davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01

criminal suits to sustain, taxes were
light.
Mr.. Stearns then "visited the Peni-
tentiary at Albany, \. Y, and found
therein SIS men, mostly young or middle
aged persons, and so women" The
Superintendent told Mr.. Stearns that
"more than three-fourtbs of the prison.
ers were confessed inebriates, and that
of the balance who called themselves
temperate, nearly all were, more or less,
in the habit of using strong drink.u
"He assured u.s." says Mr.. Stearns,
Wthat if the liquor traffic were stopped,
the Penitentiary, in his opinion, could
be dispensed with"
Again, in the National Temperance
Adrocate, of December, 1873, we find the
following:
How prohibition "lails" in Maine is told by
..Farpe1,s Weekly" as follows: "There is 4
scarcity of something almost every year in
some sections of the country. Sometimes it is
corn. sometimes fruit, sometimes potatoes.
But Maine reports another unusual deficiency
this year, namely, a falling-oH in the number
of inmates OF the prison at Thomaston. There
have been, usually, $50 men In the state PRISON;
now there are only l32- And II Is stated that
there are only about go in all the Jails and
prisons of the State"
That is, in the State of Maine, where
prehibitory laws are in force, the whole
state can only furnish 80 prisoners,
while in New York where they have no
prohibitory laws, in just one prison we
find COS men and women.
The gist of the whole matter is this,
that where prohibition prevails crime is
almost unknown, and consequently
police expenses are inconsiderable; and
on the other hand, where the traffic is
sustained by laws, criminals are abun-
dant, and consequently police expenses
are heavy and taxes high.
Yes, the people "begin to see what is
the matter" and with the American
people to know their duty is to do it,
and we shall have such a revolution in
political and social affairs as shall
rescue this nation from the depths of
shame to which it was being dragged by
the rum power.
1 see in late number OF the Bulletin
that the ladies of the Temperance Alli-
ance at McNIinnviIle have ceased opera
tions; but it does not state the reason
why, which is that the enemy they were
fighting has laid down his arms, or re-
treated, or something of that sort, but
the ladies stand ready to face the foe
whenever he makes his appearance.
1 hope the ladies of Portland will
never faIter in their work. They have
the promises on their side. They have
come to the "help of the Lord against
the mighty" and though they may
suffer apparent defeat, yet He who sees
the end from the beginning ''is nigh
unto all that cali upon Him in truth, y
and their ''labor shall not be in yain.iI
LENORA.
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01

would feel If they could do so un@ise
a thing.
A great deal has been accomplished in
spite of prejudice, which would ell be
lost, If the women should flag in their
undertaking now. What is wanted is
an army of workers which will come up
to the work with will. If the ladies Of
Portland should patrol Portland itself for
six months to come, going at regular
times, in small squads, relieving each
other as necessary, so that the ranks
might always be full, and the liquor
sellers might feel their presence every
where and all the time, even il they
never make an audible prayer, or song,
or hymn, the moral effect would be pro-
digious. Possibly after six months OF
standing guard, and of effort in all di-
rections conformable to the sentiment
of the best part of the community, a
way might be opened TO ego to the foun-
tain head" with this question. We
shall be only too glad to get there; but
we fully appreciate the difficulties in
the way. Let no one counsel the yield
ing of a single inch of ground already
gained. Rather let every one turn Cru
sader in her own way, and keep march
ing on until at last, by highways and
by-ways, the fountain-head is reached,
where all may unite in the effort to de-
stroy the source from which flow all the
streams of intemperance. If a moral
earthquake is necessary to dry these
streams, let us have the earthquake.
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01
, LETTER FROM SHERIDAN.

