davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
THE SHORT BALLOT
Y N the political battles against vested

Y N the political battles against vested
privilege (whether it be the privi-
"A lege of getting a franchise cheap or
holding an easy job on city payrolls)
the battle ground is the ballot-a ball
lot the like of which is never seen
anywhere in this world save in Amer
lea. 1t usually contains upwards of
twenty elective offices-sometimes as
many as fifty, as in California this
month. Some of them are small, most
of them are purely executive and
hence not debatable, and others are
hopelessly insignificant. The powers
of government are dissipated among
obscurities until even the expert poll
tician, looking at the mass of nomi-
nations, can't tell what games are be-
ing worked. Making the ballot a jun
gle is not the way to get real govern
ment by the people. The long ballots
form natural ambush and it is no
wonder that the people-big, clumsy
and inexpert-get riddled by foes they
cannot see!
Woodrow Wilson is rallying the scat
tered forces of Democracy with a new
cry-"Short Ballot!' He has formed
a new civic association, national in its
scope, called the Short Ballot organiza-
tion. It's slogan is THE long ballot is
the politicians ballot. The short bal
lot is the peoples ballot"
The short ballot is any ballot on
which there are only few, saw five,
elective offices, all of them important
and naturally conspicuous before the
people. The idea is to give the people
clear, open plain as their battle
ground, ballot swept with the sun
| light of publicity, where every foe will
be clear, unsheltered target.
Des Moines, Galveston, and other
commissions cities have these
short ballots and the politicians count
for nothing there. The well-governed
cities of England, Germany, New
Zealand are all short ballot cities.
We can't devise a government that
will automatically be a good govern
ment. We can devise governments that
will be popular, The recipe is simple
if you want a few politicians to con-
troll, give the people hard, compli-
Gated job at the election. If you want
all the people to control, give them an
easy, simple, well-illuminated job-a
short ballot!
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

(Mayor Gaynor, IN
AS the times for election periodically
approach the same demand of large
number of people Is regularly heard:
"Just select some merchant or busi-
ness man and let him run the city
government as he runs his own busi-
ness" How easy It sounds! But this
is one of the worst delusions concern
ing city government. 1t is true that
the business affairs of city should be
carried on in a business way and that
good business and technical men should
be put at the head of departments and
details; but for the general manage
ment and political oontrol-a prime es-
sential which cannot be dispensed with
something more is needed. The gov
ernment of a large city is a. highly
complex legal and political machine.
1t has, prescribed by law, all sorts of
necessary checks and limitations upon
official power.
business man may do just as he
likes i'm his business, but not as a
mayor or in any public office. There
he is a mere instrument to carry out
the laws. His power of attorney Is
the law
The chief obstacle to the nomination
and election of fit men to city office is
national and state party prejudice or
bigotry carried into local politics. 1t
should never be mentioned there. The
motto of every sensible man should be,
national politics and issues for national
elections, state politics and issues for
state elections and local politics and is
sues and none other for local elections.
Every time this is said people who
talk more than they think, including
some newspaper editorial writer's, inn
mediately cry out that it is visionary,
that partieS cannot be done aWay with
that they are necessary. Certainly they
are necessary, and there is no sugges-
tion of doing away with them.
Voters in local elections should cross
the national party line freely, being in
fluenced by local considerations only.
Certainly voter who will vote for the
candidates of a party in a local cleo
tion simply because he believes In a
protective tariff, or In free trade, or in
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
HE'S INSURGENT

