davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
The New Copyright Law.

In its excitement over other propo-
sitions the last congress passed the
copyright law, a highly meritorious
measure that has been under consider
alton for a number of years without
definite action. The new law offers
practically every encouragement that
authors have asked and furnishes all
of the required protection against un-
scrupulous publishers at home and
abroad.
BY the terms of the new law the
copyright period has been extended to
fifty-six years, which will cover the
working lives of most writer's and the
minority years of their children. The
property right in pictures of all kinds,
dramatic productions and musical
compositions is now clearly defined
and protection Is assured. A musician
may prevent the reproduction of his
work by any mechanical means IL he
so chooses, but il he gives anyone the
privilege it is open to all on the pay
ment of royalties. This provision ap-
pears equitable to all concerned. Pub
fishers and authors of foreign books
are granted a longer time in which to
secure copyrights, while books in for
eign tongues, or in the English Ian
guage for Libraries and colleges may
be admitted free of duty under proper
restrictions. The entire measure is
apparently designed to encourage au-
thors and to stimulate their work,
with the assurance of protection Of
their productions.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
A Reform in the House.

The general public may not be
much concerned in the mere physical
comfort of the members of the house
at Washington. but one Of the minor
measures adopted in the closing days
OF the session may have a distinct
bearing on the methods of house de-
bate and may greatly change the pres
ent methods of conducting the public
business. This was a decision to re-
duce the size of the chamber one-third
and to do away with desks altogether.
The change will give room for better
ventilation and lighting of the house
chamber and will result in so group
ing the members that they will be
able to hear the debates and take part
in an intelligent discussion of matters
before the house.
The need has long been felt of some
change of the kind proposed. Under
the present arrangement a member
who really desires to make himself
heard must have wonderful patience
and lung power of a high order to fill
the big auditorium. AS few members
are so equipped, open debate in the
house has become something of a
farce and it has been found well-nigh
impossible to preserve n semblance
of order. At present each member is
supplied with a roomy desk and chair,
and many of them have been accus-
toned to doing most of their office
duty on the floor Of the house. This
will be impossible under the proposed
arrangement and the members, being
brought closer together, will be able
to talk to each other without below
ing, will pay better attention to the
house proceedings and will, it is be-
lieVed, generally promote instead Of
impede the progress of public bust
ness.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
The Cabinet Proceedings.

President Taft's decision that mem
bers of the cabinet must refrain from
discussing for publication the proceed
ings of the cabinet meetings will be
accepted generally with much less on
Germ than when Mr.. Roosevelt issued
a similar order some four years ago.
At that time the press INDUCED in
cartoons and editorials showing the
cabinet members wearing muzzles and
trying to talk through them, while
several of the cabinet officials were
disposed to resent the instruction, in
sisting upon their privilege of free
speech" to discuss public affairs as
they saw At.
None will question the wisdom Of
the general intent of the order.
Neither President Taft nor any mem
Der Of his cabinet seeks to keep the
public in ignorance of decisions made
by the cabinet council. nor to deal
with public questions in s~tar-chamber
session, but it ia wholly proper that the
decisions of the cabinet should be an
nounced in an authoritative way from
some responsible source. Much
trouble has been caused in the past,
particularly in international affairs, by
publications to the effect that the cab
met had discussed this or that topic
Of international interest. In many
cases 1t was really important that no
mention be made of the fact, particu-
larly when no action had been taken
by the cabinet. In such cases the State
department has frequently been called
upon to formally deny the published
reports. The Official announcement of
cabinet decisions will prevent any such
Misunderstanding, without working
harm to any one.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
ERA OF GOOD FEELING
Selection of "a Democrat for Place I'm
Cabinet.
Philadelphia Record (dem.).

