Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, December 15, 1902, Image 4

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Atlanta semi-weekly journal., December 15, 1902, Page 4, Image 4

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Newspaper Page Text4 The Semi-Weekly Journal Estered st th* Atlant* PwtnfWe* M Mali Mat tar es th* «ae<*4 Cl***. Th* Bacnt-WaaMy Jaaraet la ptAn*- •4 «* Moalv. red Tbsredsre aa<J walled la tfte* tor *U th* to"-* w«ta atar rovto aaalto It ccmtln* t»a ares towi *n part* at th* world brvaftt over a a*«atol Ke*** wire U»W Th* Joaroal It baa *.**a*_*f dlattncalabad ctatrtbutora. with «ireo« Agricultural. V*c*rtaarr Boom. Bouk sad athar «*p*rv»»>«a «* ■rectal valia* ta A* boaaa sad fart*. Arant a quoted la *rarr oauunwMty tB tb« MX th TUmlttanoaa may ba tn*da by poa»- oCT.oe nwmay irdar. MXiraaa tnooar «*• der. raatotarad tat tar or ekeek. Parooc* who •and poetaga atampa ta paymaat tor aatamtiiM— are rto***’ ad to aaad thee* at toe twe-ceet **•««- toaUoa. Amousta larger than to peat *rtce order. ntne order <w check ar regiatare* mall. Bubaertbon who wtah thetr pas**’ aha apart ahaald <tva both the old and the aaar paat art ca a 3 drier Moncrfto TUB public.-to* rely waeettsg reyre**ataUreo of Th* KtoOM J. lYFarmfl. J- A. WNto I- C. Barto aad lata » Otbww any ethers wba rwpraaaat th w waattoil ata The jeereel •* trataitop egoere are freed* aad w* will to retotaatVe toIV tor toaato paid ta th* ahaaa aaaaad ■ tot it atm i*raa MOtrpAT. DBCBMBEH IA IBM YOUR RENEWAL MUST Bl RE CEIVED AT ONCE OR THE PAPER WILL BE OIBCONTINUBO. YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THE •EMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL, BO SEND YOUR RENEWAL AND GET A PREMIUM. REMBMBIR WHAT THE BLUB PBNCIL MARK MEANS. AS TO THE JOURNAL. Attention has been called through a otudled. but Ineffectual effort to Injure thio paper by defying into tte business affaire and dtoeussrtng its stockholders. There to nothing about The Journal to conceal ’ The policy of thia paper la absolutely controlled by it* general manager. However mueh Th* Journals course may dlop'eaae tom* itorkholrters. when it conflicts with their interests, the pub 'Me may be pure that Ito course will be directed in the future, a* it la now, solely tn the interests of the public, and not for the benefit of a few stoekhoHers who have other interests te conserve. The Journal la eaoentialTy the people s paper. The people have made it what it Vs. and The Journal will continue to be run in their interests. Here's eno way to look at it—what's the u*e of having a "lobby ' and a legislature, too? And the depot still stand* You couldn't build a fire hot enough to burn that There's just one thing the fiercest fire can never dtotrey-Atlanta'* pluck and enterprise. Session* of the legislature in The Good Old Summer Time'' would help to solve the absentee problem Cuba also has her negro problem. But, fortunately, she hasn't a President Roose velt te aggravate it. The Mew York Sun doesn't like Presi dent Roosevelt's recent message. This is the first thing are have seen in its favor. And we believe more "South Georgia Candidates" would continue to get to At lanta if the legislature met during the summer. Are Great Britain and Germany really ao anxious to make Venesuela pay up, or are they stmply trying to put the Monroe doctrine tea mild test? In Chicago they are talking of Carter Harriston for the presiden-y They must be very anxious in Chicago to get rid of Carter Harrison a* mayor. There ta one encouraging feature of the situation; even if we do have to buy our coal on the Installment plan we are get ting our winter the earn* way. Mrs. Domini*. formerly Queen Lil. seems to be meeting with no encouragement in Washington in her effort to decrease owr "mu bar easing surplus" to the estent of M toftto* A Charleston trolley car caught fire recently while running along the street. This win naturally tend to confirm Charleston people m their preference fur hay burners. An effort is being made to reinstate Genera; Jake Smith in the army. An ar my that gave to the world a General Sher man realty ought'a to be squeamish with tu Jake Smiths Now that "Mr. Dooley" has married, we very much 'ear that ata philosophy will have a sort of "censored-by-the-wife" fla vor tn future. We know bow this sort of thing ta cureelree Now that the Central has put on sleep ers between Atlanta and Southwe-t Geor gia, >lt will be possible for our Southwest Georgia visiters to sleep it off*' before they get baek home. That member of the Virginia legisla ture who wants to make kissing a mis demeanor probably doesn’t know that there are klsees which are nothing less than assault and battery. The miners and operators, in their evi dence before the strike arbitrators, have even managed te disagr** on percentages. We are willing to bank on our old friend Drtine Right Baer to be wrong. Agree Marta Huntington announces that "th* Lord has ehosen Indianapolis as his New Jerusalem." If the lady is correct tn her theory, we shall have to Infer that the Lord has gone back on his chosen. A St Louis court has decided that it ia possible tor a man to spend flS.nto in se curing