davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1910-02-17
Twice Told Tales.

An old familiar story is revived about
the attitude Of distinguished Southern
crs toward slavery. We are told that
such gentlemen as ROBERT E. LEE, Jo-
sEPH E. JOHNSTON and many other Vir-
ginians did not believe in slavery. alb
horred it in fact, manumitted their own
chattels and looked upon the system
with profound aversion. And all this
ia given buoyantly as a recent discovery,
something to provoke astonishment and
to strain credulity.
A hundred years ago, not only in
Virginia but throughout the South,
slavery was held in deep disfavor.
Early In the nineteenth century great
numbers Of shareholders moved into
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, chiefly for
the purpose OF manumitting their ne
groes. That the first generation re-
mained with their old masters and
worked for them does not affect the
proposition. They loved and trusted
their former owners and shrank from
contact with communities where free
nigger" was term OF reproach and the
freedman's appearance an invitation
to pursuit and persecution. The feel
ing prevailed everywhere south OF the
Potomac and the Ohio. The great
hereditary shareholders, almost with
out exception, disapProved the institu-
ton and realized its injurious influences.
They were fond Of their dependents,
watched over their. health, saw to their
feeding and their clothing, presided over
their weddings, named their children,
and attended with reverence and sor-
row their humble funerals. Nothing
throws a clearer light upon the situation
before the war than the social avoidance
and contempt in which those inevitable
evils the professional overseer and
slave trader were always held. Even
to this day, half a century after the
civil war, it holds good among the sur
viving aristocracy Of the South, rich and
poor alike, that descent from either of
those classes carries with it a certain
social disqualification and makes for
hostile and suspicious points Of view.
In Louisiana, and no doubt in other
States, there was distinct effort to lead
the ordinary slaves to higher things.
They were educated according to their
bent to be artisans of every class. They
became coopers, blacksmiths, carpen-
ters, masons, sugar boilers, even musi-
clans, &c, and they had their freedom
practically under generous contracts.
They no longer lived under surveillance.
To all intents and purposes they were
free. They were still protected under
a loose rein as bondmen, but they built
their own homes, reared their own
families and lived as freemen, with their
property rights guaranteed by law.
There is nothing new in this resurrec-
ton, notably inadequate, OF an ancient
and once fragrant state of things. II
may be technically true that the South
went to war to perpetuate the institu-
ton Of slavery, but it is equally true that
the great Shareholders took part in it
with reluctance.
The sun., 1910-02-17
The Aaueduct Commissioner.

For kicking out the four Aqueduct
Commissioners Mayor GAYNoR deserves
thanks. They constituted a useless and
expensive board and this was sufYicient
reason for making an attempt to abolish
their offices. And this was not all. These
particular Commissioners had tried to
keep their names on the city pay roll
for life.
When Mayor VAN WICK appointed
them in 1898 it seemed impossible that
their jobs could outlast his term. The
work for which the board was estab-
lished was practically finished. So in
1899 these astute politicians, moving
with bipartisan zeal and directness, ap-
piled to the Legislature for the enact
ment Of law to enable them to hold
Office until the completion of the work,
a date to be decided by themselves.
This law the Legislature passed and
THEODORE ROOSEVELT signed. Its au-
thors believed that it protected them
from removal except on charges, and
they had fun confidence in their ability
to keep up a semblance OF labor on the
Croton water system so long as their
salary checks arrived regularly. They
had every incentive to delay.
By the time Mr.. MCCLELLAN became
Mayor the Aqueduct Commissioners had
come to be regarded az irremovable
pensioners. Probably they considered
themselves immune, and the early
rumors Of Mayor GAYNoR's contem-
plated action they sneered at as mere
vaporings. Naturally they will fight
for their snug places. 1t is fervently TO
be hoped that the course Of procedure
the Mayor has adopted to rid the COM
munity of this useless board will be
upheld in the courts.
The sun., 1910-02-17
woodrow wilson.

To TIE EDITOR OF TEE SUN-Sir: The
inRra titude OF republics Is graceful virtue
in comparison with the attitude OF certain
Princeton graduates toward Woodrow Will
son, whose stand In the controversy over q
site for the university's graduate school has
alienated the alumnus who had half q mill
ion to give.
In seven years President Wilson has Sc
cured for the university many times the
amount OF money he has now. for the sake
OF what appears to be sound policy for
Princeton, caused to be withheld. In all
the muddle he seems to be the only con-
testant for a disinterested principle. West
is for West, the disaifected graduates are
for the upper class clubs, Wilson alone Is
for Princeton. Even though he may at
times employ means not wholly above re-
proach, as In the alleged coercion OF the pre-
csptoriaI staff in faculty votes. his purpose
appears to be patriotic.
It Is good TO see a college president who
knows when to refuse money.
NEW YORK. February 10. PRINCETON.
The sun., 1910-02-17
II FroJect to Avoid the Issue OF
Bonds.

