davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1855-05-12
Pay of Members of Congress.

We briefly notice an attempt which was
made in the Senate a few days since, by
the introduction of bill, to Increase the
salary of members of Congress and Judges
Of the Supreme Court. We believe the
salaries Of Judges could be increased with
justice, but we don't know SO much about
the per diem Of the membcrs-eight dollars
per day seems to be pretty good remunera-
ton for the service performed, without
taking into consideration the mileage which
at the rate Of eight dollars for every
twenty miles Travelled, increases the rate of
compensation of members materially. We
would like to see the mileage system either
abolished, or SO altered as TO be character
lied by more justice to the members them
selves, and economy to the Government.
Uncle Sam loses great deal of money, by
the efforts of Inscriptions members, who
take advantage Of the vague and indistipci
phraseOlogy of the mileage act. The pro-
position now before Congress, is TO Increase
the per diem Of members and the salary oil
the Judges, fifty per cent 1t does not,
however contemplate any action in regard
TO the mileage of the members.
Since the establishment of the govern
ment, several changes in the compensation
to members have been made. BY the act
of the 22d September, the pay of a mem
bcr of Congress was fixed at six dollars
per day, and six dollars for every twenty
miles of travel. This was continued until
the 4th of March 1895, after which it was
to be seven dollars per day, and seven dol
lars for every twenty miles travel. This
act was limited to the 4th Of March, 1876.
On the 10th Of March, 1896, the compcn-
sation was fixed at six dollars per day, and
six dollars for every twenty miles travel.
BY the act Of the 18th March, 1916, the
pay was changed from daily to an annual
compensation, the President pro femPore OF
the Senate, and the Speaker of the House,
each SO, 900 per aunum, and each member
81, 500 per annum. This last act created
great excitement in the country, and even
nrraycd strong opposition to Mr.. Clay,
who had supported it. Many members
were defeated at the next election in con
sequence of its passage. 1t WAS repealed
on the 9th of February, 1916, to take ef-
feet after the close Of the then session Of
Congress. BY the act Of the 22d January,
1918, the pay was fixed at eight dollars
per day, aud eight dollars for every twenty
miles travel; the President pro temPorc Of
the Senate, and the Speaker Of the House,
to receive eight dollars per day additional
This is the present pay.
, 1855-05-12

The SEA WAGoN.-This is the name Of
an invention, the caveat already fled in the
Patent Office, by Mr.. Fulton, Of Princeton,
New Jersey, which is to be, if successful
nothing less than steamship, propelled on
rollers or wheels that are to go over the
water instead Of under it. The wheels
are four hollow cylinders, Of boiler iron,
air-tight, and forty feet in diameter. These
are to be strengthened by means Of com
pressed air, forced into them by an air.
pump attached to the main engine. The
inventor claims that at about forty-four
revolutions per minute bis machine would
be propelled a mile, and undoubtedly would
tear things and astonish even the sea mon
sters. A letter writer says:
"He has on hand working nodded ol
this machine, eight feet in length, with six
inch cylinders, driven by small engine
that for diminutivc pattern, is one Of the
swiftest 1t was tried on the canal the
other day and but for some intervening
trees would have parted company with it
proprietor forever. 1t pays no respect Il
sand-bars or shadows, going over eithel
with equal facility"
, 1855-05-12

ABSTINENCE OF THE ARABs.-A late trav-
eller in Arabia writes, that the Arabs,
when at the table of christians, makes no
scruples of drinking wine or brandy but
that they never become drunkards and
never spend q penny for inebriating drinks.
He says: never saw drunken Arab
during all my stay in Africa. Only milk
and water are tasted in the encampments,
and yet this people are not inferior to any
other, either in bodily strength or mental
energy"
, 1855-05-12

custom house. where they are paid for in
silver or American gold com. Eggs,
chickens, sweet potatoes, egg-plants, and
various other vegetables, can also be OBJ
tained. The foreign articles hey most pre-
fer are the light wines, brand ) loaf sugar,
pilot bread, salt meat, particularly hams,
all kinds of cutlery and fancy wares. Cloth
and cotton stuffs most likely find market
also, from the great fancy they take to thOse
they saw.
, 1855-05-12

