Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, January 06, 1905, Page 4, Image 4

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THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 6. 1903.
The Omaha Daily Bee
K. ROHEWATER, EDITOfl.
PUBLISHED EVEBT MORNING.
TEKM8 OK SUBSCRIPTION.
Dally Bee (without Sunday;, one ear
Dally hee and Sunday, one year
Illutrted B. one year
Monday Bee, one year
ISst'irdsy Bee. one yesr
Twentieth Centurv Firmr. one nr.,
DELIVERED HT CARRIER
Daily pre (without Sunday). Pr ropy
m-v Bee fwithnet Runrldl t. i.er week
Jl W
.''
;
il.&O
l.i u
..12C
Dally Hie (in-hiding Sunday, per week-lo:
Sunday Bee. per ropy oC
Evening pre (without Punda y , per w eek 7c
Evening He (including Sunday t. per
wk l-o
'omplaint" of Irregularltle In delivery
should m addressed to City Circulation De
partment. OFFICES.
f 'biabs The Per Hulldlmr.
South Omaha-City Hall building. Twenty.
f!f"i and M streets.
Council Huffs in pearl street.
'hii-aao Kin Unity building.
New .oik-23' Park Row building.
Washington ".i1 Fourteenth street.
CORRESPONDENCE.
''ommunh ationa relating to news and edi
torial matter should he ,-tdriretS'd : (Imilu
Pre, Editorial Department.
REMITTANCES.
Hemlt hv draft, expres or postal rrder.
'inly 2-eent utamp received In payment ff
man accounts Personal checks except nji
Omaha or eastern exeh.msres. not gere' tea.
THE BEE PUBLI8HIN COMPANY
STATEMENT OK CIRCULATION
Slate of Nehraaka. Dnuala Count v. ss. :
'leorge n. TitHchurk, secretary of The Pee
Publishing fompanv, being duly sworn,
that the actual number of full anil
'omnbte conies of The Pall v. Morning.
livening and Sunday Pee printed during the
iromin or iiccemner, VM. was as ioiiowb:
un:.uu
a2.fl no
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11 liN.THo
15 2K.7KO
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Total
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Net tola! sales..' tl1.4
Dally aversgo 20. MH
OEORGE B. TZSCHUCK.
Subscribed In my presence and aworn to
before mo this, 31st day of December, 19e4.
(8eal M. R. HUNOATE,
Notary Public.
Governor Mickey might
offense liave cut it shorter.
without
New York advices Indicate thnt
southern planters have so far failed to
raiso tho price of cotton upon the smoke
of their burning bales.
The charter revision committees are
apparently proceeding on the theory of
making haste slowly, but there Is such
a thing as overdoing the 6lowness.
Minister Conger has started from
Poking and Iowa politicians have begun
to get into the lineup for the coming
contests,, but Hoxer methods must 1
barred.
General Manderson boa announced
that preservation of the forests is the
"paramount 'issue" in this country. It
this a tip for the formation of a new
political party?
If our municipal government is
burdensome because we have too many
needless and expensive boards, the
' Water board would be a good place to
begin to unload.
The place of "general manager of the
senate" has not yet been filled. Lincoln
Journal.
The senate ought to bo able to get
along very well this year without a
general manager. -
That Ohio man who desires to have
urates enact laws prohibiting the produc
tion of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" may be
doing good work from an artistic stand
point, but he is an Iconoclast neverthe
less. Speaker Rouse hits the nail on the
head when be says sixty house employes
are enough to wait on 100 house mem
bers. But he must not allow himself
to forget it before the session is half
over.
A New Jersey Judge has placed a cor
poration operating exclusively In Louisi
ana In the hands of a receiver. New
Jersey seems to be as good a state for
the death of corporation!! as for their
birth.
In asking a fee of $200,000 the re
ceiver of the defunct shipbuilding con
cern probably estimates his services
upon the amount of money the promo
ter did not take from the pijblie after
lie assumed churire.
A Kansas citlzcu has proposed a bill
1o permit marriages for a period of ten
years in that state, but what Is more
urgently needed is legislation which
will compel husbands aud wives to stay
married at least that long.
It Is now intimated that, in the Inter
ests of economy, no river aud harbor bill
will be passed by Hie present congress,
but there Is a (strong probability that
efforts will be made to care for some
IihiImiis In "riders" to other legislation.
The report that disorder at home
may compel the cxnr to declare the war
at end Mould indicate that Russians are
not to Ih Judged by the ordinary stand
ard, as rulers have been known to In
augurate foreigu wars to allay domestic
discord.
