davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
For the Enquirer. WASHINGTON. .July 18th 1o7o


 As you know, MT. Editor, our Washing. ton has. or has had. a Lyceum. Last win ter. the question of the utility of works of Fiction was discussed by that Society, and during the discussion, the New York Ledqer was cited as ''chief among the pernicious trash flooding the country" Notwithstanding it is SO considered by some good people, the undersigned has so deprdued a taste, that seldom a week passes that she does not read one page of the trash, and last week she there ascertained that Fanny Fern is sojourning on Litch- field Hill.
 Perhaps you would like to ask, "How that concerns me?" Where one has been so long before the public as she has been. she becomes an object of interest to all, and of late have been more than ever at- tracted by her. like her independence her piquancy amuses me, and I heartily sympathize with the love of Nature that often shows itself in, her articles.
 It would be sin for one so apprecia- tive, to leave Litchfield County, and not behold sunset view from our Steep Rock, a place of which she has probably never heard, and the name of which is not in the least suggestive. I remember when about twenty-six years ago, my cousins invited me to ride to 1Sleep Rock. I supposed was to see a huge base rock; instead of which I saw an extended landscape of hill and forest, dale and river, lovely beyond description.
 The object of this communication is to call her attention to our lion." If she would see it at it's best, she must be on the Rock an hour before sunset, and leave it at her own discretion. J.
 We have some children in this district, who should be in Harper. One was read ing in her Testament, not long since, and read-"The moon shall be turned into 1arkies" '"
 Another, reading "The Old Oaken Bucket, read
 ''Not full blushing gobb1er
 Could tempt me to leave it."
 When Miss O., the teacher, related the latter to me. I was reminded of much more ridiculous reading in one of the Pro- verbs, that occurred when was school girl. The teacher was bright, delicate young lady, having as keen sense of the trying to keep her gravity when 8 great, overgrown youth of seventeen, read {" Better is dinner of herbs where love is, than straddled OK and hatred there with"
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
CORNWALL.

The severity of the drouth has been somewhat relieved by few slight showers; but they come too late to help the hay crop, which is very slight, say half to two thirds, depending on the condition of the meadows, whether old or new, rich or poor, in the elements of growth. Some are through "haying," and others we'll along. Corn never looked better; oats, medium; fruit, variable; some orchards well loaded, and others showing but little fruit.
 = The railroad bridge at West Cornwall is completed, and the town bridge just be- low, nearly so.
 = Miller, the hotel-keeper, was prose- cuted for selling liquor on Sunday, plead ed guilty, and paid his fine. The Grand Jurors are after other delinquents with a sharp stick Just say to your Falls Vil- lage correspondent that '' Huxley and his gang of young rowdies" went to Falls Vil- lage because they were thirsty and could not get anything at Cornwall Bridge to drink. sThat s what's the matter. " They have shut up shop there. But wouldn't 1t be worth publishing, if so small 9 gang could clean out such place as Falls Vil- lage, where they can not only get enough to drink, but also, carry away all they can pay for? g....-. - Y. I.
 = News is scarce-summer boarders plenty, and the weather very warm-9S in
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
Congressional.

Congress adjourned sine de on Friday.
 A great reduction has been made in the Internal revenue taxes, amounting it is es- timated to $60, 900, ,OOO and a reduction of $50, ,OO0, 900 in the tariff.
 In the Internal Rev. the system of licen- ses except for dealers in liquors and tobacco is abolished. Stamp duties on receipts, assignments of mortgages and some other matters are repealed. The taxes on lega- cies, successions and sales are also re-. pealed.
 The following are some of the chief changesi in the tariff. The duty on pig and cast iron is reduced $2. That on scrap wrought iron $1. On sugars the du- ty is reduced from to 1A cents on the raw article; from one-third to one-ffth on refined; molasses, from to 5 cents. Phosphates, animals for breeding purpo- ses, timber, and large list of other arti- cles are put on the free list. The tariff is raised on nickel, corsets, silk buttons, co- coa, flax and flax seed, German silver, granite, freestone and sand stone, hair cloth, hair pins, linseed and linseed oil, watch movem ents, &c.
 The Indian appropriation bill was final ly agreed to on special message of the Pres ident.
 Senator Norton is dead.
 A reduction of the army to 30,O0O and in the number of supernumerary officers has been effected.
 The Georgia bill passed both houses but whether it will require new election is not certain.
 The necessary appropriation bills were passed. ....
 The investigation into the conduct of Gen Howard clears him of all charges pre- ferred against us by Fernando Wood.
 The funding bill has passed both Houses.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
the shade, Sunday. Can you tell us what has become of the Secretary of the Coun- ty Agricultural Society? We are looking for that premium list.
For the Enquirer.
TWISTED. ,Tulv 12th4 107O

