davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
The Mistakes Of Porto Rico-

President Tafrs unexpected message
dealing with the Porto Rican situation.
which he regards as grave enough 10
warrant special legislation AZ a session
Of Congress which he hoped would do
nothing but revise the tariff. should
arouse some searching OF the American
heart respecting our colonial policy.
What are we trying 10 DO with our colo
NAL possessions. what principle Of action
governs Us in dealing with them
and what DO We expect 10 get out Of Il
au2 We have just spent 100000 To pre-
serve in Cuba what We are denying 10
Porto Rico, yet what reason IS there for
assumption that the Porto Ricans are
less fit to govern themselves than the
Cuhans2 Mr. Taft presents q list Of leg
isIative blunders on the part Of the Porto
Ricans; but have no legislative blunders
ever been committed in this country2 He
accuses them Of trying TO pull down the
portals OF government because their leg
islatfve assembly got into a deadlock
over appropriation bills. Is that so much
worse than the action Of Congress itself
in appropriating No0.O00,000 n excess OF
the revenues. OF the action Of the Penn
sylvania legislature IN passing bills car
rying 80, ,oo0,oeO more than the State could
possibly pay. leaving to the governor the
duty OF cutting the appropriations down
10 1T the States income? What Is self
government, anyway, but the privilege OF
making our own blunders and profttng
by them? And as TO politicians and Do
Iitical selfshness. have We nothing Of
that sort?
The fact IS that in passing judgment
upon self-government among other races
than our OWE. We set Up q standard by
which We ourselves could be harshly
judged It is al important thing that
government everywhere should be ef-
hcient. honest. and equitable, but the
American theory is and has always been
that the efficiency, honesty. and equity
OF the government should be maintained
BY public opinion, and thar Il any par
ticular government fell short in those
qualities through the ignorance OF moral
laxity Of the community. It afforded no
good reason for denying the right OF self
government IN fact, We have insisted
that democratic government contained
within itself the remedy for its own Ills
through the education Of the people IN
mind and morals. and a part OF their ed
ucatiOn consists IN the administration Of
their own affairs. however blundering
II may be. considered from an ideal and
theoretical aspect. In the government OF
our colonies this principle is set aside for
! one that is precisely It's opposite. namely.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
The Navy II Work.

me target practice in which the ships
Of the navy VIII participate later this
year VIII be q notable function. It rep
resents an advancement on the old meth
cd Of simply hitting the target under con-
ditions which are most favorable to the
accuracy OF fire. The ships OF the Allan
tic feet. especially. will reassemble late
II June IN q condition which will give
$bem the appearance Of being in fighting
Trim They VIII, by that time, have been
divested OF all weights which are con-
sidered superfuoUs. they win have the
inconspicuous color which makes them
the least possible target al sea: they win
have new features. such as en improved
searchEght system and skeleton masts for
the fre-controi feature This is on the
side OF an equipment which is Intensely
practical. making the ships businessllke
Institutions. and less for show or comfort
than ever before
The target practice VIII be conducted at
ranges which are not previously made
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
What Cotton ,Een Expect.

From The Textile Mau1fzC-u1s-s- JoUTIsi.
The textile schedules IN approximately
their present form. but with a probable
partial restoration to the Payne advances
on fashioned hosiery, are reasonable Ger
tain Of becoming a law They win Ger
tainly become a law II the well-inten-
toned. but dangerous agitation Of carded
woolen men ceases. and If the real ami
mus OF importing jobbeTs and retailers
who are opposing the cotton and hosiery
schedules is shown. We do not consider
that Senator Delivers speech differs
r8dicaliy from that Of several years ago.
IN which he masterfully eulogized the COW
as differentiated from the producers o.
oleomargarjne. The latter industry has
since hoUrished. and we are confident
that the textile industry VIII suffer as
little from his attack
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

known 10 the gunners. The targets wiz
be moving at a speed which is not an
nomced Moreover. the guns will be fred
while the ships are rolling, so that all the
most unfavorable conditions lack OF
information and instability OF gun plat
form-may be impaired 70 the practice.
This approaches the uncertainty and the
Unfavorable circumstances in which
battle may occur. 1t VIII prove a severe
test to naval gunnery; and while il IS no;
to be expected that the previous splendid
records in all the percentages Of hits VIII
be possible, the advantage gained by
craftsmanship viii be appreeiably in
creased This Is q very practical condl-
ton. and the authors Of the arrangement
are entitled to credit for putting the nav,
on such a sound basis
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
THE HILL n, DREAMs.