. The success of the meetiug of the
Htute Teachers' association in tills city
fhotild encourage Onuiha to go after
more of these big meetings. Omaha Is
equipped to take care of fome of the
big national and international associa
tions, as well as state and interstate as
soi bilious.
Reports from Tort Arthur are to the
effect that but one-fourth of the. original
forcM was alive and In servlcv wIicji the
place capitulated. This would mean
that of U'M.(MK) fighting men (!,() had
perished, so that Japan's loss before the
t'Mvu was not so severe as that of the
defenders-an unusual feature in the
Ajlstory of ar.
THE WATER BOA RD QUO IT 4 M tftt.
The proceeding Instituted before the
Mate supreme court by Attorney General
Trout, to test the validity of the cotn
pulaory water work purchase act was
made at the instance of the editor of
The Hee, not Iw-cause, as is claimed by
the Omaha yellows, his candidate for
the Water board was defeated at the
last election, nor beeause. as Chairman
Hoytl of the Water board is quoted as
saying, he soaks to interpose obstacle!
to the acquisition of the water works
plant, nor because he has any grievance
against members of the Water board.
It Is a matter of record that The Hee
opposed the enactment , of the com
pulsory purchase bill when it was first
Introduced In the legislature and repeat-,
edly pointed out the pernicious and un
constitutional features of that measure,
while It was under consideration before
the legislature. It Is a matter of record
also that The Bee denounced the com
pulsory purchase net as a high-handed
attempt to deprive this community of
Its right to self-government and a
scheme to unload the water works upon
this city at an exorbitant price. The
groundwork for instituting the rjuo
warranto proceedings was laid In the
following editorials:
(Hee Editorial, January 12, lfWJU
Why should the power of the legislature
1n Invoked to compel the rlty of Omaha
to bond Itself for the purchase of water
works, unless the renditions of the pur
chase are satisfactory. The right of the
city to assume the ownership of the water
werks is already expreasly guaranteed hy
the charter, but the mode of acquiring the
property Is left to the Judgment of the
municipal authorities.
There Is no more reason why the munici
pal ownership should be made compulsory
In the matter of the water works than In
the matter of the gas works, electric light
works, or, for that matter, the street rail
way and telephones. There Is no more rea
son why the governor should be given the
right to appoint the water works purchase
commission for Omaha than there would be
for him to appoint a commission to pur
chase parks, or a commission to manage an
electric power plant, if a municipal fran
chise were granted for such a. concern. On
broad gauge lines, the principle of munici
pal ownership of public utilities Is sound,
but tho property owners and taxpayers of
every community should have the right to
decide for themselves how much they are
willing to pay, and how much they do not
want to pay, when to buy and under what
conditions they shall create a publlo debt
In payment of existing publlo utility
plants, owned. by private corporations, or
whether they shall build, own and operate
their own water works, In case the price
asked for a corporation-owned concern Is
excessive.
(Bee Editorial, January 15, 1908.)
As tho basic principle for the purchase
under the proposed compulsory municipal
ownership bill. Its godfather aatumes three
things are essential. 1. The enforcement of
the right to purchase the plant. 2. Keep
ing the enterprise out of politics. 3. That
none but honest and competent men be
appointed as appraisers.
Thla la about as practical as William J.
Bryan's proposition that the standard dol
lar should have the same purchasing power
at all times and under all circumstances.
It Is an old adage that you can bring a horse
to water, but you cannot always make blm
drink. We have a right to acquire the
water plant, but It Is another matter to
compel the community to exercise that 1
right, whether the conditions are favorable
or unfavorable to It. To keep the water
works out of politics by conferring upon the
governor the power to appoint the appraise
ment commission Is to presume that gover
nors have no political affiliations or political
aspirations. Looking backward at governor
appointed nonpartisan police commissions
and governor-appointed nonpartisan normal
school boards and boards of charities, we
discover namee of very prominent politi
cians, and we find ourselves face to face
with some of the most rotten deals In
politics that have ever disgraced Nebraska.
But the most childlike and bland
proposition Is the assumption that we can
create strictly honest and competent men
by law. The mill to convert dogs Into
sausage was Invented years ago, but the
device to grind out honest men by passing
them through a legislative hopper Is yet
to be discovered.
(Bee 'Editorial. January 16, 19u3.)
The Omaha representatives of the water
works company do not appear to bo very
much concerned about the compulsory pur
chase bill, and are not likely to show their
hand by co-operating with Mr. Howell, but
we have positive knowledge that the owners
of the water works In New York would be
very much pleased with a compulsory pur
chase on the terms proposed by Mr. Howell.
At the present prices of iron the
compulsory appraisement and purchase will
give all the way from H.OOO.OOO to $1..t00,)0
niore for the. plant than it would have in
ventoried for live years ago.
