davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
ANOTHER swIEpLIEe RING.

Col. BaXter's exposures of the Public
Printing Swindle by which the overbur
dened tax payers were defrauded of $50. 900
we supposed would do away with all such
frauds and force the Legislature to give out
the State printing to the best workmen
and lowest bidders. But it seems the
swindling is to be continued. The Demo-
cratic press of the State with one or two
honorable exceptions is now in force at
Nashville fighting over this plumber. One
OF the most formidable rings trying to
plumber the tax payers in the future is'made
up OF the Nashville Banner, Union and
american and Press and Herald of this
city, with, perhaps, others. This is a
beautiful ring. The Press and Herald of
this city wrung from the depleted treas
ury ofthe State last year Three thousand
dollars, fora little printing and we suppose
1t wants to double it this year. Well, it
Oughtto havesomesuch help, for withoutit
1t would certainly die. But how long will
the people allow this plundering to go on {?
Are not our taxes heavy enough already /?
We call upon the honest Legislators at
Nashville to break down this whole swind-
ling business.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
BRIGHAM YOUNG.

Public interest is now being attracted
toward the dominions of Mormondom.
BY reference to our dispatches received at
noon yesterday, it will be seen that an inn
mense number of his followers have been
in consultation with him over the present
state of affairs there, brought about by the
action of q Federal Grand Jury on the
crime of adultery, and that he advises
them to keep on hand good supply of
" fixed ammunition 1t is evident that
he is most desperate character, and he
Will not hesitate to plunge his people into
an open war with the United States rather
than to submit to the laws of the country.
He has had an eye to the crisis that now
seems to threaten him for some time. and
he is probably prepared to make ali the
resistance possible from an inferior against
a superior power.
Whatever course he may choose to
take, 1t is to be hoped that the Gov
eminent authorities will stand firm to
their duties. Harsh means may be neces.
sary for period, but what is done, is done
in the name and cause of humanity, and
should be well done. Polygamy should
no longer remain as foul blot upon our
country, and perhaps there will never arise
q more favorable opportunity for abolishing
1t. The whole coun try, and good men oil
over the world, will regard with much in.
terest the action of the United Statao
Courts at Salt Lake.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
THE GREAT FIRE AT CHICAGO.

The fire at Chicago is without paral-
lei in.the history of this country. The loss
of property is immense, and thousands
upon thousands of persons are without
homes and without employment. With all
the relief that can be afforded by public and
private charities, the sufferings of the peo-
pie of that city will be great. They will
have the sympathies of the benevolen t
everywhere.
There is no way of estimating the inf
ence that this terrible disaster will shed on
the financial world, but it is bound to be
great. The immense amount of capital
that has been lost before the devouring
element, will shake some of the wealthiest
corporations on this continent to its very
foundation. The public will await furth-
er particulars with breathless anxiety.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
The Jefferson County Narrow Gauge Road.

EDITORS CHRoNICLE--In your issue of
the 9TH instant is a communication from
cambridge in regard to the action of the
Quarterly Court of this county, in the
matter of ordering an election to allow the
people of the county to say whether they
desired the stock owned by the county in
the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia
Railroad transferred to a Narrow Gauge
Railroad from cambridge to some point on
the first named road. If the gentleman
had given you full statement of the facts
in the case, this article in answer to him
would have been unnecessary. The facts
are as follows:
At the sitting of the July term of the
Quarterly Court, the friends of the con-
templated enterprise of Narrow Gauge
road from cambridge to Messy Creek came
into Court and moved that an election be
held in the county at all the precincts, to
get the sense of the county AS to whether
they desired the transfer of the stock al
luded to. The Court granted the petition
and ordered the election to be held on the
"a DAY OF september last, which order was
complied with. After the friends of the
enterprise had done what they could to
favor the transfer, it was defeated by a
majority of from two to three hundred
votes, and there was not full vote polled.
At the time this stock was taken In the
East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, it
was voted for by the people of the county
with the understanding that it should be
the basis of a school fund, the proceeds and
dividends accruing thereon to be devoted
to the education of the children of the
county. Now, the thirteen Justices who
opposed this measure IN the county did so
from principle and because they believed
they were rejecting the sentiments of "a
large majority of the people of the county,
and, further, because they were unwilling
to favor the diverting of the peoples funds
from their legitimate use to build an en-
terprise for the enhancement of the prop
erty of few individuals of the county.
With this statement of the facts, those
voting against the measure are willing for
a candid public to say whether they have
acted in accordance with their duty and
the rights of the people of the county.
Very respectfully yours,
ROBERT j. ANDERSON
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
PUBLISHING THE OPINIONS OF THE sU.
PREME COURT.