Q ONE of the most ardent admirers
of Colonel Roosevelt feared that
~ when he spoke he would not cast
his lot definitely and fully with the in
surgent wing of his party. He is
strong in his friendships, and it was
felt that his personal liking and SYM
pathy for Mr.. Taft would cause him
to take an unsatisfactory stand. There
fore his utterances on his first trip,
now under way, have been scanned by
his friends with no little concern.
What he has said thus far gives no
cause for disappointment to the most
ardent progressive. This term, long
since applied to the insurgents, has
been assumed by Roosevelt as in the
phrase of speech defining the atti-
tude of his side in the New York state
fight:
The progressives are emphatical-
ly in favor of taking a real step
forward for direct primaries, sub
stantially on the lines of Governor
Hughes proposition.
That is quite definite enough to fix
his status, for none of the so-called
regulars, the "old guard" want direct
primaries, which spell speedy death to
their kind. But again:
Our war is ruthless against every
species of corruption, big and little,
and against the alliance between
corrupt business and corrupt poll
tics.
Not even La Toilette, or Billy Kent,
or Pinchot, or stephens of our own
district could compress insurgency bet
ter into a pungent sentence. Finally,
as proof that Taft, who is for party
solidarity, with the old guards still in
command, and Roosevelt are not
thinking alike on another question,
take this expression of the lion hunt
er:
1 believe in party government,
but the moment a question of hon
esty is involved l recognize no
party distinction.
He will do. Insurgents who have
been uncertain can go to bed without
worrying as to Roosevelts stand when
they get up. The fight is over for the
insurgents. But they should observe
the rules of civilized warfare and give
the regulars a decent burial.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
DECLARES HOME is PLACE
FOR THE MAN TO SMOKE

Editor Herald: I would like to refer
to a letter by G. H. Woodall of Holly
wood in your paper few days ago.
He says mo one ever objected to my
smoking except an occasional old
fogy."
His definition of fogy seems to be
any one whose opinions on the sub
ject of smoking differ from his own.
He speaks of the Grand avenue cars
and asks Where will the poor men
smoker" Let them smoke at home
if they must smoke, where they have
private rights that will not be med
died with, and where they will not
interfere with other peoples rights.
He says rs per cent of the men
smoke with the consent of their wives,
and if this be true they will encounter
no opposition there.
Wives frequently put up with many
things not at all to their liking, but
other peoples wives are not going to
do it so graciously.
1 happen to live on the Grand ave-
nue. line and have spoken to many
smokers on the prohibited portion since
the law came in force, especially at
first, and with few exceptions they
stopped with good grace and in some
cases even thanked me for reminding
them. A SO-CALLED FOGY.
Los Angeles, Aug &C.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
TOO STRONG

MUCH of the progress made by the
N Socialists in the past few years
LII has been made because of the
growing temperance of utterance on
the part of the leaders. Violence of
conduct or speech seldom convinces
anybody worth convincing. The plat
form adopted by the Socialists of Los
Angeles county at their convention on
Sunday thoughtfully and carefully
phrased in most particulars, was
marred by this sentence:
We declare that in no city of the
civilized world are there more hon
est men in Jail, nor are there, pop
ulation considered, more scoundrels
in public office than there are in
the city and county of Los An
geles.
Whatever element of truth there may
be in this utterance, it is not true as
it stands, and it were better left un-
said in this form. Socialists are very
earnest people, often vehement. Some
are tactful and moderate. These lat
ter are the ones who make the most
converts. The other kind are the ones
who repel the people most worth hav-
ing.
Things have been going their way
of late years in a manner that should
be quite satisfactory to all reasonable
Socialists. The trusts and the osten-
tatious rich and the growing number
Of very poor are making converts for
them pretty rapidly. 1t isn't necessary
for them to use violent language, when
they have so many hard facts on their
side.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
Problems of City Government
Mayor aarnor. in september century,

September Century,
n tariff for revenue only, or in single
standard of metallic money. which mas
nothing whatever TO do with the case.
is doing a very stupid If not degrading
thing He is responsible for local
bosses; his party prejudice plays risnt
into the hands of the boss.
Nothing should influence the voter II
n local election except the local ques-
tions of men and measures wnlcn are
IN for consideration. And 1t If q ms
nomer to call officials non-partlsan
who are elected in this dlscrliillnalills
way. They are partisans, but only on
local issues, and 1t is entirely seemly
and proper for them to make their ap-
pointments to office or place from the
local party which elected them.
An Inevitable cause of corrupt local
government is the control of the gov
ernment or the conduct of officlals py
outside bosses or organizations. lhe
long era of that condition is passing.
When the writer of this article so stat
ed i'm Tammany Hall during the last
mayoralty contest in the city or New
York he received more ridtcule than
sober consideration for It, And yet we
are on the eve of being completely
emancibated from such condition. only
an ignorant or corrupt community
could elect a mayor who would be such
Iool. pupliO oitiSie'i ss. s,sts
from a sense of official responsibility
only. This does not mean that he
should ignore politicians or party lead
ers, or refuse to consult with them or
listen to them, but only that in the end
he should follow his own enlightened
official judgment in every official act.
A mayor, governor or president may
learn much in respect of what not to
do, as we'll as of what to do, by listen
ing to the advice of political leaders
or even political bosses, as they are
called. 1t is only weakling who will
declare after reaching some high office
that he will have nothing to do with
politicians" and it is always painful
to see such an official so distrustful of
his own fortitude or integrity or else
so confident that he knows everything,
as to assume such an attitude. 1t Is
the sign of a little man.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
OBJECTS BECAUSE SMOKING
ON CAR WAS NOT STOPPED

