4
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: MONDAY, JTOE 9, 1002.
Tiie omaiu Daily Bee
E, ROSEWATER. EDITOR.
PUBLISHED EVERT MORNINO.
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THE BEE PUBLISHING COMPANY.
STATEMENT OF CIRCULATION.
State of Nebraska, Douglas County, ss.:
Oeorge B. Tisrhurk, secretary of The Bee
Publishing Company, being duly sworn,
says that the actual number of full and
Cf.mpleto conies of The Dally, Morning.
Evcnlrg and Sunday Bee printed during
the mouth of May, 1M2, waa aa follows:
1 2t,fM 17 20,n0
21M20 18 20,(100
JW.B20 19 Z1MHO
SflMSfiO Jo 20,000
8 no,2MO 21 2,MO
ao,.-HK 22 20,500
' -...ao,7o 13 20.470
20.KSO 24 20.BN0
2,7UO 25 2U.D40
lfl 2W.4SO 2 20,540
20.Bn 27 20..V10
12 2O.05O 28 2O,r.t0
1S 20..V1O 29 20,4.10
14 20,:iO 80 2ft,l0
15 20.B70 81 20,510
20,800
Total mo .tu
Less unsold and returned copies.... 10,700
Net, total sales Oos.mno
ret dally average 20,319
GEO. B. TZSCHUCK.
w. rlbe'' my presence and sworn to
before me this 31st day of May, A. D. IDOL
(Seal.) jf. B. h UNGATE,
Notary Public,
The convention season 1b now on In
full blast In Nebraska.
H all tho other populist candidates for
governor step out of the way, the popu
lists may take up with Yelser yet.
If he will turn the faucets only half
way, the efforts of the weather man
will be more gratefully appreciated.
It should be remembered that nomi
nations guaranteed and Indorsed by cor
poration managers are not always re
deemed at the polls by the voters.
From the number of candidates In the
field for the republican nomination for
state treasurer, it seems to be pretty
well understood that that place on the
ticket is open to competition.
London hotel men are said to be play
ing the limit on coronation week guests.
They must have gotten tips from Amer
ican hotel men who have had experi
ence with our inaugurations, national
conventions and expositions. '
Congressman SturU says he knows
when he has had enough and will there
fore retire after completing his present
third term.- But the non-resident con
gressman from the First Nebraska dis
trict is asking for a sixth term.
Discussion of the antl-anar-hlst bills
la congress develops the fact that rad
"tcal legislation proposed under high
pressure" of popular clamor will not
withstand .the deliberate Judgment of
the lawmaker after he has calmed down.
iWlth strikes among all classes of
mechanics in the building trades there
Is some consolation that at least one
set of tradesmen will not ault work
on any provocation during the building
season, Reference is made to the plat
form builders.
Wall street, .reports nave it that an
English brokerage firm has invested
$700,000 in American railway securities
for a member of the royal family. Rov
y Apparently wants to get even for
the Invasion of Lombard street by Amer
lean money kings.
If the assessment Just made by the
State Board of Equalization of all tho
Nebraska railroads at $21,000,000 In
cludes the valuo of their franchises,
pray what would the assessment be If
the franchises were excluded and only
the tangible property taken into con
sideration? 1 t
The railroad attorneys and tax com
missioners have to make a fight for
tax evasion to demonstrate to their
respective corporate employers that they
are earning their money. The railroads
furthermore prefer to maintain their
costly tax (shirking) departments to
Standing for their Just shares of the
burden of government.
Cuba Is a very rich country, and so
are Ilrar.ll end the Argentine Republic.
If we are to have an air line from
Omaha to Havana, why stop there?
Why not extend the roud to Buenos
Ayrea and Rio Janeiro aud establish an
Omaha steamship air line up the Ama
jbou aud Orinoco rivers, where our mer
chants could go to swap mosquito net
ting and breechclouts with the natives
for bananas, India rubber aud parrots?
In calling on Richard Olney, a Massa
chusetts goldbug, to enter the lists as
their favorite for the democratic nomi
nation for the presidency la 1904, those
Tennessee democrats are hardly show
ing the proper courtesy to Mr. Bryan,
who has gallantly placed Senator Cur-
mack of Tennessee among his fist of
presidential possibilities. As a prophet
Senator Carmack is evidently wore
credited abroad than at home.
WHO PATS TUB TAXESt
Bulletin No. 2, compiled expressly for
the railroads of Nebraska and published
by their authority, embodies much in
structive and suggestive Information.
Taking as Its basis the grand assess
ment roll of the state for the year 1900,
which ngirregnted M71,747,5'.3. great
stress Is laid upon the fart thnt the
railroad pny 15.4 per cent of the taxes
In Nebraska. As a matter of fact, this
estimate, of the percentage of the taxes
paid by railroads relates solely to state
taxes and not to county and city taxes.