(Bee Editorial. January 23. 1903.)
Senate File No. 1, the Compulsory water
works purchase bill, has been railroaded
through the senate, without discussion, as
an emergency measure. While strictly local
In its scope and affecting only the taxpay
er of Omaha and South Omaha, this hill
violates the fundamental principles of sf
government. It is, In fact, an Indictment
of the intelligence and integrity of the citl
senalilp of Omaha tu publicly declare in
favor of placing Omaha In the hands of a
receiver, or appointing a guardian to pro
tect It from itself. With the excep
tion of issuing bonds already voted and vot
ing more bonds hereafter for the consum
mation of the. proposed purchase by the
commission. Omaha Is to have nothing to
say about the .management of the water
works, which will Involve the outlay of
anywhere from 3,UU0,0Ou to KOun.uOO after
the expiration of four years, when the governor-appointed
commission Is to give
way to a commiaslon elected by Its cltlxens
on the gradual Installment plan. if
the people of Omaha can be truated to
elect an honest and capable board of water
commissioners four years hence, why are
they nut equally competent to elect a com
petent commission before negotiations of
the water works was submitted for their
ratification? If It Is right for the
governor to appoint a water commissioner
for Omaha, why not also empower him to
appoint a water commission for Lincoln?
Why not empower him to appoint the may
ors and councils of all cities in the state,
so as to Insure nonpartisan government on
the lines laid down In Senate File No. 1?
There might be. some excuse for the gov
ernor appointing a police commission on the
plea that the publlo safety demand the
extension of police powers over large cities,
but no Nebraska legislature has ever sought
lo deprive the cltlxena of any town or vil
lage of tho right of self-government which
is at the base of our entire fabric.
Incldoutally, arid quite apart from It
anil-American spirit. Senate Kile No. 1 is
crude and seriously defective In many
prts. It contemplates the purchase of
water works on the three appraisers plan,
will, h exposes the rlty to the i1k of pay
lng front It l0 lo K.fi00.(4 more for the
w-ater works than they could be duplicated
for.
Under the provisions of the bill no ap
praisement of the works ran even be sub
mitted to the people without the approval
this board should he induced, by fsir
means or foul, to balk the negotiations
for, the purchase of the water works, no
proposition could he submitted to the peo
ple. While the bill empowers the board
to compel the mayor and council by man
damus to submit a bond proposition, there
Is no power given to the courts by the
bill to compel the water board to take
action In the premises. They are con
stltuted a trut unto themselves. Not
only Is this close corporation to be above
the mayor and council and rltisenshlp of
Omaha, but above the governor even.
After It has once been Installed all va
rancies are to be filled by it. and not
being removable for misdemeanors in
office by the governor, or by anybody. It
may be depended upon to hold the fort
until the Job which' Mr. Howell is trylug
to secure for himself has b?en anchored.
There are other holes In the water works
skimmer which should bo plugged before
the bill passes the house. The bill grants
authority to the water works commis
sion to operate ten miles beyond the cor
porate limits of Omaha at Its discretion
but nowhere does the bill make provision
for accountability to South Omaha In col
lectlng water rents, planting hydrants or
extending water mains. That omission
alone insures sufficient litigation to com
plicate the negotiations and acquisition of
the water works for months, if not for
years.
(Bee Editorial, January 26, 1903.)
Senator Howell has ventured to dispel
Some illusion a to his bill. He asserts
that It does not compel the city to build
a new water works plant If It falls to
purchase the present one. This does not
dispel the objection to the governor
appolnte water commission, accountable
to nobody and removable by nobody, and
the appointment of a salaried water com
missioner, together with the commission,
that will begin to drain the city treasury
within thirty days after the bill becomes
a law and will continue to draw salaries
whether the city acquires the present
water Works plant or not. In other words,
Mr. Howell falls to Justify the attempt
to deprive Omaha of the right of self
government. Inherent to all American
cities, nor does he dispel the Illusion that
his plan of putting the cart before the
horse in creating a water commission be
fore we acquire the water works and In
saddling upon the taxpayers the expenses
of more tax eaters before the city has In
vested In water works.
(Bee Editorial, February t, 1903.)
The water works purchase bill, which
passed both houses of the legislature last
week and has now been approved by the
governor, at once becomes a law, as It
carries an emergency clause. While
Mr. Howell Is willing to enlighten the peo
ple about the mode of procedure to pur
chase the water works plant, he studiously
omits all reference to the fact that he has
saddled upon the taxpayers of Omaha a
water commission, which will commence
drawing 1300 a month out of the city tresa-
ury for the salary of its members within
thirty days, although It may be thirty
months before the commission will have
any water works to manage.
