davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05

Later-The source of the above in
formation writes on Tuesday: Joe
Russol was taken worse Sunday night,
and the Milwaukee surgeon was wired
and arrived yesterday morning
brought another specialist with him and
a second operation was had 1t was
found peritinitis and Inflammation OF
the bowels had set in and he died last
NIGHT at II o'clock. This is one of the
most deplorabIe and dastardly deeds
was ever committed in the state. Joe
Russol was the Oldest boy at home and
practically the head of the family, a
fine, inoffensive young man of sterling
qualities =" X.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05

That Peterson Brothers are now To-
Gated in the old J NJ Smith black
smith shop, next 10 Boofileur's store,
ready to do all kinds Of blacksmithing
viii tell you more about il later.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05

Over II, 600 farmers of the state have
petitioned the legislature for the repeal
of the law compelling the tuberculin
test for cattle.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05
WET DAY AND VET YEAR?
vIR0oUA REvERSES HER PAST REC
ORD BY A SCRATCH OF TWO
That Vote Does Not Settle the Question.
HOwsver-ResuIts Elsewhere in
This Section Of State

Tuesday was a quiet election for vi
roqua city; there were few contests,
the license question being practically
all the matter at issue. Back track
was taken on that always debated prop
osition, reversal being registered on the
past half dozen years, and the vets pre-
dominating, on an extremely wet day.
Following is the vote on that question:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05

Ross Groves Of Ross, received two
thorough bred fox hounds from Ohio
last Saturday. These dogs are both
well trained and ready for hunting.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05
AN AWFUL DOUBLE CRIME
A YOUNG MAN SHOOTS cOMPANIOF,
THEN KILLS HIMSELF
Town of Greenwood is the Scene Of This
Double Trasedy-No Apparent Mo-
fIve-PossibIe Insanity

EDITOR CENsoR:-0n Thursday last,
Albert Stepka, single man. twenty
six years of age. Ia Bohemian) residing
in the town of Greenwood, came to town.
During the day he bought a revolver
and cartridges He staid over night
with one of our saloon keepers; arose
at five O'Clock Friday morning and start
ed home with a bottle of whisky in his
pocket. He told parties before leaving
that they would never see him alive
again. Stepka took a near cut across
country, and when about half-mil from
home he stopped at the house of Mrs.
John Russel, a widow, also a Bohemian.
At the door Stepka asked for her son,
Joe. Russol, Ia young man twenty-five
years old to come out, which he did
Stepka took the bottle from his pocket
and asked Joe. to take drink He was
not accustomed to drinking whisky, and
declined TO take any. Stepka insisted.
and Joe. placed the bottle to his lips
without tasting The instant he did so
Stepka drew his revolver ard fired, the
bullet entering Russol's left cheek, one
inch below the eye. As he fell Stepka
fired a second shot. the ball entering
the left side, Just above the hip. Then
Stepka turned the weapon upon him
self. lodging the bullet in his brain be-
hind the left ear.
Neighbors and DR. Hansberry were
summoned. Stepka was taken to his
home, where he died few minutes la
ter On stretcher Russol was con-
veyed to the hospital here, where he
was operated upon, Saturday morning,
by DR. Durn of Milwaukee, assisted by
Drs. Hansberry and Pinch. For pro-
fessiUnal reasons neither bullet was re-
move. They are critically located, yet
the surgeons think possibly d chance
for Improvement may come
Why this shooting was done no one
knows. Neighbors say the young men
were best Of friends and there never
had been a word between them. We
are informed that Stepka has an aunt
in an insane asylum and that other rela-
tives demonstrate occasional phases Of
insanity. and it is more than likely that
he might have been tainted with it.
Coupling these facts with improper use
of liquor it is easy to believe that most
anything is liable TO happen
An inquest was held over the body of
Stepka, conducted by Justice Williams
and Constable Tongue. KID.
Hillsboro, April 3. 1911.
L
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05
Short News Stories of Interest
picked Up by Censor Reporter. from variou.
JUST APRIL. THAT'S ALL

