The Press-Democrat. (Hennessey, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, June 27, 1913 Page: 3 of 8
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PRESIDENT READS BANKING
AND CURRENCY MESSAGE
for Second Time Chief Executive
Appears Before Law Makers tr.
Ask Consideration of Bill.
Washington, D. ('.—For a second
<: mace hit tnaugu at -1 President
** iKon aui^a'ed bef o a joint ses-
sion of lb'* two ho'i.e.s o* coimrens.
His message 011 a bunkin ; ami mr-
reney reform system wis delivered in
a clear, deliberate and distinct voice.
He said:
Mr. spoiiker. Mr. President. Gentlemen
of tin
under
. compulsion of what
to roe a clear ana Imperative duty
ti,at 1 nave a second time this, session
sought the privilege of addressing >"u la
person 1 know, of cours,', that the heat-
ed season of the yitr is upon us. that
work In these chambers and in the com-
mittee rooms is likely to become a bur-
den as the season lengthens. and that
every consideration of personal conveni-
ence and personal comfort, perhaps, in
the cases of some of us. considerations of
,, rson:it health even. dicUtte an early
co,,,-lusion Of the deliberations of the
s, ssion. but there arc ' lot s of public
dntv W.h0:1 these things which touch us
prlvatelv teem very small: when the
work to be done is so pressing and so
fraught with big consequence that we
know lhat we are not at liberty to welch
against it any point of personal sacrifice.
We are now In the presence of such an
occasion, li is absolutely imperative that
we should give the business men of this
country • 1 inking and currency system
by means of which they can make use
of the fri i dom of enterprise and <>f
individual Intlative which we are about
to bestow upon thorn.
We are about to set them free; we must
r.ot leave them without the tools ot ae-
t i«
m whet
set til-
th.
We
emoving the tram
tariff. Ever sin<-
ve waited for thi
or the free opportnni
slothful
shelter
)f the nurs
of their
mels of the protectiv-
the civil war
emancipation
ties il will bring with it. It has
reserved for us to give it to them.
fell in love, indeed, wit
security of their dependence upon t o
fMVpriuni'ct: some took advantage of the
ry to set up a mimic
wn within its walls.
and the discipline of
liberty and maturity are to ensue. I here
will be some readjustments of purpose
and point of view There will follow a
period of expansion ami n. w enterprise,
ireshly eiv.-d. It is for us to deter-
mine now whether it shall he rapid and
facile and of easy accomplishment. This
i- ean not be unless the resoureetul
Irslness men who are to deal with the
i:ew circumstances are to have at hand
m.d ready for use the Instrumentalities
and conveniences of free enterprise which
independent men need when acting on
their own initiative.
II is not enough to strike the shackles
from business. I'he duty of statesman-
ship Is not negative merely. It is con-
structive also. We must show that wa
understand what business needs and
that we know how to supply It. No man,
however casual and superficial his ob-
servation of the conditions now prevail-
ing In the country, ean tail to see that
cue of the chief things business needs
now and will nee.I increasingly as It
gains in scop., and vigor In the years Im-
mediately ahead of os, Is the proper
means liv which readily to vitalize its
ci edit corporate and individual, and lis
originative brains. What will it profit
lis to be free If W" are not to have the
best and most at ssihle instrumentalities
or commerce and enterprise? What will
it profit us to be <piit of one kind of mon-
opoly if we are to remain In the grip of
another and more effective kind? llow
are we to gain and keep the confidence of
the business community unless we show
11,at we know how both to aid to protect
it" What shall we say if we make fresh
enterprise necessary and also make It
Yet v difficult by leaving all else except
the' ti riff Just as we found It" TI
nies of business big and little, lie within
the field of credit. We that that. Shall
we not act upon the knowledge? Do we
not know how to act upon It" If a man
can not make his assets available at
pleasure his assHs of capacity and char-
acter and resource, what satisfaction is
It to him to see opportunity beckoning
to him on every hand, when others have
the kevs of credit in their pockets and
treat them as all but their own private
possessions" It ts perfectly clear that It
is our duty to supply the new banking
and currency system the country needs,
and that it will immediately need it more
than everi
The only question is. when shall we
supply il now. or later, after the de-
mands shall have become reproaches that
we were so dull and so slow? Shall we
hasten to change the tariff laws and then
be laggards about making it possible and
essy for the country to take advantage
of the change? There can he only one
answer to that question. We must act
now. at whatever sacrifice to ourselves.
Il is a duty which the circumstances for-
bid us to postpone. I should be recreant
to my deepest convictions of public obli-
gation did 1 not press it upon you with
solemn and urgent Insistence.
