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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 1917)
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1V1T. lAGE 4. TLATTSMOUTH SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL, . . " - ! . . 1 " Cbc plattsmoutb journal PCBU8HEO SKMI-WEEKLT AT PLATTSMOtTH, NEBRASKA. Emtrd at Postofflce at Plattsmouth, Neb., as second-claes mall matter. R. A. BATES, Publisher initCKIPTIOIf PRICE I U PER YEAR IN ADTANCB """i"- THOUGHT FOR TODAY. V- He is no wise man who will J J quit a certainty for an uncer- J tainty. Samuel Johnson. J -:o: Maich is here, sure enough. But defer garden making for a month. -:o: Nebraska was fifty years old yes terday. -:o:- Look out for breakers when the rivers break. That the republicans are playing politics in congress, there is no doubt. :o: Just because George Washington used a hatchet is no excuse for others to use a hammer. -:o:- When you play your trump card, don't knock on the table with your fist. That does no good. :o:- Louisville has energy and willing ness to celebrate the event, but Flatts mouth, the oldest town in the county, seems to have no inclination to do so. And why? :o: It's "be damned if you do and be damned if you don't" with the editor. You get it in the neck if you tell the truth, and then you get it in the neck if you don't. So the editor gets it both going and coming. -:o: Charters were granted this week in Lincoln to twelve new banks. If this wholesale manner of granting char ters to banks keeps up, Nebraska will have more banks than any state in the union, double its population. :o: A one-body legislature won't do in this day ami age. And the introducer of such a bill knows it. Why not cut down the representation in both house and senate to one-half of what it is? It seems to us that is the proper think to do. :o: Senate File No. 47 would be a good bill to kill. It is the product of special interests. A mint of money is being used to crystalize sentiment against municipal ownership of light and water plants. It is a nation-wide movement. Tekaham Herald. -:o: Sometimes there comes a day when everything seems to go .wrong, when there seems no joy in life. Take a moment to think. Lift yourself out of the clouds. Do not give way to dis couragement. Cease to look through blue glasses. The sun always shines again after the worst of storms. There is nothing so bad that it might not be worse. Look for your consolations There are some if you search for them. -:o: Dorothy Dix says liquor is no more dangerous a temptation to a boy, to send him the down road than dress, spangles and finery is to a girl. Fact is. the finery and spangles of the girls and young women has a very strong tendency to put both boys and girls hell bent. Women, wine and song are the three great allurements to the downward way. :o:- Therc is too much discussion of the war situation among our own people for the benefit of the community. We j, ever did believe in a censorship in this country, but we believe it a way to cut out all the reports that come itcross the water, or even in this coun try, which are lies from beginning to end. There is Tio need in sending out sensational reports simply to excite the people. Neitlur ! you, dear V reader. ll Hit and run will soon be in order. -:o: What will the Anti-Saloon league do now? -:o:- The March winds are on the way. Look out for them. -:o:- Most good people know they are good that is the trouble. -:o:- When you get so you live only to eat, you don't amount to much. -rot- When the people get onto a bluffer they find him one of the biggest cow ards in the community, and ever after he is easily cowed. :o: You will not pass through this world but once. Any good thing you can do, or any kindness that you can show to any fellow being, do it now, do not defer or neglect it, for you will not pass this way again. Remember that. -:o: Washington friends of Senator Nor ris say that he has about decided to enter the practice of law in New York at the close of his term instead of becoming a candidate for re-elec tion. If this proves to be a correct hunch it will enable Nebraska re publicans to breathe a very large sigh of relief. Kearney Hub. -:o:- FIFTY YEARS YOUNG. Tomorrow ;11 Nebraskans who en tertain a becoming spirit of pride in their young state will be mindful of the fact that it is the fiftieth annivers ary of its birth, and will be eongratu- luting it and themselves upon the high station the commonwealth has attained in its comparatively brief career. To some the anniversary will carry a larger and deeper interest than to the commonalty. To such it will as sume more of a personal than a his torical interest, for they were partici pants in the events that led to the ad mission of the state, and they have seen it grow from its swaddling gar ment? to iLs present proud estate, and have