The river press. [volume], November 27, 1912, Image 2

About The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current

Image provided by: Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT

                
The River Press
Published every Wednesday Morning
by the River Pre»a Publish
ing Company.
THE COUNTRY IS SAFE.
The fear and apprehension aroused
by partisan orators aod newspapers
during the recent campaign should no
longer be entertained, according to F.
P. Dunne, the humorist and philos
opher, who contributes an interesting
article to the American Magazine.
Recalling some of the dire predictions
of a few weeks ago, the author of the
Dooley sketches declares the country
1 b not going to the dogs, and presents
this review of the situation:
"Now that the campaign is over and
we can come out'of our cave and say
what we really think without endanger
ing our lives, we beg to assure the
patient that the horrible things he has
been seeing are not real, but the crea
tures of the over-stimulating rhetoric
he has imbibed; that the foundations
of the republic have not been under
mined; that the pillars of the state are
not crumbling aod that this country
is not a bit like Rome before the ad
vent of the Caesars.
"The questions the country has been
discussing with so much heat and
which it will go on discussing with,
we trust, less heat, are not very vital.
Any sensible man who could gain
sufficient height aDd distance to look
on them calmly would call them very
small questions indeed. When we
know with what cautious steps Lincoln
aod bis associates approached the
subject of humao slavery, we cannot
but wonder at the violence of the opin
ions of this generation on the third
term, the recall of judicial decisions,
and other microscopic political mat
ters. Perhaps it is because they are
bo small that they arouse our pas
sions, on the principle that we would
use different methods in pursuing a
mosquito and stalking a tiger.
"At any rate, there has been no
question before the public recently
upon which there might not be a per
fectly reasonable and respectable dif
ference of opinion. The arguments
were very fairly matched. Naturally
the balance was always on our side,
but never enough so to make sure
that the scales were properly adjusted.
We could see nothing wrong about
the third term; but, admitting certain
premises, we concede the logic of those
who opposed it. The initiative and
referendum as quiekeners of needed
legislation bear the appearance of a
useful tonic; but they are purely ex
perimental, aod no one can say with
certainty, and no one but a quack
would say at all, that they would act
better iu this bi^ country than they
acted in little Switzerland.
"The recall of judicial decisions and
of the judges themselves has aroused a
good deal of unnecessary warmth.
The fact of human life that unchal
lenged power almost always leads to
tyranny would seem to indicate, as
the doctors say, some form of regula
tion of the judiciary, but a strong
cane on the other side c.in be based
upon the necessity of maintaining the
independence of the courts.
"And so you may go through the
whole list of projects and remedies
and find reasons for deferences of
opinion around the fireside in winter,
but none at, all for punching anybody
in the eye. Unless, of course, it is
your nature to enjoy punching people
in the eye. In which case any pretext
will serve."
VOCATIONS OF PRESIDENTS.
The twenty-eighth president of the
United States Is by no means the only
one who was not at some time in his
life a teacher, but Governor Wilson
is the only man chosen president who
began as a teacher and remained one
almost to the time of his election.
John Adams waa a teacher in his
early life, but he was graduated into
the law, as were Garfield, Arthur and
Cleveland.
It Is not to be wondered that a ma
jority of the twenty eight presidents
should have been lawyers. Nineteen
were lawyers in later life and thirteen,
or about half, were lawyers all their
adult lives—Jefferson, Madison, John
Quincy Adams, Jackson, Van Buren,
Buchanao, Tyler, Polk, Pierce, Hayes,
Bet^ imln Harrison, McKinley and
Taft. The other lawyers, besides the
four who were teachers in early life,
Fillmore, who began life as a tailor,
and Johnson, who also began as
tlylor but whose vocations the official
statistics quaintly describe as that of
a statesman. Roosevelt is recorded
as a publicist In early life and a pub
lie official in latter years.
The elder Harrison began as a sol
dier, but literally beat his sword into
a plowshare and his spear into
pruning hook by becoming a farmer
Grant and Zachary Taylor were the
only presidents who were soldiers all
their former lives, according to the
figures, though it would probably be
more correct to say that Grant was a
(anner, notwithstanding his early
military service.
It is a curious fact that nlthougli
Uarflsld was an ordained niiuis'er
iû-i frequently preached In connec
tlon with the presidency of Hiram
college, the ministry la the active
sense of the word has never been
represented in the White house, and
it is even more curious that there has
never been a physician president. Of
the three great learned professions,
the law, medicine and ministry, the
first is the only one to have represen
tation on the presidential roster.