TWISTED, July 18th, 1870.
 There IS said to be law against throw Ing and knocking ball in the borough streets, but no one enforces it, much to the dlsgnst of every one who has to pass through the principal streets of the town after o'clock p. m.
 Not few of the sidewalks in the place are too low and need raising.
 The school house in the east village has been raised and is quite a good sized affair.
 It seems we are to have no new hall this year, owing to the price of building mate. rials and labor.
 Can your correspondent from the west village insure against loss or damage by Book Agents ? .......... The bridge over the Railroad in South St., is very we'll done.
 The Dollar Store is getting to have rath- CT a slim assortment and if Mir. A. ca!cu- lates to run the concern much longer he will have to get a new stock.
 MT. Wm. L. Gilbert, who has been se- riously i'll since his return from the West, has made his appearance on the street again.
 There seems to be less interest manifest. ed in the approaching annual meeting of the stockholders of the 0. W. R. R., than there was last year.
 Having is attracting much attention at present.
 Seventeen different gardens have got the tallest corn in town. CoGNosco.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

FOURTH, OF JULY. The Bridgeport Far- nse'' has been rushing to the defence of the Glorious Fourth which we are little sur prised to learn from it's columns that we have been attacking Something we did say of the fashioned, spread-eagle style of eloquence, and of the more recent fire cracker and torpedo style of celebration. We ventured to hope for a more rational kind of observance. Whereat, after com: plimenting us with the statement that"the editor of the ENoUIRER]is is the champion pa, excellence of the woman suffrage movement D and ''frank and outspoken radical" the gentleman who ''presides att the Fmme,. dashes off crescendo and concludes his vol untary on the full organ with trumpet, with magnificent "burst of sound" as follows:-
 While the ENQUIRER thus confesses it's delight that the Fourth of July with all it's memories and emotions for the party to which it belongs, ab- sorbed it is in establishing new fangled notions of strong centralized government. it is plainly the duty of Democrats and all lovers of sound constitutional government to relight the waning fires on the altar consecrated to the memory of the fathers and infuse into the popular heart re-. newed zeal and.regard for the Fourth of July and and whatever else may tend to awaken the people to better understanding of the wise labors and patriotic sacrifices of those who established our Federal Government and made It the model Re- public of the world.
 For short "burst" that is probably as good sample of the style of eloquence we deprecated as is often seen; an impossible style in fact, with the thermometer under 900 Farenheit.
 Having lived to see the typical Connec- necticut Conservative advocate radical reform of the laws regarding married wo- mems property, and number of other stiff Conservatives advocate the extension of the franchise to woman, we are partial ly prepared for something patriotic from the Bridgeport Farmer!
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
STATE ITEMS.

