davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05
Resuming the Railroad Lands.

We have already noticed in these columns
that bill is before the Legislature, intro
duced by Mr.. Bereman. Of Henry county,
FORGETTING the land grants to the NJ. & NJ, the
B. & NJ. and the Dubuque and Sioux City
Railroads, for the reason that they have not
extended their several lines as fast as vas
required by tho conditions Of the grant. The
bill, we understand, has many influential
supporters in the Legislature and is likely to
become law.
There is but little sympathy for railroad
companies in the counties through which
their lines have already extended. They are
looked upon as huge and dangerous monopo-
lies, whose privileges must be circumscribed
rather than extended. Notwithstanding q
law requiring the officers of these companies
TO be citizens of our State, they are managed
indirectly by men at Chicago and elsewhere,
whose sole interest is in the dividends to be
derived from their earnings. They care
nothing about the interests Of our State or its
citizens They adopt unequal and unfair
freight tariffs, to the injury Of our business
men and producers for the advantage Of
Eastern capitalists. They add to all these
characteristics of "soulless corporations" the
greater crime Of classifying their pledges to
construct their roads across the State within
given time, thus disappointing Thousands
who had made calculations on having railroad
communication With the markets of the East
for their surplus produce.
But notwithstanding these facts, it is ques-
tionable whether it would be justice to the
railroad companies and best for the interests
of the people to take these lands from the
companies. They were prevented by the ex-
traordinary exigencies attending the financial
sevulsion of 1857 from pushing forward their
lines as they had anticipated. 1t has been as
much to their interests as to the interests Of
the people of the State to have their roads
extended to our western border. If they
have not done everything in their power to
accomplish this end, they have at least shown
some disposition to do SO.
Would it not be best, therefore, to allow
the companies further time to complete thei,
roads Let our legislation on this subject
be confined to the regulation of freight tariff:
and the taxation of railroad property. A Law
should be enacted compelling railroads to car
~ freight pro rata within the State. They
should not be allowed to make such vast diff
ference between points of equal distance from
other points, in order to draw trade from one
place to another. Their property should b.
taxed in the counties where situated, and moi
at the termini of the roads. In this respect
they should come under the same regulations
as individuals.
We throw out these suggestions for wha
they are worth, hoping that whatever is don,
will be done for The best interests of the PEG
pie.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

> The Rock ISLAND RAILROAD BRIDGE SufD
FOR $75 ,000.-A libel has been filed in the
United States District Court by the Minnesota
Packet Company against the Rock Island
Bridge. The damages are laid ct $75, 900, {
which il is alleged will only cover the injuries
sustained by the vessels Of the libellants from
the action Of the respondent Times.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

W The whisky tax question is still
pending before the Finance Committee of the
Senate. Apowerful pressure is being brought
by the horde of capitalists and spectators
who are interested, and who have invaded
Washington in full force, to prevail upon the
committee and the Senators to reject the pro-
vision of the House bill for taxing the whisky
already manufactured and on hand. 1t is
thought the arguments and money Of the
lobbyists will yet succeed
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

~ Seyierville, where Sturges' cavalry
recently whipped body Of the rebel cavalry,
capturing two rifled cannon and one hundred
prisoners, ID twenty-five miles Southeast Of
Knoxville, On the Little Pigeon River. 81
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05
Iowa News.

