davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
AN UNUSUAL SITUATION

( The paDy majority IN the. next
House Of Representatives depends
ON whether Congressman Barchfield,
OF one of the Pittsburgh districts IS
given a certificate OF election. The
case is now in the Pennsylvania
courts. II Barchfield's opponent wins
out the count Of the next House viii
stand: Republicans Els; Democrats
215. This is according to the advance
List Of members prepared by the clerk
OF the House, just made public, ana
which excludes Barchfield's name.
Granting that this deadlock will re-
main speculation as to who MIL be
the next Speaker becomes decidedly
interesting, as the balance OF power
rests with the remainder Of the House
membership consisting Of two Pro-
gresslves, one Prohibitionist, one So
cialist and one Independent. It Is said
that the Republicans are confident
that Representative Barchfield will
be given his seat. That would give
the Republicans a majority Of two
over the Democrats, but even with
that dominance the election Of a Re
publican Speaker would depend large
.ly on who the Caucus nominee is to
be.
If Representative Gardner of Mass
achusetts sticks to his announced OPP
position to Representative Mann 1t
would be impossible to elect the ILL.
nois Congressman and present floor
leader of the Republicans. if. the eau
Gus should choose him. The other fac
tor to be considered is. any comoina-
ton the five scattered votes might
make, although it is more than likely
the two Progressive members would
support the Republican nominee. But
that again would depend on the Sc
lection OF the Republican caucus. At
best it is highly uncertain situa-
ton. So far as The Intelligencer can
zee it believes that under the circum-
stances it would be better for the Re-
publican party that there should be
no division of the present political
responsibility.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
Ripping Rhymes
By WALT MASON
PESSIMISM

You're buying trouble when you
buy car" the old man said, his
gloomy face ajar. I'D rather walk, as
walked my patient sires, than stand
In mud and fuss with busted tires.
Whene'er you travel in your four
wheeled boat, all things conspire to
bear away your goat. Your engine
balks, your brakes refuse to hold. your
cooling system will not keep things
cold. You find new grief no matter
where you roam; you must hire mules
to haul your tumbril home" oh.
sage" I said, what Is there on this
earth that won't bring grief, however
great its worth? You drive horse.
when you would journey hence. and
now and then it kicks you through a
fence. You have wife, whom doubt
less you adore. but now and then she
makes your spirit sore. You like good
grub. but when you eat too much, your
crippled stomach clamors for Grutch
Why cut out honey, If we like it, friend
because the bee is loaded at one end?
Go to, old man! Though all the dotards
dote, he is chump who does not own
a bOattb
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
THE INEVITABLE PENALTY

Some Of the features connected
with the murder Of the young West
Virginia woman in a Columbus hotel,
are Identical with those associated
with the Philadelphia tragedy a few
days ago. In both cases the woman
came from a.rsheltered rural exist
ence to the flaming, dazzling life OF
the city. The release from the nor
NAL restraints Of quiet home lie,
from daily walk with those Of friend.
ly intentions and neighborly fellow
ship, is often taken by some Of these
misguided rural dreamers as freedom,
a deliverance from the irksome limi-
tations OF a village existence. Few OF
the unsophisticated, can resist the
Establishments OF the temptations
that meet them on every hand in
their new environments. The coun-
try girl simply has no chance If evil
minds mark her for their prey. There
may be revulsion after the first. mis-
step but the soul once SCARED usual
ly becomes reckless for fresh wounds,
and then wine comes to stifle con-
science. After that it is the pit OF un-
utterable darkness.
There are other young women In
large cities, some there may be in
Wheeling, who are hesitating on the
brink of surrender. Some will fall,
and if they escape the death of publ
city will finally stink away into OBJ
security to be found some day like the
worn glove, soiled with the mire OF
the streets and kicked about by the
hurrying traffic of the paVements.,
Theold platitudes are becoming point
less to many Of this perverse genera
ton. The precepts Of the preacher
fall on unheeding ears and the moth
er's counsel is too old fashioned FOR
the self-willed Of today. Nevertheless
the platitudes arer as memorable as
the laws Of Sinai; the precepts Of the
pulpit are the same vital truths as
when first uttered by the Great
Teacher, and the mothers wisdom is
undimmed by the passing Of the ages.
And yet rectitude is. worn as gar
ment to be easily cast off, virtue Is
eyed askance as prudery and parental
solicitude is looked upon as interior
ence. 1t Is the prudent in their day
and generation that forsee evil and
hide themselves, but the simple pass
on, and are punished.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
Author of "The Great Issues. -

