davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
what nre We Coming To?

People of Ohio do you comprehend
.he ideas and aims of the Radicals who
lead the Republican Iarty in Ohio, and at
the East 7 Are you prepared to give up
your noble pride ofrace-your self.respect
Tho principles upon which our Govern,
ment was founded, at the dctation Of the
men who have dragged tho Republican
party into the mire Of Negro Equality I
Read what the New York Independent
laws down as tho future before you, IT
their policy succeeds. In its last issue 1t
says: rae .g2
HWe are pleading earnestly with the
state to abolish the distinction Of caste BY
universal suffrage. We see that this will
inevitable lead, not to.the end the present
Government Of Louisiana declares--the
surrender Of that country to the black
mau,-but TO tho cqaaliy Of back 'oih
,osits; the occapancyof office ~ithou, re-
qard to color The elevation cfthe negro
to the governorship, tie snatorship, Mt
judgeship, By The side Of his ,ohiter kin
dred i; The obl'tcration Of all marks o
distinction and SEPARATION bet'ceeH n,e'
| and Y.sa, Can we prevent the Catholic
and the Irish from holding Office in thi
city? No more can the negro be pre-
vented holding Office in Mississippi AM
| South Carolina, in every Southern state
for; where they are not majority in tn
state, they are in certain localities, an
in these will rise to Office and power"
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13

tional power they possess 70 subject
money 50 invested to burden Of taxa
ton equal to that imposed upon other
property for Federal, State and municipal
purposes.
is. Resolved, That Federal taxes
should, as far as possible, be collected BY
The County Treasurers Of the StAtes--and
the people be thereby relieved from the
horde Of Federal tax. .gatherers who arc
now eating out their substance. :.
le. Resolved, That the four dollars
Militia Tax is oppressive. and ought toebe
repealed. ale- ssseta !,
II. RESOLVED, That freedom Of SPEECH;
Of The press and elections, habecs colps1a
and trial by jury, are the birthright Of AZ y
American citizens, guaranteed BY bcth
Federal and State CONSTITUTIONS that We
will maintain apd defend them as such in
every extremity and that ws denounus
especially the arrest Of citisshs BY Mill;
tary authority in States or places. whefq
the civil tribunals are uhmolested and
their execution, imprisonment Of trial BY
military commissions, as palpablc infrac.
tions Of the Constitution, and outrageous
upon public liberty and private right.
ls. Resolved, That the continued siis!
pension Of the writ Of taJeds corpus
since the Termination OF the war, any
when all pretense Of necessity Is P:sseo s.''
the denial Of the right OF trlai Dy Juryi
and the trial of citizens not IN .ne .sn NM
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
The Eiectioii.

win tho candidate nominated By tks )
Convention Of the 24th Of August, be
electedl The answer to that qiesticd
belongs to the people, and we beliefg
Chat tie people viii answer its. u will
not be d mere party victory, bit The ri.
umph Of tho people, who will afise ID
their might as ffeehien, Gis whitS theb;; ~ ;
Ohioans, to assert their rights, and secure
to our country better, administration q
our public affairs. Extrayagshse and
prohigacy run riot il the land-the poo
pie pay enormous taxes ard they ltfe
rscklessly squandered by the Taf COLES.
tors and Contractors, and, thus the bur
den became doubled. The faith Of the.
nation must be preserved d system o.
rigid economy must be introduced into
eur public affairs, md our public men
must think less aud taIk less about the
negro, and think more and do more for
white man, or We are ruined people,
With the proper effort, our State tick.
! et will be elected, AS q body, the SOL
dters will vote with US, and fgainas negro
eqwiity, and thirty thousand titiseps Who
last year voted the Republican ticketi
win fhis year vote for a oHAEosiin che
administration Of llro public sHasfa. ~ ~
Herncs Bonner. sai ssiFs
i 6a1g tn4 assae sues ytii Il .5ltl
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13

LoYALrY.-The ordinarily loyal aboli-
tiouists are in favor Of giving negroes a
vote. The oxquisitcly loyal arc in favor
Of disiranchisiug Democrats. By that
means politics will be confined to one par
ty--composcd Of negroes aud negro wor-
shippers. The accomplishment Of this
pious intent will give us very quiet and
hnppy country.
Who wouldu'. bc negro in this universal
Yankee nation,
with ten thousand in government Bond
exempted from taxation
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
Taxes-Who Pay Them.