It seems that the Sixty-first Congress
" committed to an annual river and haT-
Dor appropriation bill, in spite Of Rep
resentative AUGUSTUS p. GARDNER of
Massachusetts,, who read in the House on
Monday MARK TwAN's opinion that
sten thousand river commissions, with
the mines OF the world at their back
cannot tame that lawless stream Tthe
Mississippil, cannot curb it or confine
II; cannot-say to it, Go here or Go
there, and make it obey; cannot save
4 shore which IL has sentenced; cannot
bar its path with an obstruction which
il will not tear down, dance over and
laugh at" We conclude that this Con-
gress is committed to the policy Of con-
tinuous appropriations, for every refer
ence by Representative ALEXANDER Of
New York, who reported and explained
the bill Of this year, to the improvement
and completion of waterways which
have been adopted by Congress or
recommended by the Government en-
gineers was greeted with spontaneous
non.partisan applause. The sum OF the
appropriations carried by the bill is
o.. 600 900 (including several millions of
eathorizations). During the last twen-
ty.fvey years there have been gaps of two
and three years between river and harbor
appropriation bills, but the Sixty-first
Congress has not been able to turn a
deaf ear to the demands of the great
gathering in Washington OF friends OF
Improvement from every State in the
Union, which recently elaborated plan
OF waterways for the whole country to
cost lump sum. The action of the
analgamated friends of riparian and
harbor Improvement has had, as Mr..
ALEXANDER admitted, a decided leav-
ening effect, so that the Committee on
Rivers and Harbors believes that the
time is. now ripe for returning to the old
custom of an annual BILL" The chair
man Of the committee enlightened the
House:
" Projects which have been adopted by Congress
and hose which have been recommended. but not
adopted. amount 10 s2s4.ooooOo, not including G
S5.oco.ooo for the Mississippi Now. II you will
sdu those together ana divide them BY sz,Ooo,oOo.
.yos win nnd that all the projects recommended
60 Congress and adopted BY Congress can be com
pieted In twelve years. With bill OF 81. 600 oOO
year, including maintenance. This shows that an
annual bill need mot embarrass the Treasury.
Fhsre need be no call for bonds. no strain upon
ihe Treasury. II will simply be a bill OF between
szscp.ooo and s9S .oooOo which the Treasury can
take care Of"
l'It n sli 80 easy and practicable, pro-
The sun., 1910-02-17
The Two ship Plan.

To rHE EDITOR or THs SUN--sir: Mr.. Alfred
KubIs suggestion that every passenger ship
should be accompanied BY another Is most sensi-
hle Ia THE SUN, in which Il was printed, was a
vivid Illustration OF the danger ships run In sailing
alone In the wreck OF the French liner General
Chanay OF the Spanish coast In the Medlter-
rAnean.
When ship is alone on the high seas II 10 long
way from q haven Of help. Battloships. for In
stance. always 20 in souadrons. We know that
no one would venture across the desert alone. nor
would IL be sensible for d swimmer to 70 very far
from the shore without q companion.
To-day, with the wireless ph. ocean
voyages are safer than ever, but we still have
numerous wrecks II ships were to travel in
pairs aid would always be near At hand aud there
would be less danger OF loss Of life. Surely the
fate of the French liner In the Mediterranean with
but one life saved out Of ls7 is OF serous import
enough to demand somc action. Mr.. Kubn ad-
vances an idea worthy 0f consideration. ana II
should bo brought TO the attention OF the steam.
shlp companles. HKNKT II. LAYbURN
NEw YoRR, February io
The sun., 1910-02-17
THE SONG SPARROW COMES.
A Herald OF Spring. but 1t Dees Not Follow
That winter In Over.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir; On
January 2s heard in q suburb Of Elizabeth
the lively note OF a robin and following
the sound saw the visitor surveying the coun-
try from the top Of an elm. didn't regard
him as a harbinger of spring. for some
robins do not go south on tho approach
of winter. but pass the season in the pine
woods OF New Jersey. The bird saw must
have belonged to the winter colony and
may have been attracted to his old haunts
by the mildness OF the weather. No doubt
he returned to the pine belt, for the day
after a cold spell with snow set In.
This morning my walk with the fox terrier
took me down by the Elizabeth River and
my ear was caught by thin. sweet, falter-
ing strain. The minstrel had not found
his voice; he was tuning up and plainly
trying to make the best Of HIS indiscretion.
There was no mistaking this familiar visi-
tant. 1t was the song sparrow, and soon
made him out on spray above the stream.
His puffed out bosom feathers showed that
ne was cold.
The song sparrow, believe, is a resl
herald Of spring MY observation Is thar
while he may have to contend with snow
and frost he does not return south after
reporting for q season that lasts until late
In the fall, during which he sings blithely
without intermission. The song sparrow
has a dingy coat and Is q humble melodist.
bat gives so copiously Of his song store
that he is favorite with bird lovers.
WESTMINSTER. !
ELIZABETH, N. j., February 10.
The sun., 1910-02-17
THE kNOX NOTE.
A Conservative Nippon statespan's View
OF Impulse IN DIDI Omacy

