davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Usurv Laws and IA nkinr

The Enquirer Of Dec. Goth has speci i.
Gus. but very fallacious article favorine the
repeal Of the usuiy laws. Money is the
creature of the law-hence tae law ma.
kers should regulate The legal rate Of in.
:erest paid for its USE The law establish
es currency, and gives nominal and
practical value to that currency. Were
Congress to enact law making stone
currency, or paper currency, that cur
renry would be Just as valuable as any
other, because the law has the power to
establish its value. What makes cold
more valuable shan silver, or iron; and
paper as valuable as gold or silver but the
Jaw. Did not the laws of Virginia make
piece Of thin paper, with promises 10
pay printed on them in very equivoca Al
terms, equivalent to 81, So, &c Do
no, the laws of Virginia now make p.per
currency, equal i'll value to gold and sill.
yer!
Th" Enquirer assumed that the usury
laws Cypress the poor, when they were
intended TO benefit. and uses this argument
TO sustain the postulate As the law now
operates, persons who have surplus funds.
who ATE either too conscientious to shave
sr too tim,d to invest where their money
would bring usurieus interest, withdraw
entirely from the field OF money operation,
and (of course) lock up their means, to
brlng no interest at all, ruther than lake sir
per cent. This is about the argument the
enquirer uses. We leave our readers to
examine it without one word OF .ommen,
from US. Its weakness is too TRANSPARENT
to require exposure.
The Examiner and Enquirer are both
doing violence TO public sentiment, public
interest, expectancy and prudence. in
urging upon the Legislature the repeal Of
the usury laws, and the establishment of
the Independent Banking system. In The
INST place, we are not in condition 10
tamper with the basis of our monetary af.
iairs. In the second place, the remedies pro.
posed are reckless, speculative, and must re.
SUIT IN disaster and rum TO the people,
lhese positions we may at another time
elaborate. We would suggest in order to
biing our State stocks into profitable mar.
ket'we create market at home, by building
up our commerce. and enlarging the bust.
ness operations the State. N York stocks
are al par, because they have home mar
ket; and Virginia stocks are below par
because they have 20 home market, but
are hawkcd about in foreign markets.
We wara the Enquirer and Examiner
how they tamper with these delitate SUBJ
jects. They are assuming heavy respon-
.ibility. As much as we admire the abil-
ity Of manv OF their editorials, we cannot
but regret the Red Republican tendency
Of their course upon the subject OF Vir.
GINA monetary affairs.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
The Spe akeyship.

There could be no greater folly, than
that committed by the Know othing pa
pers, which charge the Democrats with
cau,ing the delay ia the organization Of
Congress. Must Mahomet go the noun
tain or the Mountain 10 Mahomet The
Democrats number 74--the Know Nothing,
34-whieh would look better, TOR the 81
to unite upon truly national man. of the
"A, or the "A. to unite upon a similar m n
Of the "a? The Democrats have declared
:hsir platform-let them stick to tito the
end. A principle Is not worth anything
when it admits OF compromise. Ii men
are acting from ii conviction Of tight. how
can they unite with that which they be-
lieve wrong? We want no compromises.
We want the issue decided, either for the
ruin OF the salvation Of The country. The
know nothings have it in their power to
make the decision. Let us see wheth.
er their love for "America" will lead them
to vote with the minions Of hell, the Banks
party, or the conservators OF the country,
the Richardson party. Let them choose
whom they will serve.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Democratic Convention.

1t is time, we think, the Democratic par
~ OF this District were taking some action
IN regard to appointing delegates to the
national Convention. We suggest therefore
that convention be held ia Harrison
burg, on Thursday the LIST Of Feb. for that
purpose; and that the Dsmoc ratio party OF
Augusta, at the January term OF the coun-
ty Court. appoint delegates to attend said
Convention. We also would call the at
tentiox of Democrats in Highland, Bath
and Pendleton, to the propriety of appoint
ing delegates to meet in Harrisonburg, or
alternates. There will be two delegates
from this Congressional district to the Gin
cinnati Convention, for the purpose OF Sc
Letting whom. we suggest the Harrison
burg Convention. The Democratic papers
In the District should speak out.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
That PrOuhccv.