The objections raised against the com
pulsory water worka purchase act two
year ago are Just as good today and the
apprehensions of its Injurious effect upon
this communltythave been fully verified.
Nearly two years have passed since the
enactment of the Howell-Gllbert bill and
we are but little closer to obtaining
possession of the water works than we
were before the law was enacted, with
a prospect that two or .three year more
will elapse before the water works prob
lem will be definitely nettled. I'p to
January 1, 1005, the Water board has
drawn out of the city trensury $0,507.80.
or very nearly $10,000. Of what benefit
has the board been to Omaha and what
benefit cun It be so long as Omaha has
no water works to manage? What ex
cuse Is there for its existence, even 1f
the act creating it was valid?
FOREST COXSERVATIOX.
The Forest congress in session at
Washington cannot fail to arouse gen
eral public interest in the very import
ant question of forest conservation,
while it should have such Influence upon
the national legislature as will he con
ducive to legislation for the better pro
tection of the forests. President Roose
velt's address to tho congress yesterday
was a very strong presentation of the
forestry subject. He said that the time
of Indifference and misunderstanding In
regard to the subject has gone by, and
that the meeting to discuss it of men
to whom the forest is importnnt from
the business jiolnt of view was a great
step toward the solution of the forest
problem "a problem which cannot be
settled until it Is settled right." He ex
pressed tho belief that at last forces
have lieeu set In motion which will con
vert tho once distant prospect of the
conservation of the forest by wise use
into the practical accomplishment of
that great end. "He pointed out how
greatly several of the industries of the
country are dependent upon the forests.
"Wood Is an indispensable part of the
material structure upon which civiliza
tion rests and civilized life makes con
tinually greater demands upon the
forest."
The president said that a timber fain
lue Is Inevitable if the present rate of
forest destruction la allowed to continue,
which would meau Incalculable Injury
to the Industries of the uatlon. He de
clared that unlifis the meu from the
west lelieve in forest preservation the
western forests, cannot be preserved. It
is needless to say that there Is a prac
tically unanlmouH western sentiment fa
vorable to the view of the forest prob
lem which Mr. Roosevelt has repeatedly
expressed and he can la? assured of gen
eral and hearty western support for any
efforts ho may make to carry out his
policy. Willi this subject has been
discussed for years, it Is only within a
reent period that It has lcen considered
with the seriousness which its Import
ant calls for. This awakening having
takeu place there is reason to expect
that something soundly practical will be
done.
It Is anuuunced that the legislature
will begin to wrestle with the divorce
problem as soou as the committees are
announced and stringent divorce legis
lation Is looked for before the session is
over. Tlii Indicates that the legislature
proposes to make a reputation on a
higher plane than Its predecessor, but
before It enters upon this strenuoti task
we would stigzest that the proceedings
be Instituted for a divorce of the legis
lature from the corporate lobby.
VXEA It THiyO RLBA TF.S.
A statement comes from Washington
that certain members of the Interstate
Commerce commission are Incensed, over
what they term the "masterful Inaction"
of the Department of Justice. They say,
according to the nisjrt. that the commis
sion has during the last few years un
earthed several flagrant cases of viola
tions of the interstate commerce act and
of the Klkins amendment regarding re
bates, and have in each case reported
the same to the attorney general with
the recommeudution to prosecute. Thus
far no prosecution have been liegun
against the offenders.
A member of the commission is quoted
a saying that the rebates paid the laM'f
packers was one which called loudly for
action. This case was developed prior
to the passage of the Elkius law and
the evidence Is said to have shown
clearly that all of the railroads la-tweeu
Chicago and Kansas Ctfy were paying
rebates on all shipments made by the!
packers. Other cases in which the pay
ment of rebate was unearthed arc
noted, in all of which the evidence. It is
stated, was sent to the Department of
Justice, but as yet nothing has been
done regarding them by that depart
ment. It I said thl has leen very
disappointing to the commission and it
will be equally so to the public If the
facts are as represented. It. Is mani
festly to little purpose that the commis
sion unearths rebates and supports its
findings with proper proofs If the evi
dence Is to be pigeon-holed and no action
taken to punish offenders.
The Klkins law Is plain and explicit.
It provides for punishing !oth the carrier
that pays rebate aud the shipper who
receives them. The country npplnuded
the declaration of President Roosevelt
that in order to keep the highways of
commerce open to nil on equnl terms
It Is necessary to put a complete stop
to all robate. But this will only be
accomplished by a strict and vigorous
enforcement of the law, a duty which
rests with the Department of Justice.
