davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

DETENTION OF EXPRESS LETTERs--Imperative
orders have been received by MIR. Post Master w
ler to seize and detan all mail matter brought by
the Expresses. In accordance with these orders
from the Post Master General, the letters brought
by Adams & Co. and Wells, Fargo & Co., per Col
den Age yesterday, were taken into the charge of
the Post Master, and thereby the mercantile COM
munity was put to considerable inconvenience in
obtaining their correspondence. Mr.. Weller pei
haps could do no less than obey the instructions of
the Postmaster General but the order was in itself
oppressive and not to be endured.-Aha
This is another specimen of littleness. Some
time since, as we have been informed the express
companies were required to prepay postage on all
letters conveyed by them. This they have done,
rigidly complying with the requirements of the
Post Office Department All letters conveyed in
the Express bags have been prepaid by the use of
Government Postage Stamps. This fact was no
doubt well known to the Post Office Agent and the
Post Office Department. But brief authority must
be exercised in order to exhibit to commercial men
and the world the omnipotence of the present ad-
ministration of the Post Office Department in
small way. California is blessed, or perhaps more
properly, cursed, with the most inefficient postal
arrangements of any State in the Union. To obvi
ate postal difficulties the Expresses have been re-
sorted to. They pay postage. therefore why is it
that their arrangements are interfered with Why
is it that business deprived of their cores
pondence for several hours =!
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

SEVERAL persons have inquired of us recently
about the No-Nothngs, and luckily our Postmaster
has kindly furnished US with copy of the "Knor
Nothing: and american Crusader" published in
Boston, at 50 per annum for single copies, and to
clubs of twenty, 20 copies will be forwarded for 500
So gentlemen, pitch in and find out all about the
order. Here is the way the Crusader talks about
its party:
The american is the peoples party. It is emphati-
cally made up of the masses--the million. Look
and see everywhere. Who are'its opponents The
arstocrats, the rich, the politicians, the monopo-
lists the grinders and insulters of The people What
on the other side-the industrial aboring, getting
their-living classes the mechanic artisan, worker
of all sorts-classes which think, feel act honestly
and Independently, for the general good and their
own rights. Such is the composition of the Ameri-
can party, ana such its opponents. We are of,
with, and for the people.
Pretty good in the way of professions. Wait a
little, and let us see how the thing works in Mas
sachusetts. An experimental trial of the engines
is being made IN the Bay State
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03
Correspondence the Argus.

CoLoMA, Jan. 90, 1855.
YES! "Snarley-Y has come again,n-not
under the cognomen Of Tommy" but in the
form of the sspient editor of that most respectable
sheet, The Mountain Democrat" Little slave!
knew that thou vert jackal hired to do dirty
work for Custom house officials that you had given
entire satisfaction to your masters, and proven
yourself as much of toady as you are hired to be-
as devoid of conscience those who knew you best
had right to expect, and that in these prasewor-
thy departments you had performed herculean tasks
knew that thou vert the reputed cur whose busi-
ness it was to bark for the Courthouse officials,
while they pick the bone of fees in Office and that
thou wouldst growl whenever they were disturbed
in their holy avocaton, because thou art paid to
do, but was not aware of the fact that the con-
tract embraced the whole family, deputies and all.
Verify thou art better dog than took thee to be.
knew that thou vert cross of the buH-terrier and
the soth-hound yelped well the track, and snarl
ed we'll by the wayside, but thou art faithful
than I supposed the breed capable of being. You
doubtless belong to the aristocracy of your tribe,
and there is perhaps significance in the fact Gas
you intimately that peoples daddies have been to
Congress- although had not heretofore attached
any consequence to the circumstance. 1t accounts
for your aithfulness and standing, yours doubt
was member of that celebrated congress of ami
mails at which the jackass played so conspicuous a
part, and hence your reverence for Congress and
an ass.
Now, that your masters selected you and the pa
per of which you are the nominal editor, to bolster
up and support them in their several Positions is
fact too well known for even you to deny. That
they are desirous of Withholding from publication
all matters pertaining to their official conduct
cept through the columns of their own organ, and
with the coorng of their subsidized editor is also
fact about which you are very well instructed
and hence the refusal of the deputy to give free
cess to the records of his Office. But will not dis
cuss the proposition with one whose contract will
not allow him to admit the truth against the stipu-
lations of his bond.
You will bark again, of course. Your masters
wounds are sore; they will bid you lick them, and
you dare not refuse. But when the noise is heard
the motive will be understood, and to the sound
will be echoed "tis the Courthouse cur earning
his bread" So adieu to you also, and if it please
you, under the name of "ToMMY"
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

