The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-02-16
No. 20

Mr.. DAWES sPEEcH-The speech Of this Republi-
can from Massachusetts,, which created such conster
nation in Congress recently and which seems to have
had the effect of estranging the Administration from
the speaker, has excited almost as much comment as
the speeches Of Senator Sprague months ago. 1t
is not great speech its author did not intend 1t to
be sucE 1t is an extempore and unstudied effort in
opposition to the League Island BILL in the course of
which the speaker tells plain truths about the e1
travagance OF his party which his party didn't like.
This IS the main point in the speech. Had it come
from Democratic member attention would have
been pald to 1t; coming from a Massachusetts, men,
ber, who contested with Mr. Blaine, the Speaker of
the House, it is regarded important He shows that
after all the denuncations of extravaganza against
Andrew Johnsons administration and all the preten-
tious claims of economy made for Gen. Grants the es
Inmates for appropriations for public work of 1870
amount to s45625 49, against actual appropriations
of only S. 49S 900 last year, that the total estimates
OF expenditures for the last year of john
sons administration s3o3 900 ooo while the esti-
mates for the next year, under the present admnstra
ton, are 1881 ,097 l74an increase of s2S, ,097 174
that as Congress reduced Johnsons estimates $780,
600 900, the actual increase is nearly $4,000 600;
that the Navy Department. in time of peace asks for
IS sa4 for navy yards alone against only s45
last year, and that the total appropriations asked for
by the Navy Department amount to S2S, AL ,761,
against SIS, 666 last year lie adds the remarka-
BILE statement that Admiral Porter testified before
committee of the House that expended during the
war $3.50, 900 and in navy yards, and had
nothing to show for tnow. These facts show how the
large surplus which Mr. Boutwell, insists on having in
the Treasury encourages extravaganza and prohgacy
and furnish powerful reason for allowing that sur
plus to remain in the pockets of the people.
EXTRAORDINARY MARRIAGE IN MIcHIGAN-A corre-
spondent of the South Haven (Michigan) Sentinel
gives the following particulars of recent Spritualist
marriage at Breedville
"This is said to be progressive age and We were
most happy to see it verified the I'd inst, in the
marriage, at the residence of Mr.. and Mrs. Wells
Brown, of Mr.. William Knowles and the well-known
and popular speaker, Mrs. Frank Reid.
1T was expected that Sister Horton would oficiate
upon the allmportant occasion, but she was prevented
by illness. Under the circumstances it decided
that the next best thing would be for the parties to
marry themselves. Accordingly, after few moments
consultation, the following ceremony repeated by
them, and legalized by Justice Hurlburt
Frank, with your consent, before these witnesses,
acknowledge you as my true and loving wife,
The bride responded: 'I too, William with your
consent before these witnesses, receive you as my
loved and lawful husband Our souls united, we shall
be true to each other here and in the grand hereafter
After the ceremony, the guests some fifty in
Der, partook of bonntifu and handsomely arranged
repast."
Somewhat apropos to the above marriage
ceremony performed years ago, in Bossier parish by
newly elected magistrate. He owned magistrates
form book, and in the habit of turning leaf at
important places Having been called upon to marry
couple, he had to this unailing fountain of
knowledge and information, but doubling his capacity
to repeat the service from memory down went leaf.
The eventful evening came. The trembling couple
stood in the august presence Of the magistrate, who,
with book in hand, thought himself equal to any
emergency Opening the volume where a leaf was
turned in solemn and impressive tones, he began
" One day after date promise "-confusion! he had
opened at the wrong page. Considerably staggered
but still resolved he turned to another page" Know
all men by these presents" Here he broke down
and stood " for time" utterly abashed. Ralying
however, with mighty effort be slammed to the
book, and sternly demanded, "Do you promise to do
unto this woman other men do unto their wives so
help you God?"