davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

There was an interesting debate on Civil Service Reform in the Senate. Thurs day, during which it appeared that the Senators who are supposed to have the most influence with the President were, very naturally, those most opposed to any plan which would cut off their control of public patronage. Senator Carpenter un- dertook to say that the President had been over-urged into the business, and had faith in the practical measures of re- form proposed by the Commission. MT. Trumbull replied in defence of the practi
 bility of some system of Civil Service Re- form and there was quite lively dis cussion over the statement by the Con- mission that one-fourth the customs rev. enue due the government "was annually lost in the collection" Messrs Sherman and Morton thought this estimate mon strously exaggerated, and that 5 per cent would cover the entire amount of losses under the present system. a.
 Mir. Carpenter is no doubt right in holding that competitive examinations could not be relied on to secure high abil- ity for high positions. If the next vacan- cy on the U. s. Supreme bench was to be opened to competitive examination, the prize would very likely to go to some young lawyer just out of the schools rather than to those men of infinitely larger knowledge and wider experience who had not s'crammed for examination, g Itis in regard to subordinate positions that most can be expected of the examine tion system. In those no extraordinary abilities are needed; and the proposed plan would seem to secure most if not all the great ends desired. Such appoint ments would be non-partisan they would be permanent and they would secure men competent to perform their duties.
 Give the appointees, in addition, reasona- ble salaries, and the government might reasonably expect them to be honest. -
 Unfortunately most Senators and Rep resentatives are opposed to competitive examination, or to any other mode of ap- pointment which will deprive them of their present patronage. The President and the bestl men of both Houses hate the ''spoils'' system but the smaller the Senator, or the Representative, the great CT the importance of his political patron ageseems to him. This latter class will surely murder Civil Service Reform, un- less they are made to understand that in such event their constituents will mur-
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
laneSVilHe.

'a LanesviLle is not entirely out of the world or Litchfeld County, and should be spoken of and thinking thus I send you few lines. ,.4---1,} ar..
 z -Burghart. Bostwick & Go. s pulp mill makes laundering noise and grinds pulp as usual at-as have been told-the rate of four tons per day. What dandy stops to think how very poplar he is? Who thinks az he passes poplar tree that it may, at no distant day, encircle his neck or wrist? In the rapid advancement of science we may yet be hung by paper, as we now catch our death by paper soles. Who knows? This company have recent ly torn out the sawmill and gristmill works and substituted patent saving works run by one of Leffel's Double Turbine Water Wheels. The big circular saw-you can knock his teeth right out makes terribly savage hum when in mo- tion, and withal is very rapacious, tearing through logs, knots and all, with astonish- ing greediness. I hear that one end of the building will be converted into sort of machine shop. f
 John Knowles, the merchant, has nearly finished a large addition to his store and dwelling. It is a decided inn- provement. . t-..-..-... a
 --Lanesville is a sociable place, and has fallen into good habit, that of meet ing once week at each neighbor's house alternately, and holding ''sing." To attend these ''sings" is solid enjoyment. The writer has been present at several j; the last one being at MT. Gaylord Odell's They increase in interest every time. Such little gatherings are sure cure for village discords, and combine pleasure and profit. aa.,. .s.a.s E..a ..ss |, .5d "Whsn music, heavenly maid, was young.'' 'l r Why, MT. Collins, she, has not grown old at all i! Thank my stars, there is one thing that never grows old or monoto- rousj ,;i.f H4a l5e- hsfE' n Or,on ,e-,., s.t4 i: .s.el.. ffes5t r v; s-'.'
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
Book Notices.

HE ATLANTIC fully keeps mp its Jan- uary promise. Hawthorne's Novel, Holmes Poet at the Breakfast Table, and Parton Biography of Jefferson are continued. Col Higginson, Edward Atkinson, De Mile, and Miss Phelps also contribute.
 OUR YoUNG FOLKS continues ''Jack Haz- ards Fortunes" now entitled ''A Chance for Himself" by J. T. Trowbridge, and Crusoe Life, by R. D. Carter; contains a poem by Lucy Larcom, and it's usual ex- cellent variety of reading for '.yonng folks.''
 EVERY SATURDAY, for January q, con tains an article by Charles Kingsley, and other very interesting selections from English papers and magazines.
 The three above mentioned periodicals are published by Messrs. J. R. Osgood & O.. Boston. See Enquirer clubbing rates.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
CONGRESSIONAL.

