davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
THINKS SENATOR FORAKER
MAN OF THE HOUR

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
The multiplicity Of duty of the Execu-
tive Department of this country is so
varied that 1t can and should most IA
Vorably AFFECT the well being of each and
every citizen. The compatibility OF sue
ceeding administrations have SO coped
with the mandates Of justice that we
have sprung from the Thirteen States or
Colonies to one of the greatest lands
on earth. Consistency in government is
a priceless jewel in church, school, and
state, 80 stimulating business that the
classes and sometimes even the masses
are abundantly blessed. Through such
agencies we have spanned this continent
with rail transportation, steam naviga-
ton, established beautiful farms, manu-
factories, and with brawny muscles sup
wrenched from the rugged grasp of
minerology iron, lead, silver, and gold
We have also dotted hills, plains, and
valleys with hamlets, towns, and cities
adorned with huts, palatial residences,
and modern improvements OF electricity
other things with trade and traffic de-
irving therefrom we will finally place
at exchange a circulating currency OF
possibly billions of dollars In day,
furnishing ample means for everybody,
thus blessing a mighty nation.
The other side Of this question con-
sists of poverty, suicide. starvation, and
murder. SO we see what a work we
yet have to do and what a sacrifice to
make. Hence we ned President
who VIII deal with these things justly,
irrespective of color. race, or previous
condition. For such a calling former
United States Senator J. B: Foraker Is
the strongest nomination that the Re
CHARLES CHARLES.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
FEDERAL VS.. STATE POWER AGAIN.

If it we're possible to have forty-nine different
varieties of regulation for transportation in this
ton, without destroying the unity of the countrys
commercial system, there could be some defense
against the Interstate Commissions order in the
Louisiana-Texas rate case
But that is not possible. The Constitution for
bids tariffs among the States. One State may not
protect iself its trade industries, against another
There is no wiser provision of the Constitution. In
proof it is needful only TO cite the unparalleled de-
velopment Of the nation under nationwide freedom
of trade.
Discrimination in railroad rates is just as much
means of protection, as the imposition of import
duties at a custom house. The Texas theory has
been to adjust rates with view to giving Texas
traders an advantage in the States traffic, out
siders. 1t is abhorrent to the very elemental prn-
ciple of free trade among the States
Under this Texas theory, very low rates were
prescribed by the State commission for distribution
of goods from Houston and Dallasnto territory east
of those cities. The territory thus favored is also
naturally tributary to Shreveport, La. The business
between Shreveport and this Texas region is inter-
state; that between the Texas cities and this large
area is ntraState.
. As the rates were finally adjusted, the Interstate
Commission finds that 60cent first class rate would
carry traffic l66 miles eastward from these Texas
towns, while the like rate would carry it only fifty
five miles from Shreveport into the territory.
The Louisiana State commission protested, and in
sisted an adjustment which would equaze the
conditions of the Louisiana and Texas centers
divided Interstate Commission with almost as
many opinions as there commissioners, decided
in favor OF the Louisiana veW what may be called
the national view. The decision certainly seems to
be right provided this is to be, in commercial
sense, one nation instead of forty-eight Politically,
it has been very definitely settled that are one
nation. Yet just as Lincoln declared the country
could not exist half slave and half free it may be
said that the country cannot exist if it is to be polit
cally unity, but commercially federation OF
independent, competing principates in effect vic.
lating the fundamental rule that State shall i'm.
pose restrictions on interstate commerce.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
GLORY IN IGNORANCE
OF PSYCHIC, PHENOMENA
To the Editor of THE TINES:

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
II there is anything more wonderful
than the psychic forces that interpene-
tratc our life, 1t is the instructive deter
mination of the average intelligent per-
son to ignore them. So says o. II. Dun
bar, reviewing the subject in a lately
published book. The author continues
df 1 remember the exact words): zig
norance of these matters has in itself
become a fetch and a superstition"
This is true. Even the religious man,
clinging to his tenets on faith alone.
ignores or attempts to discredit the
investigation of the soul which bids fair
to give him a scientific foundation for
his fundamental beliefs,
No apostle of the crescent or the
cross was ever more jealous than the
little band OF skeptics who formed a
psychic research society a few years
ago for the recording and study Of su-
pernormal happenings. Not Super
natural" they don't take 1t that any
thing Iranscends natural law. But
facts are observed; facts seemingly eon-
fiicting with nature as we have viewed
1t heretofore; facts, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ably In harmony with more obscure
natural law. None of US pretends to
understand all nature.
But that little band of psychieal re-
searchers has grown. Ramiflcations of
1t now obtain in every country. And 1t
studies facts; sits as child before
facts; follows facts whittier they lead!
CHEVY CHASE,
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
A STUDENT AND PATRIARCH
SUMS UP HIS LABORS

To the Editor Of THE TIMES.
Any serious investigator of the claims
OF revealed religion should not fail to
read THE Service Of Man." by Jas.
Cotter Morrison. 1t was issued about
twenty-five years ago by a large Lon
don house, Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner
& Co., and several years after could not
be had in Chicago or New York. I had
to get my copy from the London pub
fishers ! have seen only one copy be-
sides my own, despite the fact that the
London Fortnightly Review gave the
book. at the time of its publication, an
extensive leading editorial. ] was brought
up under orthodox influences, am nearing
threescore and ten, have read largely
pro and con. and long since concluded
that a brainy woman named Frances
Wright was correct in her epitome of
the subject:
1t Is not that religion ls merely useless;
II II mischievous 1t Is mischieYous by its
Idle terrors: II Is mlschevous by its false
morality; 1t Is mschievous by its hypocrisy;
by its fanaticism. by its dogmatIsrn, by its
threats, by Its hopes, by it's promises Con-
Eidered under its mildest and most amIable
form, II lie still mischievous as inspiring
false motives OF action is holding the huma n
mind In bondage and diverting the attention
from things useful to things useless. The
essence Of religion is fear. as its source
is ignorance.
GILES DJJMDRUDGE.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
HEAVEN NOT A PLACE,
BUT A CONDITION
To the Editor of THE TIMES:

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
The most helpful and instructive part
of The Times is the Mail Bag. In it
all can find some thought that will help
them in some way. One does not plant
the seed today and expect to gather its
fruits the following morning. Nothing
Is gained by loud preaching or lecturing.
Think how still the seed lies deeply
buried in the ground till it works its
tiny head to the lignt! What wonder
full power Is in the silence! Churches
teach that God is love; they also teach
that God will punish. Punishment Is
cruelty; love Is forever helping each
child to see the bright and beautiful ip
all things-striving to help the children
of earth-life over the rough places
God lives in each person.; the kingdom
of heaven is within; heaven is not a
location but condition. Make your
heaven here and now, and when we
pass into our larger life of usefulness
we will find heaven. Why? Because
We made our heaven here on this earth
plane. Not one person Is lost, but will
have their own life to work out. Do
your best while you are independent OF
Your own physical body. The Bible
saws: TRY the spirits, and see whether
tney are good or evil spirits. There
Is fraud and deceit in every kind OF
business, including the churches as well.
There had to be a genuine before there
could he a counterfeit. So there are
true. honest spirits helping us all the
time. Sflul - O<AA@A0 =.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
SEND IMMORAL MEN
TO WHIPPING POST
To the Editor of THE TIMES: e

To the Editor Of THE TINES:
A recent issue contained an edi-
toriaI revealing an instance OF shock
ing immortality in connection with
child OF sixteen. There is a very sim
pie remedy-tie all such vicious ana
immoral brutes to a whipping post and
fog them within an inch Of their lives.
] will guarantee that In ten minutes
you will instill more morality than all
the churches and mems forward move
ments will do in ten years. also ven
ture to predict that you will be obliged
to fog two-thirds OF your male popu-
lation over seventeen years of age.
Mrs. MARGUERITE du POINT LEE.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
SHE MISSED THE GOSSIP.

