The Peoples Voice (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 38, Ed. 1 Friday, April 16, 1897 Page: 1 of 8
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The Peoples Voice
VOL. 5.
A NEW SIN INVENTED.
In my boyhood clays I used to
read stories of smugglers, creeping
along the coast on dark nights,
crawling to the mouths of caves,
stowing their goods in those natural
cellars, watching the spies, being sur-
prised, shot down or put in irons
and dragged before the judge and
from the judge to prison. And for
what? When a mere child, I used
to ask that question—For what?
Had they committed any crime
against humanity or the decalogue?
They had engaged in the very nat-
ural and useful occupation of com-
merce with other people—across the
channel, the river, the sea; perhaps
across a simple artificial line found
by ranges between monumental
stones. For this reason—the exer-
cise of one of the most original nat-
ural rights of man—they were to be
hunted as beasts and branded as
"outlaws."
Oh, yes; we know they had dis-
obeyed the law. But the law had
disobeyed a divine statute, written
in the very souls of men, giving
them the franchise of the seas and
all the highways and byways where
mankind wish to meet and make ex-
change of wares and products. And
1 always felt a sympathy with the
brave gangs who dared to engage in
trade and committed no violence. I
was glad when they succeeded, glad
when they escaped from custody
and the agents of the unnatural law
were baffled and defeated. " A
smuggler ! " What a terrible brand
to wear. The brand of Cain is
hardly equal to it in popular estima-
tion.
How right and wrong become
mere artificialities! But have not
governments the right to provide for
necessary revenues in ways that ap-
pear to them most feasible? A civil
right? Ves. A moral or natural
right? No—not when the method
robs society of its most valuable,
healthy and natural functions of in-
tercourse and natural benefaction.
The assumption that an easy way of
getting a revenue is necessarily the
right way should never have been
endorsed. The highwayman takes
an easy way. Is he therefore
right? Official salaries must be paid.
Yes, fairly good salaries should be
paid; and the people's salaries also
should be paid—living salaries. Did
the intercommercial revenue system
originate with 'he thought of the
people's livings or did it present it-
self as a convenient invisible form
of taxation that would relieve gov
ernments of the disagreeable proc
ess of levying on the well-to-do?
Was it a rich man's invention or the
invention of officials who saw in it
a very convenient way to escape a
just and equal system of direct and
dignified demand for the rich man's
aid, and a dignified refusal of mo-
nopolistic franchises?
History tells us that a certain pi-
rate named Tarif used to drift about
in the west end of the Mediterrane-
an, and that when he saw a mer-
chant vessel bound either way
through the narrows he would bear
down upon it, lash to it and board
it with a kind of official grace and
formal dignity of impudence, de-
mand an assessment according to
the apparent ability of the mer-
chantman; then retire with a bow,
and molest them no more—till they
made a return voyage through the
same gateway of the seas. From
him we have the "tariff."
We ought always to see something
in a bird's eye view of a good sys-
tem that commends it to the unsoph-
isticated common sense of mankind.
If a camera view of a landscape
is not inviting do we expect any
more conclusive evidence from the
geologist, the botanist and the
chemist?
Allnw me then to continue as I
have begun—to look at the repulsive
and execrable features of commer-
cial taxation. Take a scene at the
custom house—the standing place
of the grabbers, searchers, trunk
and grip and bandbox breakers. Is
there anything sacred in human
NORMAN, CLEVELAND COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, FRIDAY, APRIL lo. i807.
NO 38
rights that i> not disregarded in
that scene enacted dlily at the port
of entry by the officials of the great-
est of nations most refined? The
innocent are presumably guilty anil
the "guilty" are treated like cattle.
A new sin has been invented by the
tax demon and the awful guilt of
concealing a diamond in your ear or
up your nose must be ferreted
out and exposed and punished.
Timid passengers must reveal their
private belongings. Expectant wom-
en must show their preparations;
the clothing on the passenger must
be pronounced upon—whether reas-
onable or otherwise; artificial flow-
ers picked open to find the hiding
place of gems; strong boxes dam-
aged, strong bands broken, needed
for transcontinental carriage, high-
born gentlemen and ladies caught
in their first disgraceful lie! Bah!