The BATTLE OF IRKERMANN.-The bate
of the 5th of November, was the most Sc
we're of the campaign. The loss of the
British, in killed, was ASP, wounded and
missing, 2,15O-total, 1902. The French
lost in killed and wounded, was 1926
making the total loss of the allies, 4,33S.
The Russians admit their loss in killed, to
be BOIL, and in wounded, 5,097, making
the killed and wounded to be 5000, but
they say nothing of their prisoners. 1t i:
estimated that Is, 900 Russians were placed
hOrs du cOmbdt.
, 1855-05-12

A. WITNESS IN CoURT.-The Worcester
Spy relates the following amusing exami-
nation Of q witness in the case Of Calvin
Bond, of Oxford, who was indicted before
Judge Briggs, on a charge of stealing
boots:
A brother Of the defendant, who was a
witness in the case, and who testified that
he saw his brother purchase the boots, and
some other things, from Smith, created
considerable amusement by the Hatire man.
ner in which he answered the District At
torney's questions. He testified that he
could not write and, shortly afterwards,
stated that he wrote to his brother, from
Springfield to visit him.
"Did you not testify, just now that yor
could not writeH said the Attorney.
oval, neither l can; but | ordered the
letter to be wrote, and got it done by the
band of another man." "Who was thC
other mani" "Wal, it was my aunt
This bull created some mcrriment, which
however, did not disturb the equanimity o
the witness.
, 1855-05-12
FRANcE.-France is the empire of baga

FRANcE-France is the empire of baga-
telle. Its idea is amusement Its pleasures
are all refined, and are made the most Of
The women are graceful and beautiful, but
the control Of French Cupid is never
longer than few days at most. French
life wants veracity; still, undertaking oil
this levity, there is much Of good in the
French character. Nature has scatter.
ed generous and beautiful souls among
them-Fenelon, Montesquieu, Pascal, and
noble and beautiful women, who have
made France the centre of letters. The
sense they give to love is bar to civiliza
ton. They should cultivate sterner 'anG
laughter virtues.-EmersOn.
, 1855-05-12

A FIRST RATE NorIcE.-The \. Y. Times
in reviewing the Life Of Bornum, makes
the following remarks =
"The great fact that Mr.. Barnum sets
forth in-ths biography of himself, is that
his success has been achievcd-his wealth
acquired, his reputation aud consideration
established, by the systematic, adroit and
persevering plan of obtaining money under
false pretenccs from the public at large.
This is the beginning and the end of his en-
terprisc, and the great secret of his success
He seems occasionally conscious of the
fact, and seeks TO cloak it under phrases and
forms of speech. lie calls it humbug-
aud, under the seeming candOr of confession
palliates it by variety of apologies and
explanations. We must take men as we
find them-human nature is full Of weak
ness Of which it is our right to take advan-
tage-men like to be deceived if it is so clcv-
erly done as to seem amusing-uo wrong is
Gone II they get what they cOhSluer an
equivalent for their money. These are some
of the moral maxims and reflections which
are brought forward to palliatc and excuse
the leading fact that his wealth has been
acquired by complicated system of false
hood and fraud. Mr.. Barnum does not
deny that the representations which have
made his schemes successful have been false
and fraudulent his only effort is to make
the public appear TO have been an accom-
plice in his plans, instead Of their victim.
This is the way in which his fortune has
been acquired. Other men do the same
thing on small scale They sell sand for
sugar, chicory for coffee, counterfeit bills
for good ones; seldom get rich and more
frequently get into the State Prison.
, 1855-05-12

bRThe new Governor Of the ohinchs
Islands arrived there on the l4th of Jan,
uary, and was waited upon by q deputatioq
of American ship-masters then at the Isl
ands, to congratulate him on his appoint
ment, and assure him Of the satisfaction
which it afforded them. The Governor
replied, expressing "hope that the dsy
will come when we (the North and South
shall be one." The Americans then fred
salute in honor Of the occasion.
, 1855-05-12

