davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
DECLINING COHHISSION Il

DECLINING COHHISSION RULE.
There can be little doubt that the
trend of popular opinion in New Jersey
is at present against the commission
form Of government. or at any rate
against further adoption of it by the
municipalities of the state. There have
now been special elections on the sub
iect In thirteen municipalities. OF these
nine have rejected the new system and
only four have accepted Ii. and Of the
latter two are places so small as TO be
insignificant The vote Of all thirteen
places was $500 for and 39,414 against
commission government, majority Of
G.OS5 against If in grand total Of
72.743, or approximately. one-seyenth Of
the vote Of the state.
In some municipalities there were
probably special reasons for the rejec-
tiOn OF the commission plan III Pater-
sen there is q form Of city government
which includes some of the good feat
ures Of the commission plan and which
has produced admirable results, so that
citizens were unwilling to discard it in
favor Of another system which might
not be an improvement upon It.. In
some places there were special efforts
by the organizations Of both parties TO
defeat the new scheme. But these could
not have defeated the measure if 4
majority Of the people had earnestly and
! aggressively desired its adoption.
II seems probable that the explanation
of the failure 10 adopt the commission
system is very largely the unwillingness
Of people to make the experiment until
il has been practically tried within their
sight They want TO see how 1t works
| In Trenton and Passaic before they try
! 1t elsewhere, mindful of the fact that
while it can be adopted at any time It
cannot SO easily be got rid of in case II
IL adopted and proves unsatisfactory.
At any rate the notion that the commits
sion plan would take like wildfre" APP
pears 10 Lave been entirely too sanguine.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
CONTESTED WILL rs UPHELD
Surrogate Says Sickness Did Not AT
feet Testamentary Capacity.

Surrogate Fowler rendered decision yes
terday upholding the contested Will of Mrs.
Alice L. Benjamin. who died on March -
last at No SO West l35th street. Mrs. Ben
jamin, whose estate is valued at about
100000 left two Wills
In the first instrument she gave 5000 TO
Laura A. Calvert. her nurse for ten years,
and to the Rev. Walter f. Bentley a SINH
lar amount. The residue Of her estate was
bequeathed to the Cathedral OF ST. John
the Divine In the second will Mrs. Ben
jamin gave the residue to Miss Calvert and
only $1,000 to Mr. Bentley.
The contest was brought by Mrs. Adelia
4. Crawford, cousin Of the testatriX, who
alleged that the second will had been
Drought about through undue influence ex-
ercised on Mrs. Benjamin By DR.. Duncan
A. Dobie, her physician, and Miss Calvert
The testimony satisfied Surrogate Fowler
that, though Mrs. Benjamin never fully re-
covered from stroke of apoplexy. yet It
lid not affect her testamentary capacity,
and he therefore dismissed the contest and
admitted the WILL
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
MUST VOTE FOR JUDGEsHIP
Decision Affects Fielder Vacancy in
Municipal Court.

Justice Jaycox gave decision in the SUI
preme Court yesterday in regard TO the fll-
ING OF the municipal court Justices office
made vacant by the death of Justice Field
er to which William Seward Shanahan had
been appointed He directs that the office
must be voted for at the coming election
lie also granted writ of mandamus di-
reslng CITY Clerk Scully TO certify to the
Board OF Elections that the Office Is to be
filled at the election in November.
II Is said that an appeal will be made
against the decision. but with a stay 50
that the city Clerk and the Board OF Elec-
tlons will have all the prelimlnaries ar.
ranged In the event Of decision fayoring
the election.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
ANTI-TAHuANY.