There Is very general public confident
ha Attorney General Moody, who Is able
and undoubtedly conscientious, yet this
confidence may le Impaired by a persist
ent disregard of matters vital to the In
terests and welfare of the public. We
are not disposed to believe that he Is
doing this, but more activity on the
part of his department would certainly
be welcome and reassuring.
Lincoln's charter committee is said to
be leaning toward a resumption of the
old system of two-branch city councils
consisting of ah upper and a lower house
differently constituted. Many cities still
have the double council, but the modern
tendency for n,slule body Is certainly
reacting against the Idea so prevalent
a little while Ago that the municipal
legislature should be confined to very
limited membership acting as a little
close corporation.
To the recommendation of the tax
commissioner thnt some way should be
devised to secure reveuue from certain
classes of people who, though they do
a profitable business as brokers or
agents, escape taxation because they
have no tangible property to be assessed,
the Real Estate exchange does not deign
even to give notice.
Nobody in or out of Omahu has yet
ventured to explain what Induced the
defunct county board to grant au eternal
franchise to the Interurbnn electric road,
which will be capitalized by Its promot
ers at hundreds of thousands of dollars,
without exacting a farthing either In the
shape of outright bonus or future
royalty.
Having concluded a successful holiday
holdup campaign against liquor dealers
and druggists that netted the World
Herald about $2,000, our redoubtable
congressman has departed for Washing
ton to concJude his arduous labors as a
representative of this congressional dis
trict. Former (iovernnr Van Sant failed to
secure a single vote in the republican
caucus for initeu ."states senator, but
he lias nevertheless had an opportunity
to plant seed which will germinate In
the course of time, whether Jim . Hill
likes it or not.
The decision of western railroads to
keep all their cjvii cars on their own
tracks and compel reloading at .terminals
may be a business proitositiou, but the
failure to provide enough cars to accom
modate all the business Is the sticking
point. ' '
Hardships of the Presidency.
Indianapolis News.
The president had ",718 callers at his New-
Tear's reception. Kvery once in a while
a man heats something that convince him
that he wouldn't care much for the Job,
anyhow.
A 'l ip tut t uureasuteH.
Washington. Post.
The administration's policy In making
federal appointments la assuming dellnlte
forqi. It appears l hat the president will
follow It.e recommendations of members
of congress any time they pick out the men
he wants.
A
I'rrtlsrul Suggestion.
Cincinnati Tribune.
The suggestion that congressmen elected
In November ought to meet and organize
In the following December has additional
recommendation In the fact that they would
get their bauds In sooner that Is, of course,
Into the way of dulng husineas.
I lisnge uf Retainer aud Tune.
Kansas City fcUar.
Kit-Attorney (.lepers! Griggs, now a cor
poration lawyer. Is opposing government
supervision of trusts on the ground that it
involves a dangerous step toward "im
perialism." As attorney general Mr.
Griggs argued in the Insular case that
"Imperialism" ai a bugaboo and that the
federal government might legitimately ex-
enlse all the rights of sovereignty. How
ever, a little change of opinion i all ill
the day's work. Mr. Grigg s Isn't working
for the government now.
SENATOR MITCHELL'S CAREER.
Was John Hippie la rrssiihasls
Before lielsg West.
Washington Correspondnt New York Sun.
John H. Mitchell, senior Vniled Stales
enator from Oregon, who w;u Indicted at
J'ortland for alleged violation of the law In
accepting lii"i0 for the use of his Influence
a a senator in furthering a fraudulent land
scheme. Is a veteran of many political bat
ties, lie hss been chnrged by his politleu.1
enemies with many crimes, more aerloue.
If possible, than that for which ho Is under
indictment, but he lias always been victor
when the tug of war cume.
Senator Mitchell was born In Washington
county, Pa.. In Klo. and went to Oregon In
1X0", after a fw years' resldcrico In Cali
fornia. He became more prominent grad
ually, and by lNrt; came within one vote of
being hU party's choice for t'nlted States
senator. He Incurred the bitter hostility of
William lair Hill, a brilliant lawyer, who
was ihen editor of the rortland Oiegonlan.
Hill learned that Mitchell was living under
u assumed name, and made a trip to
Pennsylvania, where he traced Mitchell's
antecedents.
It was discovered that Mitchell's real
nameVua John Hippie, and that while very
young he had married a poor girl, the
daughter of a washerwoman, by whom he
had several hlldren. He left his family
and disappeared, and In due time turned up
on the Faclftc coast as "John II. Mitchell."
Ills Identity having been established, the
Oregonlan printed an exposure which
caused a sensation In the state. Kor years
afictwaid the Orcgonlan referred to him
as "John Hippie Mitchell."
