davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
"AMERlCA FIRST AND AMER
lcA EFFICIENT"

We come to state In q plain
and direct manner our faith,
our purpose and our pledge.
This representative gathering 10
a happy auoury. Il msans the
strength Of reunion. It means
that the party Of Lincoln 10 re-
stored, alert, effective. It means
The unity Of a common percep-
ton Of paramount national
needs. It means that we are
neither deceived nor benumbed
by abnormal conditions. We
know that we are in a critical
period, perhaps more critical
than any period since the Civil
War. We need a dominant
sense Of national unity; the ex-
ercise Of our best constructive
powers; tho vigor and resource
fuIness Of a quickened America.
We desire that the Republican
Party as great liberty party
shall be the agency Of national
achievement, the organ Of the
effective expression Of dominant
Americanism. What do ! mean
by that? mean America con-
seious Of power, awake to obIi-
cation, erect in self-respect, pre-
pared for every emergency, de-
voted to the ideals Of peace, In
stinct with the spirit Of human
brotherhood, safeguarding both
Individual opportunity and the
public interest, maintaining a
welI-ordered constitutional sys-
tenn adapted to local seIf-govern-
ment without the sacrifice Of
essential national authority, ap-
preciating the necessity Of sta
biIity, expert knowledge and
thorough organization as the in
dispensabIe conditions Of Sc
curity and progress; a country
loved by its citizens with a pa
triotic fervor permitting no divI-
sion In their allegiance and no
rivals In their affection-l mean
America first and America eff.
cient. 1t 10 In this spirit that
! respond to your summons
From Mr.. Hughes speech Of ac-
ceptance.
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
RAILROAD CRISIS IS
Up TO CONGRESS
Strike Seems Certain Unless Fed
eraI Commission Acts.
IT REPRESENTS THE PUBLIC.

Brotherhood Leaders Reject Proposals,
One Of Which Provides For Inter-
state Commerce Commission as Ar
bitrator = Also Oppose Arbitration
Provided by Law They Helped to
Enact.
Whether the wage con-
troversy between the railways and
their engineers, conductors, firemen
and brakemen Is to be settled peace
ably or by strike now seems to de-
pend largely on what action congress
will take on the proposal to refer the
commission.
The national conference committee
of the railways at the recent confer
ence in New York with the train serv.
ice brotherhoods proposed settlement
either by submission to the interstate
commerce commission or by arbitra.
ton under the provisions of the New.
lands law.
The brotherhood leaders promptly
rejected both proposals, not only OBJ
jecting to the interstate commerce
commission as an arbitrator, but ex-
pressing their determined opposition to
the plan of arbitration provided by the
law which they had helped to get en-.
acted.
TO meet the objection that the inter
state commerce commission now has
no jurisdiction over railway wages the
committee representing the railways
proposed that we Jointly request con.
gress to take such action as may be
necessary to enable the commission tC
consider and promptly dispose Of the
questions involved"
Upon the failure Of the companies
and the labor organizations to reach ar
agreement the question was put up t.
congress in another form, in a resolu
ton which was introduced by Senator
Newlands OH June % providing for al
investigation by the commission of thu
whole subject Of railway wages an(
their relation to railway earnings.
This resolution was proposed by the
chamber of commerce of the United
States after having been approved by
a practically unanimous referendum
vote Of nearly 1000 commercial organ
izations throughout the country. TIT
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
WHAT ONE DIG MAN
THINKS OF ANOTHER