ls Senate. On Tuesday of last week, & 1 bill was introduced providing for semi
 monthly mail service with China. A bill making important notifications in the Tariff was reported and recommitted. a On Wednesday, bill was introduced | for the encouragement of the fisheries.
 The Amnesty bill was discussed without l definite action.
 On Thursday, MT. Carpenter spoke at
 length on the alleged unconstitutionality of the Civil Service Reform regulations.
 Mr. Trumbull replied. The Senate ad- iourned till Monday. ...'.. On Monday, petition was presented asking an appropriation to buy off the
 claims of Mrs. Robert D. Lee on the Ar Hngton estate MT. Blair introduced 8
 resolution looking to purchase of Cuba. A postal telegraph bill was reported.
 Garrett Davis attacked the President as Q
 defaulter Amnesty still drags.
 House.-On Tuesday of last week, 8
 bill was passed for the relief of Chicago A long discussion took place on the Con- sular Service, the decline in ship-b building, and Civil Service Reform. .53 "l | On Wednesday, the Legislative Appro- priation bill was reported. The relative merits of Free Trade and Protection were discussed in Committee of the Whole. The bill allowing pensioners to date back the pension to the time the cause ac-
 crued passed after much discussion. On Thursday, the Post-Ofice and Pen
 sion Appropriation bills were introduced i; the former calls for $28, ,0O8, 900 i; the lat
 ter. for $30, COG, GOO. The Virginia con tested election case of Mckenzie vs. Brax- l ton, was decided in favor of the latter, the
 sitting member and 8 Democrat, E On Friday, the House substantially de- cided the Arkansas contested election case in favor of MT. Boles, the claimant, who
 had 600 majority. t4sb4 { - The House Investigating committee have gone on to New Orleans.
 Petitions were presented in the Senate, last week, requiring total abstinence from the use of intoxicating liquors as a pre- requisite for holding office, and the pas sage of a National Prohibitory law. Gen. Butler put himself on the record against Civil Service Reform, last week, On Wednesday last, Representatives Strong and Starkweather made arguments before the House Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds iu favor of the bill to erect public building in Hartford. Senator Sherman's Tariff bill would re- duce the revenue about $23, ,OOO, ,OOO.
 The Woman's Rights advocates have
 been denied hearing at the bar of the
 Senate; and the Senate Judiciary Con-
 mittee decide against their right to vote
 under the Constitutional Amendments. Tobacco manufactures naturally oppose the raising the tax on smoking tobacco from 16 to 24 cts pound.
 The House Committee on railroads and canals has never ehartered any railroads through States, although many bills for that purpose have been presented to them. The Pension bills which passed the House, last week, would require addition al appropriations of not less than $2O,- 0OO, ,00O.
 An appropriation of $5O,OOO is asked for to entertain the Japanese embassy. On Monday, the Ways and Means Con-
 mittee reported on the syndicate" as it
 is called, of MT. Boutwell,, which they
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25

The Litchfield Enquirer feels to con- gratulate itself on the fact that several subscribers, who have long been in arrears, iateiy cane forward and settled their bills. little thing of that kind should make any editor glad, especially when he pub- hsnes model country paper like the En- quirer. -Meriden Recorder.
 We appreciate the compliment with which the foregoing item closes, but sor- rowfully deny the truth of the fact the Recorder records. The experience of some luckier editor must have been er- roneously credited to us.
 The defence of TerwiIliger, clerk of the New York Senate, against the charge of having taken 20 per cent of the amount allowed certain Albany firm for legisla- tive printing, is curious. He claims that the modest amount of $4. 638 was allowed him frl for 'sseryices, proof-reading," &c. That the proof reading could be any con- siderable part of the bill is ridiculous !: but the services" we can understand. Even Connecticut legislative clerks know how to render those, as appears from the late lobby disclosures.
 k---------------- A new oratorical luminary has dawned on the House of Representatives at Wash ington. Mir. Snapp, of Illinois, harangued against Civil Service Reform, on Wednes- day last. In the course of his speech he gave Capt. Marryatt's celebrated Masonic sign Quitting his thumb to the end of the nose and wriggling his fingers), and other wise comported himself after the freest and easiest Western fashion. Of course he is opposed to competitive examina- tions; what chance would there be for Snaps under such system? ,
 The Salisbury News asserts that George Francis Train traversed the entire length of the Housatonic railroad, last week. at- tired in suit of black silk velvet: eiu
 s'We watched him closely for sometime. lsays the editor of the Newsl nervousIy rattling around in his seat, and came to the conclusion that he was peculiar piece of mechanism that no amount of tinkering would make run right. He is regarded by many as insane on the Presidential ques- tion." iHat1id -% t'.- "
 It is barely possible that it made G. F. T. nervous to have the eagle, editorial eve fastened on him in that awful way.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
Now mliford.