Assuming, however, that the figures
of the railroad tax bureau were abso
lutely correct, whut proof do they afford
to Justify the claim of the railroad at
torneys that the rallrond corporations
are assessed as high, according to the
relative value of their property,-as are
the owners of all other properties? Ac
cording to the estimate of the railroad
bulletins, 45.4 per cent of the taxes
levied In Nebraska in 1000 were paid
by the owners of farming lands; 13.7
per cent of the taxes were paid by the
owners of improved town lots; 3.(1 per
cent were levied on unimproved town
lots, and 0.8 per cent were assessed
against (he owners' of horses 'and live
stock; 10.1 per cent represent telegraph
companies,' bank's,' manufacturing inter
ests, merchandise, stocks, bonds and all
other classes of personal property, and
15.4 the railroads.
Expressed in dollars nnd cents the va
rious taxable properties in the state
for the year 1000 are as follows: Farm
ing lands, total, $78,044,155; improved
town lots, $27,034,478; unimproved town
lots, $0,113,918; live stock, $10,778,333;
railroad property, $-0,442,294; ail other
classes of personal property. Including
manufacturing materials, machinery,
merchandise, money and credits, stocks
and bonds, and personal property gen
erally, $17,333,000. These figures are
docidedly suggestive. They show that
55 per cent of the taxes paid In Ne
braska are levied upon ,the owners of
farming lands and live stock on the
farms, aggregating $94,822,488.
The improved town lots In the cities,
towns and villages of Nebraska are
assessed at $27,034,457 while, all the
railroads in Nebraska, with their vast
properties, representing as they do more
than $300,000,000 of interest earning
capital, are assessed at only $20,442,291.
Will any impartial and well informed
man contend that the Improved town
lots In Nebraska are worth more than
all the railroads in Nebraska, with their
valuable terminals and equipments?
Would the owners of the Nebraska rail
roads be willing to trade even for the
Improved and unimproved town prop
erty, which is assessed at $33,148,405?
At the meeting of the state board
two weeks ago Qovernor Savage, who
claimed to have made a very careful
computation of the property values in
the state, declared that the true value
of taxable property In Nebraska, includ
ing the railroads, would aggregate not
less than $1,200,000,000 at a very low
estimate. It is an open secret that $300,
000,000 represents a very low estimate
of the actual value of Nebraska rail
roads, or one-fourth of the total taxable
property of the state.
Instead of puying 15.4 per cent, as is
claimed by the railroad tax bureau, the
Just proportion of assessment of rail
road property in the state should be 23
per cent. Instead of paying $150,000 a
year toward the expenses of state gov
ernment and maintenance of state In
stitutions, the railroads should, by
rights, pay $250,000 and the same pro
portion of county and city taxes.
WEST PUIAT lEXTEJIXLAL.
The West Tolnt Military academy was
founded by act of congress In 1802 and
the centennial of that institution will
be celebrated this week. It will be an
exceedingly interesting celebration, in
which many distlngushed persous will
participate and which will make the
American people better acquainted with
the history and the worth of this great
military school, aptly termed "the cradle
of heroes." The conception of a mill
tary academy in this country dates buck
to 1770, when the lack of competent
officers for tho army led to the appoint
ment of a committee by the continental
congress to prepare and bring in a plan
of a military acudemy, but no further
action was tukeu. lu 1793 Washing
ton invited the attention of congress
to tho mutter and lu 1790 recommended
the institution of a military academy
Six years later congress passed the
necessary legislation aud the institution
created thereby has been gradually de
velopedluto one of the best of the
world's military schools, where have
been educuted soldiers who achieved
imperishable fame.
The American people are Justly proud
of the West Point academy, which is
associated with our heroic periods since
the date of Its foundation, aud the cele
bratlon of its hundredth uuulversary
will command general interest
AN VBJICTIUNABLE FEATURE.
The most objectionable feature of the
Philippine bill passed by the senate is
that relating to the coinage of silver
aud it is very probable that this pro
vision will be chauged In the house,
The New York Journal of Commerce
thinks it incomprehensible that the sen
ate should hare provided for establish
lug the silver staudurd In the islands
aud at the same time authorised the
issue of bonds for the acquisition of the
friars' lauds and for local Improve
ments payable iu gold. While the all
ver currency is necessary enough, re
marks that paper, it is in no respect
inconsistent with the gold staudurd
"The two co-exist lu India, lu Japan
as to our silver dollars lu the United
States uUo, and as to subsidiary silver
iu most of the commercial world."
