San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 337, Ed. 1 Monday, December 2, 1912 Page: 4 of 12
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SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS: MONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 2, 191.
$cn Antonio €*prc©
SSr
By The Express Publishing Company.
MONDAY. DECKMBElt 1!, l'.'l--
limereU lu the I'ostoltica ut 8au Anloulo, 1
as aecoud-clusa Matter.
iOK£l(,M KtMM.as Ol illtS.
'the John Uutlel Lu.
Lasteru otlli c, XiruiiMU i« W Building, -New York.
Western ofiices, tribune Building. Chicago,
11).; ChemUul Building, SI. Louis. Itu.
AOK.Vis lOUUtSl'O.Nlit. NTs.
Washington, l.i. C.—Austin Cuuuiugh.au.
Austiu, Tex.- Ku S. Nuuiou, Ji: uisl Sixth
Street, iinskiil liutei Hulliliiij,- Uid iiUuue ISM.
'Traveling Agents William Burke, viguige .
Hutt, A. J. KeuiieiUs, t. J. lilsea, a. J. benedict
A'. VS. i'uttuu, i iicujaUou .nanu^er.
Austin Business otfUe 11. 11. l'utterauu, 1U
East Sixth Street, Luishill llutel building. Uiu
pnone isss.
! rcction, but much remains to be done yet.
! and though there are several features no
less important, tliht of useless wrangling by
lav, vers deserves a full share of considera-
tion.
it-.nus ot siusi mi Tio.s.
By currier—
l>uiiy, i uiuuth... .$ .7-)
iniuy, ti uiuutiin... 4.Ch»
t>UlJy, LUOlililH .. . v.uu
pt'iui- Weekly, t» U408. .oo
ily mail—
lJaiiy, x month.,. •$ 1
luuiy, <j UlUlitllS-. i -•»
Daily, 1- luuiulis■ •
»>eun-W ti'Uiy, U u.u»a». ti
bunuuy Luiuou, uy mall, 0 uios., frii J- moa-, *-
iiie poatugt) raits tor uiuUiug luc Lxpie&tf ur>;
us toiJuws;
fc to 14 pages Ul W to 04 14
10 to pu^es u« Ui to 7- ^
fcau Autouio i-.xpie.ss bjufcial Aewspupfi 1j.uu
(Service luauguiait'll Decern her ii>, Kkmj lcuxes
international & ureat Northern Depot at
a. m. lor Austiu, iaylor, ue»»igoto\vu, Ilea rue
uud iutermeuiute poiuib. Tliis train makes all
laiiroau connections eu rouie. Arrives Auslin
t.JO a. in.; iaylor, 6;j,j a. iu., llearue, li:-U a. ui.
This jb tue lon^tsi run oi a uewspuper special
traiu in lUe euuie houtJj, being loj miles, unU
this traiu is opt'tated solely lor tue ueuuiit oi
'•itie ban Autouio press.
lilti CJllLa Ok IbXAS—-CUNbLtt lull).
£A> AMOMO.Houston 7S,nhi
Uai'aa lui tort Worth 73,31.
UkCOLA 1 iON BOOKS
OPLiN 10 ADVERTISERS
Speaking of New Year resolutions, the
man who sweats off at that season generaljy
swears oft.
There appears to be some reason to sus-
pect that President Taft's canning factory
has put on a night shift.
We shall never be quite sure that Methuse-
lah would have lived so long if he had been
compelled to dodge automobiles as we do.
If we really have been buying malarial
oysters all these years without knowing it,
some scalawags must have been working the
shell game on us.
Hungry politicians are advised to eat pium
pudding Christmas day, as there may not
be enough of the article to go round after
Woodrow Wilson begins dispensing it.
The President's message will be silent on
the question of foreign relations, it is said.
This may be all right, but it does seem it
would do no harm to say a kind word for
our poor relations.
It should be explained for the benefit of
benighted newspaper men in Dallas and
Houston that the recommendation made by
the San Antonio Council committee for re-
ducing the water rate is not for the purpose
of encouraging bathing.
We are not quite sure what position in
the Wilson cabinet that California woman
wants; but if her culinary skill enables her
to satisfy the demands of a hungry stomach
With more than ordinary ability she might
vbe appointed Secretary of the Interior.
WRANGLING IN COURT.
THE HEADSMAN'S AX.
The headsman's ax is beginning to fall in
earnest, and Bull Moose political heads are
dropping into the wasiebasket.
President Taft was a little late about tak-
ing the action that might have inured to his
benefit in the political campaign that termi-
nated so disastrously for him. For months
after the Colonel threw his hat in the ring
the President permitted Federal appointees
who were under obligations to him to use
their personal and official influence to les-
sen his chances for a renomination and, sub-
sequently, for a re-election.
Dismissal of the offending officeholders
at this time can be of no real service to the
present administration, except the satisfac-
tion it may afford of seeing the heads fall
into the wastebasket, but the outgoing Pres-
ident may be thereby making easier the way
of the incoming President for "turning the
rascals out" and putting Democrats in their
places. It is not at all supposable that the
Senate will confirm these appointments
made in recess, so they are not likely to
serve more than a few months, or until their
successors are appointed by President Wil-
son and approved by the Senate. There are
enough Progressives in the Senate of the
present Congress, in co-operation with the
Democrats, to prevent the confirmation of
any recess appointments made by President
Taft to get rid of Bull Moose officeholders,
while there will not likely be any difficulty
about the confirmation of President Wil-
son's appointments to displace the appointees
by whom the Progressives were ousted.
