davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08
Virginia.

The smothering of n resolution condemn
irg the salary grab" by the Republicans
Of Virginia at the Lynchburg convention,
naturally cscites wide and not very favor
able comment. We are sorry to see that
this action was taken under the lead Of a
former Nermonter, Congressman j. IL.
Platt Mr. Platt made speech, in which
he squarely told the convention it had
better mind its own business. He defended
the salary bill as just and proper, and said
that he had voted for the so-called steal six
times, and would do it over again under the
same circumstances. "When the Demo-
cratic Legislature censured Democratic
Congressman for their part in the business,
it would be time enough for Republican
convention to eensure tried and true Re
publicans. -
This talk Of Mr. Platt's may do for the
latitude Of Virginia. but 1t will hardly find
favor in his native State of Vermont.
Otherwise the convention seems to have
done its work we'll The n. Y. Herald's
Lynchburg correspondent says of its nomi-
nations
\ better ticket could not have been Sc
lected. Hughes, n native to the manor born,
and of the highest social standing, comes
from the great southwest region of the
State, where he is universally popular, and
where the white element largely prevails.
Ramsdcll is a Pennsylvania by birth, was
a member of the Legislature of that State,
rs well As n member Of the General Assem-
bly, Of Virginia, and coming, as he does,
from the eastern section of the State, where
the negroes are immensely in the majority,
lie viii lee strong card on the ticket.
Fultz, the nominee for AttorneY-General,
comes from the widely known and fertile
VALLEY Of Virginia, and is a native Of Au-
gusta county, where he has been known for
forty years as 4 distinguished jurist and
lawyer.
The platform indorses the administration,
favors an dd 'ralorem taxation, favors the
alabolition of the taxes on tobacco ad-
vocates internal improvement as a means of
cheap transportation favors the completion
of the James River and Karawha Canal,
and calls upon Congress to make an appro-
priation at the next session, opposes all ex-
ira compensation. and favors economy in
State and national affairs, impartial ad-
ministration of justice to whites and blacks,
and the election Of President by direct
vote of the people; demands that the federal
courts be accessible to all, and the aboli-
ton Of partisan supervisorship ofState cleo
tons. Resolutions declaring against mixed |
schools and favoring female suffrage were
rejected.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

their convenient mouth-piece for retailing
such untruthful and slanderous gossip as
they have never dared to lisp themselves IN
public, and which they well knew would
ind its only believers among those dwelling
without the State, who know nothing OF the
merits and dement's of the case.
Mr.. Sanborn, as an interviewer and re-
porter from Vermont. can hardly be called
a success. His letters from this State dur
ing the last Presidential campaign were ex-
tremely ludicrous to those who knew any
thing about the relative strength of the par
ties in the State; and the later letters from
him contain even less germs of truth than
those he wrote during the campaign. Send
us somebody else, next time.
Prom the Montpelier Freeman.
CULyIxArED.-A number of deliberately
bitter letters have appeared lately in the
Springfield Republican, no doubt from one
of its editors who has been visiting this
State. One of the most violent assaults was
upon Chancellor Royce. This editor ac-
curacy as historian is like his truthfulness
as a prophet-a sample of which we had
last summer as to the prospects OF the
Vermont campaign.
The last letter was from Brattlehoro, and
its appears that among his other discoveries
he has fOund the lnclplent Den Duliei vi
Vermont which dread being is no other
than our townsman, B. F. Fifeld. That Ell
fort MAS too much for the correspondence
it died and the editor went home.
In Yesterdays Republican appears three
column editorial in which the history OF the
numerous family of Smiths is given from the
time of the entrance of John into Virginia
down to period remote in the future. The
article is evidently carefully prepared and
distributes its attacks quite impartially be-
tween ex-Gov. Smith, Trenor W. Park and
Chancellor Royce. 1t is a fitting elimination
of the disjointed assaults made for the past
few months by the Trareller and Republican
Its malignity is such that it is evidently In
spired by personal hatred working through
secret channels and producing its results at q
distance from the source of inspiration. We
know not by what means the immediate au-
thor has been made the instrument for thi:
vile attack. But Ignorance OF his subject
will not excuse the unwarranted charges
made, and the extravaganza OF the abuse VII
injure the ASSISTANTS instead OF the accused
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