The report of the house committee
on insular affairs presented a strong
argument for a Philippine currency
based on gold, It urged that "the
adoption of an Amerlcau silver coin of
the Bame weight and fineness as the
Mexican, cr of a similar weight aud
nneuess, coined on private account with
out limit, would perpetuate the fluctua
tions in gold exchange which have
caused so much embarrassment to
trade." The financial situation In the
Philippines Is such as to hare led the
Chamber of Commerce of Manila a short
time since to sppeal to Fresldent Foose-
velt to Induce congress to provide a
remedy. The currency feature of the
senate's bill does not do this, but on
the contrary would perpetuate the con
ditions to which the existing situation
is due.
It seems obvious that the senate has
made a grave mistake in this matter,
which the house should and doubtless
wfil correct. What Is needed for the
Philippines, aa pointed out In the re
port of the house committee, is "a coin
age system which does not seriously dis
turb the customs of the Filipino people,
but which gives them a unit of cur
rency easily convertible into the gold
unit of the United States."
DEPARTMtAT VF COMMERCE.
The creation of a Department of Com
merce at the present session of con
gress appears probable. The bill for
this purpose passed the senate In Janu
ary and is now being considered by the
house committee on interstate and for
eign commerce, which will make a num
ber of changes In the measure. It Is
stated that most of the members of the
committee regard the senate bill as too
wide in its scope, providing too many
bureaus for the new department at the
start. There is also a feeling that the
senate failed to make provision for cer
tain lines of inquiry and work which
would prove of much benefit and value
to the general public.
The house committee propose to drop
out of the bill some of the bureaus
which the senate bill provides shall be
embraced in the new department and to
give the president authority to trans
fer to the department from time to
time, such bureaus of other departments
as be may consider properly belonging
to the Department of Commerce. This
will permit the gradual expansion of
the scope of the department In the fu
ture and make it possible for special
attention to be given to certain lines
of work which might otherwise remain
undeveloped. The bureau of labor is
one of those to be' dropped from the
bill by the house committee, it being
thought that at some future time this
bureau will be made an independent
department with cabinet rank.
The house committee will provide for
the creation of at least two distinctly
new bureaus, both of which will be at
tached to the Department of Commerce.
One of these proposed is a bureau of
insurance, intended to gather informa
tion of a general and detailed character
regarding the operations of Insurance
companies and to publish the facts thus
obtained much as is now done In rela
ton to manufacturing statistics. It is
deemed Important that the general pub
lie should be made acquainted with
certain phases of the operations of in
surance companies. It Is possible that
the material changes made in the senate
bill by the house committee may cause
final action on it to be deferred to the
next session, though the desire for the
creation of the proposed department is
so general In the senate that perhaps
the amendments to its measure will be
accepted. At all events, the creation
of a Department of Commerce is as
sured and It is said to be probable that
the first head of the new department
will be Mr. Cortelyou, the president's
private secretary.
QVESTIOSS STILL UNANSWERED.
The very pertinent questions pro
pounded to the champion of David II.
Mercer in the recent debate still remain
unanswered. These answers touch the
vital points upon which the republicans
will decide whether or not Mr. Mercer
Is entitled to a renomlnatlon. Lest we
forget what these questions were, they
are herewith repeated In concise form,
together with the evasive answers made
from the stage before an Intelligent
audience of Mercer's constituents:
Question Will Mr. Mercer live In
Omaha if he Is not re-elected or will he
locate permanently In Washington and
resume his old business as a profes
sional lobbyist?
Answer I am not a mind reader, but
feel sure Mercer will keep the
army headquarters In the old ppstoffice
building, unless they are moved Into the
new postoffice building.
Question Is it true that Mercer Is
willing to live in Omaha two months
out of every two years If he can keep
his seat in congress for a sixth term, a
seventh term and as many more terms
as he Is willing to serve?
Answer The people of this district
need Mercer more than Mercer needs
them. Mercer needs them only two
months out of every two years, and
they ought to be satisfied.
Question Is It true that Mercer pock
ets the allowance of $100 a month for
clerk hire Instead of giving some Ne
braska boy or girl a chance to earn the
salary, while the secretary of the public
buildings committee is forced to do the
extra work which the government pays
for?
Answer Ask me something easier. I
told you that all the opposition to Mer
cer comes because the army headquar
ters were removed from The Bee build
lng.
Question Why does Mercer make po
litical deals for West Point and Annap
olis cadetshlps, while other congressmen
leave these appointments open for com
petltlve examination, so that every boy
who aspires to such an education can
have an equal chance?
Answer Do you expect Mercer to give
away patronage to Tom, Dick and
Harry? Was there anything wrong in
sending Tom Blackburn's bright boy to
Annapolis? Should Mercer go back on
riackburn Just to please you?
Question Why did Mercer pocket the
quartermaster's supply bill two years
ago after it had passed the senate, when
he knew that It would be of Immense
benefit to Omaha?
Answer Don't you know, that the
passage of that bill would haVe lost the
army headquarters to Omaha and taken
them down to Kansas City?