Ny Eiefl for the days by an done.
When ! vas young girl straight an tai.
Comm alone II set o sun
Up the high hill road from Cushendsr.
I Thought the miles no hardship then.
Nor the long road weary to my feet
For the hrgShes sang in the cool deep glen
An the eyenin' air vas cool SD' sweet
Ny head with many 4 thought was thr0E
An many dream as ] ne'er tod;
Ny heart would LIT az Z wee BIRDS so1g
Or a. seem a whin-bush crowned zdth gold.
An always I'd look back at thc say
Or the TIN o. the road amt out the siZht
u 4e long waves curiin' into the bay
An hreakin' n foam where the sands IS white
/ Vas married young on q decent man,
As many would cal a prudent choice,
But he never could hear how the TiTer rz1
S1g1n seng IN changin' voice,
Nor thought TO see On the bays blue vathsz
A ship with yellow sails unftrled.
Bssrin away a kings young daughter
Over the hrm q the heaTin' world.
The his seen vesry now TO ms feet,
The miles be's many. aid dreams be few,
The ere-in' airs not near 50 sweet
The oIrds don't sing as they used to 90.
An m that tired at the top Of the hfll
That ! haven't the heart 10 turn AZ al
To watch the clrlin' breakers IN
The wee round bay AZ Cushendall.
Helen Lsnyo1. IN New Ireland Review.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
Business shows improvement.

Frcn the Philadelphia Inquirer
That the country IS rapidly recovering
from the depression which set n about
eighteen months ago is clearly indicated
by the substantial increase reported in
the imports OF merchandise at the port
OF New York As the commodities which
are brought here from abroad are largely
luxuriss with which 1t is not difficult TO
dispense. The traffic IN them Immediately
reflects the existence Of conditions which
compel or induce a reduction Of personal
expenditure. Imports fall Of when times
are dull because those whose incomes
in one way or another have been reduced
are constrained 10 deny themselves the
Injuries in which they formerly INDUCED.
When trade begins to pick up these peo-
pie return 20 their old way Of living. and
the stores which cater 10 their wants
soon fnd It expedient TO replenish their
depleted stock
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
IN TIE CANAL ZONE.
An Honest Proposition, and a
Healthy Lot of Workers.

An Honest Proposition and a
Healthy Lot of Workers.
Vaughan Cornish. IN The Paaua Canal and Its
Makers"
When I left Washington for the Canal
Zone I was filed with gloomy forebOdings
that might. after ell find q rotten state
OF affairs en- the isthnus. Il was with
intense relief that found that had
what IS called IN America an honest
proposition 20 deal with
Any Englishman. accustomed 70 see the
work OF our own soldiers and civil ser
wants IN the Crown colonies or in Egypt.
would recognize in the officers OF the
Corps Of Engineers and OF the Army
Medical Corps who are n charge Of the
Canal Zone men of q Ike high standard
Of duty.
The Canal Zone now being healthy. the
iife Of Americans is a cheerful as well as
busy one.
Not only do the men look well. but the
women and children also. TIE women in
general have the same appearance as in
the United States. perfectly dressed. as
always, quiet in manner. ard apparently
happy, though occasionally somewhat
bored To the wife. net having the ab-
sOrbinE interest Of the canal work. the
.sthmUs IS generally less interesting than
% her husband. but OF late there have
grown UP organizations for promoting IN
tellectual and other social intercourse
which are rapidly relieving the threatened
eEnui
The children, on the other hand. look
actually happy and stronger than they do
II the cities OF the United States They
are in the open air al day. for sunstroke
Is rare on the isthmus. They are bronzed.
active, fearless IN bearing. and appar-
emily thoroughly satisfied with themselves
end with their surroundings. Even when
within doors they are Still IN a sense.
in the open air. for the windows are IN
glazed, and the houses are constructed
so as TO secure a free circulation OF air
Il has been said that the possession Of
India taught the English the value Of the
Geld bath. an institution which has been
slowly adopted from Us BY other North
eTn nations in Europe. Perhaps the pos
session OF the Canal Zone viii lead to- the
salutary OpeR-wiRdow habit. which is not
yet general in the United States
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
ADVERTISING THE CITY.
Chamber of Commerce Project Ex-
cites Attention Elsewhere,