switch tender at Independence. slipped on
the snow and fell under the train, which ran
over him, causing his death instantly This
happened on the 9th ult. as we learn from
the Dubuque Times.
LYONS IN TRoUBLE.-A young man who
has recently arrived from California claims
large portion of the real estate of Lyons, it
having been the property Of his father, who
removed from the place 20 years ago, and is
now deceased The Fulton Qll) Journal
Gays: "The validity of the young mans
claim is unquestionably good, and can but
cause quite stir among tho occupants, who
have already paid high for their claims, or
been receiving right smart rents, for these
many years. ....
SUICIDE BY A YOU'VE LADy.-A daughter
of MIR. William Frost, of Bellevue, committed
suicide at that place, on Monday morning.
25th uit., by drowning in the Mississippi
river. In the early part Of the war her broth
er, whom she very much loved, joined the
10th Illinois regiment. and was killed with
many others at the great railroad DISASTER
This SO preyed op her mind as eventually to
cause her to destroy herself
The Dubuque Times says that all the
18th Iowa Infantry but two hundred and fifty
have re-enlisted, and that they were muster
ed in on the 5th inst. Those who do not re-
enlist will, 1t says, be placed in the 35th to
serve out their unexpired term. The veterans
will enjoy furlough of the usual time.
This State has received credit for 521
men recruited for the::First Iowa African Reg
iment.
AN association has been organized at
Davenport to establish Savings Bank in
that city.
The number reported to the Adjutant
Generals office as having re enlisted in the old
Regiments TO the 18th ult., is 4,72l.
All of the First Iowa Cavalry have re-
enlisted. Recruiting continues brisk in the
central and western parts Of the State.
The Fourth Iowa Battery has received
orders to report at New Orleans. They were
to leave Davenport this morning (4th.)
Among the items in the Deficiency Bill,
which recently passed the lower house Of Con-
gress, is $4,000 to complete the Custom
House building at Dubuque.
COUNTERFEIT POSTAL CURRENcY.-W. FL.
Reed, of Appanoose county, was arrested in
Keckuk last week, having in his possession
counterfeit postal currency to the amount of
twenty -one dollars and half, all in fifty cents
pieces.
The bill repeating the law passed in 1851
prohibiting colored persons from coming into,
or staying in the State, has passed both
Houses. The law has always been dead
letter, but some Copperheads had recently
endeavored to enforce it. ,t .,..s ,f,4
The annual charter election took place
in Burlington last Monday. Thomas French,
Union, was elected Mayor. The uncondition-
al Union men also elected Treasurer, Recorder
and five Aldermen. The opposition elected
one Union man over the regular nominee
Not single Cop got-inl
Prof. E. R. White, teacher of Gymnas-
tics in the State University at Iowa City, died
on the 2sth ult., deeply lamented not only by
his pupils and associates but by the citizens
generally. . ..r t..-,--
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

q Gov. Gamble, Of Missouri, died on
Sunday last. If reports are true concerning
his connivance with the semi-secesh of that
State, his demise At this time gives little oc.
casion for regret.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05
Republican state Convention.
A Draft Ordered.

A Draft Ordered.
The following is the official order Of the
President for draft on the 10th of March:
WASHINGTON, Feb. /.
Ordered that draft for five hundred thou
sand men, to serve for three years or during
the war, be made on the 10th of March next.
for the military service of the United States,
crediting and deducting therefrom 80 many
~ have been enlisted or drafted into the
servics prior to the first day of March, and
not heretofore credited.
[Signed] ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
This is simply increasing the October call
for 100000 to 500, 900, fixing this time, with
out postponement the day Of the draft. The
credits for the several States will be made
against the quotas under this call, and the
CONSUMPTION will fill the balance on the day
named. The bounty expires on March first.
Enlistments must, therefore, be made during
the present month, if the bounty il secured.
Our citizens must bestir themselves if they
wish to escape the necessity Of . draft.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

{ No FURLoUGns TO New REcRUITs. The
Davenport Gazette says Col. Grier is continu-
ally beset by applications for furlougbs from
volunteers who have enlisted under the SOL
emn pledge Of the recruiting officers, that on
arrival at Davenport and mastering in they
have time to return home and settle their
business. The Colonel has no authority to
extend these favors. The recruiting officers
who make such promises deserve severest
censure. Volunteers should understand that
ifthey have business to settle up, they should
attend to it before enlisting.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