Woodstock has 8 new postmaster.
 Summer visitors crowd Thompson.
 Burglary in Rockville, Sunday.
 Burglary in Meriden, last week.
 Burglary in Wallingford, last week.
 Gardner's clock-works in Ansonia, will commence running, next month.
 A single family in Meriden lost three children by diptheria, last week.
 A man was killed by fall from a cher. ry-tree, in Derby, Thursday.
 The German Turner's of New Britain are building $lO,0OO hall.
 A brakeman had his leg mashed at Der lin, recently, and will probably lose it.
 Blue Fishing at the mouth of the Hous. atomic is unusually good, this year.
 Internal Revenue returns for the 2d Dis trict are $33, ,0O0 for May.
 Burglars entered four stores in New Ha- ven, Thursday night, getting but $lOO.
 Dr. c. B. Webster of Norwich, has been appointed Consul to Liverpool.
 There is prospect of an unusually large apple crop in Middletown and vicinity.
 It is supposed that the murderers of MT. Fenn were in Meriden, on the 9th.
 A nitro-glycerine factory has been es- tablished in Portland.
 A young man was drowned in the river at Middletown, Thursday.
 Milford has voted $5,OOO reward for the murderers of Mr. Fenn.
 An Irishman was drowned at Middle Haddam, last week.
 A man caught 273 blue fish, off Strat- ford, one night, last week.
 A young man was knocked from the cars anddrowned, near Stafford, Wednesday. The Bridgeport Orphan Asylum, costing $13OOO, has all been paid for by dona. tions, festivals, &c.
 The New Haven police have made 2, 495 arrests, and recovered over $25.OO0 worth of stolen property. during the year past. F A great invention in the way of making coal gas, reducing the cost four.ffths, is announced in Rockville.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
&itts6tlb Gnquiret. Litchfleld, Thursday, July 21. 1870
War.

War is at last declared by France against Prussia. What war means it is unfortu' nately not necessary to explain to this gen. eration of Americans. The reasons as' signed by Napoleon and his Assembly for their nasty action are shamefully made quate. An ambassador wasnot respectful ly treated; Prussia refuses to forbid all Prussians from aspiring to the throne of Spain eff France could furnish 1t with Bourbons for two centuries, why may not Prussia have her turn with Hohenzol- lernO; and then the whole thing resolves itself into matter of jealousy. Under the code of honor, so-called, mo respectable sec- onds would allow two gentlemen to fight on such pitiful quarrel If Napoleon meant to insist on the boundary of the Rhine, we could see some reason for the demand of the "natural boundary of France;" but it seems that the neutrality of Belgium and Holland is conceded by both combatants. Does Napoleon propose to break up the North German Confedera- ton and restore that original chaos-Ger- many before 1866? Germans might suffer power 70 largely German as Austria to interfere in their national settlements. but French meddling will hardly be endured by any German-speaking people. That people have no love for French Imperial ism. The great Napoleon conquered, and then oppressed them, till they rose and de- stroyed him. Even if the lesser Napoleon could repeat Jena and Anerstadt it would almost surely lead to second Leipsic and third taking of Paris.
 While the absurd pretences of Napoleon and his Assembly in justification of the shedding of blood are 50 shocking to all moral sense, no one acquainted with histo- ry can deny that more interruptions land grabbing power has never been seen than that of Prussia, from the time it became a kingdom to the present. The ''snap-judg- ment" style was the method of Frederick the Great as we'll as of Bismark, and the Hohenzollerns cannot very we'll complain of Napoleon for playing game they have played so often. Nevertheless, it is very unfair game for honest, christian nations to play, and we rather hope that the is- sues of this war will be such as to dis courage reputable governments from any such sharp practice in future.
 It is probable that this i'll wind will blow America some good. Wheat will rise; emi grants will pour in; and a country where dynastic wars are impossible will be more popular than ever with the mass of those who are only "food for powder" in Flu rope. e.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

CORNWALL BRIDGE. The Cornwall Bridge Iron Company are going into some exten- sive repairs on their furnace, putting in a new hearth, new pipes and chimneys, and refining the stack, and will again go in blast in about one month. They are also thoroughly repairing the sawmill lately purchased of the estate of B. F, Gold. In fact we do not know what would become of the place were it not for the Company.
 Mir. Merryfeld has set up tin shop in the place. This, with the few city board CTS that we have, make times for the pres ert, ively.-Herald
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

peA- We are glad to see the state appro- priation to the Insane Hospital at Middle town cut down from $s9. .O0O to $15, 900. It conclusively appeared from the debate, as it has long been evident to all acquainted with the history of that institution, that it has been a gigantic mistake. The perversion of Girard's money to the building of palace for orphans. is not a grosser folly than the building of our State palace at Middletown for the insane poor.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

