davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

is claimed that only two Mobile saloons
have closed, and that the consumption
of liquor is as great as ever.
Gen. T. S. Sharretts, the veteran
tariff expert who assisted the Demo
Gratis in rigging up the Wilson Tariff
bill, is authority for the statement that
the recent tariff bill passed by the Sen
ate shows a per cent. reduction from
the rates of the Dingley law, and a ma
terial reduction from the House rates.
A bronze tablet, presented by the
Chicago Congregational Club in COM
memoration of the arrival of the Pill
grim fathers in Amsterdam in 1909,
and in recognition of the hospitality of
the City of Amsterdam, was unveiled
in the English Reformed Church of
that city, Since the year 1907 Eng
disappearing people have worshipped
in this church, including many of the
Pilgrims and others who in the Seven
teenth century became colonists in
America.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
Arthur Cloar Here.
IlIllnS.

Arthur Cloar, one of the eight Reel
foot Lake Nightriders, who has been
confined in the Madison County jail for
several months and who has been quite
i'll for the past fifteen days or more with
something like typhoidbilious fever,
was taken Friday night by Sheriff T. j.
Easterwood, of Obion County, and a
brother of the prisoner to Union City,
where he was placed in the Jail at that
place.
The prisoner was taken on an order
from the Obion County Court, which
was issued by Judge Jones, who tried
the Nightrider cases.
Hon. Rice A. Pierce, leading coun-
sci for the Nightriders, made applica-
ton to the Obion County Court to have
the sick prisoner removed to Union
City, where he would be nearer his rela-
tives who could better assist in taking
care Of him at that place.
The prisoner, looking pale and show
ing the effects of his long confinement,
was taken from the local jail to the
union depot in a hack.
During his illness every possible at
tention was shown him by Sheriff Pear
sons and his assistants as well as by DIR.
G. c. Drake, the county health officer.
jackson Sun.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
PIANO RECEIVED.
Popular Girl Premium Piano
at Union City Bank and
Trust Building.
Contestants Very Busy
Contest is in Full Swing and the Spirit
Increasing-The Piano is a Fne
One-Call and See 1t.

We take much pride in calling atten-
ton to the work being done by the
girls of Union City and Obion County
in The Commercial Popular Girl Piano
Contest. Not only the girls, but many
of their friends are awakening to the
importance of securing one of our big
$400 pianos or other special prizes.
Bear in mind that every premium we
have named will be given away just as
we have advertised them. On Saturday
night of this week, we will give to some
of these girls beautiful gold locket
and necklace. 1t is now at our Office
and will be handed to the winner not
later than 7 O'Clock Saturday night. Be
sure and get all the money in you can
this week in order to get the benefit of
the big extra fine vote on every $40 on
subscriptions turned in at one time on
or before Saturday evening, July II,
at o Ocl0cK.
There are several earnest workers now
in both the city and county contests,
and the race bids fair to be one of keen
interest and much enthusiasm to all in
terested, and we are glad to note that
all rivalry is of a friendly nature. We
guarantee fair, square deal to all.
The ones who secure the most votes
will win the prizes. One of these pianos
is now here, and has been examined
and endorsed by one of our leading
who declares it fine instru-
ment of unmistakable value and merit.
The other will be here in short time.
All the contestants and their friends are
invited to call and see them and play
on them. Both are shortly to be given
away to popular girls of Union City
and Obion County. The closing date
Of the contest is not far off, but we will
give due notice of same in these COL
1noDS
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
NEWS ITEMS.

The final brief of John G. Carlisle
and Edmund w Taylor in behalf Of
the straight" whiskey men will be
filed with the President.
Wall street rumor has it that the
Union Pacific is to absorb the Illinois
Central as soon as Hartman returns
from Europe. Officials of both roads
deny the rumor.
A hurricane did much damage to
property at Panama. Telegraphic COM
munication has been interrupted, and
it is feared that interior and coast ttowns
have suffered considerably.
During quarrel at their home at
Waco, Texas, j. NJ. Parkes, 90 years
old, ATTACHED his wife with a club and
inflicted bunds that will probably
cause her Death. He then hanged him
self to tree in the backyard.
The Sheriff at Mobile has placed men
at near beer" stands to take the
names of customers. 1t is said the pro-
is under the Prohibition law. It
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
Rev. Jerry M. Moss.