Thus President Taft may be considered to
have done a good turn for his successor,
partly in atonement for his executive order
placing about 3fi,000 postmasters in the civil
service list, and thereby cutting out the
chances of that number of Democrats who
might be willing to serve their country as
postmasters. But the incoming President
may set aside this executive order, if he
feels so disposed, and possibly he will.
DEFECTIVE ELECTION LAW.
A juror in a case on trial in a court in
•'Waco the other day made a very sensible
and telling plea for judicial reform in a
criticism he made of the procedure which
permits lawyers to waste valuable time in
discussing points which do not touch the
merits of the case.
For three hours the opposing attorneys
had wrangled over technical questions, rc-
i tarding the trial of the case while the lourt
■ and jury sat impatient for the proceedings
to end. Finally one of the jurors arose and,
addressing the court, made this earnest pro-
test:
* Your honor. I wns told this tv.os an ordinary
cn*e of fijflitlns and cnnld be disposed of In »
few minutes, el*» I would have availed myself
of th« IbshI eiHise of sickness In my family and
declined to serve ns n juror. I have sat herr
now three hours listening to a K-'useh'^s wranulo
over the Immateriality of tills and the Irrelevancy
of that to my disgust, and 1 want to say that
such exhibition of technical nonsense is a <Iis
grace to our civilization. If these lawyers would
let us h»ar the wllnes>es tell what they know
about the case It would not lake thirty minutes
to dispose of It I appeal In Hie court (:► stop
this foolishness and (jive us Hie evidence. I want
to go home to niy sl< k wife
Acting on this suggestion, the court
promptly put a stop to the wrangle and the
case was tried in twenty minutes. This was
, by no means an unusual proceeding. It may
be that a ease is not often tried in twenty
maums rfter three hours wasted in discus-
sion t" the lawyers, but there are pleqty of
instances in uhich more time is wasted h\
the lawyers than is necessary to try a case
after it has been divested of useless dis-
cus-ions and unnecessary pleadings.
If court procedure limited discussions and
;/technical pleadings to only what arc essen-
; tial to a fair trial on the merits of a case,
* the trial would be greatly facilitated, the
dockets would be relieved of a great part
» cf theit congestion, the higher courts would
be able to dispose of appeals more promptly,
the State and the counties would be saved a
great expense, jurors and vi»nc-<e5 would
be saved considerable loss of lime and jus-
tice would be more evenly meted out There
should be no disposition to go tn an e\trem<
in simplifying court method?, but there i»
o much surplusage* that cin be eliminated
at the process of elimination should not
long delayed. The higher courts have
"tly taken an advanced step in this di-
The failure of officials in forty-six coun-
ties in the State to make returns of elections
of presidential electors within the time pro-
vided by law furnishes another illustration
of inefficiency of the election laws, which,
with others, demand an improvement in the
regulations for voting and making returns.
The fact that some of the delinquents are
in the largest counties in the State, the
County Judges of which are lawyers, indi-
cates that the failures to comply with the
law are not entirely due :o ignorance, so the
delinquency must be attributed to neglect,
and this neglect results in delay in making
the official count which is always incon-
venient, and in cases where the votes were
close between competing candidates great
confusion might result. Prior to the election
there was considerable uncertainty in some
counties because errors were made in print-
ing the tickets, a circumstance which prompt-
ed The Express to suggest that the tickets to
be used in all counties be either printed by
the State or that official copies for the
tickets be sent by the Secretary of State to
the County judge in ^aeh county to be used
by him in having the tickets printed at a lo-
cal printing establishment.
In addition to this, the State officials
should mail to each County Judge in the
State, so that it would be received on the
morning following an election, blank returns
to be filled out and sent in, and these blanks
should be accompanied by a letter calling
attention to the law which makes a failure
to make the returns wthin the prescribed
time an offense. It is apparent that the
law must be amended before the results it
now contemplates can be obtained.
STARVE TIIE FLY.
Notwithstanding flies are not so bad at
this season as during warmer weather, now
is the time to do effective work to extermi-
nate the pests. By keeping premises clean
during the winter there will not be so many
flies hatched in the spring. The old adage:
"An ounce of prevention is better than a
pound of cure" applies with great force to
the extermination of the fly.
At the recent meeting in Baltimore of the
American Civic Association, the chairman of
the convention, F.dward Hatch Jr., declared
that the slogan, "Swat the Fly," should be
changed to "Starve the Fly": and this slogan
dc-erves mote consideration than the aver-
age person is likely to give it. By keeping
premises, streets and alleys free from such
things as constitute the food of fiics, they
will be starved out and there will not be
so many flics to swat when the weather
grows warm again.
