davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08
For the Watchma
The Fourth of July, 1874.


Mcssrs Editors i had the pleasure, with
thousands of others, Of being present at the pic
mic near Owls Head, on the line of the Mont
pelier & Wells River railroad on Saturday, and
of ascending to the summit Of Owls Head
anu surveying the Wild scenery Of this noun.
tain region This visit reminds me of an event
that occurred at the same place twenty-five
years ago, on the Fourth Of July, which will
relate.
In 1919 there was talk Of railroad from
Montpelier to Wells River, and the question
was, Where is the lowest route through the
Mountains? The people in the towns of Plain
field, Marshfeld and Groton, agreed to have a
picnic in the woods near Owls Head on the
Fourth Of July to examine the woods to find the
lowest route. About two hundred men and
boys met in the woods to spend the day. 1t
was thought best to 90 to the top Of Owls
Head to survey the country. This was then a
very difficult task, as the mountain bad been
formerly covered with small growth Of spruce,
which had been killed by fire a few yours be
fore, and the trees had fallen in every direction,
and second growth of bushes had grown up
very thick, among the fallen trees, being from
half an inch 10 an inch aud half through. 1t
was a dry day. and it had been dry for some
time. We at last reached the top, sometimes
walking on the fallen trees and sometimes
crawling on our hands and knees under them,
and on that day the route for the road was dis
covered from the top OF this mountain, and the
place ascertaincd to be the lowest pass through
the mountain.
On our return we had to encounter the same
difficulty as in going up. and it was even worse
to crawl under the trees going down than going
up. Before we got to the foot Of the noun
tain we discovered that the mountain was on
fire, and a grander sight was seldom ever seen
The blaze, as it swept up the mountain, seemed
to rise more than an hundred feet above its
summit. From twenty-five to forty acres were
burnt almost clean OF every thing. And when
we assembled the mountain to-day, the track
lay through the growth of trees that have
grown up since the fire. And wo TO day ride in
the cars over the route discoyeroda quarter Of o
century ago LAW.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Secretary Bristow is instituting sys-
TEN in the treasury department which will
make it impossible for partisan rogues,
however inhuentally supported, to here
after appropriate the peoples money, under
preteuce Of serving the public. His plan
of selecting the bost men of experience,
proved capacity and integrity for the va
cancies existing in the treasury branch Of
the government service, commends itself to
the general approval. lie makes merit the
passport to preierment. His advancement
Of faithful and competent officials is in the
very spirit Of civil service improvement,
and exemplides the idea 10 the most effect
i've manner. All the indications thus far
point to the fact that the American people
have secretary of the treasury among
them, who cannot be duped by corrupt pol.
iticians, and proposes to administer public
affairs under his jurisdiction, with single
eye to the common welfare.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

The reduction of the force Of Treasury
employees is creating good deal Of excite
ment in Washington, and it is evident that
Bristow has gone to work in earnest to re-
form the Department. Many Of the dis
charges are, however, rendered necessary by
the curtailmcnt of the appropriations. The
number Of discharges will reach four or
five hundred in the several bureaus, by far
the larger portion being females. OF course
much suffering must onsuc, which, however,
is alleviated by the payment Of two mouths
salary to those dismissed.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Although the cable despatch from
London, that only four hundred thousand
people are now being fed by the British
government in India, does not give the
idea that the distress is over, yet the dim
mutton in this respect is so great that it is
obvious the famine has spent its worst force
A quarter of a million people still receive
employment from the authorities, and this
exhibit of the efficient measures for the ro-
lief of the sufferers shows that the Dsraeli
government has been equal to the emer-
gency in which it was placed by this APP
palling calamity.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Five hundred thousand French Cana
dams, it is estimated, have come to the
United States within the last twenty-five
years; and still they come, and Canada
wants to turn the tide. At recent con-
veution in Montreal, the subject ELECTED
much interest, and it was agreed that the
government ought to aid in the matter by
giving free passages, land grants, and other
favors, to those who will come back to the
fold. But the French Canadians, who
have emigrated, are quite unanimous 10 the
sentiment that "the states is the best place
for them to live in, and especially for them
to get living in.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Mrs, NJ. G. Ames, in one of her Wash
ington letters, deals thus reverently with
the venerable Boston member: white.
haired Mr.. Hooper, Of Boston, slowly walks
down the aisle, with painful suggestion Of
govt What his heavenly Father may have
in store for him in the upper mansions, |
know not but, it seems to me, he must
say Son, remember thou on earth hadst
an unusual quantity of good things, includ-
ing au amazing number of good dinners Of
very equity sort. think, now, you must
wait for Lazarus a Bit"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

