davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

would be impossible TO comply with my
request, as the chairs had been de-
stroyed some days previous TO the re-
ceipt Of my letter by Mr.. Virden. 1t
struck me at the time as most strange
that those straight chairs" should
have been destroyed while this Geneva
institution was supposed to be under
going some of an Investigating
process. perhaps "renovating" pro-
cess would have been the more correct
term. It seemed a very curious coin
cidenCe, TO say the least. 1t appears
that there was some undue haste used
in getting them out of the way. They
were all nicely gotten out of the way
before the committee from the Moline
Woman's club was kindly granted per-
mission by the governor to so down to
Geneva and do some investigating on
its own account. How much more
house cleaning" was done at the same
time the straight chairs" went by the
board can only be imagined.
Yet, I understand that Mrs. Amigh
claims these straight chairs" were
her own particular invention, and
states that they were made by the
school carpenter according to her own
plans and specifications. Was it not
somewhat unkind to thus ruthlessly
destroy these creations of a ladys
brain and nip inventive genius in the
bud? I am at a loss to understand
this sudden determination to wipe these
straight chairs" out Of existence. es-
pecially at this particular time. Some
one must have been struck with a sud
den and brilliant idea. If these Moline
ladies had come down 10 Geneva and
found those straight chairs" there. il
would have Jared and grated upon
their wOmanly feelings, and II was very
thoughtful in some one TO have them
conveniently destroyed beforehand
WHY THE STLENCEt
And now the question is: Why were
they destroyed and who ordered their
destruction The governor ignores
this question IL his reply 10 my letters.
Messrs. Sherman and O'Connor ignore
my letters entirely. and do not even
deign to reply why should there be
so much silence and mystery over a
little matter like the destruction of
few straight chairs?" Ny question
concerning their destruction is surely
pertinent
However. since I cannot obtain a re-
ply from the above named members of
your board individually, I sincerely
trust that I may receive g reply from
the board Of administration collective
", as 10 why these chairs were de-
and who was responsible for
their destruction.
Awaiting.y reply, remain yours,
respectively, PHILIP H. WELLS.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
Wilson speaks for the People.

Governor Woodrow Wilson. speak
( ing TO the toast. The State of New
jersey" al the democratic dinner at
/ Burlington. y. j., Wednesday night,
/ said that it was against the theory Of
government by superior people" that
the great reaction had set in" New
I Jersey had walked up to this he said
walked I'D 10 the reconstruction neces-
sary 70 revive and reconstitute our
/ democracy and put our institutions
once more on the footing of their origi-
nal conception and inspiration The
country had supposed New Jersey de-
voted to the service of interests Of
big business, irrespective of the inter
ests Of humanity" he continued, and
IL was taken for granted that IL was
too completely controlled by the great
com binations of capital TO follow the
impulse Of its people even if [ hey
Should feel the impulse Of the change
which is now everywhere else abroad"
But the country had been mistaken.
Governor Wilson sought TO define the
interests" and delared that although
the system was an evil one honorable
men were behind it. we wish to show
such men that they are mistaken, not
TO treat them as public enemies he
said. The tariff he characterized as
the chief ambush of special privilege"
and declared that the interests had
sought to control legislation partly be-
cause of fundamental distrust of pop
ular government" He brought TO mind
the persistent rumors current some
time ago that there was danger of es-
tablishing monarchy in this country.
However foolish the idea was, it was
hailed by some, he said, with uncon-
cealed satisfaction. There were men
of large affairs who said without re-
serve" he declared, that they thought
we would be better off in such circum-
stances. They hold the theory of
of government, or govern
ment for the people and not govern
ment by the people; the theory of those
who would protect the people against
themselves; patronize them; act for
them; construct their governments in
their interest, but without their CO
operation and consent.
Under the demoralizing influence of .
such policies as are embodied in the
protective tariff this has become, in
fact, the theory of the republican par
ty. The superior people, the people
Of large business and of large expert +
ence, must in their view determine and
be sponsors for the policy of the coun-
try. It is against this theory that the
great reaction has set in.
THE first victories of the people have
been won; victory after victory will /
follow these first successes until we .
nave again carried our institutions
back to their first inspiration and |
founded them once more upon absolute
confidence in the people as their own
masters and arbiters."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
Every one said that Jack worthing.

