davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
ZEMSTvO ASKS FOR CONSTlTU
TiONAL RIGHTS.

Indeed there continued to be AT times
further material extensions OF the interest
and attention, II not OF the actual power
of the Zemstyos They concerned them
selves more and more with questions OF
immortal noliiics. and made representa-
,ions NOW And then to the imperial gov
ernment i'm favor Of some relaxation Oh
the autocracy and the granting OF constr
tutional rights and privileges Nor were
thes. altogether IN received until the MINI
list reign Of terror began. Ihen the
Zemstvns deemed II prudent TO turn ,heif
attention away from such matters TO the
non-political duties for which their sys-
tenn had been specifically created. Ihey
devoted themselves to popular education
IN the nromotjor OF agriculture through
improved implements and methods 10 'h'
DEVELOPMENT Il local credit associations
10 nh the place OF banks ana 10 tine I'M
provement OF sanitation
How benehcently pToliic their iapofS
were the single record OF school develop
menf will Indicate. In 1871 their tota'
expenditure for educational purposes "''s
only SASS. 600. In 1881 II was increasea
10 ,Sto e0o: i'm 1891 10 s2,665.ooo =: ~
1901 To ss,g70O 900 and In 1911 to sss,-
lto. 0oo. The last named sum Is sun
small in comparison with the needs OF the
empire. put tine ratio Of increase has been
enormous. surprising that OF any o'her
country. and promising, II maintaine''
soon 10 become adequate to the cnlighten-
ment Of the nation.
A significant feature OF the system ie
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
OLDEST SPANISH CITY IN NEW
WORLD.

Santo Domingo is the Oldest Spanish
city I'm the New World. 1t was here that
the first church, founded in 1904, was
built: here that Columbus was put IN
chains. to be sent TO Spain in disgrace;
here that Diego Colon. son Of Columbus,
set up his court, said TO have equa'led In
splendor. if not in size, that Of Spain
itself here that Las Casas. Catht lie
priest, who devoted his entire life 10 the
native Indians, introduced TO the world
negro slavery, with far-reaching results.
he introduced negro slavery in an at
tempt to alleviate the condition Of the
native Indians, 10 which unhappy race he
devoted his life, though to no avail. since
the entire aboriginal population, variously
estimated at $4,000 to 100000 souls. was
practically wiped out during the first
fifty years of Spanish tyranny.
The real beginning of the Department
Of Public Works of the Dominican Re-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

that IL originated in Old Russia, the heart
of the ancient empire, and, indeed, mas
been confined 10 Muscovy proper. There
is none OF II In Poland nor In Lithuanla.
There are no Zemstovs In the Baltic
Provinces, with their considerable Ger
man element, ana the Esthonians anu
Let's. There are. OF course, none III
Finland, nor even in the southwestern
provinces, bordering on Austria Hungary
and Rumania, where the people chiefly
belong to a different branch OF the slaV
race and speak different dialect.
This same feature, of Russian inclina-
ton toward democracy. is also strikingly
seen IN the Mir, or village council. when
is quite separate from the Zemstvo, ana
which has existed in the true Russian
provinces for many years. The Mir may
he likened 10 the famous town meeting
Of New England, which was one of the
foundations Of American democracy. and
10 the similar gatherings Of the township
or mark i'm Teutonic lands OF centuries
ago. IL is based upon no written con
stitution or decree. but upon tradition
and custom, which have modified them
selves from time To time as changing
circumstances have required. There has
probably never been any attempt al
definition OF the functions and relations
OF the village elders and the village as
sombl.es, yet there is never any dispute
concerning them. but all appear Ia know
as IL by instinct, just what each can ana
cannot do.
The elder represents the executive
power. while the legislative authority Is
vested in the assembly, OF which al
heads OF households are equal members
The whole assembly comes together III
an informal manner and discusses what
ever measures may be suggested for the
general good, When debate seems To he
waning. the elder assumes the place oil
speaker or chairman, Withdrawing To one
vide OF. the crowd and standing little
apart. "Well, little brothers" he IN
qures. have you decided TO do this
thing?" II there is general agreement
there is a general shout Of "Ladno'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
WHEN ENGLAND WAS IN PROCESS
OF FORMATION.