The Internal Revenue derived from
direct taxation this year, will reach the
enormous sum Of over TWO HUNDRED
AND NINETY MILLION OF DOL
.LARS!!
Who joots the bill? NJ
Manufacturers pay certain per cent.
tax upon all goods manufactured by them,
which per cent. they add to the price Of
the goods, thus clearing themselves en-
tirely--they do not foot the bill Retail
ers buy the goods, with the per cent. added
and add thereto the taxes with which they
are charged-so by the time the consumer
gets hold Of them he has to pay the taxes
Of every individual through whose hands
the goods pass.
The consumers pay the tares.
Who are tho principal consumers Of
the country?
Farmers and lajorers!! /! They fool
tie 5iNll
This is the Revenue Tax. How is il
with the tax on personal property? 1
United States Bonds are exempt from
National, State, County, Township and
Municipal taxation.
Rich men inpest their money an dtest
bonds, and while they draw 7 80 interes
per anuum on their money, they pay M
tdGes
Who pays the interest on these bonds
Men Of moderate means--Farn'ers ant
! Mechanics
The withdrawal of the capital invested
In Bonds from tho Tax Duplicate throw
an increased burden uDon the remaining
Personal Property and Real Estate.
Who owns the greater part of the Rea
Estate in the country?
Fdrmersl They pay the taxes which
should fall upon the capitalists.
To collect the Revenue Tax there ar
employed host of Assessors, Collector
and Commissioners, who receive larg
salaries for their services.
Their salaries are paid from the har
earnings of the Farmer and Mechanic.
Their labors could be performed b
State and County officers at less tina
one-third the expense, aud thus great
reduce the taxes.
This oppressive system OF taxation wa
originated and legalized by the Abolitio
party, who propose to make the men
, moderate means bear its burdens, Will
the capitalists are exempt, thus creatin
an aristocracy based on wealth.
9 The Democratic party proposes to NAL
every man pay his proportion of the e
!. penses of the Government, according
his means They do not recognize Il
\ right or justice Of creating priyiledg'
classes, to be supported upon the indust
Of the land. They are opposed to Il
: present expensive machinery Of collectir
9 taxes, by which a large proportion is ea
!. en- up by ofiCe-holdcr%
d If you arc opposed to paying taxes +
a men better able to pay them than y
: are-if you are opposed to the prese
!. expensive and unjust system OF taxatio
q make it known at the polls by voti
q y against those who have laid this hea
d burden upon the working classes, CHI
"a cothe Ad0ertiser.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
ANerro Suffrage Candidate.

The Republican SenRtoriaI Convention
which met in Ashland on Monday last
nominated Henry Hedges, ESQ, OF this
city for Senator. Mr.. Hedges is an ac-
knowiedged negro suffrage man--hesitates
not to express himself in favor of negro
suffrage, and has not denied The charge
that ho said in his argument on the trial
Of an Irishman on complaint ofansgro for
stealing his bIackberries, ~ don't care
,chat you say, a negro Is as good as an
Iishnan, any timo." Our Irish citizen'
will not bo apt 10 esteem that much Of |
compliment. = Mmsfeld Shield and Ban
Mer. .tn A-l-l
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
Curious Coincidence.

Judge Lang, Of Seneca, the Democrat.
ic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, and
Charles Bocsel, Of Auylaize, the candi-
date for member of the Board Of Public
Works, are both Germans by BERTH
They we're but mere lads when they lcis
the lataerland to carve out their fortunes
in the New World. They made each 9TH
er's acquaintance on board the sailing
vessel they had embarked upon Tor this
country, and during the voyage they be-
came warmly attached to each other. Ar
irving at Baltimore, these honest Dutch
bows shouldered their packs, and, afoot,
crossed the Alleghanies with their faces
toward the West. At Pittsburgh they
parted, and for number Of years lost
sight Of each other, and did not meet
again, until they met each other as men,
bers Of the General Assembly Of Ohio
Judge Lang as Senator, Boesel as a mem
bcr Of tho House. On the same day
these honest GermOn boys, one now q
| lawyer Of established reputation, and fine
ability, the other, q successful merchant
are honored with nominations on the
| Democratic State Ticket for prominen,
and responsible Offices in the great Com
monwealth which they have seen form
and prosper with amazing rapidity, sine
sriendless aud poor their weary feet frs
pressed its hospitable soil. Two honest
or or better men do not live in the State
and the German Democracy of Ohio, ev
: er faithful and never untrue, will DO e'
pccially gratifed with the complimen
paid them in the prominence given :
those who so well represent the thrift
element which has transformed the grea
Northwest section Of our State from
vast forest into scene Of busy toll an
/, contentmeut. Plain Dealer.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
Contrast Betweef the Canal,
ll' dates for Governor.