Every one said that Jack Worthing-
ton should have been a man. One
may infer from the name that Jack
name was JacQueline. When she was
a little girl she wrote it JAG. but as
she grew older. finding that every one
else wrote it Jack, she fell into line.
There was nothing unfeminine about
Miss Worthington. 1t was the strength
of purpose and the daring in her that
caused her friends to say that she
should have been born masculine. She
had a woman's heart and a mans
head and courage
But to begin at the beginning. Jack
Worthington lived IN Washington, be-
ing the daughter of n retired admiral
In the United States navy. There are
attractive young men attached to the
foreign legations in Washington. who
frequently find wives among the girls
of the capital The secretary of the
Russian embassy was one of the
finest of these fellows-tal, hand
some. with blue eyes. light hair and
beard; indeed. perfect type of the
sons of the north, belonging to the
higher class.
Alexis Droubeloff fell a victim to g
certain witchery there was in Jack
Worthington. Unfortunately for his
suit. she had read much of the efforts
of certain noble men and women in
Russia TO throw off the bureaucratic
yoke and had become an ardent SYM
pathizer with the Russian revolution.
While her heart went out to meet
that Of the secretary, she would not
give him any encoura cement, since he
was in the service Of what she con-
sidered tyranny. The result Of the
affair was that she converted him TO
her way Of thinking.
Droubeloff had one OF those self sac
rifcing natures possessed by all Rus
sian revolutionists. Once converted he
conceived it TO be his duty to go back TO
Russia and contend for the cause. He
told Jack that though he loved her
and should always love her he must
relinquish her, for henceforth his life
and liberty would be In constant jeop-
ardy.
If anything was needed to attach the
girls heart irrevocably TO the young
diplomat this stand was quite sufh-
cient. But, since be had determined
to resign from the government service
and go to Russia for the purpose of
thwarting that governments will by
assisting TO educate the people, the
lovers were obliged to part. Jack kept
her affair secret from her father, her
mother and all the world, and when
the secretary of the Russian legation
resigned his position and sailed away
no one knew that he took her heart
with him.
Droubelon had not worked long in
his new field before be was arrested
and sent to Siberia.
With Droubelof shut up for life in a
Russian prison in the frozen regions
Of the north. Jack Worthington a so
ciety belle in the western hemisphere,
this story should by good rights come
TO an end here. But the moment Jack
heard OF her lovers exile
10 Siberia that strong will and abil-
~ TO do which have been mentioned as
of her began to assert
themselves. She was now twenty-four
Years old and possessed a fortune in
her own right She informed her IA
Their and mother that she was going
abroad, and going alone Had they
Known her purpose. instead OF permit
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

ment, is neglected in the common
schools. There is little real attempt
to teach the boys and girls how TO
behave There should be a revival
of courtesy not only in railroad Of
fees but everywhere else 1t IS a
curious commentary on American
life that a railway company finds it
necessary to require its agents 20
be courteous to the public from
whom they are soliciting business.
But that same necessity exists in
practically all departments of our
social and business relations.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
Ready.

We may not want to lick the earth.
But IL the earth needs licking
Twill find when we have proved our
worth
Il has no cause for Kicking.
Our army may not be 30 large
AS some that we might mention.
But when the order comes to charge
The boys will get attention.
Sec how we moved them In q day
And massed them on the border
And made those who were getting gay
Sit down and keep good order.
We were not looking for . fuss
Or war or gore or glory,
But II a one were forced on us
Well. that's q different storyI
Yes, Uncle Sam is IN the GamA
Though not q trouble maker.
And, while he isn't halt or lame.
He isn't quite a Quaker.
II there's a job on hand that calls
For fighting or for thinking.
Though tirnid nations It appalls.
He will not be found shrinking.
But let US hope the worst will not
Mix whites and browns and yellows.
But II It comes TO that. great Scott,
He's got the guns and fellows!
Although OF peaceful walks and ways,
OF looms and shuttles humming,
When It's a case OF gun displays
You'll find him up and coming.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
The Value of COURTESY.

