davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
Postmasters and Examinations.

The dismay of Democratic congress
men over the extension of the merit
system to all postmasters of the first
second and third classes is the first
convincing evidence to the people that
the new rule will embody genuine re-
form OF the postal service of the United
States. The president is unable to
change the law requiring that nomina.
tions of these postmasters be sent to
the Senate for confirmation, but he may
go far toward eliminating politics from
the post-offiees of the country by nom
mating those whose names stand at the
top of the eligible lists made possible by
competitive examinations.
1t is erroneous to assume that this
project necessarily would mean the in
definite retention in office of all the
present Democratic postmasters. Their
terms are for only four years and in
order to be renominated they would have
to take the examinations. Granted that
their experience in office would give them
an advantage in such competitive tests,
it remains true that in replacing those
postmasters who die or resign for any
cause the government would not be at
the mercy of the party spoilsmen as it
has always been hitherto. Many post
masters of demonstrated inefficiency,
moreover. could be gotten rid of in this
way at the end of their terms, if the
examinations were honestly conducted.
While many Republican postmasters
are still in service, the obvious criticism
of the plan is that the Democratic ad-
ministrstion takes this step only after
filling thousands of offices with Demo
Gratis. But no previous Republican ad-
ministration has ever ventured to take
similar steps before the offices were well
filled by. its own partisans. President
Taft waited until the end Of his admin
istration before replacing fourth-class
postmasters in the classified service. VI
is unfortunate that very much of the
reform in the civil service has
had to come this way, but whatever of
reform has been offered by the presi-
dents. when the pressure upon them of
the Office seeking class has subsidized, it
has been well to accept without much |
over the partisan aspects of |
the situation. In time the postal service |
will be much benefited by the reform in
which President Wilson |
may now be able TO INTRODUCES |
field Republican.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
WHEN TO KEEP SILENT.

The patriotic newspapers of the coun
try land we hope the designation in
cludes them all will be prompt to ac'
quiesce in any arrangement Tor secrecy
which the United States government
may have in reference to the movements
of ships and troops whenever such Sc
crecy is not rendered entirely futile by
the nature of things. Yet it does seem
rather far fetched for the government to
decide to arm merchant ships and send
them boldly into the war zone, and at
the same time strive to sneak those YES
sells through the peril as the request Of
Secretary Daniels of the navy depart
ment seems to indicate. There is entire
lack of consistency in the two positions.
If the nation is to arm merchant ships
it means that the nation is going to
meet the situation man fashion; to en-
deavor to sneak the vessels through the
barred zone means that the United
States does not feel sure of it's ground
and is unwilling to meet the gravity Of
the situation. Those two viewpoints as
expressed by President Wilson and Sec
rotary Daniels are quite Incompatible II
we are going to arm merchantmen we
might as well let the world know of it
and of the departure of the ships. Ger
many surely will know of the movement
of the ships regardless of whether the
light of publicity is shed over the ships
or not. To attempt to keep the move
ments secret is foolish. In other respects
the newspapers could help the United
States government materially by keeping
discreetly silent; and it is to be expected
that they win use keen discrimination in
purveying the news.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

point in matters of this sort facts may
well be disguised by agreeable terms, but
beyond that point it is well to give the
naked truth full liberty to show itself
The fact of imminent war scorns dis
guises now, and Governor Mccall, long
accustomed 10 treating facts as such,
meets this one half way with propo-
sal that the New England governors pre-
pare themselves for united action. And
the invitation is fun of promise for
New England solidarity in the approach
ing crisis, That it will be accepted goes
without saying, and the outcome can
be nothing short Of extremely useful,
The proposed conference, too, may be
made valuable even if an unexpected
turn of events keeps us out of the pres
ent war. The people of America are
pretty fully committed to a prepared
ness program now, and were either of
the belligerent groups OF Europe to col
lapse to- morrow, they would insist that
our government proceed with plans for
the putting of the country in position
for defense. We have had quite enough
of the sort of thing we have lived
through for the last two years and
half. In all our New England states
more or less clearly defined movements
looking TO prompt mobilization of man
power, industries, and relief agencies are
gathering Roadway. We can learn much
from each other that win help keep all
these undertakings going ahead and 60
ing in the right direction
But the immediate object, not the
remote one, is the thing for all OF us
to keep in mind. Our course heretofore
has been so indecisive that probably
there are many of US who fail to real
ize the gravity of the present situation.
This conference is called because we are
face to face with war.-Man-
chester Union.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
Stern Arrangement of Fair Haven.