Fulton, KY, July 9.-Rev. Jerry NJ.
Moss, one of the Oldest and best loved
citizens of Fulton, died this morning at
2 o'clock at his home in West Fulton.
Yesterday morning, while sitting in his
room, Mr.. Moss was stricken with par
alysis and fell to the floor. Physicians
were hastily summoned and all that
medical skill could do was done for
him, but his condition was hopeless
from the start For years Rev. Mr..
Moss was regarded as one of the lead
ing ministers of the Methodist Church,
but the infrmities of age forced him to
quit the ministry a few years ago.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

judges and courts where he can have
fair and impartial trial according tC
general rules of lava fair and square
deal. And nothing can take away that
consolation like loss of confidence in
the courage, and duty-doing sense of
the courts.
1t is openly advocated that accused
persons be convicted first and the law
for it found afterward, but judges with
oaths upon their consciences cannot
stand for that They are not street.
takers, but men with duties to do
1t does not follow that these accused
persons will escape. Whether they do
or not is matter for the community in
which they dwell, the people Of Obion
County, Tennessee, and not for the Su-
preme Court The question for that
Appellate Court was whether the SEN
tence of death had been pronounced
upon these men according to the de-
mands of the law
When the court found it had not, its
duty was plain and that it discharged
that duty, regardless of what persons
not charged with that duty may say, is
good and healthy for the people of Ten
nessee.
Under our elective short-term system
the judges are hampered and trammeled
sufficiently. Let us not add to those
restraints. Let them be free to admin
lister the law as under their oaths they
see fit, and not as those whom the peo-
pie have not invited to be judges may
wish it to be. AT any rate, let those
who are off the bench not denounce
those who are on the bench for admin
istering sane, ancient, and established
laws Laws do not become 'Techni-
calities" through calling them techni-
calities," I" and many technicalities are
good. JOHN j. VERTREEs.
Nashville, July s, 1909.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
Roach-Black.

Fulton, Ky, July 9.-Announce-
ment of the marriage of Henry Mum
cey Roach to Miss Pearl Black, which
occurred Sunday, July 4, in Princeton,
KY, has just been received in Fulton.
The bride is the accomplished daughter
of John w. Black, a leading business
man of Princeton The groom was
born and reared here, but has for sew
eral months been living in Eddyville,
KY, where he holds a position as guard
in the penitentiary.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
WHERE LAW, LOGIC AND
JUSTICE WERE CONSIDERED.

The day for escaping the conse-
quences of crime on mere technicalities
not going to the protection of essential
right has gone by, and violators of law
had as well accept the fact and act ac-
cordingly"
In our criticisms of the decision of
the Supreme Court in the Nightriders
case, we have said nothing more than
what is quoted above. If the Supreme
Court of the State of Tennessee had
acted under this proposition, all would
have been we'll. Justice would have
been done, and the murderers of Rankin
would not have escaped.
Some of our sapient case lawyers who
have no idea of right or wrong further
than courts decisions, reading the
above proposition, and not knowing
whence it came, would condemn us if
we demanded that it be applied in rul-
ing on the Nightrider cases.
1t makes an absolute cleavage be-
tween right and wrong. 1t goes to the
heart of things, of the issue rather than
to the accidents of the issue.
The proposition is good logic. Those
lawyers who have written us, obiecting
to our grounds of criticism of the
court, would hardly accept it as fun
damental rule for drawing a distinction
between right and wrong But in order
that we may ease their souls, we beg to
state it is good law as well as good logic.
The proposition is taken from the case
Of the State VS.. Staley, II Tennessee,
page 567 Decided by the Supreme
Court of Tennessee in the December
term of 1879, and the lawyer who
kindly cited us to it is one of the most
in this country.
The language is not ours. 1t is the
anguage of the court-the same court
hat in 1909 decided the Nightrider
,ases on alleged incorrect methods of
jurors without going into the
merits of the case at all.
To all other obiectors to our position
IS to the Supreme Courts decision, we
merely state that former members Of
his court give us warrant in truth and
n law for all that we have said.-Com-
nercial Appeal.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