before they will dare introduce a
measure, carry 4 draft of it to the
White House in order TO ascertain
what kind of a bill the president Will
sign. They realize that, unless they
consult his wishes. he can not only
block legislation but can deprive them
Of the offices apportioned to them FOR
distribution.
These facts, AS reviewed. are ample
to show that, il there is to be DEM
ocratic republic in the United States
and not government run by an
oligarchv or dictator, we must take
from the executive tho weapon so
many presidents have welded against
congress 70 nearly 1870 years.
The increasing tyranny of the su-
preme court is more inEidious
danger to our democracy. The SUI.
preme court undertakes to say that
laws enacted by congress and ap-
proved by the president shall come
under the review Of the courts, which
shall decide whether or not the laws
can be enforced under the constitu-
; ton. That usurpation of power by the
supreme court originated with Chief
Justice John Marshall, who averred
that the suprece court has the right
10 interpret the acts OF the congress.
Nobody since then has had the cour-
age to dispute his dictum, which
builded and ensured a defense Of
vested rights and of special privilege
which many times has defed the
rights of the people and sometimes
has placed property rights above
human rights.
TO ensure democratic government
in the United States against aggres-
sion by the executive and by the
judicial department upon the rights of
the congress, amendments Of the con-
stitution must be made. The power
OF the president and Of the courts
must be limited. The power of veto
on acts Of the congress, and the power
OF appointment of all public servants
other than cabinet officers, ambas-
sailors, ministers, other diplomatic
representatives and judges of the
supreme and of other courts of the
United States, must be taken from the
president by constitutional amend
ment. The decision as to whether or
not the laws made by the congress
can be enforced, must rest with the
supreme court. An amendment to the
constitution must be adopted which
will declare that acts OF the congress
are the laws Of the nation. to be
courts until repealed by a subsequent
congress.
These amendments Of the constitu-
ton would secure government of, by
and for the people so far as it can be
secured without the adoption OF the
initiative, the referendum and the re-
call. The people are awakening to
the Importance OF both proposals and
will demand the amendments.
Under such reform the constitu-
tional appointing power. the appoint
ments that come within the province
of the executive would, in the future
as in the past, require the approval of
the senate. Appointments to other
places Of public service should be
made, within their respective dis
tricts, by members Of the congress
and should require confirmation by
the senate.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

willingness to accept suggestions
which tend to make the measure
workable and effective. It is to be
hoped that he will now see his way
clear to the further inclusion in the
bill Of a prohibition against legisla-
ton affecting the right of franchise,
which Is more subversiYe Of republl-
can principles than any mere money
influence. That Senator has Won
derful opportunity right now to do a
splendid thing for justice and for the
purity of the ballot by leading off in
a movement to make the ballot free
and fair, as we'll as unsullied.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
DIVERSIFIED SUBJECTS.

NEW YORK, Jan 14.-Results &C.
complished in the effort 10 mobilize
the resources of the country, the prob
lens as TO whether the interests Of
the country can join forces to meet
conditions arising from the European
war and the part the United States
safely can play in preventing future
wars will be chief among the subjects
meeting of the National Civic Fedora
tion here on January 22,23-1t was an
nounced tonight.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
Snow, Sleet,
SluSh

Avoid the i'll and the doc
tors bill that follows the
chill of wet feet during these
winter. months, when snow.
sleet and slnsh arc most to
be expected. Protection will
follow reflection if you will
stop a minute and think
and you will buy rubbers or
overshocs at once.
Anti-Wet Footwear-thc
warranted kinds waiting
to do loyal duty here for Wo-
men. and Men, Girls and
Boys.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
GAS CO. BUYS TRACT.