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: That
the note OF Secretary OF State Knox has
caused quite q stir among the conservative
statesmen in japan cannot be Rainsaid.
The consensus OF their opinions seems to be
that TO the victors belong the spoils. and
they look with extreme disfavor upon any
thing that even resembles an enoroachment
upon what they deem 10 be their rights.
They realize, however. to a remarka BILE
extent the impossibility of Japan carrying
on a successful war with the United States
without assistance or Intervention OF one
OF the world Powers.
One OF these statesmen said to me: We
might be able to seize and hold the Philip
pines: yes, We might be able TO seize and hold
Hawaii, but your country would never give
up, and while we at FIRST might be successful,
our resources would net be sufficient to
carry on a long war without the assista noe
OF one OF the great European Powers, un-
sand here crafty smile played over
his face-"unless one OF the great Powers
should step In between us and follow the
precedent established by that versatile ex-
President OF yours" Then he added as
an afterthougft, with an inscrutabie ex-
preston on his face: "Ah. there was a re-
Inarkable man, a very remarkable man; but
impulse In diplomacy is Q dangerous in
eredient." AMERICAN TRAVELLER.
YoKoHAMA, January is.
The sun., 1910-02-17
A Rfraka aH lleniua .

To THE EDITOR OF TEE SuN-Sir: II
was a stroke OF genius to call a national
Republican caucus to meet in this city on
Lineoln's Birthday.
Still. using the name OF Abraham Lincoln
freely and gathering the recent misdeeds
OF the party under the shield OF his name,
calling for the followers OF the party OF
Lincoln to rally as such. would seem TO
indicate a desperate situation.
To shield the iniquities Of the tariff under
Mr.. Lincoln's name is startling In its au-
daclty. but the party is in straits.
A LINCOLN REPUBLICAN.
NEW YORK, February is.
The sun., 1910-02-17
Ireland Under Liberal and Conservative
CWyermments.

To THE EDrrok OF THE SuS-4stT: With refer
ence 90 several letters on tho subject Of home
rule In ireland that have appeared In TEE SON u
occurs 70 me that facts proved by statistics have
not been emphasized as they might have been.
In February. 1908, the Liberal party came Into
power after the Unionists had governed Ireland
moro than eleven ears; governed u wisely, fairy
and Justly. Il Is maintained BY many. In any case
Mr. Birrell, who became Chief Secretary for Ire
land under the Liberal Administrator that was
returned TO once In 1909, made tho following
statement in the House OF Commons on February
Is. 1907:
-I reJoice 10 think that at ell events when
come into this once Ireland is In state Of com
parative peace and comparative crimelessness-"
How do things stand now. and how does crime
compare at tho time the Liberals came into once
in 1905 with conditions In the present period
These are the authentic cures: Awrarlan outrsges
Increased from 1S4 In 1so6 10 SO In 1905 offences
Affecting the public peace increased from i@ In
1909 70 As9 In 1905: shooting outraxes Increased
from 4. In 1900 81 In 1905: OF boycott In.
creased from e02 IN 1909 70 sac In 1905: cases OF
cattle driving increased from none In 1909 TO Gal
in 1908. The neures speak for themselves.
NEW YonK. February 10. G.M ,
The sun., 1910-02-17

