davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-19

Spaniards defend their rule in Cuba because
they believe that long possession gives them
their right to rule; that Cubans are merely
transplanted Spaniards, and have no just
cause to rebel. The Spaniards have a large
army in the field in the assertion of their
right, and the Cubans have q force not so
large perched on the mountains and hidden
among the valleys in affirmation of their cause.
Each is anxious that the world should believe
in the possibility of its vanquishing its enemy,
and both profess fearlessnessOf the world judg-
ing them by their force, their acts and their in
tentions. Our Special Commissioner has already
given the highest proof of his impartiality in
his writings, and hence it was feared by the
poorest and rashest reasoners on the Spanish
side that, because he had found things on
their side of the question he could not ap-
plnud, he would inevitably praise everything
on the Cuban side. When the attention of
Captain General Ceballos was called to the
fact that o. Kelly had censured what he found
weak in the Cuban party he admitted the
point and withdrew the order which had been
issued against our correspondents life
We dwell heavily on this matter, because
we observe in our dispatches to-day clumsy
endeavor on the part of certain Spaniards to
take away from Mr.. O'Kelly the impartial
character which, with forbearance and manli-
ness, he has maintained. AS our Commits
sioner states in his despatch and letter, he lost
his horse in the mountains on the first night
out After gaining the rebel lines he departed
for the interior in search of Cespedes, and
writes from Camp Tampic when two
days further on his journey. Now
comes the report from Spanish sources
that the horse was captured in an engage
ment with the insurgents. There might
be nothing unnatural in this except that it
brings the insurgents very close to Santiago
de Cuba. where o Kelly certainly was not at
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
TAXATION ON BANK STOCKS.
Cases Fiied In thc second
.Chnncery C0urI for Adj udiealIOn.

This morning series of agreed cases
were filed in the Second Chancery Court,
involving the right Of the city androunty
to tax bank stocks under the act of the
Legislature. The agreed statements of
facts show that the city and county claim
the right to levy such taxes at the same
rates as other property is taxed. The
banks deny that they are liable for such
taxes. 1t is agreed that these cases shall
be tried before the Second Chancery
Court, reserving the right to appeal to
the Supreme Court, Pending the final
decision, it is agreed that the city and
county shall suspend the collection of
said tax, provided the final decision
shall be obtained at the next term of the
Supreme Court. The agreements are
signed by Mayor Johnson for the city,
Mr.. Mcdowell for the county of Shelby
and by the following Defendants: d. B.
Malloy of Memphis Life and General
Insurance Company, NJ. j. Wicks of
Savings Bank of Memphis, Mr.. Fenner
of Bluff City Insurance Company, Mr..
Williams Of Phoenix Insurance Com
pany, Mr.. Dunscomb of fernando
Insurance Company, Mr.. Boiling Of
Home Insurance Company of Memphis,
Mr.. Kirkland Of Jackson Insurance
Company, Mr.. McDavitt Of Merchants
Insurance Company aud several others.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
PUBLIC LEDGER,
ooNsrrrUrrokAL CONVENTION.

Colonel Kerr has given notice in the
House Of Representatives that be will
shortly submit n resolution providing
for the calling Of State Convention.
What the temper OF the Legislature may
be ON this important subject we are I'M
able TO determine just now. One or
two papers in the State strenuously ad'
voeate a call for convention, and point
ont many supposed objections to the
Constitution, such as have existed since
1895 if not longer. Probably a better
Constitution could be framed; a worse
one could certainly be produced. Under
the law amendments to the Constitution
can be submitted to the people by the
Legislature and adopted if they so de-
clare their will, but not more than once
in six years. The present Constitution
was adopted two and half years ago,
and no member of the Legislature, to
the best of our recollection, has yet
found it necessary or expedieut to pro
nose any amendment to the Conshtu-
ton. 1t is easy enough to call, and hold
j State Convention, but changing the Or
geuic law is serious business,a and done too
often and without grave cause well
understood by the Masses they lose
their respect for the law, and will de-
mand change every time a party in
the minority happens to gain tempo
raryi advantage. The older States
change the fundamental law very sell
dom. Pennsylvania has Constitutional
Convention now in session, for the first
time in more than forty years. Re
forms are proposed in our local and gem
eral affairs, as is well known, and their
advocates propose a new Constitution
which shall inhibit the Legislature in
some Of its present powers, and give 1t
more discretion in some other diree-
tons. But the new Constitution, when
framed by delegates representing all the
interests, or at least every section of the
State, may not be exactly the article de-
sired by those who have been agitating
the subject. A change might, indeed,
be beneficial. If made we sincerely trnst
that it may, and that the men chosen
for such an important duty may do it so
well that another convention will not be
REQUIRED during the remainder of this
century. Congress set the example of
adding frequent amendments to the
Constitution of the United States, and
the pernicious effects of such a course is
having its effect on the people of vari-
Gus States, who begin to think no more
of changing a Constitution than repeal
ing an act of the Legislature. The call
ing of convention to remodel the Con-
stitution of State is no idle matter.
and an action of such moment should
always be accompanied or preceded by
ample reasons well set forth to explain
the necessity. Colonel Kerr is doubt
less actuated by the most conscientious
motives, based upon an intelligent com
prehension Of the subject in its techni-
cal and practical bearings, and we
shall await an expression of his views
before the Legislature with interest.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