That many other professions and call
ings have not contributed to the list
of American presidents may be gather
ed by reading the following, which In
clude the vocations of all the presi
dents in later life and at the time of
their election: Planter, lawyer, states
man, farmer, soldier, public official,
teacher. This list is not very mater
ially increased by the following, show
ing the early vocations of the presi
dents: Surveyor, teacher, lawyer,
soldier, tailor, farm hand, publicist.
No artist, no merchant, no artisan,
only one farmer, no architect, no
diplomatist, no railroad magnate, no
preacher, no doctor or surgeon, not
even an editor—was ever elected to the
presidency, while most of the presi
dents have never had any connection
with the vocations mentioned.—Kan
sas City Journal.
WOULD BENEFIT FARMERS.
A vital difference exists between the
condition of farmers in this country
and farmers in various parts of
Europe. One of the reasons that
American farmers do not get as large
a »hare of the profits of their business
as they should lies in the fact that
they are not organized for credit pur
poses, says a writer in Farm and
Fireside.
A system of co-operative rural
credit* called the Raiffeisen system
has grown up in Germany to such an
extent that last year the peasant farm
ers of Germany did a co-operative
banking business of over #1,600,000,
000.
In the United States, so far as money
is concerned, finance and commerce
are organized and agriculture is un
organized, thus paving the way for the
trusts in agricultural products. In
Europe, on the other hand, co-opera
tive agricultural credit is so strongly
organized that it makes the cornering
of the farmer's products and conse
quently the dictating of prices a prac
tical impossibility.
Why? Because the Raiffeisen sys
tem of co-operative banking enables
the European farmer to convert the
potential dollars represented by his
assets and his character into avail
able, mobile dollars. It is the mobile
dollar which counts, which is effective.
The mobility of the dollar renders the
trust the active and dominant factor
in the United States. The immobility
of the American farmers' potential
dollar renders htm the passive and
dependent factor.
And so long as the American farmer
is a passive and dependent factor he
cannot hope to profit by the incomplete
cu-operatlve methods he now employs.
Whatever economies these may pro
duce. are neutralized so long as he
does not free himself from the defect
above indicated; .they only serve as
additional sources of revenue to be
raked in by that arch croupier, the
trust.
Of course, it will be understood that
the success of co-operative banking
associations implies the adoption of
legislative measures which will render
their operation effective. It also im
plies the rigid exclusion of any un
trustworthy or unsound methods.
Tafts Will Entertain Wilsons.
Springfield Republican.
President Taft proposes to do
very gracious thing, and one that will
be appreciated by the American peo
pie, In inviting president-elect Wil
son and his wife to make a visit to the
White House in order that they might
become acquainted with their future
home before the next president comes
into offce. It is likely that the invl<
tatlon will be extended ao that Gover
nor and Mrs. Wilson may be the
guests of President andJMrs. Taft at
the time the president-elect goes to
Staunton, Va., his birthplace, for the
celebration to be given in his honor
Christmas week.
This is not only a handsome pro
ceedlng on the part of a president to
ward his successor, but his guests
would be much served by the visit.
Mr. Taft confesses that when he
came officially into the White House,
although he had long been in the
cabinet, he knew practically nothing
about the establishment or its inner
workings.
The Tafts are ready to show the
Wilsons over the Whita House from
the executive office to the^laundry and
from attic to cellar.
Allege Gigantic Swindle.
Cincinatti , Nov. 19.—With the ar
rests today In six cities of men alleg
ed by the government to constitute f
monumental net-rich quick chain of
swindlers, United Slates secret service
men declare they have brought to the
surface an organization that has
mulcted small corporations, Inventors
and promoters of $,500,000 in the last
three years. The arrests were made
as the result of secret Indictments re
turned here by the United States grand
jury.
Army Uses Indian Methods.
The army's system of day and night
signals on land and sea by means of
military fireworks Is described in an
Illustrated article in Popular Mechan
ics. It says:
As the Indians, since prehistoric
times, have used columns of smoke in
various combinations to signal the
approach of an enemy or to transmit
other messages, so the army signal
men have found most effective what
are known as smoke bombs or smoke
rockets. The former are fired from a
small mortor, the latter in the same
way as Fourth of July fireworks.