a franchise without indulging in corruption It might be possible elsewhere, bat we don't believe It io in St Stout* It is authentically reported that when the Ron. Joe Mill Hall was aroused in his room at the Kimball this morning, and told that the houee wa* surrounded by fire he merely exclaimed. Tton't mind me; save the depot." Great Britain and Germany are not "standing together" in this Venesttoian affair beeauee they have anything to fear from poor Bttle Vsnesuela It is the dan ger es bumping into the Monroe Doctrine that sanies them Who says the day of the horse ha* passed* A Pennsylvania judge has Just sentenced a mar. to ten years In prison for horse stealing A man could steal a whole ear load of automobflea for a les* sentence than that. The bachelor governor of Kansas has become engaged As a result of the free advertising hit eellbaey received, ho waa flooded with letter* fmm marriageable maiden* And ho probably had to marry one es em in self-defense A member of the house pre*»nled Speak er Morri* with a four-pound turnip th* oth*r day R* **nt it to the desk; didn't throw Ft—-ft 'f wasn’t a Routh Georgia ter:ilp nor a South Georgia aesier. Th»t wUI evarytiiing. LET THOSE WHOM THE CAP FITS, WEAR IT. On Tuesday The Journal contained an editorial aimed at the professional lobby which at every session of the legislature infests the corridors, the committee rooms, the private abodes, and even the floors of the house and senate, from the time the fegislature convenes until its adjournment. This editorial whs aimed at the protection of the legislature itself, and not in any way as an attack upon the right of anv cititen or corporation to a hearing before the committees. .This point was as clearly brought out as English language could make it; and for the benefit of those who may not have read and understood the editorial, it is reproduced in full on this page,of The Journal. The editorial seems to have “stirred up the animals,” and if it has not entirely accomplished its purpose, it certainly has had a good effect. The Journal has no apology to offer for its position on the franchise tax or its condemna tion of the lobby. The right to a full, free and impartial hearing before committees of the legis lature, upon all important questions by those whose interests are to be affected thereby, is as sacred as the right of trial by jury. Nobody will go further than Ihe Journal in the protection of this right, and no sensible man will seek to restrict it. Lobbying in Georgia is a crime, under the law. Appearing before legislative committees is not only not a crime, but one of the highest privileges vouchsafed to the citizen. The purpose of The Journal’s editorial was no less to uphold this right than it was to con demn the lobby. The editorial speaks for itaelf on this subject. No fair man will misunderstand it— no man with a thimbleful of sense can misunderstand it. There are certain individuals who infest the capitol from day to day and from hour to hour that constitute the lobby. They are there as the paid representatives of certain interests and they are always present. They retard business, embarrass members and disgrace the legislative halls of the state. They fasten themselves like barnacles on the legislative branch of the government, and however earnestlv or honestly legislators may seek to discharge the high responsibilities of office, they find themselves constantly embarrassed, hindered and delayed by the presence of these people. That there is a professional, well organised and aggressive lobby in the capitol of Georgia, no ob servant man can doubt. One has but to go there and look around. It is sometimes even difficult to distin guish legislators from lobbyists, so thick do they swarm about the capitol. The names of these professionals are well known and can readily be furnished. If it be comes necessary, they will be furnished. The legislative journal may show absentees from day to dav among the members of the legislature—there are no absentees in the lobby. They are always there, plying their trade. The senate has before it the franchise tax bill. After this bill reached the senate, coming from the house, there waa an aggressive and concerted move on the part of this lobby io emasculate it or to defeat it altogether. The Journal fought for this measure consistently, persistently and alone, because it believes it to be right that the corporations of the state should bear a fair share of the burdens of the government, in return for the valuable franchises which have been given them. It will continue to do so as long as the present management has charge of the paper. By the term “lobbyist” we mean to include all those who have gone beyond the legitimate privileges of a hearing before the proper committees, as provided by law. We do not, of course, mean any peraon who has exerciied his constitutional right of appearing before such commit tees and of representing his interests to the fullest extent; but if such person, be he stockholder, director, official or in any other manner interested in The Journal, has gone beyond the bounds of legal propriety and engaged in the business of a lobbyist, then we wish it