The Washington correspondent of the
Cincinnati Commercial laments the sorrows
Of Mrs. Senator Sprague, since the failure
Of her husband, aud offers briuy tears Of
coincidence, because she has been forced by
the untoward iates to give up her luxuri-
Gus carriage, and ride in a little rockaway,"
and because " her large retinue Of servants
has been reduced to only four." Such des-
titution is very sad, but JefTerson's grand
daughter maintained herself by teaching
school, and could not even afford to keep a
little rockaway," much less ." four SER
wants. Aud yet she was lady reared in
all the elegancies and refnements of life,
and descended from the first families Of
Virginia besides and, nevertheless, the
newspaper correspondents Of her time did
not ill columns in condoling with her mis-.
fortunes.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

The Hon. William NJ. Evarts' euloey
Of the late ChieCJustice Chase, delivered
before the alumni association Of Dartmouth
college, is in every respect an excellent pro.
ducton. just and truthful in its state.
ments, the orators effort seems less n rhet.
orica panegyric than a straightforward
history Of the prominent events Of the life
of the late Chief Justice The ajdre is
characterized by the oarucstness, perspicu-
ity and force that are noticeable in all Of
the writings aud speeches of Mr.. Evarts.
The enumeration Of the qualifications nee
essary for the successful dischargipg Of the
duties of the Chief Justice clearly indicates
the great Importance which the speaker at
taches to that Office; and he pays a fitting
and, no doubt, deserved tribute to the great
statesman for the manner in which he pre-
sided over the trial Of Andrew johnson for
impeachment. Mr.. Eyarts' intimate ac-
quaintanco with Mr.. Chase his own states.
maulike qualities and oratorical ability,
render him ominently fit for the task which
he has so acceptably performed
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Besides Mr.. Dawes aud Mr. Geo. f.
IIoar, it is now announced that Judge Il.
lockwood lIoar will decline a nomination
to Congress This takes out from the
Massachusetts delegation less than one third
in numbers, but more than thrco.lourths in
strength There has heretofore been some
jealousy Of the position and influence of
Massachusetts, in Congress- position and
influence due 10 the experience, ability and
standing of her representatives but it be-
gins to look good deal as though there
would be no occasion for such jealousy
hereafter.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Hugh Riddle, Superintendent of the
Chicago & Rock Island railroad, has writ.
ten a long letter to Gov. Carpenter, Of
Iowa, in regard to the railroad law of that
State, in which, after reviewing the law at
length, he says; "While this company
denies the justice and constitutionality of
the railroad act, it is disposed to subject it
to the test of an actual experiment before
assailing it in the court"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