Question You say that Mercer has al
ways been loyal to the west Will you
explain why Mercer voted against the
beet sugar Interests and against the
west, and for the sugar refiners and
Sugar trust and for the east, when that
question was up a few weeks ago?
Answer Didn't The Omaha Bee
change front on the beef trust and on
the Philippine question? Consistency
thou art a Jewel long ago sent to the
pawn shop.
Question Why did Mercer displace
two Nebraska Grand Army veterans
who wero employed In the capltol build
ing and substitute for them two men
who hailed from Minnesota?
Answer You ought to be ashamed of
yourself. A man who would ask such
silly questions ought to wear wooden
shoes, clothe himself In rags and retire
to the woods for the balance of his life.
The chairman of the county board has
figured out an Increase In the assessed
valuation of Douglas county of nearly
$1,200,000 by reason of the recent su
preme court decision relative to the as
sessment of the franchlsed corporations.
That estimate may be correct, but the
Increase In the county assessment
should not stop with the franchlsed
corporations. There should be a gen
eral leveling up where favoritism or
discrimination on the part of assessors
la patent There doubtless will be a
marked Increase In the assessed valua
tion of South Omaha property, where
great Improvements have been made
during the last few years, and where
the assessment has been out of all pro
portion with tangible property.
By a decision Just rendered by the
supreme court of Kansas, the anti-trust
law of that state has been upheld In
Its application to the Kansas Grain
Dealers' association, which Is adjudged
to be a combination in abridgement of
competition and against public policy1.
The court upholds the right of the
legislature to tlx penalties for the per
petration of unlawful agreement, al
though one of the Judges dissents on
the ground that it seeks to make crimi
nal the ordinary transactions of every
day business life. It Is intimated that
the federal courts may be Invoked to
pass upon the validity of the statute
before the litigation Is ended.
John J. Hanberg, the republican nomi
nee for treasurer of Cook county, Il
linois, which comprises the city of Chi
cago, has pledged himself to turn over
to the public all interest on public
moneys in his custody if he is elected to
office. The republican candidate for
state treasurer of Nebraska will not
only have to pledge himself to turn
In every dollar of interest he collects
on public funds, but also to desist from
using public funds for speculative bond
or warrant purchases.
To prevent the State Board of Equali
zation from raising the railroad assess
ment, the railroad attorneys assured the
members that they had no legal author
ity to Include the franchise value. Now,
to prevent the court from requiring the
assessment of franchise values, the rail
road attorneys insist that the franchises
were assessed along with the tangible
property. For ways that are dark and
tricks that are vain the heathen Chinee
is not the only one that Is peculiar.
Treasurer Stuefer desires It to be un
derstood that he did not understand
what the railroad lawyers wanted when
they Induced him to swear td an
amended petition which contradicted
the sworn petition he bad signed a week
before. A man who does not under
stand what he Is signing is a very dan
gerous man to occupy the responsible
position of railroad assessor, which In
volves the taxation of more than $300,
000,000 worth of property.
Congressman Mercer predicts in an in
terview that republicans will gain four
seats in congress from Nebraska at
this year's election. If Congressman
Mercer had supported the republican
candidates for congress in Nebraska
through the national congressional com
mittee two years ago Instead of throw
ing cold water on them, Nebraska would
have had at least five republican mem
bers In the present congress Instead
of only two.
Some Kicking by the Banners.
Washington Post.
The peace arrangements were made by tbe
Boers who did tbe fighting. Therefore the
grumbling on tbe part of tbe envoys who
did tbe runnlpg about will not make mucn
of an impression.
Mighty Few In the Hill.
Boston Transcript
We are glad to notice that there were
only four northern men among tbe forty-
six fool democrats, who voted against the
resolution of thanks to Secretary Hay for
his McKinley oration.
Ko Gala to Oftset th Loss.
Baltimore American.
Tbe cost of the Boer war haa Indeed
staggered bumanity, but tbe , saddest part
of it all is that bumanity baa gained noth
ing to compensate for this cost in money,
suffering and life. There is no gain to off
set tho losa.
The Tax will Stay Awhile.
Philadelphia Ledger.
The Boer war la over, but the tax ou
grain remains la tbe British budget The
desired property In South Africa has been
acquired, but there Is a heavy mortgage
on it, which must be paid off before Britain
can resume her pristine condition.
Hop for the Thirsty.
Washington Post.
It is quite likely that the senate will save
the members of the house from the incon
venience of going outside tbe -capltol for
their liquid refreshments. Ia addition to
being a deliberative body, tbe senate it
not obliged to Indulge in that sort of bun-
combs.
Title Hla-htlr Bestowed.
St. Louis Republic,
"Doctor" Mark Twain doesn't sound so
Incongruous when we remember what ex
cellent physic is In a good laugh and how
often "Doctor" Twain baa administered his
favorite prescription to English-speaking
eorlea.