closed in the House, last week, by the fol lowing action:-
 On motion to adhere Mir. Staples of Ca- naan, said this question was not fully discussed. Not so much time had been spent on it as on some petty railroad cases. This was matter of great quired that it be fairly treated. He was proceed. ing to discuss the merits of the question, when Mir. Eaton called Mir. Staples to order.
 The speaker ruled that the merits of the bill could be discussed under the motion, and direct ed MT. Staples to proceed.
 Mir. Staples said he had occupied but little time, and insisted that he ought not to be put down be- cause he was clergyman, and one of the large his views of the question. Marriage was not a human institution; it was the foundation of the family, from which springs our system of law, and he questioned the right of the legislature to med dle with marriage. If marriage was the offspring of human government, they could decree that there shall be no marriage, or that men may have two wives, and women two husbands. It is mat ter the Almighty has reserved to himself, and the legislature was outside it's authority in providing for divorce. He took up MT. Olmsted's Scrptu- ral argument. He contended that the Bible gave authority for divorce only for ore cause, and he had yet to learn where men got more authority, unless they were wiser than the Son of God. He took up the question of marriage being civil contract and declared that the divorce law of this State matter of civil contract, furnishes more loop-holes for the evasion of the contract, than that governing the purchase of COW. A man may in twenty-four hours, create the state of things necessary for divorce. MT. s. was pro- ceeding to give his views of the omnibus clause, when the hammer fell, and the House refused to allow him to proceed. He remarked that it look ed to him as if there was 8 consciousness of ini- quity in the bill they were unwilling should be uncovered.
 The house then voted to adhere, which kills the bill.
 It seems to us that this denial of dis cussion on subject of such importance is hardly creditable to the House; and little as we agree with Mir. Staples, we think he was entitled to more courteous treatment.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

B@- While opposing 8 repeal of the omnibus clause of our divorce law, we deem it duty to publish facts showing a want of some reform:
 Martha Saunders, who was married to Ransen Gully of KilliDgly, on the 14th day of April last, at 10 a. m, on the 14th of May obtained divorce, and at Il g. m of the same day, became the hap py bride of A. M Porter, of Thompson.
 In all cases where the respondent in 8 divorce case is within reach of process, he should be called into court and examined, and then the court would easily detect any collision. We hear, by the way, that the judges intend being more strict in their requirements as regards evidence in the future, than in the past.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

REVENUE AND TARIFF CHANGES. s.-The abandonment of all license taxes is 8 great relief, while the dropping of the stamp duty on receipts does away with a source of constant annoyance and little revenue. For the changes in the tariff. little can be said, except that great reduction in rev. enue has been effected while removing but little protection from home manufac- lures. The retention of the duty on bi- luminous coal and on salt is an outrage; and the increase on nickel and German silver, on corsets, silk buttons, flax and inseed oil, building stone. hair pins, hair cloth, parts of watches, and the like, show that particular interests have wheedled Congress into helping them, while making general tariff reduction.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
COUNTY ITEMS.

TERRYv1LLE FENIANs.-The following res olutions were passed at a recent meeting of the Robert Emmett Circle, 925, Fenian Brotherhood:
 Resolved, that we the Robert Emmitt Circle. 995, of the Fenian Brotherhood, do return our most sincere and cordial thanks to the American people of Terryville and vicinity for their kindly attendance at our Picnic on the fourth of July.
 And be it further resolved, that we will 'ever remember with greatful hearts their kindness and practical sympathy to us for the freedom of Ireland, in which cause we have embarked and determined to hurl the glittering steel and the invisible bullet against British power in Ireland.
 And be it further resolved, that we look upon Charles Beech, the rnmseller, Pat rick O'Connell, his bartender, and William Roach, as enemies to Irish freedom and Irish nationality generally, and we call up- on all Fenians and true Americans to take particular notice of them and guard them selves against their company.
 Signed in behalf of the Robert Emmett Circle, 926, Fenian Brotherhood.
 DAVID O'C1oUaHEssY, Sec'y
 -Inder. WOODBURY.-Mf. Wm. ID. walker, WnC has conducted the singing in St. Paul's church, during the last eight years, was agreeably surprised on Saturday evening, June 25th, by the presentation of silver goblet and fork, beautifully chased and marked with his name, on the part of bis numerous friends and in the name of the church as recognition of his valuable ser vices during that long period. The presen- tation was made by the hand of the rector, the Rev. John Purves.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