To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
In late number of your paper 1 found
an extract from the Oregonidn, alluding
to the fact that men have failed to settle
the liquor question, and asking, as the
final settlement will be at the ballot
box, "if any logical reason can be given
why the ballot should not be given to
woman, in order that she may secure by
legal enactment the victory she is ex-
pected to gain by moral and religious
influence"
Now, there are two points I wish to
make in connection with those remarks.
But first let me express my thanks to
the Oregonidn for even that feeble con-
fession of faith; and further, let me say
that those journals who come out boldly
and stand firm in defense of the Tenn
perauce movement and of Woman Snf-
frage. are the ones which will WELD the
greatest influence in the "gOod time
coming" yes, just at hand. Mark the
prophecy
But the points wish your readers
to notice are, first, that the men have
failed to find out how to deal with the
liquor traffic; therefore give woman the
ballot, that she may ''secure victory by
legal enactment"
So, then, legal enactment is what is
wanted. Well, if legal enactment will
"settle the question:" why not have it
settled, and that right speedily? am
truly glad the Oregonian is. taking the
right view of the case, and shall expect
its influence hereafter to be used in
favor of prohibition.
The other point is this, that IL the
ballot is given to woman, she 0iH use
it to "secure victory by legal enact
ment."
Now, Mr.. Oregonid', if you believe
this-and 1 have no doubt you do-why
not use your influence to secure equal
rights for all citizens? You are zeal
Gus defender of what you conceive to be
the rights of men. Then why this dis
tinction? Why are you so ungallant a.
to leave the women to fight their battles
alone? IA word to the wise" etc.
Now l wish to pay my respects to tn,
Bulletin. In the issue of April 4th
find a statement that the report on tn,
cost Of the police system of Portlan,
will show total cost Of over "S40,0 90,
during last year." aud the editor ask
if ''the people who are paying sucl
heavy taxes begin TO see what is tn
matter ?" No doubt they do; no doub
they begin to see that the rum traffic i
the cause of such enormous public ex
penses. Now, suppose the BUVett
will "rise to explain" but it isn't neces
sary. We have proof that the traffic
responsible for nearly all our troubl
with criminals. ] wish TO state som
facts which may throw some light upo
the subject.
In the State of Maine they have pre-
hibitory law. J. n. Stearns, Esq, Col
responding Secretary of the Nations
Temperance Society, "visited the count
of franklin in that State, and found NJ
one grog-shop in the county, and in tt
county Jail there had been no prison,
for over year" AS Everything VI
quiet" 10 that county, they did not nee
a large police force, and police expens,
were not heavy; and there being I
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01

CORRECT.-At the regular meeting OF
the Radical Club of Philadelphia, Feb
ruary %, +. NJ. Davis, President, in the
chair, a letter was read asking the Club
to take action in regard to a change in
the marriage ceremony in the Protest
ant Episcopal Book of Prayer, to the ef-
feet that the word ''obey,n in the prom
Use of the wife to the clergyman n Officiat-
ing, be hencefoTth excluded, so as to
read, al promise to honor and cherish"
The reason alleged was that the wife is
in every way the equal of the husband,
and that it is not the part of one equal
to obey another. This letter, which
was also read at previous meeting,
was repeated yesterday as preface to
the following resolution, presented by
the Chairman and adopted by the Club:
On the subject of the promise of obe-
dience on the part of woman at mar
riage, the Radical Club agrees with J.
Stewart Mill, when he says, in his
'sSubjeetion of WOman:"
That the principle which regulates
the existing social relations between
the two sexes-the legal subordination
of one sex TO the other-is wrong in it.
self, and now one of the chief hindrances
to human improvement, and that it
ought to be replaced by principle of
perfect equality, admitting no power or
privilege on the one side, nor disability
on the other. III Chap. l, p. !.
And with Lucretia Mott, who wrote
in 1920 rs follows:
SIN the true marriage relation, the
Independence Of the husband and wife
is equal, their dependence mutual,
and their obligations reciprocal. ~
WomdR's Journal.
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01
LAW.ABIpING "CITIzENs.

