davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

Trouble on the labor question seems
to be. II anything, on the increase. Ad.
vices from New York report q recent con.
yention of the Working Mems Central
Council, together with private meetings Of
a number Of trades.unions. The determin-
alton seemed to be to fight the ten-hour
law and endeavor to establish the eight-hour
system throughout the country. OF course
no one can tell the result. But it seems
exceedingly desirable that this matter should
be set at rest as soon as possible, once for
all. Strikes are pro6tless, both to employer
and employed. If the two parties would
only strike bargain between them in some
harmonious manner, they would confer a
lasting benefit on the country at large
Why should large class Of men fritter
away Eve or six weeks every year, trying
to decide how many hours they are to work
for the next FIVE or six weeks 2
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

The Executive Committee Of the Ma
tional Grange, at Washington, has got
Congressman into trouble. That commit
tee some time since sent circulars to its
Western followers, informing them that
members of Congress would be glad to
supply them with public documents and
suggested that they make their wishes
known by direct application to their rep
resentatives This caused flood Of letters
to pour in. Full sets of agricultural re-
ports, copies of Worcesters Dictionary, and
other light and interesting reading were
called for. But the trouble is, the ranking
privilege has been repealed and wha,
renders it still more difficult for members
to comply with requests of that kind is
that the government is not issuing any con.
siderable number Of such works for distri.
button, the agricultural and other report.
being printed only in small quantities since
the repeal of the frankiDg privilege Ii
will, however, afford Congressman light and
congenial employment, to say nothing oil
the great pleasure experienced by it, to
write long letters to these applicants, max,
ing full explanation of the case aud the
reason the books are not forthcoming.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, has
been in the United States Senate since ! S4S,
four years of which he was its presiding
officer, as Vice Presidents and as his pres
ent term expires next March be wants to be
reelected. But, strange as it may seem,
there are other gentlemen in Maine who
prefer to 90 themselves, instead of having
Mr.. Hamlin sent back, and there is likely
to be quite lively senatorial contest in the
next legislature to settle the claims of the
aspirants. Ex-Governor Perham, of Paris,
and the Hon. j. II, Drummond, Of Port
land, are the leading competitors, Speaker
Blaine is thought to be willing to wait till
Senator Morrill's term expires before be
goes to the Senate, and will favor the re-
election of Mr.. Hamlin
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

People are really going into the Gre
nation business in earnest. One of the
wealthiest men in New York has recently
appended q codicil to his will making it
obligatory on his heirs to dispose of his
body at death by cremation. After his
soul shuffles off this mortal coil the body is
to be injected with petroleum or alcohol,
he isn't particular which, and after burial
service by any enlightened clergyman, is to
be taken away to the Manhattan gas works,
and placed in one of the retorts, which shall
be closed two or three hours and the usual
heat applied. Any responsible party can
have his ashes if they desire, but if no such
wish is expressed, they are to be used for
the enrichment Of one of the Hower.beds
near the Central Park music stand 1t is
said he desires to thus dispose Of himself,
for the sake Of economy.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

The House Military Committee have
authorized Mr.. Gunkle to report the bill tC
equalize the soldiers bounties. Tho bill
has been long and carefully considered, the
committee having taken the testimony oil
the paymaster.eeneral, comptroller, second
auditor and others 1t provides for the
payment of 1888 per month for all time OF
service, dcducting bounties already paid
In case the bounty amounts to 800 OF
over, the soldier may at his option take o
warrant for one hundred and sixty acres Of
land, for which he may, without residence
or settlement, obtain patent. 1t also pro.
vides that the widow or minor children Of
those who enlisted for period of less than
one year, aud were killed or died 10 the ser.
vice, shall receive 500 bounty. This class
has never been provided for before. The
bill, it is believed. is SO framed as to cover
all deserving cases, and yet so well guarded
as to make the total sum much less than any
previous bill,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