~ The Baltimore american says that
the number Of rebel spies and mail carriers
constantly passing the lines along the Poto-
mac is enormous. When one Of them desires
to come north he reports himself to Pro
vost Marshal as a refugee from the South,
takes the oath Of allegiance and goes about
his business. When he desires to return he
goes to Harper's Ferry, or Some other point,
solicits of the Provost Marshal pass for
Berryville or Winchester, or some point in
that direction, receives an order to the guards
and pickets to pass him, and at the favorable
opportunity slips within the r, bel lines.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

A G1aANT,c STRUCTURE. Mr.. John A.
Roebling, the engineer Of the Niagara suspen-
sion bridge. proposes to build q bridge be-
tween the cities of New York and BROOKLYN.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

BAD PROSPECT FOR FRUIT THIS YEAR.-The
Indiana papers report the peach crop Of that
State is entirely destroyed by the late severe
cold. In different parts of Ohio we'll inform.
ed pomologists report the fruit terribly dam
aged, and the peach crop gone beyond re-
demption. At the meeting Of the Ohio
Pathological Society At Toledo, last week, del
egates were in attendance from this State,
Michigan and Illinois, as we'll as from Ohio !;
and from their reports there was reason to
apprehend that not only all the peach buds
in the Western States are destroyed, but
many of the trees also. Much injury is evil
IDENTIFY done to pear and cherry trees, and
even apple trees may be destroyed, as in 1856.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

twenty blockading vessels lying off this 'un-
closed port The remainder of the three
thousand five hundred miles of southern
coast has bssn closed effectually by paper
blockade, and Wilmington alone remains open
to commence, subject, it is tue, to the risks
Of capture incurred imposing tw enty vessels
of war lying in wait.
IA census taken now, as recommended by
his Excellency Mr.. Davis, in the same manner
as that Of 1880, over the districts where it might
be effected, would show plainly the waste of
war; How many men between the ages Of
eighteen and fifty would be found wanting |?
How many peaceful, industrious inhabitants
would be found absent, having. through a
thousand channels, found their way into the
free States, actually filling up the houses in
every part Of the land, SO that none are I'M
tenanted? How many of the houses in the
region passed over by the contending armies
would now be found occupied? How many
negroes would be found absent, ready to return
with muskets in their hands? How many
horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, etc, would be
found remaining? What has been the produce
of our fields last year in cotton, sugar; corn
-four, peas, potatoes, cattle and bacon, and
what amount remains unconsumed?
"But above. all. what progress have we
made Is the slave power more secure than
before we seeded? Are We in such con-
dition as to promise ourselves, even with re-
pudiation Of all debts, both at home and
abroad, exemption from duties and high tax
alton? What have we to hope for, both as
regards slavery or the prospects Of the South
ern Confederacy
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

How IT WoRKs.-Since the passage Of the
law impressing everybody in Dixie into the
rebel service, the number of refugees arriving
within our lines has trebled, and the act hold
ing those now in the service for another three
years, has more than doubled assertions.
The proposition to levy tax Of 800, 000, 900
on the estates of the South, has aroused
fearful opposition among those who cannot
bear arms, as we'll as those who can; and
through the press, and through other organs
of public opinion, we learn that hostility to
Jeff. Davis and his oppressive policy is uni
versal and deep seated; and that the storm
which is now gathering will soon burst forth.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

Post Once Money Order System.
A bill has been introduced into Congress
by the Postofice Committee. providing for
postal money order system, similar TO that so
successfully used in England It authorizes
the Postmaster General to establish money
order system through the postofices Of the
United States. Offices designated for that
purpose, are to be known as money order
Offices. The postmaster of such Office under
the direction of the Postmaster General is to
be directed to issue orders for money payable
by any other money order offices, which the
person applying therefor may select. A per-
son applying for money order, on receiving
it, shall enter his name and address on the
record, together with the date and name of
the postmaster, to be preserved in the Office
issuing the orders. These shall not be for
less than 81 or more than $50. the fees for
which shall be five cents for all under $40,
ten cents for all under $40, and fifteen cents
for over $40. These orders can be Endorsed
over from one person to another but once
Postmasters are allowed one.third of the fees
or one-eighth Of one per cent. Of the gross
amount of the orders received as extra COM
pensation, and Postmaste,s Of money order
Offices are required to execute new official
bonds. ....
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

