davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

clared that Sin their efforts in this
direction they have had so far the
complete cooperation and active as
sistanee of the present administration
and of the next president of the
United States
Mr.. Rainey submitted for the record
from the papers and documents in
support of many of the allegations con-
tanned in the. speech.
Going back TO the purchase of the
canal Mr.. Rainey charged that through
the manipulations of Mr. Cromwell, the
French canal company was permitted
to steal from the United States gov
eminent s3,000.000 or $4.00O,000.'' and
that after he became an officer of the
United States. he became a party 10
at attempt to collect from the United
States a fraudulent claim on the part
of the canal company of $2,200,00O.
Mr. Rainey further charged that Mr..
Taft, when secretary of war. on the
occasion of his trip to Panama last
May, did nothing on the isthmus ex-
cept to openly push the candidacy Of
Obaldia for the presidency; and also
stated that without Obaldia Crom-
wells career could have been impos-
sibie," and without Cromwell Obaldia
would have been impossible
From Congressman Rainey's well
considered statements, it appears clear
j that the Panama canal zone. the Pan
anna canal work and the Panama re-
public are all being exploited for the
benefit of INSCRIPTIONS spectators
and that even the United States gov
, eminent is being held up and fieeced
to the tune of millions.
What lamentable condition of affairs
| exists in connection with this great
| canal work upon which the people of
the United States have already ex-
pended hundreds of millions OF dollars,
and which several hundreds of mil
lions more are TO be expended.
The thanks of the country are due
Congressman Rainey for the courage he
has exhibited in boldly denouncing the
principal actors in this scandalous
drama.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
The Argus Daily Short Story
A FUR TRIMMED OVERCOAT---BY M. QUAD.
Copyrighted, 1903, by Associated Literary Press.

on the calendar Instead of the hotel
he went TO court. The fur trimmed
overcoat was hung up in the cloak
room. ard three hours later. when the
case was concluded. it was missing.
There had net beGn another fur trim
med overcCat on the hooks. ard Mr..
Saunders doubted If another barrister
in that court had one. Some thief had
managed to enter and appropriate it.
The sacrilege Of the act unnerved the
barrister for 7 time. and then he went
home to find that q stranger had been
waiting for him for long time. It
was Il Russian. and he had brought
fur trimmed overcCat with him. Ee
introduced himself as connected with
the Russian embassy. ard he Owned
up that the little book was q new code
just issued by his government and
that the key opened safe in which
state secrets were kept. He had Only
been temporarily intruSted with the
articles, and their loss might SeEd him
back TO Russia and then to Siberia.
The man was half frightened to death.
and of course the barrister pitied him
and was willing to do anything for
him. The check boy had Numbered
and given out the wrong coat If the
book and the key had been left behind
with the valet all would have been
well. but they had been taken along
with the overccat, and the overcoat
was now on u third mans back. When
the Russian was told of its loss. he
wanted to commit suicide at once.
OF course the only way TO do was to
ret the police at work. and the bar
rister took the initiative. One of the
underctficials of tie court remembers.
I'd when questioned that well dressed
man. who was not recognized. but who
was supposed to be n barrister. had
penetrated to the cloaliroom and later
On had reappeared with fur trim
med overccat on his arm and disap-
peared. In leaving the court he had
| passed within five feet CT the barriS-
ter Stimulated by generous reward,
| the police began to hunt for clews. ard
| il was not long before they found one
IN pawrshop. The thief had come
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