E-AtA AktentlOn EEeNhere.
From the Springfield Union.
Washington. though already one of the
most widely advertised cities IL the coun-
Try, is preparing 20 make a systematic
study Of ways and means Of bringing
wider publicity 20 the city. The Cham
Der of Commerce committee on adver-
us!ng IS hearing suggestions on the sub
jeet Il IS said that the appointmen.
q the committee IS due 90 the idea that
Washington should be known 10 the
country At large as something more than
a beautiful Capital This naturally VIII
revive the controversy as 70 whether It
IS desirable TO engage in a compaIgn
for the manufacturing and commercial
development OF the city. Some contend
that 81 Washington were made a trade
center OF importance. It's beauties and at
fractions as a political and social cap
ital woEld be seriously injured i 3
Of interest 10 note that a similar dis
cussion IS taking place with reference
20 Newport. r. T.. % which some ara
seeking 10 attract manufactures, while
others urge that u is better 10 devel0p
the city as a beautiful watering placs
and foreg0 Industrial ambition. Evident
ly Washington trade leaders think L
win do 10 harm 20 boom the Capital
in an industrial way, and they are going
about the matter with some enthusiasm.
though as yet no definite plan has been
adopted One after another. American
cities are falling IN with the idea that
advertising can be a means OF large ben
eft % q municipality. one OF the latest
% put the idea INTO execution IS Knox
vile. Tenn. which IS inserting page sd-
vertseme1ts IN leading metropolitan
newspapers
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
Warming Against War.

Froa; the Boston Advertise
Public opinion IS changing. The world
has its eyes opened The war doctrine,
the preachment OF international murder.
has surfeited mankind The evils have
multiplied until the results Of war, If
not the direct thought = war itself,
have turned popular sentiment ln the
better pathway. The rock at the base
Of the peace movement Is moral But
mankind. unfortunately. cannot be reach
ed as effectively as should be the case
on a moral foundation alone. Thus the
warfare against war is now waged on
more utilitarian. more practicaTT
grounds. The problem is treated Sci
entifcally economically The appeal is
20 the understanding. to the brains Of
man. It Is q course Of cold argument,
irrefutable and ultimately convincing.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
THE NATIONS CITY.

THAT The Washington Herald viii
stand for the best interests Of Wash
iEgton needs not the saying II viii
EVER keep In mind. however, that
this IS \ national city-the nations
rity-and that Its present greatness
and future pre-eminence have as n
basis its national eharacter."-FrOm
editorial foreword in the first issue Of
this paper. October 8. 1906.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
Shall the Alligator Go;

Florida has on hand a legislature fust
now that IS something Of q wonder. We
think. Certainly IL has stirred up the
animals down that way. and esteemed
constituencies are sitting up and taking
notice as they have not done before in
many. many moons.
This wonderful legislature has already
passed a bin submitting the question OF
prohibition 10 the people-which generally
starts trouble enough-and has had under
consideration another bin looking 10 the
repeal Of the fifteenth amendment to the
Constitution Of the United States. That
would appear 10 the ordinary individual
70 be sufficiently strenuous 10. one sit
ting-but not So It now proposes TO pass
"a law permitting the wholesale ana in
discriminate slaughter OF the festive
alligator. because those reptiles eat ali
the young hogs along the river banks
having developed an appetite for fresh
pork, indeed, that even surpasses IN fe-
rocity the alIigator's ancientIy alleged
liking for pickaninnies.
Now come the big hotel keepers-and
Fiorida's big hotels have given the
State wide fame-and aUege that with
out a reasonable amount Of eau de vie
and alligator shooting, visitors TO that
state VIII drop OF during the good old
January. February. and March time 70
such an extent that life will not be worth
living down there. and the hotel business
VIII dwindIe into a mere way to reach
the bankruptcy courts in a hurry.
We do not know how this impending
dreadful situation Is 20 be Offset. IN
less the hogs are kept penned. I'd and
the aIisators are gently trained back 20
their Old diet Of pickauinny an uatureL
II would be pity not to furnish the
stranger within Florida's gates q fair 10
Uiddling amount OF alligator shooting.
Il the present supply Of saurians is ex-
terminated. Florida wIl- never see It's
Ike again in the big game line. To be
sure. We suspect Florida feels amply able
I 10 cope with the eau de Vie crisis now
knocking 80 loudly At its Goors-but an
alligatoriess Land OF Flowers is a peril
not TO be discounted in any way. and 1t
must be met inteuigently. bravely, and
I promptly, or that great State will fnG
it hard to give any sort Of explanation
as to why Il should be alive and kickins
az all
+ Shall the alligator 90? Florida should
/ recognize the acUteness OF the situation
all Florida, and not the big hotel keep
ers alone II the latter are unable 10
+ lure the tourists 20 the orange groves and
/ pieapple farms. who can? Nobody. Let
Florida consider wei the Importance Of
I the question now before It
a writer IN the Westminster Gazette
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
Hair-.nIittfnr Law

