davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
ASSAILING TRIAL BY JURY

What men fought for a century and
half ago, as absolutely essential to just
government, some men are fighting today
as a destroyer of that end. If anybody
had predicted in 1776 that the right OF
trial by jury, gained by the sacrificing
Of human lives and the enduring of un-
told hardships, would ever be attacked
by an American citizen, doubtless he
would have been regarded as insane.
This country has undergone many
changes since then, but none more radi-
cal than that which would be represented
by general clamor for the abolition Of
the Jury system of criminal jurispru-
dence. Indications point to no such
cventualty However, the abandonment
of trial by Jury is not infrequently sug-
gcsted nowadays. In a recent issue a
smal-town Texas newspaper remarks
that lawyers, in making speeches before
conventions of their profession, often
express the conviction that Our jury sys-
TEN is "antiquated, out of date, nom
essential to the protection of the rights
of men and ought to be abolished"
w IlC hOt OllSllilS d pOSlllNC OPllllOii
Of its own or this particular matter, the
small-town newspaper says that the
abolition of juries would simplify mat
tiers considerably" Instead OF juries,
trial before a judge" is suggested, with
the right Of appeal and indictment by
complaint proceedings before a justice"
The publication referred to discusses
with greater self-confidence its own con-
clusion that indictment by grand jury
has lived out its day in court" 1t ar
rives at that conclusion by following the
premise that many grand-jury witnesses
are untruthful. Apparently it believes
there is a growing tendency among
American citizens to lie when questioned
before a grand jury. 1t asks why such
an alleged tendency should exist.
If American citizens are becoming less
truthful under the quizzing of grand
jurors and district attorneys, it should
not be difficult to explain the tendency
For anyone who believed in popular
self-government, it would be logical to
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

duchess and smiled toward the sound
Of their approach. The man had
heard of John lannon's blind wife
who in the rangeland had not?-but
he had never seen her. Now he
looked at the delicate beauty Of her
face, its quick, receptive intelligence,
its high mark of ohacter, and knew
why her daughter was as far above
the other girls of the country as the
clouds above the grass.
He took Bellies hands, both of
them, with a sudden pleasant liking
which communicated itself instantly
to the vibrant brain behind the
hands, and the two were friends at
once.
This is Boyce Clendenning, Belle, A"
said Val, and the man felt a strange
surprise at the girls use of her
mothers first name. He was to learn
that that was one of their playful
intimacies which made the friend
ship of this mother and daughter so
rare and so perfect.
Il know" said Mrs. Harmon, "you
are the man John Harmon likes
above all others among the ranchers,
therefore, you are good and worthy
of regard. l shall like you. too"
Clendenning laughed, tossed his hat
away and sat down to a long and
comfortable visit.
But finally the conversation drift.
ed. as all speech must in the range
land, TO cattle and finally to rustlers.
Il suppose you've heard that the
Flying Us had trouble?" be asked
idly.
"No," said Val at once. "What?.
Lost eighty head of fat steers
ready for the driving"
Good gracious! How?'
-Rustlers again. Drove them
through the Needles Eye into the
Blind Trails. Trail was broad as
daylight up to the face of the cliff
then of course it narrowed and was
lost on the rock, for the pass into
the hills is SO narrow that only two
steers can enter at the same time.
The owners trailed their cattle there
TO face two rifles sticking out on
either side of the pass, perfect
guard. No mans fool enough to de-
liberately give his life for a bunch of
steers. SO they went quietly back to
the ranch. But the country's buzzing. /
YOU bet, and I'm with it heart and
soul"
Walls dark eye flashed, for she
thought of her own loss. word of
which had been noiscd about the
country.
Continued in Our Next Issue).
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

conclude that under the laws which dis
trict attorneys were trying to enforce the
people were losing rather than strength
ening their sovereignty.
When the right Of trial by jury was
demanded and fought for in this coun-
try, the will OF the people was not being
carried out, and they were determined
that it should be. Trial by jury was
designed and regarded as facility for
executing the popular will; it was in
tended to insure sclf-government.
Nowadays not all of the laws OF this
land express the popular will. Some
of the most drastic of them are no less
contrary to the peoples wishes than
were the mandates of foreign king
to the wishes of the American colonists.
Therefore, if it be true that there is
a growing tendency among Americans
to avoid telling all they know when they
are summoned before grand juries, the
why of such a tendency ought TO be
plain, and country newspapers, it would
seem, should be among the first to dis
cover the reason. For country news
papers have an opportunity to get close
to the people whom they undertake to
serve
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