SAN Francisco, April g7.-Female canvassers
are busily engaged in soliciting signatures TO
total abstinence pledges and are meeting with
fair success. Wholesale liquor dealers held a
meeting and elected David Porter President. A
committee was appointed to draft Bylaws
and Constitution. The object OF the meeting Of
the wholesale liquor dealers this afternoon is
stated to have been to perfect means OF protect
ing their customers in the interior ofthe state
against woman crusaders and local option law.
They have determined TO raise flnd OF $4,000
to defray the expense OF testing any case that
may arise under the latter in any county OF the
State.
The liquor men are going to protect
their customers against the local option
law. Ah, that is nearly equal to the
spirit of Portland juries.
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01

FOOLISH HABITS. Walking along
the street with the point of an umbrella
sticking out behind, under the arm or
over the shoulder. BY suddenly stop
ping to speak to friend, or other cause,
a person walking i'm the rear had his
brain penetrated through the eye, in the
streets, and died a few days ago.
To carry long pencil in vest or out
side pocket. Not long since a clerk in
New York fell, and the long pencil
pierced an important artery, that it had
to be cut down from the shoulder to pre-
vent his bleeding to death, with a three
months illness.
To take exercise or walk for the health
when every step is drag, and instinct
urges repose.
To guzzle down 4 glass Of water on
getting up in the morning, without any
feeling of thirst, under the impression
of the health-giving nature Of its wash
ing out qualities.
To sit down to a table and "force"
yourself to eat, when there is not only
no appetite, but n decided aversion to
food
To take q glass of soda, or toddy, or
sangaree, or mint drops on summer
day, under the belief that it is safer and
better than glass of cold water.
/ To persuade yourself that you are de-
stroying one pleasant OdOr by introduc-
/ ing u stronger one; that is, trying to
sweeten your unwashed garments and
person by enveloping yourself in musk,
etc, the best perfume being a clean skin
and well-washed clothing.
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01
"WEAK-MINDED."

1t has taken us several years to get SO
accustomed to the Odium of being
strong minded that we could endure
it without a sinking sensation every
time we heard the term applied to US.
And itseemed the height of cruelty, now
that we were becoming rather proud of
our strong-mindedness to be compelled
to sit still while Mr.. Cronin called US
"weak-minded," as he did the other
day in the Police Court. Mr.. Cronin,
how could you!
alt is excellent
To have a giants strength Iof mind, but it is
tyranny
To use it like giant"
As you did that day. Please don't!
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01

WOMEN N THE WASHINGTON Posi-
OFFICE.-Look in at the Post-office win
dow. There you may see q highly bred
lady deciphering Endorsements in Span
ish, German, French and Italian, and
she scarcely knows herself why she is
in this place, because it all seems so
new, and yet she thanks Providence for
aftording it. y few months 40, resid-
ing in Naples with her fathers family,
acquiring in easy competence the tastes
and accomplishments which make
woman twice divine, she was smitten
to the earth with this news: Her un-
Gle, with madness for stock gambling,
had used her fathers fortune and lost it
all, down TO the family plate. Nothing
was before her but work, and necessity
brought fortitude. Blessed be the God
of human nature for the truth of that
text-"As thy day, so shall thy strength
beni There comfortably at work, re-
spected as ever and taking courage, the
/ fair Neapolitaine see that she learned
for use as well as for science W0sh''s'
] ton Letter,
The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01

The City Council of Cincinnati have
passed a resolution requesting the Mayor
TO enforce the law against women who
pray on the sidewalks. The Gazette
suggests the propriety Of requesting the
Mayor to enforce the law against the
saloons. II is poor rule that doesn't
work both ways.
New-York tribune., 1874-05-25
TIE ARMY And NAVY.