Editor Herald: August 1 boarded
car at Eighth street and Grand ave-
nue.. After walking through the front
section, which was well filled with
smokers, 1 passed on to the rear sec
tion There also 1 found the air blue,
and unfit to enter human lungs. The
conductor was speaking with a friend,
and after riding two blocks, l inter-
rupted to ask (which end of the car
was to be used by smokers" He re-
piled, Both, if they want to-" and
resumed his visit which lasted to st.
Andrews place, at outskirts of city.
A man who was seated in the car
when l entered, at once began TRADE
of abuse, insulting in the extreme, and
after riding some minutes, / discov-
cred that lis remarks were aimed at
me.
| appealed to the conductor asking
if he had any authority to prevent
further indecent remarks. He replied
that "any man had a right to talk as
much as he pleased on the car" The
smoker had meantime put away his
pipe, and remarked to me as he left
the car that he did not know it was
prohibited This experience proves to
me that a bold sign on the rear Sec
tion would protect patrons from both
insults and smoke.
S. b. T. WATSON.
Los Angeles, Aug. 26.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
Reputation of Gas Meter
tsan Francisco calD


anteeing the freshness of all the eggs
in the country in which the farm was
located. Last year alone the commits
sion tested 357.793 gas meters, and of
this number 3443 were found to be fast.
When a meter is fast beyond the slight
deviation allowed by law the company
must pay the expense of the test.
while If 1t is slow the consumer must
bear the expense. At the instance of
the commission the companies ANNUAL
ly return thousands of dollars TO con-
sumers who have been overcharged
through the exactions of gas meters"
The proportion Of dishonest gas me-
ters disclosed by these tests cannot
be said to be unduly large. or course,
it might be much larger If the ma
chinery of inspection did not exist, but
taking the results at their face value,
the proportion of error is not unnatur-
ally large. We should think that the
lighting corporations would welcome
a system of examination, because the
meters that they supply are necessarily
under suspicion, owing to the fact that
the companies are the only buyers for
these machines. A corporation that de-
sires a reputation for honesty should
court investigation.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30


The gas meter is the only inmate of
our homes that has no friends. Indeed,
this unobtruslve instrument is often
regarded as a thief, and sometimes
it is. At any rate, the New York
public service commission believes that
the meter will bear watching and has
instituted machinery for that purpose
which might very well be duplicated
in other cities. Lyman Beecher Stowe,
writing in the Review of Reviews, de-
scribes the work:
"As successor to the state commits
sion of gas and electricity and the
state inspector of gas meters the New
York public service commission has
achieved fundamental reforms in the
field of gas and electricity which can
only be referred to in passing. No gas
or electrical meter may now be in
stalled until tested and sealed as cor
rect by the commission. In former
days the state inspector would have,
say, a half dozen meters tested out OF
a lot of three or four hundred, and II
found correct he would accommodate
ingly approve as correst the entire
number. This vas like testing a half
dozen eggs on farm and then guar
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
HarneSsing Conversation
Csan Francisco POST