WHAT BA MIME RIFLE.-The Cleve-
land Herald answers this question as fol-
lows:
The barrel of a rife has, running the
length of its inner surface, spiral grooves or
channel-hence the name Of rife, which
means ri6ed or grooyed gun. The object
Of riAed barrel is to give greater precis-
ion to the ball by communicating to it a ro-
tary moiion.-This motion it receives on its
passage out of the gun, provided the ball is
SO crowded into the barrel Us to gil up par
TALLY or entirely the grooves; and the more
perfectly the ball fits into the barrel, the
truer its course, and the less windage there
is that is the less space is between the ball
and the barrel for the strength of the pow
der to escape. It is estimated that when
the windage is only l-20th Of the calibre
of the gun, one-third Of the powder escapes
and Of course its strength is lost.
The ball is oblong with conical point
In its base it has a conical hollow running
half or two thirds the length Of the barre
A cup made of sheet-iron is placed in the
orifce Of this hollow, which at the instant
Of firing is driven by the powder with great
force into the ball, thus spreading it open
so as in its course out, to perfectly slug ol
gil the grooved barrel. This accomplishes
the whole object; it saves time in ramming
it destroys windage thus ecOnomizing il
powder, and makes the ball perfectly fit thu
barrel so as to give the ball a complete 70
tary motion and certainty Of direction.
Thus the mimic mprovement-taking it
name from a French officer named Mimic
is mimic ball, not mimic rife. The conica
shade OF the bullet gives it greater weigh
of metal than a round one, affords less re
sistance to the air, and greatly increases tn
distance it can be thrown. This shaped bal
has been used for long time by sportsmen
The present popularity Of the rife owes it
origin to the skill'of American sharp shoot
ers bred and trained in our new settlements
and who in our Indian and other wars hav
shown the efficiency of the rife ball pickinI
off officers, gunncrs, and prominent objects
but its perfection, tse imagine has been &C
complished in the lands OF the French.
, 1855-05-12

LUxuRrEs IN SAN FRANcIsco.-The Chi
nese at San Francisco are somewhat on
luxuries. Among other tit-bits advertised
by a long-queued restoratuer in the muddy
city we notice the following: Smoked
rats, preserved birds nests, and picked
bull dogs served daily at the ordinary at
Bpm. Tickets 81 each. N. B. Queues
twisted and teeth picked without any addi-
iional charge.
, 1855-05-12

AMERICAN OsrMcHEs.-The Minnesota
Pioneer says that two specimens Of the
American ostrich, male aud female. were
recently killed by Edward Moore, Of Hele7
ma, Ark, near Fort Des Moines, Iowa.
They are described as four apd half feet
long, and five feet in height, with bills six
inches long, straight aud very sharp
They resemble in most points the ostrich
Of Africa. $1,000 was offered for them.
, 1855-05-12

We understand that the Know Nothing
lodges, fearing that their precious designs
are leaking out, have begun the system Of
blaok-6alliRg all who are suspected OF Demo
cratic affiliations. The Wing leaders Of the
order think that no true Democrat ought to
be trusted with secrets which strike at the
liberties of the country; for sooner or lateI
be must out with them-ay, out with them
though his life paid the forfeit for the dis
closure - Statesman.
, 1855-05-12

How To Prove LOVER. In order to
try your lovers affection for you, take an
opportunity Of dancing some evening con-
tinually with somebody else, or otherwise
flirting, whilst, in the mean time, you snub
and slight him. If this conduct does not
destroy his regard for you, he loves you in
deed sincerely; but he is fool, and dom
you have him.
, 1855-05-12

A New PRoHIBITIoN.-The Wisconsin
Home, a vegetarian" paper, advocates
the prohibition of fermenting, and the sup
preston of butchers meat, on the ground
that flesh is stimulating, and acts upon the
appetite the same, only not as powerfully
as stimulating drinks"
, 1855-05-12
A fsv d.v, since atltbe Favette House

A few days since, at the Fayette House,
Syracuse, N. Y, about twenty Indians
who participated in the conflict Of 1879,
came together from the Green Bay, Onon-
dagas and Oneidas. Three Of their num-
Der were appointed delegates to the Ma
tional Convention Of the Veterans Of the
War of 1912, to be held at Washington
on the 18th Of January next, where they
will 20 in full costume.
, 1855-05-12

MAxMs FOR You've MAN.-Be not
idle. II your hands cannot be usefully en-
ployed, attend to the cultivation Of your
mind. I..t -fie.s...i ,.it7
Always speak the truth,
Keep good company or none.
Make few promises. ORA
Live up to your engagements a
Have no very intimate friends. vgori
Keep your own secrets, if you have any.
When you speak to person look him
in the face. 9"
Good company and good conversation
are the very sinews Of virtues. ~ ns.si
Good character is above all things else.
Never listen to loose or idle conyersa'
tion.
You had better be poisoned in yonr
blood than your principles. ha'iea Q.
Your character cannot be essentially
injured except by your own acts and
thoughts. >. 49,, 49,.
II any one speaks evil Of you let your
life be SO virtuous that none will believe
him. tail F
Drink no intoxicating liquors, rta
Ever live within your income.
|
, 1855-05-12

