davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

FEARFUL CATASTROPHE IN CoRNwALL.-Englisl
papers relate that a terrible accident occurred on
the 2lst Of April, at the Deabole Slate quarries
near Carmeliord, in Cornwall, where about &C
persons are employed The quarries form one
immense pit, having an area Of something like Il
acres and the depth in some parts isas much $40
feet. Then there is an additional 100 feet " the
top of the slate rubbe heaps surrounding tho
quarries. The slate aud refuse are raised from
the bottom By drawing engines connected with
irameworks, called poppet-heads," which over
hang the pit. Without hardly moments warn
ing the most extensive of the poppet-heads gave
way with n tremendous crash shortly after
O'Clock, p. NJ, carrying away with it all those
who happened to be on the head, and also bury
ing many poor creatures at work beneath. Tn,
crash was heard for miles around, and large
cOnc0urse of people soon congregated, and render
ed all possible assistance. Upto the 23d ten per
sons had been taken out dead, and it was believed
that still others had met with like fate. About
a dozen were seriously injured. Some miraculou,
escapes reported. One little girl fell with hei
father into the pit, distance of about 400 feet
yet she received little or no injury. woman
was ON the head when it gave way, but was stand
ing just where the ground opened, and saved her
self by climbing up the falling rubbish. On,
man, after being buried thirteen hours, was dug
out alive
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

THE SECESSION JuNTA.-Nr. Pollard of Virginia
is about to publish his " Life of jefferson Davis "
From advance sheets we see that he makes a
statement that a secret revolutionary junta, com
posed Of the Senators of Florida, Georgia, Ala
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas
Fitzpatrick, Clay R. W. johnson, Sebastian,
Yulee, Mallory, Iyerson, Toombs, Slidell Bepja-
min Davis, Brown, Wigiall, Hemphill-met in
Washington, in one of the rooms of the Capitol,
on the night Of January 5, 1861 and formed an
organization, which took control Of all political
and military operations in the South, dictated the
the plan Of seizing forts, arsenals and custom
houses, and did the whole work of revolution,
while they were every day in their accustomed
seats in the Senate at Washington. This body
appointed an Executive Committee Of three, one
of whom was Jefferson Davis through which
they carried out the schemes they had planned
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

SUMNER rs. ENGLAND.-Mr. Sumner has been
subjected to the test Of a reportorial CONVERSE
ton by an attache Of the New York Herad Ac-
cording to this report Mr.. Sumner says that Eng
land never liked to be told the truth, especially
when she is in the wrong John Bright knows
England is wrong, and hence he says the embar-
rassmcnt OF the English Cabinet is no more than
serving them right Mr.. Sumner thinks Mr..
Motley understands the case thoroughly, and
knows just what 10 do with IT, Mr.. McCreery
represents nobody but himself on the question,
and the vote Of the Senate may be considered
unanimous Mr. Motley's nomination was taken
up out of its course and unanimously confirmed
In regard to Mr.. Gadstone's remark that the
vote was simply political stroke Mr.. Sumner
said his information must have come from Rever.
dy johnson, as Mr. Thornton knew better In
answer to the question whether he thought the
Alabama business could be amicably arranged,
Mr.. Sumner said
" l hope SO. When the British government
and people understand our position better, think
much Of the difficulty will vanish You see they
say What is the use Of such an intense feeling
on the part eff the Americans about few ships
John Bull could put his hand in one of his peck
cts and pay the damages in an hour But thai
is not exactly the point They don't look at il
as we do. They don't take into consideration
! thu inillry thaN iiara d,na A As Bial@-a oh
den said, they might as well have battered dowr
all our cities on the seabOard. The injury Grea
Britain has inflicted ON rs is greater than it wa,
in the war of 1872, much greater. We have de
fined our position now, and have reason 10 know
that there will be no yielding. We ask nothing
but what is fair, and our people mean to have
justice at least
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

HoNoR TO WnoM lIoNoR.--w Whatever may be
said of the unblushing corruption of the New York
Legislature, Governor Hoffman certainly has earn
ed the commendatiou of all honest men. lie has
vetoed some fifteen or twenty bills passed by the
present legislature, and, what is very surprising,
not one of them has yet become law over his
veto. In every case he has accompanied has OBJ.
Jections with such cogent constitutional or eco
nomical reasons as to command the respect Of
nearly all the members, and they have sustained
the Governor. His independence and integrity
challenge admiration all the more from the con-
srderation that, in several cases, he had every
reason TO expect severe conflict with his politi-
cal friends, whose fayorite measures he had nip.
ped in the bud Rare as such calm and honora.
bic craftsmanship is becoming, let it be heartily
applauded, wherever found.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