According to the passenger depart
ment of the AtChison, Topeka &
Santa Fe Railway company which
has Just issued instructions TO its
employees, courtesy is an important
factor in business. 1t is not as
sumed that the employees OF this par
ticular railroad are more or less re-
miss in politeness than those of
other transportation companies, but
il is unquestionably a fact that al
most all passenger clerks could prof
il by this advice. Those who have
travelled extensively in this country
have learned by experience that In
many instances. ticket Office clerks
are inattentiye. sarcastic and irri-
table-that they appear to look upon
a ticket buyer as a pest and a nat
ural enemy.
1t is a strange thing that any
young man entering q business car
eer. should not recognize courtesy
as. one of the most valuable of per-
sonal assets. Many persons have a
wrong idea as 10 what constitutes
courtesy. They imagine that because
a stranger asks what is apparently
an insane question he is lacking in
intellectual capacity. A railroad
ticket clerk often forgets that his
business is complex and confusing to
the average citizen and that it Is
necessary to exercise patience and
go much out Of his way at times in
order to convey desired informa-
ton.
Americans have themselves to
blame for the decline OF courtesy in
this country. Politsness. necessary
part Of a PERSONS natural equip
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
HuInor and
Philosophy
PERT PARAGRAPHS.
~ DUNCAN ~. .SeUsTH

THERE are many people who know
enough to attend to their own af.
fairs. but it is noteworthy that few
really like to do II.
1t requires a tactful rather than an
appreciative person to laugh at a joke
without point.
Intellect is a mental quality possess
ed by the person that is talking about
1t and few others.
The loafer has his part in the econ.
omy OF nature. II is TO cheer and en-
core the busy man.
People who are so well bred that they
would scorn to drop a hint often OFFER
n suggestion
The cold white light OF publicity
makes the fourfiusher look like thirty
cents.
plain woman with q bad complex
ION wears face powder for a plain rea.
son.
A man likes to beat the game far the
same reason that a boy likes to beat
drum-to be noisy about 1t
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
STATE OFFICIALS
CONTINUE Silent
Rock Island Attorney Unable to
Learn Who Destroyed Gen
eva Torture Chairs.
LETTERS ARE UNANSWERED
As Last Resort Addresses Communi-
cation to Board of Admins
tration as Body.
The following letter was mailed

The following letter was mailed
today:
| Rock Island. Ill, April 6, 1911
Board of Administration, Springfield,
| IH-Gentlemen: have received no
satisfactory reply from Governor De
neen, and no reply whatever from two
! individual members of your board,
Hon. L. Y Sherman and Thomas
O'Connor. 10 letters l have written
these gentlemen asking the reasons for
the destruction of the straight chairs"
pending a so-called investigation, %
which / understand is being conducted.
These straight chairs" were formerly
used as a means of punishment at
Geneva, and were complained of by
Minnie Hobert first. and her story later
corroborated by the affidavit of Emma
Petersen, and letters from Mrs l. NJ
Fuqua.
When Charles Yirden, state agent,
was in this city some months ago con
another matter, he exhibited to public
gaze various instruments of torture
used as instruments of punishment of
children. He had confiscated these
various OeNlCCS III us NOIk as StAlS
agent, and had had them photograph
ed. Feeling that Mr.. Virden had rath-
er q hobby for obtaining and exhibiting
photographs OF this nature. / wrote to
him and requested him to procure pho
tographs of hose straight chairs"
that were being used at Geneva, and TO
forward me a complete set of views.
showing the chair IS il appeared when
opened. and also as il appeared when
closed and ready for use. If the latter
had included a girl victim
shut up in this straight chair, as one
of the methods used at Geneva 70 pre-
pare her for noble. useful, Christian
womanhood." 1t would have been all
the more realistic
IMPOSSIBLE To Comfy.
few days later / received a letter |
from Dr. Green, a member of your |
board, referring to the letter had writ |
ten to Mr.. Virden, and stating that it |
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
April 10 in American
History