While in these other branches OF the
leather business the percentage OF In
crease IL smaller than il 10 in hides, the gain
is sufficient to indicate that the larger
importation OF cattle hides is not due en-
drely to tariff influence. Other influence
is also suggested by a comparison Of inn
port values, no reduction being shown
that can be attributed to the removal
Of the is per cent. duty. The reported
weights and values show the following
pound prices for the respective years:
1905, 1915 cents; 1908. lat cents; 1907.
l4.73 cents; 1908, 1l.s cents; first seven
months Of 1909. dutiable period, 1877 cents;
last Ave months OF 1909, free period, 14.5s
cents. II thus appears that the average
invoice price Of the free import term is
approximately the average invoice price
OF the first seven months OF the year plus
IS per cent, which was the amount OF
the duty. The advantage Of the reduc-
ton seems to have gone to the foreign
sellers Of hides rather than to American
consumers.
The prices OF hides in the Chicago
markets since August show their usual
fuctuation, but there is no reduction
which even suggests injury to the Ameri-
can industry by reason OF the removal
Of the duty and the greatly increased
importation. The obvious inference from
these figures is that increased American
buying in foreign markets has brought
the price in those markets practically
to the American level. II there is, as
alleged. a hide trust, a tanners trust or
q trust that includes all of these indus
tries controlled by the beef packers, the
position of the concern does not appear
to be materially weakened by the removal
Of the duty on cattle hides, nor does the
position OF their independent competi-
tors appear to be materially strengthened
by an unrestricted access to the hide
markets OF the world. Advantages to
consumers may come into sight later,
but this review indicates the experience
thus far.
The sun., 1910-02-17
I'M MILIIAM EvRRErr was a slnrnla,

DIR. WILLIAM EVERETT was singular,
original and delightful character. Az
different as possible in manner from his
fathers cold and faultless propriety OF
speech, he had a native gift OF effective
eloquence. A naturally shy scholar. with
a certain oddity, he became q hero Of the
stump In the great days OF the Mugwumps;
and he made many friends and some fame
in his one term in the House. We have
often wished that he could have stayed
there longer. He had wit, knowledge,
plenty OF opinions Of his own, courage
enough for a delegation. HOMAGE and
VERoIL, and many other eternal con-
solations OF the human mind.' must have
more than made up TO him for the excite
ments OF Washington. He had the touch
OF eocentricity that reconciles students 10
their teachers; and he will be remem-
bered with kindness and regret by many
Old pupils at Cambridge and Quincy.
The sun., 1910-02-17
The Sick Man or Europe.

From Revue de Msdsetns st de ChirErets.
whence comes tho expression "the sick mar" :
The Emperor Nicholas !. Of Russia was the in
ventor Of the phrase when his Majesty was on
visit 70 the Emperor Francis l. OF Austria, at
Mnnchengrsetz In isSS. The CEar. the Emperor
and Prince Mettcrnich were dining together. and
the Gar said prince Metternich. what do you
think OF the Turki 10 he not the sick mant-
Metternloh seemed not 10 notice the question. and
tho Gear repeated IL. Then replied MetternIch:
salt 70 the doctor or TO the heir that your Majesty
f,utn this uuostion1"
The sun., 1910-02-17
The British Raj in Malaysia.

To the Pan-German it is a matter OF
constant regret that the Kaiser, the
German navy and the German colonial
empire could not have existed century
ago, before Britain had seized on nearly
all Of the globe that was worth having
The staid Norddeutsche AltO0neine Zei-
tun0 has taken to publishing OF late a
Wekkorrespondenz, articles demonstrat-
ing how events in foreign lands affect
German interests, and one OF these from
Singapore expresses great displeasure
at some recent changes In the Malay
peninsula.
That peninsula juts out from the
Asiatic continent like a slender snake
parallel to the Hindustan peninsula
and forming the eastern side Of the Bay
Of Bengal At the tip is Singapore, or
its island one Of the greatest gateways
Of the worlds commerce. At the north
ern end are British possessions anc
Siam. The middle is still Siamese
though in the latest whiting Of thai
buffer kingdom, when a slice went II
French Cambodia, a section of the penin.
sula was put under British protection.
The southern end is divided up into q
number of little native States, all more
or less under the control OF Great Brit.
ain: the independent" Sultan Of Johore
whose domains face upon Singapore
Island, the Federated States of Malay.
sa. nominally under native rulers, but
managed by British Residents, and the
The sun., 1910-02-17
A ByrOnIo Relic.


From ne London Chronicle.
A recent traveller In South Austrslia discoveries
in the corner OF the yard OF a wayside inn near
Port Lincoln q carriage mat once belonged n
Lord Byron. II is sun In fair preserVAtIon. The
namo OF the London maker Is engraved on the
body of the vehicle. and on the panels are LORD
I3yron's motto and coat OF arms. Its small sized
wheels, leather work and general design indieaw
the period of Its construction.
Lady Charlotte Bacon, an intimate friend of
the poet--some OF his verses were addressed to
her--emlRrAted 10 South Australia, and 70 her me
carriage was sent On her death Il passed into
the possession Of q family in the Port Lincoln dis
trict and ultimately found Its way into the prosac
yard OF this bush inn. Sad 10 say, - bears eVi-
dence of having been used as q henroost.
The sun., 1910-02-17
Honest" Tariff Revision.