ASSIGNMENT OF STATIONS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
OF THE ENGINEER CORPS.
WASHINGTON, May 24.-The following sta
ons and duties OF officers Of the Corps OF Engineers
have been made: LieutCol. c. +. Blunt will turn over
all works In discharge to LeutCol. j. c. Duane and
will proceed to Buffalo, N. Y, where he will relieve
Major Franklin Harwood OF all his present duties Lieut.
Col J. G.. Foster being relieved from temporary duty
IN the Office OF the Chief OF Engineers win proceed TO
Boston, Mass, where he will relieve Lieut. Col George
Thorn OF the works OF river and harbor improve
ment In his charge IN Massachusetts,, includ-
ing the walls Boston harbor. Lieut. Col
J. G. Duane. In addition to his present duties, will
relieve Leut.Col c. E. Blunt OF the charge OF the for
hcations Of Portsmouth, N. H. Major George H. Elliot
being relieved from duty as Engineer Secretary OF
the Lighthouse Board by Major G. Haines will report
TO the Chief OF Engineers for duty in his ofce Major
Franklin Harw0od, on being relieved by Lieut.. Col
Blunt. will proceed 10 Baltimore, Nd, and relieve Major
r. c. Haines as Engineer OF tho Vth and With Light
house Districts. Major y. C. Hanes, on being relieved
will report TO the Secretary OF the Treasury for duty as
Engineer Secretary OF the Lighthouse Board. Capt
Alexander Mackenzie Is relieved from duty with the
battalion OF engineers, to take effect the arrival OF
Capt. C. ]. Allen. and will report In person to
Col. j. III. Simpson, at 81. Louis Mo-, for
duty under his orders Capt. David Z. Heap
is relieved from duty under tho orders OF Major
II. L. Abbott. and Will report TO Major Warren, at
Newport II. I,ter duty. Capt. william \, Iaaes is TO
New-York tribune., 1874-05-25
AN ANXIOUS NIGHT PASSED AT WILLIAMS
BURG BY JOHN PAUL

A DESCRIPTION OF MILL RIVER VALLEY-TWO MORE
RESERVOIRS HANGING OVER WILLIAMSBURG
ONE SAID TO BE "sHAM DAM" wATER-GUN-A
NIGHT SPENT IN WATCHING THE wATER-COLUM-
BIADs-A WARNING TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT
FOND OF WATER.
lFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUNE
WILLIAMSBURG. MAY 22-The telegrams which
were sent to THE TRIBUNE last evening will have pre-
pared You ts believe that last night was an anxious
one for dwellers in this Valley. 1t may be that you
understand the situation of the streams here, but
as the contrary may be the fact, l will apply the
old rule of whist in cases of doubt and make sure
of the trick by explaining the lay of the water to
you.
Mill River" which has so suddenly acquired all
this terrible nOtorety. begins In fact at the foot of
williamsburg, and is formed by two streams which
here unite. In the arms of the fork, or "V"
formed by this junction. Williamsburg lies. The
reservoir which burst fed the stream that flows
down on the left of Williamsburg, and this side and
the lower portion of the village it that suffered
so terribly the upper part of the village and that
lying along the banks of the stream on the right re-
main intact. This right wing of the stream, on the
banks of which stand the Post-O Office stores, and
principal dwellings none of which suffered in the
flood is fed by two reservoirs some five six miles
back, one of which finished and filled only last
Winter So you see there is still considerable Of n
threat hanging over the town.
The lower reservoir is thought to be toleraby
SAFE but the upper is said to be another sham
dam" water-gun loaded to its rubble muzze with
the most dangerous of forces, and its mud trigger
set ever on the hair" modelled in all respects after
the pattern of the one which shot itself off so
disastrously last Saturday morning If this
upper piece of crockery cracked, the con-
tents would of empty themselves
upon the lower and carry that away also.
Even in drawing the upper one down in of its
becoming too full the water would necessarily have
to flow into and through the lower basin, and it
quires little engineering skill to demonstrate the
danger of this added volume straining the dam of
the latter beyond its powers of resistance. If ever
! these two reservoirs do get loose, and come down
together you need send reporter up here to learn
the particulars, for there will be no one to give
them, and there will be neither Post Office nor any
other general source of informa ton 10 inquire at
So you see how artfully the ingenious inventors of
| these hydraulic internal machines planned They
! made double-barreled water gun of it, a breech-
loader at that, with sort of supplementary chamber
back and brought 1t to bear point blank on the vii
lage. SO that if one barrel didnt Do the work clean
New-York tribune., 1874-05-25