understood that the edi torial which appeared on Tuesday applies to each and every such individual. At TO SENATOR FAUL TURNER • AND ATLANTA CONSTITUTION The Journal's proposition to “adjourn th* third hous*" seems to have brought feathers—even if it ha* ** yet accom plished no mor*. And when th* old bird was hit. every fledgling tn th* n**t began to squawk. Th* Journal did not hop* to b* abl* to *xpo*e this lobby scandal without hav ing mud thrown at itself and an effort mad* to divert its attention from th* main Issue. Buch tactics were to be expected— it was th* only line of defens* l*ft open to them. As waa to b* expected, too, th* lobbyists do not attempt th*ir own defens*, but are shrewd enough to enlist other* in their cause—Senator Paul Turner, and th*lr old stand-by. the Atlanta Constitution. They started off with a typewritten speech delivered by Senator Paul Turner on th* floor of the s*nat* Wednesday, in which h* "r**anted” th* reflection which h* claimed Th* Journal's editorial had cast upon th* s*nat*. W* ar* r*llabiy in formed that this la the first speech Sen ator Paul Turn*r has delivered during a legislative career covering several years; but, b* it said to his credit, h* read his lines with perfect familiarity In order that the publie may know Just who Senator Paul Turner ia. it may be neeeasary to state that he represents the Mth district in the senate To further designate him, it may b* well to stat* that his horn* is at McDonough. H* has ssrved tn the legislator* before, and. to all appearance*, h* is a very nice eort of man- though a ytntng on*. Howrrw, thti sort of thing may tend to age him »om«. W* regret that Senator Paul Turner did not fit to propo** a "voto of cen sure" for Th* Journal. In*toad of taking all of th* burd*n upon hlm**W If there was anything tn The Journal's editorial to give Just offense to on* member of th* senate, th*r* wn* off*n*e tn N for all, and it was Senator Turner's duty to bar* this paper censured Had he attempted to do so. however, he would, probably, hav* learned that he stood alone tn hie role of 'lnjured innocence.” The other senators, so far as we have been able to Judge, un derstood fully th* purpose of Th* Jour nals editorial, which wee. as must have been apparent to *v*ry on*, to free both branches of the legislator* from th* con stant espionage of a paid lobby, whose presence throughout every sesaion and at tempted chapemnag* of our law-making body ta ju*t cau*e for scandal We desired that thee* bodies be left free to transect th* state’s business without interference or dietetics from members of th* "third houe*.” W* bellev* every conscientious legislator can commend the stand taken by The Journal in thia matter. But Senator Paul Turner says there are no lobbyists about the capitol. Th!* statement alone should entitle hia remarks on the etibject to no further considera tion. for he puts himself tn th* attitude at denying what ia generally admitted. We even doubt if the lobbyists them eelvee would care to have th* corporations which they represent take Senator Turner seriously, leet they with hold thetr fees on the ground that they haven't been sufficiently in evidence to make thenwelvee either seen or felt. But, then, it may be due stmply to Senator Tarner a defective vision—and there arv "non* »o blind a* thoe* who will not see." With remarkable Inconsistency, how ever. Senator Turner doe* admit seeing "three Journal officials and stockholders" engaged In lobbying during the present •aeelon. Although Senator Turner seems to have overlooked the men who are best known in thia line of work, in order to throw a little mud. as he supposes, at Th* Journal, w* will aseum* that b* has posted himeelf—or been posted— a* to the “three Journal officials" of whom he complains. But wa do not belluv* any of Senator Turner'a mud will a tick. It is only ne- eesary to state, in this connection, that a number of different people own stock in The Journal com pany. Bom* of them own stock In other corporations, while others act a* the legal representatire* of corporation*. Thi* paper, of course, exercises no con trol over their private or professional af fairs. And it would certainly appear that they exercise no control over th* policy of this paper. Thia la all th* public cares <o know. Now. The Journal has already explain ed what la conceded to be the legal right* of all corporation representative* before the leg’s**tore—that of going before the proper committees fer the purpose of THE SEMI-WEEKLY JOUBNAL, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1902. giving their side of a question at is sua If, however, Senator Turner means to charge that thee* “thre* officials and stockholders of Th* Journal” (h* knew, of course, that they did not represent The Journal in any such ca pacity) have been guilty of th* thing complained of tn our editorial, we think he should not resent what Th* Journal said along thi* line, but should assist us in putting down sueh pernicious prac tiese whether they own stock in mta or any other newspaper. That circum stance cannot weigh either tor or against them. The thing which Senator Turner alludes to with so much glee argues nothing to any