Between campaigns it is rather popu-
lar for Democrats to attack Tammany
Hall. Tammany is wicked, it is corrupt
IL is un-Democratic. The latest attack of
this kind comes from the Democratic
Union, which finds the most convincing
proof of Tammany's wickedness. cor
ruptneSs and lack of Democracy In the
Levy law. The Democratic Union came
into being in the municipal campaign of
1903 as an independent body. Under
the Levy law it will be unable in
future campaigns to obtain a column
on the ballot and it naturally resents
that law, Tammany's masterpiece of
legislation as a monstrous outrage.
Somehow the plight of this Oreaniza-
ton fails to inspire the full measure Of
that pity which ought to flow out to dis
tress. At its birth the Democratic
Union was heralded as revolt of Demo
Gratis in this city against Tammany. The
organization was scheduled TO wipe
Tammany off the map. Yet as the cam
paign went on it was found. strange
ly enough, to be on Tammany's side,
supporting Tammanys candidate. Its
course was not unlike .that of many es
Unable individuals and certain public
Prints of this city processing Demo
cratic tendencies. Denounclng Tam
many and all its works, they somehow
found themselves enthusiastically sup
porting Tammany candidate for Gov
ernor and helping to elect with him a
set of Tammany state officers and q
Tammany Legislature. Now, with Tam
many safely in power in the state and
powerful enough in most branches of
this city's government, the chorus Of
protest and denunciation from indie
pendent" Democrats and Democratic
newspapers rings loud and louder
Whatever else is lacking in the men
who manage Tammany keen knowledge
Of human nature, though tinged with
cynicism, and a sense Of humor, though
sardonic. are not These between-cam-
pajgn revolters against Tammany, from
the Democratic Union to the Democratic
League. furnish much entertainment for
the Democrats in 1.-THE Hall"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
CALLING THEIR BLUFFS.

Mr. Bryan took occasion the other day
TO point out that Mr. Clark and Mr. I'm
derwood had played politics" in passing
the wool revision bill. sacrificing Demo
cratic principle and repudiating Demo-
cratic promises in order to be able to
decker with Mr.. La Toilette. In his re-
view of the work Of the last session OF
disingenuousness of Speaker Clark $
claim in a recent article I'm The North
American Review" that the Democratic
majority i'm the House OF Representa-
tives redeemed the party's promise to
submit an amendment to the federal
Constitution providing for the direct
election Of United States Senators. Mr..
Clark wrote:
The principal promises on which we
won the election were these: First, TO
pass q resolution submitting constitu-
tional amendment providing for the
popular election Of United States Sena-
tors. So far as the House is concerned
this has been done.
Everybody familiar with the evasive
course followed by the Democratic lead
ers in the House knows that they did
Lot try to submit simple, straight
forward direct election amendment, such
as the Democratic national platform had
promised and such as the Senate ap-
proved Mr.. Clark and his associates
were more anxious to take away from
Congress its supervisory power over the
processes by which Senators are chosen
than they were to make elections direct.
snd they refused to consent to direct
elections unless they should first be al
lowed to clip away an ancient and es-
sential prerogative OF the federal gov
eminent. Mr. Bryan Is well aware Of the
stiffness of Mr.. Clark's claim, for he
said in THE Commoner"
The third mistake was I'm allowing
the session 10 adjourn without the sub
mission Of the amendment for the cleo
ton Of United States Senators by direct
vote. The Democrats naturally desire TO
win a partisan victory in connection
with the amendment. but when the Sen
ate objected quite as naturally desiring
a partisan victory ALSO, the House
should have sought an agreement by
eliminating the partisan issue. The peo-
pie want the direct election Of Senators
and are much less concerned than the
politicians about the partisan issue that
now div des the two houses on the sub
ject The House will err fatally If ii
allows the regular session TO pass with
out submitting this important constltu-
tional amendment.
In their Misrepresentation Of the
achievements Of the Democratic major
ity in the House at the last session Mr..
Clark and Mr.. Underwood failed, TO
reckon with an influential Democratic
authority who is perfectly willing to call
their bluffs.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
ELIMINATING IDLE LAND
Writer Advocates Tax to Make Specu'
lative Holdings Improbable.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: desire to ndorse the sentiihen's
contained in the letter OF Josiah l. rum
pelly which appeared in to-day's Tribune.
| The best thinkers In the world are asTeeo
that the root cause OF business depression
unemployment poverty and misery Is pr
vate property IN land. Whether theIe
should be any other sources OF revenue OF
not OF one thing | am convinced. and that
is that land ought to be taxed high enough
to make 1t Improbable to hold 1t except
for use.
Land is the gift Of the Almighty to HIS
children, and II cannot in equity be treateu
as property and owned absolutely as things
produced by labor are owned. NO man
made the land, and no man can show
clear title to it's ownership Land titles
are special privileges granted to individ-
uals and corporations by law, but lann
itself ought TO be free TO the land-users-as
free as the water the air and the sunlight
system of taxation that makes II easy
10 hold land vacant ties up the very source
of taxation preventing the people from
producing the wealth from which they must
live and out OF which all taxes must be
paid.
believe with Mr. Pumpelly that the pas
sage Of the Sullivan-Shortt bill In the New
York LEGISLATURE would bring about better
conditions. | believe further that its effects
would be so beneficial that the people would
soon want taxes taken off buildings alto
gether.
WILLIAM BRADFORD DU BOls.
Ravonne y / Sent 10, 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
THE RESULT IN MAINE.