The whole thing is sickening to con-
template. To the catalogue of
crimes a new crime has been
added that is not a crime; a
new disgrace invented that is not
disgraceful unless it fails to be suc-
cessful. All the way across the
ocean these travelers—some of
whom have been delighted with a
worldwide journey, others immi-
grants of high and low station, mer-
chant princes of business integrity,
and worthy visitors—all of them
have been pressed with a new ques-
tion: "Is it right to lie to protect
our rights?" Governments, in their
contempt of the individual man,
have assumed the right to make the
gateway of the nation a place of
impudent inquisition and robbery.
What welcome! what courtesy; how
inviting.
Did any thoughtful person ever
fail to be either annoyed or amused
at the daily farce enacted on the
railway train from Canada—stick-
ing a tag on yotir valise or other
package in a kind of shamefaced
perfunctory manner as if they were
ready to say: "We have to do it,
you know." Is it probable that any
mode of taxation that defies the in-
genuity of man to avoid a farce on
the one hand or an outrage on the
other, is destined to survive along
with things good and sensible?
What an edifying scene is given
sometimes on the Niagara river
when some daring speculator is
caught with a little package of opi-
um concealed. We are no friend of
the opium fiend; but the United
States government does not hesitate
to sell the forfeited article for all it
is worth—and the unfortunate ad-
venturer is supposed to be in jail
with a heavy conscience. What an
awful sinner! If he had me for his
confessor I should labor with him
upon the immorality of the opium
trade and counsel a forgiving spirit
towards the government that did not
know any better.
Near neighbors on the line that
divides the northwest cannot swap
horses without permission—and a
fee. What a picture of civilization
at the very front door of the twen-
tieth century! Around the conti-
nent—so much of it as we call our
own—stands the army of spies and
challengers between man and man
to hinder by fines and various in-
timidations one of the most innocent
and natural things in the world—
exchange. And for what? To in-
sure a full treasury and fat salaries
without annoying the dear people.
And the schedules and the rates—
never right, never reliable, never
fixed, never certain to meet expens-
es. Then come more bonds to
make up the deficit. Supplement-
ary tax outlawed by the supreme
court and the people threatened
with universal bankruptcy by the
money famine. How long shall wc
allow McKinleys to be elected on
the single positive plank of the old
tariff humbug? By our neglect to
educate on this question we lost our
last battle. If we do not now turn
on the light, we deserve to lose the
next —A. J. Chittenden.
Davis Bro's. have put in a fine bath
room in connection with their barber
shop and are prepared to give baths at
any and all houris. 29tf.
ANNUAL EASTER-EVE RIOT
AT JERUSALEM.
The church [of the Holy Sepul
cher] is crowded with pilgrims of
every nationality on this occasion,
and many disgraceful scenes are en-
acted, both in the streets and in the
sanctuary itself. The church is
guarded by Turkish police (Mo-
hammedans, of course), and they
are often put to their mettle to quell
the disturbances which are continu-
ally arising through the meeting
of bands of devotees of dissimilar
religious views who contend with fa-
natical violence for the temporary
possession of some holy shrine or
chapel. The turbulent scene opens
with the dawn of Good Friday, a
great crowd spending the night in
the church of the Holy Sepulcher in
order to secure advantageous places
for a sight of the ceremony, or "mir
acle," as it is called, of the holy fire.
The turmoil is sometimes tremen-
dous, each fanatic striving to main-
tain whatever coign of vantage he
has been lucky enough to obtain; or
if be has failed in this, to oust some
more fortunate competitor. Some,
to make their positions more secure,
tie themselves by chords to the sep-
ulcher itself. The unlucky ones,
between struggling with their neigh-
bors, run around the sepulcher,
howling like demons, amid the de-
risive cries of the Turkish zaptiehs,
to the great scandal of the truly de-
vout. . . The building is jointly
occupied by the monks and priests
of the Latin and Greek churches,
though the latter seem to hold the
balance of power.
Good Friday was formerly cele-
brated by the Latins—the Fanciscan
monks—by a mystery play, the rep-
resentation being brought to a close
with the nailing of a figure to a
cross. The Greeks have a similar
play which is still enacted.
The great feature of Eastertide,
•however, is the alleged miracle of
the Holy Fire. Up to the beginning
cf the sixteenth century the Latins
took part in this ceremony; but
since that time it has been con-
ducted by the priests of the Greek
Church alone.
The Greek sectaries maintain the
"miracle" dates back lo apostolic
days. It was referred to by Ber-
nard the monk, as early as the ninth
century.