p6- NJ. c. Richard Weld, q London
barrister, is preparing for publication q life
of his Uncle Sir John Franklin, embracing
bis carly naval career, which was chequer-
ed by many remarkable events, and his
various Arctic explorations, with the meas
ure taken to search for his last unfortunate
expedition.
, 1855-05-12

par At its recent session, the Metho'
dist Conference of Michigan passed resolu-
tions in favor of the repeal Of the fugitive
slave law, and also declared that it was in
favor of the next General Conference en-
acting such a rule of discipline as will di
rectly operate to exclude all Shareholders
from the NJ. E. Church. And the next
step, possibly, to exclude them from Heav
en-, ..i
, 1855-05-12

The SGndEsEy Herald says It is reported
that large amounts Of gold have been re-
ceived from Europe, and sent into Wiscon-
sin, Illinois and Canada for the purchase Of
provisions for the army in the East Tho
purchases are kept, as far as possible, a
secret, yet the fact of the deposit Of for
eign gold has transpired, and it is general
belief that the purchases are on English
and French account.
, 1855-05-12

To LAwYERs.-The St. Paul (NIinneso-
TOY Pioneer contains the following pdysf-
tisement: fe....t,
zone hundred able-bOdied lawyers are
wanted in Minnesota to break prairie land,
split rails, and chop cord wood. Eastern
aud Southern papers please copy" ,lai7oi
, 1855-05-12

The Artesian Well at Charleston, s. G.,
has reached depth Of l,2l7 feet. The
water ascends at the rate Of three gallons
minute, and brings up great quantities Of
sand. The work is believedno tobe nearly
accomplished, and in this body Of sand the
quantity of water desired may be fondsw
, 1855-05-12

The Light house system of the United
States costs it nearly $2,OOO,O0O per year.
We are the only nation who give to
the navigation Of the world the advan-
tage of this expenditure, without exacting
"a lirht dntinsn
, 1855-05-12

Khosrew Pacha, who died on the I'd nit,
was the Oldest servant of the Turkish en-
pire. He had served under Eve Sultans,
and had filed in success all the FIRST posts
in the State. He was very vain Of haV-
ing been born in the same year Is Napo-
leon the Great, Chateaubriand, the Duke
of Wellington, Marshall Soult, Mehemet
Ali, and other remarkable men. .f...f, .,,,
, 1855-05-12

A SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH has just been
constructed at Berlin, on Morse's system,
to be laid down between Varna and Balak-
lava, which will be finished at the same time
as the one which connects Varna with Bu-
charest. Sebastopol will then be in direct
telegraphic communication with the capitals
Of Western Europe. -..
, 1855-05-12

The Illinois river receives its name from
Illini, confederacy of Indians, consisting
of Kaskians, Cahokes, Peorians, Michi-
gauians and Tomorals, who speak the
Miami Language, and no doubt were branch
es of that nation. According to Father
Henlpin, the word Illini signifies, "a perfect
and ACCOMPLISHED man."
, 1855-05-12

BS~ A clause in the treaty at Utrecht,
in l7l2, stipulated that England should
have the sole right of carrying slaves from
Africa to the West Indies, for q space Of
thirty years. Great for public treaty,
sure and that, too, by a nation which
affects to be so Mortified at American sla-
very, lOhieh they introduced.
, 1855-05-12

The Pulaski Monument at Savannah has
been completed. The SaVanGh RePEk kticaB
it as one of the most ehaste
and beautiful structures Of the kind II has
ever seen. 1t is sixty feet high, and Of the
finest Italian marble.
, 1855-05-12

BS-The population of the new city Of
Leavenworth, away out in Kansas, is SO
men, woman babies. OF the )99 men,
10 are Attorneys and Counsellors al
law"
, 1855-05-12

RAILROAD OVER THE ALPs.-0n the line
Of railroad now building from Konigsberg
to the Lake of Constance, over the Alps
there are thirteen tunnels and twenty-five
viaducts. Thirteen thousand horses are
continually employed upon it.
, 1855-05-12

B6rSince the last steamer, the prices Of
goods in San Francisco have greatly de-
clined. The arrival Of, SO many vessels
from the East, laden with goods, has pro
duced this effect. 7S1q aiHi Of
, 1855-05-12

The man that has nothing to boast Of
but his illustrious ancestors, is like potato
plant; all the good that belongs to him is
under the ground.
, 1855-05-12
AGENTS.

