The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-11-19
Communicated

last gentleman near shreveport iiedi u d Aoioe
amongst his poultry. and knowing that great
MANY turkeys dc, had lately disappeared in
the vicinity, took his gun and slipped out quietly,
and, looking in the direction whence the noise
proceeded thought he saw some dark object up
in the tree, where some fowls roasted. Think
ing, probably, it might be some moss attached
to the tree, or something which bad no legti-
mate right to be there, he fired at the place,
believing. if there was robber on the premises,
he would take the hint, and let property alone
that did not belong to him. AT the crack OF
the gun, the dark place vanished; but all was
still. He listened attentively few moments,
and walked towards the tree; he heard sound
like the scraping Of bark from the tree, then a
heavy fall, whereupon he Immediately went
back to the house By this time the servants
were awakened by the firing of the gun. Or
dering light, lie commenced an examination,
with the expectation of finding dead body at
the foot of the tree; but nothing could be found
but some marks of blood and fresh sign in
the sand, as if some one had been scuff1ing.-
They were about to give up the search till morn
ing, when noise attracted their attention in
an adjacent stable, in which was work bench.
Seated on the bench was the unfortunate vic
tim, the blood streaming from bis right Shout
der; his countenance bore look of defiance,
and he either could not or would not answer
any questions, except by crashing his teeth OF
groan. The gentleman had him removed to
a comfortable room and secured till morning,
when he called in some neighbors to examine
the case. None of them recollected seeing him
about Shreveport before. He is about the me-
dunn size, with large, black eyes, round face, Ro-
man nose, heavy moustache and small goatee-
his conn exon rather light yellow. On account
of the uncertainty of punishment for criminal
offences in our community, the names of the
parties are requested to be kept secret. The
wound is thought to be dangerous. ST. "A X.
We presume the mystery will be cleared up
in a few days; in the meantime night prowI-
ers had better suspend their excursions.
STEAM CLOTHING MANUFAcToRY.- We were
yesterday politely shown through Messrs Heb
rard d Co.. S Louisiana steam clothing manu-
factory at No. 175 Canal street, and found
in the establishment much which at once pleas
ed and surprised us. In this mandatory steam
has, for the first time, been successfully applied
to the working of sewing machines, and it is
made to do its spinning SO gently, that the
pressure of an infants hand can control it.
The idea of applying steam power originated
with Mr. P. A. Hebrard He got Mr. John
Communy to experiment by practical appIi-
cation of the proposed power, and the plan was
finally completed and put into successful oper-
alton by Mr.. s. Fournier, but a few days ago
1t is to be patented shortly
There are in the establishment nineteen ma
chimes, fourteen Of which were stitching away
with amazing rapidly during the time of our
visit. This establishment is capable of turning
out 600 pairs OF plantation pantaloons, or 500
coats per day. Init there are about 70 women
at present employed. Those who work the
machines, by simple pressure of the foot on
treadle beneath, can regulate the motion to
any desired speed, or stop the needles altogeth-
er. The motive power employed is four horse
engine.
Few of our citizens are aware that such an
establishment exists in our city. That the ex-
pertinent will be successful! there can be not the
least doubt; ii is already an established fact.
A few such enterprises will redeem the name
and credit of our city, and give confidence in
the progress OF southern mechanical industry.
Indeed, number of manufacturing enterprises
are now struggling into existence in southern
cities, and home patronage is all that is requir-
ed for their complete success. [Picayune. !
ALTERATION OF TIE PoL1rICAL YEAR.-The .
change of the commencement of the political
year IN the United States has been suggested. .
o prevent the possible occurrence of an inter
egnum IN the government. According to the
esoluuon passed III congress on the 18Th Sep
ember, 1888, the first Wednesday in March
ucceeding, being the fourth day of March, was
he time Tor commencing proceedings under the
constitution. This was then the commence
nent OF the political year. The act of con-
,ress OF the LIST of March, 1892 declares that
the the term Of four years for which presi-
cut and vice president shall be elected, shall
/ all cases commence on the 4th of March sue t
eedln5 the day on which the electoral vote (
as given" The act of congress of the 1st of
larch, 1899, further provides that when the 5
thee OF president and vice president shall both i
ecome vacant the secretary of state shall no.
ty the executive of every State that electors !,
president of the United States shall be chosen
the several States within thirty-four DAYS v
reeedlng the first Wednesday in December
lsulng; provided there shall be two months be- |
Veen that day and the first Wednesday in De- O
7mber; but If not, then the election goes over a
nul the first Wednesday in December the sue t
:eding year. F
A correspondent OF tie National Intelrencer Il
'serVes that by this law both offices NAV be d
'cant tor i've months within one day, and may :
main vacant for seventeen months. 1t would a
eretore appear that this law requires amend ie
ent; and yet there is great difficulty about al f
r'nglt To change the day for the commence a. =.
ent of the political year would now be almost t.
possible. Adding, now, if the political year
ere to commence the first of MAY or the first P
July, as have heard suggested, and there u IL
as no election of president by the people, and vi
house of representatives could not agree TIA
ION CHOICE there could be no head OF the as
'ernment before the fourth day of the en- Of
ing March, tn
But admitting the possible contingency of a
reelection either by the people or the house e. e.
representatives, would it not be better to en- C.
unter this risk than run the hazard of having al
lnterregnum IN the executive office for sew 4
teen months? 1t amounts at least toa com y
rson OF chances. We should like 10 see re- re-
oft \ "