18O6-General Horatio Gates. Revolu.
tionary general. died: born 1928.
1s52-John Howard Payne, author OF
Home, Sweet Home" died; born
1892
19O3-Rev. w. II. Milburn. the vener
able blind chaplain OF the United
States senate. died; born 1923.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

While the railroads Of Missouri
insist that they have lost money
since the 2-cent rate was enacted,
the railroads of Michigan admit that
they have earned more than ever be-
fore. Is the difference in railroad
accounting, or in the trafic7
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

Lincoln, Neb., now dry" will
have saloons whatever the result Of
the municipal election, both rival
candidates for mayor being commit
ted to their restoration. the differ
ence between their position being as
10 the number the city shall license
Lincoln is the home of Mr.. Bryan,
but Lincoln doesn't drink what Mr..
Bryan drinks.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
Holy week.

The announcement OF that prospec-
tive worldwide peace pact is about as
appropriate information as could be
flashed at the beginning of the week
before Easter.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

Before you accord a man the title
Of a progressive" IL might be well to
lind out which way he is going. The
republican progressives in congress
seem to be headed the right way now
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

Proof.
81 understand that he Is dishonest
Dishonest? Nonsensew
81 heard he was"
at is absurd. Why, he Is as poor
as Jobs turkey"
Evidences.
"He likes the sound Of his own
voice"
HAS an ear for noise. suppose"
Tunefui
The money lender sat at his desk,
And IL was late at night.
Around him silence relgned supreme
Dim was the yellow light.
Yet there was music In the air.
To 1t his ear was bent.
He heard his dollars everywhere.
Each earning it's per cent
Your tongue Is coated.
Your breath is foul
Headaches come and go.
These symptoms show that your
stomach is the trouble. To remove
the cause ig the first thing and Cham
berlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets
will do that. Easy to take and most
affective. Sold by all druggists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

Republican papers are predicting
dire things because they say that if
we grant reciprocity to Canada other
nations will be asking for similar
tavors. Wouldn't that be awful?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
Couldn't Resist,

'Tm never speak TO you again." she
declared, with indignation.
And why not?' innocently inquired
the man.
"And why not?" she replied, with
her temper rising every minute. Then
she went into three hours explana-
ton to show she meant just what she
said.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
Made an Impression

Made an impression.
"How far along are you in geogra-
phyT
ITO page 49,"
mo; 1 mean what subject are you
studying"
Geography, / think. I'll ask the
teacher and be sure"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
Can't Afford Them,

Can't Afford Them.
"Any children in this house,"
"Chidren?'
Eyes. 1 am taking the school CEN
sus."
Dear me, no. We can't take the
proper care Of our dear little doggies,
to say nothing Of children"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
All Round.

"He is a well posted man"
HE has never accomplished any
thing"
But he is well posted"
II notice that. He LIS posted at the
club half OF the time"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

Senator Beverage does not ike be
ing called lame duck" but suppose
somebdy had called him a "sophistical
rhetorician inebriated with the exhu-
serance Of his own verbosity."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
SeIf EuiJent.

Self Evident.
"Men are but children OF a larger
growth"
"pshawr'
"I'.
"Wr.l, while Il Is hard on the chil-
.dren, | must say that some OF them
didn't grow very far"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

Determined.
"She is going to
be married"
You surprise
meH
Yes, she Is"
when 2"
Soon as she
meets the man
that she intends
TO marry and gets
him TO get her 70
consent"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
IMPOSSIBLE TO CoMPLY.

A few days later I received a letter
from DR. Green, a member of your
board, referring to the letter I had writ
ten TO Mr.. Virden, and stating that it
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10
THE ARGUS.

~ the J. w. POTTER CO.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

1t requires a tactful rather than an
appreciative person to laugh at a joke
without a point.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

People who are so well bred that they
would scorn to drop a hint often offer
n suggestion
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

The loafer has his part in the econ.
omy OF nature. II is TO cheer and en-
core the busy man.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-10

The cold white light OF publicity
makes the fourfiusher look like thirty
cents.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-10-05
The Grand Jury.