Just a little Sunshine,
Cheerful. warm and bright;
Just a little shower.
Soft and warm and light;
Just a gale or blizzard.
Just a bloom or two
Tulips. violets, robins
April. that is you.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05
BITS ON Farm AND STOCK LIFE

The state food and dairy inspector
has announced that the dairy product Of
Wisconsin for 1910 totals SIS 900, 600
The report showed 928 cheese factor
les, ], 005 creamerics, 50 skimming sta
tons and - conden aries.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05

Edgar Kanable Of Stark has a flock
of 90 ewes that have made him a good
record for lambs his spring They
gave birth to 56 lambs, three ewes hay
ing triplets and II having twins. u
any one knows Of better record We
shall be glad 10 have tbere report It.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05

During March Mrs.. A. 3. Smell kept
tab on her flock Of four old and twenty
five young Indian runner ducks. and
finds that they laid 70 eggs, or IS doz-
en-. Mrs. Smell has in operation two
incnbators for about 800 eggs
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-04-05

Henry L. Gardner was reelected
county superintendent Of schools with.
out opposition, making his seventh con.
secutive election to tap position.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
DECLINE or < SUPERSTITION.

One of the things that have come
tumbling down in recent years is the
popular superstition about lawyers. 1t
used TO find expression In the constant
repetitiOn of the trite remark of IA
nous member of the bar that he could
drive a coach and four through any law
ever drafted. How long is il since any
one last heard those words? Since the
Northern Securities decision and the Sc
rieS OF decisions eliminating in the dis
solution of the Standard Oil Trust and
the Tobacco Trust belief in the ability
of lawyers TO accomplish the supernat-
ural has been rudely shaken. The great
trusts were monuments to the extrao"-
binary cleverness of lawyers. If any one
expressed a doubt Of their fate he was
sure 10 be reminded Of the superhuman
legal acumen of the lawyers who had
been consulted about their formation and
who would defend their handiwOrk in
court The big combinations had all the
high priced lawyers. and their reputed
fees were whispered i'm an awed voice.
, IT, indeed. the courts should declare that
the lawyers had failed 10 find the loop
hole i'm the law this time, what then?
| They had dozen schemes and strata
gems In reserve more ingenious than any
yet disclosed Yet the wonderful con-
! trivances failed. The sleeves were
opened, moreover. and revealed nothing.
J If the faith that lawyers can always
show the way TO defeat the spirit of the
law and at the same time keep their
clients from falling into its clutches is
destroyed il will he wholesome thing
Perhaps big business" will begin 10 pay
counsel to teach it how TO obey the law.
! That is what ii has done In the reorgani-
cations which have recently been going
on. and If Attorney General Wickershan
! carries through successfully the prOsecu-
! tiOnS which he lists in his annual repo' {
| this process Of reducing the superS,i-
tious generation Of the legal medicine
men to human dimensions will he com
/ pletc.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
"I4hE IILl[N

In this city and i'm some other places
simultaneously various and numerous
spectators have protested with biceps rs
we'll IS with vocal cords against some
particularly offensive fake films" at
moving picture shows. and have not only
gone UNPUBLISHED but have actually re-
ceiyed commentator from the courts
for their strenuous acts. We do not
recommend their conduct as "A precedent
To be initiated according Ia the taste and
fancy Of any spectator at any of Inc
shows in question. But the incident does
raise not unimportant question concern
ing the public morals Of many of these
manufactured exhibitions.
There is no doubt that the moving
formation and instruction rs well a. for
entertainment and amusement. Neither
is il 10 he denied that il is susceptible
Of gross misuse II kaleidoscope films
could bo secured of an actual battle in
some war they would be Of immense in
tereSt. though even then their iDdiscrim-
mate public exhibition might not he de
srablc. But 10 dress zip lot of BOYS
or iramps as soldiers. put Them through
the motions of fighting II battle make a
photographic film Of their antics and
then exhibit II rs moving picture ~
actual scenes in the present war Is some
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
dBROGATTNG A TREATY

