davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Grange advance., 1874-09-02
The Report Of Beecher's Committee.

The Report Of Beecher's Committee.
The committee appointed by Mr..
Beecher to investigate the charges
made against him by Theodore Tilton
have finally made their report. AL
though it has long been conceded that
the committee would deliver verdict
of "not guilty." still all who had not
absolutely made up their minds on one
side or the other have anxiously awaited
the report to see how the committee
would deal with the damaging evidence
against Mr.. Beecher furnished by his
own letters.
We have been of the number who have
suspended judgment until the testimony
should be all in, and the result Of the
committees labors be placed before the
public. We have hoped that the re-
port would allay all suspicion and doubt
against the great preacher which his
own letters had created, and hence,
have hardly ever referred editorially to
the great scandal for fear we should do
injustice to one or the other of the parties
We have always thought that the pa
pers dabbled with the matter altogether
too much aud thereby made bad mat
ter worse.
We have never believed Mr.. Beech
er guilty to the extent he has been
charged, while on the other hand we
have been almost persuaded that he was
at least guilty Of very indiscreet and
unwise conduct It has seemed to US
that instead Of trying to check and re-
press Mrs. Tilton's love for him, he en-
couraged it, and to some extent even re-
ciprocated it. We are inclined to think
this was the exteat Of his folly. But
that this great scandal that has filled the
whole world should have no foundation
in truth at all, has seemed to US almost
impossible. That Mr.. Beecher's letters,
that were published in connection with
the charge against him, could refer to
anything but relationship with Mrs.
Tilton almost if not wholly criminal,
has seemed equally impossible. But
still we hoped that the committee might
be able to make all this clear and plain
without compromising Mr.. Beecher in
the least. But we must confess that we
are terribly disappointed. The report
must deepen the conviction of great in
discretion on the part Of Mr.. Beecher
in every unprejudiced mind.
It has been said from the beginning
that this committee would clear Mr..
Beecher at all hazards, and irrespective
of the testimony before it. While it
has seemed to US to be very strange
proceeding for an accused man to select
his own jury, still we believed that the
names of the men selected by him were
a guaranty against any attempt on their
part to vindicate Mr.. Beecher against
the evidence produced, yet the tone
of their report, and the spirit that per-
vades it throughout, utterly destroy
every thought Of their acting fairly or
impartially in the matter.
Instead of the cool, calm, deliberate
language Of unbiased and upright
judges, conscious Of the great and SOL
emn responsibility resting upon them,
we have the heated, vehement and in
flammatory harangue Of the attorney
bullying his case and client through.
Every one connected with the case Who
has not helped them to clear Mr..
The Grange advance., 1874-09-02
A UCTION SALE.
On r.'-.
Monday, September 9TH, 1874.
will sell on my Farm in the
TOWN OF HAY CREEK.
the following Property, to-wit ::

the following Property, to.wit: =.
TTo good Farm Holses two Mares one with colt
two Lumber Wagons, and one Lieht WAGON oT"s thres
sess G Harnesses and other articles too to
of said day. '~A AZ 'u0 sA'e'noo"
On Cash Sales, five per cent. discount otherwise
t efeas t VIII given until the LIST Of July A. 1876
ne aate q ten Per cent interest with good security
% al sums under i've dollars must be paid in Cash.
Aw4'~ ANTONIO ZIGNEGO. ST
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
PAY Every Dollar.
The State should pay every dollar ju

The State should pay every dollar just
ly due incurred by Gov Baxter in pro-
tecting the State and in putting down the
Brooks rebellion. The Legislature should
not hesitate to make prompt and suitable
appropriations for the liquidation of all
the contracts made at that time. The
citizens of Little Rock responded liberal
ly and promptly, and the pay should be
as prompt-not grudgingly given.
The State was about to be strangled,
by the villainous and unscrupulous Clay
ton dynasty. and Little Rock rallied al
most to man to its rescue. Now let
the State be as ready to meet the homes
demands of this emergency.
Many Of the merchants of Little Rock
have not been paid for the supplies fur
nished and have peti,ioned the Legisla-
ture for relief. And again we say, pay
every dollar justly due
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