Mitchell did not deny the'trulhfulnees of
the story. Instead, he took the people of
Oregon Into his confidence, admitted that I
he had changed his name and asked the
people to judge him by his record as a man
among them rather than by the errors of
his youth. He took steps to have his new
name legaliied and made pence with hla
former wife by proper legal settlement.
Tho people of Oregon took Mitchell at his
word, and tho attacks upon him were una
vailing. In 1H72 lie was elected to the
I'nltcd States senate and took his seat on
March 4, is?:!, tho Mime day upon which
William B. Allison entered upon his career
in the senate. Allison has served continu
ously ever since, and now has tho record of
having served longer than any other man,
living or dead. But Mitchell has been In
nd out several times, and every campaign,
with few exceptions, has been a lliiht In
which the fur flew.
Senator Mitchell married early in his)
Oregon career, before the exposure of his
Pennsylvania experience. His second wife
was a resident of. Oregon, of beauty and
good family. Several daughters and one
fon were born to them. The son. John II.
Mitchell, jr.. Is a prominent lawyer 111 Ore
gon. One daughter. Mattle. was a famous
beauty and belle in Washington. In ISflt
she married the Duke de la Kochefoucauld,
and is living in Paris, where htr mother Is
now visiting her.
TtllSTHU I'H A HISKS.
Irreparable V rouga Unite liy Crooked
Pnbllr Servants,
New York Tribune.
Uuvernor-elect Folk of Missouri, In his
seal for reform, has hit upon the Idea of
forfeiting public franchises obtained by
bribery. The plan Is one which naturally
suggests ilstIC to an honest man. The
reople as a whole seem entitled to the
sumo protection sgalnst being deprived of
their property by fraud which Is given to
au, lndvidual. A deed obtuned by fraud
may be set aside. Why not a franchise
The obvious objection, of course, Is that a
franchise is generally ; an asset of a corpo
ration in which Innocent persons have In
vested, and thul It would be unjust to
forfeit the values which they obtained la
good faith from tho thieves. On the other
hand, it may be said that the city or stato
Is a corporation of innocent Investors, und
they are not voluntary Investors, cither.
They have to pay taxes, und the waste of
their properly is unite us much a hardship
and an injustice as tho forfeiture of tho
property of innocent investors in a fraud
ulently obtained franchise. The doctrine
of caveat emptur may be thought to ap
ply here and warn Investors, who have
a free choice against buying stolen goods.
If they did have to buy at their own risk
in such caHcs, stockholders might be mort
careful about the conduct of corporations'
and more insistent on strict regulations'
und full reports.
So far as this state Is concerned the Ques
tion is purely academic. The court of ap
peals in the old Broadway railway cases
sustained the validity of a franchise based
on corruption. The aldermen committed a
trine when they voted for it. They stole
the city's property and gave it to their
fellow thieves, yet the city was held bound
forever to treat the stolen goods as the
lawful property of 'Innocent investors."
The railroad corporation was, we believe,
dissolved for Its unlawful actions, but the
property which it had criminally obtained
was handed over to be administered for
the beuellt of the, individuals composing it
and passed on to a new company. It may
well be doubted If Mr. Folk would have
much better fortune than the New York
taxpayers In overcoming the theory that
a vested wrong can by a few sales on the
Stock exchange be converted Into a vested
right.
The lenson of the situation confronting
us, at least in New York, is the desirnblllty
of strict general laws limiting the terms
and duration of franchises, ao that no tre
mendous or Irreparable wrong may be done
by unfaithful servants, and the wisdom of
taxing franchises even If they are granted
dishonestly and without due compensation.
New York. lias taken some Important steps
both In limiting and In taxing franchises.
Perhaps Mr. Folk may find help in the
study, of our statute books.
THE PKOPI.K MIUHTII.Y S I I lilt K II.
Grievances Against Railroad Poor In
t'pon tOQirrti,
Kansas City Star.
Senator Cullom is quoted as saying that
never before in his experience as L'nlted
Slates senator, which covers more than
twenty years, has there been sucli a flood
of correspondence as ha come to his desk
and to the desks of other senators con
cerning the matter of railway rate con
trol. Nearly all of thin correspondence la
from shippers who have been discriminated
against by exctsslve rates on the one hand
and rebates to their rivals on the other.
Senator Cullom trunkly acknowledges that
the people have become thoroughly aroused
over tho proposal of the president to bring
the ralways to time, and that they are
giving the chief executive their support In
an unmlvtakuble way. Mr. Cullom be
lieves that congress, regardless of its own
I will In the matter, will be forced to do
something of cunseguence In this direction.