Philadelphia Record (dem.).
Ex-Mayor Dunno of Chicago, was rather
premature in refusing to attend the dinner
given by the I~roquois club to it's member,
J. NJ. Dickinson. who has accepted the
office of secretary of war in President
Taft's cabinet. He did it on the ground
that Mr.. Dickinson had deserted his party.
Mr.. Dickinson denies that he has ever
ceased to be a democrat. II is entirely
creditable to the president that he did not
feel confined by party lines in the selection
Of his cabinet, but as assurance of his
wish to be the president of the whole
country, and not a section Of it, he selected
a citizen Of the south who belongs to the
party which is in an overwhelming ma
jority in that part of the country. Nor Is
Mr.. Dickinson open to criticism for ac-
cepting. The duties of the secretary of
war are the same whether the administra-
tion be republican or democratic, and IL
Mr.. Taft desires to make nationalism as
conspicuous a feature of his administration
as possible and keep p~artisanship as far in
the background as he can. Mr.. Dickinson
does a patriotic thing in consenting to be
one of his advisers.
Mr.. Roosevelt's administration. in the
features for which it will be longest re-
membered, was nonpartisan. In his efforts
to curb the great corporations, and to pro
tect the working classes in all their in
t~erests, he had at least as much demo-
cratic as republican support. He took into
his cabinet three men who had always
been democrats. and so far as we are in
formed they are democrats still. Mr.. Straus
was sent by President Cleveland to Con-
stantinople, and because he was especially
fitted for the post. Mr.. Mckinley sent him
there also. His work as the head of the
Civic Federation commended him to Mr..
Roosevelt as secretary of and
labor. Paul Morton and General Wright,
who succeeded Mr.. Taft last summer, were
democrats, and we presume they still are
The broadening of the administration to
make it thoroughly national instead of
strictly partisan is not a matter TO be de-
plored. but to be approved OF, especially
by democrats who constitute the one truly
national party.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Springfield Republican.

The retrial of the Standard Oil case at
Chicago has already become very much of
a farce and cannot longer be viewed with
any great seriousness. 1t has been urged
by counsel for the company that the re-
batting offense be regarded as a continu-
ing one throughout the period covered by
the indictment, which would reduce the
number of offenses to one, and subject the
company to a maximum fine of $40. 600.
This Is a saner contention than the one
accepted by Judge A~nderson-that offenses
should be 'reckoned according to the num-
Der Of settlements made by the companv
with the railroad.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
NONSENSE FROM NEBRASKA.
A Paragraph Key that UnIocks the
Bryan Mind,
Brooklyn Eagle dnd. dem.1

Brooklyn Eagle dnd. dem.)
Mr.. Bryan has filed his objections to
Senator McCarren's description OF the DEM
ocratic situation. What the senator al
legged was:
That, except In one or two instances, the
party has taken the wrong side OF every
question since the civil war.
That the patriotism of the country was
arrayed against 1t because of its attitude
upon issues following the conflict with
Spain.
That anti-expanslon lined up the young
American voters in opposition to it: and
That 1t was about time for the party to
put itself in a position the voters would
indorse
To make matters worse. the senator
added that while he had worked hard for
the national candidates, he had done so in
the belief that he was pursuing a forlorn
hope. This prompts the Commoner to say:
The democratic party is entitled to Head
ers who are In sympathy with the voters
OF the party. Some one has defined a
leader as one who is going In the same
direction as the people, but a little bit
ahead, and surely one can not wisely,
courageously or successfully lead who Is
going in the opposite direction from those
whom he leads. The men who fight an6
die In the trenches are entitled TO leaders
whose hearts are in the fight and who be-
good for the country.
Use this paragraph as a key and ghe
Bryan mind can be unlocked. Nothing, Tor
Instance, could be more nonsensical than
talk about what sort of leaders a party is
entitled to. Its leaders. good, bad or in
different, are of it's own choice, 1t con-
fers title. 1t selects the commanders under
whom it will go into the trenches to fight,
and this it does in the exercise OF a right
interference with which Mr.. Bryan would
be among the first to resent. On three oc-
casions It has placed the Nebraskan at tie
head of tho line of march. lie knows with
what results.
The definition OF a leader as one going In
the same direction as the people, but a
little ahead, will pass muster. Perhans
Mr.. Bryan is willing TO stand or fall by II.
On neither Of the three occasions alluded
TO has he been going in the same direction
as the people, meaning thereby a majority
of them. On the contrary, he has been
going the other way. Nor could anything
be more incongruous than to describe him
as even having been a little bit ahead of
the country. AS a matter OF fact. he is al
ways far behind.
Long after the free silver panacea, So
called, exploded, he chung 10 It. The pro-
cession passed on. leaving him in a
museum, from which he emerged TO wave
the anti-expansion flag more or less franti-
eally in the breeze. On went the process
sion Just the same. In neither Of these
cases could he. by any stretch of the imagi.
nation. have been subjected to greater
-.~rsFfa.aaFgu Int h. kae ua ~ h. -a,,F,a.
of what is even more humiliatingI
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
FUTURE
Likely TO Remain = Guiding Force in
the Nations Life.