The press Of the party To which Ge6- y.
eral Cox belongs, very GENERALLY express;
ed the opinion Of his Oberlip letter, that II Z
was "wild," "visiohafs," "imPrdctica- m
ble," and that he was q "noodlc" for
writing it. The Oberlin letter was an
elaborate and studied production, written :
with the view Of gaining for himselfsome =
claim as statesman but his own psrtyg
press have generally written that produc-
ton down US ''wild," visionary eim. q
practicable," and thai instead Of giving 70
him any claim to statesmanship, I has
demonstrated that he deserves to be con.
sidered "a noodle" Clearly, I mad who y
is held in this estimation BY the pfsss ofs9a
his own party, is not ct to be elected, 70 n
the exalted position Of Governor Of Qhic;
even if be were opposed to Negro SUI :,
frage. ~" ~ aF'J On
On the other hand, General Morsapsp
the Democratic nominee for Goyernori a,
is looked upon by the press Of his party
all over the country, outside OF Ohio, Us
not only brave and accomplished soldierg
but as gentleman, scholar and states
man. He is looekd upon as a man who
will, in the event Of being eledted, mak6T
Governor of whom the whole people Of,
the State will have just cause to be proud;
No one speaks Of him as a "wild," nsis-
, ionary,' rimpracticable,' "noodle; %;
, This contrast between the tSo tahdidates'
is not only marked; it is alike tompIjj
, meutary to the Democratic candidate ana
to the sagacity Of the Democratic party
, for nominating him. These facts, taken
= in connection with the fact that he is OF:
,, posed to Negro. Suffrage and Negro
!. Equality, should be conclusive arguments
with the people why they should elect
:. him with q triumphant majority - StdteT
;. man. = = ''''' :
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
~, gyOHyS7OT.

ATTORNEY At LAW; Office over v", wal,aIh 10
q Andrews Shoe Store, Main street ASH al
land Ohio. Aiso authorized by the GOV
rrnmeut to procure Pension Certificates
md Collectf3ouniy aud Back Pay.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
NM iHIOKOK 3

HAS A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF FURNI.
ture, consisting Of Tables, Bureaus, Bed
Steads, Chairs Of every description. &c.-
He keeps constantly on hands lot Of Me.
t,i,Io Rural Cases and Caskets. Hayings
nav sHearse he will attend promptly to fun,
erals III any part Of the county. Furnitur'
made 10 order. Room one Door East Of th'
Post once; Up Stairs. % 's (vlsn6o)
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
nrisoei1 !,
~ RALGTOT,

JEWELLER and Silver Smith, one door West
Of Pottet's Drug Store, Ashland, Ohio
Gold and Steel Pens, and q choice variety
Of sJeNelry kept constantly on hand
HieheH piice paid for old Gold and Silver
Repairing done 10 order, on reasonable
terms Satisfactorily warranted. az
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
GRO. wv HELL, WI. d.,

PHYSICIAN & SURGEON, Ashland Ohio -
Particular. attention will be paid to the
treatment Of the following special diseases;
Dyspepsia, disease Of. the Liver, the KID
neys Scrofula and Epiihelial Cancers. i
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
IH yIcCOMBS,

ATTORNEY and Counsellor at Law, Ashland
Ohio Office in The Brick building over
Singers Hardware Stsre. ssui a,1 sai
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
= p -. COW.a.r. MD.

PHYSICIAN, d SURGEON, Ashland Ohio:
Office over Hughes & stacher's Store, op-
posite the Town Hall.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13

OPPOSITE Tho Town Hall, ASHLAND, Ohio.
Archibald Finley, Proprietor, is now pre-
pared to accommodate all his old customers
and ,as many new ones as may DC p'ea''Vp
to give him o call. 49, Il. 4 i. .....l.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
RoAWyVLNU2&ss
.IOH.E.D. JOArEs,

ATTORNEY AT LAW, Ashland, o. Psr,ie-
ular attention paid to Collecting ana pu.
siness In Probate Court Office on ohurcn
street, between Main and Sandusky.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
Tmrn3gpuaHa9.
.MILLER HOUSE,

OPPOSITE the McNulty House, Ashland. o.
Al. MrLLER. Proprietor. Good accommooa'
tious and reasonable bills. Paironage So
licited.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13

m. r y. CRIME,

N.lgDEf - q '' --,T-.I,-
OFFICE One Door West Of Qquire's Drug
Store, Up Stairs. Residence Corner Of cen
ire and Washington Streets, Ashland, o.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
= + KrysY R.M. CAMPBELL
KEArY,s C.aMPRELL.

ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Ashlsnd, o.; once
on Church Street, in the brick building i'm
mediately West OF Cahps Store.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13
.yTc.rhLTr HOUSE,
1yTERIC.dr HOUSE,

wM. McNuDTY, Proprietor South Side Of
Main Street, Ashland Ohio.
The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-09-13

J. o. JnssIsss, Cashier, II, LUTHER, Prt
FIRST NATIONAL B.dNK
yaaE OF ASHLAND oHIo.3 he4it'a
AisiylDIrcctors. y ,iq4i 81
HULBRRT LUTHER, q! H. TOPPING,
JACOB Grail, IRA LII $3.50 D. o. 'ENNiNsS
Do exclusively Banking business. Buyand
sell Eastern Exchange and Coin; Discount up
on individual security.
t6y- Sell Revenue and Postage stamps
Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-08
Military Dire Glory

For general information We have compiled tht
following directory to the various military head
quarters, camps and offices at this post:
Major General Alvin p Hovey, commanding district O
Observation-Disclosures north side Market between Penn
sylvania and Delaware.
BrigGen T. q Pitcher A. p. NJ. General for Indiana
headquarters south sics ahngtOn street, fourth doo
below West street.
Brigadier General Henry B. Darlington, commanding
draft rends zvons--headquarter southwest cornei
Washington and New Jersey streets.
Colonel J. 5. SmOns0n, military commandant-head-
quarters southwest Of Maryland and Delaware
streets
Colonel A. J. Warner, Colonel 18th regiment Y. r. c.
and commanding post-headGuarters south side Wash
ington Sd door west of West street.
Colonel \. A. Stevens. Colonel 9Th regiment v X c.
commanding Camp Morton and Burnside Barracks
headquarters at Burnside Barracks
Colonel W. ". Frybarger, commanding Camp Caring
ton-headquarters at Camp Darlington
Colonel Allen Rutherford, commanding 22d regiment
V. Carbohydrates southe Ohio and Merid
ian streets.
Major l.. y. Hayman, chief mastering Offlcer-kead
quarters in Washington Hail. near theatre building.
j. :. Bobbs, Medical Director-otice Del war
and Virginia avenue.
Captain james wilson, 4. Q. NJ, dsbursing officer
Office side o. Meridian, between Louisiana an'
Georgia streets.
Captain J. l.. Trumbu, A. q NJ clothing. quartermas
ters and transportatiOa-wes side Nerd be
tween Louisiana and Georgia streets.
Captain C. Hay, A .. IL, division Tor supply OF pubi
anmaIs-oice side Meridian, between Georgia al,
Louisiana streets.
Captain Joseph Pope, commissary OF subsstence-Of
fee side Meridian, between Louisiana and GeOrg
T streets; warehouse directly opposite.
Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-08

FoRrREss MONROE, March 4-The steamer
Cumberland arrived here this morning from Will
mington, y c., the 23i. with about 400 of our
released prisoners taken by forces At the cap
ture of Wilmington
Il appears By sdvices brought by the Cumber-
land that there is no truth in the reported arrival
OF portion OF Gen Sherman's forces at Viii
mington. or even that a junction had been effect
ed with Gen Scho6eld's army
Gen Scho6eld. with part of his army. had al
vanced about 10 miles out from Wilmington and
met frequent resistance from proving bands OF
guerrllas and small detachments Of the enemy
who appeared to be ever on the alert TO pick up
stragglers belonging 10 his command
GThe rebels We also scsusily endeavoring 10
cut Of supplies which were left at Wilmington
under strong guard for the use OF his troops.
Nothing Of he movements of Gen. Sherman
was known in Wilmington. though il was antici
pated Gen. Terry would coon resume active
movements in aid of the campaign in North Car
DINA
Rear Admiral Porter arrived here to day and
proceeded 10 W Washington.
Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-08