Angelo, one with the Brownsville region
and an additional route to the Miranda
oil fields and Laredo.
When it is conceded that San Antonio
is the most populous city in Texas, and
ranks as the thirty-sevcnth city in the
United States, it seems a remarkable
and unexplainable thing that it has not
reached out to the regions in full sight,
and which properly belong to it. San
Angelo is one hundred and twenty miles
from Kerrville and Fredericksburg. To
fill this gap would mean not only San
Angelo. but direct touch with all the
growing cities of the Panhandle, and
direct run to northern New Mexico and
Colorado Dallas and Fort Worth domi-
nate that entire region, solely owing to
the fact that they enjoy direct rail COM
munication, when a glance at the map
discloses that San Antonio is the nat
ural, near-in, and logical point for the
trade of that region. A rail connection
with San Angelo might mean an OK
penditure of three or four million dol
lars. The trade of the Panhandle should
mean that return to this city in enc or
two years.
The Brownsville region not only be-
longs to San Antonio, but its people
are anxious to belong to this city. San
Antonio has rail communication with
Brownsville, but it is only on the suf-
ferance of Houston, a rival city. which
has never shown any particular desire to
throw away any trade that it can gather
in on its own account. 1t is true that
various efforts have been made by Our
people to land San Angelo and Browns
vile. through the building OF a direct
railway line, but it has never worked
out. Just why they have failed it may
be useless to inquire, but it is an in
dubitable fact that railway companies
working in the interest of rival cities
have been the main cause OF failure.
Many paper railroads have been built
in the hopes and imagination of the
people OF many cities in the United
States, and have remained paper rail-
roads. Then, by contrast, railways have
been built, apparently, because the bust
ness situation actually compelled their
building. 1t is possible that San An
tonic is about to break out of prison.
When a city has actually developed
4 population OF more than 100000 peo-
pie. has never enjoyed a so-called boom
in its go years OF life, has always paid
its bills, has never been accused OF crdue
Boosting. and still allows 120 miles OF
railroad building to delay making L short
cut to Denver. AID the cities in between,
it really would seem that such city
should extend its trolley lines that far.
To build 4 connecting railway to San
Angelo and Colorado would mean pos
sbly the equivalent Of $50 for every
resident of San Antonio. and it would
bring back 500 to every unit
Of the population within the following
live years, which would be fairly high |
interest.
As for the Brownsville country, the
-cturn would be equally as large. 1t
5 to be hoped. therefore, that San An
.cnio will wake up, some fine morning, |
md read about fast trains direct to Den
yer and Tampico via San Antonio And |
san Antonio will probably say, "Of
it had to come. Everything
comes to him who waits"
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

"Ah, now, none O. that. Don't
bear mallus. Here take this bit o.
apple tart to him and tell him he
licked ye fairly and ye're good
friends wild 'im."
Murphy went off with the tart, and
half an hour later returned from his
peace-making errand with his other
eye blackened and his nose bleeding.
"An' phwat is ut now?"
Och, he bate me cruel and said.
Now off home wild We and bring me
a custard tomorrow ~
A man stopped a strange damsel on
the street and told her she was the
prettiest girl he had ever seen in his
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
Court Term Opens.

Seguin. Tex, April 2O.-The spring
term of the district court, with Judge
Lester Holt presiding. convened here
on Monday, and was organized as
follows: Horace Duncan, district at
torney; ]. f. Fischer, clerk: w. NJ.
Niece, sheriff. The grand jury is
composed of the following members
C. A. Kruger. foreman; Louis
Schraub. n. J. Carter r. NJ. Appling.
II. C. Weycl. III. p. Scrutchins, Otto
Rabe, II. c. Schultz. Bryan Brawner,
C. G. Blumberg, A. \. Draeger, Rich
ard Naumann. Door bailiff, August
Bucrgcr; walking bailiff. c. J. Bucr-
ger: riding bniliffs, W. V. Dale and
O. r. Springs: court bailiffs, He
harrington and Fritz Hartwig.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
INSULTING THE VOTERS