fair mind either way. But, of courea it was not Intended as an argument—merely an effort to divert attention from the real issue. It ta even possible that thia idea did not originate with Senator Turner. It show* too much ■hrewdnee* for that. But enough about Senator Turner. While he is merely ridiculous, the use which others seek to make of him and his re marks Is. however, nothing short of con temptible. It was to be expected, of course, that Th* Atlanta Constitution would have to take up th* cause of th* lobbyists somewhere. But Just how to do it, was th* problem. It would defend thJm outright if it dared, but that would b* a toe radical departure from its old gam* of keeping one finger in the pub lic’s eye, while it has the other on the cor poration’s pule*. So it must adopt its old plan of shoot ing from behind th* bush. It does so thio morning in its usual masterful stylo; but, fortunately for us. whenever w* hear a bullet whiee from the bueh, we always know who ta behind IL The Conetitution makes a frantic effort to divert The Journal and the public from the real ieeuo, going as far as it dares go ia that direction. Its motive, hqwever. Is ao very apparent that it ia hardly worth more than passing notice. The tempest in a tea pot which it trio* to raise among certain Journal stock holders neither disturbs our equanimity nor affects the interests or policy of this paper In the least. W* wera prspared for all sueh onslaughts when w* decided to expose this lobby scandal. But w* are to b* neither deterred nor diverted by it. Th* single Issue is, shall the “third hous*" continue its attempted control of the upper and lower branches of our gen eral assembly, or shall ft be “adjourned ?” And if there is not such a lobby, then both the hous* and senate in their mock sessions at th* end of every term should kindly refrain from enacting that time honored and worm-eaten piec* of sarcasm —a resolution directing the state treasurer to pay to certain well known lobbyists thtir per diem as "members from th* state at large" and commending them for "con stant and faithful attendance on the legis lature throughout the session.” THE JOURNAL’S SICK ONES. The Journal ta gratified to be qble to announce that the Illness of its editor. Mr. F. H. Richardson, and of its managing editor. Mr. John 8. Cohen, is not altogeth er as serious as haa been understood. We make thia announcement in order to allay, somewhat, the alarm whieh their friends throughout the country have been made to feel. While neither Mr. Richardson’s nor Mr. Cohen’s health ha* been for several month* past all thet corid be desired, their present condition seems due more to a need for absolute rest than to anything else—and this they will have. The Journal is also highly gratified at the many pleasant things that have been said of theee gentlemen by the pre** of the country, and to acknowledge, both in be half of themeelves and their famlliM and for the paper. Itself, th* numerous kind inquiries that hav* come from friends and admirers everywhere concerning their condition. We confidently look for their speedy recovery and early return to th* positions on this paper which they have so long and so acceptably filled. THE NEGRO IN THE NORTH. The New York Tribun* publishes a card from Lewis T. Jones, of Baltimore, in which the writer says that Bnok*r Wash ington has fallen completely Into th* mo nopolistic idea of labor when h« advisee th* negro*s to build themselves up "by bringing brains, dignity and skill into the eommon oocupsttons of life.” Jones say* that in order to estimate eor reetly th* value of thia adric* we must consider the actual condition of th* negro in th* north, and, of it, he says: “Th* whits worker ha* little show un der existing conditions of monopoly, but ths black nrgn's is truly deplorable. He is cut off from public offices, erven if frosh from college and can pass th* 'dead line' of C yearo, by being of the minority race. H* Is excluded from the trades and professions by racial prejudice and still more monopoly. What bank would dare employ a colored man as teller? What railroad would employ him as conductor, engineer or brakeman?” Anybody who ta familiar with conditions in th* south will not deny that th* negro has a much batter chance in this section. H* is not excluded from any of t-e trades and prof*ssi<ms In this part of th* coun try, and there ta a disposition on ths part of th* better people of the south to aid him in improving his material condition. He is not elected to office tn the south, he does not control the corporation* down hero, he is not employed, as bank teller or conductor or engineer, but he has a fair chafes. H* is making money on th* farm, he is given occupation as a mechan ic, he ts not discriminated against in any of the industries, he ta protected in hl* property, he worships God as He please*, and h* sends his children to school, his whit* neighbors paying nearly the entire cost of thsir instruction. WOMEN AND THEIR MONEY. The custom of carrying their pocket books in their hands, or carrying their money in a bag swung on a slender chain, either from thetr fingers or a belt is very prevalent among women of all classes. It