Prom the New YORK Evening Post
The decision Of an Illinois court setting
aside the law intended TO check loan
sharks" because it failed to distinguish
between wage" earners and salary"
eaners. shows that the State which once
boasted a rail-splitting President has now
at least got some hair-spiitting Judges.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

The Persians have been granted an
other CONSTITUTION. Tuesdays. Thursdays.
and Saturdays seem to be regular consti-
tuition days in Persia; and Mondays.
Wednesdays. and Fridays regular revoca-
ton davs
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

We long ago despaired OF answering
precisely the famous query, What Is a
Democrat We suspect Uncle Joe"
Cannon would think an ever present
help in time OF trouble" about as near the
mark as one might reasonably expect TO
come. however
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
ALITTLE NONSENSE.
yGRATITTDE.

She was a phantom Of delight"
We Wordsworth quote.
And yet the cook left overnight
OF whom he wrote
"she was a blessed damosel."
ROssetti swore.
But his cook went away. as well;
Was seen no more
When poets laud their cooks Ike this
Yet lose them, then
Small chance TO keep 4 cook. I WIS.
Have lesser men.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

Already the newspapers are beginning
10 plead for "a safe and sane Fourth Of
July" i Is a good idea It is not only
vel 70 prepare for war in time Of peace.
but also 10 prepare TO head OF war en-
tireIy. Il possible.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
Where the CuttinR Il.

From the Manchester Union.
Some Of the trust magnates evidently
find cutting coupons much more agreeable
than cutting prices
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
No Rexiston Downward.

Frra The Boston Tr7nsc-Ipt-
Prsiness IS evidently proceeding on the
assumption that If the new tariff bill is
net actually passed. it is SO sure not to
lower rates that nobody need be longer
disturbed b. the uncertainty over it
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

If i were not for the political fences
back nome, Congress probably would 20
on and pass the Payne -AldTich tarig bill
and have done with It The vehement
protests must go 10 the Record. how
ever-and that takes tine.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

T r. better known In Africa as "Bwana
Tumbo," or ''portly master" is said to
have captured a heretofore unknown
animal" Nothing in this world could
have kept him from It
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

that people are unfit for self government
until they are capable Of administering
the body polite with perfect justice and
judgment The coroTlary Of this Is that
a benevolent deSpotism is impeccable
and inerrant. How our colonial reports
and the messages Of our Presidents ring
with praises OF the Righteousness. the
mercifulness, and the peace Of our de-
pendent administrations. There naught
ever goes wrong save the native. whose
base ingratitude We condescendingly ex-
cuse on the ground Of inherent incapacity
TO comprehend an altruism that reaches
across the oceans and expends unnum-
bered millions for his subjugation- What
have we not done cor these suilen peo-
ples2 We have founded schools. built
roads. taught them sanitation, suppressed
epidemics. revised their law, spent their
money-done everything. IN short. that
a kindly people could DO but grant them
the political rights for which we would
ourselves bleed and die rather than sur
render one iota Of them.
II may be true that the Porto Rieans
have made a mess Of II, as Mr.. Taft de-
clares, but is It best to cure the failure
by relieving them of responsibility, or by
allowing them TO shoulder their own bur
dens and learn through failure, as we
are doIng2 They ask for a larger meas
ure Of government: Mr.. Taft replies
by recommending that even that which
they have be reduced. The response of.
Congress TO this recommendation VIII be
an interesting contribution TO the devel-
opnent of our colonial policy.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

The National Monthly announces that
the cover design Of the June number VIII
show a handsome picture Of The Her
mirage. The cover Of the May number
showing Monticello" And when may
we expect to see "Fairviewg
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
Needs Some Practfce.