Aud ill is Ik only one of the Increasing
manifestations of popular spirit In dealing
with congress. Tho people are becoming
more and more convinced that they must
assert themselves If they are to have their
rights as against those apcciul Interests
trat have controlled so many members of
congress. And to tills end it mjy he ex
pected that the people will soon demand th
election of senatoia by popular vote. They
cei Ulnly will If l urpoidtlona continue to
secure the ee(t,,p of their agentc thruugli
lis manipulation uf utc legialalurej.
ter
trouble is with you; you, yourself. Your head
is congested, you are dizzy, you cannot see
clearly, and you are all out of sorts.
Wake up your sleepy liver ! Get rid of a lot
of bile. Take one of Ayer's Pills each night,
for a few nights. These pills are liver pills, all
vegetable, sugar-coated. They act directly on the
liver, curing biliousness, constipation, dizziness.
Xsde by the J. C. Ay.r Oo , Lewell. Uses.
Also Ksauiaeturers of
AVER'S HAIR TtGOR For the tialr.
AYER'S 6AR8AP ARILLA-For the blOoi.
POUT RTHIR AD AKTHR.
New York I'ost: Thl much Is certain:
that Japanese ascendency In southern
Manchuria whether direct or through a
protectorate, would mean a sharp check
to Kuropesu aggression In North e'hinu.
Iloston Transcript: The weakening of
Russia at this point may mean a strength
ening of Its force nt others, hut however
that may be, the moral loa to It of the
surrender of this stronghold can hardly bo
overestimated.
New York Sun: When they took Port
Arthur some years ago from China, occu
pied It and proceeded to enjoy the frult
of their well won vlcuy, it was snatched
from them by the civilised bullies of Eu
rope. Individuals can bo inglorious and
contemptible, but nations can outdo them;
ami If Russia Is now bitterly expiating Its
share In the infamy that was then visited
upon Japan, It Is only reaping as it has
sown and as It richly deaerves. We need
hardly observe that that chapter In history
will never be repeated, not oven If all the
powers In Europe sought to participate
la it.
Springfield Republican: -But we are not
to conclude from this that Russia Is yet
wiped out as a Pacific und far eastern
powrr. t'liles-s, within a short time, the
csar should yield to the desire bf the world
for peace, we must look to another year
of war to determine the final position of
the Muscovite In that part of the earth
mat ne will ne utterly driven out can
hardly be believed. 8ix years ago his flag
was not yet south of the Amur, except on
the shore of the gulf of Tartary:
but probably the csar could secure term?
of pence today which would leave him
supreme In a territory extending cousld
orauiy neiow mat old boundary between
Siberia and tho Chinese empire.
New York Tribune: in point of honors
the two armies may be regarded as equal.
The Russian defense and the Japanese at
tack were both heroic In a high degree.
The victors have won with distinction.
and the vanquished in their defeat have
gained great renown. As for prestige that
Is another thing. It Is a tremendous
blow to Russia to see the flag of the
Rb.lng Sun replace the cross of St. An
drew, or the black, two-headed eagle of
Byzantium, upon the walls of the fortress
which was supposed to be Impregnable,
and which was to be for all lme the bul
wark of Slavic dominion and domination
In the far oast. It Is a mighty triumph
for Japan a second time to raise Its flag
above Pert Arthur and to take that place
from the very power that nine years ago
mado It relinquish It when it hod taken It
from China.
Pi: R NOV A I. MITRK.
Dr. Chadwlck says, "I hope so," In re
ply to his wife's protestations of inno
cence. .
II. B. Stocke, the chief florist at the St.
Louis exposition, planted during his serv
ice more than 15,OWi,000 flowers. He has
accepted a position with the government
In Washington.
Dr. A. J. Barchfeld, congressman-elect
from the Thirty-second Pennsylvania dis
trict, stands six feet four inches In his
stockings, and with one exception is the
tallest man In the house.
George W. Ha per la a blind typewriter
operator employed in an Indianapolis fac
tory. He is rapid and accurate in an uii
tlBual degree, aud because of his inability
to correct errors has learned to make very
few. Raper lost his eyeyight two years
ago as the result of a fever.
Menie, a Greenland Eskimo boy, is one
of the most interesting of the pupils in the
public schools of New York City. He was
brought to New York by Lieutenant Peary
and has been transformed from a blubber
eating Arctic nomad Into a clever young
American, bright In his studies and cap
tain of a base ball team.
Minister Van Swinderen of the Nether
lauds is an excellent horseman, and like all
excellent horsemen he Is apt to criticise
trenchantly those who do not ride with
skill. At a muslcale in Washington the
other day the minister, i:i the courso of a
conversation with a senator's wife, said:
"I aw young Blank ut Chevy Chase this
morning." "Was he on horseback?" the
i" 'rtnanw ns- a
UAIlcock
beca equalled
Piasters are the eriginal and genuine porous plasters and have never
as a paln-eurer. Wi guarantee inrm to conuua no belladonna, episa
I
'imi uwiiiuiy his,
ilet Upon Having Allcock'e.