aided in its sustenance and achievements. In many of the towns and communi ties to which the state has given being the anniversary will be accorded for mal celebration, exercises of appropri ate character being held as parts of a program extending over the period be tween the last Ak-Sar-Ben pageant and the one planned for next June at the university. Nebraska was born under several handicaps. It had been a part of Louisiana, "and later a part of Mis souri. Although not to blame for that fact, the remembrance is not one to excite exultation. It was born of the travial growing out of the acute agita tion of the slavery question. Twice was the act of congress admitting it denied the endorsement of the presi dent, and only after such an act was passed over his second veto did the state come into being, on March 1. 18G7. When the state was born it was lit tle better than the Indian country Even since its elevation to statehood it has been troubled by disturbances arising from the conflict for domain between savagery and civilization. It would be useless to attempt here a recital of what the Nebraska of to day has to show for its half-century of being. It would require volumes to enumerate all of its elements of proud statehood. Every citizen, no matter of how recent enlistment as such, knows of them in general terms. Every citi zen is proud of them. Many will be found striving tomorrow to recount them pridefully, if not boastfully. It is probably enough for the pur poses of this mention to challenge at tention to the significance of tomorrow to every Ntbraskau. The Nebraokans will do the rest. Lincoln Star. - " " ' ' " ' " M " Season hint 6pring; is near. :o: The fellow you call a bad egg is entirely too fresh. :o: The- world is largely what its peo ple make it. :o: You have to treat good roads good to keep them good. :o: No man ever does everything he wants to. That s one thing sure. :o: Those who have had to move the past week have found the roads good. :o: It is a true saying that half the world doesn't care how the other half lives. :o: The world is largely what the people make it, but you can't make them be lieve it. : :o: Love causes more joy and more un- happiness than anything else in the world. :o: Small cities are more prosperous if there is a good spirit between the merchants. :o: This is the time of the year when everybody feels like watching the ad vent of spring. :o: There are many things worse than a well conducted pool hall, and nothing said about them. ' :o: There are many would-be reformers in the present legislature, ineir places are on the farm. :o: The war excitement and the legis lature combined is liable to drive some people in Nebraska insane. :o: The thought of early spring house- cleaning makes the most of us think of taking a short vacation. :o: A minister whose mind dwells much on current topics, announces his text as front the "Overt Acts of the Apos tles." :o: Farmers have begun to inquire about seed corn, which they should have selected from their own crop last fall. :o: The United States of Europe has been predicted more tjmes than one. But in our opinion it will be a long time coming. :o: Charley Bryan has announced that he will not be a candidate for mayor again. Maybe he views "the hand writing on the wall!" :o: The people of America will stand by the president, notwithstanding the work of the pacifists, headed by W. J. Bryan, to intimidate President Wilson. :o: The unfortunate tragedy which caused" the death of Frank Brinkman. removes from our midst a citizen who was universally liked by everyone who knew him. He was, in the true sense, a friend to everybody. :o:- This is the season of year when farmers are looking for relp on the farms. The man who wants work these days can find it. The. trouble is that so many men arc seeking work and all the time praying they won't find it. :o: By the way, if the formula must be printed upon all packages containing patent medicines and toilet prepara tions, what is the matter with compel ling physicians to write all prescrip tions in plain English? x :o: . Congressman Sloan voted against the bone dry bill on the ground that "in the prohibition campaign in Nebraska last fall every speech pro-, ceeded on the -theory that it was to banish the saloon "out not to prevent individuals obtaining a reasonable amount from outside the state for private use." JThjs is exactly the fact, but the prohibition issue' has been given a new angle by this action of congress and it is now pretty safe to assume that the legis lature will follow suit with an ab solutely hard and fast prohibition statute. Kearney Hub. THE ATTITUDE OF AMERICA Public opinion will deal tolerantly with men who by reason of a great loss, with its attendant - grief and anguish, permit themselves to berate and insult their own country. When the . Locania was sunk, un warned, by a