In the Senate, the bill fixing the Adjutant-
Generals salary at two thousand dollars was
lost and the vote reconsidered, and the bill
made the special order for next week, Thurs
day
The bill leaving the number of commission
ers to take the army vote discretionary with
the. Governor, instead of one to every regi-
ment, and bill for the addition of books to
the State Library to the value of five ,hous.
and dollars, and bill repeating the law to ap-
point allotment commissioners. were passed.
Mr. Cue introduced bill ior building q
Stare Arsenal. 49,, r. # s't :,
Mr.. Hatch introduced bill to erect a build
ing for Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and locate
the same at Des Moines.
Mr.. McCrary, of Leo, introduced bill to
allow the Keokuk. Fl. Dodge aud Minnesota
railroad to issue preferred stock. ra -,
In the House, the bill appointing three
commissioners to settle with the Eads sure.
ties, and the bill authorizing railroad COM
panies to issue fifty dollar construction, were
passed.
The bill to appoint commissioner Of emil
grafton to visit Europe was tabled. .,-
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

some home thrusts, Of which the following
are specimen of the whole: .--q "a.
1--WE see in the above our road to progress ::
cotton has failed or will fail Us; the negro
has failed or will fail US; it is idle to hope
longer to enjoy peacefully the proceeds of his
labor when at this moment eighty tnousan d
Of his color are organized and hold arms in
their hands to free their fellows. The long
er the war is protracted the more violently
will slavery be destroyed. For two years and
half we have waged war, and lost more than
half the territory over which We asserted
jurisdiction !; the supply of cattle no longer
comes from Texas, nor does cotton escape
longer from the frontier to furnish US supplies
The Mississippi bears hundred gunboats,
half Of them iron-clads, that effectually pre-
vent our occupation of any point along its
entire course, or even the passage of IL ex-
cept under cover Of darkness and by stealth.
1.-THE fruitful valleys of Kentucky and of
Tennessee have been desolated by war, and
are held by the enemy. Arkansas, large
part Of Louisiana, of Mississippi, Of North
Carolina and Virginia have been held or are
now held by the enemy, and have been ex-
hausted by the supplies drawn by the con-
tending forces. Nor can we regard Alabama,
Georgia, South Carolina or Texas exempt
from the march of heavy armies now organ.
izing for purposes Of invasion.
"His Excellency President Davis gravely
tells Congress, in his message, that he has
the means Of enforcing the respect of nations.
parcitularly that Of Great Britain. and simply
by declaring paper blockade Of the ports Of
the northern states. He states unhesitatlng-
". also. that only paper blockade exists
along the $500 miles of the southern coast,
and expects the people of the Southern Con-
federacy to forget that only one month before
when at Wilmington, N. o., he has assured
the people the whole force of the Confederacy
would be given to protect them, scince theirs
was the only port not closed BY the enemy
Had he extended his peregrinations to the
mouth Of the river he could have counted
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05