Is a habit that should be discouraged and abandoned for manifest reasons. The Indianapolis News doss not go too far when it says that this practice Is "a direct invitation to thievery." The Journal has published in the laat f*w months accounts of many robberies on the street* that would never have oc curred but for th* fket that every tramp and loafer knows how prevalent among women Is this carol seen ess about their money when they are shopping or visit ing. Major Bookwaiter, or Indianapolis, has issued a warning to th* women of that city against th* folly and danger of thus exposing their money which is so sensible and timely that it would be well if it could reach the women/of every qjty in the United States. An old Broverb tells us that a certain sort of person and his money ar* soon p*rt*d, but we do not, of course, intend to apply this saying to the lovely women whom we see on our street* every day carrying their money tn a manner that makes them liable to lose It. We merely presume to give them a lit tle good advie* just beeau** w* love them so. At this season there is special need for caution in this matter. Now that the Christmas trade is at hand and the shops and street* are thronged with men, wo men and children, it will be well for the person* that generally carry their money tn thetr hand* to change thetr habit., The shopper that goes from home after the luncheon hour rarely return* until dusk, and It 1s then the purse snateher gets in his work. Since pockets have gone out of fashion and the carrying of bag or puree ta dangerous, the women of today should And some other place for their money. Now that the Central railroad has de cided to put on sleepers between Atlanta and Albany, Editor Henry Melntosh, who ha* led the fight for this improved ser vice, is in honor bound not te ride in the smoker the next time he comes up. The American Public HeaJth association has decided net to aak that a portfolio of public health be created just yet. ao there Is to be no doctor in the president's cabinet. It is. very often, difficult enough for the cabinet to agree, as it is. President Caetro, of Venezuela, has evi dently come to the conclusion that he may as well be ehot for a sheep as a lamb. He is now engaged in arresting British and German subjects. POINTED PARAGRAPHS. Chicago Dally Xews. Misers are pocket editions of mankind. Life ta made up of events and recurrences. Borne people mistake spectacular effect for sacce**. A sick man is always in favor of a constitu tional amendment. Tli* more a man ewe* th* more conspicuous he la as * financier. When it ouajst to waltains the awkward man gets there with both feet. "It ie never too late to mend,” said the man who waa too lesy to begin. A peeeimtat 1s a me* whose views of life are in accord with hi* dleordervd liver. Great wealth awaita the oculiet who ean help people who are blind to their ewa interest*. WHAT STIRRED UP THE ANIMALS. “LET’S ADJOURN THE ‘THIRD HOUSE.’” (Reproduced from last Tuesday’* Journal.) There has been one thing in connection with the present session of the Georgia legislature about which The Journal has remained silent so far. We have said nothing, because we had hoped that some member of the legislature would *ee flt to take the ipstter in hand and have it dealt with. "Whatever the members may have felt concerning this evil, however, they have so far made no public protest. Perhaps this seeming lukewarmness is due to the fact that the legislature has become used to being chaperoned by the attorneys and agents of certain Interest*. If so, there Is all the more need for a protect from the outside. It might in truth be *nld that there are two legislatures In session in Atlanta every year. One is composed of 219 members of the house and senate, elected and sent here by the people. The other is composed of twenty or tnirty men employed and sent here by certain interests, to either direct the other and larger bodj- or hold It in check. They have no legal status as a law making body, and yet they sometimes wield more power in shaping legislation than all of the other 219 members, the press and public combined. They have been designated, through courtesy, as "members from the state at large,” while at other times they have been called "lobbyists." Now, The Journal readily recognizes the right of all interests which are affected by proposed leglsla* 'tion to a hearing. The law has provided for this, and no fair minded person would seek to deny this right to anyone. Thia Is provided for in order that the legislature may hear both aides of every question. But the law says how this may be done. Attorneys or committees representing parties at interest may secure a full hearing before the legislative committee having a measure in charge. Such representatives are not restricted in their arguments, and, consequently, they are aupposed to be able to tell the legislature, through its committee, all that It needs to know with reference to a certain measure. That done, lawful busin*** of such agents or representatives is at an end. But all the trouble arise* from the fact that theee agents or representatives do not let their business end here. They “sit up