Personally we should prefer to see the
town OF Fair Haven vote no license 1t
voted for license by the usual beautiful
majority Tuesday We know it would
be better off without the liquor business
and 80 for that matter would every
other city and town in the world. III
we have got to continue to have the
business it might be good thing for
the town TO take II over and get the
profit out of it as we did in the DAYS
when we had our town liquor agency
although we have no recollection of
there ever being large profit in the
agency management. As it is at pres
ent conducted it costs the town too
much, too much in money, too much in
loss of self respect. The towns one
thought is booze. We wallow in it, we
commit all the crime on the calendar
on account of it. We are liars, periur-
ers, Indicators, criminals, just for the
qualification of appetite and a few con-
tamina ted dollars. But the future is not
altogether without hope. Some day we
will come to our senses and the liquor
dealer will be seeking other ways of
parting the weak, the simple and the
ne'er- do-well from their coin.--New Hs-
ven Era.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
Vermont Newspaper.

The Brattleboro Reformer Daily en-
ters upon its fifth year with a little
crow that is perfectly justified. Messrs.
Hubbard, Rice, Crane and the other live
young men who sensibly combined two
old weeklies and created an evening
daily, with weekly edition, are publish
ing a newspaper that would be very
creditable to more experienced journal
lists in the daily field and to town much
larger than BrattlebOro. Such a news
paper is a valuable asset in a communi-
ty.
In this connection il may be truly
said that the daily press of Vermont is
distinctly high class in every one of its
representatives. The Burlington Free
Press and Rutland Herald have elienteles
of which they may Justly be proud, won
by long and efficient service. The Bur
lington News and Rutland News com
plement them in the evening field. The
st. Adams Messenger is remarkably
good newspaper considering the size OF
its territory. No bouquet is too good
for the Barre Times. The Montpelier
Argus has won out after a hard strug-
gle and reflects prosperity in constant
improvement The Bennington Banner
did earlier what has been done in Brat
tleboro and with equal success. Even
the fiedgling St Johnsbury CALIFORNIAN
is beginning to try its wings with good
prospect of continued fight, instead of
dying in the nest as freely predicted.
The tendency of the present is dis
tinetly toward the small daily news
paper, with its desirable combination
of fresh general and local news and town
Still there is some
thing left for the weeklies, AID those
in Vermont are making the most of it.
They can cover the smaller communities I
more thoroughly than the dailies and.
having more time at their disposal, can 1
give more connected and complete stories /
on important happenings.-Randolph /
Herald.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

of Germany's military heart, than could
be accomplished in any other way. The
minute that the German armies and the
German nation are brought to believe
that America is to throw her whole force
into the war, that minute viii it be real
lied that the German cause Is hopeless.
Germanys venture in submarine war
fare is predicated upon the belief that
the advantages Of unrestricted piracy
will outweigh the dangers of half-heart
ed American participation. She counts
upon this half -heartedness and upon the
maintenance of our alleged separateness
from the war, and not until her mind has
been disahused Of this confidence will the
true import of American anger be real
lied
When the call is isued for an American
army of n million men, this confidence
will be permanently dssipated. The men
may never go to France, may never do
more indeed than undergo the training
which would furnish the country with
an adequate army of defense for future
controversies, but they would have
taught the Germans an unforgettable
lessen. A call for recruiting would
strike fear into the German army as
nothing else could do; it would proclaim
to the worn soldiers on the Somme and
back from Nerdun the futility of their
oifensiyes; it would teach the careworn
general staff that, once they had accom-
plished their unaecomplished task of
killing off so many hundreds of thous-
ands OF Britons and Frenchmen at
carefully computed percentage OF losses
to their own brigades, there would stand
between them and victory the countless
legions OF new men whom America had
sent to begin the war anew; it would
hasten the day Of peaee--Bo Boston Trans.
crpt.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
"A Million Men for Franceis

The lull in official activities at Wash.
ington due to the presidents uncertainty
as to his power TO act does not diminish
the ultimate certainty that action will be
necessary, and, therefore, it does not
Justify the slightest let-up in prepare
tions. Postponement should mean moth
ing less than that when We do strike
our stroke viii be the mightier. II Is
observed that the naval officers. in spite
of Mr.. Daniels handicspping presence.
indicate an appreciation Of this in their
efforts TO expedite the construction Of
the war craft already authorized BY Con-
gress, although the war department un-
happily continues 20 hold back. or to
be held back
This az a time when a million men
for France should BE- the slogan Raise
that slogan in America and more would
BE- accomplished toward the breaking Of
Germany, morale. toward the breaking
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