President w. n. P. Faunce,
Of Brown University, 10 a pref
ty live wire who keeps abreast
Of the times, has keen powers
Of observation, and knows .
good man when no sees him.
Hero 10 what no has to Say
about the Republican Candidate
for the Presidency:
II have known Justice Hughes
Intimately since we were stu.
dents together at Brown and
have seen him a thousand times
at work and at play. No man Of
our generation has a finer com.
bination Of character and intel
lect. Absolutely fearless, un-
selfish, loyal to American ideals,
he is worthy Of nations trust.
"AII his friends know that be-
hind the dignity Of bearing is
a rich fund Of humor and good
fellowship. Whether he iscIimb-
Ing mountain, reading novels,
playing with his children, re-
sistins a political lobby or de-
Iivering the opinion of the Su-
prone Court, he is ever the
same rugged, democratic, fair
minded g American. His varied
experience has given him wide
horizon and sympathy with ev-
cry aspect Of American life.
"He possesses two qualities
rarely found together-the judi
ciai temper and the capacity for
swift ard resolute action. Un-
der his administration the fog
which now besets many public
questions would be cleared
away.
"His penetrating mind goes to
the heart of any subject he Sc
Ieets and strips off the IrreIe-
want at once. Such a mind Is
peculiarly needed amid the In
tricate problems that now con-
front America.
1--WE need more than good in
tentions. We need clear vision,
sound Judgment, strong will, un-
hesitatlns decision. In short,
we need Charles e. Hughes"
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
DUTY OF THE ADMINiSTRA-
TON TO STOP PLOTS AND
CONSPIRACIES,

We denounce all plots and
conspiracies in the interest Of
any foreign nation. Utterly in
tolerable is the use Of our soil
for alien intrigues. Every Am
erican must unreservedly con-
denim them, and support every
effort for their suppression. But
here, also, prompt, vigorous and
adequate measures on the part
of the Administration were
needed. There should have
been no hesitation; no notion
that it was wise and polite to
delay. Such an abuse Of our
territory demanded immediate
and thorough-going action. AS
soon as the Administration had
notice of plots and conspiracies,
1t was its duty to stop them.
It was not lacking in resources.
Its responsibility for their con-
tinuance cannot be escaped by
the condemnation of others
From Mr.. Hughes speech OF
acceptance.
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
THE NATION is SHOCKING
LY UNPREPARED.

It is apparent that we are
shockingly unprepared. There
is no room for controversy on
this point since the object les
son on the Mexican border. All |
our available regular troops
(less, l believe, than 100000 are
there or in Mexico, and as these
have been deemed insufficient
the entire National Guard has
been ordered out; that is, we
are sunlmoning practically all
our movable military forces in
order to prevent bandit incur
sions. In view Of the warnings
OF the past three years, it is
inexcusable that we should find
ourselves in this plight. For
our faithful guardsmen, who
with fine patriotism responded
to this call and are bearing this
burden, l have Iothing but
praise. But l think it little
short of absurd that we should
be compelled to call men from
their shops, their factories, their
offices and their professions for
such purpose. This, however,
Is not all. The units Of the Ma.
tional Guard were at peace
strength. which was only about
one-half the required strength.
1t was necessary to bring in
recruits, for the most part raw
and unframed. Only small
| percentage of the regiments re-
cruited up to war strength will
have had even a years training
in the National Guard, which at
the maximum means one hun
dred hours of military drill, and,
on the average, means much
less. Men fresh from their
peaceful employments and ply
sically unprepared have been
hurried to the border for actual
service. They were without
proper equipment; without
necessary supplies; suitable
conditions of transportation
were not provided. Men with
dependent families were sent;
and conditions which should
have been well known were dis
covered after the event. And
yet the exigency, comparatively
speaking, was not very grave
one. It involved nothing that
could not readily have been fore
seen during the past three years
of disturbance, and required
only q modest talent for organ
ization. That this Administra-
ton while pursuing its course
In Mexico should have permitted
such conditions to exist IL al
most incredible.-From Mr..
Hughes speech Of acceptance.
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14