Trash is allowed to accumulate i;i places
during the winter months which are kept
I clean in hot weather, because the danger
j from flies is the more greatly appreciated
! when they are swarming on every hand, and
as a result breeding places of this character
i produce millions of flics which should never
exist. In Texas, particularly in South Texas,
flics live during the entire winter, and if
they are supplied with breeding places and
foo,i tbev will produce their kind regularly
and when spring comes the work of swatting
will be mu'h more difficult than if precau-
tionary measures were taken in time.
oath of office on the day pre cribed by law,
but deferring the social feature of the affair
until a time when the weather may be more
settled.
Of course the new President will enter
upon his duties immediately after taking the
oath of office, the other features of the in-
auguration being nonessential, and this ap-
pears to be the best method for disposing of
the problem. In this Mr. Wilson has exhib-
ited the tact and diplomacy that characterized
his policy during the campaign, and it gives
promise that he has sufficient tact to man-
age his administration in such a way that
it will safely avoid the rocks and shoals
which have been pointed out in its course.
In fact, Mr. Wilson has surprised even his
friends by the skill he has manifested ever
since the nomination was given him at the
Baltimore convention. Not a mistake was
made by him during the campaign, though
if was filled with delicate situations which
would have been the undoing of many men.
Every word and act of his, however, was as
discreet as if it had been considered for
weeks, although frequently there was no
time for deliberation. Mr. Wilson is a most
remarkable man in this respect, one who
has the faculty of doing the right thing at
the right time, and it is fortunate for the
country that a man possessing such faculty
has been chosen as its chief magistrate. His
policy from the time his name was first
mentioned in connection with the nomination
has given promise of a good administration,
and it is not probable that he will disap-
point those who are expecting so much front
him.
TEXAS PRESS PICKINGS
Everybody Is.
Way down doop within their hearts
Everybody's lonesome,
Far within their srvret parts
Everybody's lonesome.
Makes no differenre how they smile.
How they live or what their style;
Onoe in every Mttlc while
Everybody's lonesome.
People first In biff affairs—
Evon they are lonesome.
Maybe like to put on airs;
Just the same, they're lonpsome.
Men for whom existence blends
Every good; who pain all ends,
Still reach out their hands for friends;
Everybody's lonesome.
Women, silk-dad, jeweled fine,
Yes, they, too, are lonesome.
When their perns (he brightest shine,
They are just as lonesome.
Some must serve and some command;
All still seek, with groping hand,
Love, and friends who understand,
Everybody's lonesome.
Though your gift of friendship's small,
Everybody's lonesome.
It may answer someone's call;
Someone's who is lonesome.
Give and give with might and main.
Give your hands', ami join the chain;
And your gift will be your gain,
Some time, when you're lonesome.
The Parcels Post
WILSON'S TACT.
I Presidcnt-elcft Wilson has very rleverlv
I and very wisely solved the inauguration day
problem, so far as the approaching inau*u-
i nfion is concerned, by deciding to take the
The new parcels post law goes into effect on
Janaury 1, nnd while far from being all that the
friends of the system hoped for, Is a step in the
right direction The new law will doubtless he
Improved upon from time to time until the United
States is on a par with European countries In
this respect.
The new law permits the mailing of packages
weighing not more than eleven pounds, which
must not be more than seventy-ruo inches in
length and breadth combined. 1 p to four ounces
there will he a flat rate of 1 cent per ounce, or
part thereof, regardless of distance.
For packages weighing more than four ounces
the rates vary with the distance, which the fol-
lowing .table will explain;
, , Each
addi-
First tloual
pound, pound.
Rural route and city delivery (»5 ,ui
50-mile zone or> .o.i
1 fKMiiilo /.one oil ii i
.'iOb-inile zone (17 .<>.•
(iOti-hille zone 08 .'»ii
j 1,000-u ile zone 00 .OT
j 1,400-inile zone 10 .01)
' 1800-mile zone It .10
| over ,J,£Oo mi'es 12 .1-'
li ltj interesting to compare the above table
with tue postal rates from Europe to any part
j of the United States, including ti.importation by
: sta, as shown by the following table prepared
i .by the Postal Progress League:
| From Norway 2.2 lbs. l(lc
I From Norway 1.1 lbs. 82e
i From Germany 4.4 lbs.
j From Italy 7 lbs. ,'iilc
From Italy 11 lbs. 7!»e
: F)"in Great Britain .11 lbs. 7Ue
i From this it will be seen that an eleven-pound
package, which ran be sent from Home to Sau
1 'lam-iseo for 70 cents, will cost from New York
to tho same destination $1 a tiviueudous dis
crimination in favor of the foreigner against our
own ritizens.
I usances like these will doubtle.s do much t >•
ward helping along the cause "f the pareelt post.
■ d evimuaFlj gite to this country a system that
! will bt a real and lasting belief it tQ ftoth pro-
ducer sod coi lumer^Denver News
Christmas Shopping.
Already the warning is being souuded to shop
early. They who shop early shop twice, for they
get the best selection as well as the best atten-
tion. Selection of articles and proper atten-
tion from those who hfive their sale are the two
elements in successful shopping Figured out
iu terms of satisfaction the early shopper had
a 100 per cent advantage over the late one. The
department stores with their variety of colors,
of fabrics and articles of one and another sort,
resemble nothing so much ns a bed of opals sud-
denly brought to view. The fire and glow, so
to speak, in a department store display affords
a color effect and a scheme that would interest
an artist.