John J. Vertrees, Tennessee's eminen
attorney, writes The American a mos
interesting communication regarding
the recent Supreme Court decision il
the Nightrider case. The American
took occasion to express opinion on tn,
action of the court several days ago. /
is gratifying to note we are sustained il
the position taken by SO wise a coun
cillor as Mr.. Vertrees. He writes as
follows:
To The American:
The structures, under the guise of crit
icism, which newspapers have passed
upon the recent decision of the Supreme
Court in the Reelfoot Lake Nightrider
cases call for special notice.
1t is the right of every citizen to dis
cuss the opinions of the courts, to crit
icise their reasoning, and expose by
argument the unsoundness of their con-
clusions. The newspaper or the citizen
who undertakes to show that the Su-
preme Court has erred, in all decency,
ought to be reasonably learned and
fairly qualified to perform that self
imposed task.
1t is the right of any citizen to charge
that the Judges of the Supreme Court
are foolish or dishonest, but plainly no
man with proper ideas as to civic duty
and the public welfare will make such
charge unless it can clearly be estab-
lished.
/ am not familiar with the record I'm
these Nightrider cases, and have no
knowledge of the facts beyond the loose.
and distempered reports which news
usually give, but upon the knowl-
edge have, / wish as a citizen, and
member of the bar of Tennessee, to
the people of this State
upon the sense of duty-doing which
this Judgment shows characterizes our
Supreme Court
Public Opinion Is Strong for Pun
ishment.
The murder of Capt. Rankin was SO
atrocious that the case attracted great
public interest When it was made to
appear that there was an oath-bound
band organized for lawlessness and vio-
ence, and that the military strength of
he State was invoked to maintain Or
Ter and enforce the law, the public in
crest increased and newspapers through
,ut the country not only published
that would influence the ex-
,ited and indulgent public, but clam
,red for blood and punishment There
appeared to be but one side to the case.
The killing was inexcusable, intimidat-
ng to the people of Obion, and delib-
rate. The inquiry was not, Are the
perpetrators guilty of crimeY" but it
vas merely, Are the accused the guilty
Public opinion outside of
'ennessee, and in Tennessee, was, and
! strong for punishment. The SEN
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
George Oliver.

George Oliver, an aged citizen of the
country north of Harris, died on Thurs
day Of last week, July 8. Deceased
was one of the oldest citizens of the
county, and was survived by number
of children and grandchildren.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

"Rules of criminal law are not es-
tablished alone to try GUILTY people.
They are established for the trial of
ACCUSED persons. They are estab-
lished because innocent persons are
often accused as well as guilty ones;
and they are established for the inno-
cent and the guilty equally and alike,
to prevent favoritism and to give
square deal"
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

1T is openly advocated that accused
persons be convicted first and the law
for it found afterward, but Judges with
oaths upon their consciences cannot
stand for that. They are not street.
takers, but men with duties to do"
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
Mr.. VERTREES ON REASONING
Able Attorney Comments on
Recent Court Decision.

Mr.. Vertrees Pleads for Freedom
in the Administration of the Law
for Those Entrusted With Its In
terpretation---G ood HI althy
Signs for State.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

The killing was inexcus-
able, intimidating to the people of
Obion, and deliberate. The inquiry
was not Are the perpetrators guilty of
crime3 but it was merely Are the
accused the guilty partiesa' "
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

Big Muddy Washed Nut Coal is best
for cooking. At. Union City Ice & Coal
Co.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

tence of death pronounced by the trial
court received a great deal of printed
commentator.
Under the circumstances of that sit
uation the case was heard by the Su-
preme Court / assume that there is
not member of the court who is ever
eager to hang any man; but it is COM
mon knowledge, by reason of the num-
ber of sentences of death that are in
ficted by the court at every term, that
it never shrinks from the duty of pro-
nouncing the judgment OF death, when
in the opinion of the Judges the law
demands that the accused thould die.
There were no circumstances, so far as
have seen, in connection with the crime,
to mitigate the severest judgment of the
law - nothing which appealed to the
court to deal lightly with the accused, if
they were shown to be guilty men.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
and passion and rage.
Rules of Criminal Law Are Not
Technicalities.