On the great day, Armenians, Nes-
torians, Copts, and Abyssinians,
contend with the Greeks and Latins
in efforts to be among the first to
light their candles at the sacred
flame, which it is believed descends
from Heaven, but which, so the Ca
liph Hakim was told is generated by
a resinous oil smeared on the wires
by which the consecrated lamp is
hung over the Holy Sepulcher; the
oil being set on fire from the roof
by a confederate priest. It is said
that large sums are paid the priests
by the fanatics whom they permit to
light their blessed candles directly
from the sacred flame; the possess-
ion of such a sanctified object being
regarded as especially efficacious in
everything relating to worldly wel-
fare, and as having inestimable vir-
tues as a light to guide its possessor
through the darkness when death
calls him hence.
This culminating ceremony of the
descent of the Holy Fire occurs on
Easter Eve; though the excitement
begins on the preceding evening.
At about two o'clock in the after-
noon of Saturday, a grand process-
ion of Greek priests and monks
move around the holy sepulcher, the
priests intone prayers, and the vast
throng sways to and fro with relig-
ious fervor. The supreme moment
arrives. The "patriarch" emerges,
bearing aloft the gleaming flame,
which is devoutly believed to have
miraculously descended from heav-
en; priests came forth with bunches
of lighted tapers, and an indescrib-
able tumult follows, each one striv-
ing to light his own candle at one of
those borne by the priests. Every-
where there is struggling and surg-
ing and shouting, until the scene be-
comes a veritable pandemonium.
In the struggle fierce fights are com-1
mon, and serious accidents some-
times occur. The Moslem police!
enjoy the scandalous scene hugely, j
but it is a source of shame to the j
truly pious Christian. Much later j
in the evening a really solemn ser-1
vice takes place which is an |
impressive ending to an otherwise
painful spectacle.
GOLD CORNER CONTINUES.
The Ishmaelites are on the ram-
page and all cutting each others'
throats. Burlington stock was the
first to go and others 'followed.
These roads were glad to get out of
the "gentlemenV agreement," and
now, free from pains and penalties,
are now engaged in a fight for "bus-
iness." It is a case of the devil
take the hindmost. Jersey Central
is another of the "weak sisters," and
1 do not see why it should not sell
half way down to the price it sold
for in 1879, which was $5 a share.
I am not particularly bullish on
Chicago Gas thongh Gov. Flower is
a good friend of mine, 1 fight his
goldbug policy. And I will continue
to fight. They cannot fry my prin-
ciples out of me. I still hold to my
opinion and they cannot work my
"idea" out of me though they burn
me at the stake. 1 do not see what
Chicago Gas has to expect of the
legislature of Illinois after the great
and inspired decision of Judge
| Peekham and the U. S. supreme]
j court against the trusts. Bryan
I ought to send his congratulations to
that court. The Chicago Gas com-
bine is a thing of the past.
The news comes in warlike from
Europe. The diplomats have got
things into a very mixed muddle
and call on Rothschild and the fin-
anciers, "Help us, Cassius, or we
sink." .The financiers, however,
seem to have several cards up their
sleeve's and are rather in favor of
th&fight. If Morgan has slain his
thousands, Rothschild has slain his
tens of thousands. While I write it
iooks as if the financiers were de-
termined to smash the markets of
the world. At this stage of the
game they control every thing.
Money is the god of the nineteenth
century. Without them the armies
would starve. At present the finan-
ciers are the real kings in their in-
visible kingdom of wealth—but hold
on a bit, the wave of Socialism is
rolling over Europe, and the finan-
ciers dread it. After a general war
—what then? The nightmare of
conscription will be ended. The
plutocratic autonomies will be bro
ken up. After that, the deluge!
The people of Europe, like the peo-
ple of this country, have been
studying the scriptures. They find
the Godlike Nazarene the great so-
cialist of the centuries. Who ever
denounced and scourged the usurers
and money lenders as he did? "Sell
all that thou hast and give to the
poor." Now it is no question in my
mind that the Lord was crucified at
the instigation of the money lenders.
They never forgot how he scourged
tlietn in the temple. He was hound-
ed to Calvary by the plutocracy of
Judea!
The tariff may be rushed through,
and probably will be. Then we
may have a "spurt" of activity and
business—and then what? The fac-
tories will find themselves loaded up
with goods they cannot sell. Mean-
time goods are being rushed in from
Europe. The corner in gold will
still continue and so will falling pri-
ces. The premium on gold is meas-
ured by the decline in prices. There
are two classes in Wall street—the
financiers who know the "diabolical
scheme," and the ones who do not
understand the question. Among
the latter is Gov. Flower.