IL would be interesting 10 note the de-
gree 10 which this establishes an identity
OF fundamental political principles
throughout the world. II must be remem-
bered that England. for example, was not
founded as a kingdom divided into shires
or counties which In turn were subdi-
vided into hundreds. and these in turn
into marks The process was precisely the
opposite. The marks were the funda-
mental units. Hundreds were composed Of
united marks. shires were formed by the
aggregation OF hundreds and the union
of the shres finally constituted the king
dom.
During the darkened and reactionary
reign OF Alexander III the Zemstvos, per-
force. confined themselves pretty closely
TO on-political matters. and. indeed. had
frequently IL defend themselves against
autocratic attempts To curtail their orig
inal and legitimate powers. With the ac-
cession OF Nicholas II, however. they
deemed that an opportunity was afforded
for renewal OF political activity, and
addresses began to be prepared petition
ing FOR the granting of a constitution.
These tentative overtures were at first
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

ism, enjoyed. Divided councils prevailed
however, until the Car cut them snort
much after the traditional trick OF IN
dicating with straight-edge and pencil the
route of the railroad from st. petersburg
10 Moscow In the fall OF 1868 he simply
said, The new system will 80 into eHec-
on the first day of next January De-
eide before that time what Il shall be
and get ready for it,
So on January /, 1s6i-which is January
IS G! our calendar Russia still adherihg
10 the old style--the Zehistvo system went
into effect. II was "A system OF local SELF
government and popular eniranchlse-
ment, in advance in some respects OF
anything elsewhere on the continent Of
Europe at that time. II gave TO The peo-
pie, even to the former seris, universal
suffrage. Each province was divided into
"A number of districts. and IN each dis-
trict the people elected legislature
which met once year for a few weeks
and which appointed from its own ranks
a standing committee or cabinet wnirh
remained on duty continually and exc
cuted the orders of the legislature on
Zemstyo
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

WE great jubilee Of Tuesday next In
Russia. together with the supple
mentary decennial celebration which
''' h'ungly be held with II, affords an
-""'ins illustration OF the fact that CIV
-'uoh does sometimes seem 10 get for
''s On powder cart. or IN some fashion
propelled by that militant vehicle.
'nis Is 80 even when war leads 70 APP
Coy Disaster. Il Is significant OF certain
- o. the Slav character that two OF
greatest reforms In Russian govern
nave been brought about directly in
!. laence Of great and disastrous wars.
80 The only two important political
- W more than a hundred years
oeen called forth by and have fol-
"~fo upon the only two great wars
~ zane period IN which Russia has
oeclsiyely beaten.
~. years ago Russia was slowly nd
r.,-'N fehabihtating herself after the
Frustrating losses Of the Crimean
49,. ." material losses. in men and
- - had been enormous. Her loss in
n,,,, Prestige among the powers of
s.,,, aso been even greater. But
~. " an had been the loss. or.
VA, HVpeFiy. the blow. 10 her self
49,, confidence. She had deemed
ssI,,. 'o' only impregnable but ire
sn :, able TO oyerrun. IL she pleased
rs,e :, one pleased. all Europe In
,srt n. found herself unable 90 pro-
'sso, shores from triumphant in
-zn. 80 wonder that her statesmen
~ 'Sn'lneed that something radical
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
MR.. MANN TAKES A BRIDE TO
MONTE CRISTI.

The date OF his marriage having already
been fixed. with true engineers nonchal-
ance he added a bride to his impedimenta
and came on 10 New York, where his
contract with the Dominicans was signed.
During the voyage down the old
timers" on the ship amused themselves by
telling all the Embarrassing tales they could
remember or invent. and when the Manns
arrived in Monte Cristi the least they
expected was TO be met by revolution
airy attack.
The town of Monte Cristi is about a
mile from the dock. and as the ship ar
rived at II o'clock in the morning the
walk to town was a warm experience
and the luncheon at 'Conchita's hotel
with its favoring of garlic and oil, was
welcomed, If not enjoyed.
That afternoon Mr.. Mann went out TOY
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

was witnessed by large concourse of
people.
IL happened tina. the director general
the American Minister and the Dominican
Minister Of Public Works rode across the
bridge and a side light on the Dominican
character is given by the report very
generally Giro ulated that each received a
fee Of s. 900 for thus demonstrating the
safety" of the bridge.
Another incident is that i'm sending the
first road roller over the bridge whole
delegation Of countrymen met at the
bridge 10 save the engine drivers life, not
doubling in the least that the bridge
would fall.
Just before tho town Of San Cristobal IS
reached the road passes over more than
"A lilometre of concrete roadway. de-
cidedy unusual feature OF a country road
Its presence is due to the fact that this
part of the road traverses land which IL
overnowed every year by the \igua River.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
POWERS WHICH WE'RE VESTED
IN THE ZEMSTVOS.

