davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
LEGrsL4roRS AND PRIuARIEs.

The conduct Of the Legislature in the last
e>exion viii undoubtedly serve as an argument
for the need ot direct primaries in this state.
To the friends OF the existing system who point
70 Governor Hughes himself - an Illustration
Of the excellent results obtained under il it
viii be pertinent 10 reply Yes. but look at
the legislatures it produces. And no doubt the
feeling viii be that not only could New York
legislators be improv ed. but that change in
the method Of nominating them which would
make them more responsive 10 public opinion.
more representative Of the people and which
would place the punishment Of their derelic-
tions surely in the hands of their constituents
would he certain to improve them
There is more room for improvement in the
character Of legislators than in the char
seter Of any other public officials Dissatis
faction with legislatures is general and it
explains the growing influence of executives
and the declining influence Of legislatures. EX-
ecutives have the people with them in almost
eEerv instance Legislatures need 10 regain
public confidence II change in the method
Of nominations viii improve the character Of
the members of legislatures. it viii serve a very
useful purpose. At any rate. 50 long the
present system Of making nominations produces
results no more satisfactory 10 the public than
st does in the membership Of the Legislature of
this state II is on the defensive.
4 question viii occur. however. in regard 10
Governor HughesS bin is 10 whether il j. the
best form of direct primaries 10 secure discrim-
mating popular nominations for the minor Of
fees Even though the first place in the list Of
candidates for Governor la primary election
colslucfed ON the Governors plan would be of
very little advantage 10 tbe head of the ticket,
fer regarding this Office voters would take pains
and would exercise discrimination. would not
the first place be Of great advantage 10 candi-
dates for minor oficcs-say. for Senator and
AssemblyInant In word would the polti-
clans not do. in the direct primaries Just what
thev do now in the regular elections-namely,
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
THE ATTORNEY GENERALS SPEECH

\
Attorney General Wickershams declaration Of
intentions in his speech Of Friday night had
necessarily to be perfectly general Therefore
it will doubtless be interpreted variously, ac-
cording to the predispostion of the interpreters
But it is difficult to see how he could put more
emphatically his intention TO enforce the law
than when he announced to the business inter
ests Of the country The price of peace IS one
tlience to the law or when he declared that
any possible abandonment of prosecutions begun
by the previous administration must not he
taken as any indication of any intention by
this administration TO abandon III the slightest
degree the vigorous. impartial enforcement Of
the law. or to undo in any degree the splendid
work OF the last administration
The only sentence in the speech by which the
Attorney General implied an intention TO use
his discretion in regard 10 the application of
tine law was the following: Il should he the
last to authorize the institution of a criminal
proceeding against men who, without intention
to violate the law. have nevertheless acted IN
technical contravention of an extreme and most
drastic construction of that enactment 1.-THE
sherman law1.'' 1t will be noted that this dec
laration is strictly limited 10 criminal pro
ceedingS.' Nothing is said Of civil proceedings.
Indeed in his whole speech there Is not sug-
gestion of an intention to enforce the law civliy
only in cases where il ought TO he enforced
Apparently the law is TO be enforced without
regard to personal views as to what ii ought
10 be And the very declaration that criminal
proceedings will not be brought in technical
cases and under extreme constructions of the
Sherman actin which it would be unwise for
4 prosecutor TO bring them, they would sure
IL fal-SuggeSts that il may be the plan OF the
present administration to make large use OF the
criminal provisions of that statute to punish
substantial law-breaking And this impression
Is strengthened by Mr. WickerShams remark
that the principles underlying the Sherman act
a g now so well understood las 10 justify and
compel the government 10 use all or any OF the
remedies given by law adequate TO prevent the
Accomplishment of such purpose combination
in restraint of interstate tradel and to punish
the attempt.
The uncertainty over the scope and meaning
of the Sherman act will not deter Mr. Wicker
sham 1t is desirable TO have a Supreme Court
decision defining the law. If that decision
makes II so impossible Il statute Judge La
combe made it III his opinion in the Tobacco
case then says Mr. Wickersham, Congress should
amend it, The way TO find out what the Sher-
man law means is 10 enforce it good many
persons seem to think that there Is a higher or
unwritten law under which administrative Off
GERS can make allowance for the follies and
f1npertinences of the written law. The Attor-
ney General in his speech indicates no sympathy
18th that notion.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau.l