Special Dispatch u tho lntalFencer.
CLARKSBURG,, w. Va. Jan. liam
nouncemcnt was made here today Of the
purchase by the Victoria Oil company OF
Clarksburg, of tract Of $500 acres OF
Iroved gas producing territory in Brax-
ton county. which it will develop on a
large scale. The property adjoins n
tract already owned by the company on
which It drilled three million foot
well last August.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

Our idea of soft snap is that job
held by Henry P. Fletcher. American
Ambassador to Mexico. He was ap-
pointed and confirmed months ago. but
he never set out for his post. We sec
his name frequently as one Of dinner
party or a house party somewhere In
society circles-and his pay goes on
regularly at the rate Of S1I.5o0 per.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

. Secretary Of the Treasury McAdoo
says he is opposed to the issuance Of
bonds to meet current expenditures.
Now We should like to hear him say
that nc is in favor Of keeping current
expenditures within the revenue. But
he won't say il.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

BILLY" Sunday closes his Boston in
vasion with the cold and aloof sacred
cod fishers" eating out Of his hand.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

Former Secretary OF War Garrison
says we are due. rs a nation. for sack
cloth and ashes" If VIC do not mend our
foreign policy. Still. "he kept us out of
war"
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
NO WRIT ASup HoH TKAW.

HARRISBURG. Pa. Jan. 1.-THE
governors office announced tonight
exlradition Of Harry K. Thav from Phil
adelphia to New York Extradftion
papers for Oliver A. Browcp were issued
last night The governor i9 in Philadsl-
phia. 80
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

Lawson to the rack, is the order
of Congress, but it may be tho fruitless
expectation Of getting blood from
turnlp.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

Wilson will decide on the next Mexl-
can move to-day. and. perhaps, Villa
will do the same.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

It is not so important TO take the
saloon out Of politics as it is to elinli-
nate politics from the saloon.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

The leak" agitator might answer
the threat Of the House OF Representa-
tives with the retort that it was be-
meath his contempt.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

Restitution. reparation and security
are three large and contentious words.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

1t begins to look as if General PERISH
ings exile Is soon to terminate.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15

The weather is as changeable as the
cercbrations.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-15
NATIONAL EDITORIAL SERVICE OF THE WHEELING IN:
POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

Acceons Them and Assumption of Authority by the Supreme
Court Taken Away Rights Of the People and Have
Weakened Congress.
BY WHARTON BARKER
Author of "The Great Issues
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21

Born. to Mr.. and Mrs. Trayno-
Witt, a girl.
Doc Brooks of jacksonville was
business caller in Benton Tues
day.
George Gilliland has gone to
Chattanooga for medical treat
ment.
Mrs. W. Park Prince and little
son. of Morristown, are here on a
visit to w. A. Prince and family.
Scion Prince, son of Dr.. f. L.
Prince of Morganton, Ga, is visit
ing relatives in Benton.
Mr.. Wallace and son, of Cop
perhill, are here doing brick work
on the new postofhce building.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Reliance.

Rev. T. K. Waggoner, of Athens
delivered his lectures on the signs
of the times here last week. He
was accompanied by his wife and
two daughters. The lectures were
we'll attended and much enjoyed
by all who heard them, special
music being furnished during each
lecture.
Rev. Creasman, of near Athens,
filled his regular appointment here
Saturday and Sunday.
James Barber and wife, of Pike
vile, are visiting relatives here.
Several from here we're Benton
visitors Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. S. L. Higdon spent few
days with relatives III Jasper, "a,
recently.
Albert Crumley and family, of
Prendergast, were here Sunday
afternoon.
Joe Vaughn, who has been very
low, is thought to be some better.
Little Misses Edna and Celes-
tine Mahoney, of Etowah are Wis
iting their grandparents here.
Mrs. James Massengill, of near
Decatur, is visiting relatives here.
Miss Edith Higdon is spending
this week with her sister, Mrs. W.
]. Mahoney, in Atlanta.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Farmer.