THEATRIcAL HALL--Mr. H. T. Plant has Just
completed large and commodious Hall for the
accommodation of the play going public. The in
terror arrangements have been made to insure the
convenience and comfort of visitors, and are equal
in this respect to any hall we have visited in the
State, and superior to many. The scenery is plea
sing and elegant and executed with artistic skill
by that knight of the brush and pencil, j. HILL sce-
mic painter, Of PIacervlle MIR. Hill in the execu-
ton of this work has added new laurel to his al
ready established reputation.
Players will now find at Coloma, suitable and
commodious Hall and, if masters in the profession,
meet with welcome
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

THE FUNERAL OF MEssRs MOUNT MCBRIDE AND
WELLINGToN-The procession that followed the re-
mains of these gentlemen to the grave, yesterday,
was very nearly as long as that OF the day previous
The weather was damp and rainy, but the same
unmistakable signs of sympathy and respect were
testified not only by those in the procession, but
also by the crowds that thronged the sidewalks
balconies, and even the tops of houses. A large
number of buildings were draped in mourning, flags
were displayed at half-mast, minute guns were fired
and bells tolled exact counterparts of the solemn
ties of the previous day The procession formed on
] street, between front and Second, and passed up
street to Seventh, down Seventh to M, up M to
Tenth, down Tenth to the cemetery where the
bodies were inferred, according to the solemn and
interesting rites of tho Masonic fraternity.
The first hearse contained the body of Mr.. We'll
lington, the second the bodies of Messrs. Mount
and Mcbride The horse that was led by colored
groom was beautiful coalback animal. The
empty saddle and trappings reversed were melan-
choly objects of attraction. The deceased Knight
would never again fill q saddle appear in public
with his brethren, The horses attached to the Ex-
press wagons were covered with black cloth, frnged
with white their heads bore nodding plumes. A
G Richardson, Esq. and the attaches of Adams &
Co.'S Office filled one vehicle. Angus Frerson, Esq,
and the employees in Wells, Fargo s. Co.'S Express,
occupied the other 1900 persons must have been
present at the funeral which reflected great credit
on our citizens. We noticed in the carriages quite
a number of ladies' Among the Masons and Odd
Fellows were many members of the Legislature.
1t will no doubt be highly gratifying to the friends
of the deceased in the Atlantic States, to hear oil
the unanimous consent with which all classes OF
Sacramentans have united in testifying their respect
for the dead, and their sympathy with the mourn
here and in far distant lands. Festoons OF BLACK
and white cloth were hung in front of the Express
offices, and white flag, with the Maltese cross IL
the centre drooped at half-mast from the fag-stat
on the Masonic Hall. Large numbers of Chinese
were again among the spectators. These people
feel sensibly the great calamity that has happened
among us; they witness with interest the way IL
which the last sad duties are perfermcd.-Std
J Journal Jan. 30M.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03
RT Byron says
''Ths is the way physicians mend or end us,
Secundem a,teni-but although we sneer
In heath-when sick, we call them to attend us
Without thol OF To- inn -