The bill introduced few days since in
to our Legislature, to provide for the pub
LEGATION of the Opinions of the Supreme
Court, for tie use Of Me:people," which we
presume means for their publication in
certain newspapers and which we COM
mented briefly on in our issue of Sunday
morning, deserves further notice at our
hands. Its passage, according to onr un-
derstanding of its nature, will serve no use
full purpose. The publication by newspa-
pers of the Supreme Court decisions, at the
expense of the State, gives to the people no
equivalent for the money expended. 1t is
only occasionally that a new or interesting
principle is announced by the Court.
are quick to publish the fact as AN item Of
news. For this they are paid by their sub
scribers, and are further compensated for
their enterprise in the extension of their
circulation. Papers worthy of patron
age, and possessing the confidence OF
the country need no subsidy from the pub
lie treasury to maintain their existence.
Why, then, should the peoples money be
thus expended TO sustain petty partiZan
newspapers? The Press and Herald of this
city has drawn since the 9th Of October,
1869, three thousand dollars for the
publication of the laws, Supreme Court
decisions and Executive proclamations.
But in what particular has II furnished its
readers more useful information than IL
would have done, had this subsidy not
been paid it, or in what has it supplied
more Information than has at the same
time appeared in our columns? Yet it has
during this period received from the peo-
pies money, a sum nearly equal TO the
Governors salary. We apprehend that
the purpose of those who procured the IN
PRODUCTION OF this bill " private gain
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

We referred few days ago to the sue
cessful completion of the eight mile tun-
mel through Mont Cents. The first train
passed throughit on the 18th of Septem-
Der, making the transit on the down
grade in forty minutes and the return in
So minutes. Some remarks in reference to
this remarkable mountain may be of inter-
est to our readers.
1t is an elevated platform 6,773 feet
above sea level, with q peak rising II asa
feet, situated at the juncture of two ranges
of the Alps between France and Italy. On
the plateau is beautiful lake called La
Ramasse, which is filled with trout, over
this mount is one of the most cele-
brated Alpine passes. In 1855 Pepin led
the French army against the King of
Lombardy in aid of Pope Stephen III, for
which service the Pope promised great
spiritual blessings, both for himself and
all the French nation. Nearly 900 years
later Catinat, Marshal of France, led his
army over this pass in the wars of Louis
XIV. The pass at this period was only for
mules, and although Catinat improved it
somewhat, it was still very difficult of
transit.
The First Napoleon built road Is feet
wide for 80 miles of the pass in order to fla
cilitate intercourse between Lansle-Bourg
and Susa. 1t was constructed at cost of
more than 100000 francs, and q toll was
levied on passengers to defray the expense
of the pass. 1t remained for this genera
ton to project and carry out the grand
scheme of building pass through the
mountain, instead Of over it. There is lit
tie vegetation on the plateau, on account
of the hard winds constantly blowing
there. The wind from Piedmont side is
called Lonbdrde, and that from Savoy
Td,,aotse 1t is colder at Lansle-Bourg
than ON the plateau, for during three
months of the year they do not see the
sun, on account of high peak at the foot
of which it is situated
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
WHAT DOES IT MEAN