German submarine, there perished the mother and sister of Aus tin Y.'Hoy, an American citizen re siding and doing business in London. It is easy to understand the great temptation that impelled him to ad dress the president in these words: "If my country stultifies my manhood and my nation's by remaining passive under outrages I shall seek a man's chance under another flag." We can understand, too, how a nephov and consin in New York might permit himself to telegraph the president and other officials taunting them with lack of leadership, charging them with talking and doing nothing, scoffing at their'windy words" and saying: "The United States, by reason of its cow ardly acquiscence in the killing of its citizens in Mexico and on the high seas, has without question last the re spect of nations." , Such messages, sent under the trag ic circumstances, may be understood and forgiven. But they will not suf fice to swerve the American people from their attitude of support for an administration that has been slow and reluctant to enter the awful war that is rending civilization to pieces. These men who now are assailing it with violent words might have served their country better and their loved ones better had they exerted themselves to keep their women folks from traveling through the war zone on a belligerent vessel with munitions of war in its hold. That the one great nation that has maintained itself at peace in spite of grievous hardship and repeated indig nities and wrongs should be forced in to the war would be the supreme ca lamity. To avert and avoid it Presi dent Wilson has sacrificed and suf fercd much, not hesitating to risk hia own personal popularity in the cause of peace. He has exhibited that moral courage which is nobler than any mere physical courage. Realizing all that our entry into the war might mean he has been willing to pay a great price to escape it. And the people of this republic, spite of jingo press and the many earnest proponents of war. have been with him. Even today, when he is more violently assailed than ever before, and when congress is abused like a pickpocket for not plunging the country headforemost into tle pit without pausing to stop, look and listen, the great body of the people are still praying, not for war but for continued peace. And they are looking to Woodrow Wilson with :r deeper confidence and affection than ever before, not because they think he is eager to lead them into a righteous war, but because they believe he is still trying with all his might to spare them from the call to pass under the iron rod of Mars. Such is the attitude of the United States of America. There undoubted ly arc those who deprecate it, and are "ashamed" of it, and who are tempted; like Austin Hoy, to "seek a man's chances under another flag." Many, indeed have attested that they have the courage of their convictions by do ing just that. It is said that more than 50,000 citizens of the United Sfates are fighting with the Foreign Legion and with the Canadians in France. But whatever'the immediate future may have in store, time, we think, and the impartial verdict of history, will vindicate the efforts of Woodrow Wilson for peace and the in tense desire of the American people to remain at peace. That, notwithstanding all the elForts that have been made to avert it, and the indignities that have been endured with nothing more than a protest, war is a,t once menacingand beckoning us, is unquestionable. There are many things that may be done to avert war. The United States has tried and U still trying them. But not all things can be done. There comes times it may be such a time is very near at hand for the United States when war cannot honorably be avoided. If that day comes to us, those who arc now spending so much of their time being ashamed of their own country and en vying the people of other countries whom war is scourging first and then devouring, will have their ample op- portunity to be proud of America. The same sentiment that backs President Wilson in peace would back him in a just and unavoidable war. ' The phy sical courage that then would be dis played would shine with an added lus ter because of the moral courage that preceded it. Americans are not cow ards. They are not lacking in pa triotism or devotion or the will to suf fer greatly for a great couse. Those who might be enemies and think oth erwise are dwelling in a fool's para dise. As for those who are themselves Americans and who dare think that cither cowardice or lack of patriotism is what has kept us out of war thus far, they stand convinced by the thought of being themselves lacking both in patriotism and intelligence. World-Herald. :o:- UNIVKKSAL MILITARY TRAINING Much interest is being centered up on the new Chamberlain bill, which porvides for universal military train ing. The bill provides that all able bodied