NewIands resolution differs from the
proposal Of the railways. The latter
refers only to the questions presented
by the demands Of the 10 per cent of
railway employees engaged in train
service and asks the commission to set
tie the controversy by a decision. The
Newlands resolution is much broader
and, without contemplating final set
tlement by the commission, directs it
to investigate and report on "the mini
mum, maximum and average wage
paid, with hours of service, to each
class of railroad employees in the Unit
ed States" not merely the big FOUR
brotherhoods Of train employees. The
commission would also be directed to
report on the hours and wages in 9TH
err industries, the relation of wages
to railroad revenues, the question Of
whether railroad revenues based on
existing rates for transportation will
admit Of equally favorable terms to all
classes Of railway employees and "any
other matter in this connection that
the commission may deem relevant"
The brotherhoods object strenuously
to any idea Of federal tribunal fixing
wages and declare that an inyestiga-
ton by the commission would only
serve to delay matters. The only pro.
posal they have made is that their de-
mands be granted in full, with the
alternative Of nation wide strike.
They insist that the railroads will be
more inclined to yield to their de-
mands when confronted with a strike
vote.
| In their reply to the brotherhoods the
railways advanced as their reasons for
proposing to refer the question to the
interstate commerce commission that
it is 1.-THE only tribunal which by rea-
son of its accumulated information
bearing on railway conditions and its
| control of the revenue of the railways
is in a position to consider and pro
tect the rights and equities Of all the
tional revenues necessary to meet the
added cost Of operation in case your
proposals are found by the commits
sion to be just and reasonable"
| Whereas board Of arbitration con
stituted under the Newlands act cOuld
pass only on the questions presented
to it in an arbitration agreement sign
ed by both parties and would in NJ
way represent the interests Of the pub
lie in the controversy, the interstate
commerce commission would not be 81
restricted and could consider the rela
ton Of the wages Of the train and en-
CINE men to those Of the other EN-
ployees, as well as the necessary ct
feet Of an increase in wages on TIN
rates to be paid by the public.
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
FAvORs WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

Some time ago, a considera-
ton of our economic conditions
and tendencies, of the position
of women in gainful occupa-
tons, of the nature and course
Of the demand, led me to
the conclusion that the granting
Of suffrage to women is newt
able. Opposition may delay, but
in my judgment cannot defeat
this movement. II women are
to have the vote, as I believe
they are, it seems to me entirely
clear that in the interest of the
public life of this country, the
contest should be ended prompt
". favor the vote for women.
From Mr.. Hughes speech OF
acceptance.
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14

without the support Of public opin.
ion the railway brotherhoods could not
win a strike.-MilwaukeeF Free Press.
The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-09-14
MAINTENANCE OF
AMERICAN RIGHTS

Had this Government by the
use Of both Informal and formal
diplomatic opportunities left no
doubt that when we said "strict
accountability" we meant pre-
ciseIy what we said, and that
we should unhesitatIngIy vlndi-
cate that position, am conf
dent that there would have been
no destruction Of American lives
by the sinking Of the Lusitania.
There, we had ample notice; in
fact, published notice. Further
more, we knew the situation
and we did not require specific
notice. Instead of whiting
away our formal statements by
equivocai conversations, we need
ed the straight, direct and de-
cisive representations which ev-
cry diplomat and foreign office
would understand. believe
that In this way we should have
been spared the repeated as
saults on American lives. More
over, . firm American policy
would have been strongly sup
ported by our people and the op-
portunities for the development
Of bitter feeling would have
been vastly redueed.-From Mr..
Hughes speech Of acceptance.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26
GRAMMAR SCHOOL
EDIT0R-IN-CHIEF:
Miss Isabel Wheatley.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS:
Edith Shy.
Ruth Horne.
Paul Sampson.
Marvin Giddings.
Robert Slappey.