We notice bill has been introduced in
TO the Legislature which has this benefi-
cent pompous title ito provide for the
publication of the opinions of the Supreme
Court for the use Of the people," What is
the object of this bill +? Last year the State
paid many thousand dollars for the publi-
cation OF the Supreme Court decisions in q
few newspapers Of small circulation and
smaller influence, Now, that the law is
repealed, newspapers of enterprise publish
gratis such decisions as are of public in
terest. If We had guess what the bill
means, il is 10 give little feed from the
public crib" TO such sheets as the Press and
Herald and Chattanooga Times and Nash
vile Banner. Two of these sheets bled
the public treasury last year and they want
10 do it again. We ASH the honest men in
the Legislature 10 look after this job. I'm
less we much mistake il, 1t IL another
chance for such public printing swindle
rs Baxter has just unearthed.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
With $40. 600 or

at the public EXPENSE With SIC, eco or
SIS, 900 committed to the hands of the Gov
ernor, to be annually distributed among
the press i'm the three divisions of the
State, we might in measure make them
subservent to his personal wishes, and by
the propagation of falsehood and the sup
preston of truth, do much TO deceive the
public and advance his own personal ends.
1t is better not to provide a fund at the
expense of tax payers, which might be used
to their prejudice. Let us avoid all such
temptation to corruption. The money
which this bill proposes to turn over to
newspapers, as we understand it, might he
more profitably applied to the payment of
theunpaid liabilities of the State in the
purchase of libraries for the use of the
Supreme Court, or in the endowment of
some useful educational institution.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

THE regular monthly bulletin Of Secre-
tary Boutwell, gives new proof of the econ
omy and honesty controlling the admins
tration of the national finances. While
New York and Kentucky are cursed with
corrupt and incompetent Democratic adj
ministrations the financial affairs ofthe gem
eral government are conducted with scru.
pulous integrity. The statement referred
to shows the very gratifying decrease dur
ing the month of September of Sl3, ass $50.
"A we have said before, if Gen. Grant and
his Cabinet can continue this good work
the people will not grudge them the relax
alton they have taken during the hot
months Of the summer.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

A dispatch to the Baltimore San gives
the following intelligence of the terrible
conhagratiOn i'm the Northwest
MILWAUKEE, Oct. A special TO the
Ne,Cs, from Green Bay, says the fires in
the woods between there and Michigan
have extended across Fox river, and cover
q strip thirty miles wide in Shawanaw and
Oconto counties. The large numbering
towns of Marinette and Pishtego are threa1
tened with destruction. Fires are now ra-
ging over three thousand square miles of
territory. About one hundred families
are turned out of house and home. The
refugees are in Green Bay and other
towns. At least one hundred other fami-
lies are in danger of being burned out.
Farm buildings, bridges and fences are
swept away, and thousands of square miles
of valuable pine forests destroyed. Bears
and other wild beasts, driven in dismay
from the woods, are flying about in every
direction. The entire population is fight
ing the fire without success.
Many persons have been Frustrated and
suffocated by heat and smoke and had to
be carried 10 places of safety. All supplies
Of food for man and beast are destroyed,
and starvation during the coming winter
stares them in the fare.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

THE dispatches from Utah indicate thai
the Government authorities i'm that terri
tory are taking a firm stand in reference to
the strict enforcement of the laws of the
United States against polygamy and it's
kindred vices. In the United States courts,
recently assembled, a strong charge was
given to the grand jury on this subject,
and the result, as shown in our dispatches,
is that Brigham Young is arrested and in
dictments have been found as to others.
There is evidently great excitement in the
territory over these proceedings, but we do
not apprvisend any serious trouble, The
people there will hardly be so foolish as to
begin contest with the General Govern
ment. They are too few and too weak for
such mad policy.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF.