male inhabitants of the Unit ed States between the ages of eight een and twenty-six years, who have lived here for a period of one year, who are citizens of the United States, or who have declared their intention to become citizens of this country, shall be liable to be trained for a period of six months. The bill provides for the exemption of those morally unfit, members of any well recognized religious set or organization, at present organized and existing, whose creed forbids members to participate in war in any form w hose religious convictions are against war or participation therein. Others exempt from service are those who have father, mother, -sister or brother entirely dependent upon their personal earnings. No substitutes are allowed. Those who haw served the full six months will be presented with a ro-.-ette indicating their contribution to the country's military service. Those exempt will be allowed a certificate showing the reason for their exemp tion. Such a certificate is ncce'ssary for the employment of any exempted person in the civil service of the gov ernment. Drasticsteps have been proposed for compelling men to go into train ing. No firm, corporation or indi vidual may employ any man over the age of training except hobe exempt, unless such training has been under gone. The citizen reserve army is to be made up of the young men who have had the requisite training. All ex penses of the reserve army as well as all expenses of the prior training are to be paid by the government, in cluding transportation, clothing, sub sistence and medical attention. Whether the nation is facing a crisis at this time or not we can see no good reason why the bill should not go through. The majority of the people of this country demonstrated that they were favorable towards preparedness by re electing President Wilson. The slogan "He kept us out of war" and Wilson's preparedness platform were what the people wanted and their wishes should be law. Universal military training is not only a safeguard of democracy, but it means the developing of a stronger and better class of American citizens. Hastings Tribune. :o: They still talk about Villa in Mex ico, but have failed to see anything positive that is yet alive in line with the revolutionists. We have to be shown thathe is alive. WILL SERVE LUNCHES. W. S. Scott of Murray has arranged to furnish ' lunches at all sales' throughout the county where it may be desired, and will see that the needs of the hungry are looked after prop erly. Anyone, who is desirous of hav ing lunch served at any public sale should call on or address W. S. Scott. Murray, Neb. tf THE TAYLOR SCHOOL BILL. Superintendent W. T. Davis of the McCook public schools writes the World-Herald the following letter: "McCook, March 1. To the Editor of the World-Herald: If I am reliably informed, the bill before the state leg islature, House Roll No. 250 by Tay lor, provides a tax on all property ol the state for the purpose of assisting rural education. "I believe any community unable properly to educate its youth should have state assistance because educa tion is properly a state function. How ever, I have before me a directory of a typical Nebraska county showing that the tax levied in each rural school dis trict is hardly a third as many mills as is now being levied by cities ano towns. "Now the query is, why should cities and towns be excluded from the bene fits of this general tax and the pro ceeds thereof be devoted exclusively to communities now levying barely a third as much for school purposes a.' the communities denied the benefit of this general tax?" This letter is as full of sound com mon sense as a nut is of meat. It suggests, we believe, a proper scheme of legislation to attain the end that Mr. Taylor has in mind. Mr. Taylor's purpose is a proper one to the extent that it contemplates state aid for rural communities that are so undeveloped, and so sparsely populated that they cannot, by the levy of any reasonable tax, raise the requisite revenues to support a schooi system. Superintendent Davis asserts as much in saying: "I believe any community unable properly to educate its youth should have state assist ance." But if a rural community fails to support its schools, not through lack of means, but through penuriousness, and unwillingness to levy the same mill tax that other districts levy, then, clearly, it is not entitled to have the more progressive districts taxed for its special benefit. Let the Taylor bill be made to pro vide a general property tax for the benefit of schools in backward and un developed rural school districts where a generous and proper local tax does not suffice. But do not tax the cities and towns, that already pay as much as 2i mills or more on the dollar to support their own schools, an addi tional 1 mill to support rural schools in districts that