Washington May 1.-The President has under
careful consideration the recommendations OF the
Reynolds report favoring one-man rule 1or the LIZ
trct of Columbia. and until he has reached deli
mite decision he will not make the regular tIlree
year term appointments of commissioners. H. b. + =
Macfarland one of the commissioners 1t Is saId
will be reappointed, but only for one year, whlch
will allow the President ample time TO declue
whether the government Of the district by tlree
commissioners should be continued
Senator Nelson's bitter opposition to the reap
pointment of Milton D. Purdy as judge of the MIN
neapolis federal court district ended to-uay' ""e
President Taft received Mr.. Purdy's resignation
Secretary Nagel of the Department OF commerce
and Labor will make speech at the HepaohcaH
State Convention in Virginia on the recommends
ton of President Taft who is anxious TO ald as la
as possible in the campaign for Governor III 'Io'
state The Cabinet members in general nave oeeH
requested by the President to make addresses III
the Virginia campaign
President Taft discussed the tariff with number
of his callers to-day, among them Senator roo
and Representatives Payne and Hill. The Presiuei'
was told that the Philippine tariff bill would De re-
ported by the subcommittee to the full corinl'tee
next week and then reported to the House
General Frederick D. Grant called at the Nhlte
House to-day thank the President for ms spee'h
at the Grant dinner in Philadelphia last Tuesday
and to invite him to attend the military tourha-
rnent Of the regular army at Toledo. beginning on
July and continuing five days. The President
thanked General Grant for the invitation but sala
he feared it would impossible for him 10 go u
Toledo at that time.
The President spent the afternoon III tne P'I'0
rooms of the White House
Among the White House callers were senators
Carter and Dixon, who introduced o. NJ Laiiu-
Storm chairman OF the Montana Republican Std'7
COMMITTEES; H. R Cunningham, Auditor OF l"d'
state and State Senator Yegan, OF Blllnss- SCI
ators Burkett and Brown, Representative bar'ie'''
who asked the President to give James Bioul''
son Of Representative Bount, OF Georgia d
place in the Department of Justice; Representative
Olcott and Small and ex-Representatlve hepburn
The President and Mrs. Taft gave ahotheI VI
their series Of dinners tonight entertaining SCI"
ator and Mrs. Doiver. Senator stone senator anu
Mrs Sutherland Senator and Mrs Burkett' senator
Brandegee Senator Curtis. Senator ana Mrs. Gus
genheim Senator and Mrs. Johnson, Senator bur'oH'
Senator Crawford, Representative Tawney' Repre-
sentative and Mrs Mccall. Representative ana MIS-
Alexander, Representative Clayton, Ropresehtdli'e
and Mrs. Crumpacker. Representative ana SiIS-
Slavden, Representative and Mrs Foster RePIe-
sentative and Mrs WashbuTn and Mrs. "lLHaih
Edwards Spring flowers and roses were arrdnseu
in the drawing rooms. and the table IN the state
dining room was decorated with Killarney roses
Mrs. TAFT who gown or PINK chlilo4' '0
ceived the guests with the President
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
from The Tribune Bureau


Washington. May 1.-The German Ambassador
and Countess Won Bernstorf and Countess Luis
Alexandria Bernstorff go New York on Monday
and on the following day the countess and her
daughter will sail for Germany. They Will speho
the summer at their estate near Dresden, but the
ambassador will remain in this country
The British Ambassador and Mrs Bryce enter
tained at dinner tonight the Secretary of the
Treasury and Mrs. MacVeagh. the Secretary OF the
Interior, the Cuban Minister. Admiral and MIS-
CoWIes the Counsellor of the French Embassy ana
Nine Iefevre- -Pontalis, Mrs. l. z. Letter, Mrs
shaIer Of Boston; Mrs. George Lodge. Miss Board
man. Miss Josephine Durand. OF England; Miss
Adams of Boston: Mr.. Young. Mr. Kennard. and
Mr. Beresford- Hope. of the embassy stan
The Japanese Ambassador and Baroness Taxa
hira entertained a number Of guests informally at
dinner tonight
The Swiss Minister gave another OF his series OF
small dinner parties tonight entertaining the Ger
man Counsellor and Countess Won Wedel, Mr. and
Mrs Nathaniel Simpkins Mrs Clarence r Ed
wards Air and Mrs. William Phelps Emo and Mr.
and Mrs William I. Slater
The Siamese charge dafraires Will leave Wash
ington on May r. with all Of the secretaries Of the
legation for East Gloucester, where he will es-
tabllsh the legation for the summer. The Siamese
first secretary and Mrs.. Edward II. Lotus enter
tained a few guests dinner at the Chevy Chase
Club tonight.
The Bolivian Minister and Mime. and Miss Cal
deron left here this morning FOR New York where
they will visit month before sailing for Europe
for the summer.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
THE ANTHRACITE SETTLEMENT.