I'm one respect the practically unani-
nous vote of the House Of Representa-
tivcs in favor of abroGation of the Rus
sian treaty of 1882 undoubtedly reflects
pretty accurately the sentiment Of the
American people-namely. In its express
sion of disSat iSfactiOn with the manner
in which an essential feature Of that IN
strument is treated by the Russian gov
eminent. AS hitherto stated again and
again. Il is not TO MS question Of race
or of religion. hut of American citizen
ship and of the dignity and rights of the
American nation. There can he no QucS-
ton that as q last recourse abrogati0n
Of persistently and iniuriously violated
treaty is 10 be adopted But there are
many who have not believed that In the
present case there was yet no preferable
alternative
The treaty in question provides for its
own termination on one years notice by
either party, and under ordinary cir
cumstances that would naturally he
the method of its abrogaton. In case,
however. Of persistent and fragrant VIC
lation of a treaty by one party the
aggrievcd party may terminate it with
out such notice though it is obvious that
the taking Of such course is likely to
cause diplomatic unpleasantness between
the two and thus TO make the negotiation
Of new treaty more difficult If indeed
II does not lead 10 an actual rupture Cf
fri valuations and lot Tho
first and most noteworthy example Cf
legislative abrogation Of a treaty because
of violations thereof occurred in 179s.
when by act of Congress. approved by the
President. the trea ties and consular con
yention between America and France
were GbrOgated The sequel. two days
later. was an act Of Congress authoriz-
ing the President 10 sanction the waging
Of war against France though without
any formal declaration Of war II may
be added that the French government
never admitted that this constituted a
valid abrogatiOn Of the treaties. and the
controversy over that point led to almost
Dterminable suits over the historic
French spOliation claims" II is. how
ever, an established principle of this
government that a treaty can thus 70
abrogated for cause, the act of Congress
requiring. Of course, the approval Of The
President, the same as any other Law.
The Russian treaty provides for recipro-
ca freedom Of commerce and navigation,
for reciprocal treatment Of vessels, FOR
the appointment Of consular officers, ior
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
The Relation of Tenants to the Selling
Value of Land.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Whether the proposed increase IN
the tax on land values and the halving OF
the rate on buildings would result in a de-
crease I'm the selling yalue-and assessable
value-of city lands no one can tell, for a
very good reason Land selling value is
really the capitalized value Of the full all
UuaI value for use, less the taxes currently
falling on the selling value. To take more
than now of the annual value for use
would undoubtedly tend to reduce the sell
ing value, but then another tendency comes
into force The annual value for use of a
plot of land Is not fixed value. 1t is
likely TO advance, and sure to advance with
every Improvement in government, or add
tional advantage of doing business, or
relief from taxation on personally or real
estate improvements. If taxes are cut in
two on buildings. the desrability Of loca-
lions I'm the city will he increased, the an
nral value OF them for use will be made
larger and even the increase in taxes on
land may leave them a greater net return
and consequently greater selling or assess
able values.
No power of either the Legislature or the
owners of lands can prevent tho annual
value for use Of locations in the city either
Increasing with added advantages or de-
crcasing with their withdrawal. The rent
tenants pay, whether for rooms or lofts OF
buildings, is made up of several items, one
Of which is the full annual value for use
of the land under tho buildings Another
is the tax on the buildings. TO increase
the tax on the land value is to change the
annual value for use not at all, except, as
| have suggested, the tendency for the
annual use value to he Increased by the
ADDED advantage of the relief from half
taxation on buildings. But If an additional
advantage does thus attach to locations
and tenants or manufacturers have there
fore to pay for tho item of annual use
value Of location higher price, they will
not be paying more than before for the
same thing, but rather a higher price for
what is worth more-quite a different
proposition
As to the confiscation argument, not
much need he said II is TO be expected
that land owners will oppose any and all
measures looking to an increase in the
amount Of the part Of the full annual value
for use Of locations now taken by taxa
ton. It is human nature TO do so and to
be somewhat dlslnclincd to view such a
proposal from the standpoint OF equity.
Professor Clark is sound on ono point,
anyway lie sees that tax on land values
Is laid 10 stay put when II ia laid For 50
much VIC should be thankful.
GEORGE WHITE.
New York, Dec. II, 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15