The Nashville Bay,isr sums up the diff
ferent enterprises in which Mr.. Speaker
Vaughn, of the Senate, has distinguished
nimself as follows:
General John Crawford Vaughn, chosen
Speaker of the Senate by very complimentary
vote, is the Senatorial representative from the
Seventh District, distinguished as an officer in
the Mexican war and in the late war as COM
mander of an East Tennessee brigade, in the
Conferate Service, and since the war, as the
editor Of the Sweetwater Enterprise.
We would like for an explanation as to
how he distinguished himself' as editor
Of the Sweetwater Enterprise. The Banner
ought not to sport with this high dignity
in so wicked and reckless a manner.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

BY reference to our dispatches yesterday
morning, it will be seen that Senator Glib
son, of Campbell, wishes an inquiry insti-
tuted into the fact whether or not the du-
cling oath is required 20 be taken by mem
bers Of that body. We have heard it hint
ed that one Ct the Senators Is oSS,noxious to
the provisions of the law relative 10 the
heathenish practice Of dueling. From
some reason, the oath was omitted in the
Senate, while members Of the other
House were required TO take it. Mr.. Glib
sons resolution .is just and timely. The
people Of Tenness. e want no laws framed
by duelists.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

WE have already declared in favor of
Mr.. Gibson's bill to let out the public
printing to the lowest bidder. The legis-
lation is good as far as it goes, but it does
not GO quite far enough. The complaint
is not SO much at the price allowed by law
as that printers have charged for more pa
per than they have supplied more work
than they have done, and, in some in
stances, charged and have been paid twice
for the same service. 1t, therefore, makes
no difference whether the Public Printer
is elected as at present, or whether the
public printing is let to the lowest bidder;
provided the contracting party is permitted
to deplete the Treasury, by overcharges.
We would suggest to Senator Gibson to so
amend his bill as to provide against the
real evil, that is to prevent frauds on the
Treasury by overcharging.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
WEEKLY SUMMARY OF NEWS.
HOME.

Prof Wilbur fell from balloon at the Louis
Vile, KY, fair on the Sd instant at the height
of about n mile.-Brigham Young has been ar
rested for licentiousness.-The President has
asked the recall Of the Russian Minister. "A
drought not equalled in twenty-five years pre-
walls in the West.-Great fires are raging
through the country in the North West-An
earthquake was felt in New Jersey on the 9th.
The Florida land sink is a hoax.-There was
riot in Philadelphia on the 9th between whites
and blacks.-The great Chicago fire is the
grand event of the week-perhaps Of the CEN
fury.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

THE election of Gen. Vaughn as Speaker
of the Senate, causes great many Demo-
cratic noses to turn up. Sensible men of
the party do not hesitate to express their
disapprobation of his election. A promi-
nsnt gentleman of the party, who once
held high political position in this State
expressed it mildly yesterday when he
said with much emphasis that "he had
hoped that man with higher order of
talents would be chOsen.n He exhibited
disgust at the foolish choice. We have yet
to hear of a single reasonable man of either
party, who does not deplore the foolish
blunder of The Senate, in the selection Of
an ignoramous for presiding officer.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
THE ~"O0UNTRY-PR Ess"- DETERMINED TO
.,s.,, STAND BY THEIR RIGHTS

Kirby, of the Chattanooga Times, in the
fight now going on at Nashville over the
office of Public Printer, wishes it under
stood that he is "heart and soul (?) with
the country press" The interrogation
point our own. The reason why Kirby is
for the country press heart and soul, we
will now relate. He applied for admission
into the "City Ring" as we are Informed,
but our neighbors, of the same faith and
order in this city, objected. 1t was thought
that the number of votes he could control
would not pay, and he was excluded. Not
having any chance with the city press, he
is now "heart and soul with the country
pressn
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

THE Memphis Appeal says, Retrench-
ment, Reform and Reduction of Taxes
should be the watchwords OF the present
Legislature. We judge from the spirit
thus far manifested that the appeal will
be greatly disappointed. The Union Dem
ocrats at Nashville think that body has
quite different "countersign." Some of
them recognize it as the same Hoods army
had when before Nashville.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