As Ben Butler said, It is the fall-
ing off in consumption—the sad
lack of buying power in the people
—which in the final analysis is the
cause of the hard times. A century
from now—yes, half a century—our
descendants will say, "What fools
were those people at the end of the
nineteenth century to place them-
selves at the mercy of the shylocks
of London."—Wall Street Letter, in
Chicago Express.
-* • —
CALLAHANANDSTATEEHOOD
Washington, April to.—Delegate
Callahan, of Oklahoma, who is even
more industrious in his labors for
the territory than was Dennis Flynn,
introduced today a bill providing
for the admission of Oklahoma and
Indian territory as one state. The
measure follows the general outline
of others of similar import. Be-
cause the Republican majority de-
clines to permit any general legisla-
tion nothing can be done until the
regular session in December. Cal-
lahan's object in introducing it now
was lo let the matter get fully before
the people of the two territories, so
that in the fall the bill may be
pushed. Mr. Callahan is getting to
be one of the most popular new
members, and when his bill comes
up there is no question but that he
will handle it energetically, and in
all probability, successfully."—Kan-
sas City Star.
Cotton Culture in Oklnlioma.
A bulletin prepared by the experi-
ment station at Stillwater gives in-
formation concerning cotton culture
based on the experience of a consid-
erable number of growers in different
parts of the territory and on facts
collected by the United States depart-
ment of agriculture and published in
an elaborate bulletin recently is-
sued.
With the caution that the northern
line of Oklahoma is quite up to the
north line of cotton culture on an ex-
tended scale anywhere in the United
States, this bulletin advises cotton
planting in moderate acreage in many
parts of the territory, chiefly in the
south and east portions. Ten to fifteen
acres are named as sufficient for first
trial by inexperienced farmers, es-
pecially if they must rely on hired
labor for picking.
The Importance of selecting early
varieties is suggested. Most Okla-
homa growers name Storm Proof aw
a favorite variety. "Ounce-boll" and
"pelican" are also frequently com-
mended. Bottom lands are 10 be pre-
ferred : a good deal of the timber
land, if not sandy, comes next, but
many have succeeded well 011 upland
prairie soil. Planting as early as
practicable after danger from frost is
believed past, is advised. From April
1 to May 5 were dates given by differ-
ent growers in Oklahoma. Usually
the rows are four feet apart, but on
upland soil there is reason to believe
three feet six may be better. The
stalks are thinned 011 upland to one to
each ten to fourteen inches, with
somewhat greater distances on bot-
tom land. The richer the land the
smaller is the number of stalks desir-
able. as they grow larger and need
more room.
Several Oklahoma farmers reported
the successful use of ordinary corn
cultivators as the only implement
aside from the hoe. Some claimed
equally good results where the plant-
ing was done on a level surface as
where ridges were made; high ridges
or beds are not desirable in any case.
Estimates of cost of production dif-
fered greatly in reports sent in. In
several localities the seed was taken
as full pay for ginning. Where prac-
ticable the seed should be sold to an
oil mill. It has a good feeding value
when this can not be done, but should
not feed to hogs, and with caution to
young stock of any kind. At the Ex-
periment Station steers with good
supply of corn did not eat it readily,
although a few were very fond of it.
The station is feeding whole seed to
milk cows in moderate quantities with
no apparent objectionable results.
Quincy.
The continued wet weather for the
past two weeks has caused consider-
able of the early planting of corn to
rot in the ground.
The directors in District—ten—
Grand Valley—have continued their
school for two months, under the di-
rection of the same teacher L' N.
Wise. They are also building a sub-
stantial storm cave.
Fruit prospects are still promising.
Mr. Jennings returned last week
from Sherman, Texas, where he had
been called to attend the funeral of
his sister. He reports farming in
that section as being somewhat de-
layed on account of rain.
Charley Qrr and his comedy troupe
rendered one of their popular plays
at Grand Valley, last Saturday night,
Charley is just as near Heaven as he
wishes when managing a play.
James Fulp is putting in 500 rods of
substantial hog-fence for Mr. Sweazea
this week.
Madame rumor is trying to scare
the old bachelors again by pretend-
ing to know of two or three more
weddings in the near future.
Tom Purcell is up from the Kicka-
a|x>o this week.
Sunday School was organized at
Grand Valley last Suuday.
For Sale.
