfeited un-
der the condition herein stipulated.
The amount and character of the securi-
ties for fulflment of the contract will be
determined by the City Council after the
proposals are opened.
If bond is required with the contract
the SuretieS thereon must be satisfactory
to the City Council
The person OF persons to whom the con-
tract may be awarded will be required to
appear at the City Hall, with the securi-
ties offered by him or them, and execute
the contract within ten days mot includ-
ing Sunday from the date of notification
! of such award, and the readiness for sig
nature ofthe contract; and, in case of fail
ure or neglect to do so, he or they will be
considered as having abandoned it, and
the check accompanying the proposal shall
be forfeited to the City of Woodbury..
Bidders will state the price in the fol-
lowing proposals for each separate item
of the pipes, castings and valves. These
prices are to cover all the expenses of man
ufacturing and delivering at Sewell, Wenon
ah and Woodbury. Heights, on the West
Jersey and Seashore Railroad, in proper
tions as directed by the Water Committee
of the pipes, valves and other castings as
set forth in the annexed form of agreement
The Engineers estimate of quantities of
materials to be furnished is as follows:
lbs, full length.
Eight (S) 16-inch stop valves.
One % S-inch stop valve.
! About two tons of special castings, more
or less.
These quantities are considered to be
therefore expressly reserve the right of in
tcreasing or diminishing the same as in
their opinion may be necessary, not exceed
ing 20 per cent. of the total amount of the
! contract, at contract price
SPECIFICATIONS may be obtained and plans
dent City Hall, Woodbury., N. J.
The City Council also expressly reserves
the right to reject any or all bids, should
they deem it for the interests of the City
of Woodbury. so to do.
T. ALBERT MATLACK,
E. EVERETT PIERCE,
Water Committee
City Hall, Woodbury., N. J.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
Pennsylvania Vendues.

Newton Herald: "Vendues are great
events in populous and prosperous
southeastern Pennsylvania, remarked
Mr.. Phena Rutter at the table the
other day. Continuing he said, Days
previous to their advent the good farm
wife, assisted by the more immediate
neighbors, is engaged in preparing
a grand chicken dinner. To this din
ner the populace for miles about are
invited. Not until all the good things
disappear is the auctioneer permitted
to proceed with the sale. In the dis
posing of the farming and household
effects the Dutch mode of speaking is
exclusively employed. Instead of the
initial bid upon a given article being
the lowest sum offered for it, the auc-
tioneer himself starts the bidding at
the highest amount in his more ma
ture Judgment he supposes the article
to be worth. If he is practiced at his
profession he never starts" an ar
ticle at more than he believes its ac-
tnal value. The bidding then pro-
ceeds on downward scale until the
article is sold, or withdrawn by the
owner. The chicken dinner puts the
bidders in an excellent frame Of mind,
and the net proceeds of the sale are
uniformly larger than expected. A
chicken dinner, for the asking, at a
Sussex county yendue would be quite
an innovation. But then it might
prove an experiment we'll worth try
ing.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

The Jersey City Journal" the Re-
publican organ of Hudson county,
thus describes Republican harmony
at Trenton:
s'If Governor Fort imagines that his
fight with the Republican organization
is over, he is mistaken said a State
leader last Saturday. I'VE have a
rod in pickle for him, and he ought to
know it, We don't scare at his bluffs.
Let him call a special session if he
likes. But l guess he won't. He is
trying to make the same kind of a
stampede he attempted in Atlantic
City last summer, but then he didn't
call out the National Guard to sup
press the Sunday saloon down there,
there yet. Well, Fort won't cali a
special session, no matter what the
Legislature does or does not do"
II certainly looks now as if the next
few days would witness another clash
between Governor Fort and the Board
of Guardians. The latter are in de-
fiant mood and those of them that
openly discuss the Governors actions
speak of him bitterly and sarcastically
They will oppose to the last the So
called Fort bills, just as they opposed
the Fort bills last year. With the ex-
ception of an open primary bill, for
the election of County Committeeman,
it is the opinion here that none of the
reform measures will be permitted to
pass if the Board of Guardians can
prevent them.
One effect of this plan, the regular
leaders think, will be to drive Gov.
Fort into the New Idea camp out
right. and that is the very thing they
want to do. Then he will be fenced
in, as they think, and organized Re-
publicans will declare that he is not
a party man in good standing. Should
the Governor openly espouse the New
Idea cause it is not unlikely that he
will be formally read out of the Re-
publican party by the State Commit
tee. State Chairman Franklin Murphy
practically read Fort out of the party
three weeks ago, but that act was not
quite official. Murphy was acting only
for himself.
1t is known that Gov. Fort is not
going to back down or hedge. Things
that have been happening have only
caused him to get madder and madder.
He will not let the Board of Guardians
(The State Conlmittee) bluff him out
of doing what he thinks right. The
Governor keeps the big stick constant
ly within reach, and he has made up
his mind to use it freely when occa-
sion offers, regardless of whose head
or feelings may get broken or hurt.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Horrors Incidental to Old Time Exc
cution by Drowning.