/ We urged his dismissal last Monday, He
was never equal to the responsibilities
OF the post, but above and beyond his
! personal shortcomings is the question of
his public conduct since the sinking of
the Lusitania. The morning after that
massacre he sneered at the American
dead and sought TO fix upon their corpses
the blame that belonged TO Germany.
Ever since he has seemed to sympathize
with Germany whenever it's interests
came into conflict with those of the Unit
ed States. Only continuation of his
misconduct in the past was his unwill-
ingness to press to passage the bill Civ
ing the president the authority he re-
quested to arm American merchantmen,
although it had been favorably reported
by his committee, and his potent part
nership in the filibuster that prevented
the passage of the bill.
Worse, however, than all was his be-
trayal on the floor of the Senate of a
vital secret of naval defense That Sc
cret was told him in confidence as the
chairman of the committee which shares
with the president his constitutional re-
sponsbility for the conduct of foreign
relations. 1t was told him by those who
trusted his loyalty, and by giving it
away he proved his unftness for the
trust. Small wonder that he has earned
the praise of the press of Germany by
his course in the Senate of the United
States. By the same token he has
earned the contempt of the people of the
United States speaking through their
press. No member Of the government
would be warranted in entrnsting to
Senator Stone any further military, ma
val or diplomatic secrets. No member
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
Honey No Longer Here.

A young Californian often visited a
leading Santa Barbara hotel bees use OF
its excellent honey.
When the young man got married the
wedding trip included Santa Barbara, so
that the bride might taste this superb
honey.
But the first morning at the Santa
Barbara hotel there was no honey on
the breakfast table. The bridegroom
frowned. He called the old familiar
waiter over to him.
"Where's my honey?" he demanded.
The waiter hesitated, looked awkward
ly at the bride, then bent toward the
young mans ear and in a stage whis-
per stammered,
Mamie don't work here no more,
sir"--Ladies' Home Journal.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

Although more than 1000 votes are
cast in the election. Greenfield, Mass.
still sdheres TO the old town meeting
with the voters all huddled in a single
hall and knocking ribs in the congestion
Greenfield Is big enough and prosperous
enough TO have a city form OF govern
ment. with the city divided into wards
and the voters going to six or more poll
ing places. The town meeting form Of
government Is all right until it becomes
so badly congested as at Greenfield A
contrast is afforded in the proposed city
Of Newport, which might Just as well
get along under the present manage
meut
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

main in the near east is likely TO follow
as another British army is advancing on
Jerusalem and Russian army is adj
vancing from the direction OF Persia.
Turkeys resources have already suffered
a tremendous drain through the sending
of troops to aid in the invasion of Ru,
mania; and the eastern domain neces-
sarily had to be left more unprotected
because of the German call for reinforce
ments. There seems to be no help for a
large part of Turkey in Asia.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
CURRENT COMMENT
The Brattleboro Logic.

We have been too busy to thinh
about it but our good friend of the
Barre Times points out that "Brattle
boro's no-license majority of 407 makes
that town the banner white ribboner Of
the state" II is commendable distinc.
ton and we are proud of it. In this con.
nection it should be remembered that a
year ago Brattleboro returned majori-
ty of 53S in favor of the local option
principle Brattleboro people believe in
local option for the state and prohibi.
tion for their home community. BRAT.
tleboro Reformer.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

President Wilson has expressed his en-
tire approval OF the Connecticut plan
for taking a military census of the peo-
pie of that state, which is tantamount
TO the expression by him of approval of
the plan set under way by Gov. Graham
in Vermont, inasmuch as the Vermont
system is patterned somewhat after the
Connecticut idea. Connecticut and Yer
mont are the pioneers in movement
which is destined to become very impor-
tant to the nation along the line of pre-
paredness against aggression.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
That Settled 1t.

A young woman reporter on country
paper was sent ont TO interview leading
citizens as to their politics. May ! sec
the gentleman Of the house," she asked
of large woman who opened the door
at one residence.
NO. YOU can't, answered the mstron
decisively.
But ! want to know what party he
belongs to, pleaded the girl
We'll. take a good look at me- she
said sternly; lin the party he belongs
to~-Iadies- Home Journal.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

As was to be expected, Viereck's pub
LEGATION, formerly the Fatherland, and
devoted body and soul to the kaiser
glorifes Senator William J. Stone as the
great American figure of the present day
pronouncing him champion of peace and
democracy in the United States Senate.
ator Stone have all the drooling adula-
tion which Viereck is able to spread upon
him for the reason that it is anti-Amer-
lean and pro- German all the time.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

OF the committee on foreign relations
ought to attend an executive session OF
that committee while he remains as its
chairman.
Ii, in the face of the nations indiet-
ment, Senator Stone refuses to retire.
his immediate deposition by the Senate
will become the imperative duty of that
body. The initiative should be taken
by the Democrats, who are in the ma.
jority, but if they require assistance II
should be freely and promptly given
by the Republicans. Neither personal
nor political prediction must be allowed
to delay, much less prevent, the purging
of the foreign relations committee OF
the presence of William Joel Stone as
its chairman.--Boston Transcript
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