Monday of last week the whole
school went up to the Opera House
and witnessed the famous picture "The
Battle Cry of Peace" 1t certainly was
a fine picture, and we all enjoyed it
very much, even if it was sad. 1t
caused quite lot of patriotism in the
Seventh. All the boys declared that
they were going to join the army and
fight for Uncle Sam when they get old
eaough. The girls wanted to help, too,
and Miss Mary told them they could
Tut a red cross on their sleeves and
go in as trained nurse if the United
States should get in the war. This
ccnsoled the girls just lots.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

plant the church and create a Christ,
ian atmosphere.
1t began as small company Of
young men meeting each week for
Bible study and prayer, that they
might be helped in their own lives
ard be used of God and enlist other
young men in the service of Christ
Other important features of a social
educational, industrial, evangelistic
ard athletic character have been
added as the organization has grown
stronger and broader, but the heart OF
The Y, NJ. C. A. is today what it was in
the beginning.
cts life power and its life giving
power is as the strength of its heart.
i never knew an association, how
ever defective in its management and
open to criticism on many accounts
that was not more or less true to its
mission and worth far more to the
country than the money spent for its
maintenance.
1T is a great conservator of the
morals and good habits of the boys
and young men who find here a whole
some atmosphere and helpful asso-
Citations, instead of the demoralizing
influences that belong to other places
where some of them would spend their
spare time if there was no Y. M. C. A.
in the community
1T is great promoter not only of
physical and mental and neral we'll
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26
CHARGED WITH MISUSE
OF THEIR FRANKS

WASHINGTON, D. c., March %. -
Abuse of the congressional frankiag
privilege is denounced in report Of
the house committee which has In
GUIDED provision in the pending re-
vision of the printing laws designed 20
stop the practice.
The report charges that members Of
ongress furnish franked envelopes to
Individuals, committees and organize
lions interested in promoting a par
ticular propaganda at the expense of
the public.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26
y NJ. c. A. Is Auxiliary
To Church In Its Working

Just at this time when a campaign
is being waged for the very life of
Americas Y. M. c. A., it is fitting that
the aims, purposes and history of the
institution be set forth This can be
done in no better way than to repro
duce an interview furnished by DR.. T..
s. McElroy, pastor of the First Pres
byterian church of Columbus.
The interview will be found of es.
pecial interest just at this time when
the campaign is under way, and the
question will be asked what does the
institution stand for and what is it do
irg for the betterment of the COM
nunity. Dr. McElroy says:
"One of the most valuable auxil-
liaries of the church during the last
hundred years is the Young Mems
Christian Association. It's rapid
growth, it's increasing virility and
popularity, and the splendid results
it has been able to show for the men
and money invested in its work bear
witness that it is the appropriate
supply fer a great and widespread
need.
ut began it's career of usefulness
as very small and feeble infant I'M
der the nurturing care of Mr.. George
Williams, in London, about seventy
five years ago, and today it is found
everywhere in Christian lands and
even in Christian countries where
the missionaries have had time to
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

have helped make the Americas High
school better by some action. The
membership, active, is drawn from the
senior class, but just before the end
of school each year two juniors arc
admitted in order to make the clul
permanent. Any boy who has done
something especially beneficial to the
school is eligible for membership, and
the boys work harder in order to be
taken on its roll. Charles Crisp was
admitted Tuesday on the strength OF
his being "a good student and a good
fellow" Bylaws have been adopted
ard the club is now on firm basis
as permanent school feature
Visitors For Week.
The visitors of the week were few
and far between. Prof Mathis made
talk to the students assembled in
chapel Friday on the inspiring sub
iect of Spirit" He urged the stu
dents to train necessarily for the diff
ferent contests We will enter between
the present time and commencement.
He made the point plain that Americas
High school students owed it to their
school to give their best efforts for
the honor of the institution and the
plpils silently promised to heed care
fully his words.
Mr.. Gertner Smith called Thursday
with Mr.. J. E. Hightower. They came
to receive orders for the invitations for
commencement and quite a big order
was given.
Rev. James B. Lawrence, rector of
Calvary Episcopal church, came to
make his weekly talk to the students
Thursday. Mr.. Lawrence has always
taken great interest in the school
and those connected with it. 1t is
needless to say that his visits are al
ways enjoyed
We don't know whether Miss Nc
Kean is to be classed among the visit
Crs or not But anyway, she had
charge of the sewing department, in
stead of Miss Keatley, who, to the sin
cere regret of all the students, re-
mains quite i'll at her apartments on
Lee street. Miss Mexican is teacher OF
domestic science over at the Gram
mar school.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