I
Live Nebraska Towns
ATKINSON Active and Prosocrous.
Atkinson Is located at the head of the
Elkhorn valley, and at present numbers
trifle more than 1,000 lnbabttaats.
The town is more remarkable, perhaps,
for its steady growth and development
than anything else, all efforts to start a
"boom" having happily failed. There Is
do lack of enterprise, but it Is always
directed In the way of conservative business
effort rather than temporary "schemes."
Tbe business of the town at present is
conducted by two banks, seven general
stores, one clothing and shoe store, two
drug stores, one newspaper and prlntery,
two hardware stores, one furniture store,
two lumber yards, one flour and feed store.
one large Implement establishment, three
hotels, one restaurant and bakery, two
livery barns, two blacksmith shops, two
millinery tores, two barber shops, two
meat markets, and numberless small enter
prises. Among the more notable Institu
tions are a large flouring mill run by the
never falling water power of the Elkhorn,
a brewery, and a creamery. Until the
hard times of the '90s a brick yard was in
operation, and will probably resume opera
tions again soon, as there is great demand
for its product for the erection of new
business blocks to take the place of old
frame buildings built in an early day.
Atkinson has an excellent system of
water works and a local Are company.
Nearly all the foremost fraternities have
organizations, and three of the religious
bodies, the Methodist Episcopal, Presby
terian and Catholic, have excellent church
buildings. The public school building
stands on the brow of a plateau In the
north part of town, from which locality a
most beautiful view Is obtained of the
fertile Elkhorn valley stretching to the
east and south, dotted with the houses of
prosperous farmers, and covered with
fields of small grain and corn. This may have
been a prairie country once, but it is now
well dotted with artificial grove. Tbe
soil is not excelled in Nebraska for "rais
ing" qualities. In this connection it may
be Interesting to note that the land adja
cent to town is rapidly becoming cut up
Into small tracts of five to ten acres which
make money for numerous market garden
Bryan for
St. Louts Globe
The effort which is being made to In
duce William J. Bryan to accept the nom
ination of the democratic-populist com
bination of Nebraska tor governor shows
that his friends Intend to keep him at
the front, at least until after the election
of 1904. If there were any chance of his
success In the canvass for governor there
would be an obvious reason for compelling
him to accept the candidacy, even though
he says he does not want It, and will re
fuse it if It is tendered to htm. His friends
think he can carry the state, and, there
fore, they are working to get him tbe
candidacy.
Many prominent men have been con
strained to accept nominations which they
did not want and which they declared they
would decline. Senator Hill positively for
bade his friends to name him for governor
of New York in 1894, but they went right
ahead and put him up, and he was forced
to acoept the candidacy. Bryan will be in
a similar position- Hill at that time waa a
presidential aspirant, as he is still, and
he knew that a defeat for- the governor
ship, even though he bad held that office
before and did not want It then, would
Injure hia prestige in tha race for tha
AMOG TIIE FISIOMSTS.
Sherman County Times-Independent: W.
J. Bryan announces that he will not accept
the nomination at tbe hands of the fusion
forces for ths office of governor. Bryan
has always been level-headed. Tbe nomi
nee must be a populist.
Holdrege Citizen: The fusion forces are
talking again of nominating Bryan for gov
ernor. There are many who seem to think
it will take some one like Bryan to keep
the fusion forcea in line, and even then
there is liable to be trouble.
Stanton Register: We are still firmly of
the opinion that John C. Sprecher should be
the fusion nominee for governor. With a
clean, honest, able man like Sprecher on
the ticket we can go Into the fight with
vigor and win or lose knowing we have
done our best.
Greeley Leader-Independent: Aa Dr.
Coffin's candidacy for governor becomes
more widely known his chances for the
nomination become brighter. Let Greeley
and Valley counties be neighborly and sup
port candidates from central Nebraska,
Coffin and Barry.
Alnswortb Star-Journal: Mike Harring
ton positively refuses to be a fusion candi
date for governor. He la busily engaged in
trying to keep the wolf from the door, but
Intimates that some years later, when be
geta a few dollars ahead, he will go into
polltlcs.just for the fun of the thing.
Crete Democrat:. Tbe Grand Island Demo
crat has "been a very irregular visitor at
this office for some time, but we notice In
its last week's issue it gives Gilchrist a
boost for auditor. It Is our opinion that
the fuslonlsts have had enough of this in
dividual already, without taking another
dose.
Bloomington Advocate: Tbe fuslonlsts of
the state are fast coming to the conclusion
that they cannot win In the race for gov
ernor this coming fall except by using the
name of W. J. Bryan for that position.
The Lincoln gentleman claims he Is not a
candidate, but that he would accept it It I
tendered to him unanimously.