The letter of General Sherman to Sec
retry Belknap, just published, dated from
the Headquarters of the Army at Washing
ton, August, 1870, shows clearly the griev-
ances Of bis position which led dim to re-
move to st. Louis He complains that as
General of the Army he was interiered
with by the Secretary Of War, and that in
matters over which he alone ought to have
control, or at least over which none but the
President, as the constitutional Command
erin. Chief, should have supervision. The
letter, like everything from the pen of Cen
eral Sherman, is clear, and shows the diff
Guilty that has long existed on this question
of divided authority The General no
doubt, felt that the Interference Of the Sec
rotary of War with what he believes TO be
his proper duties made it unpleasant and in
convenient to have his headquarters in
Washington; hence he got as far away
IRON the war department us he could to
have his eye over the army.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Speaking of the outrageous reign Of
the Democracy in New Hampshire, the
Cincinnati Gasette says "Thc present con.
dition of things is principally attributable
to about three thousand violent prohibitions
lists, who turned their backs on the Repub.
licans because they did not execute the
prohibitory law as rigidly as they ought,
though they Endorsed it in their platform.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Henry Grinnell, whose lifelong con-
nection with mercantile pursuits in New
York, and humane efforts to find the lost
Sir John Franklin have rendered his name
famous, died last week in New York, at the
age Of seyonty-fve years. He was of
IIugucnot ancestry, and was native Of
New Bedford, Massachusetts,, lie early
settled in New York, however, where he
amassed a large fortune, much of which
he expended in the furtherance Of those ox.
petitions to the Arctic regions which while
unsuccessful in their immediate object,
added materially to our knowledge Of polar
geography lie was uniformly successful
in his business ventures, and the firm OF
Grinnel, Mnturn 4 Co., with which he
has been connected for many years has at
tanned an enviable reputation in the COM
mercal world.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Heads Of departments at Washington,
who under the provisions of the new appro-
priation bills, are compelled to reduce the
number Of their assistants, complain that
those members Of Congress who were the
most earnest and persistent in their appeals
for economy, through the discharge Of
clerks from the bureaus, are noa using ev.
cry influence to have their friends retained
on the pay rolls. Secretary Brstow's mail
consists principally Of letters of recon-
mcndation from Congressman, written in the
interest Of clerks in his department, who
are supposed to be in danger Of removal
from Office
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Notwithstanding the very general
scare, last winter, incident to the loss of
several ocean steamers, the summer travel
to Europe is about as large as usual Com.
petition between the different lines has so
reduced the fare, that some people go be-
cause it is cheap; others 90 because it is
yet more fashionable" to 60 to a foreign
country, than to stay at home; and the
landlords Of the hotels at the American
summer resorts, give aid to the exodus by
keeping their prices on an imitation basis.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08
For The Waterman.
Dnmngcs ON IIigllMnNs.

evidently not written by lawyer, as they are
too full Of errors.
rhcfrst proposition is, that the scloctmcn arc
required to assess fourteen cents in money and
eighteen cents in labor for the purpose Of re.
pairing highways and bridges, when, in fact.
the law requires the solcctmcn TO assess tax
Of twenty-five cents on the dollar Of the grand
list, to be paid in labor, provided that the town
may vote that the highway tax shall DO paid
in money, when it shall be twenty instead Of
twenty five cents ON the dollar; and towns may
vote such additional sum as the exigoncies Of
the case require some towns raising as much
as soycnty-Gye cents. 50 it is evident that
funds sufficient to make all our public roads
safe for travel may be provided without any
change of the present law
The second point that the general oversight
Of our roads should be put into the hands Of
competent men, Is good ia theory but bad in
practice How is the result to he obtaincdl
II elected hy the people, some who now are in
competent surveyors would Dc elected commits
silners, and their power for mischief increased
lour-luld Experience proves that the best men
are seldom elected 10 Office and, ir appointed.
politics, locality and personal influence, would
dictate the choice, instead of personal fitness,
the same a. in other cases. Then, in case the
road. should he suddenly obstructcd By snow,
or washed and quilted hy freshets, no board Of
commissioners could scas0uably supcrintend
their oneuing and repair frequently fifty
cents spcn. iy Tie surveyor. at the proper time,
would save dollars. ir obliged 10 await tho tardy
moysment-ofu board ofc1mmissioners In order
to propcrlv caro- for Tie roads. this board must
either be walking automatous. or employ subor-
dinetos in the various localities 20 look after the
roads. which. practically. would be our present
system with the board saperaddcd Again.
Montpelier has her commissioners. with less
number of mile. OF roal. and more money TO
repair them. elan Barre, which has surveyors
| Yet Montpelier has n0 better roads, but has
moro accidents. and more suits fr injuries oc-
ca.ioneI by the irsumeicncy of The highways.
/ than we. It the commissioner. are the best.
/ tho reverse ought 90 Pc true.
| 10 Is said that there are three classes % dam
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

The anti-monopolists of Iowa, how
ever wild they may be in some of their
ideas of the duties of the State aud national
governments, are all right on the financial
question. In their convention Wednesday
last, they resolved in favor of currency
based on specie resumption at the earliest
moment, and in favor Of the payment of the
national debt in strict accordance with the
laws under which it was incurred.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08
Highway Damages.