I Imve lor sale eheup a 2nd hand
Deering self binder in good repair.
The machine lias been used but little
and is almost as >;iiod as new. Will Se-
cure it bargain in this machine by see-
Intr me.
•IS *t. "Dad. Gray."
For Hale.
Pure brown Leghorn epgs per set-
ting of 15 etfgs for $1.00. Hamd
Plymouth Itwk eggs per setting of la
ejms for $1.00.
38 tit Kinokaue Farm,
One halt mile south ol Norman depot.
SOMKrHINU TO DEPEND ON.
Mr. James Jones, of the drug firm of
Jones & Son, Cowden, III ,in speaking of
Dr. King's New Discovery, says thai
last winter his wife was attacked with
L1 Grippe, and her case grew so serious
that physicians at Cowden and Pan a
could do nothing for her. It seemed to
develop into hasty consumption. Hav-
ing Dr. King's New Discovery in store,
and selling lots of it, be took a bottle
home, and lo the surprise of all she be-
guu to get better from first dose, and
half dozen dollar bottles cured her
sound and well. Dr. Kintr.s New Dis-
covery for Consumption, Coughs and
Colds is guaranteed to do this good
work. Try it. Free trial bottles at.
iilake & Heed's drug store.
Sloven! Stoves! stoves!
Heating stoves, cooking stoves and
all kinds of stoves at Jas. I). Mayuire's,
West Main Street, as cheap as any
place in the city. 8tf
Money In Loan.
We have money to loan for 1,2 and
8 years time, on good farms at the
lowest rate of interest ever loaned be-
fore in this city.
83tf. Tate & Kinokaije.
For Hale.
1 have 100 bushels of German
Millet seed for snie. Parties wishing
to secure some of this seed to sow
should see me.
32tf L. P. Barker.
Closing out lor Ca.sli.
Capt. Uice, the Wi st Side Furniture
Dealer, informs us thai he intends to,
if he can get purchasers, for cash,
close out his entire line of furniture,
carpets, etc. He does not Intend to go
out of the business, bul as soon as his
present stock is taken for cash lie >vlll
put in more goods. To cash buyers
look In 1.' for good furniture or carpets,
Capt. R:ce will five them the lowest
prices ever quoted in this town and
parties desiring to make purchases
would do well to soe his goods and
learn bis prices.
(7m>UC<7rL*Jc/(//£ Corsets,
GJ-ra-nci reader
Don't Tobacco Spit and Smoke Tonr Life Away.
If vou want to quit tobacco using easily
and forever, be made well, strong, magnetic,
full of new life and vigor, take No-To-Bac,
the wonder-worker, that makes weak men
strong. Many gain ten pounds in ten days.
Over 400,(XH) cured. Buy No To-Bae of your
druggist, under guarantee to cure, 60c or
f ] .00. Booklet and snmple mailed free. Ad.
Sterling Kcmedy Co.,(Jhicaco or New York.
Sr^
SPRING GOODS
of all kinds on hand.
Our white kid gloves are fine, and
only cost 80 c; all colors in stock.
We will sell shoes 10 and 20 per
cent discount on next Friday, Satur-
day, Monday and Tuesday, April
16, 17, 19 and 20. Now is your
chance to secure shoes at prices
never before heard of. We mark
in plain figures and will t,ive per
cent off of marked prices, which is
regular prices on goods. We have
a lot of shoes 1 to 6 pair of a kind
in 1 and 2 numbers, these will go at
20 percent discount. All others
regardless of make or kind, 10
per cent off. We make this sacri-
fice in order to assort stock. Our's
are the best made by Win, Orr,
I'eters Shoe Co., and Kelley Good-
fellow. all leading shoe manufac-
turers. Ladies' shoes 88c to $5.50
less the discount. Men's plow shoes
$1 70 will be sold for Si.36 on the
days mentioned, ONLY, at the
New York Racket, Central Block,
Norman. E. M. Mathis.
Wasted—sevku.u. faii'iiei 1. men ok
Women to ttttvel for responsible estab-
llshed house in Oklahoma, salary $7H0 payable
$15 weekly him I expenses. Position permanent,
ltetrrence. Knelo.se sett" addressed stumped en-
velope. The National, Star llldg, Chi<
mm" . ■
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Allan, John S. The Peoples Voice (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 38, Ed. 1 Friday, April 16, 1897, newspaper, April 16, 1897; Norman, Oklahoma Territory. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc116938/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.