Thomas IL. Saunders. barr;Ster. Vi
London had accepted the invitation OF
an old friend to dine with him at a no
tel. and when he reached the place at
the appointed hour and had his hat
and overcoat checked he surrendered
the latter with a bit of reluctance and
cautioned the boy in the cloakroom to
make no mistake. 1t was u fur trim
med overcoat and a smart looking gar
ment, costing a tidy little sum. and its
owner had a right to be proud of it,
especially as several of his friends had
spoken fatteringly of his personal ap-
pearance.
When the dinner came TO an end the
barrister passed in his check and re-
ceived his hat and coat and wendell his
way to his chambers. 1t was a cold
night, but the cold did not reach him.
All the way home he Rugged himself
with satisfaction over that garment.
and it was not until his valet had re-
moved it that trouble Showed lis face
Excuse me. sir" said the man as he
inspected the coat. but this is not the
one you were away - s y.
1.-THE deuce It fsn'tr'
"No, SIR 1t seems to be of the same
size and trim, but it's not the one. You
have no key like this. sir. and here is
a little book that was not iIrthe pocket
when you went out"
In two minutes it was settled that
the barrister had exchanged overcoats
with some one else. 1t was the check
boys blunder, of course. The garment
would have been returned to the hotel
at once by the valet, but a storm had
set In and the hour was late. The bar
| rister judged that the key belonged to
a vault of some kind; but. as for the
book, all he could make out was that
1t seemed TO be Il code for the transla-
ton of a Russian cipher
As soon as breakfast had been dis
posed of Mr.. Saunders himself started
| for the hotel to make his excuses and
| the exchange, but while waiting on
| the curb for hanson he was notified
kby messenger that he must be in court
at certain hour to take care of case
he had supposed to be further down
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Prosperity Postponed.

The following paragraph is cur
rent item of news published in the
daily newspapers bearing out so for
chilly the prediction made by President
w. C. Brown of the New York Central
at the Davenport Commercial club this
month
From all present indications rail
road work. outside of the necessary
keeping up of roadbeds, tracks and
bridges, will be exceedingly light dur
ing 1909. No new work is contem.
plated by the Illinois Central company
for this year. Not only the Illinois
Central, but railroads generally
throughout the country. are to cut 20
the limit during the year 1909"
Can this be possible? The statement
made in the paragraph is not manu-
featured out of the whole cloth, and
certainly must have been given 10
the press by some railroad authority.
But can it be believed in view of the
loud declarations made by the railroad
magnateS before the November elec-
ton. that If Mr.. Taft was elected bust.
ness would boom, there would be no
empty cars on the railroad sidings
and the railroads would put tens of
thousands of men to work building
new lines and re-tracking old. ones
We all remember that three months
ago lit was shouted from every stump
in the land by republican spellbinders,
and printed under scare heads by
every republican newspaper that Bry
ans election meant just what the
above paragraph says is going to hap
pen this year. and that Taft's election
meant the reverse. Then why are
things thusly?
Why are 100000 freight cars stand
ing idle on the side tracks and in
freight yards as railroad authority
declared the other day?
Why is it railroad work is to be left
undone, and the railroads general;
throughout the country are to cut t.
the limit, as declared by the above
paragraph?
Has not Taft been elected? Were
the republican spellbinders and news
papers and the railroad magnates lie
ing before the election last fall?
| Something is wrong somewhere.
Prosperity has been postponed.
But why?
Will the republican spellbinders OF
newspapers or the railroad magnates
| tell us?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

sea, and has operated the city's affairs
at saving of one full third over prev
ious administrations. Besides this, IL
has cleaned up the place morally and
physically. Its success in fact haa
been startling"
Instead of inefficiency, corruption
and wretched government these cities
have well nigh perfect government.
And most remarkable of all more i'm
provements are made than ever before
with the same money. Ire reason is
plain. Every dollar goes into improve
ments. Not a penny finds its way into
the pockets of boodlers.
President Eliot of Harvard just be-
fore his retirement predicted that
within 10 years every enterprising
American city of 100000 population
and under, will adopt the commission
plan Tin order to have the best gov
eminent of modern times
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Want the Commission System of Mu-
nicipal Government.