Mingling and merging in tin jiMp* are the
bright-faced women, with c.inei nnd anxious
giaiors 1 ist about them for tl- selection
of the things that most appeal The prene will
change three weeks hence, when tlo-s met in the
downtown stores will carry feverish anxiety upon
their countenances, petulance In their looks, as-
perity on the tips of their tonmies Hack of the
e< liutei*. Instead of rows of smiling and attentive
salesladies, will be an exhibit of weary nnd Worn
ymm. women without the ener^v a<ol heart to
pel film their duties with cheerfulness as they
would like.
Therefore, early shopping is Impressed upon
everyone if F humanitarian, H is sensible it
practical. Thore who say they can't shop
early • i° often hiding behind a weik exetise. By
t bopping early they not only avoid the rush, but
(Fev ore the be t for their monev under the
i i .i«*t favorable conditions Therefore, early
I < hiistn i shopping is the modern s.\ tein. Bal-
timore Amerler.n.
A (tratifying Adjustment.
I The adjustment of the demands of the locomo-
tive engineers through arbitration should give
general and profound gratification, ft was the
most amliltfous *« heme of arbitration in a labor
j dispute yet attempted In this countn
Thlnv thousand loc.,motive engine,n and flre-
I men of fifty two railroad e >mpauies are parties
to tic arbitration The pi a-etui settlement of
then- diff' i' i" e. |»y nrbltiall ii 1- from the stand-
point of the i.eii"i ii pub!!' a great triumph for a
righteous principle The stoppiue of transporta-
tion on Midi a In-" fraction of railway systems
of th** roiieti • would have l»e<»n i publi, calamity
of Incab ul.ib e proportions Philadelphia Press
Awful Propped.
If old Abdul II imid's pension i* stopped a good
many harem ladles may have to ber ,nie typists
ami 'ie I lots."—Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Conflicting Laws,
Dallas News: Mr. Walthall of this State spoke
| like a statesman, with respect to our patent laws,
j before the National Association of Attorneys
I General In St. Louis the other day. Between the
I spirit of our patent laws and that of our anti-
trust laws there is an antagonism, au antago-
' nism that results naturally from the difference
j between the conditions that obtained n't the time
I of the enactment of our pateut laws and those
that obtaiu now. The pateut laws not only
' abridge the scope of the antitrust laws, but
I iu many cases nullify them, and the cases lu
which the antitrust laws are nullified by the
patent laws are more numerous than one would
imagine until he reflects now many of the necessi-
ties and comforts of life to say nothing ot its
luxuries-have become the inventions of men's
minds, at least to the degree that seems to "en-
title them to patent rights. With this antago-
nism existing, and existing too palpably for de-
nial, the question that presses it self on us is
whether we are to abate the philosophy of our
antitrust laws or to delimit the privilege that
inheres in our patent laws? What the answer
will be when the American people fully direct
their thinking to that question is very plain.
They will order a delimitation of the privilege
granted by the patent laws.
A Substantial Showing.
Fort Worth Star Telegram: The monthly bul-
letin issued for October by the Texas Commercial
Secretaries and Business Men's Association makes
a showlug that should increase the satisfaction
and confidence of nil men who believe In Texas.
The comparative Increase in material wealth in
the various fields of activity makes a substantial
chapter in the history of Texas progress and
uevelopnent. Agriculture, of course, heads the
list, with a gain of over $124,000,000, or over 02
per cent. Tim gross increase for all industries
passes $151,000,000, and is the rise of 47 per cent.
It is encouraging to see that, while factory
production showed no increase for the month, it
amounted to more than $12,.V)0,ooo, which, with
the information that forty-nine additional fac-
tory plants are under construction, goes to shoti
tlie general awakening and activity in that line.
Oil and mineral products for the month foot up
$0,308,000, which is not what it should be. but
shows that ei terprise and push are continually
on the job in many parts of the State.
it is confident!} asserted bj men ot wide in-
formation that some modification lo make our
mining laws more liberal to prospectors will
soon double, treble nnd quadruple the annual
production of valuable minerals. This Is a vital
point for the incoming Legislature to consider.
A most substantial factor in the total of agri
Miltural production is the Texas rice crop, placed
at about 400,000,000 pounds for this year. Less
than twenty years ago fairly well informed men
wondered if Texas would really become a rice-
growing State.
Our Texas coast fishermen in October caught
and marketed fish and oysters amounting to
£110,000. They ought to have done better than
this, and Colonel Sterett says they must. The
Texas coast should supply Texas with fish and
M.sters and command some of the outside mar-
kets besides. The patient lone fisherman of the
interior with a good seat in the shade and a
pipe may wait two hours for a bit.', but the sea
const, fishing industry can t succeed on this plan.
It must be stirred up and built up and boosted.
Colonel Sterett has promised, if the Legislature
will help him, to make our Texas fisheries a
poing business worth many millions a year. We
hope he will make good.
One great money-getting crop, especially of
West Texas pecans is spotted and below nor-
mal, as a whole, and in some sections a decided
shortage is reported. Here is another point, not
for the Legislature, but for the nut growers to
ronsioer. The claim is made by practical and
informed men that too much and too early
thrashing and beating of the trees is very largely
! icsponsihle for off years and under-production of
marketable pecans. Evidently, if this be true.
| anxiety and zeal to get the crop on the market
early will have to give place to a little more
patience and sound judgment in gathering.