NEITHER the Banner nor the Union and
Anaertcdn have had any notice of the re-
fusal Of the Legislature to elect Public
Printer until Bakers charges were dis
proved. What does it mean? DO they
only give such news as suits them?
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

SPEAKING of Gen. Vaughn, the Speaker
of the Senate, the Nashville Banner says:
He has been both merchant and farmer
and his success in both avocations has developed
business intelligence and efficiency of the first
order
We give this to our readers as an item
of news.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

Major T. b; Kirby, of the Chattanooga Times,
and hr w. j. Ramage, Of the Knoxville Press
and Herald, are attending the sessions of the
Legislature in the interest Of their respective
journals-NashrAIe Banner
Which probably means that they expect
a crumb from the public printing ring.
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11
H0REIGN.

A fire damp explosion in Wales killed five
persons. -Rochefort's sentenced has been COM
muted to Punishment from French territory
Juarez was installed President of Mexico on
the 18th ult Cholera has been checked in Con-
stantnople
Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-11

CAssIUs M. CLAY, Of Kentucky, has
been making speech, which, like all
speeches made by impetuous men, such as
he is, contains some very foolish things.
Foolish as they are, however, the Demo-
cratic papers manifest much pleasure in
The Van Buren press., 1871-09-19
The Ku.Klux Bugaboo.

A special to the st. Louis Republican
rom Washington Of date September g.
says: .ItI H....
The administration appears to be re-
tracing its steps in the proposition to do
clare martial law in South Carolina. The
cabinet meeting which was appointed fol-
to day TO dispose of the question has
been Indefinitely postponed. Two facts
have contributed to this result the first
protest from influential Republican
quarters against such step, and the Sec
ond is the entire absence Of any confir.
nation OF Senator Scotts bugaboo sto-
ries as to the condition of affairs in that
State The war department reports from
officers Of the army on duty in South
Carolina utterly fail to mention any new
outrages as alleged, and the department
therefore, has no intention of issuing q
circular letter constructions, as has been
reported
The Van Buren press., 1871-09-19
School Exhibition.

An exceedingly pleasant affair came: of
Friday. September Sth, at Freedom School
House. District No. 6, Lafayette Township.
The Common School, under the charge of
R. b. CREEKMoRE, teacher, gave very inter-
esting exhibition. consisting of reading,
spelling. singing, dialogue and defamation
There were some thirty pupils who partici-
pated, and performed their parts with much
credit to themselves, their teacher and their
parents.
Parents and friends were in fun attendance
and brought with them an excellent dinner
which manifested very clearly the great in
tercst they took in the education of their chill
dren. and which was really encouraging both
to teacher and pupils.
After the exercises were over the assembly
dispersed. having received the thanks from
the school for the interest they had shown in
their welfare and advancement. All were
we'll pleased with the exercises of the day,and
seemed to enjoy the occasion with a hearty
Zest. T. r.
The Van Buren press., 1871-09-19

NATIVE WISE.-Mr LOUIS GRAFF presented
II, on Saturday bottle OF Wine, made by
him from the Concord Grape. MIR. Graft has
ouite an extensive Vineyard just at the edge
of the city and although the season was un-
favorable he has made over barrel of wines
afyarious kinds, besides selling quite guam
tits Of Grapes. We are no judge of wines
but wine drinkers of the old country pro
nouncc it equal to any they have ever drank,
This is no crab-apple cider. Although wine
making this season was rather Of an expert
ment with Mr.. c., he has succeeded finely.
We hope Van Buren, will be represented at
the State Fair in the wine department, if in
no other.
Crawford could send fine samples OF apples
If there was a suitable way OF Transporting
them. We NAV have river and boats up be-
fore that time and our fruit growers should
make their selections accordingly.