with” the legisla ture, so to apeak, and in and out of committees, in the corridors of the capitol and even on the floor of both houses, they are ever present—indeed they are almost omnipresent. They me«t in Atlanta when the legislature meets—even a few days before. They adjourn when the legislature ad journs—or a few days after. And with them there is no "dies non." While the senate and house sometimes take a holiday, the "third house” never does. Indeed, legislative holidays are its busy days. This “third house” is composed of the men who have come to be deslgnatd as “lobbyists.” They are made up, for the most part, of men who rank high either as politicians or lawyers and usually as both. They are, as a rule, chosen from ex-members of the house or senate, who are not only on Intimate terms with present members of those bodies, but who are thoroughly familiar with legislative procedure. They are men of personal popularity, men of experi ence, and, therefore, men of power. The corporations generally know whom to selct—and they usually get th* best that money can employ. As a rule they are lawyers and they are here, ostensibly, as the legal representatives of certain inter* eets. If this were all there could be no complaint. But it is absurd to say their duties as attorneys compel their constant attention upon the legislature—composed, as it is, of men who are supposed to be able to guard and direct the state’s interests without this constant surveillance. We will not say that these agent* or representatives seek to employ Improper methods in serving the Interests which they represent. We will not urge that the courtesies which they thrust upon our legislators in the shape of free passes and franks and social entertainments and otherwise are sufficient to improperly Influence any considerable number of the people’s representatives. * • It is enough that these things and this avowed chaoeronage of our legislative body serve to create a feeling of dis trust among our people and throw suspicion upon nearly every legislative act where corporate interests are involved, it is sufficient that the presence of this 'Hobby” tends to embarrass conscientious legislators whose desire 1s to weigh all measures calmly and dispassionately and to vote thereon as their judgment dictates—and yet who may hesitate to speak and act freely, even when they incline to the corporation side of a measure—lest their attitude be misinterpreted. As a case in point, let us look at the franchise tax bill which recently passed the house and which is now before the senate. We find the Influence of the "lobby” so strong against this measure that suspicion has already been cast, justly or unjustly, upon the senate. W* find the combined power of the lobby concentrated aginst that body as it h** seldom been exerted In the annals of this state. It is not a "hearing before th* proper committee” that these agents and representatives of the corporations seek. They hav* had that. It is by personal persuasion and through the exercise of political influences (we will not charge that there is anything worse) that they hope to prevail against the almost unanimous actiorl of the house and the prac tically unanimous demand of the people. Day and night, they are at work; under the dome of the capitol and elsewhere. We charge that all of this is pernicous, unlawful and hurtful in the extreme. We hold that in the interests of the people and of untrammelled legislation an end should be put to it. We believe when these “legal representatives” of certain Interests have finished their business before the committees from which they seek a hearing they should leave the legislature alone. Their constant attendance upon that body la Just cause for scandal. If the interest* which they represent will not call them off, the members of the legislature of Georgia owe It to themselves and to their constituents to drive'them off. STORY OF THOMAS BRACKETT REED’S LIEE WORK AS RELATED BY HIMSELF Philadelphia North American. FEW men have been more written about than Thomas Brackett Reed, yet the real story of' his career has escaped attention—the story’ of the influences which dominated hl* Ilf* and of the hopes and ambitions which raised him from humble boyhood to the position of one of the most forceful fac tor* in the political conditions of his time. . Reed had himself spoken of hi* early days, and of the circumstances which formed hl* opinion* and aspirations. He could trace his line back to George Cleeve, who built the flret white man’s habitation ever erected in the territory now includ ed in Portland, Me., where the future statesmen wa* born. tt The settlement was called "Stogumnor, in memory of an English field of that name, and it* founder’s life wa* one of ceaseless conflict, now with the white neighbor* of other settlements, now with the redskins, »o that Cleeve left behind him the impress of a bold, vigorous pio neer. Inherited Daring. His daughter became the wife of Mi chael Mllten, whose two daughters In turn were married to two brothers named Brackett. One of the Brackett daughters was espoused by a fisherman named -Reed, and Thomas Brackett Reed was his descendant. Much of