davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30
ARTICLE vi.
LEGISLATURE.

l. The Legislative power shall be vested in
the Senate and House of Delegates. The
style OF their acts shall be, '.Be it enacted by
the Legislature of West Virginia"
2. The Senate shall be composed of twenty
four, and the House of Delegates of sixty; five
members, subject to be increased according TO-
the provisions hereinafter contained
8. Senators shall be elected for the term of
four years, aud delegates for the term of two
years The Senators first elected, shall divide
themselves into two classes, ono Senator from
every district being assigned: to each class !;
and OF these classes, the first to be designated
by lot, in. such manner. as the Senate may de.
termine, shall hold their. seats for. two years,
sand the second for four years Sc, that after the
hrst election, one-half of the Senators shall
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30
IoFF1c1AL GoPY.l
PROPOSED $
NEW CONSTITUTION
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA.
Election on the Question of its Adoption, on the
Fourth Thursday in August. 1879.
ARTICLE I.

y ARTICLE I:
RELATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF TIE
UNITED STATES.
Il. Tho State of West Virginia is, and shall
remain, one of the United; States of America.
The Constitution OF the United States of
America, and the laws aud treaties made in
pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme law
of the land
q The GoyeEnuaent of the United States is
a government of enumerated powers, and all
powers not delegated TO it, nor inhibited to
the States, are reserved to the States or to the
people thereof. Among the powers so reserved
by the States, is the exclusive regulation of
their own internal government and police ;
and it is the high and solemn duty of the sew
erai departments of governisent created By
this Constitution, to guard I'd protect tho
people of this State, from all<gncroachments
upon the rights SO reserved. g.
3. The provisions of the Constitution of the
United States, and Of this State, are operative
alike in period of war as in time Of peace,
aud any departure therefrom. or violation
thereof. under the plea of necessity, or any
other plea, is subversive of good government,
and tends TO anarchy and despotism
e. 4. For the, election of representatives to
Congress, che State shall be divided into dis
tricts, corresponding in number with the rep
resentatlves to, which it may bo entitled :;
which districta shall be formed of contiguous
e. counties and be compact. Each district shall
contain, as nearly as may be, an equal number
,of population, to be determined according to
Eshe rule prescribed in the Constitution of the
United Statea.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30

by lmprisonments insthe penitentiary, of any
of said officers. or any member of the Ler.
islature. who shall demand ). or receive. from
any corporation, company or person = aav
money. testimonial, or other valuable thine
for the performance of his official. or public
duties, or for refusing, or failing to perform
the same, or for any vote or influence d man.
leber of the Legislature, may give or withhold
as such member and, also. to provide, by law.
for compelling any person, so bribing., or
attempting to bribe. or so demanding or fss
ceivings bribe, fee. reward, or testimonial. to
testify against any person or persons. who
may hayel committed aay of said otfenses
Prouidea, That any person so compelled To
testify, shall be exempted from trial aud pun.
INishment for the otfense, of which no may
have been guilty, and concerning which he ia
compelled to testify and any person con-
victed of any of,the offences specified in this
section, shall, as a part of the punishment
thereof, be forever disqualified from holding
any office or position of honor, trust or profit
in this State. Is
46. Laws may be passed regulating OF pra,
hibiting thesale of Intoxicating liquors within
the limits of this State.
81. No charter of incorporation shall be
granted to any church or religious denomina-
ton. Provision may be made by general
laws ioE securing tue utiei TO church property,
and forithe sale and transfer thereof, so eIthat
it shall be held; used, or transferred for the
purposes of such church or religious denolni-
nation. w. se7s
4s. Any, husband or parent residing in this
State, or the infant children of deceased par
ents, may hoida homestead of tie value of
one thousand dollars, and personal property
to the value of,two hundred dollars, exempt
from forced sale, subject to such regulations
as shall be prescribed by law: Proutdsd,
That such homestead exemption shall in mo-
wise affect debts or liabilities existing at tho
time Of the adoption of this Constitution
4 and pr0vided .furthe1, that no property shall
be exemptfrom sale for taxes due thereon, OF
for the payment of purchase money due upon
said property, or for debts contracted for tho
erection of improvements thereon. i.'.'
r 40. The Legislature shall pass such laws
as may be necessary to protect the property
of married women from the debts, liabilities,
aud control of their husbands .-..5
80. The Legislature may provide for subs
mittipg to a vote of the people at the general
election to be held in 1876, or at any general
election thereafter, a plan or scheme ot'pro-
'portional representation in the Senate of this
State; and if a majority of the votes cast at
such election be in favor of the plan summit
ted to them, the Legislature shall at its sess
sion succeeding said election, rs>arrange the
Senatorial Districts in accordance with the plan
SO approved by the people.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30
ARTICLE Y.
DIVISION OF POWERS.