The following gentlemen are authorized to receiv
subscriptions for the PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT
L. P. FISHER, Merchants Exchange Building, Sac
ramento st. San Francisco.
J. D. BfLEs, Vancouver;
?. A. CuESowErH, Cascade
DR. PAGETr Cowlitz Landing;
L. D. DURGIN, Grand Mound
JOIN r. JACKSON, Jackson's Prairie
W.T.. SAYwARD, Port Ludlow.
GEo. NAGGs, Shoalwater Bay;
Mr.. WM ATKINSON, Victoria, VancouVer's Island.
A. BENroN MOSES, Steilacoom.
ROBERT THOMPSON, Portland, Oregon.
L. B. HASTINGS, Port Townsend
, 1855-05-12

B6r The Empress of France declares
that no State balls shall take place, or un'
necessary expenses incurred by the Emper-
or's household, until the taking Of Sebasto'
pol.
, 1855-05-12

pJ- No less than fifteen Clipper Ships
arrived in San Francisco, during the week
ending April 18th, all from Atlantic ports.
, 1855-05-12

THR TREASURY DEPARTNHNT,-On the
9th of March treasury warrants to the
following ammount were entered upon the
= tho Aroaeury 1anarfuanf.
, 1855-05-12
Gbt lliunttr ans Dtmutrat.

PUBLISHED ON EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
By DOYLE g. CO.,
R. L. DOYLE, GEO. B. GOUDY, J. W. WILEY
, 1855-05-12

Oft expectation fails, and most oft where
it most promises
The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-08-11
! @
Judgment, rctard or advance the crisis now

Judgment, rctard or advance the crisis now
impending. -.
impressed Nth these views Of public af.
fairs. I shall hold aloof from the present
State canvass. / will not even join the at
tempt 10 revive the organization Of the
Wing party. It's ashes alone remain, and
the Phoenix is equally fable in political
- in natural history. l shall await the
fast approaching time when not only Loui-
siana but the entire South, animated by .
single spirit shall struggle for its dearest
rights and defense Of that Constitution
which is their most precious heritage
When that day shall come, as soon Is it
will-when eli distinctions Of Wing, Dem
ocrat, and Know Nothing shall have been
obliterated, shall not trust be found the
last Of those, who will battle in behalf d
the great Southern Party, organized y meet
and combat the aggressiohs Of Northern
Abolitionism, fanaticisn,, and treason.
Respectfully, your fellow citizens,
J. p. BENJAMIN
The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-08-11
August Elections.

We CLEAN from the Baton Rouge Advocate the fol-
lowing, being the latest Intelligence received by
telegraph, Of the late state elections Louisville
has again been the scene Of the most terrible know
nothing outrages. Thispecular mode of purifying
the ballot box, is consistent IN party that panlcrs
only to the fears and passions and not the reasons
men. But these acts will not want apologists and
defenders in the journals of the order.
KENTUCKY.
LOUISVILLE 6th.--MARsuALL eight hundred ahead.
The Americans are reported in possession of nearly
everyspoll in the cty--all quiet.
LOUISVILLE, 6th.-Two houses attacked and set on
fire In the Southern part of the city,
Eight ornine men are said to have been killed
and many wounded. MARsuALLs majority in the
city, about 1900.
Reports don't come in from the city, on account
Of the excitement.
Large fire now raging down town. Cannon taken
up town, but not used Two men hung by the mob.
The returns to hand indicate the election of the
Know Nothing candidate for Governor in this State.
terrible riot occurred in this city to-night sew
eral persons were killed and wounded. The mob is
up to the Courier Office with cannon In their
possession.
LOUISVILLE, August 7th.-Twenty persons were
killed aud twelve houses burned during the riot in
this city last night.
TENNESSEE. N
August sth.--JoHNsoN is elected Governor Of Ten
ncssce by small majority.
NORTH CAROLINA.
The American party has, as far as heard from,
elected three members of Congress. Tho Democrats
have gained largely on the popular vote.
ALABAMA.
MOBILE, August sth.-Returns to hand from %
counties in Southern and Eastern Alabama, give
SnoRrRDdE, the American candidate for Governor.
more than 1900 majority over WINSTON, the Demo-
,rot.