There are few Characterization more
witty and comprehensive than that which
Alexandra Dumas, pere, gave Of his son.
We have never seen it translated: He
came into the world at that hour when it
has ceased to be day, and is not yet
night, and the assemblage of antitheses
which make up his strange individuality
are, like the hour Of his birth, a mingling
Of light and darkness. He is lazy, he is
industriousi be is gourmsnd, he is abb
stemious; he Is lavish, he is economical;
be Is suspicious, he is credulous; he is
blase and be is innocent; he is indiifer-
ent, and he is ardent; he is slow in
speech and rapid in action; he ridicules
me with all the brilliant wit Of which he
il master, and yet be loves me with all
his heart. he is always ready TO fleece
me out OF all my money ike VALERIE, or
to fight for me ike the Cid. His imagi-
nation is the most vivid and the most
sustained that ! have ever known in a
Young man Of tventy-one years, il
bears me away ike torrent; it shines
like hidden-1ame; it reveals itself ia
reverie as in excitement, Ia quiet as in
danger, il smiles as in tears. From
time to time we quarrel with each other,
and, ike the prodigal son, he takes his
portion and quits the paternal mansion.
On that dayI buy calf and begin 10
latten it, sure that before a month be
will return to get his part Of it. It is
true that eUl-ninded people say that il
is for the sake Of the calf Tat BE comes
back, end not for mine; but ] am not
more than halfincliped to belieYe that.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
THE ASSESSMENT LAWS.

An East Tennessee correspondent Oh
the Union and American, writing from
Germans Depot, says
If the Legislature can devise any law
by which justice and equalization can be
attained or approximated in the assess
ment of our lands, it will have done
something towards removing an impress
sion that is very general in this section:
That it is a burthen and curse, and
ought TO meet once only in ten years, and
then only long enough to adjourn sine
die. There is entirely too much leglsla-
ton. / know of but one greater hum
hing Patent medicines that Hood the
universe, protesting to cure instant
w. as if by magic, all the ills that
afiict poor .mortals. Let the laws stand
until the ink dries, so we can read
them: and don't be eternally fitting in
new clauses, and tearing out old sections
until they ere in the condition of an old
pair of breeches, so patched and bedrag-
gled that YOU can't tell which predomi-
mates, the breeches or the patches. But
we are DEPRESSING, and must come back
10 the point. We are so unequally
taxed that it breeds discomfort with and
contempt and disgust toward the Coy
eminent. Some men are paying double
the tax on their lands that others do
whose lands adjoin each other. We
know whereof we speak. We use not
exaggeration, but speak forth the words
Of soberness and truth, with all the earn
estness of our nature.
What is the cause of this great inc
ouality. and how can il be altered2 are
questions about which the wisest will
differ. All men will admit that our as
SCISSORS ought to be men of the strictest
probity, answering integrity and of
sound, discriminating judgment. But
the people are denied the right to elect
this sort of men. The power to elect is
in the County Court, and they are com
pelled to elect themselves.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
rpAHH RLAIR,s nRREAr.

