davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
SCHOLARS ACKNOWLEDGE
THE JOSEPHUS FORGERY

To the Editor Of THE TINES:
l have been greatly interested in The
Times Mail Bag. The Christians try
to prove all their arguments by the
Bible. l notice. however, c. E. Holmes
quotes Josephus and Tacitus, as evil
dence of a historic Jesus Christ. II Mr.
Holmes will extend his researches fur
ther he will find that all modern Chris
ton scholars now acknowledge the
mention of Christ he quotes from JOS
ephus is a forgery
The Rev. S. Barring Gould. in his
Last and Hostile Gospels" says:
This passage is first quoted by Fuse
bious in 3l5 A. D., but it was unknown
to Justin Martyr $40 A. D., Clement of
Alexandria 1872 a. D., Tertullian 1893
A, D., and Origen go A. D. Origen
expressly declares that Josephus had
not acknowledged Jesus as the Christ.
AS for the annals of Tacitus, it Is
claimed. these were forged in the ff-
teenth century by Bracciolina. The an
nails were not cited by early Christian
writer's. DEIST.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
JUSTICE TO COLONIAL BEACH.

There seems to be good reason for believing that
the Agricultural Department has unwttngly done a
grave injustice to Colonial Beach, Va, which is one
of the most prosperous little communities and most
popular of the nearby resorts on the Potomac
cargo of oysters recently prohibited from
landing in Washington on the ground that they had
been contaminated. This contamination, it was as
serted, was due to the imperfect sewerage arrange
ments of Colonial Beach. The announcement was
which was calculated to demoraze the oyster
industry, and at the time it could not fail to
have its effect Colonial Beach itself, the pros
perity of which depends to a large extent upon its
hygenic conditions.
Dr. NJ B. Groshon, health officer of Colonial
Beach, has issued an official statement in which he
points out the physical impossibiliy of the oyster
beds being contaminated by the local sewage, fol
the simple reason that there isn't any. The garbage
is carted far inland and safely disposed Of. More
over, scientific system of modern sewerage is now
under construction.
The Department of Agriculture owes it to Colo
nial Beach to correct the msimpression created as
the result of what appears to have been hasty in
vestigaton.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26

and related forces that hold their power under the
old boss system will recognize the proposal as di-
recy hostile to their pretensons as the real rulers
of the third State in the Union The session OPEN
ing today will be good one to watch for more fiscal
activities Of the character that marked the putting
over of Illinois junior Senator.
Governor Deneen, in issuing the CALI expresses
confidence that the measure will pass. He states
that he has talked with members Of the Legislature
throughout the State and believes that twothrds of
them will support preferential primary.
In this regard, of course, the legislators merely
reflect the sentiments Of their constituents. Every
day. now, is Strengthening the disgust Of people for
conditions they now exist; every day adds vigor
to the demand for decent, respectable, honest pro-
cedure by which the people can declare their will
But vastly more than this is in issue. II is be-
come so plain that none mistake, that the Re-
publican party cannot stand the strain now being
imposed on it by the methods of the Administration
managers. Twenty years ago the methods now re-
sorted to for capture of delegates would have gone
down with the public but its guet has got too deli
cate. 1t doesn't swallow that sort of thing readily.
1t is characteristic of bourbon standpatisn,
learning nothing and forgetting nothing to imagine
fiat this country will still stand for the methods Of
reconstruction days in the South and of the worst
periods of the old bosssm at the North The truth is
that even if Mr.. Taft should be nominated by these
methods, the very fact of their employment would
make his election impossible. If there were no other
ground for the conviction that Tafts nomination is
invitation to party disaster, the nationwide effort to
force nomination in this fashion would be sufficient.
The Republican party in 1888 tried that and it has
not yet entirely forgotten the results. 1t will not
submit to another such runous proceeding.
Preferential primaries will save the party from
the schism that is breaking out in all sections.
Nothing else can do it. The movement marches
steadily forward. Already it is assured that by the
next Presidential election the primary will be the
rule, the old system the rare exception.
But of what will it be to the Republican party
then if meantime the party wrecks itself in last
desperate effort of the present bosses to their
power?
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
THE ORTHODOX SHOULD
DEFEND THE SCRIPTURE