In health-When SICK, we call them TO attend u.s.
Without the least propensity to jeer."
The above brings to mind the best medicine ever
used and it is not necessary to be by
We alude to DR.. Guysotts Improved Extract of Yellow
Dock and Sarsaparla which is proving to be of the
popular and valuable medicines now in use and un
doubtedy can be called the most pure preparation of
Sarsaparia offered to the public Dr. Guysott being
regular practising physician of great talent has gained
himself much merit by chemically combining the Shaker
prepared Yellow Dock" and the Red Honduras arsapa-
ra which the inv luabe agents. of which the Lab
oraory of Dr. Guysott has given the virtues of these
their perfection We believe his preparation con-
tan all the restorative properties of the roots combined
and concentrated in their utmost strength and efficacy
Experiments made in the manufacture of this med
scne until it found that it could not be further I'M
proved Accordingly find it resorted to almost univer
sally complaints for general prostration ofa the vital
powers and all those tormentng diseases ofthe skin try
ing to the patience, and so injurious to health.
Purchasers ought be careful to ask for and take none
but Dr. Guysots Improved Extract of Yellow Dock and
Sar aparllla All others, in comparison, worthless
For sale at all the principal Drug Stores in the state
PARK WHITE, Sole Agents. to whom all orders must be
addressed No 81 Merchant street, Sd door above Mont
gomery. Zlm'
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

POLL TAx-Through the politeness of the Hon.
E. A. Stevenson, we have been favored with the
late Comptroers Report, from which we learn
that Ell Dorado county has paid into the State
Treasurypoll tax of 1S53--the sum of S12, ,692 "a,
and of poll tax of 1854, Sll,7I6 10, making S24,
400 04. In the same period of time, San Francisco
county has paid only S3,7l3 80, while the city and
county of Sacramento has not paid single red
not one solitary cent of poll tax.
This poll tax, one quarter of it, is paid into the
School Fund, and we shall look with some interest
to see how large slice Sacramento has secured in
her teeth A pretty pass this, if Ell Dorado and
other counties must furnish Sacramento with bread,
butter, and gold dust pay her taxes, and then cap
the climax by supporting system of free schools
for her How does it happen that the citizens Of
Sacramento county pay no poll taxi Are they ex-
empt by the grace of God or are they too AL
mighty poor?
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

MORE OF THE VIcTIMs--Two more bodies were
recovered from the river yesterday. One of them
is that of Thomas McCabe, formerly resident of
this city. The other has not been recognized
Both bodies were in the dead house last night.
We are informed by the Coroner that the whole
number of bodies recovered thus far is sirty!
Firing cannon and other means have been resort,
ed to in order to raise any bodies which may be re-
naming in the river Statesman, Wednesday.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03
Coloma: Saturday, Feb. 3, 1866.

The Senatorial struggle has been continued this
week by the Legislature, IN Joint Convention, with
out any decisive result unless it may be the dscov-
cry of the fact that the election of Dr. Gwin is not
beyond q peradveuturc. The road to the U. s..
Senate, ike that over Jordan" appears to be a
q bard road to travel"
The Solons in Legislature assembled, will do well
to remember that their constituents expect them to
elect a Senator without much farther delay. If
they cannot agree to elect Of the present cand
dates then hunt up a genuine Californian stout,
hard! listed miner, who knows hawk from hand
saw, and elect him If the Legislature cannot find
il in their hearts to do this, they should at once
proceed to the transaction of business, and when
done, adjourn referring the Senatorial question to
the people. The mines of California will continue
productive DR.. Gwin retires to private life, and
the people will show him and the rest of mankind
that Gwinocracy is not essential to their salvation
The people have already learned that DR.. Gwin
is not the man who builds Pacific Railroads, if he
is "pillar" of the Pierce administration. His
worshippers will soon find that the people expect
devotion to the vital interests of California instead
of Gwinodic idolatry. Honorable gentlemen had
better tumble their favortes overheard if they can
not agree, adjourn, and go home. A course of this
kind will be almost certain to meet with unquali-
fed and universal appreciation.
No use in assembling day after day and week
after week in Joint Convention, when there is no
prospect of agreement. A fair trial having been
made, and every man having announced his posi-
tion in view of which an election is impossible the
farce should be brought to an end The people are
growing very tired Of the Senatorial nuisance. Se-
bastopol is impregnable, the allies are going to take
Il. The Senatorial election is going, going going
not gone.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