The cry for honest tariff revision will
4 mol down the Schenectady Star tells
sus. as sundry other more or less heated
sor honest contemporaries and politi-
clans win keep telling us so long as there
is tariff to revise.
What is honest" tariff revision2
Speaking generally, revision by your
own party. Only the friends Of the
tariff are At to revise it, according TO
the Republicans; according to Demo-
crats, only the Democrats, as the foes
for platform and declamatory purposes
F-of monopoly, privilege, special inter-
tcsts and other old favorites.
To Western insurgents, and indeed to
most revisionists, honest" revision pro-
tects what they want to sell and puts
ON the free list or reduces the duties on
what they want to buy.
4 To the manufacturer, so far as he is
dissatisfied, honest" revision means
free raw material and high duties on
what he makes therefrom.
X To most Democrats in Congress it is
stiff protection for the industries of their
States or districts-only call it duty for
revenue only. Honest as applied to
tariff revision means "for my interest.
There are professors and students Of
political economy who worship the in
Visible and inutile truth, but as a rule
the talk Of honest tariff revision is
cssentiaily, If not consciously, dis
honest; now, when so many patriots are
looking forward to the Congress elec-
tions, it Is mere patter.
The sun., 1910-02-17
I<rosTs AUousr ! TO sANUARf I
Duttdbls Period.

It will be noticed that the imports for
the seven months dutiable period OF 1909
In comparison with 1908 doubled. as did
the imports OF the Ave months period
during which in 1909 hides were free.
This naturally raises the question whether
the enormous increase in the receipts
Of last year were not due rather to COM
mercial requirements than to re duction
In tariff. In fact the increased buying
began In the fall Of 1908. Such q notion
would find support in the fact Of material
increase last year in receipts OF hides
and skins that were already on the free
list. The record Of all hides and skins
other than cattle hides stands:
IMPORTS.
The sun., 1910-02-17
Good o,a Ls,.ur.,y pArI.as,ph,..

To THE EDITOR or TEE SuN-str: Here are q
few samples Of old. wealthy and well established
insurance companies Of this staid town:
The Philadelphia Contributionship for the In
surance Of Homes from Loss BY Fire.
The Mutual Insurance Company for the InsuT-
ance Of Houses from Loss BY Fire.
Corporation for the Relief OF the widows and
children Of Clcrgymen Of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church.
The Pennsylvania Company for the insurance
on Lives and Granting Annuites.
Can you equal tnemI L. p. EDvARDs
PHII.ADKLPMIA, February 10.
The sun., 1910-02-17
An Enr,,shman's Comment on the Election

To TEE EDITOR or TEE SUN--Str: ! send you
A striking comment upon the English elections
taken from q letter Just received:
"our general election IL over. It has been
won indecisiveIy by the party that does not put
security or the empire 6rst. II 10 holds for m
other nve years 70 the policy it nAs practised
during the last four years the want OF England
viii have commenced. II will be based upon the
unscrupulous ascendenoy OF trade unions. cd.
vauced By the pressure they are able 70 e1srt
through their votes and By the pus'Ilsnin:ty OF
our elected Cabinet Ministers" T. ". NJ.
Nyw YoWW February i0
The sun., 1910-02-17
The LsGsad of ths Pine.

From me Denver Rspubifcan.
when earth vas done ali bleak II stood,
And tho four winds 'ran 70 pray
To the Maker Of things great and rood:
"Oive Us q harp 70 play--
"A harp 70 twang In winter days.
WheH snowdrifts high are piled;
A harp 20 all the mountain ways
With music weird and wild.
Give us harp that We may strum
when suhifneT days aTS here.
So chat the sons OF mon may come
And marvel a. they hear"
And as the four winds prayed there Erew
me SYayfng mountain pine.
A harp THAI ell the ages through
Plays harmonies dIvtne-
AxfHUH cMAr,6AH.
The sun., 1910-02-17

Was it as a final protest against home
rule that the Right Hon. JOSEPH CHAM
BERLAIN dragged himself from his siok
room TO take the oath in person in the
House Of Commons? Alta time when both
parties are looking about in vain for a
leader who can lead. it must have been dis
heartening to watch the one man OF action
that British politics had developed In a
generatio so weakened that he was un-
able to affix his signature 10 the roll.