We publish elsewhere the particulars o
an appalling calamity which has faller
upon a beautiful and prosperous manuiac
turing valley of neghboring State. The
loss Of life is almost unparalleled 10 any
similar catastrophe, and the loss OF prop
erty is simply immense.
There will naturally be many theories as
to the cause Of this terrible affair, but from
present appearances We should judge it tc
be the result Of gross and culpable ncgli-
gencc, little removed from wholesale muir
der. The villages Of Leeds, Haydenvillc,
WILLIAMSBURG and Florence, had erected
an artificial lake Of one hundred and fifty
acres in area, and thirty feet in depth, lit
orally above their very heads. These vii.
lagos were strung along the natural bed Of
the stream that had been damned up in
the hills to produce this lake aud furnish
water during the dry season. The rcser.
voir was the joint property Of the mill
owners-there being no less than twenty.
FIVE large manufacturing establishments up
aud down the creek.
There was no sudden nor unusual rise in
the streams feeding this lake Of death
The reservoir contained only the customary
amount Of water at this season of the year
But it appears the dam was never sufii.
ciently strong for its purpose. The gradual
attrition Of the water and the action Of
the frost had opened up several assures
through the lower portion Of it, which had
excited alarm in the mind of the gate
keeper. He seems, however, to have been
powerless to secure hearing from the
companies, and the triaing with life went on
and the awful calamity came and nearly
two hundred persons lost their lives, aud
three million dollars worth Of property was
destroyed.
An examination shows that the wall OIL
the dam was only six feet thick, where il Ii
evident it should have been twenty, or even
more. When the break occurred, and the
boiling torrents of death went rushing on
their course towards the doomed villages
there was no telegraph nor other signal t.
send the alarm, but man on horseback
and another with a team, were the opy
messengers to warn the inhabitants below
of coming ruin. This race with death, BY
such means, and such means only, is sal
commentary upon the thoughtfulness of thos
nill-owners, who were well aware or ough
to have been, that break in the reservoi
meant death by wholesale, unless timel
warning was given. 1t is true, that 10 s.
terrible calamities as this, there is a cal
upon the whole country for the tenderes
sympathy and the fullest charity, but tn
gross carelessness everywhere manifested i
this case, should not pass without notice.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

The amendment to the Geneva award
bill, striking out the clause excluding the
insurance companies, was defeated The bin
as passed by the Senate differs from the
House bill in that it provides for the set
Element Of claims by commission instead
Of court, aud that the claims Of insurance
companies Of all classes arc excluded. An
amendment Of Senator Sherman also pro
vides for the settlement aud payment o.
claims upon a gold basis. The House prop
osition for settlement through the courts
was only defeated by six votes, and the in
surance companies were only excluded by
four votes. The friends of the House mea.
sure seem confident that it can be passed
provided the bill progresses so far as to b.
considered in a conference committee.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

Oysters are rapidly becoming accli
matted in the bays and inlets of the Pacific
coast, through the enterprise of the " Pacid,
Oyster Company" which ten years ago i'm
ported oysters from Newark Bay, New
Jersey, and planted large beds at Oakland
and other localities favorable to their pro.
duction. They we're only an inch in length
when planted, requiring two thousand Eve
hundred to fill barrel. Recently as large
and fine oysters as the East produces have
been raked up, the result of the enterprise
being SO encouraging as to warratt the
prospect Of great abundance of these de.
licious bivalvcs, through their perfect ac-
climatization in regions where they arc not
Indigenous.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

The Washington correspondent of the
Boston Herald asserts that our government
has negotiated reciprocity treaty with the
Dominion Of Canada which will be sent, in
a few days, to the Senate for ratification.
He says its provisions are not, as yet, pub
lioly known beyond the general fact that
1t Is an elaboration Of the privileges of the
reciprocity treaty abrogated by this gov
ernment several years ago. This is mat.
ter which directly involves the interests Of
the farmers Of Vermont Suppose the
Changers take hand in this game.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20
Forty'Third Congress.