ts-z
 The concert, on the 18th inst, by Fath- CT HBby's Old Folks was success in ev- cry respect. The hall was filled to it's ut most capacity, and numbers were unable to obtain even standing room. The sing CTS were thirty-four in number, were accompanied by an orchestra of six pieces, and led by the venerable Father Higby. The programme, which consisted of solos, quarteites, choruses, &c, including both sacred and secular music, occupied about an hour and three-quarters, and appeared to give excellent satisfaction, judging by the good humor of the large audience, and the frequent applause. ..l
 On Wednesday of last week, public installation of the officers of Ousatonic Chapter, R. A. M., and St. Peters Lodge, F. & A. M, took place at McMahon's Hall. After the installation an excellent address was delivered by Rev. Bro. c. T. Woodruff of New York. At the close of the address the company adjourned to the Lodge, where 8 collation. was provided, and very pleasant social reunion took place. '-.a.'''....' -'@
 On Wednesday, the 24th inst, the annual donation visit to Rev. c. G. Acly will take place, and on the following even ing (Thursday), the friends of Rev. MT. Greenwood will make him similar visit. "A Republican caucus to nominate 1 delegates to the various conventions, was held at J. s. Turrill's office last Saturday afternoon Nelson Knowles was appoint ed chairman, and Col c. D. Binn, secre- tary. The following delegates were chos- sen: . .. .-a..t..-.
 ISyate.-Franklin Bennett, c. D. Blinn, 1 W. J. Starr, Lucius Bennett.
 Cosnty.-J. s. Turrill, 0. W. Knowles. E. Sterling, Wm. Knapp 7.t L-g :
 SenatoriaL-R. D. Garfield, Harry Buckingham, H. s. Mygatt, F. G. Ben nett -.n5 3, t.... = EF~ t
 Probate.-A. N. Garfield, 0. c. Noble, Silas Erwin, J. B. Knowles .-.t.
 ..., mi A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. ..
 Last Saturday was a day of accidents. In the morning, as George Anthony was carrying load of tobacco through Rail road street, bis horse became frightened by the cars, and ran away, throwing MT, Anthony out and iniuring him severely It was at first thought his leg was broken but it turned out to be severe strain ot the right knee, which it is hoped he vii recover from in few weeks. 1 Later in the day man named Smith who has charge of the horses belonging to- Barnum's circus, was thrown offa loat of hay, and both wheels passed over him Both ankles were put out of joint and on wrist. His injuries are very severe ant painful.
 The same afternoon boy named Mu1 ray was run over by an express wagon but not badly hurt. '7
 On the previous Sunday, as MT. E. F Warehouse was driving to church with hi family, his horses became unmanageabl and threw them all out. Mr. Morehouse leg was broken, but the others were nc badly hurt. 4...e. INo.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
Falls Village.

A series of singing schools was started in Bradley's Hall, on the evening of the 18th inst, with MT. Joseph Brinton as teacher. - H E. Mrs. Stephen Brigner was thrown from a wagon on the 14th inst, and broke her arm by fall.
 ; = The Falls Village Good Samaritan Temperance Society have changed their name by substituting Canaan for Falls Village. They are progressing finely, and apparently doing much good. A meeting was held Sunday night, at the South Ca naan Congregational church, which was addressed by Dr. Knight, of Lakeville, on the Physiological Effects of Alcohol. :" The address was both interesting and in- structive. Much credit is due the Doctor for his assistance in organizing and sus- taining this society. ALEXIS.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
North Cornwall.

The week of prayer was observed here and extra meetings have been held since. Considerable renewed interest is taken, and there have been few conversions.
 years since, Deacons R. R. Pratt and E. D. Pratt requested the church to release them from the duties of their office, and to fill the vacancies thus created with new men,. By the earnest solicitation of all the church they consent ed to serve until Jan, 1872, when their term expired by limitation. These men have been acting deacons for eighteen years, and have served the church with faithfulness and ability and to the satis7 faction of all its members. On Thursday last, church meeting was held, and elect ed MT. E. M. Rogers and MT. T. s. Gold to i'll the vacancies for five years. 1ad
 $, ya,t.Hs sf8ts+.-aa 5s YOUTH.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
couMrYiIEms.