The defeat of Frank Blair and the
election Of Colonel L. " Bogy as United
States Senator in the Missouri Legisla-
ture yesterday, is matter Of surprise,
doubtless, to one or both the gentlemen
concerned and to a large per cent. Of
the outside public. General Blair has
been in bad health for some time, aud
has not, therefore, been able to make his
personal influence felt as usual in the
contest The Democrats or Liberals
knew they had the majority. and the
Republicans only nominated candi.
date as a compliment which might be
of value to him hereafter in seeking a
Federal appointment. General Frank
Blair, although acting vita the
Liberals, generally was radical
in his views and cratic in
his manner of expression. He possesses
unquestioned ability, but is impulsive,
says things uncalled for and ill-timed,
and is liable to fly the track at any time.
We would not be at all surprised to see
him join the administration party at any
time. His successful competitor, Col
Bogy, is a business man Of st. Louis.
and a selfmade man. He is a lawyer
by profession, but was president of the
Iron Mountain Railroad nine years, was
founder and president Of the Exchange
bank Of st. Louis. and at one time was
largely interested in iron works. he
was a member Of the Legislature Of
Missouri, his native State, as early az
1910, and again in 1854; was candidate
for Congress against Mr.. Benton in 1852,
and against General Blair in 1862, and
was Commissioner Of Indian Affairs
short time under President johnson, but
was not confirmed by the Senate. Re
Gently be has been a member Of the City
Council in ST. Louis, but all the time
has been devoted mainly to his prOfes-
sion. He is publie-spirited and quite
conservative in his views, and will
worthily fll q seat in the United States
Senate.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
ADJUSTMENTS.


GRAND OPERA House. -Notwithstand-
ing the pelting rain last evening quite
number of people visited the Opera
House intent on witnessing Mr.. McWaae
in Rip Van Wrinkle. Our citizens
should by ali means witness the play,
It is most entertaining and interesting.
Mr.. McWade's makeup and PRESERVATION
Of the role are excellent. The piece is
well placed on the stage, the scenery
and effects being new aud appropriate.
Rip Van Wrinkle will be produced each
night during the week, and at matinee
on Saturday. ~ pt ~ q
MEMPHIS THRATER.--To-night the Men
delssohn Quartette Club will give one
of their eyer-popular concerts. A
leading attraction will be Miss Julia
Hahn, pianiste, from the musical con-
servatory of Paris In addition, many
Of our leading professional and amateur
musicians land yocalists will assist the
members Of the club in presenting a
rare musical treat to the fashionable
audience that will undoubtedly be pres
ent. The programme has been selected
with care and contains gems from the
best works of the distinguished masters.
OLYMPIC THEArER.-The Washington
Street Olympic has been a success under
the able management Of Mr.. Buchanan,
who spares no expense in securing star
performers. Tonight and during the
present week, q number Of new stars
will appear in new songs and dances.
Manager Buchanan has long SINCE de-
tetmined 70 present the best show ever
seen In the city. f.i h
BRooN's OPERA oUsE.-Manager
Evans presents rare attractions nightly
at his Jefferson street temple Of fun.
New stars appear with regularity, the
manager having determined to cater
successfully 10 the public taste. The
amusemenis are varied and attractive,
presenting fine entertainment for the
people.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
rhe n1nndIng CommIttees.

From the Knoxville Press and Herald. l4th.l
Our special dispatches from Nash
vile, published in our telegraphic col
umns, gives US the glad news that
Speaker McGaughey has SO formed the
Standing Committees of the House as
to give universal satisfaction to all par
ties; indeed the result is regarded ss the
obliteration Of party lines in legislation.
The work of forming the committees
was a most delicate duty, and that the
Speaker has performed the arduous task
TO the satisfaction Of all interests in the
House, is proof that the members did
wisely in selecting him TO preside over
their deliberations. The long struggle
for the Speakership, resulting from the
peculiar composition of parties in the
House, had given rise to an apprehen-
sion that there would be a continued
struggle between parties TO the great
detriment of the public interests. Hap
ply, this fear has been dissipated by the
prudent action of the Speaker. The
important committees have not been
constituted SO as to give partisan con-
troll, but the best men in the House have
been selected as chairmen Of the respec-
tive committees. This non-partisan and
wise action is hailed by all the friends of
liberal progress as step which will re-
suit in great good, disarming i'll feeling
and setting an example Of generous con
fdsnes in the good intentions Of each
member to benefit the State in every act
of bis legislative career
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