Rushville 'Standard: The latest populist
gubernatorial timber is Dr. C. E. Coffin of j
vauey county, no iriu iv un mi wwi,
a yard wide, clean of character, smart as
a Whip, and has escaped tbe amell of fire
on his garment. Nothing strange about
that; there are scores of pops with like
records. Hoorah for Sprecher.
Emerson Enterprise: A large and
healthy boom has been developed during
the paat ten days for W. J, Bryan for
governor. Bryan la undoubtedly the strong
eat man tbe fuslonlsts can put up, but
Nebraska ia pretty aafely republican and If
the convention at Lincoln, June 18. names
good clean candldatea even tbe eloquence
of Mr. Bryan will not save the fuslonlsts.
Sherman County Times-Independent: Tbe
following named gentlemen .have been men
tioned as possible candldatea before the
fusion congressional convention for the
nomination to the office of congressman
from the "Big" Sixth: M. F. Harrington of
O'Neil, Judge Westover of Rushville, Gen
eral Barry of Greeley, Judge Sullivan of
Broken Bow, Representative Taylor of Cus
ter county and former State Senator
Stewart of Scotts Bluff county.
Chadronlan: As tha tlms draws near for
the atate and other conventions tha senti
ment for tbe various candidates seeing to
be cryatallxlng. For governor, M. V. Har
rington seems to be taking the lead. Ha
is a brilliant and a thoroughly reliable
man for tbe place. It is devoutly to be
hoped that be can be induced to make th
race. For congress. It has been conceded
that Judge Westover will consent to make
the race. If nominated. Ia thla instance
siaa th fusion forcea are fortunate, for
.1.
ers. These lands, when changing hands,
bring prices of $75 to $100 an acre, which
Is a fact that would rrobably have to be
proven to a, "backeaster," who has always
beard of this country as the Great Ameri
can Desert. Another fact which might
stun him is that Mr. James Brook, living
on a ten-acre patch of thla $100 land a
halt mile east of Atkinson, makes more
than a comfortable living every year simply
by picking strawberries In the summer
time. He ships them in immense quantities
and people in Omaha and other cities buy
them and think they come from somewhere
in the vicinity of the Gulf or Mexico.
Atkinson la really on the dividing line
west of us lies tbe range country, with
Its thousands of cattle, while east and
south are leagues of the most fertile farm
ing country ever blessed by rain and sun
shine. Land values are steadily increas
ing, which reminds me that we probably
have more real estate men here than in
any other town of the same size In the
jttate, and they all seem to keep busy as
immigration fct coming1 thla way very rapidly.
Just at present Atkinson ia prominent In
the minds of travelers aa tbs nearest
railroad point to the Indian reservation
soon to be opened in South Dakota. It has
been necessary to establish a special stage
line from here to tbe coveted section to
accommodate tbe traffic. Altogether Atkin
son has excellent transportation facilities,
present and prospective. We are on the
malu line of tbe Fremont, Elkhorn Mis
souri Valley, and when the Atkinson North
ern builds to the north country and the
Burlington comes up from the south we
will have connections in four directions.
We have two local telephone companies
doing business, and are also connected
with the Nebraska Telephone company
long distance wire.
If there la anything that Atkinson needs
it is mors of ths same kind she already
has. More people, more business men,
more capital, more tradesmen, more me
chanics, more laborers, and more farmers
on the fine land in the valleys which can
be bought for $10 to $25 an acre. All these
will help to make Atkinson th city shs
seems destined to become.
A. M. CHURCH.
Governor
Democrat (rep.),
presidency, as it did. He was drafted,
however, and Bryan will be compelled to
accept the governorship candidacy now if
his friends insist on it
Undoubtedly Bryan's candidacy would
make the election in Nebraska thla year
of Interest to the whole country. Bryan
himself has said that he has ceased to
be an aspirant for the presidential nom
ination In 1904, but it he should be elected
governor of his state in 1902 he would
have an excellent chance to sweep the na
tional convention of his party two years
hence. This ia a'contlngency which makes
the canvasa In Nebraska of great Interest
to the country. All the gold democrats, of
course, are against Bryan, but not many
of that sort of democrats can be found in
Nebraska even now. If Bryan should give
the word be would be nominated for gov
ernor by acclamation. There Is a chance
that be will be nominated whether he
gives the word or not, and, it nominated,
he will be compelled to accept. Thla Is
something which will give a great deal of
concern to tbe men who are attempting
to reorganise tha democratic party by
throwing Bryan outside tbe breastworks.
those who know have conceded that Judge
Westover will run "bead and shoulders"
above anyone that tbe republicans can nom
inate in this judicial district.
Superior Journal: Hon. W. G. Hastings
Is talked of by tbe fuslonlsts of the Fourth
district as a candidate for congress. He
was, several yeara ago, judge of this (the
Seventh) judicial district, and Is now a
member of the supreme court commission.