Mrs Hetty Green has moved back to Hoboken
She found New York too dull so she decided to get
back where she can mngle with neighbors and just
! gossip"
This decision on the part of "the wealthest
woman in the world" throws considerable light on
human nature. She, of course, could we'll afford to
occupy the most expensive house in the big city. Nor
was her choice of Hoboken flat dictated entirely by
motives of economy-though the legend which has
grown up around her will have it so to the end Of
the chapter, no doubt
Reduced to its essentials it was just the primi-
tive longing for neighborness which overcame her,
and she finally had to answer TO the CALL
|. 1t is needless to say that in the more feverish
centers there is proximity without neghborliness. 1t
is downright rude to speak to the party in the adoin-
ing flat and unheard of to borrow enough sugar for
supper in the good old way they do back home. In
the populouS desert there is opportunity to ex-
change the small talk which is of the real pleas
urcS of life.
One need not apologize for the love of gossip.
There is no more reason why it should consist OF
envy malice, and all unchartabeness than any other
kind of conversation. 1t is amiable, and not alto
gether weakness to keep informed as to the
measles and the millinery in the family of our
friends. One cannot always be absorbed in the
wreck Of matter and the crush OF worlds, even in
the weightier affairs of a routine existence. Mrs.
Green need not apologize for wishing to get back
where she can enjoy of the natural luxuries Of
social life
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
THE EXTREME OF PARTISANSHIP.

Two young men in the United States Senate, Mr..
Lea, Democrat, of Tennessee, and Mr.. Kenyon, Re-
publican, of Iowa, double-teamed in fight to kill
some log-rolling appropriations of public money.
These appropriations are on their face indefen-
sibe and wrong.
They are possible because of system that
makes legislation an affair of trade and barter that
makes the public treasury largely source Of cam
paign funds for the benefit of gentlemen with pull
enough to get them out.
Comes now from Iowa grumblng chorus Of
intimations that "Kenyons going to hurt himself if
he doesn't quit being thick with Democrats"
And from Tennessee the broad suggestion that
Luke Lea can't 60 training with Republicans this
way if he wants to be Democrat"
If there is still enough of that medieval, ignor-
ant, blind and jaundiced partisanship in Iowa and
Tennessee to provide any real backing for such
threats against public men doing great public SER
vice. then it proves that those States don't deserve
to have better government and are not worthy Of
the services of men with real intelligence and real
conScenceS.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
INDIVIDUAL TOWELS
THE BEST SOLUTION
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
1t is to be regretted that a refined
and intelligent lady who was born in
luxury and reared In an atmosphere of
culture. should call upon some patriotic
man TO agitate discrimination of color
line" as remedy for the unpleasant
state of affairs which now exists in
some Government departments-that is,
having to wipe ones face on q towel
previously used by others
Lots of our so-Called intelligent people
fail to appreciate the fact that there is
q vast difference between patriotism
and notoriety. and only those Senators
or Representatives seeking the latter
would be 80 narrow minded as to advo~
cate such an injustice to a race no
wise to blame.
Though in a branch of the Govern
ment service where few negroes are en-
ployed, and with whom | never come in
contact, find the act just as disagree
able, for I realize that l am liable to
catch some skin or other odious disease
from one of my own race.
AS a few OF the branches of the serv-
ice furnish towels to each individual
and others have adopted the tissue
paper towel scheme and found 1t a
good one, would II not be better to
advocate the enforcement OF the "Sug-
gestions of the Health Department
relative to the unsanitary conditions in
the Government departments, which is
the real issue, than to try to make
heavier the burden of the negro through
A GOVERNMENT EMPLoYE ALSO
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
UNBELIEVERS PULL DOWN
WITHOUT REBUILDING
To the Editor OF THE TINES:

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
The Mail RaS columns are, AS a rule,
interesting reading. The interest. of
late, seems TO center in the various
matter5--contributions that. apparently,
AWAKEN the deep feelings of believers
and non- believers.
While freedom of thought, and cs,
pecially Of religious thought. should
pI evail particularly in this country Of
ours, 1t Is natural matter Of regret to
many that the non-pelievers. ty their
expressed views, aim to pull down with
ing a reasonably satisfactory quid pro
QUO for what they destroy. They strike
at faith and peace Of mind: they strive
strive 20 belittle beliefs that cannot
he SHOWN to rest on foundation of
cold reason. What hey cannot prove
not be. In this thev show themselves
eSosticticel. as saying. II cannot un-
derstand this, therefore, it is not" They
thIs place themselves sdG; on EIane hn Of In
at the miraclos-although the burning
hush that remained unconsurled Is du-
plicated by the external example OF
the sun above us: and we strike the
rocks. and water and oil gush forth.
Can they explain the electric fluid? We
have harnessed electricity, but can any
mind conceive what it is? It is neither
gas, liquid nor solid. the three classes
comprising all matter. so fai as present
knowledge ami classification go. Again.
can we contemplate the space in the
heavens above, and picture t. our mind
| q tangible limit?
DO not believe in blind. intolerant
faith. but I do feel that in these mat
| teTs Of controversy. a middle ground of
| feeling ana words be avoided
| Destroy faith. and the peace Offering
Of the civilized world is gone. So let us
| bc liberal, and rs faith is harmless, do
| mi a. y t.nla0O n1ennafn %.
turn is offered in exchange.
| MODERATION.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25

and economic questions Of the times can have a
chance at serious effective consideration the peo-
pie must be assured that the government shall be in
the hands of legislators and officials moved by sin
cere purpose to do what the people want done. The
fact as we'll as few of the forms Of popular gov
ernment is going to be established; after that the
people will determine what they shall do, and will
fix the rate of progress that shall be made.
The reform Of the convention system, the elimi-
nation of machines the substitution Of the people S
rule for the domination Of bosses, will be the first
long step toward this accomplishment.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
THE TERM "FREETHINKER"
Is MISLEADING

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
The term, "freethinker," as used In
the columns of The Times in the dis
cussion of the Bible, is somewhat mis-
leading. The man who doubts the ex-
istence Of a Supreme Being, and that
Jesus was the Son of God, and who
questions the fact that the Bible is
the Word of God, surely has no claim
on the title "freethinker," but rather
''unbeliever." All Protestants are to a
great extent freethinkers. believing in
a personal Saviour, and In confessing to
the Almighty direct without the aid of
any human agency. each in his own pc
cullar way, and because there are wide
dinerences in opinion on the non-essen-
uals, such as immersion, predestInation,
eternal damnation, ETC., does not dis
credit the Bible nor the intelligence of
those who profess Christianity but does
snow that there Is freedom of thought,
LOVER OF LIBERTY
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
EFFORT TO SUPPRESS
SHOWS NARROW VISION

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
Narrow-minded people are accustomed
to baking at anything their narrow
vision cannot see. When a man asks
them to consider something they have
never thought of before they oppose It
with all the might and main of a mar
row stream that meets a big boulder in
its path, and seeing the futility of over
coming 1t goes around It. lin like man
ner the above mentioned people, unable
to meet the arguments of truth-seek-
ers, either threaten to stop their paper
or suggest a discontinuance OF the argu-
ment
There is one question would like to
ask the defenders Of the Bible, and l
hope for a logical answer: how does
the Bible prove the existence of God?
FREETHINKER,
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
CONVENTION SYSTEM MUST CHANGE.

Whatever may be the immediate results of this
years efforts for the popularizaton Of national
venton representation, nothing could be clearer than
that this good year 1912 will be historically import
ant marking the end Of the old Of boss-chosen
and boss-driven conventions The national conven-
ton of the future is going to be different sort of
affair than it has been in the past. 1t will represent
the people, not the machines; its delegates will be
selected by the people, voting in orderly way in
primaries, not the bosses working through packed
Caucuses and party machinery.
In its time, the political convention was
means to further popuarizaon of politics; it added
something of popular value to the forces that deter
mined nominations. But it has fallen into control
Of organization, and the time is when it must
either change radically in character, 60 out Of
existence.
This year half score of States will select dele
gates to the national conventions by popular pri-
maries Everything indicates clearly that this is only
a beginning. The movement for primaries in place
of the old methods is sweeping the country. New
Yorks bogus apology for primary system will be
superseded by real primary act; Massachusetts has
secured the primary, and Michgans fight for it is
already won, that, whether real preferential pri-
mary shall be held this year not it is certain thar
one will be four years hence.
The movement to hand the government back to
the peoples control is making steady progress
so rapidly during the weeks since the present
tional campaign has been going at full blast 1t is
small wonder that bosses and organizations have be-
come terrorized they recognize the full force and
the sweeping significance of the demand for pr.
mares
Greater than any other issue of these times is
this one of putting the government back into the
grasp of the people, of taking it away from the
forces of privilege and plunder. Before the socia
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
GIVES A DEFINITION
OF UNPARDONABLE SIN