Hauling of steel is quite a busy
occupation here now.
A large crowd of young people
attended the picnic at Apalachia
last Sunday.
Frank Davidson and wife, of
Madola, Ga, were visiting here
Monday.
w. H. Hollenhead went to
Ducktown, Monday, on account OF
his grandson's being i'll.
Leland Fouts was here on bust
ness Saturday.
James Crumley of Apalachia had
business in Copperhill, Saturday.
We are advised that Tom Grove
killed Hendrix Cline, at Telllco,
Saturday. We do not know the
particulars.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21

On Sunday the first day OF July
Moonstone Lodge No. 295, l. o.
o. T., will hold a memorial ser
vice at Mount Hermon church
The service will continue thruout
the day, dinner will be served on
the ground, all Odd Fellows and
their families are earnestly re-
quested to be present and every
body is invited.
In the forenoon a sermon will
be preached.
Before the services at Mount
Hermon begin, the graves of the
brethren in the neighboring Gem
eteries will be decorated, and fol-
lowing are the committees appoint
ed to decorate them:
Zion-T. H. Rogers, w. G.
Bates, Franklin Lewis, Tom Shell
ton, Dan Lewis.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Odd Fellows at Mount
HermOn First Sunday
i'm July; Decoration.

Brock Grave Yard-Joe Brock,
Joe Rymer, Harve Rymer, C. w.
Fitzpatrick.
Benton Baptist J. Balm, r
r. Nicholson. R. n: Love, I. G.
Lyle, K. d. Bonds.
Town Cemetery-W. H. Viii
Hanson, P. R. Hutchins, Dan
Hicks, Walter Hutchins, Nose
Sweeny.
Mount Hermon-D. c. Hales,
D. z. Burch, J. S. Long, B. b.
c. Witt, J. S. Snamblin.
Every member Of Moonstone
Lodge, whether on any of the
decorating committees or not, is
expected to be at Mount Hermon,
and there will be work and good
time there for everyone.
The memorial exercises will be-
gin at 1920, making it necessary
to decorate the graves early.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Servi!la.
We had very interes sting Sun
day school last Sunday.

We had very interesting Sum
day school last Sunday.
Joe Dunn, of Etowah, motored
through here Sunday with a mule
in front of his car.
Arthur Burchiel had the mis-
fortune of getting all arm broke or
thrown out of place cranking a car
last Saturday.
Daniel Garden had his shoulder
dislocated last Sunday, by being
thrown from a bicycle.
Charley Morgan, Of rEtowah,
visited home folks here Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Army Hicks are
the parents of fine boy.
Uncle Jasper Center was a Wis
itor at J. A. Hammons' last Satur-
day.
We were surprised when we
read of the marriage of Rev. Gay
Bryant and Miss Lille Standridge.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Notice of Registration.

A supplemental registration is
hereby called for the 5th, 9th and
9TH days of July, 1917, at the var
ious voting precincts of Polk coun-
ty, or places named herein, for the
purpose of allowing those who
have not previously registered, or
have changed their residence since
last registered, or who have never
registered heretofore TO register
preparatory to voting in the gen
eral election on the Constitutional
Convention which is. called for
July the 28th, 1917.
June Ii, 1917.
B. b. c. Witt, Chairman.
J. 4. Rollins, Secretary.
G. G. Hyatt, Com'r.
Board of Election Commissioners
Polk county, Tenn.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Items Anent The Old Time Singing.
BY J. d. CLEMMER.

church to the court house at the
request OF the organizers of the
Polk county singing. convention
who had a large crowd present
with several of the present day
leaders and large classes using
present day music books. Rev.
Lars on preached a strong, beauti
fu1 sermon on the New Jerusalerr
fpild won many friends by endor-
Sing so strongly the singing meet
sings that are becoming SO popular
among the people.
Ministers who do not keep up to
the times in these singing meetings
which are so full of religious feel
ing stirred up by sacred words and
sweet melody Of the songs we
learned as children are simply
failing to do their duty if they do
not cooperate when they are held
near their church OH their regular
meeting days The Singing Con-
vention should be arranged by the
officers to suit the place ard day
at some place having regular ser
vice at the same time.
The last two Sunday meetings
held in Benton enabled the pastors
who preached to be heard by many
who otherwise would probably not
have been present, and several
have been added to the list of
church attendants.
Congregational singing came
back into its own here i'll Mr.
I.usk' all day singing; if congre-
gational singing is not to become a
thing of the past, the songs must
be the fttest survivors Of the child
hood days of all the ages repre-
sented in Our congregations.
At TIE afternoon session not
many young people were present,
as they thought the songs would
be old ones they had never heard;
but the middle aged and the old
were there better represented than
before in recent years i'll Benton
congregation.
When only new songs, most of
the words of which even we middle
aged people cannot understand,
much less get any meaning out OF,
are used, can you wonder why we
stay away or sit them out unfeel-
ingly?
AS CO. operation among the sing
ing leaders has come instead OF
competition, so ought CO. operation
among denominations and minis
tiers abide.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Notice of Election.