The signing of q new three years agreement
by representatives of the operators and the
miners in the anthracite coal field has attracted
little public attention. because the negotiations
preceding the settlement were singularly free
from noisy strife When the stormy disputes
Of 1902 and 1906 are recalled, this new order Of
Conciliaton and moderation must be regarded
Offering notable evidence Of progress in ad-
iusting labor troubles in the anthracite region.
Possibly one or two special influences inter
vened to facilitate harmony this year The
check to industry following the panic Of 1907
naturally inclined the miners 10 accept Il re
newaI of the favorable terms of the agreement
of 1906 without more than a formal inslStence
on their demand for COmpleter recognition OF the
authority Of the union. The union has not yet
gained a firm foothold in the anthracite field Il
large proportion Of the workers remaining out
side its ranks. The union leaders were there
fore in no position to threaten a strike unless
the operators would lend aid in maintaining
and strengthening the union organization by
helping 10 collect union dues at the cashiers
offices. The operators promised to post lists of
the payrolIs and to allow the unions official
notices also to be posted. With this concession
the miners were satisfied. Possibly the opera
tors were glad. on their part. TO avoid a clash
with the miners because of disturbed conditions
in the industry arising from the long delay in
the settlement of the disputed question whether
the Hepburn laws prohibition of coal mining
by railroad companies is or is not constitutional
The fact that the findings Of the arbitration
commission OF 1902-O3 have been twice revived
and extended strikingly viudicates the policy
and Justice Of that settlement. The anthracite
region has enjoyed six years Of tranquility and
prosperity. The old hatreds and passions have
passed away. and feeling Of mutual confidence
and respect has succeeded. This feeling has
been greatly fostercd hy the workings of the
concfIiation boards, To which all complaints
have been submitted These boards have done
justice and spread the habit of considering dis
putes from both points Of view. The operators
and the miners have both learned t. be tolerant
and fair. and that change Of attitude was most
noticeable in the negotiations just ended. The
benefits of Industrial arbitration have been sig
nalIy demonstrated in the history Of the an
thracite coal industry since 1902'03.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
RESPONSIBILITY or JAyITORs.

After all the jokes have been made and
laughed at. the fact still remains that the jani-
tor is a person of many useful habits and large
responsibility. While there may be- and of
course are, many members of this very honora-
Bile calling who are Overbearing and unobliging.
who NEGLECT their work and can be brought to
proper appreciation Of certain duties they are
presumed to perform only by the suggestion Of
a reward over and above their salaries. it is
only fair TO the great majority of janitors to
assume that they perform some very necessary
tasks Just as efficiently and conscientiously as
the tenants in the houses perform those which
come 10 their hands.
The duties of the janitor are not fully per
formed when he sees that the steam heating
apparatus is working 10 the entire satisfaction
Of the anRmic lady the top floor and the
stout man who occupies the apartment nearer
the street He has more 10 do than merely to
see that the ashes are carried out and placed
where they may be carted away. He is to 4
certain extent, the executive officer of the house.
and the families in il are entitled 10 look to
him for a certain measure of protection The
prevention of fire is much more important than
the eXtinguishing of it after it has started, and
if all jantOrS were properly alive to their re-
spOnSibi tiles they would see TO it that the pos
sibility Of contiagratiOns reduced to mini
mum. They know far better than the tenement
house inspectors Ine CONDITION OF the buildings
and Of fire escapes, and by putting to the best
possible use the knowledge acquired and making
it their business 10 keep fully posted relative to
the requirements of tenants and of the tene-
ment house law they can render a great service
TO the public.
That the ianitors appreciate their response
bilities is indicated by some suggestions of pro-
posed action at the mass meeting ca He'd for TO-
night These men seem 10 be particularly mind
ful of the recent accidents in tenement houses
involving loss of life and hope 10 be able to
formulate some plan by which further disasters
may he prevented. One of them has said that
the janitOr is not entirely blameess in such q
case rs that recently brought to public notice
Of a boy remaining on roof over night and
dying as the result of exposure, for locking the
door TO the roof is a violation of the tenement
house law. Whether this was the fault of a
janitor or not. the fact that the case arouses
the interest of the ianitOrs Il body is evi-
dence of their purpose to promote that sense of
responsibility so necessary to the safety Of the
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02