(San FraI
Idle conversation is to be harnessed'
according to an eastern dispatch. Men
have been at work for years trying TO
harness the suns lays and the energy
of the tides, also men have been trying
to solve the problem of lifting theln-
selves by their boot straps.
The alleged inventor of the CONVEX
sation-trapping machines declares that
he will be- able to operate sewing ma
chimes by attaching his devices to wo,
mems Jaws. All that the women VIII
have to do will be to converse ana the
sewing will be done. The dispateh does
not go into details regarding the ma
chine and it has the sound of hoax.
on the face of it the inventor, or
rather the perpetrator, of this Jest
would be about the best medium Tor
trial of the new machine. He probably
turns out enough idle conversation TO
create unlimited power If 1t could be
harnessed. When we think of the en-
ergy that is wasted In the movements
of the human jaw as exemplihed by
this gentleman it does seem pity that
it cannot be harnossed and put to
good use.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

CISCO HoSU
1t may be true that the members of
the softer sex are fonder of ccnversa-
ton than those of the sterner sex, but,
after all, it seems that the sterner sex
has wasted unlimited conversation in
telling about the conversational pro-
clivities of the other. At any rate,
they have talked enough about the
talking powers of the women to more
than balance the burden of excess talk
ing.
If there is really machine that can
husband the power of conversation 1t
should not be used upon women alone.
1t should be used upon those Of the
other sex who have so much time to
talk of the talking powers of the wo-
men, BY all means let the excess con-
versation be harnessed if it is possible
to do so, but do not discriminate in
the places where conversation power
can be obtained. Take all the idle con-
versation that is floating around loose
and put 1t into use. When the first
machine is completed let 1t be hitched
to the jaws of the inventor and so
much power will probably be obtained
that it will be unnecessary to have any
more of them.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
NO DOUBT NOW THAT
MEXICO is 'BARBARoUs

Editor Herald: If the Letter Box
readers have any doubt left that Mex
leo is barbarous-at least that part or
Mexico which constitutes the govern
ment-Mr. j. X. Turner's article, "The
Eighth Unanimous Election of Diaz
in the September number of the Pa
cific Monthly, will dispel the doubt,
Here is a story of newspaper sup
pressions, political imprisonments,
banishments, assassinations and mas
sacres, all perpetrated by the govern
ment of a so-called republic in order
to put down the peaceable efforts of
a democratic party to represent them
selves at the polls. How any Amer
lean who processes respect for the
labors of his revolutionary forefathers,
who has a spark of democracy in his
soul, indeed, can apply the word mod
ern" or progressive" or "benefcent"
to the government of our sister re-
public (?), or who can class the ruler
of that country among the statesmen
Of the day, is beyond me. e. ID.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
Don't Kill Snakes and Toads
CE. D. Powell. in outingl

The French town authorities post
village bulletin boards for public in
struction. One of these reads: Hedge
hog; lives upon mice. snails and Wire
worms-do not kill hedgehog. Toad:
helps agriculture, killing twenty TO
thirty insects every hour-do not Kill
a toad. Cockchafer: deadly enemy TO
the farmer; lays 100 eggs at time
kin the cockchafer" 1t would be a
good idea for our own government to
post bulletins of this sort inste, of
printing so many for circulation.
In the south most of the snakes are
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

of great value, and that is relatively
true everywhere. The blue racer, a
handsome fellow, is estimated to be
worth $40 year to destroy mice and
gophers. The bull snake and garter
snake destroy insects and rodents with
out themselves hurting the garden.
In my Clinton ground we have so long
protected the little garter snake that
he suns himself on the compost piles
without fearing us at all. Why not
Why carry a spite because a serpent
is said to have tempted Eve? Was 1t
not a fair match? Poisonous snakes
are nearly as rare as those that talk.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
Merely in Jest
THE REAL THING

Fred aged g. had been a naughty boy and
his mother had punished him. He felt very
much hurt and complained to his auntie about
his mammals spanking him. Auntie said: 1T
is not you that mamma spanks, but little
devil inside Of you who makes you do naughty
things. After sitting very still for five min
when that devil gets spanked. The Delne-
ator
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

The Poughkeepsie woman who tried
and failed to get $4,000 jewel necklace
through the custom house without pay
ing duty is only a vulgar smuggler, al
though her fashionable friends might
be shocked at the term.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

One Of the scientists here to attend
the Pasadena convention is travelling
25,O00 miles to see d brief sun eclipse
in Australia. If he can return this way
in November he will see some political
eclipses worth coming for
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