You
cannot
icipcojf
the blur!
And the reason is
there is nothing the mat
with your glasses. The
ATRR'S CHERRY PECTORAL Tor couth
AYER'S AGUE CURB For malaria and ague.
woman asked. "Well, off and on." w.i
the reply.
"Stay In the harness and thus . .1
growing rusty," is the motto of Judge .1.. n
J. Jackson of the t'nlted States court r
the northern district of West Virginia. li
enjoys the distinction of being the ol l.-t
member of the federal judiciary and has t
longest record of service.
PASS1MJ ri.K.ASHM rtlKS.
Miss Passay Yes, I am proud to sa. ,,n
ancestor of mine fell at the battle cf
l sbui g.
Miss Pert An ancestor?
Miss Paxsay Yos.
Miss Pert Ah: your father, I suppose.
Philadelphia Ledger.
"That Blfferblatt Is an absent-mlnd d
fellow."
"So?"
"Yes. when I handed him a Christmas
present he said: 'I beg your pardon, but
do you give trading stamps?' " Cleveland
Plain lealer.
Raynor There's one goeid tiling shout
1S05, anyhow. The financial question
doesn't come up for settlement ngaln t hisi
ye r.
Shyne Doesn't it? Look at all thei
Christmas bills, will you? Chicago Tri
bune. "Please, sir." pleaded the beggar, "I'd
like to get a square meal. I"
"Here, poor follow." said Kloseman,
"here a penny for you."
"O: thank you, sir; but, pardon me, you
haven't got a dyspepsia tablet about you,
have you'.' 1 always suffer when 1 over
eat." Philadelphia Iress.
.
" I )rir 1 mt, s It absolutely necessary to re
move my appendix?"
"Well, Its customary." Brooklyn Ufe.
"I really believe you married me slmplv
because I have money." complained tlin
heiress, who was as stingy as she was plain.
"No," replied her hustmnd, candidly, "I
married you because I thought you'd let
mo have it." Philadelphia Preas.
''Mamma What's-the . inittter- with the
baby?
Papa He was playing around the piano
and he fell and bumped his head on one of
the medals.
Mamma Poor little dear! Is lie badly
hert?
Papa Oh. no! Fortunately it was the
soft pedal. Philadelplda. Ledger.
"What1 was the excitement' after the
church services last Sunday?"
"Why. an unknown stranger put $10
bill In the e'olleetton plate."
"Ten-dollar hill! That's good."
"No. It was had!" Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
ritOBI.F.M OF THE HOMK.
Leslie's Magaxlne.
Hello! We want a servant girl.
You've got no servants what?
What's that? Oh, yea, I understand
Beg pardon. I forgot.
An employe will suit as well;
Yes, black or white will do:
We're looking for a hired girl,
No matter what her hue.
What's that? A green one? Well, how
much
Does she expect to get?
What? Four per week with room sni
board?
Well, please don't send her yet.
Tho last one that we had was green;
We onlv paid her two: i
And what she did was small compared
With what eho couldn t do.
Our house is not a training school.
With nay to any girl
That comes along npeak louder. WhstT
You say you vo got a pearL
Who only wants three Hfteruoous,
Two nights, and has a beau, '
And who won't work upstairs if she hsa
To do the work below?
Well what's the price of pearls today?
What? Six per week? How nice:
didn't think that one could get,
A pearl at such a price.
However, if she what? Oh, yes
w hi way )p go away
In summer time and let the help
Kee-p right on drawing pay.
What's that? She doesn't like the street
We live in? Well, we ll move;
We never wish to do a thing
Our help does not approve
Pray, as her In what neighborhood
She d rather live what s that?
No matttr what the neighborhood,
She won't live in a flat:
You've got another? What's she like?
What's that? She's not a pearl?
Well, send her up, If she In like
An old-time hired girl.
She Isn't? Why? They're out of style?
Just wait n minute I
Well, aend her up. Perhaps we'll suit,
At least, I know we'll try.
Tear an AlloocW Porous
Plaster in two length,
wise, and apply on soles
of feet; renew the plaster'
every time the feet arc
bathed. You will be sur
prised how it will relieve
rheumatism in the feet or
ankles.
For tired or lame feet relief
is afforded at once.
PIASTER
us plasters and I
nulla no bciuuioi
nuive.
wonaeriunjr curative.
J
7 v- - ; ; 1