MlnnedpOllS JOuTndL
What is the future OF Theodore Roose-
welt? HI retires from the presidency at 90
He Is absolutely incapable OF the reserve
that has characterized air former ex-presi-
dents. He has engaged to write for a
controversial weekly newspaper on his re-
turn from Africa. He is now preparing to
lecture before three great modern universe
ties in three modern languages. Who can
fix the place or fathom the possibilities
OF a man of such titanic energies7 There
is but this TO add, that Whatever President
Roosevelt may do in the future, he Will
be guided by the thought that every other
man in his position has held himself 70 be
the servant of the republic in need. and not
the resource Of a party in distress. He
will appreciate the fact that In times OF
great confusion. the country will gladly
give the last word to the man, who, hav-
ing passed through all the passion and per-
turbation OF office, when he was driven
to decisions, has arrived at that point
where 100. 900. 900 people will wait with hope
and confidence on his one calm word.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
The Only Man in the Sunlight.

NbW 1OIk sun.
Ihere is nothing upon which the intel
lectual eye can dwehf today that can COM
pare with William II. Taft. All the great
figures of the whole world, wear thew
crowns or whatever insignia of supremacy
sink into insigniticance beside him. He
has the friendly regard of everybody. Never
did any man come into the presidency be-
fore with such universal good will of the
people, especially of the people who had
done their best to keep him out of the
presidency. He assumes a dignity and a
power greater than are entrusted to any
other living man, and yet nowhere about Ia
there a hint Of jealousy. There is no rival
for him, no cabal anywhere; it seems as if
he commanded the confidence, the respect
and the affection of all mankind.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
Cooperative Marketing.

The farmers of Nebraska are show
ing an inclination to get in line with
modern and instead of sell
ing their products individually propose
to cooperate. The plan is being seri-
ously considered by the farmers in sew
eral sections of the state just at pres
ent with a fair prospect of some defi-
mite action being taken. The matter is
still in an experimental stage, but no
good reason is apparent why it should
not be a success unless it takes on the
aspect of monopoly, or an effort to re-
strain trade.
The Nebraska farmer will hardly
adopt the means employed by the
might riders of Kentucky, who
sought to give battle to one monopoly
by establishing another. Associations
for mutual protection are of value so
long as they do not become menacing
to the public welfare. II the farmers
OF the state can form associations for
the purpose, of more satisfactorily plac-
ing their crops on the market and do 1t
without adding to the burders of the
people at large they will be doing we'll,
but they must be careful.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

cause OF its violations Of the states
antitrust laws. Practically similar
decisions have been made against the
trust in Arkansas and Texas, and
whatever the outcome may be in the
Chicago case the existing federal and
state laws are in way of being en-
forced promptly and vigorously
against a further continuance of the
abuses and extortions which the trust
has practiced upon the American on
sumers for many years.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
PERSONAL T