The census bureau announces the
population Of Danville, ILL.,, as 27S71.
1t may keep on growing in numbers,
but Danyilles influence in public af-
fairs is expected TO show a shrinkage
long before the next enumeration.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

Those who are inclined to bewail that
the presidency is not in more vigorous
hands should pause a moment and give
thanks that a malign fate has not
thrown it into the hands of oily Jim
Sherman.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
TOUCHING VERSE

At first she touches uo her har
To see II It's In place.
And then with manner debonair
She touches up her face.
A touch to curls behind her ear,
A touch TO slken collar.
And then she's Off to hubby dear
To touch him for dollar.
New Orleans Times Democrat
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
Public Letter Box

TO ESPONDENTS-Letters Intended
for publication must be accompanied by the
name and address of the writer. The Herald
gives the widest latitude to correspondents.
but assumes no responsibility for their Views
Letters must not exceed 200 words.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

The St. Paul Mining company of the
Cherry mining region has offeed to pay
500 each to the widows of the recent
explosion victims. The company prob
ably reasons that this is generous, since
the men are dead and Of no further
use to II.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
REGARD For MosBY

sympathy for Col. Mosby in his deposi-
tion from the department of justice has
leaped over sectional boundaries to hnd
expression all over the nation. NO words
of commentator for the action of Attorney
General Wickersham in releasing the IA
nous cavalry leader and able lawyer from
the service of the government have been
Times Dispatch.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

If it should come about that Gaynor
(Which is improbable. Of course) it
would be a contest worth watching in
New York.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

After reading Mr.. Taft's new panegy-
at the ingratitude of California con-
stituency that would refuse to send
Duncan McKinlay back to congress.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
AN AFFINITY SLY.

YES" confessed the leading man Of the
transforming aggregation. as he led the
bunch cityward via the cross-tie route. Il
am welded to my art"
well. don't let it worry you" replied
tho soubrette. you can easily get di-
vorce on the ground OF incompatibility.
Chicago News.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
DOWN ON THE FARM

Gee, pop" Whispered the little boy at the
country boarding house, "the landlady says the
table is groaning with good things. what
does she mean by that?"
"Sh! Not so loud" whispered his father
as he tackled half-raw beet. Maybe it is
groaning with indigestion. .'-Chicago News.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
ITS RR1EF REIGN.

Every new warship launched these days
is the biggest thing ahoat until some ma
lion devoted also to the promotion Of
peace, launches something.-Philadelp
Ledger.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

Hope is the best remedy for the
blues, says Bishop Fallows, This wise
observation is a match for the sea cap
tain's suggestion of an antidote for
seasickness-lie under an apple tree.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

What a relief it must have been to
Senator Aldrich to have the New York
squabble and the forest fires occur to
take the public attention away from his
rubber tariff for a while
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
CENTER OF rouGHNEss

Inquiring Tourist-Would you call this a
tough town?
Stray Native-Tough? Say, stranger when
we have Old Home week here detectives from
all over the country come and pick out just
who they wantl-Puck.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

It is said that only twelve members
of congress failed to introduce bills in
the last session. There is much to be
said for the claims of that dozen to re-
election.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

AS fast as the Republican party gets
its Cannons and Aldriches practically
disposed of along comes some dod-
gasted new problem like Jim Sherman.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30

Mr.. Rockefeller wants public high
way closed because the noise of passers
disturbs his sleep, and if he wants it
closed who's going 60 stop the closing?
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
SAFE AND SANE

why do you call your new picture
DAWN"
Because" replied the young impression
ist, few people know what dawn looks
like; hence they are likely to take my
word for it"-Chicago Record Herald.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
SHARKS. LEGAL AND ILLEGAL.

The charge is made that legal sharks
have fattened on the Indians. 1t looks.
however, as IL many of them were Illegal
sharks--Philadelphia North American.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-30
nor ALWAYS NEcEssARY

prominent lawyers wife had fads about
hygienic sleeping. She once asked her hus-
band rs it better to lie on the right side
or on the other?" He answered, absently:
my dear, when one is on the right side 1t
generally Is not necessary to do much lying"
Index.