ed in about equal proportions of Dem
ocrats and Liberals, with no name
of any national reputation on the
list. In fact the only man of such re-
putation, as yet identified with the new
movement, is ex-senator George Z. Pugh,
whose prestige does not amount to much.
Senator Thurman is reported as decidedly
opposed to it, and as having characterized
the convention of Wednesday as g a great
mistake he believing " a dispersion OF the
Democratic party uncalled for. Mr..
Groesbeck had already declared that
though he regarded the old Democratic
tenement as terribly dilnpidated, he should
stick to it till the majority of his brethren
moved for its reconstruction. Mr.. Pendle-
ton appears to have nothing to say, al
though his silence, it is said, does not give
consent to the new movement. The latter
cannot. therefore, be said to have started
under very brilliant auspices. A Clncln-
natl despatch says Democrats say that
there is but one course left for them TO pur-
sue that their August convention Will
nominate Democratic ticket, and make a
vigorous fight. Interviews had with prom
inent Democrats of Ohio, all indicate that
the nominees of the convention can hope for
nothing from the Democratic party leaders,
and that the sixth of August convention
will ignore the movement and nominate a
full ticket of their own"
This action of the Democratic party OF
Ohio will be significant, as indicating the
probable action of the National Democratic
party in reference to any new movement.
In TACT all their new movements" are but
the rice-water movements preceding the
last stage of cholera collapse.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

As the Liberal Republican" party of
the last campaign was brought to life in
Ohio, it was altogether proper that there it
should make its formal demise Indeed it
is doubtful if there was enough left of that
party in any other State, to make up
convention, even for purposes of dissolution.
In Ohio the party was barely strong enough
to die A Liberal State Convention met at
Columbus on the Both and adopted resolu-
tons declaring their organization dissolved.
But the uneasy and homeless Ohio politi-
clans, having got into the bad habit Of
starting new parties, had to do something
in that line while they were together. So
the Liberals anda few Democrats met at Co
lumbus on the same day, after the dissolu-
ton of the Liberal Convention, organized a
new " Peoples Party" and adopted plat
form of five yapid resolutions, declaring
that both the Republican and Democratic
parties have outlived their usefulness; that
the Republican party is responsible for the
- salary grab" and the Democrats who
voted for it are as bad as the Republicans;
that 1.-THE fundamental purpose of govern
ment is the protection of persons and prop
erty, and not meddling with the regulation
of the business or conscience of citizens,
nor the assumption of such works by the
Federal. State or Municipal Governments
as should properly be left to individual en-
terprise;" and that I'VE are in favor of a
reduction of the functions now exercised by
the government and their consequent dimi-
mutton"
They also nominated State ticket, compos-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08
NEW YORK NEWS.
GREAT FIRE AT HUNTERS POINT.

GREAT FIRE AT HUNTERS POINT.
NEW York, August 5.-Two tank boats
filled with oil moored at the dock of
Rockefeller oil works, Hunters Point, L.
l., exploded this afternoon and set fire to
barrels and tanks of oil IN the yard. The
fire spread almost instantaneously and
enyeloped some three squares occupied bv
theoil works Ofyarious parties. There was a
very slight wind, and the volume
of smoke assembled to an immense
height and was of density ever
before seen here, covering Brooklyn
completely from the sunlight and extending
for miles over the bay and out to sea. The
fremen, who were promptly on hand, were
unable to approach the yards or docks, ow-
ing to the intense heat and sulfocating
smoke. Pratt's oil works, the Long Island
City oil works, Lowenstein's varnish fac
tory, and other oil works were consumed,
and also several buildings in the vicinity.
Captain Myers, ofone of the tank boats, Is
reported killed by the explosion, and a
large number of boatmen jumped into
the water to escape roasting alive. The fire
burned from clock all the afternoon and
is still burning tonight. Various rumors
Of large loss of life are current. The fire is
on the same ground as the great fire just a
year ago, but the present one is more disas-
trous. the damage reaching about half a
million.
LATER.-The location of the fire was in
the first ward of Long Island city. adjacent
to the ship canal and in the vicinity Of the
Long Island oil works. Captain Meyer, Of
an empty oil tank boat, ignited a match for
the purpose, it is supposed, of lighting a
cigar and threw it carelessly upon the deck.
An explosion followed, the flames eommuni
Gated to the oil sheds on the wharf At first
it was feared that the works of the Long
Island Oil Company would be involved in
the confagration, but owing to the effort;
Of the fremen the fire was confined to the
sheds Of the Standard Oil Co. Between seven
and eight thousand barrels Of oil belonging
to the latter company were consumed los
800, 600 The loss in property, sheds, etc.
is estimated at S25, 900 The property wa
insured for about $4,000.
After the flames had somewhat subsideC
the charred remains of Capt. Meyer vert
found in the ruins. Two deck hand'
named Williams and Henderson are mis-
sing.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