The rules of criminal law and pro-
cedure which the people, when sane
and sober, have established for them
selves are not 'technicalities, " as some
are fiippantly saying, but laws which
the Judges of the Supreme Court of
Tennessee took Office oaths to admins
ter and regard.
When guilty miscreant is railroaded
or bayonetted through to his death it is
easy to feel that after all no great harm
has been done; and probably not, so
far as he is concerned. But the prac-
tice is one that begets lawlessness and
contempt of courts and increase of
crime, and which, therefore, does inn
nense harm to the community at large.
If it shall ever come to pass that our
Judges are deferred from administering
the laws which they are sworn to ad-
because in particular case
ny hC@loOAi VI OhC lAlSll -duN6IllS6u anu
atrocious guilt of the accused, they will
be denounced by the press and insulted
by the multitude, who will be safe
against the rage of the many?
If it shall ever come to be understood
that when the evidence shows guilt and
the community is against the accused,
the Supreme Court will disregard all
rules of law and procedure as 'techni-
ealities" and affirm and convict, it will
also then come to be understood that
he accused can not under any circum-
stances allow himself to be convicted
below; that is, that he can not rely up
IN the law for a fair trial, but must
ook to the jury and the witnesses.
Principal Comfort is Confidence in
Laws Reign.
The principal comfort which the citi-
EN- has is the confidence that he is un-
Ter the reign Of law, and there is de-
,artment of government represented by
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16
Constitutional Trial Not Given the
Accused.

w hSiAJ tiiSiSAoiNj III ~ NttoC VI pNSuiiuA
atrocity and extraordinary public inter-
est, case in which the law-abiding
called for judgment and the morbid,
newspaper-fed public clamored for blood,
the court, regardless of the question of
guilt or innocence, reversed the case be-
cause the accused had not been given
constitutional trial = had not been
brought to the scaffold in accordance
with the sane and orderly rules of pro-
cedure and justice, established by the
people themselves, when calm and de-
judgment that will meet the appro-
baton of disinterested persons who
stop and think.
The rules of criminal law are not es-
tablished alone to try guilty people,
They are established for the trial of ac-
cused persons. They are established
because innocent persons are often ac-
cused as well as guilty ones; and they
are established for the guilty and the
innocent equally and alike, to prevent
favoritism and to give a square deal.
The Constitution was not made for
the majority. Maiorities can always
take care of themselves. 1t was made
for the minority-for the man accused
1t was made by the majority in an hour
of sober deliberation, that the minority
may be protected against the majority
themselves in the day of excitement
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-07-16

The principal comfort which the citi-
zen has is the confidence that he is un-
der the reign of law, and there is a de-
partment of government represented by
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15

-Conigisky optician. VIM. Blk.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15
Henry Paine Banquet Dec. 21st.

In our last issue we announced
that the fire insurance men of Iowa
were making preparations to tender
a banquet to Mr.. Henry Paine of De-
corah on the 14th inst, in honor of
his completion of twenty-five years
in the insurance field of Iowa, as
state agent for the Continental In
surance Co. Since the announce
ment it has been found necessary to
change the date to the 21st, when
the banquet will be held at the
Chamberlain Hotel, Des Moines. 1t
is expected that a large number of
the insurance men of the state and
friends of Mr.. Paine will participate.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15