A correspondent in another column, crit
iciscs correctly our articles on the subject
Of Highway Damages. They were writ
ten only to call out discussion, and lead the
public to consider the subject in all its
bearings. IT, with the strict Interpretation
Of the law by our courts, our jurios will
still give damages IN all cases, and often 20
heavy aud vindictyo damages in cases
where the cause Of the damage is in whole,
or in part, the fault Of the plaintiff, the
question recurs whether the towns should
be held liable in any case for damages for
accidents occurring on the highway. The
towns should be required, as now, to keep
their highways in repair a commissioner
should be appointed to indict al insufficient
highways and bridges, with heavy penalty
on each indictment, to go into the State
Treasury, for the benefit Of highways in
such towns, and then the traveller should 20
at his own risk Careqi riat9r Such sys.
TEN as that seems to US most likely TO give
us good roads, and protection against ace
cidents.
Ourpresout system is unjust and opprcs.
siye on the towns. 1t results ia outrageous
penalties on the public for individual carc-
lessness. There must be some remedy. and
the simplest remedy would seem to be, that
the State should devise some method by
which a town should be obliged to keep suf.
6cient roads aud bridges to be indicted aud
fined by county commissioner in case Of
neglect to do so, and then no action for dam
ages in special cases should lie against tho
town. This seems to US the fairost and
justcst system for all parties.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Nor a word of comment on the marriage of
Mr.. Sartoris with daughter of the President
Of the United States has appeared in any Eng
llsh paper, says Conway.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08
The Iowa Platform.

The Iowa Republican state Oonvou.
ton, held at Dos Moincs, on Lost Wcducs.
day, proves pretty conclusivey hat if there
is to be any breaking away among the Re-
publicans of the West the movement will
not begin in that State. The platform
adopted favors financial legislation based on
the policy Of specie resumption at such
time as is consistent with the material and
industrial interests orthc country. A strong
resolution was adopted, aiming at the TO-.
creasing oxactions Of railroad corporations.
The full aud equal protection OF all citizens,
white or black, native or foreign born, Is
advocated The election Of the President
aud Vice President by direct vote Of Che
people was favored, aud also the submis.
sion TO thc people Of an amendment to the
Constitution Of the State in favor Of female
suffrage
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08
Yankee Doodle won't 10 town
Upon a little pony,
lie stuck q feather IA his cap,

1t sounded familiar enough, except the Dutch.
could write long letter about this place, but
enough at present J. COPELAND.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08

Temperance men are responsible, to great extent,
for intemperance There is class of negative tenn
porance men. They do not drink, bat they do moth
Ing towards putting down ntemperanee, It Is not
all Of temperance u abstain from all that intOXi-
cate, The moderate drinkeT Il drawback 10 the
cause Of temperance. The drunkard In the gutter
breaches temperance sermons, Respectable young
men will not drink with the drunkard they are dis.
gusted at the thought but the moderate driQker, who
New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-20