l. helegislative, executive, and judicial de-
partments shall be separate and distinct. so
that neither shall exercise the powers properly
belonging to either of the others; nor shall
any person exercise the powers of more than
one of them at the same time, except that
justices of. the peace shall be eligible to the
Legislature.
Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30
ARTICLE w.
ELEcrIoNs AND oFFIcERs-

ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS.
J.. The male citizens of the State shall be
entitled to vote at all elections held within
the counties in which they:respectively reside;
but no person who is minor. or of unsoupd
mind 1l.s or a psuper, or who lis under. convie>
tioa of treason, felony, OF bribery IL an p.eleo.
ton, or who has not been a residenS of the
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
WASHINGTON.
The Chattanoogn sounhhle.


WASHINGTON, Dee. 20 Several promi-
nent gentlemen of Tennessee called on the
President to-day, with reference to tae
Chattanooga Postmastership. They were
accompanied 10y Kendrick, who it was in
tended should not be superseded in that
Office by Gov. Bard Last week the nomi-
nation of Bard was sent TO the Senate and
confirmed on the same day. The friends
OF KeDdrick, who is Republican, see no
reason for his removal, aud rallied in his be
half, and on full presentation of the facts
the President directed Bard's commission
to be withheld. There Is pending in the
Executive Session of the Senate q motion
made by Senator Bcownlow, to reconsider
the Senate confirmation ofthe appointment.
The probability is the motion will prevail,
aud KeDdlick retain his place as Post
master.
Curtin's Successor.
Ex-Governor Orr, of South Carolina, Min
lister to Russia, called to-day upon the Pres
ident, with whom he had long interview.
He expects to sail for st. Petersburg in JAM
uary.
Shat mp shop.
The President closed his Office at IL to
day until thu % of January.
COnd0aina irregularities"
Paymaster Henry 3. Reese, U. S. A.,
who was charged with irregularities in his
accounts, and sentenced to be reprimanded
in general orders and to be suspended from
rank and duty for four months, has had the
latter portion of his sentence rUmitted by
the President, and viii be restored TO duty.
A similar remission Of punishment has
been made in the case of A. a. Semmes, u.
S. N, convicted Cf inhuman conduct tow
ard those under bis command, although the
Secretary of the Navy said if bis sentence
had been severer, the Department would
have approved it.
The noted negro desperate Sam W.
Smith, aged about 20 years, has been ar
rested on the charge Of,murdering Roger
ski.
Promised Revenue Reduction.
The President on Tuesday signed the
bill to reduce the expenses and officers of
Internal Revenue Bureau which passed
Congress few days ago, and the work of
putting the new law into practical opera
ton will be commenced Immediately.
There are about. seventeen different kinds
Of stamps to be prepared before the new
law goes into effect, hut the work upon
them will be commenced without delay.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
Mr.. w. D. Whitcomb, chief engineer Of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Compa-
ny, has Just made tour of inspection over
the entire liae of the road. Notwithstand-
ing the unfavorable weather with which
the +rack-layers have had to contend in
West Virginia, but little more than thir-
teen miles remain to be laid before the gap
is filed. As soon as the Christmas holi-
days are over, the remainder of the track
will be promptly completed.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27