Mr.. w. S. Groesbeck of Ohio. a Demo-
crat second to none in prominence in his
party, in recently published letter admits
that his party is ruined, and that it must
be dissolved. 81 believe" he says, " the
historical Democratic organization is spoil
ed. laundering constantly for the last ten
years, and shattered by many defeats, it
surrendered finally at the last Presidential
election. 1t cannot recall that surrender,
or the confessions then made, and it has no
longer strength enough for victory" Mr..
Groesbeck, of course, is ready for new
party, which he suggests may be called the
" Liberal Democracy" and which ''should
be made up of present Democrats, of former
Democrats, and of all Republicans who are
offended by the policy and tendencies of the
present Administration.
Mr.. Groesbeck cannot claim patent on
his invention for new party. The COM
bination he suggests, of Democrats and sore
headed Republicans, is exactly that which
was defeated in the last campaign, with the
addition of the " former Democrats" How
these, who form so large and steadlast a por-
ton Of the Republican party, are to be
drawn into a new party, he does not indi-
cate. In fact, he has no very great faith
that this new organization is possible one.
He is by no means clear that the Democrats
can be induced to drop their title and or
ganization. He says:
1t may be that they 1.-THE Democracy
will refuse and prefer to larry where they
are for the balance Of the century, and
until they can fix the meaning of the resell
utions of IS. If so, | suppose | shall larry
with them. After all, like them and |
like the old political homestead. | confess
it Is somewhat dilapidated. There are no
banners upon its walls, and victorious shout
ings are no longer heard within but it is a
home still, and shall not leave it until it
is pulled down.
This is not very enthusiastic talk. There
is plaintive melancholy about it, almost
touching. Mr.. Groesbeek, though looking
longingly for something more successful,
evidently expects to stick to the 81 spoiled -
organization, and dilapidated shanty of the
Democracy, for one campaign more.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08
From the Montpelier Watehml
Iudge RnYce and His Slanderers

1t Is quite a natural, but not very high
minded and honorable course, for defeated
party in Court to ascribe his defeat to an
undue bias of judg jury. and witnesses
toward the adverse party. And we certain
ly never saw more marked or fragrant case
of this than in a letter published in the
Springfield Republican of last week. written
by their special correspondent, Mr. F. B.
Sanborn, from st. Adams; and if it were
not that the statements made in the sheet
were largely circulated among a class of
readers who were ignorant of the real merits
of the case, they might better, perhaps, be
passed by IN silent contempt. There is
no occasion for US at this time to defend
Governor Smith and his associates or
predecessors in Office from the charges
which he so recklessly and truthlessly hurls
against them. Their cause has been heard
before the proper tribunal, and their course
has been substantially indicated. But
Mr.. Sanborn goes further and attacks
Judge Royce, and intimates that he has
been captured by the Smiths; that his
course upon the bench is completely con-
trolled by them, and that he owes his cleo
ton to "a series of accidents not without
favoritism.''
When this correspondent, or any other
party, attacks the Judiciary of Vermont,
and calls them renal and corrupt, simply
because they have lost their case in court,
we generally know without much trouble
Just what value to give to their charges.
There Is very little fear that Judge Royce
will suffer from them in Vermont. Here
he Is known as an able, upright and honest
man, and an excellent judge. He does not
owe his election to a series of accidents,
but on the contrary to the almost unani-
nous Will OF the people that he should serve
them upon the bench. made against his
own oft-repeated declarations that he could
not and would not so serve. 1t will takea
great deal more mud than the Republican
can throw Ia degrade him in the estimation
OF the people OF Vermont, and we have no
lear OF his degrading himself by any unjust
or yenal decision.
But Mr.. Sanborn has followed his instruc-
tons faithfully and literally. Travelling in
a part of Vermont to which he was con-
iessedly stranger, for the purpose of
gathering information on which to write I'D
the Vermont Central and its management,
he has sought counsel and knowledge almost
solely from the paid attorneys'' of the
opposition to the Central, and solely of its
most bitter and malignant opponents, re-
fusing to hear anything from any other
source And his informants haYs made him
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