sB- Society is the gathering together Of
kindred spirits for the purposes of ofcultivation,
amusement and instruction. Now, in order
to the accomplishment of this, there must be
unanimity and harmony. Now, the rules Of
etiquette step in and conspire to produce the
coveted results. The violation Of any of these
rules Is as criminal. from a social standpoint
as is the violation Of any Of the moral laws.
from legal point of view. Now, we have
noticed an inexcusahle breach Of ono Of these
rules. among our young people, and that Is,
when Il young lady or gentlemen is invited
to sing or play, the very persons who are the
most urgent in the request are the ones who
are the least attentive, and who are the most
boisterous 10 their conversation and laughter.
Young lady, young gentleman. is this not
terrible breach Of courtesy? Place yourself
In the position of the singer or player and
then tell If you would not consider such
treatment unkind, to use no harsher express
sion. Think about this. boys and girls, and
we feel sure that you will cause a change in
this respect.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

"Theres many slip in the jour
ney of life, and a man never knows wheh
he's safe," and our friend DR.. Decherd
found out the truth of the lines when lie
found himself, the other night, IN the
ditch near St. Mary's street, his hat on
one side, and meerschaum pipe on the
other. He says, it reminded him OF the
story of Joseph, and he exclaimed on
what a pit "" as, scrambling out OF the
ditch, he beheld his coat..of many colors'
=" Oh, for closer, better way, than cross
the road where bitches lay is sung by
the Doctor, whenever a town Official ap'
proachcs.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
The Arkansas Case in q Nutshell.

The New York World, Of a late date,
meets the assumption Of the Brooks
Smith party, that the people of Arkan
sas could not adopt new constitution,
except by amendment, as prescribed by
the constitution of the state. 1t is pre-.
sentcd clearly, and in few words, as
follows:
The President makes disingcnuous
attempt in his message to show that the
people Of Arkansas have been in some
way violating the laws in adopting new
constitution, and that be only rctrained
from interference because congression-
al investigation Of political matters in
that state is now in progress. The al
legged illegality, according to the message
is this T: That whereas the reconstructed
constitution Of Arkansas provides that it
cannot be amended save by passage ol
the proposed alteration by two success
i've legislatures and final ratification by
q popular vote, a new constitution has
been framed and adopted without regard
to these formalitics, An illegality like
this is. Of course, no illegality at all
There has been no amendment of The
constitution Of 1868, and consequently
no compliance with the legal prerequi
sites to an amendment has been necessa
~. Tue old constitution has simply
been superseded, entire, by new consti
tuition.
Now while it is true that an existing
constitution can only be amended in the
manner it indicates, it is equally true that
one constitution may be supplanted by
another irrespective of the provisions OF
the first relative to its own amendment
The Presidents Quibblc to the contrary
is one that was made and rejected in this
State in the case of our present constitu
ton iu 1916 and in the cases Of the Vr
ginia Convention of 1929, that of Penn
sylvanis In 1897; and Of nj ssachusett,
IN 1853 the same pettilogging was con
demned Ii there be one doctrine NOR,
sacred in this country than another it il
that State MAY AT WILL change its con
stitution, and this is all Arkansas ha:
done. The message will persuade nc
one there is wrong in that.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

cB' Sutton +. Cottrell, formerly sheriff OF
Crawford county, died at Little Rock, on the
18th inst. The Gazette, speaking of him
says. L" At an early hour, last night. Capt. S.
+. Cottrell, well-known citizen of Little
Rock, died at his residence on the Martin
place. short distance below Argenta. The
deceased was about sixty years Of age, and
was well-known and esteemed throughout
the state, and at the time Of his demise was
jailor Of the Pulaski county jail For some
time previous to his death he had been suffer-
ing from pneumonia and bilious fever. Capt
Cottrell had held a number Of public Offices
during his life, and was, at one time sheriff
of GRAVEYARD county. and in all positions dis
charged his duty with honesty and fidelity
He leaves large circle of relatives and friends
to mourn his death"
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