The principles upon which we should
act as' also clear. The country has
sought and seen its path In this matter
within I he last few years—sees it more
clearly now than it ever saw it before—
much more clearly than when the last
legislative proposals on the subject were
made. We must have a currency, not
rigid as now, but readily, elastically re-
sponsive to sound credit, the expanding
and contracting credits of everyday trans-
actions. the normal ebb and flow of per-
sonal and corporate dealings. Our bank-
ing laws must mobilize reseves: must not
permit the concentration anywhere In a
few hands of the monetary resources of
the country or their use for speculative
purposes in such volume as to hinder
cr Impede or stand in the way of mure
legitimate, more fruitful uses. And the
control of the system of banking and of
i-sue which our new laws are to set up
must be public, not private, must be
vested In the government Itself, so that
th banks may the instruments, not the
masters, of business and of individual
enterprise and initiative.
The committees of the congress to
which legislation of this character is re-
ferred have devoted careful and dispas-
sionate study to the means of accom-
plishing these objects. They have hon-
ored me by consulting me. They are
ready to sv ggest action. I have come
to you as the head of the government
and the responsible leader of the party
in power, to urge action now. while there
is time to serve the country deliberately
and as we should, in a clear air of com-
mon counsel. 1 appeal to you with a
,leep conviction of duty. I believe that
• you share this conviction. I therefore ap-
peal to you with confidence. 1 am at
your service without reserve to play my
part In any way you may call upon me
to play It in this great enterprise of
t exigent reform which It will dignify and
distinguish us to perform and discredit
us to neglect.
4
VALLEYRM
1
m
A f ti'
^ :
ASHING T t) N AT VA1.I.K1
FORGE!" Thousands of students
of American history have been
thrilled by the story. It has done
more to instill a spirit of patriot-
ism and love of country into
youthful hearts thau any otli
narrative. In the face of most
Ing hardships the patriots mad"
Valley Forge the most wonderful
military camp ever maintained in
this land of the free and home of
the bra
The year 1777 was one of mingled victory and
defeat for the cause of American freedom. In
the north the stiU ndid leadership of Arnold. Mor
gan and Stark, and the patriotism of the people
of New York and New England foiled the British
plan of cutting off the northeastern states from
I
y
!
n.
TOUCH SYSTEM IS SUCCESS
Private Known at "Lucky Bill" Telia
Comrade How to Secure a Pen-
sion From the Government.
Trlvate William McDermott, bettei
know n to his comrades at "Lucky Bill."
was being examined by the regular
army surgeon in order to have his
nlal'o for a pension verified, in hla
right hand he carried a heavy Btlck
which he used as a support. Each
step was accompanied with a con-
spicuous limp, while his face was con-
torted almost beyond recognition, as
with pain
What's the matter with your leg?"
asked the surgeon.
"Shot, just below the knee," return-
ed "Lucky Bill."
The surgeon examined 'ho injured
limb, winked at his assistant, and turn-
ed again to the applicant
"Why, man, there's nothing wrong
with your leg," he said. "Your wound
Is almost entirely healed, and while it
may cause you to limp a little It will
never hinder you from making a liv-
ing "
"Oh, yes, it will," argued Bill.
"But how?" asked tiie surgeon.
Bill hesitated a moment. Then his
I face brightened. "I'm a song-and-
i da)ice artist." he said; "maybe you can
ten how I'm going to dance with a
stiff leg?"
Bill got his pension.
When he returned to camp a friend
asked him how he made out.
"First rate," answered Bill; "why
don't you go over?"
"I would if I had been injured," an-
swered his friend.
"You lost the tip of your index fin-
ger, didn't you?" said Bill. "Just tell
them you are a typewriter and use the
touch system "
Library Etiquette in Kansas.
Don't throw down the quarter or
dime as if your real intention was to
make holes in the delivery desk, says
the Kansas Industrialist. The linn
charged on your overdue hook is only
a reward for your own carelessness,
and, contrary to the ideas of some per-
sons, Is neither a peace offering to
the librarian nor a contribution to her
pin money box.
If you must chew gum, seek tha pri-
vacy of your own room. Do not ap-
proach the delivery desk during the
operation. Many a librarian has been
called a "grouch" because she did not
hasten to servo a careless schoolgirl,
who accosted her thus (between
chews): "Say, I wish you'd get me
eumpiu' on George Eliot, or, If there
ain't anything about him. Dickens 11
do." Any librarian is delighted to
help every borrower to get the most
good from the library, but. like tha
gods, she pleases to help those who
help themselves by being courteous.
7^7
the other revolted provinces and forced the sur-
render of Burgoyne at Saratoga. But in the mid-
dle states, Lord Howe, aided by the lukewarm
ness of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, defeated
Washington at. the Brandywine and firmly estab-
lished himself In Philadelphia, the American
metropolis and the rebel capital.