Otherwise, the shortages and spotted crops will
increase from year to year. This the growers
cannot afford, for the pecan crop; being self-
producing and calling for no expense except
gathering, has been for yearn one ot the greatest
cash side products of the State, if it can be
so called, for it ranks well up with the standard
and dependable resources.
Considered as a whole, Texas Is doing first
rate In nearly all lines. We need more railroads
and many tThousands of miles of good wagon
roads, and if the counties and sections show
the proper spirit of push and determination, and
at the same time keep the solons at Austin re-
minded that the days of corporation-baiting iu
Texas are past, we will get them in due season.
(iood Legislation.
Horn ton Post: The fading of the political
contests of the year found the people in a fine
frame of mind to enjoy Thanksgiving festivities,
and the season's happiness is greatly heightened
by Christmas anticipations. It is good for the
people to have annually this season of good will.
It imbues theu: with the proper spirit and
brightens their optimism, as the new year ap-
proaches.
The people of Texas have reason to rejoice
in the circumstance that thev are about to enter
upon a year that will be free from political tur-
moil. We have had six years of almost con-
stant campaigning. There have been quarreling
nnd bitterness of the most virulent nature and
so pronounced have been the differences of opin-
ion over issues that many times the State and
its highest interests have suffered.
Let us hope that we are to have *an era of
harmony In 1013. There are so many oppor-
tunities for the people to accomplish great things
by working together that it would be a pity, in-
deed. if they were to fritter away their time iu
useless contention.
However we may disagree over politics, surely
all the people agree that the Legislature soon
to assemble will lave an exceptional opportunity
to render telling service for Texas, it will hav»
the mandate of the people to mark the course
of its deliberations upou such issues ns have
divided lis, and that, will obviate the necessity
for such friction as rendered the last Legis-
lature Impotent.
The time Is ripe for harmonious and con-
structive effort for the good of the whole State-
Texas is progressing now as it has never pro-
gressed before. The tremendous production of
the present year has opened the eyes of the world
t - her matchless possibilities. The situation is
ripe for a wonderful move forward, and if the
! lawmakers avoid needless friction and forget
past quarrels pud co-operate in the proper spirit,
the people will rise up and call them blessed
when they shall have concluded their labors.
Incrensed Values.
Fort Worth Record: It is gratifying to learn
from the report of Comptroller Lane to the Gov-
ernor that, contrary to early estimates, the as-
sessed values of the State this year exceed those
of last year by $17,077,305. Perhaps that will save
the State from the deficit Which Treasurer Kd-
wards forecast a few weeks ago.
Mr. Lane says: "At the time the first 100
counties had reported to the department their
assessed valuation it appeared that there wouM
be a decrease in tlie total value of the State for
i year, but inter returns from tht remaining
counties have shown such h remarkable Increase
im to advance the assessed values of the State
for 1012 over that reported for 1011 in a sub-
stantial sum The total value of the State for
the last two years Is ns follows; ifirj,
7in.fi.vi: loll. VJ.5i5.fl:;-_\74.V. Increase, *17.077,^15 '
We infer from this statement that many
counties of tlie 100 first reporting must have
M bitrarlly lowered their assessments, for there
is nothing In the general conditions In the State
to Indicate a decrease In market values In any
lection or in any consider,ib'e number of
counties I ndci our assessment laws each county
fives assessable values to suit |ts»-!f, and the
temptation of each is to fii low vnltios in order
to reduce the amounts the taxpayers pay to the
Hate In many counties a low basis of assess-
ment will be sufficient to yield nil needed county
revenue at the maximum rate allowed for county
taxation, while in many counties a high basis of
assessment must be used In order to secure suf-
ficient local revenue
I nder the full rendition law passed under the
Campbell administration some of the low ns
iffsment counties raised the basis of assessment,
but apparently th»'.v have lap-ed lack into the
1 Id sytem or lack of system
It is a situation of inequality and lujustlce,
but apparently it is irremediable without vest-
ing power in a State board to revise assessments,
but that cannot be done without a constitutional
amendment.
Meanwhile, the net increase of $17,000,000 shows
that the wealth of the state is growing to such
nn extent tint assessed values are higher in spite
of arbitrarily reduced assefe.-siueuts iu many
counties.
FINNEY
BV TERKKS 10\.
It didn't tokc the bovs long to find out that
Finney was ostentatious. The very first day ofter
he enlisted, when he hod discarded bis baggy
Jeau trouiers, his short-backed, rusty coat and
his relic of a silk hat for a spotless blue uniform,
such ns t'nele Sam's soldiers wear, the jaunty,
springy movements of his knees gave him away.
When he first stepped out to drill, several of
the men nearest him. having had the good for-
tune to be humble, and observant during n similar
ordeal, indulged In smiles at the sobriety and
earnestness with which Finne.v perfected his high
stepping; ami two there were who Unshed at this
Illustration of a fatal weakness of their own,
which at their first drill had earned one the
nickname of "springheels" and the other that of
"tenderfoot."