Hawaii has awakened to the fact that
while the Japanese may be a good thing.
1t is possible to nave too much of a good
thing.
The government is in safe hands and
everything is lovely. Walter Wellman has
decided the country can spare him for a
flying trip to the pole.
Erwin Saunders, a New York bachelor,
has left the greater part of his fortune Of
81, 900, 900 to the suburban town of Yonkers.
That is a handsome specimen OF public
spirit that cannot be duplicated too often.
The remains OF the old excursion boat,
General Slocum, on which over 1000 per-
sons persisted near Hell Gate, a few years
ago, has gone TO the bottom of New York
bay with a cargo of 10000 bricks. That
ought to hold the fated derellct.
The gorgeous Seventh regiment OF New
York, the only rival of the Ancient Artil-
lery p OF Boston In demolishing a
commissary department, started for the
Inauguration with special dining cars,
forty cooks and walters to match. But
the trains got mixed up on side tracks. and
the warriors were obliged to fast eighteen
hours. The members deserved 10 be deco
rated with hero medals.
General Edward S. Bragg OF Wisconsin,
who coined the phrase, love him for
the enemies he has made, and used II in
seconding the nomination of Cleveland for
the presidency in 1884, recently celebrated
the eighty second anniversary OF his birth.
General Bragg was consul general to Cuba
for a while under President Roosevelt, but
his view OF the Cuhsns-eXpressed in a let
ter-that You can't make a silk purse out
of a sow's ear caused his transfer 20
Hong Kong, That was his last official
post.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The lobbyists at Lincoln are paying
very little attention to the Nebraska
law governing their class Of people.
The presence of interested persons on
the floor while measures are being
voted upon is a very edifying spectacle
and Speaker Pools efforts to enforce
the law deserve support.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The Frontier county statesman who
drew a merited rebuke for his careless
assertions in the cours of debate Is a
representative of an altogether too nu-
merous class. The habit of speaking
lightly when referring to the acts Of
public officials is altogether too COM
mon, and If a few more loose tongues
were bridled it would be better for us
all.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Mr.. Bryan complains that the demo-
cratic editors and the democratic
newspapers in the east are weak"
The same editors and newspapers in
sist that they are strong, while Bryan
ism is weak and growing more so.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

DR.. William j. Long has declared
that animals do not struggle with
one another for food" but that when
one animal has a supply IL shares 1t
u~nselnshly with its fellow creatures"
Still. a lot Of folks became very indig-
nant when MIR. Roosevelt classsd DR..
Long with the nature fakirs.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

II the Tennessee court should extend
the "unwritten law" to include editors
some of the meek and lowly scribes
may determine to reverse their GUS
tomary walk and conversation and get
action first. II is bad enough to be
shot up without being maligned after
wards.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The Austrian princess who does not
think Mr.. Roosevelt is brainy confesses
to being worth $4,000. coo. She will
find in this country men who are
worth more than that and yet share
her opinion of the ex-president.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Chicago citizens are much Disguised
with the character of the men nomi-
mated for the city council, but they
still have the eonsoling thought that
any change will be an improvement
over the present council.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The papers from Utica, n. Y,
leave the Inference that the day
James Schoolcraft Sherman was in
augurated as vice president a man
named Taft was given some minor
position on the federal payroll.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

now in session. This combination has
risen from a little start to be one OF
the really important features OF Ne
braska's agricultural activities and the
attention given the crop is we'll de-
served.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

While the verdict in the Carmack
case is not in, it appears to be pretty
clear that they have convicted Colonel
Cooper of the. heinous offense OF hav-
ing once voted a republican ticket in
Tennessee.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The head writer's will never give as
much space to President Taft's private
secretary as they did to Mr.. Loeb. Mr..
Carpenters name Hoes not At so neatly
in a three-word keyline.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The Nebraska legislators are making
over the democratic platform to suit
themselves, and when they get through
with it its parents will not recognize
their offspring.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

1t was Indian Commissioner Leupp
who succeeded in getting the noble red
man to earn his own living, which will
probably account for President Taft's
anxiety to keep Mr.. Leupp at the head
of the bureau as long as possible.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
A FittIng appointment.

DFTIIbITVIU INUpuUIOdIs
oscar Straus' expected appointment az
ambassador to Japan will be a very fitting
one. Besides his services as secretary OF
and labor, Mr.. Straus was for
merly United States minister to Turkey,
and thus is a man of some diplomatic ex-
perience. Recently he has made a study
of japanese immigration into the United
States, which still better qualities him for
the post at Toxic.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Whatever opinions Mr.. Cortelyou
may have of either the old or new ad-
m~inistrations at Washington, ne is
keeping them to himself, thus mark
ing him as unique among Washington
politicians.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Philadelphia Press.

Now a Sugar trust has been found guilty
OF evading dues to the government and
has been sentenced to pay a heavy fine.
Even the trusts are finding it hard these
days. like the unfortunate Tammany poll
tician, TO make anythin by honest graft.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The wolf bounty appropriation is
left up in the air by the legislature,
which means hat Wyoming and Da-
kota exporters Of wolf scalps will not
flood the Nebraska market very soon
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12
LAUGHTER.