A man by the name of Beardsley residing in
Albany N. T., has discovered process of making
good and white paper from Eastwood cedar tama-
rae, cottonwood, and other trees and has fled his
caveat for patent. The Albany Eueniag Journal
will soon be printed on paper made from wood by
the new process.
NJ The white cedar paper is to be used for bank
notes, the cypress being especially adapted to the
manufacture of paper for love-letters. What does
the State Journa5 think of tule paper now,
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

SABBATH night last, some wandering judge of
horse-f flesh, unknown, conceived fancy for horse
belonging to Mr. Holmes, and embraced the occa-
, soa 70 appropriate to his own use not only the
horse but a good saddle and bride, leaving NJ
Holmes at liberty to enjoy the luxury of walking on
foot in the morning
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03
WednesdaH, January 81.

new Richmond appeared in the fcld on Tues
day, by the name of Whitesides, of Yuba, who has
drawn off portion of McCorkles vote, and q por-
ton of the scattering VOTE scoring high four
teen on the thirty sixth ballot
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

EXPLOSION OF THE PEARL.-The explosion of the
Pearl on Saturday last when approaching her land
ing at Sacramento, was attended with most ap-
palng loss of life, and is by far the most shocking
calamity which has occurred upon our inland wa
ters. The terrible catastrophe was beyond all
doubt the result of carelessness, reckless whole
sale murder. The greatest misfortune is, that the
owners of the PEARL and the aiders and abettors of
reckless navigation on the Sacramento, were not
all on board, and were not all blown into eternity
by the explosion.
In December last, we had occasion to travel from
Sacramento to San Francisco, and in speaking of
the accident to the New World, which occurred a
day previous, we employed the following language:
When we sec seasoned wood and rosn thrown
into the CRATES together board steamer, we
think point is being strained. The travelling
community should keep eye to the management
Of steamers in the night time, lest shortly we hear
Of few score Of steamboat murders.
Now the murders have occurred. The boilers of
the Pearl were comparatively new, and had been
thoroughly tested and it is matter by what kind
Of carelessness the explosion occurred Every life
lost was diabolical murder. This sacrifice of hu-
man life has been made to crafty the mad anxiety
OF rival Zines of steamers for supremacy the Sac
Damento waters.
The pearl belonged to the California Steam Ma
vigation Company, and was running between Sac.
pamento and Marysville ia opposition to the Citi-
Gems Line of Steamers. This heartless Navigation
Company have been engaged for long time past
IN grinding and wringing the utmost dollar out of
the travelling public. Their extortions have hith-
erto been 80 outrageous that the citizens of Marys
vile were compelled to place an opposition line of
boats on the river This being DONE rivalry in
speed soon manifested ITSELF and has no doubt been
too much encouraged by all parties concerned, not
only from Marysvirfe to Sacramento, but from Sac.
Jamento to San Francisco. The press, too, has
been wont to chronicle Extraordinary quick trims
when they should, instead sound the note of alarm
and apprise the public that such boats her officers
and owners are in league with death-that murder
d in their hearts.
By this calamity, Mr.. T. V. Mount, for long
time a citizen of Coloma and lately partner in
the Ohio Store with Messrs. Mcconnell and Searls
was cut OFT in the prime of life-his untmely death
carrying sorrow to the hearts of numerous friends
here, and in his native home besides laceratng the
affections of relatives, by all of whom he was res.
pected and loved for his manliness In him the
community has lost valuable citizen, and his rela-
tivcs here an affectionate brother.
The remedy for such awful occurrences as the
explosion of the Pearl, is with the public voice. Let
pubic opinion declare all such catastrophes murder
as they are in the first degree and bring all aiders
and abettors to the BAR and treat them as such at
once and the world will be then forever rid of such
calamities.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