PRomDITIoN IN MASSACHUSETTS, is a
good deal of strife between the conservative and
radical temperance men in the Massachus It's
legislature, concerning the passage of new pro
hibitory law-whether it shall be as stringent as
the old one, or more liberal in its terms. The
feeling runs 50 high that the State temperance
alliance, on Wednesday last, after an excited dis
shsion, voted, 2s TO 81 to request its President,
Hon. William b. Spooner, to resign, because he
iayors the exemption of cider and lager beer from
the provisions of the prohibitory law. This ac-
ton has been expected for some time, and will
doubtless be followed by the accommodation Of
all who hold similar sentiments--among whom
it Is said, Governor Clnain is included.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

MoRNoNlsM RAMPANr.-The Salt Lake Reporter
sketches recent sermon delivered by Brigham
Young at Mormon Conference, in which he usec
most proiane and defiant language in regard t.
the Government and people Of the United States
lie characterized the President, Vice President
Senators and Representatives as drunkards anc
adulterers, and said that if the Saints " SHOULD
stick together all the scalawags in the country
could not hurt them. lie said that he asked N,
odds Of the Government, and that he dehed tn,
Government and the people of the United States
His language was very abusive and abounded il
profanity.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

turing divorces for the rest of the country, and
has changed her law on that subject. 1t is now
required that persons filing applications for di-
vorce, shall have been bona fde residents of the
State for one year preceding the filing of the APP
plicaton, and for ninety days bona fide residents
Of the county. The law also makes it felony
for any person to make false representations in
procuring divorce, prescribes confinement in
the penitentary as a penalty, and applies the OPP
Grafton of the act to any attorney who shall lend
his assistance in procuring a divorce through
fraudulent means.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

70 The President has preached the eight hour
question in a cabinet meeting, where it was
brought to his notice that Congress, in passing
the eight hour law, had failed to repeal pre-
vious act providing that the pay of government
employees in navy yards and workshops, should
not exceed that paid by private establishments Of
the same character, and it is reported that he
agrees with the attorney general and secretary Of
the navy in the construction they have put upon
the law. If that is so, the workmen in govern
ment employ will have to wait for Congress 10
pass supplementary act in their favor. Ger
tainly' ii Gen. Grant refuses to do anything for
them, twill be because he thinks he cannot,
legally
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

WOMAN SuFfEAGE.-Ihe joint special commit
tee Of the Massachusetts Legislature on the sub
iect of woman suffrage made a report to the Sen
ate on Friday, signed by nine of the ten member,
composing it. The report concludes with the re-
commentator Of an amendment of the Constitu.
ton to secure suffrage to women The article OF
amendment, which must pass two successive
Legislatures and be approved by the people, il
order to take effect, is as follows
" The word male is hereby stricken from the
third article Of the amendment of the Constitu-
ton. Hereafter, women of this Commonwealth
shall have the right of voting at elections, and b,
eligible to office upon the same terms, conditions
and qualifications, and subject TO the same res
trictions and disabilities as male citizens of this
Commonwealth now are, and no others.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

The LAST RAL.-The telegraph announces
that the last rail on the Western half Of the Pa
ci6c railroad was laid on Saturday last and TO-
day Monday the Eastern half will be joined /,
it. The road will then be complete from New
York to San Francisco. The event was generally
celebrated by commercial classes in ,.H our great
cities. The officers of the companies that control
the road were in consultation Saturday, and CANT
to a temporary understanding that the fare from
New York to San Francisco for second class
beseyenty-iye dollars, and for first class one hun.
dred and seyenty-fye dollars.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

II The French government is using all its in
auence to color and control the result of the legs-
lative elections that are TO be held on the 23d Of
May. 1t is much that 1t should do so, as the ne
cessity for doing it implies that there is certain
amount of freedom enjoyed by the French people.
The first Napoleon would have thought it sin
gular state OF things had he been forced to make
use OF demagogical arts to effect any of his pur-
poses, but the third Napoleon accepts the new
state Of things, and conforms his action thereto
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

lRREGuLARiTY Colonel Parker, the new com.
missioner of Indian affairs, committed great ir-
regularity by going to New York in person this
week aud buying the goods for the forth-com ing
Indian payments without the interference of In
dian traders. lie even called in the assistance
of Mr.. George IL. Stuart, whose experience he
thought would enable him to buy to better adj
vantage. 1t was all owing, doubtless, to the in
nuence of the Quaker " ring"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

II The EDeniHg Posi- figures up that bills to
give away 22i 245 $50 acres of the public domain,
or seven and half times the surface of New York,
to private individuals or corporations, have al
ready been introduced into this Congress, while
other schemes are maturing that will demand the
rest, The Post THINKS, and most everybody will
agree with it, that it would be lairer way to di-
vide up the public lands and give us all farm, -
rather than give them all away to few specula-
TORS
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