Maine has given relatively larger
ma ioritv in favor of constitutional pro
hibition than Texas recently gave
against IT, In both states the division
was So close as to make another ref
crendum inevitable in the near future.
If Maine had voted to take the pro-
hibition clause out Of the state constitu-
lion that result would doubtless have
been interpreted as a setback TO the
cause Of prohibition in the statewide
or nationwide sense. But ii would not
necessarily have been setback 10 pro-
h.bitlon as Il practical means Of over
coming the evils Of the liquor traffic in
communities, either large or small which
sincerely believe in that method and are
able to apply it successfully.
The trouble with statewide prohlol-
ton In Maine has been that 1t is not
universally enforced. IL worked sue
cessfully in the country, and the country
districts are still for is But In the
cities the statute was more or less a
dead letter. and the people Of the cities
got little benefit from II In the way OF
checking disorder and criminality, while
they lost the revenues which under q
high license system would have been
contributed by liquor sellers and users
- meet the costs put on the public by
the traffic through its fermentation OF
crime. In an economic sense prohibition
was failure inside the limits Of the
ttfa1ix. csaI Ia IN
noxious drinks was built up and the
traders were held 10 no financial respOn-
Sibility for the evils which they caused.
Evidently the people Of the cities acted
in their own best interest when they
voted against prohibition in the hope Of
securing high license system. The
rural communities saved statewide pro-
hibiiion because they had had no large
experience with the abuses of the blind
tiger trade and were not willing TO re-
Introduce local option for the sole pur-
pose Of lettering conditions in the cities.
BY those who regard prohibition as an
end IN itself irrespective Of its effects,
al adverse vote last Monday would prob
ably have been regretted Oh sentimental
grounds, Maine having been long re-
garded as the pioneer in the statewide
prohibition movement. But those who
regard prohibition as a means 10 an end
would have had no cause 10 be down
east. since the end 10 be attained-re'
striction and possible extinction Of the
evils Of the liquor traffic-would APP
parently have been nearer under pro-
hibition and high license, working joint
H. than it is under prohibition law
boldly nullified in many parts OF the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
SOCIAL NOTES FROM NEWPORT

fBy Telegraph TO The TTiouneI
Newport, Sept l3.-The cool weather OF
to-day seemed to be an incentive for out
door sport and there was a large gather
ing OF the social colony at the Cas- no dur
ing The morning. For time every tennis
court was In use
Arthur Goadby and Kenneth P. Budd' or
New York, were registered at the Casino
to-day. Mr. Budd is a guest Of William
Earl Dodge.
Elliot Gregory. OF New York, is visitor
here.
Mrs. Clermont L. Best has closed her
season and returned to New York
Mrs. Pembroke Jones and Mrs +. Lo-
tbron Ames were dinner entertainers this
evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Sedgwick and their
sons have returned here to spend the fall
season.
Miss Laura Swan, who was operated on
for appendicitis on Tuesday, was reported
as doing we'll to-day
Mr.. and Mrs. William Storrs Wells are
to remain at Chetwolde until the end OF
October. Mr.. and Mr. John r. DrexeI
will remain until late In the fall Mr.. and
Mrs George B. De Forest are to stay until
December. and Mrs. J. K. Busk and Miss
Busk Will remain at Indian Spring until
Thanksgiving. Mrs. Thomas J. Emery Is
TO stay at her summer home until the end
OF October.
Mr.. and Mrs r. Livingston Beeckman
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
UORE "FURNITURE."