Blushing, says Mr. Darwin, is the most
peculiar aud human Of all expressions.
The reddening Of the face is due to the
relaxation Of the muscular coats Of the
small arteries By which the capillaries
become filed with blood. Blushing j.
not only involuntary, bot the wish 70 re-
strain II actually increases the tendency.
Women blush more than msn. Il il
rare 70 see an old man blush, bot nbi 80
rare 10 see an old woman. Infants do
not blush; neither DO idiots except
rarely. The blind readily blush. HE
tendency 20 blush Is hereditary. Blush.
ing j usually cSpfHel d he face sats
and neck but many persons vhiie
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

bmshine intensely feel the whole body
tingle. The Semitic races blush freely
so do the Polynesians. The Chinese
rarely blush. DO the negroes blush
Mr.. Darwin seems 10 be little nnde'
cided but is assured the kailira Of South
Africa never do. ~
Weepingis probably the result Of some
such chain of events Is follows; Chill
dren, when wanting food or suffering in
any way, cry out loudly, like the young
OF most other animals. partly as n call
TO their parents for aid and partly from
any great exortion serving as = relief.
Prolonged screaming inevitably leads TO
the gorging Of the blood vessels OF the
eye; and this will hayefed. at fret con-
sciously and at last hAbitually, TO the
contraction of the muscles around the
eyes in order to protect them. Az the
sane time the spasmodlc pressure on
the surface OF the eye, and the disten-
sion Of the vessels within the eye, with
out necessarily entailing any conscious
sensation, will have affected through re-
Aex action the laorymal glands. Fin
ally, through the three principles OF
nerve.force readily passing along acous-
tened channels--oi association, which
is so widely extended in its power-end
OF certain actions, being more under the
control of the will than others--it has
come to pass that suffering readily
causes the secretion Of tears, without
being necessarily accompanied by any
other action NJ
Although in Accordance with this view
we must look at weeping as an inciden-
tai result, as purposeless as the secretion
of tears from blow outside the eye, or
as sneeze from the retina being affected
by bright light, yet this does not pre-
vent any difficulty in our understanding
how the secretion of tears serves as a
relief to suffering And by as much as
the weeping is more violent or hysteri-
cal, by so much will the relief be greater
EN- the same principle that the writhing
of the whole body the grinding Of the
teeth, and the suttering of piercing
shrieks, all give relief under an angony
of pain. ~.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
no vo,uorl tbe most -iutereatine con.

To xoRnow the most interesting con.
test Of all begins in our Legislature over
the election Of State oiiicera IL is un;
derstocd lore that ar, Morrow she
accomplished and elfcient Treasprer,
will be reelected NJ, .Pennebakers
likewise are good ior second
as Comptroller. he has dis
charged the complicated and highly
important duties of his Office with unex'
cepiionable fidelity and discretion. The
honor could scarcely fall upon worthier
shoulders. Yet he will have opposition
Of very formidable character, and the
result is doubtful.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
.r.l sALLG OF A
Valuable Plantation

ONrHS FIRST MONDAY INFRBRUARY
~ Noeing the "a day Of February 1 will offer
~ pAblic sale, at Hefnando, Mss. the planta-
one-half q mile north of the town Of Sonat0bia.
where there are good schools. churches. 80
Has a mile mont on the couliy road 20 ne err
nAndo, and can Be Undivided b. Advantage.
acres culti-lted the rasf year. tuo-storv
aHciiinF. snfohe house. gin house and cabins.
Al under fence, part u which 4 roed.
1hhAc-une-thlrd casa; balance in one
Nl-l4 NJ. J. W1CKS.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

A Pennsylvania paper says; There
is one thing which we wish to see at.
tended to at Harrisburg this winter, and
that is to have the price of legislators
raised to some sort of q decent figure.
As it now is we have to blush every
time we talk with New York man on
the subject of legislation. While legis-
lators at Albany are worth from $1,000
to $4,000 per head, the same article
can be bought here at s. to $50 each"
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

TIERS is difference Of opinion
among the authorities as to the age OF
General Dix, the new Governor of New
York, but the most reasonable puts him
down as In his eIghiy.frst year the low
sst estimate makes him seveniy.six. He
was g Lieutenant 10 the war Of 1872,
and Is any way veteran. The papers
are discussing his chances to live
through his term, and will kill him Of,
IL they can, as matter ofnews.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