Among those who had observed the recruit's
antics was the boy of the regiment, a grinning
urchin known to bis associates as "the soul" a
sobriquet which owed its origin to a pointed and
not particularly complimentary allusion to that
young man's soul, made by "tenderfoot" one day
after enduring a long siege of chaffing and it
was "the soul' who furnished the unhappy Fin-
ney with a nickname.
"Say, fellers, the greenle thinks he's steppln'
on eggshells!"' he cried. And from that day
Finney was Finney 110 longer, but "eggshells. '
When his comrades first addressed him In this
manner he Ignored It. Then he uttered a mild
protest.
"If yes are spnkln' to me. me name's Finney •
Patrick Finney." be said with dignity. When
this proved unavailing he remained doggedly
silent when the bated appellation was applied to
him.
It took him three months before he became
sufficiently reconciled to his pseudonym to reply
to it. Then one morning the soap was missing.
"Didn't you have it last, Eggshells?" someone
asked. "01 did, Buckles,'' was the hearty re-
sponse. Finney had at last entered into the spirit
of the place.
One wintry night three officers were lounging
around a fire, talking, when a slight crunching
of the snow without attracted their attention,
and one went to the window nnd looked out.
Close to the glass a face was pressed.
"Is it you. Eggshells? Come around to the
door nnd tell us what in the devil you're after.'
The doctor had elevated his feet to the back
of the chair near the red hot stove, when Egg-
shells stood In the doorway.
"Excuse me fur papln' through the winder,
sor, but I wanted to make sure where the doc-
thor was afore I disturbed yez."
"Well, don't keep that door open and let in
all the cold outdoors." roared the colonel. "Either
come in or get out.'*
Eggshells made a sign to the doctor and then
hurriedly retreated, closing the door.
"The man's insane," the colonel said impa-
tiently, and the three men resumed their inter-
rupted conversation.
After a while the doctor stood up.
"I can t help thinking of that Infernal idiot,
he said. "He evidently means something. Egg-
shells' eyes don't always speak such an eloquent
dead language. I'm going to hunt him up."
So saying, he buttoned up his coat and went
out. Just outside the door Eggshells confronted
him.
"What is it. man?" he demanded.
Eggshells, leaning forward, whispered some
thing. Theu the two men strode off abruptly,
side by side.
"When did you notice that?" the doctor asked
presently. "And why In heaven's name didn't
you come to me at once?"
"01 did. sor," was the reply. And the doctor
groaned as he thought of the long delay since
Eggshells had beckoned him out.
When they went in, the bov of the regiment,
"the soul," lay tossing uneasily.
The men were standing in groups, listening to
the doctor, who had been authorized to speak.
'lie is isolated and 1 think there is 110 pos-
sible chance of contagion," he was saying; 'but
he ought to have a nurse. Have any of you had
the smallpox?"
There was none, and for a moment the doctor's
appeal brought forth no response. Then one of
the men in blue stepped out with a jaunty, spring
step and volunteered his services.
The doctor turned to him.
"Von realize what you are doing, having never
had the disease?" he said
Eggshells bowed ostentatiously, but his usually
ruddy face was pale. Yes, he realized,
pays passed. "The soul." the Imp of mischief,
who bad endeared himself to all by his very
deviltry, was battling with death far out on the
prairie, where a flag fluttered in the breeze; and
there was not a man in the regiment who did
not regard his nurse ns a hero. Then one day a
gun boomed, and the men knew that "the soul"
had crossed the waters that divided time and
eternity; that lie had left his mischief, his devil-
try, his heartlessness and gone where the soul
takes on ways that are not of this earth.
When the news came that Eggshells, his faith-
ful nurse, wan stricken with the dread disease,
a dozen men "without families," they said—•
volunteered to take care of him; but the doctor
had procured a nurse who had had the small-
pox, and for whom, In consequence, there was
no danger.
One day the doctor stopped to exchange a few
words with a group of men who were off duty.
"Very bad," he answered in response to their
eager questioning as to Eggshells' condition,
"lie's delirious. I listened last night. He was
saying -
"What was he saying, sir?" Buckles asked an
the doctor hesitated.
"He was saying: 'May the Lord save me! Is
it Eggshells they'll be afther callin' me. whin 01
thought to be a man and a soldier? Is it Egg-
shells 01 must answer to an' be known by? May
the Lord help me to bear the shnme and dis-
grace of it an' forgive the blackguard that fir**
called me that!'" And the doctor went on his
way, leaving a very silent group behind him.
Everybody knew who had first supplied the
hated epithet to Finney. It was the boy whose
life Eggshells had so generously, though vainly, (|
risked his own to save.
The quarantine was over, and Eggshells had
been driven in under cover of nlsht, at his own
request. When the time for drill came he ap-
peared before his commandant trembling.
"Must oi go. sor?"
"Certainly you must," the captain said.
"Why not?"
The man's response was almost sobbed forth:
"Oi am ashamed."
"Ashamed of what?" t-he captain asked brusk-
ly. "Because your beauty's spoiled? Oh, you—
you vain coward!"
Then he wrung the man's hand with a fervor
that belied his words, and gently pushed him out.