The continental congress fled to Lancaster and
then to York. Washington hovered about Phila-
delphia, fought the brilliant but indecisive battle
of Germantown, and late in December went into
winter quarters in what, says the English histo-
rian, Trevelyan, "bids fair to be the most famous
encampment in the world's history." Valley
Forge, up the Schuylkill river about twenty miles
from Philadelphia, strategically left little to be
desired, for it enabled the Americans to restrict
British raids and was, besides, well fitted for
defense.
Many civilians insisted that the army ought
not to go into winter quarters at all. The fugi-
tive Pennsylvania assembly adopted a remon-
strance to that effect. Harassed by a thousand
cares and dangers, Washington tartly responded
that "we have by a field return this day (Decem-
ber 23, 1777) no less than 2,898 men now in camp
unfit for duty because they are barefoot and oth-
erwise naked. . . . Numbers have been obliged
and still are. to sit up all night by fires, instead of
taking comfortable rest In a natural and common
way," because of a lack of blankets.
"I can assure these gentlemen that it is a much
easier and less distressing thing to draw remon-
strances in a comfortable room by a good fire-
side than to occupy a cold, bleak hill and sleep
under frost and snow without clothes and
blankets." ,
The troops were divided into squads of twelve,
and to encourage the men Washington offered a
reward of $12 to the squad in each regiment that
finished a log hut for quarters in the <lutc^e®'
and most workmanlike manner. Inside the huts
bunks were to be built, and the farmers living
near the camp were ordered to thrash their wheat
in order that the straw could be used for bedding.
In building many of the huts a considerable
hole was first dug, and dozens of these "hut
holes" or "cellars," can still be seen Lntll a
few years ago one of the more substantial huts
still remained, but unfortunately it was destroyed
by fire. The Daughters of the Revolution in 190o
constructed an excellent facsimile of a hut, over
an old "hut hole." and this reproduction undoubt-
edly gives a fair Idea of the structures.
Some of the officers found quarters in the scat-
tered farmhouses that stood within or near the
encampment. Those who lived in houses *'thout
the lines paid a heavy price for their comfort, for
unceasing vigilance was required to guard against
British attacks. Early one January morning a
(area of about two hundred Brltlih surrounded
the house in which Captain l^e (Light Horse
Harry, the father of Robert E. Lee) was staying,
but Lee and his guard manned the doors and w
dows and drove the enemy off with loss.
was the son of Washington's famed Lowiana
Beauty," and the general was already deeply
terested in the young man. For the deed o ga
lantry he obtained Lee's promotion.
Washington's own quarters were at first in a
tent or marquee, which is at present in the V al-
ley Forge museum in a good state of preserva < .
for Americans had not then forgotten ow
make the things that would last.
To Washington's worries during this awful wi -
ter was added the miserable "Conway cabal.
p'otTo remove him in favor of Gates. Little won-
der that strong man though he was. Washington
despaired of earthly aid and turned to heaven or
assistance. Uaac Potts was one day l,d8sl"«
through a woods near headquarters when he
heard a voice, and looking Into a thicket discov-
ered the general "on his knees in the act of
devotion to the Ruler of the universe. At the
moment when Friend Potts, concealed by the
trees, came up, Washington was interceding for
his beloved country. . He utterly disclaimed
all ability of his own for this arduous conflict
he wept at the thought of that irretrievable ruin
which his mistakes might bring on his country,
and with the patriot s pathos spreading the inter-
ests of unborn millions before the eyes of Eternal
Mercy he implored the aid of that arm which
guides the starry host. As soon as the general
had finished his devotions and had retired, 1 riend
Potts returned to his house and threw himsel
into a chair by the side of his wife.
" Isaac,' she said with tenderness, 'thee seems
agitated; what's the matter?'
" 'indeed, my dear,' quoth he, 'If I appear agi-
tated 'tis no more than what I am I havei seen
this day what I shall never forget. Till now
have thought that a Christian and a soldier were
characters incompatible; but If George Washing-
ton be not a man of God, 1 am mistaken, and still
more shall 1 be disappointed if God do no
through him perform soine great thing for this
C°l'n lall about three thousand men died in the
camp, but the grave of only one Is now known.
Lieutenant John Waterman, a brigade commlii
sary, died in April, and some one erected a rough
stone and cut on it the inscription: J. W. 1778.
A marble shaft, 50 feet high, wa. erected. U
vears ago, by this grave, dedicated To the Sol
dlers of Washington's Army Who Sleep at alley
Forge" Dozens of other graves have been diB
covered, but no others have been Identified.
Fearful as was the suffering at Valley Forge
the time spent there proved fruitful, thank. In
large measure, to the arrival in camp of ^eder
lok Augustus Henry Ferdinand Ton Bteuben. TH
newcomer's merits were in proportion to the
length of his name. He had been an aid-de-
camp to Frederick the Great, the ablest soldier
of the day, and was thoroughly versed In the
science of war He had proposed to congress
that he enter the service as a volunteer, with
the understanding that congress should defray
his expenses. If the revolt failed, or his services
proved unsatisfactory, he was to receive nothing
more; otherwise, he was to be refunded the in-
come he had given up (about three thousand dol-
lars a year I and properly remunerated. His offer
was accepted, and Steuben reached Valley Forge
on February 23.