Horrors Incidental to Old Time Exs-
cution by Drowning.
Execution by <drowning was abol.
ished in France by Henri Quatre, only
to be revived by one of his successors.
1t was finally abolished as statutory
method Of execution by the earliest de-
cree of the great revolutionaries.
AS late as the eighteenth century
death by drowning was decreed to a
felon in Edinburgh, and in the middle
ages it was a common enough mode
of doing convicted criminal to death.
That execution Of this nature was con-
sidered as humane as any other, SO far
as the victim was concerned, is shown
by the fact that it was not unknown
among the early Jews, who varied the
punishment Of stOning adulteresses by
drowning them. Among the Egyptians
it was common. The Roman lex cor
nelia sanctioned the method by placing
it on the statute records. Tacitus tells
US that the Germans copied the prac-
tice from the Romans, The Teuton
termed 1t the slast baptism" and he
did not allow his powers of imagina-
tion to sleep when he set about de-
vising additional varieties which
should add to the excitement attend
ing upon the doomed persons depar-
ture from life. The convict was sewed
up, Monte Cristo fashion, In bag, and
with him were inclosed vicious dog,
a hungry cat, violent rooster, a ven
omous viper, all very much alive and
presumably kicking.
For what reason it is hard to see,
but death by drowning was by many
peoples considered preferable for GRIM
inal women. In the case Of very de-
based or very mean offenders the
Romans had more or less pleasant
fashion of drowning the doomed ones
in marshes, first incasing them in
elaborate crates.
For refined cruelty in killing off their
female criminals the earlier Albanians
were certainly the most inventive in
the matter of ingenuity. It is COM
monty known, of course, that even the
modern Albanian has less respect for
womankind than any other known male
in the human catalogue, not even ex-
cluding the Chinese The approved
method of doing a criminal or even a
displeasing woman to death prevalent
among them up to rather less than a
century ago was to chain her in tank
into which the water was allowed to
flow gradually. AS the water reached
her breast it was allowed to recede,
sometimes back to her ankles, when
the reflling of the tank began anew.
If the woman had children the torture
was varied by the drowning or mutila-
ton of them before her eyes. To vari-
Gus parts of her body was attached
such food as attracts rats, of which
a number would be let loose.-New
York World.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
".Iohn Jones!,
Much Like pemosthenes.

Woman" he said, really ought tc
be better orator than man.
"Why so?" she asked.
Because" he replied, ito certain
extent at least she follows the meth
DDS of that famed orator Demos
thenesv
s'In what way?" she inquired, still
busy with the finishing touches of hel
toilet.
you remember" he answered, "thai
Demosthenes used to practice talking
with his mouth full Of pebbles
She hastily took the pins out of hel
mouth and informed him that he was
mean old thing anyway. New York
Times.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
THE Willy COMEDIAN.
His Mixup With a Contract, Legal
Fee and an Opinion.

There was a certain comic opera
comedian who made no end of money
and who scorned anything like osten-
tatious recklessness in the spending Of
it. He was almost morbid on the SUBJ
ject, in fact, and there were those who
said that he went to evening instead
of morning service so that he might
have the use of the money he dropped
into the box little longer. This is by
once befell him in Cleveland
Somebody had played an engagement
at certain theater and had received
frigid reception, which stage people
call frost. The comedian wasn't go
ing to run any risks. He wouldn't
play at the theater unless certain
amount of money was promised him.
The manager of the theater offered a
very large percentage of the receipts;
but, oh, dear, no, the willy comedian
wasn't going to be caught by such
chaff as that. He insisted upon lump
sum regardless of receipts. The sum
! was guaranteed, the contract signed.
The comedian came to town and, stroll
ing as If by chance into the box office,
asked how the house was selling.
"Oh,' said the ticket seller, 1--WE sold
every seat in the house ten days agor'
The comedians blood boiled.
Would said he to himself, soh,
would that had accepted the percent
age! 1t would have been double what
get now"
1t was too late, however, to rely on
simple woulding to change matters, SO
he sought the foremost attorney of the
town, showed him the contract and ex-
pressed his desire to break 1t and
abide by the customary percentage
plan. Before the attorney would con-
sent to express an opinion the ques-
tion of fee came up, and the comedian
handed him $500. The man at law
! then took the paper and examined it.
my dear SIR" said he, sthat con-
tract can't possibly be broken. drew
it up myself"
1t is not told what the temperature
Of Cleveland according to the govern
ment report was that day, but in the
neighborhood of that comedian things
fairly sizzled. Washington Star.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
Scottish ImpartiaIity.