These bodies were invested with fun
mowers for building and maintaining
roads and bridges. for establishing ana
conducting public schools for providing
hospitals and medical and sanitary ser
vices. and. in brief. Tor executing prac-
tically all the public works and admins
trative duties that were needed, They
adopted budgets and levied local taxa
ton. Moreover. all the district ZemstVos
i'm q province elected delegates TO form n
general Zemstyo for the whole province.
The meetings OF these bodies were open
90 the public, and attracted much atten-
ton They did much 70 educate the Rus
sian people TO an understanding OF and an
interest IN public affairs Thus In time,
especially In the provincial rather than III
the district Zsmstvos, there began 10 be
developed popular political interest
moving toward the exertion of influence
upon imperial affairs. This was more
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

many initiated Mr.. Burke because he
liked the sound Of his name and tbat
Mr.. Burke, after studying his record and
references. finally decided TO employ hI'
because he liked the sound OF his let
ter
The reconnaissance completed and a
route chosen by the government definite
surveys were begun in December, 1911.
under the direction of Mr.. Mann and with
Messrs. Huntington and William Driscoll
as locating engineers
TIE country traversed was pretty rough,
i'm spots and the rains fell with discour-
aging regularity during a large portion OF
the survey.
one Of the mules in Mr. Huntington ,
pack train was named Bismarck-this
Notwithstanding the sex of the mule and
because she was determined under all ci-
cumstances to 60 just what she thought
was right. Mr. Huntington says, ard
Mr.. Mann, who is reliable confirms IT,
that he would ride horse one day and
Bismarck the next
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

Ladno" c'Agreed. Agreed~D In most
cases measures are thus adopted by ac-
clamation without dissent. But now and
then there is an irreconcilable difference
of opinion, and it does not appear at first
which party is the more numerous. Then
the elder bids those who favor the pro-
posal to stand at his right hand, and
those opposing IL 10 stand at his left
He then counts the groups and an
nounces which is the majority. To such
decision the minority Loyalty submits
without demur.
This Mir, then, is the real basis of pop
ular government in Russia. and its exist
ence is an index OF the extent TO which
democracy has for centuries prevailed IN
that autocratic land IL will be recalled.
OF course. that similar system of village
autonomy has prevailed throughout China
from time immemorial.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
LANDED pROPRIEToRS WELCOME
NEW FREEDOM.

Nearly all educated Russians we're theh
agreed that something must be DONE
though there was little agreement as 10
what il should be. The landed PROPRIETOR
90 their credit be II said, were generaiiy
enthusiastic in their readiness fof sen
sacrifice. and were eager 10 ienouhoe
their old rights for the welfare OF tue
nation. Perhaps. too, they hso Son'e
thought OF getting back at tho Ear
for his liberation OF the serfs on al leas'
of making him realize the fun iosica e'-
feets Of that act by others it WAS fonols
imagined that by adopting an u',ra-no'
crai system OF self-soyernn'ent huSs'a
would in the twinkling Of an eye os
transformed into the most advanced ma
tion OF Europe and would IN consequence
gain the prestige and power when he'
late conquerors. because OF their noe'a'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

public dates from December, 1907, when j.
L. Mann. who had been engaged by the
Dominican government to report on an
irrigation project in Monte Cristi, on the
north coast of the island, reached his
destination
Before that time the department had ex-
listed in name, under various Dominican
chiefs, but the surveys made and work
done were a negligible quantity. and the
chief purpose of the office was to provide
convenient asylum for political lame
ducks"
Mr. Mann was a graduate of and for
mer instructor in the Thayer School of
Civil Engineering of Dartmouth College.
and had been in the employ of the United
States Reclamation Service on the Belle
Fourche project. in South Dakota.
While at Belle Fourche he was indicated
by the American State Department as
"the only man in the service available
who was capable" of doing the work
which the Dominican government wished
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

sharply rebuked by the Car or by his
ministers, and the Zemstvos were told 10
mind their own business But there came
change with the outbreak Of the war
with Japan. That tremendous crisis
nerved the Zemstvos to assert themselves
as the voice of the Russian people. The
more the Russian arms were defeated By
the Japanese the holder and louder be-
came that voice and it's demands for
radical reform of the national govern
ment.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