CuBA-rhe New York SUMS Washington cor.
respondence says that Gen. Banks called upon
the President on the 81 inst. in reference to Gu,
ban matters, and was informed that the Spanish
authorities had already released every person whose
arrest or detention was complained of by the
United States authorities. The President said he
had been assured by the Spanish Government that
they were fully able to suppress the rebellion in
short time, land that under these circumstances he
did not see on what pretext the United State.
could interfere.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

- Rev. f. II. Chaplin, d. D., after long and
serious Illness appeared in the pulpit of his church
on Fifth avenue, last Sunday morning. lie took
for his text, Kings, vi. 7 SO that there was
neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard
in the house while it was building" DR.. Cha
pinconcluded his very eloquent sermon by saying
Advancing years and inGrmities reminded him
that his years with his congregation would be
very few Yet he hoped that the temple built
without the sound ofboth hammer and axe would
continue, and that it was a society that was more
than a mere collection of individuals.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

LADoR'-The labor question is likely to have an
important influence on elections in this country,
during the next two years. With the liqour
question ever present, threatening to operate as
separate wedge, and the eight hour law men and
the st. Crispins demanding recognition, the poll
ticians will have busy time in keeping party
lines unbroken.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

RENoRsR, WE HOPE-Gen Lee left Washing
ton Wednesday morning for Alexandria, where
he is to pass few days. 1t is said that, as the
steamer left Washington, he stood on the upper
deck with his arms folded, gazing earnestly at
Arlington, the estate Of his wife, part of which
is now covered by the FreedmeD's village, while
around the House are inferred the remains Of at
least $4,000 Union soldiers who died that their
country might live.
1t is now stated that Gen. Lee was not con-
suited by President Grant about Virginia poll
tics, although such consultation was doubtless
a good part Of bis object in calling.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12
The British House of

70 The British House of Commons has passed
by the large majority of 80, a bill repeating tn,
law that prohibits the marrying of a deceased
wiies sister. John Bright made an able speech
in favor Of the repeal, though one of his col
leagues in the ministry Mr.. Coleridge, the soli-
citor general, opposed it, which course Senator
Spngue would doubtless attribute to his being
lawyer The eloquent Methodist preacher
Mr. Punshon, come to this country for the pur.
pose Of doing what the law seems likely to allow
hereafter in England, and he can now go back to
his native country without becoming criminal
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12


DEAD LocK.-rhe Massachusetts, Senate, on
Thursday last, refused the liquor bill third
reading by a vote Of thirteen to twenty-one. This
result was secured by the ultra prohibitonsts
Joining with the friends of license, on account Of
the concessions which the pending bin makes in
favor ofcider and beer
When the result Of the last election in Massa-
chusetts was ascertained, the friends of prohibit
ton claimed, and it appeared, that they had a
large majority in both branches Of the legislature
and it was generally supposed that substantially
the old prohibitory law would be enacted. After
some delay the prohibitory law was reported, and
the House, after full discussion, exempted cider
from the category Of intoxicating drinks. The
senate next inserted lager containing not more
chan three and one half per ccntum Of alcohol
and yesterday rejected the bill by vote of TWEEN
ty one to thirteen.
It is considered doubtful if the friends Of pro
hibtion will be able, during the present session.
to extricate themselves from the singular position
in which they are now placed. Indeed, it is
stated that the ultra prohibitionists will vote
against any measure short Of substantial re
turn to the old law while the more liberal tenn.
penuce men, Joining with the friends Of a license
law, will be likely to constitute the majority.
The existing license law has been amended by
the present legislature, 80 rs to leave the whole
subject in very awkward shape, provided nothing
further is accomplished The sections providing
for licenses being issued are repealed, but the
penalties for selling without license are still il
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12
The Worlds Washington correspondent
contains the followinO story

-Ihe W0rfds Washington correspondence
contains the following story
Yesterday the wife of late major-general Of
the United States army called on President Grant
and stated the facts OF claim for considerable
back pay, which she had long been yainly press
ing before Congress, and disclosed to him such
circumstances OF merit and restitution as induced
the President (whose friend, when he needed
friends, the general had been) Mt once to relieve
her present wants out of his own pocket to
promise her that she shall be made postmistress
at southern military post, and TO appoint her
son to a cadetship at West Point. At the same
time the President pronounced her claim Just
one would see that Congress allowed it, and tcks
her that she should have come at once to him in
stead of trying to get it through Congress her.
self"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

The FREEDNEN.-A friend who has spent the
Winter in travelling through the South, speaks
in the highest terms of the good department and
prosperity of the emancipated slaves. In all his
journeyings not single person of color asked
charity at his hands, while scores of poor
whites" were clamorous for aid The greatest
soicitude of the freedmen seems to be, to acquire
title to own even the smallest parcel Of land
"sicii ef,sJ oufsfraee sf,erl rne doctrne
that, if emancipated, they would become rowing
vagabonds, is entirely exploded.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