oehS as euccesslui ~ the campaigns OF last
season. In which event, the Confederacy
must 60 clear up the spout, and peace and
prosperity again dwell in all our land. ~.
There is no State in the Union, save Mis-
souri,. where so much political interest GEN.
tres, as in Maryland. The legislature now in
session has considerable majority of mem
bers who were elected as avowed immediate
emancipationists Yet the influence of the
slave worshippers is so strong, and the pro
verbal caution of all Maryland poll. is
so great, that not much progress has thus fer
been made. There was large meeting at
Annapolis on Friday evening last, which was
addressed by Mr. Postmaster Blair. Senator
aicks, and Hon. Thomas Swami. Singularly
enough for speech on such an occasion, the
Postmaster did not have a word to say about
Maryland. He talked in the King Cambyses
vein about national politics, patching up his
speech with quotations from Bancroft and
stealing from other men Of genius. 1t is very
evident the Postmaster thought bis effort a
very statesmanike production, and it is per-
fectly plain statesman would regard it as
twaddle. Poor old Governor Hicks is hardly
second Webster, but, for practical purposes,
his speech on this occasion was altogether
superior to the heroics of the Postmaster.
Swami is one Of the most outspoken emanci-
pationists in the State, on which account it is
not . little surprising that he trains with
Montgomery" He concluded his speech as
follows: a..
"Bnt, sir, while expressing these views,
will say to my friends here, in all frankness,
as the result Of very deliberate convictions,
that ! do not believe you will ever recon.
struct this Union upon sound and enduring
basis, and efectually put an end to the irrita.
tons which are inseparable from your present
until Slavery has been forever ex-
tinguished in every State where it now exists
Let me,in conclusion, indulge the hope, then,
that, without any violation of our Federal
compaet-without any infringement upon
constitutional rights-this nation, by the free
vote of her people, may emerge from the
peris Of this wasting war, with her beautiful
garments no longer disagured by the blight
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-05-28

TIE CALICO MovEMESr-This great pat
riotc movement has reached Ottawa. A
Society has actually been organized we
are told. and rigid pledge adopted, to
buy no imported goods after the LIST Of
July, but IN the meantime it is understood
to be in order to buy French finery enough
to last until the fashions change This
movement originated in New England,
which, as most Of the goods which must
take the place Of the iniportations are
manufactured there, is of course purely
disnterested IN the matter As the object
of the movement is stated TO be national
economy, the suggestion forces itself upon
US, as western man, whether, if we can
buy goods cheaper in Old England than
New, aud can sell our grain to better adj
vantage there than here, is it not better
economy to buy there than here ? Among
all ordinary business men, the maxim, we
believe, is considered sound, TO buy
where you can buy cheapest, and sell
where you can sell dearest We are I'M
able 10 see how the people Of the vest are
TO save money by stopping trade with
England, France, Cuba, &c. and paving
New England two price. so- hons mauo
inferior article.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-05-28

Ice CREAM All lovers OF good ice cream,
and the toothsoms and delicate accom-
paniments, such as fancy cake, lemonade
Strawberries I'm their season. and pine
apples, (now in season will be delighted
to learn that the popular ice creamery OF
ROBERTS Hess, in the rear of their store
in Post Office Block, is now in brilliant
operation, Newly painted and Furnished,
cool and airy looms, it is really one 0: the
pleasantest resorts in the city, and one can
seldom 60 amiss, a..warm..day or evening Of
finding large and pleasant company
there.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-05-28

Or ALL SIDES we hear the merits of the
Grover d Baker Sewing machine extollei
The Ladies declare 1t the ''vely best" and
prove it to Us in SO many undeniabls facts
that we are bound to confess our convlc>
ton of the truth of the declaration. What
other machine Will embroider so heauti>
fully, braid SO elegantly, hem so faultlcss-
~, quilt SO evenly, stitch s. accurately,
gather so regularly, operate so easily p
Non. we coneientlously affirm
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-05-28
Homeopathy.

To my friends and patrons of Ottawa and ricni
ty, wish TO saw. that Dr. .. II. Mann, who has
commenced the practice of medicine in our conf
muniiy, is graduate of the University Medical
College OF New York City. the best Allopathic
School In the L. s. has spent two years in Belle.
vue Hospital, n. y. City, and Is now praoticing
Homeopathy, purely from a conviction of its SUI
periority over the Allopathic prrc:ce. He now
offers his services to the friends of Homeopathy
in this city. He may be found at my old office.
JAS. 5. AYRES, NJ. D.
Ottawa, May LIST, 1858.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-05-28

DR.. J. B. Walker. of Chicago, will re>
visite US AID receive his patients at the
Geiger House. on Saturday next, June 4th
and on the first Saturday in each month
after that date. AT all other times he NAV
be found at the Dispensary, for diseases Of
the eye and ear, III South Clark Street,
Chicago