the nerve and dar ing of old George Cleeve was Inherited b y h,m - L. "Literature and old romances attracted me most when I was a boy." said Mr. Reed, when discussing his boyhood re cently. “I liked them better than text books. But a spare young man named Mose* Lyford was my teacher, and he was the best disciplinarian I ever knew. “He had the art of holding a turbulent school by finding out what was the par ticular spring he could touch to control every one of his lawless boys. His pull on me was dismissal. By simply holding that threat over me at critical moments he conquered. “You s*e, I had a sort of inborn idea that school was a great thing for me, and I also knew that my parents were too poor to be able to send me anywhere else, so I kept straight as best I could. He had away of letting every boy who had no demerits ring, hi* bell before leaving the class. Reed Reprimanded. •lOnce, for three days, I did not ring that bell. He came to me and said, ‘Tom, is It an Inadvertence?’ " 'No. sir,’ I answered. ‘Did you break the rules?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Why?' 'Because they were too hard.’ 'Well.' he said, you know what you can do if the rules are too hard. You can leave school.’ I hung my head, and he went away, saying, 'Never let me hear of this again, Tom.’ ’No. sir,’ I replied, and I meant it.” Os his course at Bowdoin college, where he patd his own way. Reed admitted that he had neglected many things, because he spent too much time on light literature. The truth is that his college experience wa* rather hard. Hi* life-struggle began with the first year there and he had to earn enough to pay his way as he went along. He had to remain out the *econd and third terme in order to earn money by teaching, but he kept up his studies without an Instructor. A Garret His Mecca. “All through the first part of my col lege course,” he said. ‘*l devoted a great deal of time to literature to the neglect of other studies. A garret in the house of on* of p»y mother’s relations became my mecca. It was packed full of books, especially novel*, and thither I wenL spending day* and the better part of the nights reading. “They were mostly trashy, imaginative stuff, but they gave me delight and some information. I believe I gained my knowl edge of word* from them. Anyway, they gradually waked me to a knowledge of higher and really Important literature." With graduation only a year off. Reed realised that hi* class standing was low. and at the eleventh hour he laid aside poems and romance* and got to work. "From that tim* on until commence ment,” he said, “I toiled. I got up at'five every morning and went promptly to bed at nine every night. I didn't Ilk* it and I felt every morning that I could sleep a month undisturbed. But I took the examination and parsed fifth, winning th* privilege of delivering on* of the ora tions." Became a School Teacher. After graduating he became assistant teacher In the Boys' High school at Port land, at a salary of >3O a month. His old comrades delight in telling how he once found it necessary to chastise a boy who was about his own age. Reed, as a teacher, had been cautioned against whipping any one without first consulting the members of the committee of th* district. But Reed was Reed, even in those days. The committee had not sustained his opinion in several previous cases, so be decided to act without it. He was fast losing his authority and he proposed to retrieve it, which he did in fifteen of what he afterward called “the most exciting minutes of my life.” It wa* a close victory, which a single pound more of avoirdupois added to th* pound might have decided against the teacher. After a year. Reed resigned this position and went into the law office of Howard & Stroul. in Portland, where he studied for two years. “But I found the law poor picking.” he added, “so I went to Cali fornia.” He acknowledged that he went In the steerage of a sailing vessel around Cape Horn. “I had no money to spare,” he said, “so I had to gn that way. I taught school at Stockton, and studied law again at San Jose. There was not jrery much out there for me, so I returned to Portland in 1861 and obtained an appointment as ar. acting assistant paymaster in the navy, in which capacity I seized for a year.” One of the most Interesting incidents of Reed’s California experience occurred in A gold basis was then maintained there, and the legal tender act was much discussed. One day Wallace, a prominent lawyer, went Into the office where Reed was studying and said: "Mr. Reed. I understand you want to be admitted to the bar. Have you studied CUBAN DEVELOPMENT CO. SWINDLING ITS PATRONS UNCLE SAM has discovered and ex posed a Cuban land scheme which was directed against the farmers of the United State*. Just be fore General Edward S. Bragg, United States consul general at Havana, wa* transferred to Hong Kong he made a strong report to the state department In Washington against a land company which had widely advertised their “ad mirable town and colony, a site on Ca chinos Bay, in the fertile Santa Clara province.” The tract was exploited a* a sort of paradise of beauty, of riotous fer tility to which investors