Color sergeant of highland company
Gn which were one or two English
calling the roll:
Angus Mackayw No reply. loud.
er) angus Mackayw Still no reply.
(Sotto voce.) 81 ken ye're there. Yer
aye at yer jooty, decent mon, but ye're
over modest to speak before sac mony
folk. I see ye fine.' MARKS him down
in the roll.)
t'John Jonesr'
Squealxy voice replies, "'Ere."
Sergeant-Ou, aye, ye're here or say
ye're here, but ye're sic muckle leear
/ Gamma believe word that comes oot
O. yer mooth, sac I'll jist mark ye doom
as absentl"-London Answers.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

Senator William J. Harrison, Demo-
crat, of Ocean county, died last Tues
day morning at his home at Lake
wood, of pnemonia. The Senate was
notified of his death and adjourned at
noon for the week. Senator Harrison
was druggist, and the fact that he
had repeatedly been elected to legis-
lative Office in that Republican strong
hold, attests his popularity.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

A Newark man has patented bal
lot box. 1t is very much like the glass
side box now in general use, except
that the envelopes are numbered as
they pass in the box and strung on
wire through the flap of the envelope.
There is a bill before the Legislature
to permit their use in districts that
want them.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

AS County Boards of Taxation are
going to stay, the people have some
curiosity to know who Senator Gaunt
is going to recommend as successor
to Wilson T. Jones, whose term ex-
pires this Spring. We learn that Mr..
Jones is a candidate for re-appoint-
ment, and have heard ex-senator Fer
rell aud James Lafferty, Clerk of Man
tua township, spoken of in connection
with the place. But it is up to Sen
ator Gaunt, he will decide.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

The whole country will rejoice that
Mr.. and Mrs. Whitla, of Sharon, Pa,
have recovered their little son from
kidnappers, but it is national mis-
fortune that the scroundrels should
have been able to escape-in the Ian
guage of the day pull off the trick.
The whole affair savors of the stories
of Italian brigands, who seized travel
ers and held them for ransom. That
brigands may be lettering on the cor
ners of city and village streets, en-
boldened by the success of this Sha-
ron case, to repeat the experiment
must be continual source of an
xiety to well-to-do parents Of young
children. The penalty for this crime
should be death. We want no old
world brigandage here, and all the
power of government should be en-
ployed to stamp it out if it has gained
a foot-hold.
Since the above was put In type the
kidnappers have been caught with the
$4,000 ransom paid on them
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

According to the report of COM
mittee appointed by legislative enact
ment last year to investigate the
game and fish laws and report to this
legislature, recommending such legis-
Iation as would best serve to protect
game in this State from determination
or even depletion, game has depleted
more than one-half in the past few
years, and in some species are almost
extinct. The committee recommends
a drastic law that includes a gun tax
of 81 on natives, and the present tax
Of $40 on aliens.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
Her opportunitv.

The man hater had just announced
her engagement.
'sBut you always said that men were
horrid creatures said her friends.
$50 they are,' replied the bride to
be. "and here's my opportunity to pun
ish one Of them.n
They all agreed that It was real mo-
Bile Of her.. delphia Ledger.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
And So He Left Them

With a heart full of good intentions
and bag full of uplift tracts he ap.
preached the cottage in the bucolic
wilds.
Madam, may leave some tracts
with your"
'You may, kind sir, but leave the
heel marks Of them pointing directly
toward these steps. New York Times.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

cat a recent banquet in London
canned fruit taken from the ruins of
Pompeii was found to be fresh and
fine. There should be law to compel
the canning of all products in such
manner that they would keep for
ages [Bridgeton Pioneer
And that would require commits
sion of three, two Republicans and
one Democrat, at 81 900 per year each,
& to watch every canning factory and
enforce the law. Good scheme.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25
Art

Friend-Whati You pawned your one
good coat to get canvas for your paint.
ing? Artist-Yes. Friend-And how
much did you get for the picture
Artist Nearly enough to get my coat
out. Cleveland Leader.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

The Jersey City Journal says that
with the week ending March 20, 4O1
bills had been introduced in the House
of Assembly and 2S8 in the Senate.
The House has passed 100 bills, the
Senate "a, total of 1914, but only 16
House bills and % Senate bills have
passed both Houses and the Governor
has acted on House bills and Ia Sen
ate bills; one House bill was vetoed.
There have been 20 bills withdrawn
or lost on vote. The net product of
ten weeks of legislation is 10 new
laws" In the next two weeks pro-
bably 300 of the 700 bills introduced
will be passed.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

The members of the County Tax
Boards are still alive, but they still
have a premonition that their end is
not far off. Their appeal to the next
Legislature for clemency may not be
SO successful as was the one they
made this year. Newark News.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

Ex-President Roosevelt is on the
deep blue sea, with lions and tigers
Just ahead. We all hope the real
Roosevelt will return with his game
bag full.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

There don't seem to be anybody in
the Republican party big enough to
drive the legislative team.
Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-03-25

Governor Fort has legislature on
his hands.