TUESDAY, May IL.
In the Senate, Mr. Scott reported an amend.
ment to the new finance bill The considern.
ton of the Geneva award bill was resumed. and
several important amendments we're offered and
voted upon. Finally the bill was passcd-twen-
ty-six to soy enteen and the Senate adjourned.
In the House, debate took place on the re-
port in the Utah contested election case the
resolutions declaring Mr.. Cannon duly elected
were adopted also, resolution instruoting
the Committee on Elections to inquire into the
alleged polygamic practices Of Mr.. Cannon.
The passenger steamboat bill was then taken
up in Committee Of the Whole. Resolutions
regarding the Arkansas troubles were offered ia
both Houses
WEDNESDAY, May 10.
In the Senate, Mr. Window presented pre-
amble and resolution relating to the various
cheap transportation schemes. Mr.. Davis adj
dressed the Senate on the bill to reimburse cit
liens of West Virginia for losses incurred bv
reason Of the war. The new finance bill was
then taken up; the amendment of the Finance
Committee reported on Tuesday was rejected
sixteen to 81. Mr.. Sherman gave notice that
he would ask the Senate to remain in session
to-day until the bill was disposed Of.
In the House, the passenger steamboat bill
was passed the consideration Of the deficiency
bill was then resumed
THURSDAY, May H.
In the Senate, the consideration Of the finance
bill was resumed The first vote was taken on
Mr. Wright's amendment offered Yesterday,
and it was agreed to. A motion to Law the
bill on the table was reelected. Various other
amendments were offered and voted upon. md
finally the bill was passed-twenty-f five to nine.
teen
In the House, bill was passed to amend the
charter of the Freedmen's Savings and Trust
Company, The consideration of the deficiency
bill was completed, and it was passed. The
consular and Diplomaticbill was then taken up.
FRIDAY, May IS.
In the Senate, resolution was adopted call.
ing on the President for the corrcspondence
relative to the Arkansas troubles. After the
transaction Of some other business. the Senate
proceeded to the consideration Of reports from
the Claims Committee.
In the House, a joint resolution was reported
limiting speeches, in all cases, to one hour
alter considerable discussion, the resolution was
laid on the table. The House then proceeded
to the consideration Of private bills.
SATURDAY, May 10,
The Senate was not in session.
The session of the House was mostly de.
voted to discussion of the diplomatic appro-
priation bill.
MONDAY, May Is.
In the Senate, the legislative appropriation
Dill was considered but no progress was made
In the House, under suspension of the
rules, the bill authorizing the President to fur.
nlsh aid to the sufferers by the inundation in
Mississippi and Alabama was passed. Mr.. 4.
H. hoar moved to suspend the rules so as to
make in order the amendment to the post Office
appropriation bill, under which the postage ON
agricultural reports shall not exceed ten cents
Carried, yeas one hundred and fihy-four, nays
forty-six.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20


The Chicago Tribune is not only hope.
ful for the future of business, but gives 6g-
ures to show that it has been a good bust.
ness season in the Northwest, notwitbstand.
ing the panic and hard times, II says there
has been a, continuous trade going on during
the entire winter that the crops have been
kept moving, and that more money has
passed into the hands Of the country pro.
ducers than ever did before 10 the same
months. The farmers bave not only ship.
ped more grain and stock, but have re-
ceiyed much larger prices than the average
of several preceding years. The result is
that there is more money in the interior at
this time for crops sold during the winter
than was ever before known ia the history
Of the grain trade.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

just as we expected Now that the
Carlists show signs Of being pretty well
whipped out, and are reduced by Serrano',
proves to mere marauders and guerrilla,
in the mountain passes, those lnteruatiouaii
at Alcoy are becoming troublesome. Can
not they allow the Spanish Republic tn,
enjoyment Of moment Of peaceful exist
ence ? These Internationals succeed ad
mirably 10 proving themselves arrant hum
bugs. While pretending great concern 70
universal liberty and popular government
all their efforts seem really in the interes
of a restoration of royalty in Spain. Thu
only result of their outbreak last year wa
90 place Don Carlos upon his feet as half
way respectable belligerent; and shoul,
they kick up another row now, as seem
likely, it can only embarrass the efforts O
the Republican government to finally crush
the Carlists in the provinces.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