By virtue of the power vested i'll
us by law we the undersigned
Election Commissioners for Polk
county, will cause to be opened
and held at the various voting
precincts in Polk county on
SATURDAY JULY 18th, 1917
an election for the purpose of al
lowing the people to vote as to
whether there will be a constitu-
tional convention or new constitu-
ton il this State.
Said election will be held under
the Dorch Law.
This the 18th day OF June, 1917.
3. b. c. Witt, Chairman.
J. +. Rollins, SECRETARY.
G. G. Hyatt, Com'r.
Board of Election Commissioners
Polk county, Tenn.
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21

At the old time singing held here
last Sunday, the old time book,
Harp of Columbia, was used.
Among the people who attended
were hundreds who are past the
prime of life. The choir seats
were crowded with middle aged
men and women, and many in the
congregation knew several OF the
songs and Joined in them with the
old time feeling. Mr., Lusk, who
volunteered in 1861 in the Civil
war, did excellent Leading until
his hoarseness and lack of strength
during the afternoon caused him.
to have Prof. Mathis, of Cleveland
and Ben Ayres, of Benton, to lead
the class. Prof Mathis stated
that it had been thirty years since
he had been to Benton church.
while Mr.. Ayers is about thirty
years of age, but Mr.. Lusk wak
first coming to Benton some sixth,
yeais ago, and he met many of l1if1
friends here some of whom he had
not seen since civil war days, bat
auono them was Mrs. Helen
Nicholson, nearly IS. Revs. ri
r. Wagner, T. M. Hicks and W.
H. Rymer assisted in singing, also
seven old time singing masters be-
sides Mr.. Lusk, the others being
G. w. Eetzer, Johnson Colemant
C. w. HARRISON, N. A. Whit
and J. D. Nuchols. A few partic-
ipants from Cleveland, Reliance
and Cookston creek aided in the
class which was largely composed
of youngsters just turning gray,
such as F. D, Copeland, c. f.
Taylor and wives of some others
present of about the same age.
The class voted to attend the
Athens meeting last of Sept, of
the Hiwassee Singing School
Convention organized by Mr.. Lusk
at Friendship, being the first sing
ing convention ever organized in
East Tennessee so far as is known.
N. A. White and Ben Ayers were
appointed delegates to arrange Tor
attending. Mr.. Lusk has invited
the class to be at Chatata valley
old time singing when Rev. w.
H. Rvmer will preach the sermon.
The forenoon service hour being
the regular time for Pastor Wag-
goner here, he delivered an excel
lent sermon on the Second Com
ing OF Christ and in touching on
the present world war certainly
woke the people up TO the serious
ness of the situation. The pre-
vious Sunday the new Presbyterian
minister, Rev. Larsen, moved his
regular appointment from his
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21

Mrs. Newt Lillard, of Benton
route /, is visiting her daughter,
Mrs. A. T.. Love.
Arthur Rymer, representing all
Athens gaocery concern, is call
ing on merchants III Benton this
week.
Bob Woody, son of J. J. Woody
was placed in Jail Monday for fe-
lonious assault. 1t is reported
that his brother, w. A. Woody,
is suffering somewhat from cuts
received at his hands. He was
taken out of jail after spending
only a few hours there. It's said
that liquor was the cause OF the
Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1917-06-21
Local and Personal

Charles Witt has resigned the
position he held as bookkeeper at
Isabella and gone to Knoxville,
where he will attend the Summer
School OF the South.