If our experience as grand jurors
is representative, a large number Of
charges are brought before each
grand jury without anything like a
foundation Of evidence sufficient to
satisfy the man Of average common
sense. This may be because the dis
trict attorneys office has not yet had
the time to collect and arrange the
evidence, in which event the cases
should have been held until the pros
ecutiOn did have the time; Or it may
be because Of the carleSsneSs or laZ-
mess Of the officials and clerks whose
duty it is to see that every witness
named in each bill, if procurable, is
on hand at the hour needed. At
whatever angle it be regarded, the
fact that essential witnesses are, SO
often not to be had when wanted
and that the testimony offered is
frequently entirely inadequate indi-
Gates a state Of mind toward the
grand jury of which the Eyes, sir"
and mo, SIR of court clerks and the
ceremonial progress of the jury to
and from the courtroom or through
public institutions under the escort
Of officials is only the veneer of re-
spect. In fact, / and some of my
felloW-jurors could scarcely keep our
faces straight on the last day of our
term, when, having assembled in the
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-10-05
Fertilizer Law.

At last session Of the Georgia leg
islature, Mr.. Cabaniss introduced a
bill regarding commercial fertilizers,
aiming TO compel the sale of strictly
honest goods. Mr.. Turnipseed, of
Clay county, offered a substitute
which Cabaniss concluded was better
than his; and adopted.
This bill required a forfeiture of
the contract if the analysis should,
on test, fall per cent below the
imprinted guarantee.
The House changed the per cent.
to per cent. and passed the Tur-
nipseed Bill.
The Senate amended, by requiring
forfeiture of 25 per cent. Of the con-
tract if the goods fell 10 per cent
below the guarantee on the sack.
The House agreed, and it became
law on Governor Smiths approval.
The Farmers Union urged Caba-
ness, their president, to secure a law
SO stringent that we would pay for
plant-food, not for sand, cinders,
and other worthless filters
Cabaniss did his best and in my
judgement compromised principle
log-rolling with Hoke Smith Lawyers.
They got Smith elected; then
turned their backs to Cabaniss and
his friends and gave them this abom-
Unable abortion. We reputiate it and
denounce the we'll known lobbying,
by the Fertilizer Trust, to secure a
law which insures the most glazing
fraud in selling bogus fertilizers.
We demand a righteous statute,
like the Pure Food Law, OF the U. S.
Government. And we intend to have
a Commissioner Of Agriculture, who
will diligently and fearlessly enforce
it, like DR.. Wylie; though their cries
Of opposition against such ''such dras-
tic legislation" resOunds through the
State both day and night.
Mr.. Deese, member from Pulaski
county, will renew this fight at next
session, and [ ask that Mr.. Watson
assist NIGHTLY
F. D. WIMBERLY.
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-10-05
Man and His Hats.

The masculine half of creation
loves to rail at the subservience of it's
women folk to the rules of fashion
but it risks terrific breakage Of it's
own window glass every time it does
so. AS matter of fact, men are par
ticularly slow to adopt any novel and
sensible style Of dress, says the
Youths companion. They follow
with timid and pathetic docility the
sartorial practices Of their fellows.
Women discovered the possibilities
of the straw hat for beauty and COM
fort long before men could be in
duced to put their common sense at
work and cease steWing their unhap-
by brains on hot summer days be-
meath stiff and clammy headgear of
felt and wool.
And when this great triumph had
been achieved mankind deliberately
fettered itself by the most arbitrary
and nonsensical conventions If June
IA saw the mercury at ninety-eight
degrees and the 18th brought touch
Of frost, nevertheless a straw hat
might not be worn on the 18th, but
was de rigueur on the 18th. One
wore his battered straw at his very
real peril on September 16.
Here again, women have led the
way. A woman thinks nothing of
wearing bonnet of straw in Decem-
Der if she considers il becoming or
comfortable. Man will never win for
himself such liberty as that, although
he has been known to wear out his
last summers straw in sitting ashes
and doing the fall cleaning about the
place, without losing the respect of
his fellowmen.
But within his limitations he makes