A4OaA AAAGSs
To the Editor Of the Union and American:
The Legislature should relieve the peo-
ll9 f,cm the burden Of back taxes by a
swee ping enactment. the lists presented
by tAa Collectors to the Circuit Court, as
levied upon lands, embrace sometimes
1000 cases upon which there is $1,000
taxes du3 10 tae State. The Court con-
dem 3 the land IN every case and orders a
sale. The cost Of tho condemnation is
$4.06 IN each cAse--totsl costs $4,000. At
tbs s.le there are no bidders and the State
becomes the purchaser of an the lands at
the pTica Of ths tax and the costs-$7, 900.
The Stae then issnes warrants to tie
clerks 70 the costs, $4,000 This is the
first ep towards collecting the taxes, and
that IS the only step taken, and that is
sep pcl5 wards.
Tie theory of the Stats is, II viii cause
the psynent cf taxes by some means but
prac .csliE, al they do is to run tie State
s i'll Geeper in debt. The State cannot sell
the lands OF $4,000 citizens for back taxes,
and iley who are in power had better not
attemog IL.
l. IS fact that even skin-flint legislation
vii net bring the money. There are
NUN nous cases reported for condemnation,
Suu Aitc tAHO CDHuSmUtQ aIt0 sou aJ al BA-
pms of 81 each, whereon the tax is less
than 30 cents. Now, this is oppressive and
ahsErd. Aud inasmuch as it costs the
State more money 10 collect the taxes due
before 1867 than The taxes are worth even
if collected (Which they are not), therefore
the S, zte should cancel all taxes prior to
1867, and charge it off as dead stock.
TliI should be done for one time only,
and + T the future take care by vigorous
legislation and energetic enforcement, to
prevent the accumulation of unpaid taxes.
1t i'll be said that the guardians of the
State giH not consent TO the release of the
back taxes. II is probable they will, for
even blood-sucker3 VIII not suck when
they cst 10 blood. Any enlightened mer-
chant would charge of the dead list to
profit and loss, aud open new account.
They have done this throughout the State,
and have proven It's wisdom
= TIE cry of The tax collector for these
tax5. IS the most discordant sound that
greets TIE esr since the war. 1t is like
Patrick Henry's description Of the cry OF
"Beef. Bsefr IN she revolutionary camps.
It disg Ists every one. Away with old taxes.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
Terrific Avalanche In the Rocky
Mountains.
Teamsters and Teams Buried Alive

Teamsters and Teams Buried Alive.
SALT LAKE, Dec. 2e.-The weather is
mild and rainy. For three days there
have been heavy SHOWS in the mountains.
At Little Cottonwood near Central City, a
terrible snow slide occurred to-day. Six to
eight feet of snow had fallen the last two
days. At about 2:30 this afternoon an ava
lanche 600 feet wide and II deep came
down, crossing the stage road, carrying
away from s to 10 teams and teamsters,
taking them 1900 feet across Cottonwood
creek. Three teamsters have been shovel
ed out alive but badly bruised. Four more
are known to be buried and not rescued,
and it is thought impossible to find them be-
fore spring, although 100to 200 men are at
work shoveltng. All the teams In the line
of the avalanche were swept away. The
names of the men are not yet ascertained.
Eight mules were dug out, some dead,
some with legs broken and others severely
bruised. Several were afterwards shot.
No delays on the Pacific road as yet.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
PISTOL AND RAZOR.
A Terrible ARRAY Between n White
Man and a Negro in Clark County
Roth Fatally Wounded.

Tie town Of Winchester, Clarke county,
was thrown into unusual excitement at
eight o'clock night before last, by the report
thst dOable murder bad occurred in a
bsrb5.-shop on one Of the principal streets
and in the business center of the town.
Upon investigation il was sscertained that
a vi e man named Daniel Reid, whose re-
de-. &c was in the country, bad visited the
barb shop Of Dick Landel, coIered, for the
PIrI s. at being shaved, but there being
sevtrl other persons in the room at the
time Ir. Reid was obliged to await his
turn. AfJer waiting for about twenty mi
mites. he arose from bis chair aud COM
maug q 10 sbuse the negro, whereup0n
Lanu-l drew his pistol and fired a shot,
whiCh took effect in Reid's chest, passing
dire, throsgh his body.
Al this the wounded man seized a
TazOF lying on q table near by, and with
this gaa csrving the person Of the negro.
Reid hen ran down stairs, mounted his
h1rsr, and started home, bat his friends
G.iDsoA aud brought him back to town,
Wen q doctor was summoned to attend,
who, after 81 examination, prOnOu need the
v1ur 3 fatal one. Laudel was also taken
30 a lysiaan, by whom mis- wounds were
cans5 ,red fatal. Oar informant was COM
l.le .olssve Manchester at such an early
hour sa,tarday morning that no fur her in
{ rm On than above related could be OBJ
ta'nC4
Rel is generally cons dared as a peace
able an, hut on this occasion was said to
b. III At the lot uencs Of strong drink
Loui>rli COlTier-J Journal, Dec. %.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
A WARNING TO BOTS.
Serious Injuries Through the
IhOughtIess Use of GnnPOWder.