John K. Bangs in Ainslee's.
Worry stalked along the road,
Trouble sneaking after.
Then Black Care, and Grief. and Goad-
Enemies OF Laughter.
But old Laughter with a shout
Rose up and attacked 'em,
Put the sorry pack to rout.
Walloped EN-, and whaeked EN-.
Laughter frivols day and night.
Sometimes he's a bubble,
But he hath a deal OF might
In a bout with Trouble.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Why not have the speaker Of the
house and the president of the senate
set the clock back on March 4 and
wait until they get a fine day for in
auguration services?
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Mr.. Bryan is in favor of having the
president inaugurated in one of the
summer months. He should also
favor holding the election in mid
summer, as he il always elected about
the middle of July.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

There are snakes in Africa that
TAI swallow a rhinoceros." says the
Atlanta Constitution. 1t is too bad
they cannot enforce that prohibition
law in Georgia.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

"Ferdog helmuth orgation dedona"
was the wireless cipher code describ-
ing weather conditions in Washington
on March 4. Nothing could be more
accurate.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

-""ETHTVIN
Let no one imagine that with his retire.
ment the services of Theodore Roosevelt
to his country are ended. He is too great
a patriot to push from his mind the COM
mon veal.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

The "improvers" are renewing the
anti-bil board agitation. This is an
other certain sign of spring, and the
bill boards do not suffer.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Mr.. Dickinson. the new secretary of
war, insists that he Is still a demo-
crat, He would probably resent the
charge OF being a Bryanite, however.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Unmuzzled dogs are not allowed on
the Panama canal zone, although the
unmuzzled politician and muck raker
still has the freedom of the strip.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Thomas Collier Platt OF New York
declares that he is glad to be out of
public life. Only that vote was
needed to make it unanimous.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Judge Smith Mcpherson says a rail-
road company should carr 6 per cent
net. Why not have a law guarantee
ing a paying business for every enter
prise?
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Mr., Fairbanks has returned to a
democratic state hat was republican
when he left IL.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Senator Stephenson will be sworn
in on Monday and may then settle
down for a quiet time of it for six
years.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

Mr.. Roosevelt insists that he is 60
ing to be an editor, not a journalist.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-12

"If you think your son has something
wrong with his mind, why not nave him
m by an alienist?"
Don't like aliens. IN have a good
American doctor for him all -riBht."-Bel-
timore American.
Harry is swearing mad over his exami-
nation"
"Why?'
Because he failed in his profane his
tory."-Philadelphia Press.
Does your boy Josh make the most of
his time?"
Yes" answered Farmer Corntossel. He
takes all morning TO do an errand that
ought to be done in fifteen minutes
Washington Star.
Has she a sense Of humor?"
81 can't tell"
Because she looked serious when she
told me she admired your singing. "-Cleve-
land Plain Dealer.
"How's Smith getting on in his new
"Fine; he's already begun to think that
the boss couldn't run the business without
him. Detroit Free Press.
Hobo-No, madam, l am neither a so
cialist nor an anarchist. ! am a passive
altruist.
Housekeeper-And what in the name of
Hobo@I believe in being helped all 1
o~an.-Boston Transcript.
Agent-MT. DryRoodson. have you any
visible typewriters in your office?
Head of Firm-Great Caesar, yes! One
Of them weighs 300 p~ounds.-Chicago Trib-
une.
Little Lester Livermore-Papa. what Is
the difference between a vision and a sight?
This book says
Mr.. Livermore-The difference between
a girl before and after she is married
Puck. rr
The grocer had warranted the maple syrup
to BIO the real stuff.
"It doesn't taste like any maple syrup
I ever bought" said the customer, who
had just sampled it. and l strongly sus-
pect-'
sir said the indignant grocer.
II strongly suspect, In spite OF your
guaranty that It's genuine."-Chicago
Tribune,
Whats the purpose of that freak bill
you'Ve introduced"
Nothing simpler" replied the western
Legislator. You read about the bill In the
papers. didn't your"
yes"
And you heard many people discussing
Il did"
well, that's the answer Philadelphia
Ledger.