Each when reaching a desired height,
regulated by a fuse, bursts and liber
ates a picric acid compound which ig
nites from the explosion, burning with
a cloud of yellowish smoke which
may be seen for miles. By changing
chemical elements of the compound
various different colors can be pro
duced, each to denote lt9 own signal
or message. A number of other in
genious signals are described.
The First Electric Light.
Just thirty years ago this fall
Thomas A. Edison opened the first
electric light station in New York
City. This initial plant, which was
the beginning of a mighty industry,
was located in an old warehouse in
New York City, on Pearl Street. The
single dynamo, now preserved as a
curio, was driven by a steam engine
and supplied current to about four
hundred lamps distributed over a
territory about a mile square. The
wires were all laid underground. The
newspapers were dubious about the
success of the new lamps, although
they admitted that they gave plenty of
light, but Edison himself, coatless and
collarless as he watched the machin
ery, was thrilled with success.
The growth of electric lighting since
that eventful day, thirty years ago,
has been truly wonderful until now the
very world is illuminated nightly with
millions of electric lights. The first
electric motor was connected to the
electric light wires in 1881 and for six
months, it Is recorded, this same
motor lay around collecting duet be
fore the company could find anyone
willing to try the new power producer.
Today, in New York City alone, near
ly 350,000 horse power is used in elec
tric motors.
Bids For Vandalia Canal.
Washington , Nov. 20.— The recla
mation service haB called for bids,
to be opened at the reclamation office
at Malta, Mont., on December 2, for
the construction of 46 miles of the
Vandalla South canal of the Milk
river project. The work In voltes the
excavation of 891,000 cubic yards of
material and Is situated otj, the south
side of Milk river, adjacent to the
main line of the Great Northern rail
way In the vicinity of Vandalia, Tam
pico, Glasgow and Nashua, Mont.
Heavy Loss In Battle.
Belgrade , Nov. 20.— According to
the latest reports from Monastir, the
Turkish garrison did not surrender,
but tied in all directions, leaving a
large amount of war material behind.
Ia the terrific battle which preceded
the fall of the fortress the Turkish lost
20,000 killed and wounded and the
Servian casualties were as heavy.
Pray Is Popular Congressmen.
Washington , Nov. 20.—News of
the defeat of Representative Charles
N. Pray for re-election to congress
was received in Washington with re
gret, irrespective of party connections
"Charlie" Pray aa he was familiarly
known and called, was one of the
most popular of the younger members
of the house. He was always active
on behalf of matters for the benefit of
Montana and was always on the
"job," taking oomplaints or requests
of citizens to the various departments
regular in his attendance on the ses
sions of the house, and introducing
and having bills passed for the benefit
of the state.
During the last two sessions of con
gress, although the democrats were in
control, Mr. Pray was able to have
reported from committees and passed
a number of bills of importance to the
state. Mr. Pray was the author of
the bureau of mines, his bill for
that purpose being the first to be In
troduced, and was passed. Mr. Pray
also secured the authorization of
number of public buildings in Mon
tana. He worked in harmony with
Senators Carter and Dixon and later
with Senator Meyers, the latter
democrat, who publicly expressed his
confidence in Pray and his ability to
get legislation.
Fourth Attempt At Suicide.
Seattle, Nov. 19. — Edward
East, who was dropped from the Seat
tie police force a month ago for drink
ing, shot and killed himself today
placing a shot gun's muzzle In
E
by
bis
mouth and discharging thu weapon
This was his fourth attem. a* suicide
in a year. First he le" 1 f; tu **.
hospital window but his \.-s were
not serious. Next he tr.v . to drown
himself, but was rescued. The third
attempt, three weeks ago, was by gas
asphyxiation, but the pulmometer re
vived him.
REDUCED TELEPHONE RATES
FOR LONG DISTANCE SERVICE
Effective November 26, 1912, we will make a
great reduction in toll rates over our Long
Distance Lines in the states of Montana, Idaho,
Wyoming and Utah, and between these states
and Colorado.
his reduction is made because the toll rates charged by the former Rocky
lountain Bell Telephone Company were higher than those in other parts of
:he Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company's territory. For
nstance, it formerly cost $1.00 to talk 100 miles in Montana, while in Colorado
i t cost $0 80. Under the new tariff schedule the rates will be the same for like
distances throughout our system. A few examples are given below :
FROM FORT BENTON, MONTANA,
To Old Rate New Rate
Great Falls $ .40 $ .30
Havre 70 .55
Helena 1.15 .95
Lewistown 80 .65
Butte 1.60 1.30
Billings 1.80 1.45
or reductions to hundreds of other points in these states, inquire of
the "Long Distance" operator
THE MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE
AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY
We have 75,000 miles of copper wire connecting 200,000 subscribers, reaching practically
every city, town, village and hamlet in the mountain states, from Canada to Mexico ....