To the esteemed editor of Harper S
Weekly" the public is indebted for the
Information that the mind Of Governor
Woodrow Wilson Is the same mind pos
sessed by Professor Woodrow Wilson,
but that its furniture has changed \
new glimpse of Its furniture was
afforded at the Spring Lake Conference
Of Governors, when the New Jersey
Executive came out for state insurance
of workmen The indemnity companies
he declared. had raised their rates in
some instances 1000 per cent as result
Of the employers liability law adopted
by New Jersey last winter, and intended
to raise them still more. There must
be a state system of insurance DR.
Wilson concluded from this action and
intention Of theirs.
The promptness with which the New
Jersey Executive has reached the con-
clusion that there must be state sys
TEN Of insurance in order to make EN-
ployers' liability legislation effective
illustrates the ease and speed with
which he adds to his mental furniture
The New Jersey liability law was passed
only O few months ago. 1t effects, or
will effect when it is fully in operation
a profound change In the economic rela
tons of employer and employed. Nc
one can predict its results with any GER
tainty or exactness. II upsets the exist
ing system Of insurance Of employers
against losses through the injury OF
their employees by vastly multiplying the
risks Until it has been in operation fol
some time it will be impossible to guess
exactly what the new risks will he
Under all the circumstances II is not tC
be wondered that sharp readjustmen'
CT liability rates has taken place.
Probably rates have been made toe
high. caution debating such q course &c
the companies until experience shall
show them exactly what conditions will
develop under the new system. But is
all this any reason for jumping to the
conclusion that state insurance Of work
men is Indispensable? Isn't it to be
assumed that if the present companies
are so unwise as to turn away, by max
ing rates prohibltive, the immense bust
ness that the new law will create other
companies will be formed 10 accept 1T
When the new system gets into working
order will not reasonable rates be of
fered? Then there is the possibility OF
state regulation. The need Of IL In q
much stricter degree than now exists In
the case Of indemnity insurance has
often been pointed out. AS employers
liability legislation increases the i'm.
portance of the function of this sort of
Insurance to the community this need
will be intensified. Cannot regulation
be- trusted to secure reasonable rates for
the insurance Of employees? Governor
Wilson is In too much Of hurry about
furnishing" his mind.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
ST. ANDREWS QUINCENTENARY
Scotland's Oldest University Celebrates
Five Hundredth Birthday.

Saint Andrews, Scotland. Sept. l3.-The
celebration Of the quincentenary Of Saint
Andrews University. the Oldest In Scotland,
cpened to-day with an imposing procession
of delegates from the universities OF the
world Swans. dons. students and civic
representatives of the Scottish cities
through the city to the town church.
where the commemoratlon service was
held.
There is hardly a university OF repute
in America, Europe or Asia that did not
send a representative. and the multiplicity
Ct picturesque academic robes and varied
uniforms made a brave show
At subsequent function. at North Hall,
especially constructed to seat $500 persons,
brief addresses were made. The chancellor
of the university, Lord Balfour OF Burleigh.
received the congratulations and good
wishes Of the American Ambassador. Mr.
Reid, and other American delegates and
representatives OF all universities He was
also the recipient Of hearty message Of
congratulation from King George.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
NEW YORK FROM THE SUBURBS

Magistrate Kempner. OF New York has
decided that TO- the purposes 81 the hcrhs
inc bureau a cucumber Is a fruit Moan
Webster saws Il Is a hard rinded berIS,
ard lots of people who can't eat II without
s. bseouent discomfort cali IL unripe co"
food. Boston Globe
New York magistrate has ruled Una,
cucumbers are fruit and may be SOLD o.,
SUNDAY ike green apples They freqlsn"'
have a similar effect Z Boston Transcript
New York proposes to keep a card inde .,
NJ lts drunkards Is there such tNa"'
among them as that?-Omaha Bee.
New York is importing chorus girls rom
Chicago. which goes % show what nes
perate things those Gothamites VIII CO.
Wheeling Intelligencer.
New York paper published the othss
day a map which showed Mobile TO %
west OF New Orleans. The wonder Is ths.
New York mapmaker knew there Me'e
such nlaces as Mobile and New Orleans
Chicago Record-Heraid.
Rumored that Wall street will resto,o,
the prayer meeting feature. II Is eel..Ins
sood enoueh 10 order funeral serves
over the slain lambs.-Atlanta Consutuuo"'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
GERMANYS TRINS.AFRICAN RAIL
ROAD