A census taken in 1914 showed a tota
of 5,l90,46l maple trees in Vermont
tapped for sugar making in the spring
of that year, leaving 4,74l,9l5 untapped
The coming spring at least one-half OF
the unused trees should be turned into
producers of Vermont's incompatible
crop. II 100000 maple trees should be
turned into producers this spring the in.
come to Vermont in these days of excep-
tionally high prices would be splendid
The state really cannot afford to let
these maple trees stand idle
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
JINGLES AND ,TESTS
His Plan.

An Irishman who was rather too fond
OF strong drink was asked by the parish
priest;
''AIy son, how do you expect to get into
heaveng'
The Irishman replied
"Shure, and that's aisy! When get
to the gates of heaven I'll open the door
and shut the door, and open the door
and shut the door, an keep on doing
that till st. Peter gets impatient and
saws. For goodness sake, Mike, either
come in or stay outl' "-Tit-Bits
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

The fall Of Bagdad before the swift
rush Of the British probably means the
elimination Of Turkey as a dependable
ally Of the Teut0ns inasmuch as the
Turks were unable to send reinforce
nents 70 the aid Of the army forced out
Of buchanan and driven northwari
toward the tabled city which fell Sunday.
The ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the Turkish do
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
william Joel Stone.

If Senator Stone of Missouri is so dis
regardful of the nations demand as to
refuse to retire forthwith from the chair
manship of the Senate committee of for
eign relations the duty will devolve upon
the Senate to depose him without delay.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

What real good reason is there why
the new Austrian ambassador should not
desire to keep the Austrian embassy in its
usual location, near the British embassy
and backed against the residence of Sec
rotary of State Lansings Surely it
would be in good company in the accus-
toned place in Washington
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
New England Governors.

Governor McCalrs invitation to the
other New England executives TO Join
him in a preparedness conference - both
significant and sensible. II i a forci-
bic reminder that one OF the nations
tirst-rate men considers the presen. sit
uation to be 20 grave that more i to be
gained than lost BY a frank admission
of its prohabilifies 70 TO = certain
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

The progress being made in the Yer
mont legislature of the bill to authorize
the establishment of county hospitals
for the treatment of tuberculosis pa
tients is decidedly encouraging toward
the much-needed campaign against the
inroads of the disease in Vermont. 1t
seems likely that the bill will be enacted
into law.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

The belligerents in Champagne ought
to enlist the Ancient and Honorable Ar
tillery of the U. S. A. Possibly that or
ganization might show 'em point or
two in that kind of warfare
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

Canada wants paltry $l0O,00o0O0 for
war purposes. Where is Canada going
for the money? Needless question; right
to New York. The United States is the
world banker in fact.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

With the arrival of Won Bernstorff on
neutral soil in Europe, the responsibility
of the United States for him is at an
end, thank heaven.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

The Germans haven't any guns that
can reach Vermont from the sea, but
Vermont will be just as eager to defend
the nation as the coast states are.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

1t is evident from the outbreak in Wa
terbury that Vermont has 1916 legacy
of infantile paralysis waiting for it just
as soon as warmer weather arrives.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

There was little watehful waiting on
the grip for President Wilson. The ma
ton is glad to hear he is back on his
feet.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

The burning of 100000 bushels o.
wheat in Detroit elevator is not cal
culated to tighten the burden of living.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
A MOTHERS TROUBLES

A mothers unending work and
devotion drains and strains her
physical strength and leaves its marx
in dimmed eyes and carewon ex-
pressions--she ages before her time.
Any mother who is weary and languid
should start taking Scott's Emulsion of
Norwegian Cod Liver Oil as strengthen
ing food and bracing tonic to add rich
ness to her blood and build up her
nerves before 1t is too late. Start SCOTS
Emulsion today-its fame is worldwide.
1t is free from alcohol.
Scott & Bovine, Bloomfield, NJ. i6-E
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

The release of the Americans on the
Yarrowdale on the date scheduled by
Germany removes a casus belli if not a
cause of aggravation.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12
Some Are Dangerous.

rs woman really the weaker vessel 7"
Il dunno. You encounter one Of the
dreadnought type now and then. '-Ex-
change.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

Three full weeks to April l the leg.
islature at Montpelier ought to make the
most of them and adjourn.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

1t smacks of irony to say that Amer.
lean merchantmen will not warn German
submarines of attack.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-12

And the name of the conqueror OF Bag
dad was Maude.