yIIFTH DISTRICT COURT FOR THE PARISH or
Il Orleans, No. 524t BY virtue of writ of
seizure and sale to me directed by the honorable
the Fifth District Court for the parish of Orleans,
in the above entitled cause, will proceed to sell
at public auction at The Merchants and Auction.
eers Exchange. Royal street, between Canal and
CustonhGlise streets in the Second District OF this
city Gu WEDNESDAY, February a. 1874 at twelve
O'Clock NJ, the following described property to
wit
A CERTAIN LOT OF GROUND. together with all
the buildings and improvements thereon rights
ways and privileges theraunto belonging in any
wise apper aiming, situated, lyig and being the
Second district Of this city, in the square Which ia
comprised within Dumaine Rampant. st. Ann and
Burgundy streets, and measuring tre said lot
twenty-five feet six inches front on Dumaine street
thirty feet in width in the rear one hundred and
ninety-seven feet seven inches i'll depth on the
side nearest Rampant street, aud the same depth
on the opposite side.
ALSO 4 PORTION OF GROUND adjoining said
lot on the last mentioned side commencing at u
distance OF ore hundred and eight feet from Du-
maine street. and having eighteen feet on Il liae
parallel with said street. nineteen feet on line
running toward the rear and perpendicular to said
Dumaine street, thence thirteen feet six inches on
a line parallel with same street. at the angle OF
which line the first described lot begins its width
of thirty feet and from that last point the said lot
measures seventy feet seven inches to the
line. The whole according to plan drawn by G.
A. de Armas civil engineer, dated the nth day of
Nav 1858, and annexed to an act of the sanfe date
before A BOudousquie, late notary public i'll this
city. Beng the same property acquired by the
defendant herein 10y purchase from William NJ.
Richards as per act passed before said ata notary
BOudousquie dated the nth day of May, 1888. The
buildings and improvements on said lot comprise
that spacious and handsome two story brick dwell
ling house with attic. slate rooted No l4i Dumane
street, two-story brick building, slate rooted,
built alongside of the lot, outhouses, ETC. yard
tagged, etc. Plan thereof will BE- on exhibition at
the Exchange some days previous to that OF sale.
Seized in the above suit
Terms-Cash on the spot.
jaD Is fed Sheriff of tha Parish M Oreana
New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-20
W. P. HARPER
de23 ja4 IS Sheriff of the Parish of Orleans.
Charles +. Berens VS.. samuel ID. Dixon.
tutor.


1CIFTH DISTRICT COURT FOR THE PARISH OF
Il Orleans No. 3993-By virtue of a writ of seiz-
and sale 10 me directed by the honorable the
Fifth District Court for the parish OF Orleans in the
abov entitled cause Will proceed to sell public
auction, at the Merchants and Auctioneers Ex-
change Royal street, between Canal and Custom.
house streets, in the Second District of this city,
on TUESDAY, January 30 1874, at twelve o'clock
NJ, the following described property. belonging to
Barbara Benson, wife of Frederick W. NewOrth
the minor Eva Louisa Benson and Mary Ann Ben
SON. wife of Samue D. Dixon, to wit
THE THREE UNDIVIDED FOURTHS Of two GER
tain lots of ground, and a small portion of ground
together with the improvements thereon and the
appurtenances thereuntO belonging situated in
the Fourth District of this city, in the square
number fifynne, bounded by Washington. Live
Oak. Fourth and Magazine streets. designated by
the numbers seventeen and eighteen on a plan
drawn By H. NOelEausen, late surveyor, dated the
fourth Gay OF May, 1874 deposited among the
records of L.. Hermann, formerly q notary public
in this city. Said lots and portion of ground ad
enc feet six inches front on Washington street, by
one hundred and twenty five feet in depth, be-
tween parallel lines and said small portion OF
ground forms part of the lot number nineteen, and
adjeins said lot number eighteen, and measures
foot six inches front on Washington street, by
hundred and twenty five feet III depth, be.
tween parallel lines.
said property is the same which the late
Joseph Benson acquired by purchase at public
sale of same made by K. T. Parker, sheriff of the
parish of orleans, the tWenty-eighth day of
December 1859. under and BY virtue of a writ of
trict Court of New Orleans rendered i'll the suit OF
A. ChiapeIla vs.. Charles Eel gusoI No. 1884 OF the
docket of said court.
Seized in the aDOve suit.
Terms-Cash Oh the spot.
W. P. HARPER.
da1o AZ ;aoo Sherif Of che Parish of OrIeana