Later dispatches concerning the great
fire at Portland, Oregon, on the morning
of the Cd, state that the fire was confined
exclusively to the Oldest portion of the
town. in which nearly all the buildings
were of wood, and of comparatively little
value. Many of the structures had been
standing from the first settlement of the
place, no fires of any Importance having
ever occurred in the district. All the best
and most substantial business part of the
city escaped.
Eighteen squares were burned over,
principally occupied by dwelling houses. The
estimate of the losses-probably, as in most
similar cases, greatly exaggerated-is ST.
SOC, 600, with insurance to the amount Of
$500 900. This loss, though compare
lively small one for city like Boston or
Baltimore, must fall very severely upon
Portland, whose population, according to
the last census, is but trine over 10000.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

upon the heels of the " Bishop" as the able
ex-senator and present incumbent is not
inaptly sometimes called. in the Congress
sional race. 1t is, we know, rather soon
name candidates, but if notice could be
served thus early on parties who felt so
hurt last fall, that they were taken un-
awares, they would at least have to get
another excuse for fault finding
We hear that Col. Kittredge Haskins of
Brattleboro, will also be in the field for the
nomination.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

FAILURE OF GEORGE +. HARRIS & Co.
CONTRACTORS FOR BUILDING THE NEW YORK
AND CANADA RAILRoAD.-Messrs. George I.
Harris Il Co., the contractors for the con-
struction of the New York and Canada Rail
road, have assigned their interest in the
contract to Gen. A. 5. Diven of Elmira late
one of the directors of Erie, and a heavy
railway contractor. He takes all the tools.
implements and appurtenances of Harris d
Co., and is to go on and finish the Job. The
causes of the failure are said to be the ex
ceptionally unfavorable weather oflast fall
when the contractors sustained losses of
thousands of dollars. Another source 81
loss was the expense incurred in the DELAY
of prosecuting the work on the contract
north of Port Henry. There are also hints
and suggestions that the estimates for work
were understated, particularly for june
when the estimates reported by the epein'
GERS fell below the contractors caIcnla-
tons some SIS, 000.- Whitehall Ne,cs.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