TO the orchardists, but did not ruin
all the crop. There is, however,
great fear that the buds may have
been so injured that the crop of next
year will be very light. Secretary
Greene in his making up Of the pro-
gram for this year included a great
deal of discussion about marketing of
apples, as he has found that growing
apples is much better understood
than marketing of them.
In the state of Washington there
is law which prohibits the shipping
of wormy apples, and state inspect
ors see that the law is enforced and
growers instructed how to grow and
protect their fruit. For this reason,
their apples bring the highest price
Of any apples produced in this coun-
try.
In some of these valleys land with
orchards started are selling for from
$500 to $4,000 an acre. Our Iowa
lands in favorable years would pro-
duce just as much if the same care
was given the trees.
Spraying in the spring, even be.
fore the trees are in full leaf, and
following with additional spraying,
seems TO be necessary there as well
as IN all other fruit growing coun-
tries.
In every school district in Iowa
there should be monthly, if not
weekly meetings, where agriculture
and horticulture could be discussed.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15
IOWA APPLES BEST In WORLD.
Former Head of Agriculture Board
Says Iowa is Best State For
Fruit Growers.

81 have been out in California and
in New Mexico and Arizona, and |
know Iowa has them all beat on
fruit" said Capt. Albert Head, form
err president of the state board OF
agriculture, as he surveyed the fine
apple exhibits in the corridors of
the state house during the show
there last week. Iowa apples are
the finest in the world. If the Iowa
fruit growers gave the same care and
attention to their orchards and put
as much expense on them as they do
in the far west they would get just
as excellent returns. They put a
lot of expense on their orchards, es-
pecially in California, and that is
why they make such fine showing.
But Iowa is better than any of
them"
"Yes," said George Van Houten
eff we had done as much advertising
of our fruit possibilities as some of
the western states, these orchard
lands would be selling at fabulous
prices"
DR.. Bailey of Mount Ayr, states
that in his county yield of $50
bushels an acre of apples was re-
ported this year. cit is simply won
derful how much money came into
southern Iowa this year to pay for
apples. Why. one day I saw lined
up at the yards in Mount Ayr fifteen
wagon loads of apples waiting a.
chance to unload, and the unloading
had been going on all morning. And
there were six or seven other places
in the county, where shipments were
being made.
Everybody who saw it was delight
ed with the great exhibit of fine
fruit which had been gotten together
this year for the annual show of the
state horticultural society. There
has not been anything like it at least
for many years. OF course, the
October freeze caused a great loss
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15
Mr.. Raves Last Work.

There came to our desk yesterday
copy of THE Trial of Christ" just
from the press of Sherman, French
g. Co., of Boston. 1t is the work
of the late John Brayshaw Kaye
OF Calmar, the manuscript of which
was completed and sent to the pub
fishers a short time previous to his
death. We shall find much pleasure
in giving it a careful reading, for it
is said to be his masterpiece, and
those who have read his 'Vashti,'
Songs of Lake Geneva" etc., know
them to be the work of a finished
writer, whose profound intellect and
rare literary talent is reflected in his
writings. His last work is a poem,
describing in seven stages his con-
ception of the Trial of Christ, as he
has interpreted it from the Bible and
works of history and fiction. The
book may be had from the publish
ers, the subscription price being
S1.00.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15

Paints, Oils, Wall Paper, Glass
and Putty at Brunt & Parman's.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15
Christmas Gifts for the Poor.

The Ladies' Union Aid Society are
making preparations for the distri-
button of Christmas gifts among the
poor of the city, and will appreciate
any thing that may be given for this
purpose. All gifts should be left
with Mrs. F. w. Conover, corner
Broadway and Mechanic streets, not
later than Friday morning, Dec
oath
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15
Apples. Apples.

Haven't you got your apples yet?
Don't delay longer. The quality is
fine. Prices are right, and we have
the varieties. We are headquarters
for apples, and all fresh fruits
Early buyers get the best always
Special prices now at
Hutchinson Grocery.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15
Working for the Automobil 3.

Mr.. N l.. Wick wishes us to ask
his many friends to kindly give
their votes to his daughter, Miss
Della Wick, when paying their sub
scriptions to Public Opinion. This
must be done this week, as the con
test closes Saturday. He will be
very grateful to all who will do so.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-15
We Have an Excellent

Assortment of Mems Suits and Over
coats; some splendid values-and
many models of the newer styles in
Young Mems Suits. The splendid
character of the merchandise we Of
fer our trade assures the fullest
satisfaction to all our customers.
See us now, while the assortment is
complete. BEN BEAR.