Serious Iujuries Through the
ThOughtIess Use of GnnpOwder.
a very sad ACCIDENT happened yesterday
morning, to young Jimmie Mcdonald, tbir-
teen years of age, which should serve as
lesson to all boys. Jimmie is the only son
of Mr.. Michael Mcdonald, a blacksmith re-
siding in North kaaxvllle. Yesterday
morning a ueIghbOr came TO the house and
asked for little powder to place in de-
cayed tooth. Jimmie obtained the powder
which was kept il a "pop" bottle and
poured out few grains for the neighbor,
who then left the house. Instead of re-
turning the boll9 with the dangerous con-
tents 10 place OF safety Jennie approach
ed the fire with it and iokingly told his sis
ter, eeven years of age, that he intended to
blow IRE house up Not understanding he
explosive na'Ure Of gunpowder, Jennie
thought be would 90 10 the ire and let
little Of the powder fall from the bottle on
the rsd hot Goals 80 as TO see it "fzz."
This is an experiment that boys have
tried ever since gunpowder was discovered,
and in no instance has il ever worked sue
cessf 3iy. Nos0oner had the boy raised
The ck Cf the bottle over the fire than
The bottle expiOied with terrific force.
Jemu g was very seriously injured, his
right hand being torn fsarfuly, and bits of
the glass causing wounds In the thigh, oe-
sides burning his face. The little girl es-
cape without serious hurt, her hair being
SING and tie back Of her right hand cut
b the glass. The explosion had much the
S mn effect in the room as a bomb shell
wOul have caused. There was a good
sized hole cut in tha ceiling, the windows
were broken, and pieces Of heavy glass had
dam ed iha walls on all sides. Dr.. John
IL, b yd was sent for and found the boys
Gh' land in terrible condition. Ampu-
t.ioa If he fingers was performed by DR..
Boyd, assisted by DR.. Ludlow. The thumb
ard middle finger are in danger of having
thair vitality destroyed, but under the sps-
Gal Clre of the physicians may be saved.
me ecidens should be warning to the
boys not 10 medde with guDpowder.
hgoLCHle Press and Herald, Dec. %.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
THE ORIGIN OF CHRIsrmAs GIFTS.

Christmas gifts had their origin in tie
Roman Paganalia, which was instituted by
Servius Tullius, 3. G. $50 On these fes-
tivals, celebrated at the beginning of tie
year, an altar was erected in every village,
and to the box placed upon it every man,
woman and child was expected to contrib
ute a coin. Aubrey speaks of pot IN
which Roman coins were found, and sup
posed to be one of these Paganalia vessels.
The Christmas box naturally arose
from this Pagan New Years box. There
is an impressive propriety and tender
beauty, however, in thus commem Oraiing
the event which gave Divine Redeemer
to mankind. 1t is, moreover, an equally ap-
propriate custom which makes the season
one, not only of composing and forgetting
old quarrels, and renewing and confirming
friendships, put for universal manifessa-
ton of generosity and charity from the
rich TO the poor-in olden times this beneh-
cence extended even to the lower animals,
practice to which Burns aaudes in 'The
Aud farmers AddFess to his Mare"
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27

The ferries have stopped running, and all
transit across the river Is made on the Ice.
PARSONS, Dec. 26.-The coldest weather
ever experienced in Kansas-lS degrees be-
low zero.
CHICAGO, Dec. 26.-The snow storm
which prevailed 50 generally over the East.
ern States during last night and to-day, has
been much less severe in the West. About
SIX inches of snow fell here since II O'Clock
last night and reports from various points
West show that the snow has been COM
paratively light. No serious detention Of
trains from the West, but the trains Oh the
Eastern roads are considerably delayed.
Weather, tonight, clear and cold, but not
very.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
Ned BuntIIue Arrested.

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 25-Ned Buntliue, who,
with BufIGl0 Bill and Texas Jack were
playing a sensational crama, at the Grand
Opera House here, were arrested to-day on
a cspias issued at the instaucaapf prescott
lng attorney Norvile, for alleged compl city
in a riot, which occurred in the southern
part of the city in 1852. After examina-
Jion Buutline was released on 500 bonds,
On each of the two indictments found against
him 20 years ago. TIE proceedings are
regarded as a farce.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27

VI read awhile snce of bridegroom
who, nat It he hour of bis proposed we'd
ding, recarns crazy vita liquor and absent
ed hi usef. He lost his Dride-a loss to
him, 1t probably, e gain to the woman.
Anou. IT more tragtcal case hss occurred
wuhi. few daNs Doctor Greene, of
Gran Rapids, Michigan, when on his way
TO Arasuia, New York, 10 get married,
passed through New York City, aud, meet
Ing boon companions, drank to excess, in
duciug him 20 postpone his departure for
his b. le. he, on his set marriage day,
WAND ed bare headed into the street, was
captu I'd by an officer, sent to the police
static thence to a hospital, where an sp-
op.ec ft succeeded his drunken DELHI
um, and in two or three days be died, his
p4eU aud a1ianced reaching him few
hour. sf1Ia h. breathed his last.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
DEATH At CHURCH.
A Whole Congregation Buried.
Fourteen Persons Killed Outright.