nominate a good man to head the ticket and
trust TO him to carry the rest through: If the
nominating committee should put up first
class man fer Governor, would there not be
tendency to take little interest in the minor
places. and would not the advantage of first
place in all the divisions be enough TO carry
through the regular slate?
Obviously some gain there still would be- but
would ii be all the gain possible from change
in primaries: If we are going to admit that
the present system turns ont satisfactory Gov
ernors, but 4 change is needed because legIs-
lators are not satisfactory. then should not such
change be made as would be best calculated
to result in discrimination regarding the filling
of the minor Offices? Perhaps the Governors 5
plan is the best practicable one. but in the long
months before it win again be presented to the
Legislature ii deserves consideration from
every angle. especially with reference to the
point where the state most needs improvement
in the character of its nominations.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
SUPERINTENDENT LOCAL sTORMs.

There seems to have been unusually large
crop of tcrnadOes and other local windstorIus
last week Such disturbances, though the off
spring of one large barometric depression, are
independent Of one another. They are short
lived too. and generally affect limited areas.
Since at least eight or nine states suffered from
them on this occasion. their number may we'll
have reached or exceeded fifty. 1t may read
Iy be believed. therefore that the statements
that hundreds of lives and millions Of dollars
of property have been lost were not exag-
gerated.
Tornadoes and thunder storms are character
istic of summer rather than of the other sea
sons. They are not unknown, Of course in the
spring but a great abundance on one or two
successive days So early in the year is remark
able ANY hasty Interpretation of their seem
incly premature appearance sign that
summer is at hand, though, would he unsafe.
4 week or two more must elapSe before the
general trend of the weather can he fairly est
mated. The prolonged stay of the last cold
wave in the East and the blizzard reported yes
terday in North Dakota show that conditions
are still unsettled.
There have been marked differences in the
last two three days in the barometrc press
ure over regions not very remote from one
another. In summer there is generally pretty
regular succession Of low areas crossing the
continent. alternating with high ones Two de
pressions on the average come eastward every
week. In warm weather 4 rule. the lows
are shallow, and the rise in pressure which
follows their passage is incOnSpicuous. though
perceptible Last week, however the high
areas were finely developed and the pressure
at the centre Of the depression. which the
parent Of the tornadocs and squalls, dropped
to a remarkably low level Some day. perhaps,
this somewhat puZzlng intensfcaton Of storm
conditions. a phenomenon of more frequent oc-
currence in winter than summer. will BE bet
Ter understood than now. If ii ever is, the ap-
pearance of local disturbances viii probably
be more distinctly foreseen than is at present
possible. though It is extremely doubtful
whether it will ever be possible to determine
in advance what towns and cities viii suffer.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau. !


Washington, May Senator Du POnt followed
his usual custom of returning TO his home, at Win
terthur. Del. to-day, and took with him, mem
bers OF large house party, the Swedish Minister
and Nine. de Lagercrantz and Baron Ambrozy. of
Austria. They will return to Washington the first
of the week.
Senator and Mrs. Elkins entertaining for
few days Mr.. and Mrs. Robert GoeIet, OF New
York who arrived here this morning. They enter
tanned guests at dinner tonight in their honor
Thomas F. Walsh entertained q dinner party Of
nearly hundred men tonight. among them being
the Vice President.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles ] Bell have closed their
town house and gone TO their country place on
Woodey Lane, the capital for the summer.
Captain and Mrs William II. II. Switzerland have
taken a cottage at Bar Harbor for the summer, and
will leave here early IN the for that place
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Lee closed their house here
to-day and have gone to Atlantic City with their
children to remain for two weeks before going TO
their estate. Graceland at Elkins W. Va, for the
summer.
The Vice-President and Mrs. Sherman enter
tanning Lucius N Littauer. formerly a Representa-
tive from New York.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02