Germany probably has another strong
reason for desiring to acquire the
French Congo, or the half of ii next to
the ocean, in addition TO the obvious
reasons which have hitherto been dis
cussed That is the faciitation Of her
great project Of railroad line across
Africa from east 10 west, as rival TO
the British Cape-toCairo line, which is
now being rapidly pushed to completion
The scheme of such a railroad was
preached as long ago as 1876 by the
late King Leopold of the Belgians, but
its accomplishment seems to have been
left to Germany, who is now the pro-
prietor OF extensive colonies at each side
Of the continent.
at the east side a road IS being rap
idly constructed from Dar-es-Salaam to
Lake Tanganyika and the frontier Of the
Belgian Congo. A few months hence it
will be in operation as far as Tabora,
which is two-thirds the distance from
the sea TO Ujiji. OF course, from Lake
Tanganyika westward the line will have
~ lIdNClSt iuc btlEldll 'pH-O. Iil lDb
question then arises where it shall have
its Atlantic terminal and how It shall
reach it. This terminal cannot be in
German Southwest Africa, but must he
north Of the Congo. The Cameroons ter
ritory might afford place for it. But
to reach that territory from the Belgian
Congo II would be necessary to cross the
French Congo. and that for n German
lire would be out Of the question. More
over. ii would be necessary TO cross over
tie high ridge or watershed between
the Congo basin and the Cameroons
But If the French Congo were made Ger
man the road could proceed down the
Congo Valley TO the sea with ease 70
better terminal port than any now
offered by the Cameroons.
This Is evidently a strong motive for
the acquisition Of the French Conc
by Germany, and il is a creditabe one,
which may command wide sympathy.
for there can be no doubt that such a
ltrans-African railroad would be for the
advantage Of the world. That. however.
Is no reason why France should sur
render her Congo territories without a
substantial and satisfactory compensa-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-14
IN THE BERKSHIRES.
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

tBy telegraph 10 Inc lrlpnne
Lenox. Sept i3-At o'clock this after
noon the thermometer registered - degrees
in Lenox. and Automobiles went out for
their afternoon trips CARRIED In furs and
heavy clothing.
Among the arrivals at the Curtis Hotel
are Mrs. Clarence Gray Dinsmore. Mrs. A.
Lindley Kelley and Robert P. Perkins. Of
New York
Mrs Isaac McConihe gave bridge party
at the Curtis Hotel this evening. enter
tanning about a dozen friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Hartman b. Vanderhoef.
Mr.. and Mrs Morgan Cowperthwaite.
Harman Vanderdoef. jr.. and ]. A. Con-
nelly. jr., of New York, are at the Curtis
Hotel
Mrs Z. c. McEvoy and Mrs. F. H. john
son. who have been at the Hagyard cot
tage. have gone to New York.
Mr.. and Mrs. II. I. E. Beardsley, Miss
Beardsley and Philip Abbey, OF New York:
Mr.. and Mrs Frank Mitchell. jr, DR. W.
f. Riggs. ]. Ward Mitchell Mrs. Alfred
c. Nelson and Miss Nora r. Nelson. Of
Brooklyn, have arrived at the NapleHood,
IN Pittsfeld.
Mr. and Mrs Henry Livingston Lee will
give one of the largest afternoon recep-
tions OF the Lenox season Tomorrow at
Curtis villa, to Introduce In society their
daughter. Miss Margaret Livingston Lee.
Senator and Mrs w Murray Crane have
issued cards for luncheon tomorrow A.
their Dalton country place in honor OF
Senator and Mrs. Henry Cabot Lodge.
Colonel and Mrs Archibald Hopkins. Of
Washington have issued invitations tor
the marriage Of their daughter. Miss Mary
Hopkins. TO Crawford Blagden. OF New
York. The wedding will take place Satur-
day. October 7, in the college chapel IN
Willlamstown.
Governor and Mrs. Augustus f. Wilson
OF Kentucky will arrive in Stockbridge to-
morrow TO visit with Miss Lizette Hast
DR. Jared G. Baldwin. Of New York,
has TONED Mr.. and Mrs. Jared G.. Bald
win, jr.. at HeaTon Hall They VIII remain
throughout the autumn.
Mr.. and Mrs. Marshall J. Dodge. who
have been guests OF Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
Shields Clarke. have gone 10 Lawrence,
Long Island.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. ". Scott, T. r. Scott,
Mr. and Mrs. ]. F. sayer. Miss Anna T.
Saver and Mrs. A. S. Harvey. OF New
York. have arrived at Heaton Hail. IN
Stockbridge.
Mrs. Giraud Foster and Miss Mary De
Peyster Cary gave luncheons this after
noon. and Mr.. and Mrs Samuel Froth!ng-
ham and Miss Kate Cary we're among
those who entertaine. At dinner tonight
at villas.
Mrs. Joseph Marie and Miss Leonune
Marie arrived tonight at the Curtis Hotel
from Bar Harbor.
George ]. Whslan, who has been spend
ing a few days az the Hotel AspinWall mas
returned to town.
Mr.. and Mrs. Amory Eliot, OF Boston
AZ and Mrs Albert Chesbrough and Miss
Alberta Chesbrough. of Northport, Long
island: Mr.. and Mrs George ". WlnSate.
Mr.. and Mrs A H. Long and MI. aud Hrs;
q II. Rogers of New York, nave arrived
at the Hotel Asplnwah