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Being a daily reader of The Times
Cboth editions), l give careful attention
to Mail Bag correspondents. especially
so to those who are expounding in the
Scriptures. Our Bible is not a book
for arguments, but one to be read and
believed 1t matters not II we under
stand 1t. God. its author. is an able M
terpreter of His own words. Moreover,
The Times, in giving free use OF its
naRes to voluntary scribes, should not
be imposed upon by brainless writer's, or
more especially so, when their compost
ton is touching upon the very heart of
mans Creator, God, whose words are
His thoughts to us-words for our most
immediate and deepest consideration of
heart. Only the best sifted thoughts of
the best sifted people should feel them
selves welcome or even in place to have
their articles appear in a paper or go
before such a vast multitude of people
of wisdom, honor, and fame as consti-
tutes the patrons of the Washington
city daily Times paper. Christ says:
IF He be lifted up, He will draw all
men unto Him" Let us who are ably
inspired unite in this work for our mas
ter and Saviour, using, II we may, The
Times paper as means of circulating
our good intentions and deeds; II so we
bear much fruit. Kindly submitted in
His name for the uplift of human souls
when our blessed Lord may choose to
give His Light HIS DISCIPLE.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26

center of attraction for all the differ
ent suns and planets, and In such case.
all of them are in a constant state of
falling toward that center Should that
be so there would be no such regularity
in the orbit of the earth or any planet
as we know there is at present. And,
besides, II they are all falling toward
that center. how long will IL be until
they all come together in one big mass
and melt into one immense conglomera-
tion of destruction forever?
The only reasonable conclusion is
that all planetary systems are held in
moving order together and apart by the
lacking of common center of attrac-
tion! This means that we cannot in
Imagination reach a point where there
is no room for anything (suns and
nlanets) and that where there is room
for anything there Is more than likely
something to fill It.
Surely, one is forced as an honest
thinker to decide for an infinite uni
verse that has no center. no common
center OF attraction, and that a sudden
beginning. called by theologians. "the
creation is altogether out of the ques-
ton. EDGAR FELLER.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
BATTLE OF PUNCTUATION MARKS.

Agitation and unrest seem to follow John Paul
Jones in death as in life. While his bones still await
final sepuure, and occasional doubts still raised
,as to the genuneness of the remains brought back
through the instrumentaity of Gen. Horace Porter,
a discussion has arisen as to the punctuation Of
his defiant retort, Surrender! | have just begun to
fight"
: Jones himself gave less striking version of his
reply to the commanding officer of the Scraps He
conented himself with recording that in reply to the
challenge if he surrendered, he replied, 81 do not but
l intend to make you surrender" Good enough in
IT'D way but not so impressive on the plinth of a
monument 1t was Lieutenant Dale, of the Bon
Homme Richard who records the reply in its more
epigrammatc form, and it is in this form that it will
be craven upon the monument to be erected in Poto-
mac Park.
But the battle of the terati now RACES around
the question as to whether the Surrender" should
be followed with what is known to the art preserva-
tive screamer"-in elegant parlance excla-
nation pointer with an interrogation mark. The
controversy seems to be no nearer settlement than
when it began.
The little crooked thing that asks questions" =
as the mark of interrogation was once defined with
side glance at Alexander Pope and his bent figure
Can often convey shades of meaning quite con-
trary to that of the mere exclamation. The juggery
of punctuation can turn the language upside down
But in the instance under consideration the difference
would be but slight with the odds in favor of the
more robust screamer. The doughty Scot would not
have employed language which smacked of par.
leyng, even for the twnkling of an interrogation
point
If the iconocIasts are to go behind the returns
in the matter of historic phrases there will be nc
end. Ethan Allen and his Name of the Great Jeho
yah and the Continental Congress" will be turned
over again Don't give up the ship" and "One life
to give for my country" and all the copy book
phrases which ncucate pride and patriotism, viii
have to be examined anew. If the committee ir
charge is content with the phrasng of the John Pau
Jones defiance, the exclamation may we'll be allowed
to stand and the memorial work 60 on without delay
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
FINDS RENTS HIGH
IN WASHINGTON
To the Editor of THE TIMES.