Mr.. Alexander Hugh Homes Stuart, in
bis discharge OF pent up patriotism and
prophecy, in this place, on the 9th day Of
May, 1855-made the following startling
announcement: If Henry A. Wise is
slec;ed Governor Of Vlrsinia-mark what
l say" and here our Patrick Henry,
squiuted his eyes, and slowly raised his
finger, and cautiously and prophetlcally
whispered the fatal secret-"Wm. II. Sc
,card viH be the neat President ofthe United
Sdies." MI. Wise was elected Governor.
II remains to BE- seen whether Seward will
be the next President. 1t seems that the
Know Nothings are determined upon run
ning Mr.. Fillmore and Mr.. Stuart, il we
are TO jugde from the indications given out
by the press. If Mr.. S. believes his own
prophecy, we would advise him to with
draw from the field-it will save him the
modification Of defeat-and throw his
influence as good Southener upon the
Democratic side. He will have the gratl-
ficaion Of knowing he voted with Ma.
tonal party against sectional party. We
have no reward at present TO hold out as
an inducement. But if he works we'll in
the traces for while, we cannot say what
might happen.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Richmond City not the State:

We observe movement in the Legisla.
ture, to have the proceedings Of the
Board Of Public Works published in the
"city papers Now, we would ask, if the
country papers ought not also to be incu-
ded. The city papers DC not circulate
generally throughout the Stale, but prin-
cipally in Eastern Virginia. Ifit is deem.
ed advisable that the proceedings of the
Board Of Public Works should be read by
one!portlon of the people of the State, why
n OF make provision for the publication Of
them all over the State. If published al
all they should be advertised in at lea.t
two papers in each Congressional District.
We trust the subject will be attended to
by some member, who can appreciate the
propriety OF the suggestion. Richmend
is not the whole Stale. nor are the city pa.
pers the only ones PUBLISHED in the State.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Taking the Bull by the Horns.

J. D. Imboden, Esq, one o! the mem
bers ofthe Legislature from this county,
has made proposition in that body, which
is likely to create q. splutter among those
connected with;the operations at the Blue
Ridge Tunnel. While we do not know
whether or not, there has been misman-
agement in the progress Of the work
al the Tunnel, yet we think There is NO
inappropriateness in Mr.. Is movement
We should like to know ourselves, the pl e.
else condition Of the great State work, and
the costs which has attended its progress
We trust Mr. | will take the bull BY the
horns, and look him straight IN the face
Below Is his proposition
Mr. lmboden-Thdt the Board Of Pub
Eie Works be requested to furnish to this
House, at their earliest convenien ce, iu.
formation on the following points, VIZ
1-.What has been the aggregate amount
of money expended on the Blue Ridge
Railroad up to the 1st day of October 1855,
and bow much thereof has been for tun
neling, and hcw much for grading aud
masonry
2.-How much OF said road ha. been
finished, and how much remains yet to be
completed, and what is the character, and
probable cost Of the work still to be done !?
3.-On what terms said work was or
iginaly bet 10 the contractor, and has the
same been done in conformity with the
SAID original contracts. l. not, what clian-
ges in the terms OF said contracts have been
made and under hat SOFT Of contracts is
said woik now carried on,
4.-If the original contracts have been
annulled, has there been any forfeiture in
Cured BY any of the contractors, or any
penalty paid to the commonwealth in cou-
sequence Of such forfeiture
5.-Who were the original contractors
for the principal tunnels and theiE ap-
proaehes, and how much and what part
Of the work embraced in said tunnel con-
tracts, has been done on the terms OF said
original contracts Z
6.--Whoase asw the contractors on
said tunnels and on what terms is the work
progressing?
What amount has been paid for sal
aries on said work. How much for COM
missoners, to superintendent, contractors
or others?
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
An Evil that REQUIRES Correction