To Messrs. Adams & Co we are undcr obliga-
tions for papers per steamer Golden Age, and Cali
fornia exchanges.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

Capt Randall, charged with embezzng treas
ure at the wreck of the Yankee Blade, has been
discharged.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

Messrs. Wells Fargo Co. have as usual laid
on our table great number of papers from cities
and towns at every point of the compass far and
near.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

OUR thanks are due Messrs. Keene, Hook, Hail.
Mcconnell and Colby, for Legislative Documents
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03
33
S. A. McMEANS, State Treas

S. A. MCMEANS State Treasr.
ors veto by the requisite vote of twothirds in the
Assembly, on Wednesday last. Behold the Thous-
and Dollars legislature
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

THE Comptroller in his report to the Legislature
thus speaks of foreign miners
The revenue derived from foreign Miners may
be safely estimated to reach one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, being about three times the
amount received during the fiscal year ending June
30th 1858.
Should the policy, however, of admitting for
eign labor in the mines be continued by the Legis-
lature it is recommended that that branch of tax
alton be rendered more productive by an increase
of the Foreign Miners License Tax.
We should like to know how foreign labor can
be kept out of the mines by the Legislature. We
have foreigners from almest every nation under
heaven, the great bulk it is true, composed of
Chinese. To increase the license tax much on
these creatures, will have the effect of reducing
them to beggary and crime. They are now thorough
ly taxed, and our American miners, thousands of
them, if called on to day for tax of four dollars
per month would salute the collector with the om-
nous word "broke.' We think it would be bet
ter to lay poll tax, and collect it as from
citizens, on all Cinnamon dwelling in the cities
and large towns. A tax of this kind on the Chi
nese of street in Sacramento it is true would not
yield enough to enable the collector to buy salt for
his porridge unless the Celestials pay better than
their white neighbors in that city and county,
Wonder if the State officers furnished the officers
of Sacramento with poll tax receipts?
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

| WEATHER.-The continuance of dry weather op-
crates severely on all classes. With the first and
only rain miners retreated from the rivers, and
since then the dry diggings have been unproduc-
tive. Even that portion watered by canals has
suffered seriously by the destruction of fumes and
by frost Much work is being done, but to great dis
advantage, and only few miners comparatively, in
the vicinity of canals well supplied with water,
proftably employed. The result is less gold is be-
ing taken from the earth now than at any former
period. few companies favorably located now
these pieces of good Luck are an exception to the
general rule.
In the immediate vicinity of Coloma we have
four canals well and fully supplied with water d.
rect from the river, but we have more of mining
than in July last. A heavy drenching rain would
give profitable employment to at least two thous-
and moro miners, within a short distance from the
canals.
Miners for once are now compelled to adopt a
line Of strict economy, the great mining thermome
tor, the Monte bank, points about three degrees
above zero. Merchants sell comparatively few
goods--a leading merchant with a large stock, in
forms us that his sales now average $500 only
where last year his average was $4,000. Now
one half his business is dcnc on credit, while last
year he sold for cash. "Sir," said he, "Miners
now buy only the absolute necessaries of life"
The gardener and agriculturist suffer, their
crops need and must have it soon, or this
branch of business must be failure.
We are acquainted with few instances where
men are doing we'll at mining, and we could tell
fine story of their exploits in bagging oro and tell
only the literal truth, yet the narrative would be
libel if circulated evidence of mining prosperity
generally. We therefore forbear relating instan-
ces of success which are isolated and recommend
business to look facts in the face, and regulate
their affairs accordingly, placing no confidence in
the lies dribbled out from day to day by the press,
of big Jumps, big licks, and big Strikes which
ly occur, and never to any profit.
The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03
S. of Il,

S. of Il.
COLOMA DIVISION, No. 81, S. of L. meets every
Thursday evening at their Division Room bre'hren Ill
good standing are invited to attend, endC,,1,NcrON Wv
J. l.. CRAWFORD, R. S.