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Allow me short space in your COL
ulnn. AS | see so much being written
on different subjects. / noticed in a
late issue where the Retail Merchants
have requested all firms to have their
work done in this city. They are right
by SO doing, but l did not notice where
respond with the wages that a journey
man workman receives. AS l am
stranger in this town and find prices
higher than they are in other cities OF i'm
portanCe Not only such wares as they
sell. but the real estate trust has this
town by the neck, and a renter has to
pay such prices as they see fit to ask.
have in mind at present houses of
four to five rooms, small ones at that,
for SIS to s35 per month. ask for one
of cheaper rent mo, l will let them lay
idle before ! would take less" and to
my knowledge this house has been so
for two months. think that while our
honorable body on the Hill are trying to
decrease the cost Of living they would
help the small salary man by looking
into the biggest trust of this city. For
a man with an income of $50 per month
Cwho has to live close to his work. to
LAY $50 per month for rent, and a negro
family in the rear in the same yard,
Is too much l am surprised that the
Capital of this grand old country Is in
the grasp of few to bleed the people
that have to work for what little they
receive. They hollow II any one goes
on the outside to purchase the needs of
life. ! am at present boarding with a
lady that has her eatables shipped IN
and then she saves by so doing,
don't mean to cause any unjust feellng
towards anyone. but what is here is
plain facts and can prove such. Would
A SOUTHERNER.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
WANTS MORE LIGHT ON
PERI EXPEDITION
To the Editor Of THE TIMES.

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
In speaking of the four corners of the
earth in an issue of your paper of the
18th, a correspondent who signs him
self "A Times Reader" says:
"One of the corners Is just where
Peri failed to plant the American flag
at the gate OF paradise"
1 have often heard the location of
heaven and hell discussed. and also
paradise. which Is supposed to be the
home of our first parents, but I never
knew that the United States had or
ganized expeditions to determine their
location.
1t would be a great satisfaction to
many of us to know the location Of
these places, especially hell, so that
We could steer clear of, or so shape our
lives, as to arrive there.
Would "Times Reader" please answer
a few questions on this subject for I
think 1t is OF interest to all.
/. Who is Peri? 3 When was the eX-
petition organiZed-what was the cause
of its failure? g. Has the United states
still got expeditions in the field? 4.
What is the object of the quest-to re-
gain paradise-as scientific research
or does 1t lead to other things Of which
we at present do not know?
The Washington times., 1912-03-26

the constitution to offset the decision.
The 18th, 18th, 14th, and 18th amend
ments to the Federal constitution were
exercises of this power. The pending
18th amendment is a present instance.
The 1lth amendment set aside CHS
holm V. Georgia, g Dallas 419. in so far
as II held a State suable in the Su-
preme Court by citizens of other states
or foreigners. The 18th, 14th, and 18th
amendments nullincd or bore on the
slavery features of the Dred scott case.
The Pollock case holding certain income
tax laws invalid is now before the pee
I'd nugatory by the adoption of t!.=
proposed 18th amendment. State con-
Stituttons are amendable, and II is
manifest that ample means exist to
rectify erroneous interpretations.
Whatever efficieacy now exists In the
Federal Constitution has been injected
by the courts. Lawyers all know thai
Marshall made the instrument what it
is. What opportunity would there have
been for this development by judicial
construction, had his various decisions
been readable? Some of his most
important rulings would have been re-
called II left to vote, as the adher-
ents of Jefferson were then in the ma
jority. His ruling that courts can de-
clare acts of Congress invalid was critt
, cised and almost anathemized by JET
ferson. His upholding the power OF
Congress to create national bank
N'uih bdNV bSSH bbl dSll'g DO lht pNu-
pie were with Jackson on this issue.
Yet this decision formed the ground
work of the legal tender decisions up
holding the legal tender attributes OF
greenbacks. The legal tender cases
were indispensable to the credit OF the
Government. and were almost demand
ed by the people. Vigorous dissenting
| opinions were filed, and the constitution
| had to be stretched to sustain the point.
The majority opinions rest on the banl:
case by Marshall, which would have
| been set aside by a plebiscite. 1t takes
| time to Judge a decision and the arbitra-
| ment OF it's continuances should not be
attempted By suffrage during the heat
of a campaign when it is subordinated
| to exaggerate transitory issues. The
recall Of a construction Of constitu-
ton is n question of law TO be decided
by courts and not by voters. In so far
as II Is a political, moral, or economi-
cal question, it can be rectifpd by ax-
press amendment. The corrective means
now extant are preferable to 'nullili-
cation"
! d. w. WOOD.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
ASKS WHY MINISTERS
DON'T STOP THE STRIKE
To the Editor of THE TINES:

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
Just a little space for my first letter
to the public on any subject
Some time ago, two able-bodied men,
strong and harde ned, were to battle for
a purse and the championship Of the
pugilistic world. What happened? Even
these men would not nave harmed any
one but themselves. Some officious
ministers of the gospel, and other pub
1Ic-spirlted" citizens started a great dig
league, and started to yell stop that
fight"
Now, what 1 am getting to is, why
don't these same very great mora moral
OF the coal strike will do more harm
than Ave hundred prize fights.
The would-be "public-spirited" citizen
is losing a good chance, not only for
self advertisem%nt. but may perhaps
Where is the starter of that crusade ?
l hope this reaches him and then he
can see just how big" ne really is.
Thanking you for your valuable space
am FAIR PLAY.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
SUNDANcE FOREVER AND ANYHOW.

House Democrats will caucus tomorrow evening
on their economy program. Shall there be public
building pork barrel bill? And shall the naval ex-
pansion program be continued?
We don't know. The mysteries of Congressional
economics past dvining But some things are
plain.
BY taking this nation out of the rank of leading
naval powers, we can save little.
:" BY dropping national fire insurance on the
national forests, we can save trile more
Enough, perhaps, to permit Sundance's 28l in
habitants to keep their $4,000 Federal building.
Assuredly, nothing should interfere with that con-
tribution to Sundance's civic satisfaction.
Sundance forever! Economy? Bunk!
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
SUBJECT THE SENATE
TO INVESTIGATION

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
After a careful reading of the article
in Tuesdays edition of The Times,
headed. Lea Threatened with Ostra-
Cism in the Senate" l have reached
two conclusions. The first is that there
is at least one honest man in the col
lection of boodlers and grafters gath
cred under the dome OF the Capitol,
and the other is that all the investiga-
tions which have been started in tho
halls of Congress have been misdirect-
ed efforts. either intentional or unin-
territorial, and that the proper place to
be investigated at the present time is
atives themselves.
In no other branch of the Govern
ment service is there as much time and
money wasted and so little accom-
plished.
There was a time when the words.
Congress Of the United States, meant
much to the American people, but II
seems as If that day was a thing OF
the past, and instead of having the
legislative body par excellence which
a country like this should have. the
people are taxed to maintain second
class debating society and a school for
hot-air artists.
pie of the United States at large should
feel particularly proud of Senator Lea
and the stand that he has taken, and
feel sure that the sting of any ostra-
Cism which may be inflicted on him by
some OF the rusty cogs in the Senate
will be more than compensated for by
the knowledge that his efforts to pre-
vent the looting of the public treas.
ury through the passage of pork barrel
bills will be appreciated by the greater
mass of the people of this country.
Speed the day when the Senate of the
United States shall be elected by popu.
lar vote, for in that day some of the
solid ivory domes which are now
warming the seats of that august body
will be relegated to the tall timbers
and their voices will no more be heard
in the land.
I wish that it were possible for your
paper to let the general public know
lust what percentage of Take-off the
maker of the bill which Senator Lea Is
fighting was to receive on the passage
of the bill
I have been a constant reader, of The
Times since its first issue. and l have
always found II to be just and fearless
and ever ready to do battle in the righ
cause. Why not a campaign for al
investigation of the antiquated meth
ods of doing business in the big house
on the hill? A WORklNGMAN.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26