EE- Christmas is, to almost every one,
the Joyous season of the year, and it is
right that it should so be. 1 is kept in
commemoration Of the nativity of the
God child under the stable roof, and in
the manger in Bethlehem. In the early
days Of the christian church some disa-
greed as to the correctness OF the time
of the Saviour's birth. But the action
of council harmonized the contestng
parties, and since that time all christen-
dom has, in some manner, commemora.
ted the event. Those denominations that
consider the day holiday of obligation,
and have religious services, are the Cath
olic, Greek and Episcopal. We do not
pretend to say that other denominations
do not have religious services, but tina,
they are not regular in these observan
ces, as are the churches mentioned above
These three religious bodies dress theil
churches in greens, as emblamatical o.
the eternal nature of that ransom which
the blessed babe had taken upon himsel
humanityto consumnate. AS the ever
green never loses its hue, so the worl
commenced in the manger in Bethlehem
would never cease till the world shal
have been saved from that terrible doom
to which mankind were Fastening, and
which made necessary the birth of the
God child, and the crucifxion Of the
God man. In the old Catholic countries
there was a mass celebrated at midnight
as tradition made Christ born at twelve
O'Clock. But in our country services are
held at 5 in the morning. 1t is custom
TO have q joyous time, and every one
seems determined to lay aside the heavy
.garb OF care, and revel in the pleasure.
OF the occasion. May bliss, untaintet
by the presence Of ought that can maj
the observance of this blessed festival
ibe the lot OF all our people, is our pray
,er, as we wish them MERRY CHRIST
MAS.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
LITTLE Rock, Dec. 10th, lS7

LITTLE ROCK, Dec. lJtIl, loi4
j. S. DUNHAM, ESQ.,
Dear Sir. The Boston railroad men are still
here, awaiting the arrival of Judge Caldwell,
before recognizing the company under the
late purchase. In the meantime you will
have learned before this, that a contract for
the building twenty miles of the road, from
Clarksvillc westward, has already been let
out, and the completion of the road to Fort
Smith within the next eighteen months, is
the calculation of the owners of the road This
is goodly prospect for Western Arkansas,
and our people ought to prepare to avail
themselves of the advantages which must in
cvitably result from completing this road to
its western terminus 1t is estimated that the
cost of this work will be about one million
eight hundred thousand dollars, a large amount
OF which sum must necessarily be disbursed
in four or five of our Western counties. Let
the farmers see to it, that they from their
abundant crops furnish ample supplies to the
large body of laborers who will be employed
on the road. Let all who seek employment
engage to work on the road, as am advised
good wages will be given, and sure pay. A
repetition of the bad faith Of a former COM
pany in charge of the road need not be appre-
hended, as am assured the present owner,
have the ability and disposition to pay up al
the work progresses, and they assure me that
they are disposed to give preference to our
people over others in all work and employ
ment upon the road.
We are still crowded with business in the
Legislature and necessarily move slowly We
were discussing the finance bill yesterday
and will resume it again to-day. The bill as
reported from the committee with some
amendments, preserving however its main
features, will | have no doubt pass the Senate
l regard the measure as an experiment.
| hope it may be successful, and ultimately
have little doubt but that it will. But until
our political condition is settled and we are
altogether relieved from the possibility Of
Congressional interference in the interest OF
Brooks orV.V V. Smith, we could not succeed
in disposing Of our bonds for anything. But
hope before the first Of March these mser-
able pretcnders will be disposed of and .
brighter day dawning upon Arkansas. Thi:
will be a consummattion devoutly to be
wished for, and the speedy advancement o.
our credit as State will naturally follow.
The Legislature will probably take recess
from the 22d to the 3lst instant. and if SO
will try and pay fly ing visit to Van Buren
Very truly, JESSE TURNER.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

cRs- There is little matter to which we
would call the attention of some of our boys,
and that is in the first place. whispering,
talking, and laughing in church. In the Sec
ond place, standing outside and talking loud
ly, to the annoyance of persons within. Now,
boys, don't go to church, If you cannot be-
have while there, for it will do you no good,
and it may annoy those who would like to be
benefited In the second place, if you start
to church, go in, and do not stand outside of
the door, and with your noise disturb both
preacher and congregation. These two pre-
cepts upon your memories write.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
From the Capital.
LITTLE Rock, Dec 10th, 1874