DIVORCE. We have printed on our first page a full report of last weeks debate on the divorce question in the House. Had the opponents of the present law been a little more moderate in their opposition, they might have had more success. Last year, nearly all the ministers in the Sate combined to procure repeal of our stat ute and the enactment of the New York law forbidding divorce except for adultery. They were unsuccessful, and this year, on- ly Bishop Williams and the Episcopal min istry, ,petitioned for that change. The move ment has been again unsuccessful, and Bishop Williams announced to the last Di- ocesan Convention his intention to make no further effort.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

Har The Winsted people seem to have got up an excellent concert last Wednes- day night which was repeated Thursday. One thing we !have always noticed about Sacred Music Concerts-that the Twelfth Massachusetts is very much overworked regiment.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

Sufferers from coughs, colds, bronchitis, croup, influenza or whooping cough, will find relief in Dr. Wistar's Balsam ot Wild Cherry, which has now been in use for nearly half century, and still maintains it's long established regulations as the great remedy for all diseases of the throat, lungs and chest. ....
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

BG- We give on our first page, the con- cluding debate in our legislature, on the Married Woman's Property Bill. It is lit- tie more than a repetition of arguments previously advanced. The matter had be- come confused in the mind of Mir. William Converse, of Franklin, with "spirit rap pings" and so he opposed it. The richest speech in opposition was that of Mir. La tham of Groton, who, of all Scrip ture illustrations, hit upon that of Jonah and the whale, and insisted that the fate of the prophet was just the treat ment for this bill. His wish seems to have been gratifed, for the Legislature has fail ed as completely in digesting the message of reform as did the whale (shark? in di- eesting it's messenger May wo not h"po that all sharks and all legislatures are not quite such rank humbugs?
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21

D6~ A practical joker passed himself off on MT. "Rod." Atwood, of Nonewaug, says the American, as the Milford murder CT, and gave Mr. A. the trouble of a jour ney to Middlebury for the Sheriff, before the trick was discovered.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
TnfaIlilbilitv

So the Pope IS infallible at last Catho. lies can no longer play fast and loose with the "churchly," and entice them within the Romish fold, with talk of supreme Ecumenical councils of the successors of the apostles, governing the Church in the last resort. How great an effect this ab- surd blunder of the Pope is likely to have in Europe, cannot yet be determined. That there can be another great French OF Ger man schism, like that of the Reformation, is hardly possible. The Church in those countries has not energy enough for such action. In all probability, the opposition to Infalibility will die the death of all pro- test in that Church. The present genera ton of opponents will be succeeded by men nominated by the Jesuits. In some Continental nations. where the appointing power of Rome is limited by special cou vention, this process will be slow; but in America. England, and wherever the Church is on the increase, there is noth- ing to check the supreme authority of the Holy See. Hence, whatever latitude the American Catholics may allow their laity, especially those of Protestant birth, their priesthood will grow more and more pli- ant to the central authority.
 That the declaration of Infallibility will make the sacerdotal power any more dan gerous to civil authority than heretofore, is not probable. No Catholic, American layman is likely to look to the Pope for his politics. Messrs. Tweed and Sweeney may give the Pope fair share of the plum der of New York; they probably do that now; but they do not consult him with re- gard to the course to be taken by the Young Democracy, or any other matter of moment in the politics of the first city of the Union. Catholicism tends. indeed. to keep it's American adherents in separate, social class, and thus indirectly to offer them in bulk, to the demagogue; but it's direct influence is, we are convinced, far less than is generally suspected by Ameri can Protestants. Whenever the emigrant class shall have become thoroughly Ameri- canized. and thoroughly educated. their Catholicism will not stand in the way of their doing their duty to America, any more than the Catholicism of Cardinal Richelieu prevented his taking the place of Gustavus Adolphus as the leader of the great anti Catholic party of his time.
Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-21
pat. Following is the score:

Umpire-J. Aldis. Scorers -Messrs. Cook and Butler. Time of Game 1:55.