of the doubter he naively answers the
question: Surely not to a butcher
but to a physician" Thus does he
liken his brother apologists to butchers.
But, avaunt! Brother Connolly!
II is still in style to employ the
Jesuitical method in religious argument,
but this particular sophism is thread
bare; you need fresher tricks; a more
deft handling Of details is necessary,
smoother application.
But most important! Mr.. Connolly
hints that he knows the "physician"
for Mr.. Free Thinker II the latter will
but disclose his true name. This lucky
skeptic has a rare chance to meet a
specialist properly equipped to salts
factorily treat" his case.
Can II be that Jere Connolly would
make conditions for the bestowal OF
this boon? And will he favor one man
| only? Perish the thought! He will
prove his burning zeal" by spreading
this needed Information on the Mai
Bag page where a hundred thousand
people can profit by 1t.
ADVOCATUs DIABOLI.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
WHY ADMINISTRATION
FEARS THE PRIMARIES
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
After reading some of the editorial
opinions appearing in a few OF GU
papers here of late, one would suppose
them to be run by the Taft afraid-to-
accept "a a-primary-challenge modification
bureau, and the latter, we now know
is run by Wall Street interests and the
large combines that fleece the people
at every opportunity; the law-defying.
selfish few. who would rule in their
own way, or who would ruin!
Isn't IT n sorry picture to the whole
| country to see our President, seeming
ly travelling hand in hand with the SCI
fish moneyed few, as opposed to the
many of his countrymen, and trying
| through the power of his office, 70
thwart the will and the hopes of a
majority Of the people. by offering pa
ronage for votes.
WHY are he and his henchmen so op-
posed to primaries throughout the coun-
try, and letting the people speak
through this fair and square method,
their preference for President?
1t Is we'll for the people OF this coun-
try that he has at last thrown aside his
| detestable mask at this time, as they
Will now have ample time to relegate
him to private life via the Aldrich
route,
His remarks at Alliance Ohio, read
like a good little fairy tale: how sweet
II sounds. Did it originate in the brain.
and come through the mails, from one
of his coerced-into-supporti
Southern office holders, or was the in
iration-asking his audience to obHT
the laws of the land furnished him by
one of his dear, unselh1sh, laW-defy1nB,
bribe- offering, trust magnates, VINO,
while patting the people on the back
in the open, and telling them nice little
fairy stories, are stabbing them in the
dark. with their high iniquitous tariffs.
and heading Off through bribery in one
form or another, all progressive en-
actments wanted by a majority of the
people of this country. ,
OBSERVER.
The Washington times., 1912-03-26
VOICE FROM THE ETHER
GIVES FURTHER DETAILS

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
At the kind request Of m. D." l
submit additional Information obtained
largely in my own home. A number Of
spirits proved their identity by being
photographed.
II did not lose consciousness in pass
ing out Do not mourn when we are
promoted to a more blessed life. as it
retards our growth. When on earth
was like Billy Sunday-an honest, blind
leader of the blind. and took collec-
tions for God to support me- I held
my lambs like fish in glass globe, and
II one got little real light, | shouted :;
'lnfidel! Tower of Babel! Believe or be
damned! l never had a spiritual re-
alization, and did not know how to so
direct people. ! am ashamed to admit
that / ever claimed to be Christian.
Yes, we have churches in the lower
spheres, but soon outgrow them, ana
have great halls of learning, with free
general discussion. with liberty to eX-
press all we know is true with no dan
ger of being unfrocked.
I'VE no longer shear the lambs to
sustain denominations. God never in
tended two persons to think just the
same, or one to think or eat for an
other. Many Christians are in darkness
a long time because of narrow, bitter
intolerance that they mistook for re-
and harmony, and may be entirely in
dependent of Saviours, Bibles, or
churches. though these have aided many
dear souls.
You are each onehalf of a tiny point
Of light, or soul-germ. your father
breathed from the atmosphere. You will
meet and know your other half some
time. This divine spark is your Saviour
within. Let it blossom, and all good
things are yours. Sit alone, relax, af-
firm with feeling and gratitude that you
are living IN God dove and have COM
fort, wisdom, harmony, health. and
power. Kill all self-seeking. This path
,, leads to an inner realization of universal
love, the goal! the goal!'
FRESH MAMMA