WASHINGTON March The navy depart
ment has received an official report from Dahl
greu of our possession of Georgetown, ). G. The
report il dated Georgetown, G, February Is
flag steamer Harvest Moon. in which he says un
der date OF the Doth:
! apprehend that the department ere thi:
has been informed that the naval force:
under my command had taken possession o
Georgetown.
As soon a. the occupation of Charleston lef
nv thoughts and means at liberty, l gave my
attention to this point as likely 10 be the pr0bs
Die communication for Gen Sherman 10 case
such desirable before entering North Caro-
lima. Accordingly began to collect suitable
force from this station. The McDonougb, Cor
man and two launches were ordered into the
Santee river, beng the only ones of that class OF
vessels which can pass the bar.
On the 22d the Savnee WAS ordered to George
town, and all the marines We coul1 collect were
embodied a a battalion. the object being to pass
up the Santee with the body of the men, take
the load 10 Georgetown that traverses in rear
of the rebel works, and assault it, while the YES
sells attacked the front.
The infantry was in command of Commodore
Stanley, assisted by 1t. Co Williams
On the 23d of February the Sawnee crossed
the bar and joined the Mingo and keipsic, which
the rebels had abandoned
The marines were landed and the municipal
authorities rendered their submission to the gov
eminent.
The battery mounted r. guns
Admiral Dshlgren calls the attention of tn,
department to L. Stoddard, of the marines. who
acquitted himself with credit, and now has com
mand ofthe largest force of marines that ha,
been collected together for some time He die
good service in the field with the marines OF III,
| fleet brigade at Birds Neck
Commander StilwagOn, of the slOop Pawnee
in his report says be has sent a detachment o
marines under Lieutenant Breze, OF the L
marine corps. TO occupy the fort
He also ssys; | directed commander CreightOI
to proceed carefully up Black river. and have
; despatched the tug Catalpa with the lieutenan
commanding, Henry, and ensign Chas Prepare'
TO open communication by the army code of sig
nails with Gen. Sherman, who is reported to b.
some IL miles off
Admiral Dahlgren has issued an order for tn
maintenance of the authority of the Unite
States in Georgetown.
He first says III conformity to the laws of tn
United States, slavery no longer exists within tn
limits of the union.
Persons residing there who thus become free
men. will in future enjoy the fruits of their la
/ Dor
The department has received information O
the capture of the blockade runners Deer, Breze
Monandadock and others. in Charleston harboi
Feb. 18th
The Senate has confirmed the nomination q
Hugh McCuloch ss secretary of the treasur,
Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-08
xXXYm CONGRESS- sd SESSION.
SENATE
" WARRINGTON. N

WASHINGTON. March
Mr. Lane OF Kansas asked leave TO presea
the credentials of Nessrs Fishback and Bolton a
Senators from Arkansas
Mr.. Howard, of Michigan. objected TO The re
ception. considering il an insult 10 the people o
the loyal states He could conceive Of 10 create
absurdity than to toist upon the Senate such rep
resentatiyes
Mr.. Lane said that this Was 8 most singular
announcement. that it was an insult 10 offer these
credentials he said they emanate from people
as loyal as the senator himself. and they hsy,
the right of petition
Mr.. CONFESS said Mr.. Lane vas too persistent
in trying TO admit Fshback. who Was one OF tho
leaders in taking the state of Arkansas out of the
union.
Mr. Lane was ind gnant that Mr.. Conness
should attempt to lecture him, and hurled back
the imputatons Of the gentleman into his teeth
Those who were opposed TO the admission OF
the Arkansas senators used the same kind OF
language that Butler. Mason. Hunter and other
secessionists did wheR Kansas was here under the
Topeka constitution, which saved Kansas to
freedom
Further debate was arrested BY motion of Mr..
Fessenden to go into executive session, which
was agreed to.
After short time spent there the Senate ad
ourned
Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-08
Prompt and Busincss-LIsc

a. there IS no pleasure without alloy, so there
is hardly a misfortune without some alternating
circumstance The fiery ordeal through which
we have recently passed, has exemplifed the lat
ter ia very satisfactory manner, so Tar, at least,
as two insurance computes. who issued policies
upon the building. were concerned. AS our
re iders are aware, the fire occurred on Sunday.
and upon Wednesday, the loss was satisfactorily
estimated. and, without hesitation delay. the
agents of the Etns aud Ph9uix companies-
Mr. J B Bennett, of the former and II NJ Ma
gill; of the lAtter-handed checks for the amount
which covered their liabilities Those who have
been unfortunately 10 our situation, will appre
ciate this prompt and ingenious method of trans
acting business. and it ia with pleasure that we
embrace this opportunity OF returning eur thanks
at the time we cordially commend the
.Etna and Phoenix to the consideration of the
business community - Gin Enquirer.
Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-08

Twe noticed the other day that the Pal
mer House bad changed hands Messrs B. Ma
son and T. A. Macon. formerly Of the Mason
House, have become the propriesors They pro-
pose to make IL 9 frst-clsss hotel In every re-
spect. and. although only few days in posses.
sion Of the house. they have made many i'm
proyenents for the comfort Of their guests
Tuesday they gave q dinner 10 the editors OF the
daily press CT the city. and IL was an elegant en-
tertsinmentltbroughout Messrs. Mason Son
know how 70 keep hotel. and We predict that IN
der their management the Palmer viii become a
deservedly popular institution.