Nsw Nsws srAxD.-Joe Locke has
opened new news depot at No. 1886
Main, one door north OF his old stand,
He has tho latest daihes, weekly picIo-
rails aud magazines from all parts Of
the world, as well as n complete stock
Of books, stationery and general news
goods, Joe has reduced the price Of
all dailies to five cents, pictorials ten
cents, and other periodicals at similar
ratae
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
Jewish Longevity.
From he Hartford Courant.l

There are very many curious facts re-
lated with regard to the Jewish race
many, no doubt, are true, and some GER
tainly have no other foundation than
fancy. Professor Stowe, in his remark
ably interesting course of lectures on
the subject, delivered some years ago in
this city, gave as careful a summary of
the truth with regard to this peculiar
people as has ever been made. aud 4 sts-
tistician in London has recently pub
lished some quite remarkable statements
about their physical condition, based
upon carefully collected records. From
these IT appears that Jewish blood con-
tains little or no scrofula. The average
life of the Jew in London is forty-nine
years, while Of the Christian it is only
thirty-seYen years. OF a given number
Of Christians, only one quarter will,
as general rule, live TO be sixty
years, while among the Jews at
least one-quarter lived to be at
least seventy-one. Among children.
fourteen per cent OF the Christian popu-
lation die between one year and FIVE
years Of age, while only three per cent.
Of the Jewish children. Finally, in
Prussia it requires ffty-one years for the
Christian population to double itself, and
only forty-one years for the Jews. If
we are not mistaken, Professor Stowe
declared that the Jews had remained OF
about the same total number ever since
they became historic. This proof of
their greater average longevity and
greater relative increase would seem to
furnish material for contradiction.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

We can promise our readers very
interesting sketch of the Sandwich
Islands in few days, written by a lite
rary gentleman of this city who has
spent considerable time thore, and knows
a thing or two that Mark Twain failed to
mention in his "Roughing Il"
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16

PxcHBAcK, the ex.state Senator, Con-
gresham at large. acting Governor, etc.
was duly elected United States Senator
BY the kellogg Legislature on the 18th.
This was matter Of course, for the
Legislature was afraid to vote for any
body else. Grants b. other.in.law, Casey
was left out, and will have 10 be provi-
ded for, il not satisfied with his present
nickings.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-16
LIST OF GIFTs:
Total. 10. 900 Gifts, all Cash. $500

Total, lU,UUV 0lItss all OhtD........s-- eOOOsOOU
To provide means for this magnificent con-
cert, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND TICKETS ONLY
viii be issued. large portion Of which are
already sold.
PRICE OF TICKETS:
Whole tickets $40, halves S., and quarters
So so. Eleven whole tickets for 500. No dis
count on less than 500 orders. Nothing could
be more appropriate for presents than tickets
10 this Banquet Of Wealth, or more likely to
produce grander satisfactory results. The OBJ
feet of this Third Gift Concert is the enlarge
rnent and endowment Of the Public Library Of
Kentucky, which. BY the special act author
iEing the Concert for its benefit, Is to be forever
free TO all citizens of every State. This Con-
cert will be conducted like the first and second
heretofore given. and full particulars Of the
mode Of drawing the gifts and paying them.
and everything necessary to thorough under
standing of the scheme, from beginning to end,
are now published in the form Of circular,
which will be furnished free of cost to any who
apply. The entire management Of this under
taking has been committed BY the trustees 70
HON. THOS. &. BRAMLETTE. late Governor
of Kentucky, TO whom all communications
pertaining TO the Gift Concert should be ad-
dressed. r. 7. DUhRETT, Pfes't.
I WIN, HALDEMAN. Vice Pres't.
JOIN s. CAM. Sec'y Public Library Of Ky.
FARMERS AND DR0VER's BANK, Treasurer.
Tickets are now ready for saIe. and all orders
for them. or applications for agencies, circu-
lars, information, etc, will meet with prompt
attention when addressed 70 me IS below
directed. THOS. Z. BRAMLETTE,
Louisville. Ky, Agent Public Library KY.
d2aWtweO g-llo-xyi-l3