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger
Probably the beef trust viii be glad to
learn that it IS 10 have rival It has
not had the pleasure of swallowing a
rival for long time.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

Perhaps the humble consumer VIII
realize his predicament after a while and
be good Every time he votes for tariff
revision he gets a little more tariff medi-
cine FOR his trouble.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

The Illinois legislature wants To reEu-
late the size OF wonnen's hats, and the
Florida legislature wants 10 outlaw
bridge And stiu some people wonder
why the suTragette movement is spread
ing In this country
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

A Frenchman has set aside a large
fund in his viii for the compensation OF
the families Of his possible automobile
victims. Evidently. he intends to 90 in
for some rare old sc0rching soon
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

IF everybody could read everybody
else's thoughts. some people would have
a hard time making a living" says the
Birmingham Age-Herald. And some other
people would have nightly little 70 co.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

A Texan gentleman announces the dis
Covery OF a bean q half dozen OF which,
If properly chewed. viii produce a highly
exhuaraung End intoxicating effect II
prohibition ever hits grand old Texas. we
predict q glutting OF the local markets
with this particular bean
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

The chancellor OF the exchequer OF Eng
land has discovered a deficit in the na-
tional treasury Of S70.0oo.000. and is IN
eonsolably wrought up over g. In this
country a little deficit Ike that merely
causes Congress 10 spend some more
money
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

Castro says he IS going 10 Venezuela
Il he has 70 20 by force says the De-
troit Free Press. he will have &c go
by q number Of big policemen. all right.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

And TOW the Sultan Of Mrscat is hav-
ing trouble with his loving subjects Did
not know -AiUscat had a sultan and prob
ably It VIII not have one Ions.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

How many Of US want 10 hear from
Mars?" asks the Jacksonville Times
Union Precious few. al S100ooO0o per
message
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

Illinois has only one Senator. Some
States would doubtless consider them
selves blessed 20 be in Illinois FIX, Sena-
toriaIly.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

King Edward IS reported 70 be grow
ing irascible. says the Pittsburg Dis
patch. We fear his majesty IS not able
20 assimIate lobster la Newburg and
fxiuEs as easily as he used TO-
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
Frcn ne Rornn Tr.rs-rr--

tT0-1 I1a B1E11 Ir1LScTlp--
Il IS the duty OF Congress To study our
whole Porto RicaR policy. and TO ascer-
tain, among other things. whether the
evident discomfort. not 10 say disafection.
IS net traceable TO the anomalous status
Of the Porto Ricaus. who. owing US al
legisace. are yet not American citizens.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
A DuwuinE suspicion.

Why do you never take the young lady
anywhere2"
"She won't 90 out with me. Says she
can't leave mamma"
She's very thoughtful Of mamma"
Either that, or I'm the wrong chap"
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

Mr.. Dolliver Jared the Senator from
Rhode Island somewhat says an enthu-
siastic contemporary. If It means bottled
him up. It has another guess coming.
we think
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

Who Is going 70 be the ultimate con
sumer Of the pennant2" inquiries the New
York Mail We have a sneaking suspi-
cion Washington viii be the guilty party
that is. from q certain point Of view.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

There are 11.o10 poets in Ohio" says
the Toledo Blade. Almost q poet and
a half 10 every ten politicians.
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12
From the Baltimore sun.


President Taft suggests that the United
states may have gone too fast" already
in extending political power TO the Porto
Ricans for their own good" This is a
matter 70 which Congress should give
serious consideration. not only because
the suggestion comes from weighty
source, but also because no step back
ward should be taken n regard 10 the
withdrawal Of any OF TIE privileges OF
self-gOvernment now possessed by our
dependencies without due deliberatiOn.
or without a thorough understanding Of
the situation in our insUlsr possessions
From the PhiladeiUhia Pubic Ledge.
While Porto Rico IS the least trouble
some OF our recently acquired depend
encies," is occupies such q peculiarly
anomalous position as 20 be a constant
source of perpIexity. TIE President IS
now OF the opinion that we have given
the Porto Ricans little too much inde-
pendence. though We have not rid our
selves OF responsibility for them His
message on this subject 10 Congress pre-
sents a rather curious problem Of ad-
ministration, for which neither the Con
stitUtiOn or previous experience furnishes
q ready solution
The Washington herald., 1909-05-12

a writer In the Westminster Gazette
discusses exhaustively The advantages
Of high wages" They are many-lf you
can bring the man paying the wages
around 70 your point Of view.