1t is notorious fact, that, in this CON-
munity, there is a species Of traffic carried
OF between licensed retailers Of goods,
wares, merchandise, and spirtuous liquors.
and cur slave population, which is direct
y in violation Of the provision of the code
OF Virginia, end which should be Instantly
stopped. True, there is no direct evi.
dence' to convict any one of this misde.
meanor, OF which we have knowledge
Yet, it is none the less true, that our farm
ers can hardly permit their slaves TO come
to town, unless they return nome drunk
or with the means Of getting drunk
They must be supplied by sone Que. W.
Know not who may be thus guilty OF con.
tGavening the known laws OF the land,
nor have we suspicion as to who such
person. or persons, may be. But slaves
come to town and get liquor, and they get
drunk. Some one must be responsible
and it is high time the proper person, or
persons, we're known, in order tina, the
penalty OF the law may be enforced. This
evil is not alone confined 10 the country
slaves. but is even worse with slaves liy-
ing within the corporate limits. The
property Of our citizens is thus being in.
jurea, and their immediate interests great.
ly damaged. Cannot some scheme be de-
vised by which tais crying evil may be
suppressed? Let our people, who are
most interested in this mater, take the
bull BY the horns, and ferret out the cause
OF the mist hief.
In order that persons who are guilty of
violating the statute referring to this sub
ject, may not do SO ignorantly. but that
they may have the law itself before their
eyes. we quote the revised code Of Vir.
ginia. as follows:
l.. ifany person sell wine, ardent spirits, or any
mixture thereof, any other Intoxicating liquor to
slave without the written consent of his MASTER he
snail forfeit to the master four times the value of the
thing sold and also pay fine of twenty dollars
z. II any person buy or receive from, or sell to
tcls or commodity whatever, he shall forfeit to the
master four times the value of such article or COM
modify and also pay fine not exceeding twenty
dollars.
3. If the offender against either of the two pre-
ceding sections be licensed ordinary keeper, mer-
penalties prescribed by the said sections his license
shall be revoked
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Taxes and the Legisla ture.

1t seems to be conceded fact that TIKI
taxes in this State will have to be RAISED
100 per cent, which will make them 30 cts
upon the 500. This will be necessary
if even nothingis appropriated this SEES
sion to internal improvements. The de-
ficit IN last years receipts will have TO b.
mct--and then the expenses ofgovernment
pay ing interest 90 the public debt, meet
ing appropriations heretofore made, &C.,
will consume the remainder of the sum
raised BY the increase proposed. There
must be either an increase in the taxes, OF
a reputation by the State of is liabilities
OF course, no Virgiaian will think of the
latter. To repudiate, would be dishonor
and disgrace. While It is not so pleasan,
to contemplate the heavy increase, Of the
taxes which the.present state of the finances
requires, vet we trust there will be no un.
due grumbling with the people.
We agree with the Richmond Examine
er. that the present session oft Legisla-
ture should be short one-that no appfo-
priations for internal imp, ovements should
be maae-but we think the Bank question
should be at once acted upon and decided.
Justice 10 the old Banks requires it and
policy demands it.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
RohheYiea.

We are fast getting into city habits in
staunton. On last Saturday night week
the Clotaing Store Of Steiner g. Bros. was
entered by means OF false key. and rob-
he'd of $ilO in money, and considerable
quantity of clothing. o" Tuesday night
last four negroes were arrested-viz
Lewis, slave of Mrs Sarah Hartman, Jim
and Eliza, servants of Mrs. Wilson, aud
Daniel, servant Of J. W. Hudson. charged
r;th the robbery. After an investigation
before Recorder Brandeburg, all were DIS
charged excep. Daniel. He was commit
ted for further Trial.
A few nights ago the lumber house OF
nobt. G. Bickle, Esq, was opened by
breaking the lock with crowbar. and Va
,ious articles stolen lhereirom. few
nights previous 10 this robbery. the store
ofHugh Noon, adjoining the lumber house,
vas aiso broken open and goods taken.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Charge of an Attempted Rape.

Complaint was made before Squire r..
G. BIckIe, on Wednesday last, BY little
daughter Of Mr.. Thos. Hogg, that Jose phi
Fauber had attempted rape upon he'll
A warfaht was issued for Mr.. F. He was
brought to town, and entered into bonds
OF 5000 to make his appearance at the
December Court to undergo trial. The
girl is about IA years OF age. Mr.. F. de-
MES the charge. and states that he wa'
chastising her for taking corn.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Congress,

On Tuesday and "Wednesday, the time OF
the Lower House Of Congress was taken
up in running and spicy debate, during
which, various persons, de Fl ned their po-
sitions.' On Wedr esday the vote for speak
er was-Banks 106. Richardson, IS. Full
Ter "a. The debate on Wednesday, had
reference to the character Of the Know
No!hIngs in Pennsylvania, New York, and
Ohio. The result of the discussion, clear
y demonstrated that i: was only another
name for Abolition,sm. While the debate
was prosr ssing on Tuesday. Mr.. Letch-
ef proposed that each member should sign
a pledge to 60 back to his constituents. and
let the election be agah held, in order
tina: the people might decide upon the is.
sues which had delayed the Organization
OF the House. This suggestion created
considerable merriment. II was subsc.
quently Withdrawn. Mr. McMullin after
wards renewed it, I'M different FORM
Mr.. Smith of Va. declared that he ap
proved OF many of the more prominent fea-
lures of the American party, but claimed
10 be national man. Mr.. Fuller, of Penn
sylvania, who was elected as an anti-Ne-
biaska man. deli vered a real electioneer-
ing speech, evidently with view of get
ting The Democratic support. He stated,
that he would vote for the admission of
Kansas, with or without slavery. lie was
for leaving the question Of slavery with
the people who now tolerate, or might
hereafter tolerate it. II blessing, it was
their blsssing-if an evil, ltheir evil. They
were responsible for it, The debate ex-
cited considerable feeling. and made the
breach between the different parties, WI.
der; and the speedy organization of the
house more improbable.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Arrested