and settler* were invited to hasten b*for* the last acre was sold. A search by General Bragg discovered the fact that the 96,000 acres referred to were, and appear on the gov ernment map a* a*vast swamp, with now and then an island plantation surrounded by water, swarming with crocodile* and full of mosquito** and deadly fevers. His report 1* Just being acted upon by th* government. Judge James C, Beeks, of Chicago, an old friend of General Bragg, while in Cu ba was requested to join in looking into the *ch«me. To a Herald reporter yes terday Judge Beeks gave significant in formation about the so called enterprise. Among other things he said: "I was in Cuba to pass on title* to real estate for parties about to purchase a plantation on the island. While there my attention was called to property ex ploited by what 1* called 'The American- Cuban Development company, claiming to control M.Cto acre*. Upon investigation I found that it was principally swamp land. “I'asked General Edward S. Bragg, who was then United States consul general at Havana, to join me in an investigation. Th* conclusion reached was that the prop erty could not b* susceptible of cultiva tion, that it* exploitation in the United States wn injurious to legitimate enter prises in Cuba, and that the people of th* United States were being duped by ths law?” “Yes, sir,” replied Reed. "I studied law m Maine while teaching.” “Well,” said Wallace, “I have one ques* don to ask. la the legal tender act con* stitutional?” “Yes,” said Reed. “You shall be admitted to the bar,* re* plied Wallace. Tom Bodley, a deputy sheriff, who alee had legal aspirations. was asked the same queetkn, and he said, “No.” We will admit you both,” said Wallace, “for any* body who can answer offhand a question like that ought to practice law in this covntry.” It was through his law practice that Reed gradually got into politics. He was sent to the state legislature and served two terms, after which he became aS* torney general of Maine, and then city solicitor of Portland. He was elected td ctngress in 1876. • When he went up from Portland he wag escorted by one of his colleagues to i| seat. His massive figure, and his repo* tatlon as a wit and orator, interested olds er members. S. 8. Cox was one of thoedt who knew of this. He turned to William P. Frye, then a member from Maine, and said: “Well, Frye* I see your state has send another Intellectual and physical gian* 4 here.” "Whom do you mean?” "This man Reed, who must be even nowi cracking a joke, for I see they are a* crowding about him.” Power of Sarcasm. Tn a later congress, his power of sar*, casm and of insinuating inquiry furnished the electoral irquiry committee and the public with the most dramatic scenes thag occurred at any of its sessions. By cross examining one clever scoundrel for twS whole days, he at length compelled him to admit that he was a forger. In the fifty* first congress he took the speaker's chaiife When he retired three years ago he waa asked if he had ever had a doubt of the justice of his stand regarding the count* * tng of a quorum, and he answered: company's efforts to sell lands in a portioa of the island where the natives couli scarcely exist. “At my suggestion General Bragg made application to the secretary of state of the United States for permission to pub lish the facts. A statement was th*- n issued by the department of state to the effect that the district was not inhabitable by white men and that the lands were nearly all covered with water; that they, could be reached only by canoes or boats' or horses clothed with hard leather to pre* • ' vent injury from the coral in the water through which they would have to pass ' in going from one oasis or island to as>» other. “In our investigation we. referred to the Cuban census of 1899, taken under the di* rection of the United States war depart ment. According to this census report the entire Zapata swamp is uninhabitable by white men, and very few natives lira there. It showed also that the native* iive chiefly on crocodile tails, agouti and honey. "The harbor of CoeMnas, or Cochinas Bay, is not capable of entry by vessels of a greater draught than four and one* half feet. There is not and never hag been a line of steamers between Bataba no -nd Cochinas Bay, as is set forth b# the printed matter afloat in the United States; and it would be impossible foe steamers to be used between these two points, because the water is not deep enough. “The conclusion we reached after a very thorough investigation was that any come party making representations such as Wg were advised had ben made by the AmerW car.-Cuban Development company regard ing this property were perpetrating a fraud upon the public and that the scheme should be exposed. General Bragg intend ed receiving the consent of the secre-i tary of state to write an article fully ex posing the whole situation and cause tti to be published throughout ths unton, but just about that time he was transfer-i red from Havana to Hong Kong. After a man has been in a red-het love flgatr and got out of it, be is too suepielous of women to believe that his own grandmother is not try- * - : Ing to marry him. a