This would be cheaper and better than telegraph. as
tho nre would cost considerable, and would require
sked operators at tho dam and each factory and vii
lage IN the valley, and only such points would be
warned. while the cannon would give an instant and
general signal throughout It's whole length The same
plan could be adopted with great advantage on all
rapid that rise suddenly from ranstorms, and
run with destructive rapidty and force Cannon should
be placed at each town principal point on the river
ten or fifteen miles apart those below to fire by sound
from those above This would give instant warning
not only at the towns and signal stations. but also to
the farms and factories between both sides through
ont the entire valley II thcrc IL telegraph line along
the river this could be- used to great advantage from
town In obi anisg facts rs 90 the coming nnOu'
and giving instruc0 10 the necessary sshhs Tue
cannOn might he fiTci three times nj intervals or lcn
minutes signal being repeated every hour or TWO
whio danger continued. By this simple ana very
cLeap plan an entire valley could be warned OF coming
destructive food IN time to remove much properly;
To drive all stock OF danger. and best o all ~ "Ond
save many lives Where n town has not suitable can
non used flood signals. application should be
made to the State National orscnas when are illl
OF these implements OF destruction that by this pan
may used for the saving OF life ard property As me
season sudden and destructive Hoods from tblhdef
hand. what member of Congress viii miro
ducc resolution ordering tho Ordnance Department To
thofes which may apply for the same to be used az
flood Sgnalst Ia this way tiousans OF cannon whlch
are lying useless ia the National afseualS anu navy
Irds cond be used 10 millions OF property ana
thousands OF liyos. A.
Washington, u. o., May %, 1874
New-York tribune., 1874-05-25

lieved fro daty Engineer Officer OF the Department.
OF tho Platte, to tako effect tho arrival OF Capt.
william 3 stanton la and Will vii % report to Major n T.
upon the Notifications In his charge capt Charles j.
Allen ia relieved from duty under the orders of Col
j. ii. SIMPSON. and will report for duty at Willeys
Point with the battalion OF engineers. Capt. W. X
Lyermoro Ia relieved from duty under the order oi
Major G. D. Constock. and viii report in person 70
OF Lieut.No. Foster I'm Boston, viii proceed To
Omaha, Neb.. and report to the Commlnding-
duty on his staff Capt James c. Post Is relieved
from duty with the battalion OF engineers and viii
port In person In New York City to LeutCo q A. ON
more for duty under ms orders First Lieut.. Henry
McAdams relieved FROM duty under the order OF apt.
Howell to take effect on the completion OF the season,
work at his present station, and viii proceed 20 Detroit
and report TO Major COmstOck for duiy the
Of the akcs Second Lieut.. Thomas a. Bailey IA relieved
from duty with battalion OF engineers and will pro-
cced to Detroit and report Major COmst0ck for duty
Major George O.. Hunt OF the l,t Cavalry dIsbusing
officer at New Orleans 10 pay coiored troops Be- i or
dered remove his Offco VcksOurg, MisS. a1d re-
eye Major Thomas VI Anderson OF The lOLh Infantry OF
his dsDursing duties al that place. MAJOR Anderson on
being relieved is ordered 10 JOIN his reglmeot
NAVAL ORDERS.
WASHINGTON, May A.-Lieut. Commander
Henry G. Taylor has been ordered 10 the command Of
the United states Coast Survey steamer Hasslor Lieut.
Commander George f. wingate and Leuts. samuel y.
Clarkson and Edward Woodman have been ordered 70
the receiving ship Eew-Hampshre. Lieut.. H. X
Mansfield has been ordered to tho Michigan
Commander p. G. Johnson has been detached
from the command OF the Hassier and
ordered to Washington for examination for promotion:
Ilent. Commander G. L. Goodrich, from the Naval
Academy, and granted SIX months leave, win permits
A. McCarty from the receiving ship New-iarnpshirc.
ana granted sSk leave Lieut. Richardson Clover from
the Michigan Ind ordered to the Ha5sler. PiSsct
Assistant surgeon j. II. Kiddcr from the NIyal Llborl
tory, Newport, and ordered 10 t1e swatara. Chief.
Engneer Isaac s. Fnney, from the Colorado. and placed
ID