ToRRNaToN has chosen the following list of jurors for 1872:
 Harvey IL. Root, Allstine M. Birge, James G, Woodward, Roger 0. Barber Joseph F.. Calhoun, Samuel J. Stocking, O. R. Fyler, Addison Palmer, Lyman R. Pond, Avery F. Miner. Henry J. Allen and H. H. Wells were nominated as tav- erners.
 zWoLGoTTvILLE enjoyed the lecture of Gen. B. M. Lee, on the 11th inst.-At a meeting of the stockholders of the "Val- ley Park Company" held Jan. 6, 1872, Dr. J. W. Phelps, Jesse B. Rose, Achille F. Migeon, Charles W. Scoville, Frede- rick l.. Taylor, Stanley Griswold, and B. R. Agard were elected directors of said company. At subsequent meeting of the directors aforesaid, Dr. J. W. Phelps was chosen president.
 THoMAsToN reports the condition of temperance matters in that place to the American as follows The Good Templars number about 125 members; the Good Samaritans, about 300. There are two small societies of Samaritans near the Knife Shop, with about 150 members in both, who have done 8 great work for themselves by living up to their temper ance principles. week of prayer was observed with a fair attendance.-Coal at Salisbury $8, at Winsted $8.5O, at Thom- aston $10! iI.Aff.tE
 The WATERTowN R. R. Go. held their annual meeting recently, and reelected their board of directors. Hon. o. B. King was reelected President, and Hon. l.. W. Cutler, Secretary. SOUTH NORFOLK has organized a Good Samaritan Society. t'
 SALISBURY is to have State Temperance Sec. Pratt and the Hutchinsons early in Eeb.-Salisburians desirous of burial in the town burying ground, should apply to the selectmen for lots forthwith, says the News.
 CHAPINvILLE has closed fourrum-shops. recently, and fined their proprietors S2o apiece. ~>rr.rt t.. gLAKEy1L1E is to have 8 lumber yard owned by Mr. E. w. Spur of Falls Will lage.-The comparative advantages of col legiate or mercantile education was. .Wach- ocastinookticated, Monday night, by A[es- srs D. J. Warner, J. H. Hurlburt, and ! others. ssss'f.s .s st..F ... NORFOLK dreampt 1t had silver mine but ruthless mineralogists, at Albany and elsewhere, who have tested specimens, ''can't see it.
 NEW HARTFORD rejoices in the Conn. 1 Western railroad trains, four of which 1 pass daily.-The worst drinking concern in that place closed recently, but has broken out in a new spot.
 GOSHEN has sent down another contri
 button to our already overfowing jail. A young man named Colby got drunk, as
 saulted two women, upset their stove anc
 set their house afre, last week. He was
 arrested by Constable Porter, tried by
 Justice Smith, and committed for tria
 before the Superior Court.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
REVENUE REFORM.

It is said that the House Committee of
 Ways and Means are favorable to Revenue
 Reform. 2. In the debate on Wednesday
 last, several Western Republican members of that committee took free trade"
 ground. In regard to the practical ques- ton of where revenue reforms are needed, it is consoling to. find at least one Con-
 greess1nan, who admits that he does not
 know everything about that most difficult
 subject. The N. Y Tribune, rabid pro tectionist;, and the N Y. Post, equally rabid free trader, might both reflect with profit on the modest, and candid statement of Mir. Dawes, the new chairrnan of the Ways and Means committee: v gsI s The Committee of Ways and Means was endeavoring to see if 1t were possible so to reduce the revenues of the country by the amount. of $50, GOO, 900. or $100, 900, 900, more or less, consistently with the current expenses of the Government, and with paving the proper portion of, the public debt. so as on the one hand, not to slay, and on the other, hand to, relieve. and re- yive as much of the industries of the eoun- | try as possible. If his friends from Mis- souri and Indiana had already arrived at | the conclusion, so as to see the process by which, with one horizontal stroke, sll these | things could be accomplished, he lMr. l Dawesl was exceedingly gratifed that they | had done so, and that they were prepared | beforehand; to make such an announce ment to the House and the country For l himself, it had been g most difficult task. l Re had found in the little examination which he had been able to give to the great subjects of the Revenue, and of Tar l sff. and of Free Trade, to the manifestations l of industries, and to the investment of capitaI. to the paths of industry and to I the field of enterprise, that they were al most infinite, and that, like the fmeshes of a network, it was impossible to touch them Il at one point without affecting the extrem- 1 ities ali over the, country. He confessed to, his utter incompetency to the task to I which he had been fortunately assigned.
 If it were possible for the other gentle men of, the Committee to have seen so
 clearly how by one horizontal stroke to reach that great end, it had been utterly
 impossible for him to do so, or to come to j any intelligent conclusion on the subject.
 There was such ,a thing as slaying as well
 as such a thing as reviving industries.
 Il g all gyi u t-------------------4 tssye .ss.8
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25

consider legal An attempt was made to pass the bill relieving ship-builders of du- ties on imported articles. but was defeat ed by reference of the bill to the Was and Means Committed A committee was appointed to investigate into the rascah- ties of the Washington ID. O. territorial government There was a sharp discus sion about Louisiana af airs.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
intelligent surles.