THE REFERENDU ~ NEW lOhh'
The result Of the referendum on the
constitutional amendments in TINS state
is absurd. Every one of them is beaten
hy big majority in spite of the undls-
puted merits OF several Moreover, the
proposition approving the appropriation
for canal terminals narrowly escaped
defeat. although to defeat an eXpendl-
ture necessary TO complete a project
upon which the state had already voted
to expend SOL 100000 would he gro
tesdue. Apparently the determination
of the voters to beat the amendment
raising the salaries Of Senators and AS
semhlymen. and probably also that rails
ing the Governors salary. WAS respon-
sihle for the slaughter Of the rest. ire
spectvc of their merits. The tendency
Of the voters to reject salary increases
has been observed everywhere in this
country where the referendum is in use.
But how utterly random the method
Of amending the state constitution be
comes, For several years amendments
we're accepted practically by default.
None OF them arousing the voters onpo-
Sition. all went through without appar-
ent discrimination. This year the re-
suit is reversed and all are rejected IN
an indiScriminate onslaught upon one or
two. The effect Of one popular amend
ment in carrying through several others
which were regarded with indifference
has been observed before This year the
contrary effect Of an unpopular amend
ment in dragging down several meri-
torious ones. which did not. however,
awaken any particular enthusiasm, was
illustrated.
An amendment TO the constitution Is
thus apparently at the mercy Of its as
SOciatOns. much needed amendment
in which public interest is not strong is
likely to he accepted if offered alone. or
with q popular one. or with several in
different ones II Is almost certain to
he doomed if an unpopular one is pre-
scented along with it, Evidently the
enemies Of an amendment are the mas
ters of its fate If they can succeed in
coupling with it another sure to arouse
popular anita gonism. But what COM
mentary ii is on the referendum as a
legislative device, at least I'm New York
State
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15

disposiug of the estates of deceased per-
sons ana for the extension of the most
favored nation" privileges. Abrogation
would sweep away all these provisions
and il Is seriously TO be considered when
nation would suffer the more thercfrom.
How long ii would he before another
treaty could he negotiated in its place IS
an important question. 1t certainly
would b some time, and probably .ong
time. because of the habitual slowncss OF
Russia in such matters and because OF
the added Discrimination 70 negotlate
which would probably be aroused by the
act of abrogation. These considerations
supply the argument for the norman
method Of abrogatiOn on years nouce'
which would he no less forcibe as an
expression of opinion. but much less lrrl-
Ia ting. than immediate abrogation ana
would afford time for the negotiation OF
new treaty which could take the place
of the ono now In existence without any
hiatus
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
LION M Trlhnno Rnrosn. !