The cities of Rockford, Peoria and
Galesburg are agitating the adoption
of the on-DesMoines plan of
commission system in the conduct Of
municipal affairs, and other cities are
coming along in the same line. The
fact is the Galveston-Des Moines
method of local government has been
in operation over % years in the city
of Washington and by common consent
Washington is one of the best gov
erned cities in the United States The
only real difference between the Wash
ington and Galveston-Des Moines plan
is that the commission of the former
city is appointed, while the others are
elected.
Still if the commission system had
neved been tried it is well worth the
trial as nothing can be weaker, less
responsive to public demands or more
unrepresentative than the aldermanic
brand of local government. This does
not apply to Rockford alone but to all
other cities. Aldermanic government
is bad and inefficient government
everywhere.
To have good government we must
eliminate ward lines and the city as a
whole must be considered. S. J. Dillon
one of the authors of the Des Moines
system, declares "the ward system has
furnished the security for the corrupt
public service corporation and has fur
nished that. distinctive American, type
the ward heller and local political
boss. He cannot boss the city at large
but gets his bosship from the wards. y
When Des Moines abolished the coun-
Gil the ward boss was put out of bust.
ness and corruption was ended. OF
the commission plan Mr.. Dillon says.
| 1--WE believe that it is the ideal form
of government, because people have
1 it in their power to exercise, if they
wish, all the duties carried on by your
administration. 1t affords them the
opportunity of directing their own af
fairs and at the same time it places
the whole power and control Of mum
oipal officers in their hands. Every
Ordinance may be submitted to them
They may initiate any ordinance an6
may recall any official These provis
ions make this law the most demo
cratic form of government. and wher
we criticize the apathy which usually
exists on the part of our citizenship,
think it is only fair to say that thai
apathy exists because people have
never before had these rights, havt
never been able to exercise any RICH
in their city government The gen
eral sentiment in Des Moines is tina
We have a better government, and
know there is public interes
aroused out there such as has neve
before existed"
The head of the Galveston commits
sion, says:
Galveston. when they took charg,
of it was, as l have said. PRACTICAL,
! bankrupt. its paved streets We're gone
its municipal plants and building
badly wrecked. and it's citizens wer
in great financial straits. The con-
mission government has brought bacl
:, the city's credit to par. has raised
. special debt equaling 10 per cent O
, its valuation for the great work O
, raising the place above the level of tn
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Serious Charges.

Hon. Henry Rainey of Carrolton,
Green county, representing the Tween.
tieth district in congress. is not the
kind OF a man who "slops over He
is level-headed, conservative thinker,
and whatever he states, therefore, in
his official capacity as a member of
congress, must be accepted by the
public as having been thoroughly con-
sidered and based upon facts that have
come to his knowledge.
Mr.. Rainey delivered speech this
week on the Panama canal question
in which he charged that William Mel
son Cromwell, Roger l.. Farnham,
Charles P. Taft and others are parties
to the most infamous proposition ever
submitted to any government" and
that they "are being permitted not
only to- rob the republic of Panama
but Indirectly the treasury of the
United States" And further, he de
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Humor aae Philosophy
By DUNCAN N. SMITH (
UNAPPREcIATED.

AS We grow older and acquire
Age, dignity, some whiskers and
A tall plug hat and clothes to match
We cannot really understand
What fun there is for little boys
On chilly winter days to SHY =
A SNOWFALL round and hard as ice
At every ancient passerby.
1t may be many years ago
We liked such rude. III hammered
sport,
But even that can't make n right
Nor furnish an excuse in court
If any little boy of mine
Were caught in any such a prank
He'd have to meet me In the shed
Some reason there is, more OF less,
In any creature but boy
His notions are most warped and
strained
Regarding merrinent and JOY.
He should be brought up with a jerk
The moment it begins to snow
And told that other folks have rights
And shown the mark that he must
toe.
1t isn't pleasant. you can bet.
To every blessed moment fear
AS you go walking down the street
A chunk will get you in the ear
Boys will be boys. I've heard them
say.
And that is true, but. hully gee,
They'd better not. If they are wise.
Too many times get gay with me.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

Senator A. J. Hopkins lives in Au-
rora. He has lived there for many
years. Aurora is in Kane county.
In Aurora and Kane county the pep
pie know Hopkins better than he is
known in any other city or county.
At the fall primary Kane county
voted overwhelmingly against Hop
kins. The city of Aurora voted over
whelmingly against him. His own
ward voted against him. His own
precinct. voted against him. The peo-
pie who know him best turned him
down most emphatically. The reason
he wasn't turned down with equal en-.
phasis throughout the entire state was
because the voters were so engrossed
with the DeneenYates fight they just
overlooked Hopkins and he slipped
away with small plurality of the pri
mary vote with the aid of postmasters
district attorneys, district marshals
and their horde of assistants.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
A Cure for Misery.