ject OF marriages in May. Among them ia tb,.
Miss Margaret Fulton Slade to Edward Paul ss
tuck. in the Church OF the Ascension. Fifth 49,
and 10th street, tomorrow week Miss Helen p
body. Miss Gertrude Van COrtlandt Beekmsn NJ
Harriet Glover, Miss Caroline Murray. Miss Er,s,-
Coe and Miss Eleanor Brannan will be in atra1s
ance on the bride The usheTs will consiu, .
Frederic Ashton de Peyster, Julien T. Davies Ps.
jamin s Young, Gerard Glenn. Henry McC,o-s
Bangs and E Lansing Satterlee. while the -.
man will be John GOdfred SAKE, whose engazsns-.
to Miss Mary Sands. daughter or Mrs. Ferdins,s
Sands. granddaughter Of the late Charles E Sand,
and niece of Mrs. T. J. Oakley Rhinelander and !,
Mrs Maturin L. Delaheld. jr., has just been an
nounced After the ceremony. which win be us,
formed by the Rev. Percy Stckney Grant. recso
ton will be given by the parents Of the bride NJ
and Mrs. James F. Slade, at their house. in Wsss
18th street.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
NEW YORK SOCIETY.

Seldom has the month of May opened more inau-
spiciously. as the weather is concerned than
that OF 1909 There little yesterday to Indicate
the arrival of spring and the approach Of summer.
but much remind OF winter, and the attend
ance a the Meadow Brook Club steepIechases, op-
pOsite Belmont Park, suffered in consequence. al
though the rain and wind not allowed To mar
the numerous weekend parties organized in con-
nection with the the various country houses
the district Next Saturday there viii be another
series Of steeplechases on the same track and or
Thursday week the spring fiat racing season opens
at Belmont Park, and will. usual. be made the
occasion of much hospitality.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02

Another wedding Of the month IS that Of P1erpo1i
Davis and Miss Josephine Ogden, which was 10 have
taken nIace on April Is. postponed until Nav
y owing to Mr. Davfs's prOstratiOn by an attaet
of tvpbofd fever. The Church OF the Incarnstior
has been selected as the scene OF the ceremony
which will be performed by the Rev. Or. Villas
NJ. Grosvenor. and it win he followed by rscsp-
ton given by Mrs. Edward NicoH Dfckerson. ssts
OF the bride at her house In East 54th street Miss
S.rAb Ogden Miss Ellen Turnbull. Miss Muri.
Morris Mrs Robert Gillespie ard Mrs William
Ravard Blackwell will be in attendance on The
bride. a daughter Of Mrs John R Ogden Of Lex
ingtou avenue The bridegroom. a son OF Mr.. and
Mrs. FeIlowes Davis. gives his farewell hacheO
dinner on next Saturday week at the Union Clu5
.,d vrfu have as ushers Charles 8 Butler. Georgs
L I7al,ar T,r FeIIowes Davis. all of New York
and Russell Perkins and Philip French. Of Boston
while Dudley Davis will be his brothers best nan
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
THE CLEVELAND PORTRAIT FUND.

From The Rome Sentinel
Some time ago The New York Tribune started a
fund for the purchase of portrait of Grover
Cleveland TO be placed on the walls of the Executive
Chamber of the state Capitol at Albany where
hang portraits of many OF the Governors of New
York State The fund has been growing slowly but
steadily ana now amounts TO nearly $500 About
$500 additional is needed, and II is hoped that
admirers of Mr.. Cleveland Will IL that the
cornulendable effort provide the modest yet ap-
propriate memorial Is brought to a successful
cIusion at an early date by the sending in Of
many small contributions AS The Tribune says,
II is manifesty uniting that visitors to the Ex-
ac,tiva Chamber should find there reminder that
Nr Cleveland ever Governor of the Empire
state while the faces of many lesser men look
rJov-n 1pon them from its walls.
New-York tribune., 1909-05-02
THOMAS W. PIERCE ENGAGED.
His Fiances Is Miss Gabrielle M. Dexter "
This City.
rRy Telegraph TO The Tribune J

Boston May 1--An engagement announces -
5av which is OF much interest in Boston anu -,
York Is that OF Miss GabrieIla NJ Dexter dals
Of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Walker Dexter ol
York City and Oyster Bay. n Y, and InoiiAS
Pierce of Boston and Topsfield
Miss Dexter. who Is an only daughter. made p
debut in society about five years ago. and Is - y
Interested in outdoor life. so dear 20 the heN h-
her fance Miss Dexter's mother before her - -
riage was Miss Gabrielle NJ McAliister Ah7
ily home az oyster Bay is about three-au
mile from the Theodore Roosevelt estate ,ss
Mr.. Pierce is the son Of the late MI anu y
Thomas Wentworth Pierce He is a meHoei
the Puritan Exchange and Eastern Yacht cluSS -
the Harvard Club. of New York He IS a prON
follower Of the Myopia hounds