The suffering of the troops and their lack of
discipline and proper organization astonished
Steuben greatly. "1 have seen," he wrote long
afterward, "a regiment consisting of 30 men, and
a cojnpany of one corporal. ... We had more
commissaries and quartermasters at that time
than all the armies of Europe together." i
Hitherto five to eight thousand muskets had
been lost yearly through discharged soldiers car-
rying them home as souvenirs.
The loss of bayonets was still greater. The
Atnerican soldier, never having used this arm.
had no faith in it, and never used it only to roast
his beefsteak, and, indeed, often left it at home.
With regard to their military discipline Steuben
found no such thing existed.
In Bpite of Jealousy on the part of some of the
other officers, Steuben accomplished wonders.
The next year not more than a score of muskets
were lost instead of thousands. Steuben turned
drill sergeant and introduced a discipline Buch as
the troops had never known. Rising at three in
the morning, he would drink a cup of coffee,
smoke a pipe, and then ride to the parade ground
for a hard day's labor. His enthusiasm proved
contagious, and the whole camp fell to drilling.
The army was greatly cheered in April by the
news that France, long America's secret ally, had
at last decided openly to enter the iistB in ber
favor.
"I believe no event was ever received with
more heartfelt Joy," wrote Washington. May #
was Bet apart "for gratefully acknowledging the
Divine Goodness, and celebrating the important
event, which we owe to His benign interposition.
By Washington's orders the whole army paraded,
salutes were fired from both artillery and small
arms, and the troops cheered lustily for "the king
of France," "the friendly European power." and
"the American states."
Not less Joyful to the waiting army was the
news brought to Valley Forge on June 8 that the
the British had evacuated Philadelphia. The long
months of suffering and discouragement had at
last borne fruit. By their patriotic devotion
Washington and his men had held the enemy In
check until better days dawned. By holding to-
gether during those awful winter days they had
preserved the revolution.
A large part of the land upon which Washing-
ton's troops shivered, starved, and died, is owned
today by the state of Pennsylvania, and pious
care Is devoted to preserving the fortifications,
the old bake ovens, and other relics of that mem-
orable wlAUr.
Not Easily Perturbed.
"The American girl," said Mayor
Ainslie, at a bachelor dinner in Rich-
mond, "Is noted for her beauty and
intelligence, and she is also noted for
her adroitness. Circumstance can
never confound her.
"A typical American girl, young and
beautiful, sat with her clear eyes
fixed ardently on the orbs of a young
man who, seated at her side, poured
forth his soul In a declaration of love.
"Suddenly the girl's brow darkened.
A look of pain overspread her face.
With a queenly gesture she silenced
the love-stricken youth
"'Wait, wait!' she cried.
"The next moment the sneeze came,
and at once the ardent and tender
glow stole back into her eyes, and.
laying her hand on the young man's
sleeve, she murmured:
" 'As you were saying, Alfred?' "
Pickets Saved Child's Life.
Falling three stories to be unhurt,
a two-year-old child named Phillips
had a notable escape from death at
Weehawken, N. J„ the other day. The
child had been left alone for a fewr
momenta in a room of his parents
house, when he climbed on a chair in
front of an open window and gazed
out. Later his mother heard a scream
and rushed Into the room to find the
child gone. He had crawled out of
the window and had fallen three sto-
ries. The frightened mother rushed
down the stairs and found the baby
unhurt. He had Just grazed a picket
fence and the pickets had caught his
clothing, held him for a moment, and
then dropped him gently to the pave-
ment.
His Indefinite Status.
"What brought you to this sad sit-
uation?" Inquired the Jailer.
"I got caught between stations,"
answered tha grafter. "I couldn't be
on the level and I wasn't strong
enough to figure as the man hlfeuer
up."
Nearly Washed.
Ragged Haggard—You had a mighty
close call in dot lodgin' house fire,
didn't you?
Seldum Fed—Bet yer neck! Dem
firemen squirted water widln two feet
me!—Puck.
Turn of Phrase.
The Cigar Smoker (facetiously)—
Still studying the sea, professor' Yon
must know it upside down by now.
The Professor (feelingly)—Say,
rather, inside out!—Sketch.
Reason Enough.
"Mr. Jinks has canceled all social
engagements. Has there been a death
In the family?"
"No, they are hunting for a house."
On the Trolley.
"They say there is always room at
the top."
"Not always. Sometimes you can't
•ven get a strap."
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Harris, Grant. The Press-Democrat. (Hennessey, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, June 27, 1913, newspaper, June 27, 1913; Hennessey, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc132467/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.