II have found a cure for the misery
malaria poison produces" says R. M.
James, of Louellen. S. C. It's called
Electric Bitters, and comes in so cent
bottles. 1t breaks up case of chills
or a bilious attack in almost no time;
and it put yellow jaundice clear out of
commission. This great tonic med
icine and blood purifier gives quick re.
lief in all stomach. liver and kidney
complaints and the misery of lame
back. Sold under guarantee at all
druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
One Reason.

There may be two reasons for a
thing, both equally true, and it may
be the height Of folly to attribute the
effect to both. A gentleman to whom
art was a strange thing asked friend
to whom the ways Of its votaries were
more familiar:
"Why does Conneray stand off and
half shut his eyes when he looks at
the pictures he is painting? I was in
his studio the other day, and he made
me do 1t too"
'That's simply explained" replied
the other. did you ever try to look
at them near to, with your eyes wide
open? Well, don't. You can't stand
it"-Youth's Companion.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

In the event the general assembly
should not succeed in electing a SEN
ator, Governor Deneen has no author
ity to appoint a successor to Senator
Hopkins. There would be a vacancy
in the Illinois senatorial delegation
after March and Senator Cullom
would be the sole representative of
this state in the federal senate. But
at any rate vacancy would be an i'm.
provement on Senator Hopkins.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

Jingoes stir up war talk with Japan
and then hide their heads under the
beds on the other side of the world.
Meanwhile congress appropriates $780,
100000 for a couple of battleships and
the flower of American manhood may
be called on to man them, but not a
warbellowing lingo will offer to en-
list.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Bad Stomach Trouble Cured.

Having been sick for the past two
years with bad stomach trouble, a
friend gave me dose of Chamber
lain's Stomach and Liver Tablets.
They did me so much good that l
bought bottle of them and have used
II bottles in all. Today I am well of
a bad stomach trouble.-Mrs. John
lowe. Cooper, Maine. These tablets
are for sale by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

A law has been proposed in Georgia
requiring every person who carries
concealed weapons to carry badge.
In time, says the Des Moines Register
and Leader, perhaps the prohibition
law will be amended so as to compel
every man carrying a bottle to wear
a corkscrew in his buttonhole.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

Could there be any better evidence
of the fact that Hopkins is all that his
worst enemies could say of him than
his persistent efforts to force himself
on the people of the state despite their
dislike for him? Selfishness, thy name
is HODkinS
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

If Governor c. S. Deneen is anxious
to discredit himself any further than
he already has in Illinois politics, it is
only necessary for him to attempt to
load Hopkins onto the people of the
state despite their protest.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

The law down in the canal zone
seems to be drastic. A man accused
of libeling three judges is confined
if one of those judges will only come
up here and try trust magnate. ap-
plying the same principle, his name
will be written higher than that OF
Kenshaw Mountain.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Whom Il Would Fit.

"Let me show you my mining propo-
sition," said the breezy man with the
big fur Overcoat and more confidence
than book agent.
But l never could understand those
things" replied the modest citizen who
wasn't out to purchase gold bricks.
But this is simple as A B c.
fought to be great for simple minded
people"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

s'This is wonderful age we live in."
"Yes; my husband says We are max
ing history right now"
Perhaps" remarked mother-in-law
in an exasperating tone of voice, that
is why he stays down town SO much
nights"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

Mayor Busse of Chicago having
failed to whip the legislature of Hi
nois into line for Hopkins, Governor
Deneen will now try his hand at the
job.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Vaiueiess.