j. S. DUNHAM, ESQ.,
Dear Sir: The Little Rock and Fort Smith
Railroad and lands attached thereto was sold
here to-day at public auction, and bought in
for the use Of the Bond holders, for one hun
dred thousand dollars.
Several of the gentlemen from Boston,
Messrs Shattuck, Weld, Ripley, Gookin
Huntington and some Others, l believe, in
interested in building the road, are here and
will 20 mp in the mornings train for Clarks-
vile, will probably go as far as Ozark. The
repeated assurances of these gentlemen
strengthen my confidence that they intend to
build the road. 1t is new the interest of these
men TO complete this great work, SO indis-
pensably necessary to the reno, alton and
prosperity Of Western Arkansas. and 1t being
their interest to do so, must suppose the
work will be done.
The Legislature is now deeply immersed
in business. While many matters ofdeep in
terest are engaging our attention, the finance
question Is the matter of most absorbing in
terest. The men, who assumed control of the
State government in 1868, not only plunged
the State millions of dollars in debt, but left
the Treasury bankrupt and the State utterly
without credit. Now, to build up her credit
even in small degree is work of no little
difficulty. Something like the plan of the
Finance Committee, which looks to the fund
ing of the scrip" and raising of means by
selling part Of the lands to defray for a time
the ordinary expenses Of government, will
with some notifications be most likely
adopted. For the present however the new
bond, proposed to a issued, could not be ne
gotiatcd, for the REASON that our political
status is not yet settled. and for the further
reason that we by our acts must give to the
world unmistakable evidence Ola willingness
to settle and adjust all our just debts fairly,
according to the measure of our ability. This
evidence, trust will soon be given, after
which our credit will think, rapiply appre-
cate, and our position in financial -crcles be
greatly elevated.
We have been in session month and yet it
seems to me that we have not done much
Another month ought to enable us to get
pretty well through our Legislative labors
and yet cannot predict when we will be able
to adjourn. Very truly,
JESSE TURNER.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

Es- "Oh, the glass, the beautiful glass
how it returns our gaze as on wepass,
giving back every smile, without taint
without guile We sung, as we went skip
ping by a Glass ia the door of furni.
ture store, not wine glass, but gen
uine looking Glass, looking to sell some
furniture, and see some Greenbacks. &c
and look at his furniture, buy, and be
happy.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
TT- Notwithstanding our cotton crOl

ES- Notwithstanding our cotton crop
is being moved by boat and wagon as
fast as possible, the storchouses are all
crowded to overnowing. Our merchants
labor to great disadvantage because of
the slowness of the modes Of taanspor-
tation, and the delay in getting their cot
ton to market But we have the prom
ise of the railroad being finished to Van
Buren,. ty the time the next crop is ready
to be forwarded.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
Eer A Washington special to the S

-, " -s'' 'fNN'"' w WV w
Louis Democrat of Monday, says:
The report of the select committee on
Arkansas affairs will not be made Until
after the holiday recess This becomes
necessary from the fact that the tcsti
mony taken was at different times and
by various members Of the committee. A
full committee has never taken testimony
together, and none have as yet read whsl
was taken by others. Additional delay
will be occasioned by the resignation oI
Mr.. Woodford, Of New Yotk, whose
place was filed but a day or two ago by
Mr.. Scudder, Of New York, and who as
yet has not become conversant with any
Of the evidence. 1t is the intention OF
the committee, before making final re
port, to hear argument on either side o.
the controversy.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
ESy- The Gazette of Friday SAYS til

ES- The Gazette of Friday says that
Col. 4" Tuce" Johnston, the contractor
for the additional twenty miles of the
Fort Smith railroad, arrived from St.
Louis, yesterday, bringing with him the
following well known contractors and
foremen J. S. McTighe, John Johns.
ton, Larry Ryan, Pat. Bowling and Jas.
Clarke. They will leave this morning
for the work
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
Take Notice.

