Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-01-26


very bad state of things exists in the Penn
sylvania coal region. Murders and robber-
les are so frequent that unless preventive
measures are soon taken, it will be impossible
for parties having legitimate interests to trust
their lives in certain sections. The Pennsyl
vania Legislature has the subject under con-
sideration, and several plans are proposed FOX
sustaining law and order.
The Plymouth Sentinel of the 18th inst.
reports that during the intense cold weather
large numbers of the fsh inhabitanting the
waters of Cape Cod Bay perished from cold,
myriads of which, consisting of sea bass,
black fish. Holsters, &C., washed ashore in
that locality, strewing the coast for miles
around with their frozen carcasses.
The number of immigrants who arrived at
New York last year was 10000, or about
Is, 900 more than in 1864.
The number of cheese factories in New
York is 424, distributed in % counties. Onei-
da has she largest number, 80, and Jefferson
next, 68. The average price received for
cheese in 1864 was 20 cents, and the quantity
produced 81 ,6ss,ol4, amounting to $685.
602. Average value of cheese TO o COW
S56,75.
country doctor announces that he has
changed his residence to the neighborhood Of
the churchyard, which he hopes may prove
convenience to his numerous patients.
A Hartford gentleman who was lunching
with some friends on bologna sausage and
ale the other day, found the end Of mans
finger in his sausage He quickly elected
the unwholesome morse from his mouth,
went home and took an emetic
THE CANCELLATION OF REAEsUE STAMPS.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue
has issued an important circular respecting
the callstion of revenue stamps, which will
be Of general interest to the business men of
the country. After referring to the different
sections OF the Stamp Act of June 80, 1864.
he decides that under the power thus con-
ferred authority has been given to imprint
initials and date upon stamps in ink. instead
OF writing them. The imprint must bs dis
tinct and legible. If proprietary stamps can
not be so affixed to the boxes, bottles, or
packages, that in opening the same, or using
the contents thereof they shall and must be
unavoidsbly and efectually destroyed, they
should be cancelled in the ordinary manner,
by writing or imprinting thereon the initials
and date. Cancellation by writing or i'm
printing the initials and date in ink, whereby
the stamp is made to correspond In those
particulars with the instrument to which it
is affixed, is not only the legal but also the
most effsctual method against fraud. and must
be adopted, except in the case Of proprietary
articles, where it is otherwise specially pro-
vided. Frequent reports have reached this
Office showing that the law upon this subject
is very often discarded. In some instances
stamps are used without being obliterated or
destroyed in any manner whstever. In 9TH
srs, cross simply, generally with ink, but
sometimes even with pencil Is used, or
hole is punched through the stamp.
These and similar methods Of cancellation
afford little or no protection against the use
Of stamps second time. Great frauds may
be, and as investigation shows have been prsc-
ticed upon the public revenue in this manner,
collectors, assessors, inspectors and all other
officers Of this bureau are therefore instructed
to give this subject their special attention
to bring il to the notice Of persons using
stamps and to require strict conformity to the
law. II persons, after having been fully mo-
tilted OF the requirements Of the statute res-
pecting the cancellation Of ofstsmps and OF their
liabilities for noncompliance Herewith, will
fully persist in their fraudulent use without
effectuslly oancelling and oblitersting them
In the manner required by law. legal proeesd-
ings should be instituted for the recovery Of
the prescribed penalty.
The gas monopolists Of Chicago are about
coming TO grief, as a new gas, made from
crude petroleum, is being introduced there.
The Chicago Post says that the light OF the
petroleum gas is fully four times greater than
the light OF the coal gas, and that 1t can be
made at very much less cost.
In Louisiana the sergeant-at-Arms Of the
Senate is without legs, the Door-keeper Of
the House is without arms, the Secretary OF
the Senate ard the Clerk OF the House are
both on crutches. All Of them have belonged
to the Union army.
Rear Admiral Dupont has bequeathed his
prize money, amounting to Si75. 900. to found
a National Asylum at Washington for the
orphans Of soldiers and sailors.
The freedmen of Columbus, Miss.. are
giving concerts and tablesux. White people
are admitted at half price, and front sests re-
served for their benefit.
The femsls clerks in Washington counted
1 AA L.. ..xA s,tA nv q Anl 4 n