The fuslonlsts of the Fourth district have
tbe idea that their present congressman,
Stark, will be tha nominee for governor,
and they are looking about for a man to
take his place on the congressional ticket.
Geneva Gazette: Hon. W. O. Hastings
of Wllber, ex-Judge of this Judicial dis
trict, and now a member of the supreme
court commission, Is being mentioned as a
candidate for congress In the Fourth dis
trict on tbe fusion ticket and some of
his friends have atarted a boom for him.
Congressman Stark haa a large number of
supporters for a fourth term in Fillmore,
but in the event of his nomination for gov
ernor, which Is not an improbability, many
of them would no doubt be atrong sup
porter of Mr. Hastings.
Grand Island Independent: The sugges
tion of Hon. W, H. Thompson of thla city
for tha fusion nomination for governor
seems to be growing in favor among tho
members of that party over tbe state.
While ex-Senator Allen haa recently come
out strongly In favor of Bryan for gov
ernor, there are other fuslonlsts, and quite
a number of them, of equal prominence
and perbapa greater Influence, who favor
Smyth or Thompson, and as between these
two there can b but little doubt that th
aggreaslv little Grand Islander, If he once
geta fighting clothing on, will win.
Rushville Standard: The Madison Mail
of last week devoted considerable space in
advising the reform elements of the atate
to throw all other possible candidate for
governor over the transom and unite on
W. J. Bryan, believing that by doing so
It would mean success for the reformers.
The editor of this paper makes no pre
tense of being as well informed on polities
as tha .editor of the Mall, who is no other
than ex-Senator Allen, but we believe tbe
Mall haa errored in advocating such a
course. We have nothing to aay against
Mr. Bryan, but believe It would be doing
him an Injustice In Insisting upon him ac
cepting the nomination for governor of
Nebraska. W do not think It policy or
good politics. Mr. Bryan's name has hardly
been connected with the position, which Is
proof positive that he has not been con
sidered a candidate nor considered him
self a candidate. In our opinion his can
didacy will not be aerlously considered.
Wahoo New Era: Some of our democratic
exchanges, Brother Howard of tha Colum
bus Telegram th moat Insistent, ar urg
ing upon the delegates selected to the next
democratlo state convention to stand pat
In Ipslstlng upon a democrat to head th
ticket. Such nonsensical talk is good grist
into the republican hopper. A year ago,
gentlemen, you had your way, a democrat
headed the ticket and defeat to the entire
ticket was the result. If the opposition to
th republican party honestly Intend to get
together, and they really ar after auccess,
a populist must head the ticket unless It
be Bryan. Individually we aot only could,
but would b glad to support and vote for
such a true and honest reformer as "tbe
little giant" of Grand Island W. H.
Thompson because w have faith in his
political alneerlty, and la tbe peer of any
populist In his loyalty to th principles ad
vocated by th populist party, but there are
thousands of populist voters in this state
that have made up their minds not to go to
th polls It a democrat hsada th ticket.
Geatlemsa, ws ar only stating stubborn
fact that it will be wis to heed.
CANDIDACY Or STATE TREAHl'RRR
ST1 EFER.
Tekamah Journal: Tho who would
make it appear that to Treasurer Stutter s
manipulations of state school funds Is due
the credit for the large school apportion
ments, should take, for Instance, bis doal
In Burt county bonds and figure out where
the school fund's profit cornea in on that
deal.
Callaway Courier: The republicans of
Furnas county, in their convention, psssed
resolutions condemning State Treasurer
Stuefer for his manipulation of school
funds. Thla action might well be Imitated
by other counties. The republican party
cannot afford to burden itself with men
against whom even the appearance of offi
cial crookedness can be urged.
Wausa Gazette: We believe the proper
thing for Treasurer Stuefer would be to
get out of the race. His record Is not
above criticism and as a candidate this
fall he would be aure to be a dead weight
to the state ticket. To make sure of vic
tory this fall It behooves Nebraska re
publlrana to place a ticket In the field for
which there is no need making excuses
men wbo have In the least proven un
worthy of public trust should be relegated
to the rear and new, clean timber brought
forward. By placing the stamp of disap
proval on all questionable actions of tbelr
public men the party will gain strength
and respect; by attempting to make ex
cuses for such, but suspicion and losa of
power.
The Enterprise believes that David Mer
cer has served tbe Second district long
enough, for many reasons, which we will
give from time to time in these columns.
Mr. Mercer seems to have lost all Interest
in thla district, except just when he wants
our vote. He has even ceased to reside
in Nebraska. He has no business interest
here, and if be Is not continued on Ne
braska's pay roll he will no doubt quit the
atate. The Second district baa many bright
and competent young men who have grown
into prominence among us. They are clean,
able and progressive. Give ihem a ahow.