From and after the first day of Janu-
ary. 1875, publishers Of newspapers will
be required to pay postage in advance at
the mailing Office, under the new postal
Law, on all newspapers sent to snbscrib-
ers out of the county wnere published.
This arrangement makes 1t necessary
that al subscriptions should be paid in
advance Consequently all subscribers
in arrears must pay up, as it is not just
or reasonable that we should be asked
to pay the postage in delinquent cases.
Two dollars and fifty cents in advance
will pay for the Fan Buren Press, one
year, including postage.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
Ex While our friend Ribbling is nc

EE While our friend Ribbling is not,
in any respect, a spiritualist, yet he is
eminently a" physician Of seles." tie
is professor of the heel-ing heart, lie
says that he is prepared to make water
tight boots, and to shoe every one who
will favor him, ." as he's happily RIB
Ring along Come unto me all tha'
are worn in sole, and I'll strive to the
LAST to make you whole is the cry OF
RIB.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

Ey- The President has sent to the
Senate the names Of Gen. J. +. Pagan for
United States Marshal for the Western
District of Arkansas, and Hon. II. II.
Clayton, for District Attorney Of the
same district, for confirmation.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

.E- The contractors on the Little Rock
and Fort Smith railroad are advertising for
one thousand men and three hundred teams
to work on the road This looks like busi-
ness and Van Buren, may yet hear the scream
Of the iron horse.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

"OYr FOR TEXAs."-Mr. August Shaber
left, last week, for Texas. Mr.. S. was one of
our best citizens and good farmer and we
regret that he should find it necessary to leave
us. We have one consolation; if he leaves
he will come back, after trying the ups and
downs of Texas life for year or two.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

tS- Miller Bro, have supply Of all
kinds Of toys to tickle the fancy OF the little
ones; all kinds Of eddibles, to tickle the pal
ate of epcureans. They keep on hand pies,
cakes and bread, and are prepared to supply
parties and families at short notice,
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

re- Gov Garland was elected one of
the vice presidents Of the American
board Of transportation and commerce,
which recently held its annual meeting at
Richmond Hon Josiah Quincy, Of
Ssachusetts, is the president.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

EH- The regular Christmas weather
is with us at present, and the appearances
indicate continuance of the same
through the holidays, though the weather
is like young girls mind, constantly
changing.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
Eyy Sheriff Winfrey has made an

Ey Sheriff Winfrey has made an ex-
cellent appointment, L. W. Davis, for
Office clerk, and one that has the conf
dence of most every one. He will be
found at the sheriff. office at the court
House and ready to wait upon all hav
ing business with that Office
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

ES- There will be public installa
ton Of officers of the Crawford Lodge,
No. 6, /. o. o. f., at their Lodge Room,
on Friday night, January lst The pub
lie generally are invited to attend.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
Estray Notice.

TAKEN up by John y. Bnshmeyer of Craw.
l. ford county, TWO COLTS One a sorrcl
horse colt. ] year old past dark name and
tail, hind feet white, left one running above
the pastern, small star in the forehead and
valued at $50. Also. one sorrel mare colt. :
years old past, light name and tail, star in
forehead, slip OH nose and valued at S25.
J.C. BETTEN, j. T..
Crawford Co., Ark, Deo. %, IA.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

rr We have been trying to keep up
with the legislative pro ceedines in our
paper. The letters from our able Sena
tor, every week, will give all the import
ant business transacted by that body.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

sB-" lie that hath no music In his soul
and Is not moved with concord Of sweet
sounds, is fit tor treason,s ,stratagem and spois,''
is the language Of the poet, and our brass
band, believing IL, have reorganized. Go 1t
boys, 1t will improve your wind.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

eB- The Young Americans had masquer.
ade ball last Thursday night. Some of the
costumes were picturesque, and dcfed de.
scription. They had rolicking time, we
heard.
The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22

UM Mr.. d. c. Williams arrived home,
Sunday, just Ut night, on the stage. from
o" dying visit TO New Orleans" Hc
had severe trip from Clarksville, being
out on the stage twenty four hours. He
Gays Il 10 his last appearance on any
stage"