Fourteen Persons Killed Outright.
WILLIAMsPORT, Pa, Dec. 26.-During
services yesterday at The Baptist church az
Newberry, in the seventh ward of this city,
the floor and ceiling gave way, precipitating
about five hundred persons iutO the cellar
below. Fourteen persons were killed, and
abeut forty injured, some of them severely.
Among the killed we're seven ladies and
three children.
40 or so MangIed.
SECOND DISPATCH Last evening the
Sabbath school attached TO the Baptist
Church at Newbsrrv, in the 7ah ward of
this city, assembled TO participate in the
ceremonies of Christmas night. Some 800
men, women and children were present.
The exercises cf the occasion had COM
menced, and Mr.. Kins Oe, Of this city, was
making an address, when the floor gave
way, pTecipita,iGc tie whole assamblage in
to he cellar below. The church was con.
structed with an upper audience room, snd
it was in this tha. the con regatiOD had as
senbled. TIE interior dimensions of the
floor are 20 feet IN width ana 40 feet in
length. There was a centre girth, with
i3isLs thickly placed on each Size, and
through tue celtre from above were two
bolts connecting with this main girth.
Evidently the weight Of those assembled
sprang the truss beams, and the supports
slipping cut of their place, caused the
terrible catastrophe. This is evident
from the fact that the timbers
were not broken. The gas pipe two inches
in diameter which was beneath the Central
girth was bent double by the immense
weight. When the crash came tEere went
up a heart rsnding wall of maneled human
ity. Children wildly shrieked for their pa
rents and the groaus Of The wounded aud
dying filed the air. To add to the horror,
the oil lamps Of the ediice ignited and bid
fair to destroy all in a general cOndagration.
Those OUTSIDE worked with a vii, and
used every effort to rescue the living. The
church was now On Ere, but proyidentially
The flames could be- reached and were
speedily extinguished. Before the floor
sank many of those within were able TO
reach the windows and leapsd 10 the
ground, a distance OF fifteen feet. At
eleveB O'Clock p. m, fourteen dead bodies
were removed. There were some 40 or 80
wounded, many of them seriously and
some win probably die.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
Corrupting the IsaIIot. Box.

ROCHESTER,, n. Y, Dee. 26.-In the
case Of Susan B. Anthony and fourteen
other women under examination for voting
illegally at the last general election in Ibis
city, Hon. VIM. T.. Stores, United States
Comm iss.o CT, to-day rendered his decision
ho.c.1, eich ~ bail IN the sum Of 500 to
appear before the United States DisLTic.
Court at its next session in Albany Oh the
Sd Tuesday of January.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27

NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-There was a seri-
ous accident on the Erie railway this morn
ing near Sufferns. A freight train ran into
the rear of the Orange county express
which was standing still to enable another
freight to get out of its way. The rear cars
of the express train were completely
smashed and Lewis S. Hermann, wealthy
resident of Kingston, moTtally injured, his
legs broken in four places, and a bar Of
iron, portion Of the platform, was driven
into his thiga. Of some thirty passengers
no others were hurt.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27
MEMPHIS.
Eank SnspensIon,

MEMPHIS, Dec. 2G.-The Memphis bank,
J. J. Murphy, President, suspended this
morning. Liabilities $4,000; assets I'M
known as yet.
LATER Liabilities unsecured Of the
Memphis bank which suspended to-day are
$4,000, which fall chiefly on small deposit
ors. The suspension has been looked for
for eo-,n vvasL-s
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-27

CT d fms and family sail for Europe
in f.v ys.
II Siema MS are in biennial sess on
st G, umbas, o., fifteen ChapleTs PIES NJ.
Be 30 is mOuTuir 9 over the burning Of
= .'p'v hospital by an incendarr.
7 Mexican GCr.iuas. the terror of
Texa las turned his forces or his own
couBtTymen, killing several Matamorans
SUNDAY night,