Mr.. Ward Hunt, the new First Lord
of the Admiralty, has given the British
public a great shock lie has given notice
to the House of Commons that England's
6hy.6ve great iron-clad ships. her vast feet
Of gunboats, her sixty thousand trained sea.
men, constitute after all but "phantom
navy" and that he will want liberal vote
of money if Britannia is to rule the seas as
heretofore. Out of the 6fty.fye iron.clads
there are only fourteen now fit to venture
upon the ocean, and there are fourteen that
are not worth repairing.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20
The Connecticut senator.

The Democratic majority in the Connect.
cut legislature have unanimously nomi.
mated, aud virtually elected, the Hon. VIM.
W. Eaton, Of Hartford to succeed Gov.
Buckingham in the United States Senate.
Though born 10 Connecticut, Mr. Eaton re-
ceiycd his early political training 10 South
Carolina. While residing there he was 10.
doctrinated in the creed Of John 9. Cal.
houn. Returning to bis native State, he
became an enthusiastic aud vociferous adj.
vocate Of those political principles which
finally led to secession and rebellion His
temper was well illustrated in his declara.
ration at the beginning Of the war that no
soldier from Massachusetts, should attempt to
cross Connecticut in his march agninst the
South without having his blood spilled
upon her soil. All through the war he dis.
played this vehement hostility to the gov.
eminent and this undisguised sympathy with
the rebellion Even when the conflict was
over he was still implacable. Hecoutinuei to
deuounce the reconstruction acts aud all the
amendments to the Constitution, aud when
others relinquished something Of their OPP
position, he remained unyiclding In 1872
the Democratic party protested TO accept
and acquiesce in the settlements Of the war
as existing facts. There was to be a new
departure Tenacious and extreme as they
are, even the Connecticut Democracy en-.
bodied this new idea in their platform. But
whoever else yielded, Mr. Eaton refused to
give an inch. During most of the campaign
be remained silent and sulen. At length,
just on the eve of election, he was induced
to make a single speech, aud seized the OPP
portunity to spit upon the platform, to pro-
nounce against any "new departure at all,
and to declare in favor Of an uncompromising
adherence to the old creed of the Democracy,
Such is the mantle representative Of all
that has been most obnoxious in the history
of the Democratic party aud it is as a re-
ward for this that he has been honored.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

The war on railroad monopoly in Wis
consin proceeds. The Milwaukee K St.
Paul and the Chicago 4 Northwestern
Railroad Companies not having complied
with the law limiting charges, the Attor.
ney General Of the State has applied to
the Supreme Court for leave to bring an
action to yacate the charters Of these com.
panies, and leave was granted It remains
TO be seen whether these wealthy corpora.
tions are more powerful than the laws.
Senator Carpenter has expressed an opinion
that the law is entirely constitutional,
Messrs, Eyarts aud O'Connor 10 the con.
trary Notwithstanding
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

CONGRESSIONAL ADJOURNMENT. is under
stood that the Special Committee of the Senate
on the Order Of Business has determined to en-
deayor to carry an adjournment on the Goth of
June This can be done more easily in the Sem
ate than in the House, although it is more than
probable that an attempt will be made to com
nit the House to an adjournment at that date.
It is believed that should the two Houses agree
to adjourn on the a5th ofJune, Congress would
end the session about the first of July, taking
recess from day to day until that time.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

According to the New York CONNER
cial, the Fourierte Socialist Society, termed
the Internationalists, have failed to es-
tablish themselves in the United States, and
have abandoned the effort. 1.-The Federal
Council of their society" it says, has
disbanded, and the practicability of per-
manent introduction of communistic ideas
in this country has been proven futile. "
The vigorous action of the New York po-
lice in dealing with the Tompkins Square
rioters took the nonsense out Of these fell.
lows, who at last learned the very valuable
lesson that liberty does not mean license.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