Two things the poems there are modest
about. They prefer to resign before the
job begins. and if they cannot evade the
army recruiting Officer they desert.
\ man sent some soldiers to
Dominican general with the following
note. Herewith ! send YOU zoe volun-
teers Please return the rope with
which they are tied"
Mr. Mann and Mr.. Huntington were
seen by a Tribune representative a few
DAYS ago in their Office Poom No. 1903
at No. % Broadway.
Mr. Mann has been Director Of Public
Works in Santo Domingo and l.. NJ. Hun
tington has been associated with him in
all the important undertakings down
there i'm tho last few years.
Columbus discovered Santo Domingo
over 400 years ago ana until recently
Americans have been willing to accept
his word for it that il was there.
For over 400 years the people of Santo
Domingo had not met Mr.. Macadam and
his well known roads. nor known the
exercise and pleasure of endangering
the lives of Flooding poems while Joy
riding In their automobiles. For the
first time the honk of the automobile
now completes with the wailing burro
in rending the night air.
Yes, il was over 400 years between
the arrivals of Columbus and of Messrs.
Mann and Huntington AT the island of
Santo Domingo during which time the
natives were ignorant of the healthful
Qualities Possessed by a proper mixture
OF soap and water They were also UNI
aware of the profit increasing propensi-
ties of irrigation and its practical effect
on a crop of peas or cacti, or whatever
fruit they grow down there.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

-WO Socnc American eneineers toy
name j. D.. Mann and l. NJ. Hunt
L rctonl. recently arrived in town
.,., sarto Domingo Having lived there
\, ne last few years they have had eN-
,,.i.rcss enough to make Richard Hard
~ Davis work n-hts 20 record. These
an say that they nave had very little
.rs 20 sing tenor or % rescue the Gov
rno-s daughter
They assert that Richard Hardns Davis
La Influenced a great number of men TO
}, 10 the tropics as engineers who would
/. OF more use o. the world acting their
~rartie parts under q Belasco moon.
Tot O. Young chaps they add, have
ans 10 the tropics with the idea that
stng an engineer 100 the Caribbean meant
wearing white pants and a helmet ON
,s-ssback four hours a day. and lollmg
no rest OF the time in "a hammock with
M negro 60 fan yoI and another TO
.-rs something % drink in a tall glass.
These deluded individuals discover with
aln that engineering in the tropics in
igies fourteen hours work a day in
arts that are seldom white because
esy 90 duty In a countI>' where Mother
hrths middle name is MUD. on the legs
"a man who must De veterinary. doctor,
- aid. carpenter. harness maker. black
nth and accountant as We'll as engi-
Hg And just surveying a jungle is
-ugh on said pants.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
B-0D.v = CO Ne HypnNeTon CoSrsoL Or MT Hrocr

The soil is wonderfully fertile. none the
less. like so much of our own arid coun-
Try. and only lacks water and cultivation
Along the edge OF the river the land is
higher than further back familiar
phenomenon with alluvlal streams. The
fact naturally facilitates irrigation
In February 1905, Hubert Francis Dau-
beney Burke, NJ. !. G. G., NJ. Am. soc
C. f.. an English engineer with long ex-
perience in East Africa and India, and AT
that time works manager for the Hudson
tunnels, was employed By the Dominican
government to examine and report on the
Ferrocarril Central Dominicano, govern
ment owned railway from Puerto Plate,
on the north coast. to Santiago and Moca.
some ffv miles away in the interior.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
CONCRETE ROAD BUILT WITH AN
EVE TO FLOODS.