II San Antonio citizens were asked
70 believe that white is black and black
is white, that fact is fiction and truth
lie, the insult to their intelligence would
not be any more palpable than that Of
fered by supporters and would-be re-
producers OF the present administration
who are saving that the election OF John
Tobin, Ray Lambert. Phil Wright, Frank
Bushick ard Paul Stcfiler will mean the
citv's disruption.
Those who are SAYING these things
are trying 10 represent themselves as
lovers of harmony. Where lid they ger
their conception Of karmony-from
Dante's Inferno. or from council meet
ings under the Black administration?
The so-called Citizens Ticket is the
heir OF the Black regime. 1t was con-
ceived to continue the Black admins
tration under a new name. And how
sweetly harmonious "Us Black Boys"
have been. So much so that Director
Orlando B. has nobody left to direct. His
orchestrations are OF the solo variety.
There have been riits in the Black
lutes from the outset. Seldom if ever
before in San Antonio's political history
has there been so much discord at the
city hall as that which has distinguished
the Black administration. Threats and
counter threats have marked meeting
after meeting. There have been squab-
bles over proposed budgets and over
actual divisions Of the peoples money
and fights over both the collection and
the expenditure of taxes.
Now that the sweet symphony is
drawing to a close, "Us Black BOYS"
having fallen out among themselves, are
asking the voters to call for an encore
They wouldn't call it that, but the same
battered instruments that they have
been playing would be the source Of the
din that would be inflicted upon San An
tcnio if the so-called Citizens Ticket
should be elected.
But the Emusic" would be even more
discordant, if that be possible. Practice
tends to make perfect. The harmony"
that has made the Black administration
notorious is merely a prelude to the
program which would delight the hearts
of those who profess to fear that the
election of John Tobin, Ray Lambert,
Phil Wright, Frank Bushick and Paul
Steffler would disrupt the city.
The Black administration has raiSc,i
property valuations and increased taxes,
whereas it promised to Go the opposite.
it has spent the peoples money OK
travagantly, and has very little to show
for its expenditures, whereas it pledged
itself to economy. Il has travesticd the
terms budget and business mirage
Inent'" 1t has disrupted the city's af-
fairs as they were never before dis
rupted.
Yet those who had prominent parts
in such a record of incompetence and
mismanagement are warning the people
against disruption" Could there he
more brazen affront to the intelligence.
the reason and the common sense of
San Antonio's citizens?
~--OO-
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
EQUALLY TO THE POINT

Mr.. Herbert PEARS, candidate on the
otoner ticket says he will give $4,000
to any person who will prove that he is
a member OF the ku kluX Khan.
1t might he well for Mr.. PEARS to
offer to pay $4,000 to any person who
will prove that he is the highly success
full business man" he claims to be.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20


John Harmon, wealthy ranch own
or, his blind wife, Belle, and theil
beautiful daughter, Val, live happily
together in lannon's wonderful
ranch home, Paradise. Redstar is the
king of the Red Brood of horses
owned by the master of the ranch.
Escorted by the cowboys of Para
disc ranch, Val attends the Fourth
of July celebration at Santa Lean
dra. velantrie from the Border,
while dancing with Lola Sanchez, is
shot at by jealous sutton. Val
saves Nelantrie's life by causing the
bullet TO go wild.
During the celebration at Santa
Leundra the peerless Redstar dis
appears from Paradise. Val is
beartbroken and rides for consola-
ton TO the Mission to see her friend,
Father Hillaire. She finds Nelantrie
at the Mission visiting with Father
Hillaire.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
CERTAINTIES.

Whether you live by hut or throne,
Whether your feet tread stone or grass
Comes the one lad you shall never own
Or the one lass;
Whether you've pence to spend or gold,
Whether you've toll or time to weep.
Comes the one pain that may never be told
And may never sleep;
Whether you weep or mock in pride,
Whether you tell still deny,
Comes the one scar that your heart shall hide
Till the day you die!
Margaret Widdemer.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
Go On With the Story.