The Springfield Republicans railroad cor
respondent, understood to be Mr.. Sanborn,
of its editorial corps, appears to have re-
turned to Springfield from his travels in
Vermont In the Republican Of Tuesday be
rehashes in a long and labored editorial the
abusive attacks upon the Vermont Central
managers made in his letters. He repeats
his false and distorted statements in re-
ference to Gov Smith and Judge Royce,
with, if possible, added malignity. And
not content with abusing the living, he
drags in the names of the late Hon. John
Smith and Hon. Lawrence Brainerd, long
dead, and held in respected memory, to yilify
them with gratuitous misrepresentation.
We should say that even with utter
strangers to the facts, the perfectly obvious
malice of these letters and this article,
would disarIn them Of their power to iniurc
any one but the writer and those who fur
nished him the material for his ISLANDERS.
Certainly in Vermont they will only help
the gentlemen 50 grossly and unjustly at
tackled. We copy below articles from the
Montpelier WatchmaH and the Fireman.
papers which are not very apt to look at
things through the same eyes-which indi-
cate the general feeling among fairminded
and intelligent people of all classes in this
State, on this matter. The other Mont
pelier paper, the Argus and Patriot, also
takes up cudgels vigorously against the
Republican, and in behalf of the railroad
managers and the Judge; but enormously
tiers to gentlemen interested in the Port
land and 0dgensburg Railroad Those
letters had no such origin. The Messrs
Fairbanks are too honorable. too truth
ful. too responsible gentlemen, to in
stigate or approve any such reckless and
slanderous talk. They are not the kind of
men that would exalt themselves by pulling
down others; and we happen to know that |
in this case they have taken some pains to |
have it known that they have furnished |
no aid, comfort, material OF sympathy to
mont Central managers. 1t is no secret,
we suppose, that the facts and the false
hoods Of these letters were mainly obtained |
in St. Adams. from the attorneys of the
q" raiders " on the Central and from the de- |
feated and disappointed faction there, that
hoped to further their private ends by break
ing down - the Smiths The failure of |
their attempt has not increased the natu-
RAJ serenity Of their tempers, and they
doubtless think themselves very fortunate
in finding outside of Vermont, so willing
a tool of their hatreds, and 50 open chan
mel for seurrilous assaults, which no re-
spectacle journal in this State can be found
willing to father.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

SrcoND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. - The
Proctorsville correspondent OF the Rutland
Herald. who uses the initials OF Hon. clark
II. Chapman, makes the following predie-
tons concerning matters in the Second Con-
gressional District
"Tbe death of Judge Steele naturally
calls M conversation concerning MS SHARP
contest with Judge Poland for the IongreiSS-
s;onaI nomination in this district last tall.
Poland and his friends complained that
SteeIe stole his thunder while he was away
out in Utah attending to his law Dusines d
and TO Emma silver mines Tor MS ciie ~ .anu
that it was not fair to commence tae can
vass without notice to the present lneuin
bent. The gifted and lamented steer
is indeed gone, but MS ueNG ;isJ
friends will be hardly, be reeonciieu
10 allow Judge Poland to ENJOY ms
hack nav in quiet, and be his own sue.
cessor without another effort to snpplant
tbe surviving contestant, who VIII then
have enioyed the honors and emoiuments
Of of;ceCState and National-ior nearly
tb;rtv ' Consecutive years, BY younger man
Of eaual integrity, purity and capacity lof
GOOD service in Congress. Ii ouuSe ~;
stan down from the honorable position ne ~;
now holds and take the nomination ne WIN
he ho I;tslv 10 get it. Otherwise the, hon.
W. II Walker. of Ludlow, who though
a Younger man than he looks 70 pe' na0 ot S
tanned the front rank IN the iegai pi e.sIr
sion, will be very likely 70 crown ''0'''
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

Ventilation should be promoted in dog
days, oyercrowding avoided, and scrupu-
lous cleanliness about houses, streets and
alleys should be observed. The exhalations
from decaying animal and vegetable matter
prepare even those children and women for
instance. who keep out of the suns rays,
for death from heat The obvious symp-
toms of sunstroke may not be observed, but
the high heat of summer approaching to
and even exceeding the natural heat of the
body, is a general cause of summer ailment.
The healthy body resists these adverse con-
ditions; the weakened, oyerworked or
otherwise enervated system sinks under
them.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

The Governor-General of Canada has Or
dered royal Commission to investigate the
charges brought against the Ministry bv
MIR. Huntington in the House of Commons
This Commission Will have power of taxing
testimony.under oath, which the Parliamen
tary committee of inquiry did not, and very
important developments are expected.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

The cholera in the west and southwest.
since ITS departure from Memphis and
Nashville, appears to be most virulent and
fatal in small country villages. Doubtless
IN the drinking water and in the neglect of
sanitary precautions IN these places the
pestilence finds the food it delights In,
Small villages, no less than large cities. are
subject to the penalty of cholera, in a
cholera season. if they fail to do their duty
in precautionary measures.-N. Y. Herald.