The SEVENTH stood an examination
in manual training. We had to name
every tool on our bench and name
every tool on Mr.. Holsts desk, and
tell their uses. We also had to name
the wood we had used so far, and how
we made each piece of wood smooth.
We stood this part of the exam" pref
ty we'll. When it came to naming the
parts of the plane, well, I'm afraid we
tluked.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

being of it's members but also of their
spiritual life.
'The number of boys and young
men who have been led to see their
need of Christ and to enlist in his
service in the religious meetings of
the Y. NJ. c. A. would make goodly
company, and this company would be
largely increased by adding those who
have been helped toward the nobler
life.
MIR. Taft, doubtless, has his limita-
tons, but he is a gentleman and a
scholar and great man whose opin.
ions challenge the attention of all
thoughtful persons, and no man has
had better opportunity for study
ing the Y NJ. c. A. in the home land
and in foreign countries or has given
to it more unqualified endorsement.
In his recent San Francisco speech
he said in substance: One of the
potent forces in the uplift of the
world is the Y. NJ. G. A. do not
sympathize with those who stand
aloof because the members OF the gov
erning board are limited to the evan.
gelical churches. There is probably
good reason for this restriction and
although l am a Unitarian, cannot
withhold by cordial cooperation
and contributions when I know the
good work that is being done by this
organization, and when | see even
Buddhist statesmen giving literally
for its support
Almost all the foremost men of our
country have spoken words of en-.
thusiastic commentator.
DR.. Cuthbert Hall said a few years
ago in a public address: by it's able
system of Bible study, by the virile,
Hopeful, winsome tone of its meetings
COR men. by the wisdom of it's meth
DDS Of personal work and by its cos
mopolitan brotherliness, it has been
the most helpful agency to the church
in recent years, and the most sue
cessful in winning men to the Christ
ian life.
Therefore, whatever may be the
defects or deficiencies in our asso-
citation, real or imaginary, let us re-
member that the good it is doing is
worth many times more than it costs
and by cordial cooperation we can
make it better than it has ever been
heretofore"
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

The garden planted by the boys and
girls of the two Seventh grades is
growing very fast. The tomatoes have
been transplanted and are growing
larger and larger every day. Miss
Lizzie is going to give each child in
the two Seventh grades some tomato
plants after she has planted all she
wants in the garden. Although there
won't be as many as there were last
year for each child, there will be
enough for all, and Miss Lizzies is 60
ing to see what kind of farmers" we
will make.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

Miss Mexican is teaching over at the
High school in Miss Keatleys place.
We are not having domestic science
any more right now. We sincerely
hope that Miss Keatley will soon get
we'll enough to teach, and Miss NC
Kean can come back and teach us how
to cook once more.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26
Taxpayers Sumter County.

Make your tax returns for state and
county taxes for the yeare, 1916.
Americas, Ga, March "a, 1916.
JNO. T. HOWELL,
Tax Receiver, Sumter County, Ga.
2d-1w
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

Oh, horrors! Quarterly exams
again. We don't know whether we
shall survive them or not. Those that
don't have to stand them get out early.
Those lucky 'chilluns" are shouting
Oh, Jop!
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

We are making posters for our May.
Day festival. The poster in the Sew
enth-1 has Winnifred Hopkins picture
Oh it, and the SEVENTH poster has
Lena Mae Finch's picture on it. The
score is: Lena mae 29S votes, and
Winnifred 221.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

Mr.. Mathis promised us that the
class that had the best behavior in
their room during the past month
could have a holiday at the end OF
the month. All the classes are striv-
ing to get this half-holiday and we
don't know which class will get it.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-03-26

The contest for our May Queen is
going on now. Each class thinks Their
candidate is the prettiest and will be
the winner.