refuse to taxe them selves one-half as much. In Omaha the people pay, by a 25 mill levy and in other ways more than $7 per capita, to support their public schools. This means an average tax for a family of 35. Omaha people would be willing, the World-Herald believes, to pay wahtever additional tax might be necessary to help support schools out in western Nebraska, in districts where a few. families cannot do it for themselves, and where, to the extent of their ability, they are paing a proportionate amount with the peo ple of this city. They would do it out of patriotism, out of a"h intelligent understanding of what general educa tion means to the state. But there is no city that would not resent the un fairness of being obliged to support its own schools, and in addition the schools of other people who levy only a third as many mills tax for school WELCOME NEWS For Volloivsfono Park Tquriofc! Commencing this Summer -all tourists transportation ; within" Yellow, stone Park wtll be .hy . automobile. The White, ten-passenger cars that were so serviceable durjn.g. 1916 over the. Cody Scenic Road will be used throughout the Park. - '. -- Park tickets will' cover a complete five-day tour, in and out .the 'Vme uateway, or in one gateway and out the other, whether via Cody, fcardincr oi Ullowstone. All Park -tourists, whether patrons of-the hotels or -til-permanent camps, will be carried in automobiles. Touring the Yellowstone Vvonderland by automobile will, indeed, be a combination : of efficiency and luxury. Nothing in the travel world could be more scenic and satisfying than touring Yellowstone by automobile in connection with the Cody scenic route. ' " ' .... .... m Mmm Stop. siirned. purposes as that city docs. J The legislature, by dealing with the question carefully, should be able to make of Mr. Taylor's bill a law that will meet a real need without doing gross injustice to anyone. World-IIcr- ald. . - ;o:- THE ALBERT LAW. An Omaha grand jury, after debat ing for several weeks, announces that it favors the repeal of the Albert law. It is a strange suggestion to come from constituted and delegated power, appointed to investigate ru. mors of crime and the World-Herald is right in devoting nearly a column tc a discussion of this rather unheard-of request. Omaha, it seems, has been unable to repress the crime which th Albert law was designed to repress, although other cities of the state have had no trouble to speak of in enforc ing the law to the very letter. The World-Herald intimates that the en forcement of the law would have been easier in Omaha, too, were the polic. a little more vigilant and ambitious to do their duty. There is little liklihood, though, that the Albert law will be repealed. In the first place there is no legisla tor, actual . or potential, who would dare oDtrage public opinion, for pub lic opinion is not ruled by the voice of a Douglas county grand jury, to the credit of Nebraska. Omaha's task of how to best settle the oldest trans gression in the world does not exist ir most portions of the state, and it would not be impossible of solution in the metropolis if there were greatei efforts to suppress the evil and let attempt to mitigate it for the sake of filthy lucre. Segregation of the social evil merely increases its danger. Taking if for granted that in a large center of population there is likely to be a scat tering of the seeds of disorder and vice even with the greatest vigilance? those who transgress arc outlaws Segregation adds a glamour of near-, respectability to the vice and permits other vices to flourish with it side by side. White slavery would crow as never before were the Albert law in Nebraska repealed. The illicit selling of liquor would merely make anothci evil for the authorities to resist even when there is a show of resistance. Segregation always provides ample opportunity for police and municipal scandals and there is jq end to them. Murders, robberies and other crimes, fattening on segregation, always fol low the maintenance of a "tenderloin." Chicago, the western metropolis, wa? nearly the last city of any conse quence in the country to attempt seg regation. It was a gigantic failure and even those who fought for it the hardest came to admit it in the end. Omaha can handle the problem suc cessfully if her municipal authorities want it handled. If they cannot re press the evils which they say are rampant now, what, in the name of decency, would they do with segrega tion and all the major and minor crimes and dismeanors which follow in its wake. Nebraska City Press. CASTOR I A For Infants and Children In Use For Over 30 Years Always bears the 6iff nature of This early news is given to the public that has long waited for it. Illustrated publications will later be fqrnishcd on request by the under- H. W. CLEMENT. Tlcktt Affn L. W. WAKgLgY.Qnerf PQMtr f tnt, I v