The steam canal boat City of New
York, has made the trip between New York
city and Buffalo in six and half days, in
Guiding stoppages at Utica aud Syracuse to
discharge and receive freight. This marks
an important era in canal navigation be-
tween the Western lakes and tide.water.
There is no reason why the through trip
from Buffalo should not be made in five
days, and then the old canal boat drawn by
horses will speedily disappear. 1t will be
interesting to learn from the canal author.
tiles whether the new steamers threaten any
danger to the banks.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

Few Of our readers know, perhaps, the
great value Of the cheese sent to Eugan
by the United States. During three months
ending March 81, the value of the cheeses
received from America was s26lO,28O-
gain over the corresponding quarter of
last year Of more than four hundred thous.
and dollars.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

The Ohio State Journal comments on
the Democratic legislature of the State
" 1t came into power by what billiard play.
ers call ga scratch;' it made grab for all
the offices within its reach added salaries
to as many of them as it dared sat as long
as it could, and then adjourned, to the re.
lief Of everybody" New Hampshire dem
ocrats take notice.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

-Attorney-G General Williams already
historical andaulet is apparently destined
for still further notorety. 1t is asserted
in Washington that when it was sold, a
short time ago, it was bought to be used
for campaign purposes at the next election
in Indiana, and that, drawn by four horses,
with driver and fOotman in gorgeous
livery, it is to be exhibited throughout the
State as an evidence Of the degenerate
times at Washington. The effect would
be greatly enhanced, the New York Tri.
bune thinks, if " Moiety" Jayne could be
secured for driver, and Sanborn for footman.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20
The "Christlan soldier" indicated.

We last week announced the Welcome fact
that the court.martial had resuled in full
acquittal Of Gen Howard Of all bo charges
against him. But the weight oflthat YER.
dict was somewhat lcssened by DC rumor
that there was but one majority Of thc court
in favor Of such acquittal. 1t Tow turns
out that the court was entirely unanimous
upon the statement Of facts proved, and also
upon all matters affecting Gen, Upwards
character as an officer and man and also
in commencing his conduct as Commissioner
Of the Freodmens Bureau They ind that
he has conducted the affairs Of thcFreed.
mems Bureau with ability and fidelity; that
he is not properly charged with any Of the
offences imputed to him, not having offnded
legally, morally, or technically against the
positive law or army regulation aud that
be is worthy of the confidence and Sympathy
Of all his associates 10 the army"
All right.minded men will rejoice most
heartily at this conclusion. They bad con-
ddencc in his character aud integrity; they
believed in the purity Of bis life aud the
sincerity Of his Christian professions and
It would have been a painful shock to their
faith in humanity had the imputaiicus been
sustained. But the gallant SOLDIER and he
devoted Christian comes out Of ho ordeal
with untarnished--even brightenca-nme,
and the confidence Of those who implicitly
believed in him is more than justified And
now that he has become so houoraby &C.
quilted by court composed Of the ablest
and best generals in the land, with Sherman
and Mcdowell at its head, those people rho
have been sneering at him for many moths
as the christian soldier aud have rolled
the calumnious charges against him as sWce'
morsels under their tongues, should lose no
time in endeayorng to repair the injustice
they have done
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-20

We have hopes for the West when the
pioneer carries his axe in one hand and a
spelling book in the other Not many
months since and Colorado was an unknown
land in many parts now occupied by thriv-
ing settlements Here comes the story of
a college in place called Colorado Springs.
This town is described in the Chicago Tri-
lame as charmingly located among the
grandest laboratories Of nature" The COL
lege is under the charge of Prof Haskell
and it will begin operations in June. An
actual college arising in Colorado is one Of
the most gratifying evidences Of the march
Of our civilization.