Washington. Dec. il.-Miss Taft was on.
Of small luncheon party entertained 10.
day by Miss Ruth Wales for Miss Mary
Southcrland Among the guests were tina
Misses Meyer and Miss Elsie Aldrich
Judge and Mrs. Charles r Howry were
hosts at - charmngly arranged dance Al
tho Chevy Chase club tonight for their
daughters, Miss Howry and Miss Mary
IIowry. \ hundred and nifty Young peopla
danced TO the music Of an orchestra, amid
decorations Of Christmas greens and red
flowers and berries Mrs Howry Is enter.
tanning Miss Sanford Deshiel. ~ Misgis.
sppl. ard Mrs i. =. Whitehead N Ala.
bama.
There were number Of large teas his
afternoon. Mrs William V. Judson, wife
~ the engineer commissioner Of the Di,
trict Of Columbia, was hostess At Rsusch.
er's. having Mrs. 4. g. Iangfu. Mrs. "
J. Marshall and others with her Mrs.
John Riddle had \ large COMPANY among
her assistants being Mrs lizard, Mrs. Dion
Williams and the wives % the aids. Mrs.
Cole, Mrs wills, Mrs. Lay and Mrs Hall
Nre Rddlo also entertained A dinner party
70 night
Mr.. and Mrs Edison Bradley viii "a n
New York tomorrow. 10 remain until the
new year
Miss AmarIlls Gillett entertained at
luncheon to-day for her nieces. Miss Giilett
Iill and Miss Joan Gillett Barnes num.
Der Of this years debutsntes we're tho
quests
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE French Ambas-
sador and Nine. Jusserand. who will sail
soon for Panama in company with the At
torney General and Mrs. Nckersham, viii!
stop in New Orleans. where the French
colony OF that city win give a dinner in
their honor. The French First Secretary
and Nine. de Peretti de la Rocca sailed to-
day for France. to attend the funeral OF
Count dc Peretti de la Rocca the brother
of the former. who was accidentally
drowned at Colon, Panama. where he was
vice-consul.
The Russian Ambassador has leased the
house in Farragut Square which was for
merly occupied by the Vice President and
Mrs. Fairbanks. 1t Is conveniently located
and adapted to entertaining.
The charge d'afaires for Austria and
Nine. Lowenthal-Linau entertained at din
ner tonight in compliment TO the brother
and sister of the latter. Count and Countess
Nostitz OF Austria Their guests included
Miss Yvonne Townsend Miss Katherine
Porter, Miss Britton. Miss Belloni, of New
York; Count Ivan Csekonics, Austrian Sec
rotary; Mr.. Maugras, third French secrc-
tary and /. Dmltrow, second secretary. and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
THE EXODUS TO CANADA
Western Farmer Thinks 1t Is Due to
Superior Farming Advantages.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: After reading an article IN me
Tribune I must make reply TO the query
why arc people leaving the United States
for Canada?"
There is better chance for a man OF
small means To got In on the ground
floor and mako a homo. Overeager land
agents have led people 10 believe this Big
Horn basin is a paradise. The facts arc
these: The good agricultural land that
could he watered by individuals was all
gone long ago. No man Of small means
can take land under one OF these big en-
terprises and pay SIS TO $50 an acre Tor
water and make anything. have been
here eighteen years this fall working hard
all the time, and I am Just getting my
ranch so I can make living from It.
Machinery is much cheaper I'm Canada,
and there is ready market for produce.
Dry farming is out of the question hero
I'm Northwestern Wyoming There Is some
of It done here. and the men who try II
are hungry This country has been doomed,
faxed, misrepresented all together too
much Z. y. SMITH
Dumbell Wyo., Dec >. 1911.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-15
WOULD TAX ESTATES HERE
Great Britain Seeks Duty on
Yznaga Legacy to Duchess.

London. Dec. 1.-THE important question
as to whether American estates inherited
by persons domiciled in Great Britain. but
which have never actually been transferred
to that country, are liable 10 estate duty
was raised to-day in the Chanccry Division
Of tho High Court of Justice
The suit arose In connection with the
fortune inherited from her brother by the
late Consuelo, Duchess OF Manchester, who
was a daughter of Antonio Yznaga dol
Vale. OF Louisiana and Cuba. The exec
utors Of the countesss will resisted the de-
mands OF the British revenue authorities,
who claimed legacy duty Of 100000 on the
whole OF her estate
Counsel to the executors to-day pointed
out that '9coo,o0o OF tho property was stnl
In America and had never come to Great
Britain.
The attorney for the crown argued that
the British government had the right to
collect legacy duty on personal property
situated abroad belonging 10 any ono who
died ard had been domiciled I'm Great
Britain. II was quite immatsrisl he cor-
tended. whether the propertv was ever
brought TO Great Britain or no,
Inc nearing Was adjourned