"Loan me a dollar"
''But thought you said you have
lot of rich friends"
81 have"
"Why don't you ask the loan Of
them?"
''They aren't worth q dollar"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

The surprising thing is Hopkins
whom nobody wants, can get an
votes at all.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

Just little of the exposition week
weather that was left over. That's
all.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
No Chances.

Marriage is such lottery"
Except for the broken down noble.
men who marry rich American girls"
"What is it for themW
"a cinch"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Glad N % IL

To steal q kiss is not crime
Unless the girl should spurn 1t.
The thief is willing every time
With interest to return II.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

And Marconi Operator Binns re-
ceived the munificent salary of $12 a
week.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Careful.

81 believe you are afraid Of work.
you rogue"
"Not unless it gifts too near, num-"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

The German kaiser lived so years
before he knew he didn't know it all.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30

Oh, cut it out! Yes. "its cold enough
for your"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
THE ARGUS.

~ THE J. W. POTTER CO.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-30
Working Overtime.

''They aren't worth q dollar"
Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-01-13

REFUGEES
ARRIVE AT NEW YORK SEVEN
HUNDRED STRONG VESSEL
SAILED FOUR DAYS AFTER
QUAKE.

New York, Jan. 13.--The first r f.
ugees to reach New York, from the
devastated earthquake regions in
Italy landed here this morning from
the steamer Rex de Italia. There
were tn rteen hundred STORAGE end
twenty-five CABIN passengers. The
vessel sailed from Palermo January
1, four days after the earthquake
which kili ed twn hundred thousand
and carried seven hundred refugees
from the ne ghborhood OF Messlna
and Calabria. Commissioner Of I'M
M grafton Watchorn eaid that while
he realized fully the unfortunate
circumstances of the immf grants,
THAI the law won d have to be rig
Idly enforced. 1t will take some
time 30 examine the passengers.
Those who are not satisfied with the
r ling OF the board of inquiry on
Ellis ID and viii have the right TO
appeal to Washington.
Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-01-13

franchise TO the Tube City Railroad
was last n ght found guilty as In
dicted.
The case came to an abrupt Gloss
and the jury was out but fifteen
m nutes.
Attorneys for Cameron gave no.
tee OF AN appeal for new trial
and the accused was he's a In $4,000
baiA an increase OF $4,000 IN
which he was orig nally held
Former Councilman w. Az Mar n
said he was honest In selling hi
honor to Cameron and that he con
sidered IL very cheap at $4,000.
When asked Il he wou d not have
had to d1stribut, the money among
some OF his brother counciImen.
Martin naivsly sad that perhaps he
could have fooled them a Cameron
fooled him,
Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-01-13
STROTHER
WITHDREW
TDowELL MAN DID NOT OFFER
HIS NAME TO CAUCUS. r.
STRETCHING ELECTED SPEAK
Err AND L. J. FoRMAN pREsI-
DENT OF sENATE-oTHRR OF
FICERs OF LEGISLATURE.

Charleston, Jan. 13.--In the dis
tr.bution OF offices last night the
southern section Jared about as usu-
al--got lemon. James A. Strolh-
er. of Mcdowell, who had been look,
ed upon as leading candidate for
peaker of the house, did MOT oven
permit his name to go before the
caucus. j. p. Strickling, of Tyler
was elected without opposit on.
Mont Topping was again chosen
clerk. receiving 81 woes, to 13 for
Hodges and for Hennfng. DR..
Sutphin, Of Beckley, was nominated
for tergeant-at- arms, and J. M.
Buckley, OF Wood, for doorkeeper.
In she senate, Lewis J. Forman,
of Grant county, rece we'd 16 votes
20 z for Howard Suther and, Of Ran
dolph. Baker, Bailey, White and
Johnson id not go before the eau.
Gus. Whites name was presented
by his colleague but he withdrew
N favor OF Forman.
John 7. Harris, who has been
clerk ever since th9 Republicans
ga ned control OF the senate, was
e ected without opposition. John It.
5Imms, OF Fayette, was nominated
fer ergeant-at-arms, and c.. v.
Cough, of Grafton, for doorkeeper.