Among those who have bee; prominently
mentioned for congress are Judge Baxter,
E. J. Cornish, N. C. Pratt and Attorney
Breen.
North Nebraska Eagle: Th press of th
state continues In no modest way to criti
cise State Treasurer Stuefer and his very
Indiscreet acts, and to an alarming extent
the propriety of tils candidacy for a re
nomlnatlon at the coming republican state
convention. Tbe general feeling seems to
be that If ho is on the ticket It meana
an attitude of defense, and It Is a well
known fact that In a redhot campaign con
stant explanations do not explain. Whilo
some of the bond deals, as exposed by The
Omaha Bee, made a bad abowlng for Mr.
Stuefer, the Eagle will only say that he
acted very unwise and lndlacreet. Many
questioned his honesty and integrity, know
ing his disposition and avarlclousness. It
is well to view things as they are. Ths
coming campaign will be an exceedingly
warm one. No man should be placed on
the ticket whose record contains any spots,
or who has been in any way connected with
the Joe Bartley deal. To place a candi
date at a disadvantage means an Injury to
the whole ticket. The opposition will take
advantage of all the mistakes tbat are lia
ble to be made. For Mr. Stuefer to make
a defensive campaign would be somewhat
humiliating, and it would be even far more
humiliating to htm It he were defeated.
It would seem as a good, conscientious
republican Stuefer would not want the bal
ance of the ticket to lose vote on account
of himself being placed on tbe same.
Again, as a business proposition, can he
afford to take the office for tha paltry
salary, especially when he knows the salary
will hardly eovar the expenses T It will
be far more vindication tor Mr. Stuefer to
withdraw from tbe race and atep aside to
make room for a new man, after having
filled the office for one term with a pretty
fair record and being able to turn over to
tbe state ita just dues.
PERSONAL NOTES.
The way the Texas oil men fight tbe oc
topus is by organizing a trust of tbelr own.
A portrait of Captain Clark, the Oregon's
commander, la being painted to be placed
in tho Vermont capltol.
Dr. N. C. Morse, president of the Iowa
Association of Railway Surgeons, is the
heaviest physician in America, weighing
325 pounds.
A Pennsylvania professor is trying to
frighten Hudson river people by telling
them tbat Anthony's Nose waa once an ac
tive volcano end that ha Is liable at any time
to blow it.
Prof. Robert T. Hill, the geologist whose
investigations at the scene of tbe Martinique
horror have attracted wide-spread attention,
waa a printer in bis youth. He is a Texan
and worked at his trade in aeveral news
paper offices of the Lone Star atate. .
Governor Wood brought from Cuba a
souvenir In the form of a machet pre
sented to him by veterans of the Cuban
war. The hilt baa the Cuban coat of arms
and a single gold star on on aide and tbe
general'a Initials on the otber in gold.
SMILINO REMARKS.
Philadelphia Press: "Of course," aald the
church trustee, "we realise that you ar a
eood preacher, but"
"Hut," Interrupted the minister who was
unable to collect his salary, "I appear to
be doomed to be good for nothing.
Washington Star: "Have you made any
important discoveries with reference to vol
canoes?" "I have," answered the scientist with
ponderous emphasis. "Volcanoes ar ex
tremely dangeroua to life and property."
Chicago Tribune: "I haven't seen a good
short story for months. What haa becom
of all the writers of fiction?"
"Don't you know? They are all at work
writing attractive little pamphlets for th
proprietors of summer resort hotels."
Detroit Free Press: "Those boys wero
alike as two pea and I hear they're much
the same now."
"What business are they in?"
"One s a hypnotist and t'other's a com
mercial traveler."
Philadelphia Press: "Phoxy has opened
a 'musical conservatory for beginners In
bis house."
"The Ideal H doesn't know anything
about music."
"I know, but he has some objectionable
neighbors whom he wants to make move
away."
Washington Star: "Remember." aald the
proverb-monger, "that the burnt chll
avoids th fire."
"Yes " answered the sneencr, "but the
burnt child has the satisfaction of proving
to the world that He family la atill able to
buy coal."
A SECRET.
New York Tribuna.
A sweet robin sang from th old apple tree,
"I'v a secret so sacred I'll tell only th.
And thou must remember 'tis 'twlat ma
and thee.
"Come under the branches and bloaaoma so
aweet ,
That cluster in fragrance quite do to my
feet,
And 1 11 tell the a aecret thou muat not r.
peat.
"Ther la In th branches high over my
head
A round little nest that's as aoft as thy
bed.
And over it hovers th sweet wife I'v wed.
"And what do you 'epos Is tucked under
her wings?
But four very wonderful, beautiful thlnga.
For which the sweet mother bird grate
fully sings.
"They are four dainty eggs which we're
guarding with care.
In each egg there a baby bird hiding! go
there.
Do you wonder I'm glad, with a secret K
-?" . -
i