Bright and early Monday morning, Capt
la. Hartman and several Of his neigh
bors, brought to town Robt Carter. slave
Of Chesley Kinney. and Edmund, slave of
Benz Reed, and had them committed to
Jail upon the charge oil setting fire to. his
barn on Saturday night last week. The
evidence, we understand. is quite strong
against Bob. They will have their tlial
on Monday next.
II seems that the servants in that neigh.
borhood of tte county, have been in the
habit Of prowllng about at night without
"pssses." To correct this evil, the mas
tiers formed patrol. Of which Mr.. Har-
man was appointed Captain. In the dis
charge Of their duties the patrol had oc-
casion to fog both Of these negroes. To
revenge themselves. it is thought. they set
FIRE to MIR. He woods in the first place,
and then 10 his stable. Since the last fire
Mr.. Ii. has been untiring aud indefaligA-
bic IN endeay0ring to ferret out the rascals
who did the mischief. Sufficient evidence
was found to justify the arrest OF the tw o
bows mentioned. They were taken at
their homes about two o'clock Monday
morning.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
{as. II will be Ieen by the notice in an

G- 1t will be 1een by the notice in an
other column that Bater and Co. have
rented awarehouse in Richmond. where
they will conduct the Forwarding s Com
mission business. We are sorry our friends
are gong to leave US They have been
doing large businessin this place for sew
eral years past, to the entire satisfaction,
we believe, Of our farmers. and business
men generally. We trust they may be
alike literally encouraged in their new
place OF business.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Board of Public Works.

The Report Of the Board OF Public
Works, recently submitted to the Legi.ls-,
tute, is document Of great interest. We
presen; a condensed view Of its most inner
tant statements.
The report gives an interesting history
Of hepecuna;y difficulties with which the
Board has had 70 contend. and oflts con-
nection with the house Of Selden WitlIerv
a. Go. According TO its statement Oh thi.
subject, the house Of Selden, Withrrs &.
Co. are indebted TO the Cammonwe ath in
the sum OF $685., $50 50. This indebted
ness, the report says, may be reduced bv
the sum OF $4,000 in the hands Of Pea.
body & Co. Of London, and the further
sum Of sl45, 900 in Virginia per cent
Coupon Bonds which were lost in the
Acr,ie. $245,37 Is in stocks Oh the Ches-
apeske q Ohio Canal Company, (pot very
valuable we imagiue. were secured bythe
State OF Selden Withsss g. Cos. and Mr..
Withess has made deed Of certain prop,
critics in Alexandria, Va, and ST. Louis.
Missouri, for the benz ft OF rhe State.
The report then proceeds to narrate the.
efforts 70 nee'the pressure in the money
market, which existed at the time of thu
suspension OF Seldrn Withers g. Co. the
appointment Of Barring, Brothers T. Co. A.
agents to sell Virginia S per ct. sterling
bonds; the visi, Of DR.. Graham, The fresi.
den. Of the Board, to negotiate loan in
that city, where Ire was enabled to raise
SS0O,000, which enabled the Board TO pay
nearly all the claims then outstanding
against them. with prospective arrange
ment reaching as far as this month, in
which, however they have been disap-
pointed; second and Intellectual visit Of
DR.. Graham to New York; the appoint.
ment OH the 7th Of JuEe last, Of James r.
Souther, Esq. native Of Virginia, and
President OF the Bank II the Republic Of
New York. for the neg o,la,ion Of loans by
she sale Of Sin per cent, coupon bonds thss
appointment o. Mr.. Souther aud Mr.. Hol-.
laday, to visit Europe and negotiate sale
Of bonds there, aud tue rcvulsion in none
tary affairs in England and France, which
they found upon their arrival and which
discouraged the hope Of any satisfactory
arrangement fora sale of Virginia svsuri-.
ties
The gross amount Of Indebtedness Of
the Board is made up OF the following
items:
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
A Move Against the Brokera.