II A prominent Spectator in the New York
Central on Friday purchased eleven thousand
shares Of that eompany's stock at III, and sold
the same before night at l7s, having made over
$4,000 by the operation. The revenue stamps
required to legalize his transactions 70, the day
amounted to over 500.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

CANADA PAINTED ny lTsELr.-'lhe Montreal
Star. remarking on the proposed visit OF MT
Thornton, the British minister to Canada thus
sketches the New Dominion. The picture IS not
aottoripp, and we would fam believe, not truth
FIJI. There is truth in il, however MIR. Thorn
ton will see a country 5000 miles from England
more tory than the strictcst conservative, ana
clinqinp 10 the name of a connection which car
ries a. much practical significance as the INC ia
cef ON a nameless grave; a country with the nm
cst winter power in the world holding, like geo
graphical pontiH, the keys which unlock the
ocean and inland, which open the great gates
through which pass the manufactured enc con
tinent. and the corn Of another, and which com
mands the great highway between Europe and
Asia. And a country which, while possessing
these treasures, like a cock on dunghill, would
give them all for grain Of barley. y country
where all the business is done on credit, where
ten per cent of its tradesmen are insolyents annu
ally, where for miles one rides by depopulated
bomesteads, whose starving inhabitants have
emignted By thousands and whose popula'
ton is decreasing at the rate Of GO,Oo0 year per
million. 4 country ruled by government,
bank and a ailway-a ministry whose policy is
self. and whose practice is jobbery mas
of prominent citizens running to q milway sta
ton after "gullant Bart with the ieyerisl
intensity of 20 many ours after spaniel. Mr.
Thornton will find all these phenomena spring
ING from one British connection
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

e Brooklyn is generally indignant and the
friends Of Rev. DR.. Storrs everywhere feel out
aged, at Theodore Tltou's late sloshing sarcasm
upon him in the independents The article was
altogether unworthy of the Independent, and was
ct only for the New York Herald, of whose style
II was a most complete copy There was vein
Of mainity in it, also, which Mr. Tilton does
not often exhibit, and which strongly suggests
that the Brooklyn pastor has, sometime or other,
made apparent his thorough contempt for the
youthful journalist. Nobody is hurt, however,
half 50 badly as the Independent and It's conduc-
tors, by this demonstration. Connected as they
may he in their own sei-estmotcs, and strong as
they certainly are in the popular regard, they
cannot afford to thus trayesty and insult the char
acter and qualify Of man So pure and SO high
as Rev. DR.. Storrs.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

H There is town in Massachusetts which
seems to think its public schools well worth car
ing for At meeting of the legal voters of
Peabody, Mass, last week. the sum of one iun.
ared and f'0eHty-three thousand dollars was appro
pria'ed Tor the purpose Of building four school
houses on the department plan during the pres
ent season.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

CHISA.-The dispatches from our minister in
China are of the same character as those of the
British minister to the Celestial Empire, repre-
senting that the Chinese are really opposed to
progress, and will not permit the improvement
contemplated by Burlinmme's mission.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

m. Dumas eonfssses that, great as he is,
he might have been greater, and he would
have achieved the additional distinction by
sleeping in the day time and working only at
night.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

~ Andersonville, Georgia, has colored post
master No respectable oolored man would care
TO serve town which holds such place in his
tory unless it was to aid in its thorough recon-
structioD
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

~ 1t is n matter Of profound regret that Presi-
dent Grant has yielded, as is reported, 10 the yo-
lent opposition Of the Georgia rebels and refused
to commission the colored man-Sims-to be post
master at Savannah. Mr.. Sims lisa well educated
gentleman, worthy and well qualified, but is Of
African descent. Mr.. Cleft, his opponent, on
whom the appointment is now bestowed, is a car
pet-bagger from Massachusetts,, who was adrotly
used to defeat Sims. We fear the President let
slip good opportunity TO teach the Georgia reb-
els wholesome lesson which they greatly need.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

SINGULAR, II TRuE.-lt is current in Washing
ton, from apparently reliable sources, that the
Cuban revolution was originally planned by Gems.
Dulce and Prim, who hoped to shake OF the rule
OF Queen Isabella in Cuba, and then to reyolu.
tionize the mother country. But Spain unex-
pectedly took the initiative, and now the very
generals who desired to make Cuba free are en-.
deayoring to retain the island as profitable col.
ony OF the Spanish republic. The Cuban reyolu.
tionists were not willing to be transferred thus.
as colonists, from monarchy to a republic, and
they preuaturely determined to strike for their
own independence. Their SUCCESS is hopeless un-
less they receive moral or material aid from the
United States, although they may lay desolato
their fertile island before they enn he conorersd
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-12

The housekeepers of Hartford propose
to hold a convention on the servant girl
question. o.