To the Editor OF THE TIMES:
A word in regard to the objectionable
sin:
= In the twelfth chapter Of Matthew we
read that Christ healed a man possessed
of devil When His enemies heard OF
1t they said that the power by which
He cast out devils was through and OF
Baalzebub, prince Of devils. We know
that the power by which Christ worked
miracles was given him of God, through
the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, to say and to believe that
the good accomplished in the world by
Christ when on earth or the good &C
Holy Spirit, to say and believe that this
good is accomplished through the power
of Satan is to commit the unpardonaole
sin. l.. l..
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
SOME OF THE UNSEEE
FORCES AND THINKING
To the Editor of The TIMES:

To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
Some OF the unseen and unseeable
forces are far more powerful than any
Of the things of this earth that are
visible and palpable, as electricity,
gravitation, and magnetism, with others
SO subtle that as yet they are but faint
ly manifest to our senses when our
physical bodies are in their ordinary
state. There is a sort of mind teleg-
rapby, many traces of which are seen,
but which we cannot securely grasp. 1t
Is seen TO exist between the minds of
the living, and as the mind or spirit
never dies. II must exist to the same ex-
tent between the mind of a living per-
son and the mind or soul Of one whose
mere physical body Is dead. have had
thousands OF proof of this. To persons
differently constituted, however. It may
seem nonsense, w. KLEEN.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
DIVIDE CAR SEATS
WITH SMALL SCREEN

To the Editor OF THE TINES:
Noting the article in the columns Of
your paper of ed relative to Jim Crow
cars for Bennings, I wish you would
publish the views of a travelling man,
also one who has observed conditions in
other cities.
In most all Southern cities where they
have had race trouble they have adopt
ed a plan to separate the white people
from the negroes by simply placing a
small screen frame at the top of the
seat on either side of the car about
three or four seats from the rear door.
The screen frames should be placed di-
rectly opposite each other, so as to no.
tfy white people that the rear three
seats on each side or the car are re-
served for negroes.
When the car is crowded with white
people the screens can be placed back
nearer to the door, and vice versa.
This simple plan R9 a does tos away NTH mix
est kind of success in cities such as
Atlanta, Ga; Jacksonville. Fla; Sa-
vannah, Ga; New Orleans, La; Tampa,
Fla; Dallas, Tex, in fact, all cities
where there is great population Of
negroes.
/ believe the negroes of Washington
would enter into the matter heartily, as
they will have a portion of the car set
aside for them, and they will feel that
they are not taking seats that should
be occupied by white people.
Another thing to make this plan
work, it is absolutely necessary that the
Commissioners pass a law that white
people shall not occupy seats behind
the screen, and conductors who fail to
enforce the ordinance should be re-
ported and on the second offense dis
missed.
This plan is no good unless the rear
seats are reserved absolutely for ne
groes. There is'no use of the car peo-
pie saying II cannot be worked success
fully. as they know all cities in the
South have adopted this plan.
w. 8. DAY.
The Washington times., 1912-03-25
WHY THE SOUTH is
ALWAYS SHOWED ASIDE

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
In the Mail Bag of the 2lst an indi-
vidual wanted to know why the South
was always showed aside when it comes
TO naming a candidate for the Presiden-
tial nomination. 1t Is not because she
hasn't men enough qualified for that
office, for she has as great men now as
she has ever had. 1t Is simply because
the men that are for the right haven't
any chance. II a Democrat candidate
would enter an agreement with the rich
men of the country to do as they want
ed him to he would have as much
chance as a Republican. But, no! The
Southern men are for their country and
not for the rich men alone. II II were
not for the immigrants and the
negroes of the country the Republicans
would never name another President,
and II is not the writer's opinion that
they will name the next one, at least.
SOUTHERNER