WILL SOONJND WAR.
Balkan Allies Ready To Make Peace
With Turkey.
London , Nov. 19. —The nations of
the Balkan confederacy, satisfied with
ictory, signified today their willing
ness to treat for terms of peace at the
request of the vanqqished Turkish
empire. The lustre of their success
has been dimmed only slightly by their
temporary failure to overcome the
rallied Turkish army at the gates of
Constantinople and enter the Ottoman
capital.
The stubborn defense encountered
by the Bulgarians at the line of forti
fications at Tchatalja and the realiza
tion that enormous slaughter would
be necessary to pierce them at the
point of the bayonèt, with every pros
pect that their ranks would be deci
mated by cholera before they had at
tained success, doubtless proved the
deciding factors in inducing the con
querors to listen to the urging of the
great powers and refrain from press
ing home their victory.
Belgrade , Nov. 19.— The Turkish
fortress of Monastir has surrounded
to the Servaln troops. Fifty thousand
Turkish soldiers and three generals
laid down their arms. Monastir had
been surrounded by Servaln troops
for several days, while Greek troops
coming from the south had cut off the
Turkish line of retreat to Ochrlda.
On Saturday the Servian troops
throughout the day and night succeed
ed in capturing two Important heights
commanding the city. Then they ad
vanced through the morass upon the
inner fortifications, which surrend
ered.
The Rocky Boy Nuisance.
Washington N ov . 19.— Rocky Boy
and his band of 200 nomadic Cree
Indians who have wandered to
Helena from their northern Montana
campfires, will be taken care of by the
agent of the Blackfoot reservation.
The Rocky boy and his companions
not fancying the loneliness of their
allotments on the public domain west
of the Blackfoots, wandered up and
down the Canadian border, finally
at the Montana state capital. Army
offioers took charge of the party and
reported them to the Indian bureau.
Acting commissioner Abbott telegraph
ed today to the Blackfoot agent to
look after them.
Murdered For Small Amount.
Chicago , Nov. 19. —Not drowned
by accident, but murdered by river
pirates who repaid his kindness by
killing him for $40 he carried, is the
theory adopted by relatives here of
William P. Moore, whose body was
taken from the Illinois river last week
aft '3 °mpty launch had been found
cap*!'. . ut the LaGrange dam, near
Bev detown, Illinois.
Moore, who was cruising down the
river toward the Mississippi in a
^asoliti : launch towing".his hydro-aero
plane, the "Five Dollar Dili," was
last seen alive Thursday by per-ons
in Beardstown. Three men were seen
with him vchon he anchored his craït
for the night.
F-A-seifcvd: X_.O-A.2TS
C. H. CAMPBELL & SON
Phelps Building, - - Great Falls, Montana
WE LOAN ON HOMESTEAD PROOFS OR PATENTS
Moteur (H;
Motor Cars
For demonstration and particulars of the various styles, apply to
H. J. WACKERLIN, Agent, Fort Benton
LOW
Round Trip Excursion
Fares East
From Anaconda and other Montana
Points on Great Northern Ry.
October 19th, November 23d and 25th and December
21st and 23d, the Great Northern Railway will have in effect
Low Round Trip Home Visitors Excursion Fares from
Anaconda, Butte, Helena, Great Falls, Billings and other
points in Montana on the Great Northern Railway to
Atchison, Kansas
Chicago, 111.
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Davenport, Iowa
Denver, Colo.
Des Moines, Iowa
Duluth, Minn.
Kansas City, Mo.
Leavenworth, Kans.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Omaha, Neb.
Peoria, 111.
Pueblo, Colo.
Rock Island, 111.
St. Joseph, Mo.
St. Louis, Mo.
St. Paul, Minn.
Sioux City, Ia.
Superior, Wis.
Tickets will also be on sale to St. Paul and Minneapolis
on November 9th. Liberal stopover privileges. Final
return limit January 31st, 1913; tickets sold December 21st
and 23d will bear final return limit of February 28,1913.
Take advantage of these low excursion fares and visit
your friends in the East. For tickets
and information call on your local agent
or
J. T. McG AUGHEY
Assistant General Freight & Passenger Agent
HELENA, MONTANA
N°J?
ILWAY
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