The men were already drawn up in line when
a soldier with blue and livid face, with eyelids f\
scarred in <0 hideous irregularities, staggered to
his place In the ranks. Fof an Instant there was
a profound silence, then cheer after cheer rang
out, and the men passed iu a b.ng line to grasp
his hand. He could not but feel their earnest-
ness, and he realized suddenly that be had in
some way merited their respect, lie forgot, his
scarred face and assumed his old, jaunty, osten-
tatious manner; for In passing each man had
called him Finney.
(Copyright by the Frank A. Munsey Company.)
School of God Manners
Los Angeles, Col., hns taken steps to provide
a course In jjood manners for Its normal school.
Those '•'ho are to Instruct the young in the pun-
Hi schools of that city henceforth are them-
selves to lie taught along lines that have here-
tofore been liecineil unnecessary In most Ameri-
can communities. The course Is made compul-
sory, and the aspirant for a position In the
teaching corps must lie up to the standard In
manners, as well as In mathematics and other
essentials, before a certificate will lie gtauted.
Whether the criticism so frequently directed
against American manners by foreign visitors is
or Is not well-foundod, It Is a healthful sign
that it has been, generally speaking, good-na-
tutedly received; a still more wholesome t>"i-
("enco of the disposition of the Nation Is 10 he
found In Its willingness to learn of those who
are more advanced In any particular wherein il
is deficient and in what way It may best lmpronj
Itself.
Much that is accounted by strangers crude, or
coarse, or unmannerly iu the United States, or,
for that matter, In any other country, Is oniv
apparently so. Customs and manners vary with
the crossing of every political boundary. '1 li.it
which seems lacking in warmth, iu hospitality,
in courtesy to the new arrival, very often appeals
pleasingly to the visitor after aeclluiutiiiiVtloii.
One of the severest critics the United States
has ever had, Charles Dickens, was moved, after
a tirade against (he country iti general, to ai -
knowledge that in no part of the world, so far
as he was cognizant, were tuen as courteous, to
women as iu the United .States, Later, when
lie had seen and learned more of the country
and its people, he made generous amends for all
his fault-finding by saying that not even in his
own land could he have been treated with greater
delicacy, consideration or hospitality.
Cause for criticism on the polut of manners
may lie found In any country amogg Individuals.
The people of Hih United Slates as a whole are
us well-mannered as any other people, If tn.e
manners are expressed In social gentleness, kind-
ness, heartiness, solicitude for another's coinfoit,
regard for another's welfare. Courtesy, here and
elsewhere, however. Is too frequently lost signt
of by the Ill-bred, self centered and careless in-
dividual, ns well as by the headstrong, iudif-
fermt and selfish crowd. In recent years we
hue had striking evidences of tile fact that
the higher human virtues, like gallantly and
heroism, any more than vices like cownrdka and
brutality, are not National nor racial.
Ii holds good, neveitheiess, that the United
Stales has much to learn In the amenities, iu
politeness, in ordinary manners and that (he
nioie just made in Los Angeles is a proper oik.
The American public school teacher can scarcely
be lererred to except to be extolled: but If she
lias her faults, they are none the less deplorable
sometimes because they are trivial. Let us hope
that the l.os Augeles normal school co.uic lu
good manners may prove corrective nnd that Its
work mnv be worthy of emulation throughout
the country —Christian Science Monitor.
Only Daughter of Ihe King.
In the December Woman's Home Companion
appears an Interesting account of the little l'rln-
cess Mary of England who Is the only daughter
of the King and Queen of England. She Is now
],") years old. She has five brothers, lienrge.
Albert, Prince of Wales, .lolin and Henry. Au
extract from the article follows:
"AI the age of 4 the little princess hegan her
studies, (list In charge of a governess, and later,
with her fUe brothers, under direction of Mr.
Ilnnsell. Al A she could sew nnd knit, and tvrot*
a bold, round hand. II Is curious that, while
nil the women of the Rrlllsh royal family have
a clear, elegant chlrography, the men, even King
(ieortt.' hlnis.'lf, write a boyish, unformed hand
"At first, as in (lie case of most girls who have
only brothers in the fainllv, I illness Mary was
ratiier Inclined to regret not being born a buy:
but she soon learned that she could emulate her
brothers 111 a majority of things, and do some
others beyond their masculine power Not only
physically, hut mentally, she has managed to
gain their bo.vlsh respect, not a light thing to
master, as any girl with n group of sturdy
brothers well knows. The Prince of Wales lilni
self once, upon being asked If lie liked the pros-
pect of one diy being king, answered frankly.
'Ves'; then added with boyish earnestness, 'hilt
nil the ssiiie It would be a g"od ihltig If I coilld
turn the Job over to Mnr.v. she Is s • very clever.
Jon sev'
There Is nothing precocious olmut the princess
What she learns she learns bv hard application.
At >> she was a passable linguist: at I'.' she ro-
celved tlie i ompllnioiitM of. the French ambassador
on her inisterv "f bis language: (leruiaii she
rpeaks well. She tias yet to learn Italian, but
she is gettlug a fundamental knowledge of Latin
nnd Greek nud the piano nnd singing. Books of
adventure recommended by her brothers proved
her Introduction In literature, hilt her own tastes
have now assumed definite form, with Tennyson
ns her favorite poet Tile f)neen on.T found her
reading his idyls' w'hen she should have been
asleep History. In particular nil peltalnlng to
tireat Britain. Is part of her traiuiug. entailing
visits, together with her brothers. b> the British
Museum for research among Its manuscripts So.
all in all. her outlook ou the practical side of
education has been both broad nnd serious, as
l befits one who tome day may be a queen."