a A bill has been introduced into the leg
 islature of New Fork to abolish the rule
 which disqualifss for service on a jury,
 in criminal casss. any person who has
 formed an opinion upon the case. The
 bill provides that any one, otherwise
 qualified, may serve notwithstanding the
 formation or expression of an opinion,
 who will ''declae under oath his ability
 to render an impartial verdict according to the evidence, such impression or opinion to the contrary notwithstanding" And, to guard against abuse, thirty per- emptory challenges are allowed to each side. saaszasszs-s Esss
 This IS good move and deserves imi- tation in other States. The existing rule which excludes any one who entertains an opinion on the case, though the opinion be only derived from the news papers, and though it be only condition al one, is in these days an absurd rule and in it's practicslpperstion works only absurdity and mischief. The rule had it's origin in the days before newspapers, and before all our present means of obtaining full, detailed and speedy information. In those times it was possible, among men of equal capacity and fitness for the jury, to choose between those who had heard of the case and formed an opinion and those who had not. In our day it is not. We can't geta jury of men who answer the requirement, except by selecting the most stupid and ignorant people we can find; whereas formerly it was easy to find intelligent and competent men who had heard nothing of the case. now the only people whose minds are as vacant as the rule requires them to be are those entirely incompetent for g juryman's duty. For in these days the press immediately spreads the story of every important crime before the public in minute detail, and every body reads the papers, except a certain small minority too ignorant and too stu pid to be fit for jurymen or any thing else. It is absurd toexpect to find . man of sufficient intelligence to qualify him, in the smallest degree, for 8 iuryman who will not have read the papers, and who, having read them, will not have formed some kind of first impression about the case. The result of the rule must be to force the composition of the jury from the most ignorant and stupid persons in the community. Such is the result in ev- cry criminal case of importance enough to attract attention. A recent illustration was seen ill the case of Foster the street car murderer. .s.l..,s5, ,..4t~,.. j.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25
Coshen-s

At the Republican causes in this place, last week, the. following delegates were chosen to the various Republican conven- tions l: 5 IF =. saSyadts-Edward Norton, M. D. F. Smith. T. D Brundage, P. IT. Cummings.
 s.' iCO,,,stg. .--R. +. Cook, Alison Sanford, " H. Brooks, J. D. Brundage.
 Senatorfnt. James Wadhams, N. s. Wadhams, Henry Norton, ". M. Allyn. z Probate. James P. Vaill, John ". Brooks, IL. B. Weeks, Albert Sperry. All with power to send substitutes.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25

Sras~assr< wA0 are sn arrears must make up a-uzzzres kesOrs taking advantage of the fore Fzazg FrgF0s<lO1sss and subscribers who are in ueranee uzx ag2ar1 tAe amount tleir subsenp- sz1uz Mz0 R @ews@ce [
 Mzz<- sasszaE he sezs Ey FOss-OEEice order. check ,sr uzrsznueE a.esz= S possible If remittances 4us uAhs Ar @z7 vS cannot be responsible for Aa4s ksssre e azSs<r reaches Us. but will take all ssax SE rezzEsE1mce sS sAe caabhSng periodical. szzzrs VII De reszzs3 5n the next paper.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25

Tka kuaskhOzse of sAe Mexican rebellion as sEs1 sz ke hrokzn- If 50 it is a loss sAnk S< e4zs1y szFp1ssd-in the case of 8 WExss-z1 rxksElsc1-
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25

Rr~=SfsnA ThserS Is suppresSing every journal shak hzgAs st him As might be InAxsaesl. the quantity of suppressed h4zgahEr ia Frsnre i< sreas. and grows rvTakzr sSvry day.
Litchfield enquirer., 1872-01-25

Nr- JsAn C ElEney, late of the Water Rzrx AnnxxsrEz- SS agw oae of the editors sE sas TrSAzmG q. r Ea