The resolution offered in the House of
delegates on the 18th inst, BY Maj. Cal.
vert, OF Shenandoah, concerning brokers.
and which we publish in the regular pro-
cesdings. is most appropriate and timely
move. The developments which 1t must
effect, will as.onsh the people OF Virginia.
1t may seem incredulous, but still i, is a
certain fact, that ffom 1ss Dec. 1854 10 LIST
Dec 1855, the two Banks of this place
have redeemed IN specie about $1,250,-
600 Zone million t,co hundred snd fifty Mo"-
sand dollars of their notes.-the Valley
Bank about $4,000, ard the Central
Bank about 100000. The principal por-
ton OF this Immense amour! bias been
drawn out BY brokers from other States
Hence the necessity Of enacting some law i.
which will make this large traffic in the
precious metals. yield revenue 10 the
State, or modify the drain upon our Banks.
There is tax of $500 fixed BY the code
upon each broker in the State. We think
the law, however, should be changed, and
that each broker should be taxed certain
per cent upon the amount of his business
transacted within the State. This law
should apply as we'll to brokers living in
other States who operate in this State, as
10 those who reside here.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
The Reviews.

We publish in our columns the pros.
pec,us Of the celebrated Reviews, and
Black ood's Magazine. These periodic.
ais have been coming to this Office for sew.
eral years, aud we confess that we would
hardly know how to do without them
We defer more extended comments upon
the merits Of these periodicals to another
time. In the meantime, we advise all
who desire TO invest tea dollars the first
Of January, in profitable stock, to subscribe
for these publications. The contents oil
the London Quarterly, for October are
Peter Daniel Huet-Life and opinions
School, Sermons; The Newcomes The
Caldwell papers; Ike Charities and the
Poor Of London Latin Dictionaries
Arago aud Brougham on Men Of Science /;
Pitt and Fox.
Contents Of Edinburg Review--Me-
moirs OF King Joseph; Political Dlstur.
Dances in China, The Educational Cen.
sus; The Court oil Dude Paragraph Bi.
bles; The Plurality Of Worlds; The news
paper press; Tenpysons Maud; Trans.
caucasia; The Fathers Of New England
The Results of the Campaign.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22

MEssRs. EDrrons-I accompanied Simpson r. Top
lor Esq one OF our NEST entsrprising citi.ens. to
his pork which had been butchcred yesterday. Ny
attention was drawn particularly to hog, Of the
Surry breed, two years old last May, that had run
some eighteen months unatered He measured eight
feet in entire length; six feet, inches, from the
neck to the end Of the rump; and netted after hanging
in the open air l3 hours, five hundred and ninety
seven pounds--plus. OF all the pachderrnatious manr
NAL Of the genus Sus, have not here, or :ess
where, to equa! it. What will friend Alfred, Of
the Weston Herald, say to this7 l advise him -
call upon Skin Greek before he speaks.
Dec. Is, 1855. SrAunroa.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Celebration.

The scholars OF the NJ. Z. Sunday School
ill have = celebration, in the NJ. f..
church on Christmas night. Pieces will
:. ,ecited, dialogues rshearsed and hymns
.une. The public are respectfully invited
"a attend. We have no doubt 1t will be
an in,ere s::ixg occasion. and will be very
,,ofitable I'd pleasing way 10 spend the
evening
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22

o. The incest lot Of Christmas presents
for ladies' we have seen anywhere, are 10
be found at the Book and Periodical Store
of c. N. Kinney, opposite the Virginia
Hotel. Let every body 60 and sec il what
we say is not true.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22

o. The very exciting and serious sr-
raignment Of Rev. Dr.. Smith Of the M. e.
South. by the Rev. DR.. Deems, Of the N.
Conference. engaged the attention of the.
Virginia Conference, which has been hold.
ing its session in Petersburg for several
weeks past, for.asout IA days The chsress
were immortality falsehood. sc. He was
acquitted almost unanimously.
Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-12-22
Ho! to the Fair.

The Ladies Of the Episcopal Church
will hold Fair in Union Hall on Monday
evening hext, the Oath INST. OF course,
the proceeds are to be applied 10 charita-
bic objects. Let all who desire to spend
a pleasant Christmas eve, as we'll as few
dollars. attend.