Oif in the Philippines
n
On three National occasions the Democratic
pnrty has declared lis belief that the Filipinos
should be made free and independent at tha
earliest possible date.
A Democratic bill has already been introduced
to hasten this happy event. Indeed, it fixes the
dale, July 4, 1013, when a sort of test, indepen-
dence shall lie proclaimed to them; and If llieyt
stand this for eight short years, then they aie
to go their own blissful way.
But this measure, fortunately, Is only one or
those everlasting opposition bills, introduced
without hope of ever becoming law. It would
be a shame to tie the Democratic party down to
it; for Democrats know just ns well ns every-
body else does that the Filipinos are not jet
capable of self-government.
Had either Mr. Roosevelt or Mr. Taft be»n
elected we might expect to hear n good deal of
the merits of this foredoomed Jones hill, hut
with a Democratic administration coming in tue
friends of its specific provisions seem to have
deserted II en masse. Even t he most ardent left
suggest that the term of probation is Somewhat
short—that n period of twenty-five or thirty
years of educational experimentation would ghe
better final results.
But. Ibis Is the view only of the radicals, the
top notch of modern anti-Imperialism. There
are many lower notches. Fortunately, Ihe Philip-
pines plank iu the platform Is itself the lamest;
in Its latest interpretation It Involves merely
such evidence of good will as Is contained In n
declaration of the Intention of this country to
set the Filipinos at liberty whenever and as soon
us we are convinced that they know how to gov-
ern themselves. To quote the Cleveland Plain
Dealer: "The selling of a date Is unnecessary;
Is. In fact, fraught with certain evident difficul-
ties.'' To such proportions, now that the Demo-
crats are coming Into power, has dwindled the
anti-imperialism which Iiryau chose as the Na-
tional issue in bis 100(1 campaign. There Is Im-
perative demand that the "thrice announced posi-
tion'' of the Democratic party In respect to our
colonial pe.'icy be substantiated by action. The
Filipinos must be gravely assured that at soma
time 111 the vague future they shall be held
worthy of and granted their independence. To
Some future generation and administration,
whether Democratic, Republican, Progressive, So-
cialist, or of some party as yet unborn, Is ex-
tended a cordial invitation to say when.
There is nothing In this to disturb the reflec-
tions of the most rabid Imperialist In the coun-
try. We trust, however, that it will bring abun-
dant joy to the hearts of Filipino patriots.—*
Cleveland Leader.
Oysters—And Oysters.
Without discounting in any degree Ihe good
work douc by various officials in calling atten-
tion to the filthy conditions under which some
oysters have been prepared for market, the Times
would be derelict In its duty if it failed to call
the attention of the public occasionally to the
fact that oysters are grown under natural con-
ditions In Long Island waters where purity may
lie assured. In the great majority of cases
where oysters are grown for the market, the
water Is clear nnd clean.
There are thousands of acres devoted to culti-
vation in Long Island Hound, for instance, where
there Is an average depth of r-lxtv feet of water
on the oysler beds. This Is not still water, but.
Is perpetually agitated by tidal currents. The
dredges that are sent to the bottom bring up
tn the steamer decks oysters and other shellfish
whose under shells glisten with pearly wlllteue s
and with a sail water aroma that Is appetizing , I
In the extreme. Contrary to the opinion that 1
seems to have been pretty generally accepted,
these oysters grow to lie plump and of the best
condition in deep waters without Ihe necessity
of the "drinking" process in brackish water*.
Many of them are shipped direct from deep water
beds' tu 'lie markets
Therein lies a distinguishing difference that
tb Should lone lu mind The njster
whose shell is muddy, indicating (hat it may
have core from a polluted sertcui. or wi"»s«
flesh is wniteiied and (WOllM from Inning been f \
snaked lu questionable brackilli water, mav well
be open to snspl< Ion. The king of Ihe shellfish
that dint" straight from the deep water Is food
fit for a king Brooklyn Time*. .
The Suffrage Uiinpaign.
The announcement that woman auffrnre Ins
fallen short of success In Michigan will be a
slight damper nu the enthusiasm and gratifica-
tion with which women suffragists view the re-
sult cf the lei ellt election. Thev still have a
rluht to rejoice. Three Slates, Kansas. ArUona
and Oregon (pled woman suffrage by a ma-
jority of the male vote nnd lie leased the number
of woman suffrace states to nine This ul id slop
toward equal suffrace gives point and special
significance to the large minion suffrage gather-
ing and convention now occupying the atten-
tion and receiving ihe very warm hospitality of
our great city.
The uieat convention of earnest women now la.
thl« city, representing and working for Ihe ' I lis'
of woman suffrage, -erni In their speeches and
a.Hon t" hive nothing In common with the mis-
guided women of F.ngbiud. "ho organize riot*,
break windows, assault Cabinet ministers and fl'>
other acts even more violent and binder the
cnuse they wish to promote.—Philadelphia frea*.
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San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 337, Ed. 1 Monday, December 2, 1912, newspaper, December 2, 1912; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth432144/m1/4/: accessed July 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.