The wistful look in the stranger
eyes deepened with sort of swift
sickness and he picked up his hat.
IN CO." he said gently, but thu
father shook his head.
Stay until she leaves" he sait
desperately, we've had little speech
together"
Not for all the poor treasures Of
his humble house would Father Hill
laire have had Velantrie's whistle
cut the quiet air. have seen The
Comet come trotting down beneath
the hanging trees.
SO Nelantrie stood and watched
while Val came and sat in one OF
the ancient chairs and put the baby
on her knee to play with its rose
leaf fingers and touch with under
standing hands its little waxen
cheeks.
Its a beautiful baby. padre" she
said. wisely regarding the infant, "a
darling bundle Of sweetness. But
think with you that Maria is not 50
well. The cough persists"
II know" said the father anxious
ly, "and have tried all my remedies
in vain. She Sickens for the sight OF
that worthless one for whom she has
never ceased to mourn"
If / had hold of him." said Val
with sudden swift viciousness, I'D
kill HIM"
My daughter" said the priest
sharply. and the girl blushed. But
Velantrie smiled as he dropped into
chair across the little open space
Of the sanded wall:
Suppose, he said in the low
voice that was sweet with music.
that some ono brought him back
sealed. under pain of death. to be
good TO Maria and the chcrub here?
Would that please you?"
More than ANYTHING in all this
world" cried Val impulsivcly, "ex-
ccnt-'
But she broke the sna"ch and
glanced at Father Hillairc.
at would be holy work" she
finished gently, land I should be
very glad.
Then" said Vplantric. still smil-
ing. ut shall be done. Who is the
man. padre. and from where did he
leave this part of the country?'
at is only pcon from down by
Areuenta across the line by the
name Of Mcsos Pccucnto. and he
melted into the west somewhere, 1t
is heavy promise you make, my
SON"
But one 7 shall bc clad TO re-
decm." answered Nelantric.
Val looked ut him with deep eyes
that were sweet with new depth
and sort of wonder. This stranger
that she had begun to meet talked
Quietly Of big deeds nnd was quick
re running waters She thought Of
bis accordance of I.olo's challenge
that night in Santa Loandra and
bow swiftly he had caught her mean
in".
So she played with the hahv aud
listened TO thc nuiot talk of tho two
men md tho summer day drowsed
toward it's close. and tho stranger
stayed as If he did not mean to
leave
Eonifncio brought lightning. and
Ntlnntrin looked ~ him with keen
owes. Always this m1n looked at
horsas On the ran~c. in the streets
nf the sc'tterrd towns. everywhere
il was ho~soflcs''. for which he
s""rchnd untiringlr. N expression
of admir-" ticn passed across his
Snrnlino face.
THAT is beautiful horse. Miss
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
SELF-CONDEMNED

The candidates on the Citizens Ticket
claim to be progressive and to have grand
ideas of constructive character. They
say they are going to do big things but
they do not say what they are going to
do. They are pitifully shy on details.
These five men attended a political
meeting at Beethoven Hall on Monday
and if ever any men were condemned
out of their own mouths these were so
condemned.
L. B. Stoner, candidate for mayor
he has a great constructive program,
remember-said that he would not out
line his plan for civic improvement such
as flood prevention, the auditorium and
things OF such Importance, because they
will be built anyhow
a fine candidate is the man who will
lance such as the prevention of floods
and the building of an auditorium, A
wonderful candidate is the man who
promises such great things and will not
tell how, or when, or in what manner
he proposes to do them.
When it came to the plans for city
building, Mr. Stoner said he had been
'counseled not TO mention them
Who counselcd him? Why should
not the all-important thing of building
up the city of San Antonio be discussed
with the people of San Antonio? Are
the people of San Antonio to be less
considered than arc the unknown coun-
selors of Mr. Stoner: If a candidate
is so absolutely controlled by people he
will not name, as to refuse to discuss
paramount issues before the people, what
sort Of a public servant would he make
in the event of his election?
The man who refuses to discuss the
affairs of San Antonio with the people
of San Antonio has small right to ask
any favors OF the people of San Antonio.
Mr.. PEARS, in his address at this same
meeting. said he was a young man "who.
hadn't made much of himself" That
was his own statement. Yet this man
who admits that he has mot made much
of himself tells the people OF this city
that he is capable of running the affairs
Of San Antonio. What will man make
OF the city's business who, by his own
admission has failed to make much of
himself? The city is looking for COM
petent men to administer its affairs. A
man who admits in a public address
that he "has not made much of himself
will hardly commend himself to the
public as qualified to manage the bust
ness of city of $4,000 people
Mr.. Simpson declared that he believed
that the entire city should pay the cost
of flood prevention. He did not meet
the issue of whether he favors zone
arrangement whereby the property most
protected by any scheme of flood pro-
lection should pay the greater part of
the cost of such protection. In other
words, Mr.. Simpson shuffed and lodged
on this important issue.
Mr.. Koerps said he chad a common
school education" What else has he?
The addresses of the men on the Tobin
ticket have shown every one of them
TO be safe, sound, sane and progressive
men. The future of the city will be
secure in their hands and they arc Gu
titled to the votes of all good citizens
who wish well for their city.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
DENVER TO TAMPICO