To build fill high enough and heavy
enough to withstand the hoods. with the
corresponding steel bridge would have
involved very heavy expenditure, az the
surrounding land is all planted in coffee
and the cost of appropriation proceedings
for enough land TO furnish the fill would
have been excessive.
Instead. the road grade has been kept
as close 10 the surface of the ground as
possible and covered with six-nch layer
of concrete. The annual floods will pass
over this without damaging IL.
And. speaking OF floods. one afternoon.
when Mr. Huntington was riding in from
the survey ne encountered a somewhat
substantial Dominican damsel perched on
a very small bowlder in the very middle
Of mudhole Her mule had gently
shaken her off and gone on alone.
The fair Dominican did not wish 10
wade knee deep I'm liquid mud. and was
sterny commanding the peon with her to
bring her the mule, which had paused on
the other side of the puddle and was re-
garding her contemplatively.
The peon, however. had just invested IN
u new PAIR VI tio"HciH "'" a ~" t'
yellow shoes. The latter he might remove
but under the circumstances TO remove
the former was out Of the question. TO
lead the mule 10 his mistress meant the
ruin Of the trousers, and the mule would
not oe shooed back 10 duty.
At this point Mr. Huntington arrived.
Being already as well plastered with mud
as his anatomy permitted. he led the mule
back to her rider. and went on his way
With the ady's thanks, mingled with her
rninion of the peOn
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
RAILWAY FROM SANTO DOMINGO
10 IA VEGA.

In 1910 agitation was started for ire
construction of a railroad from 5anto
Domingo the capital, to La Vega, IN
the north-central part of the repuoiic'
Mr.. Mann who had finished the NOME
Crsti surveys. was placed in charge ana
Il. NJ Huntington. Assoc. NJ. Am. soc
. = was engaged to make the preimi-
nary reconnaissance.
Mr. Huntington was one of the pioneers
ON the Panama Canal in 1904 later en-
tering the Department of Public WORKS
in Cuba as engineer OF construction In
Oriente Province. At the time OF his
employment by the Dominican govern
ment he was engaged as construction en-
gineer by a consulting firm In CUBA ana
was chosen largely on account of mas
Standardization experience and com
mand Of Spanish.
Ii is said that Mr.. Huntington hrst
thought of entering the service under the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

than had been bargained for by the i'm
peria government, and some steps wers
attempted toward checking the too rapid
ly rising political power of the Zemstyos
But these were in vain. Some modihca-
tons OF the franchise were indeed MAD.
in order to increase the influence of the
educated classes over the illlterate
moujiks But the original authority and
activity of the Zemstvos as legislative and
administrative agencies OF the people were
not impaired.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
AND The LIBERATION
" THE seRFs.

q ON, mugs were devised. proposed
as.S A. ror one thing. IL was deter
~ ks.,. " the affairs Of the bank
~ A. american Company and get
~ d.. 60 territory which could
- shl., 'pso into the American en-
see,A =. alexander had planned.
See in,...' 'so States had. generation
ss<as, :, ~. ~ upon drawing i,s southern
~ Esst, ' As historic parallel OF Fifty
AID which. instead of paying
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

a stroll around the town. and, forewarned
by the stories told him on the voyage,
expected every moment TO be stabbed
from behind or shot as a revolu:ionist.
He has ridden over many Dominican
road at night, he says, and has been in
the middle of two or three revolutions,
but he declares he has never done a thing
so consciously brave as that little after
noon stroll.
After long delays In getting engineers
from the United States-for he was unable
to get any in the country, as he had been
told was possible-the surveys were be-
gun and completed in June, 1903. This
work was carried on under the difficulties
with which all engineers in Spanish
America are familiar, and very careful
md elaborate nlans Wefe prepared
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
IRRIGATION OF $4,000 ACRES OF
AND

The project embraced the irrigation OF
a. coo acres of land by water taken from
the Yaque River, entirely by gravity
system. The estimated cost was about
100000. The land covered by the project
is a very fiat. alluvial plain, made rich by
the overnows of the river, just as the
valley of the Nile is fertilized by It's an
nual floods.
The level plain is cut in every direction
by Heep ravines, in all of which some part
of the river ran at some period OF Its
history.
The climate is very dry, the annual rain
fall seldom exceeding thirty inches, with
many years of almost total drouth. The
vegetation is mainly cambron, a smali
tree resembling the giant mesquite oil
Texas, and cactus Of every variety IL is
commonly said that every living thing III
the woods has thorns, including the goats