Three railroad projects have been out
lined, within few weeks, any one OF
which would spell increased growth and
prosperity for San Antonio. These
projects have taken the form of incor-
porated companies. One of these would
mean direct rail communication with San
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20
CHAPTER Y.
Val Calls.

John Harmon stood in the deep
room where the Indian blankets
glowed and held his wife in the bend
of his arm. His face was a strange
mixture OF conflicting emotions. 4
veritable sickness of parting sat upon
it and his dark eyes burned upon
Bellies sightless face with such o pas
sion of love as rarely lasts beyond the
fires of youth.
He kissed her again and again and
studied the curve of her faded cheek,
the curls of soft hair at her temples.
And Bellies expert fingers passed
over his features, reading" his face
before departure. When he was gone
she would drop in a chair and weep
like schoolgirl, but she sped him
now like any Spartan.
And when, John dear" she
ASKED anxiously. "will you be back
this time? Will it be as long a trip
as the last one?'
The man raised his eagles head
and looked out through the window
across the plains. What visions he
saw none might know, but his eyes
dcepened and glowed and he
smoothed her hair absently.
Presently he came back to the mo-
ment.
No he answered brusquely, mot
SO long this time"
Then he kissed her again, mo-
toned to Val to come and take her
with an imperiOus nod of his head.
put her gently in the girls arms and
was gone.
Paradise settled into sort of
pleasant lcthargy after the depar-
ture Of the master. Belle Harmon
was already speaking Of the time
when her husband should return.
and Val spent many hours rocking
lazily in the gay-fringed hammocke.
She was her old self again in sweet
ness. in her eager care for all the
creatures of the househald and the
ranch. but deep down in her heart
she did not cease TO mourn for the
vanished Redstar. Sometimes at sun
Gown she would cup her hands to
her lips and. giving the two keen.
long-drawn whiStled notes. listen
wistfully as if from somewhere in
the far fringes of the Blind Trail
Hills she must catch the fine faint
echo of his ringing answer.
But always the vast silence of the
illimitable land was unbrokcn. and
Briston, coming in from the dust and
drouth of long days ride, would
look at her pityingly.
The days passed and the master
had been gone fortnight when one
day Bcyce Clcndcnning rode in OIL
Dollar.
Val. seeing him from afar. met
him in the patio with smiles. all
freshly clad in n starched print
dress In honest fairness she must
accord him respect. She did not dis
like him, either. when it came down
10 cases. for Boyce Clendenning was
very much man in land where
mer must he all of that to prosper.
"Hcllo. Boyce." she greeted him.
laying an ndmiring hand on Dollars
silvc: shoulder. this is treat-you
coming so far TO see us. Or were
you going by?'
Hardly" said the man. swining
down TO take off his hat and extend
his hand. Il came because | wanted
to-"
As Val led Clendenning into the
depths of the cool old room Belle
Harmon rose wiah the manner of a
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

II b W a Us Tn
matter wild ye!"
asked his father.
who's that ye're
currsin'
Sure, you n g
F j n n / gan: he's
been afther black
in me eye, and
I'll do fur i'm
yit. I will"
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

ny SCIdpiuS az
quaintance with
any titled people
she came across.
At an afternoon
party she met a
friend of similar
social ambitions.
"Oh, Miss Tuf-
Hunter" she ex-
claimed. IS II C h
.a1sl on--ee w.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

dear Aunt Jane"
said a mother to
her little son.
" y ow wouldn't
you like TO give
them something
just a little pres
cnt:"
YES" he re-
piled with alacri-
ty. Lets give
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-20

life. She was. in
d e e d. beautiful.
H o W yer, sha
hailed him into
court. There he
unblushingly re-
peated his remark
a n d challenged
the judge to say
if she wasn't the
prettiest girl his