davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

Judge jameson, of Chicago, whose work
ON - The Constitutional Convention = is the
standard authority on the subject of which
it treats, has recently published in the IriJ-
l1e Of that city, an able article on the re-
ported opinion of Judge Poland on the Ar
kansas controversy. Judge Poland was re-
ported as having pronounced the action of
the Arkansas Legislature in calling Con-
yention to revise the Constitution of that
State, 50 wholly irregular" We believe he
has denied the correctness Of the report of
the interview, in which this opinion was
attributed to him; but Judge Jameson's ar
ticle is none the less interesting. He shows
both upon principles Of law and by numerous
precedents, that the specification in the or
ganic law Of one mode Of revision does not
imply the prohibition of any other mode. He
further maintains that the power Of making
constitutional changes through the agency of
the Legislature " was intended to be exer-
cised only when few and slight amendments
were desired, and never where a general re
vision of constitutions was intented"
Judge Jameson cites no less than twenty
six instances Of constitutions adopted in this
country by Conventions, called by Legisla-
lures, where the Constitutions then in force
contained no provision authorizing such &C
ton. lie adds:
Ii may he stated further. that in nearly
all of the twenty-six cases above mentioned,
including that Of Arkansas. the Constitu
tons framed By she Conventions thus called
were either adopted by vote of the people,
or when not submitted to the people, were
ratified by their acquiescencc in them. not
outstanding the mode IN which the Con
yentiuus were called.
Another point upon which | wish to
touch j.. that Judge Poland finds in the
celebrated Durr rebellion. quarter of
century ago. a parallel case 10 this in Ar
kansas IL Is difficult to conceive that 50
eminent Judge should have - tar forgot
ten the facts IN the Rhode Island case,
which are fully and Clearly set forth in the
case ol is;her rs. Martin. reported in :
Howard [. ;. R., page l, as to make
such an assertion. That case, in short, was
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Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

In another column may be seen the pros
pectus of the VGtctmaA and Refcctcr. for
1875. With the new year it enters upon its
SCH volume, with even more promise than
ever Of exeellancie> a, q frst-class family
and religious newspaper. 1t has for years
ranked among the first UNCONVENTIONAL
newspapers u, thc country. and while
consistent ani able advocate Of thedocsrinc,
OF the Eaptists. IL makes no hobby o. de-
nomiuational differences, discussing such
matters, when deemed advisable, in lib
eral and Christian spirit, For able and
candid discussions ofall the important issues
Of the dav and for general religions and
secular information. the Umcaman and
REFLECTOR Is especIaily noted. In the family
circle it is preeminenJlY useful educator.
Attention j. eai.el 10 IT. prospectus. Now
Is the time e. -..S-c.aa and secure some of
its really valuable ,'rs,.iams offered. The
Waterman aad X .Gecfor is Published by
John w Olm-tead Il Co. No. Is State
street, Boston, Mass, who will send
Specimen copies free.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

\ Traiu'ls correspondent says that Mr.
Henry Elliott, who went to Alaska last sum
mer, as Special Agent Of the Treasury, to
look after the interests Of the Government Is
preparing a report on the value of the entire
Territory to the United statcs, based upon
the extended personal observations of the
writer. All the stories Of its mineral wealth,
and Of the value Of its fisheries, he says. are
pure fctions. It's surface Is a mass Of basal
tie rock. which contains no mineral deposits
What little soil there i produces little that
is useful to man, and the fisheries, which
were described as of immense value when
the treaty for buying the region was pend
ing, do not yield food enough to supply the
natives The only portion Of the whole vast
domain which yields any revenue to the
Government is the fur seal Islands. From
the tax on the skins Of the animals taken on
these Islands the Treasury gets about $500,
GOO annually. Against this single item Of
revenue Mr.. Elliott offsets the cost Of main
tanning troops in the Territory, which
amounts to about $3.50, 900 year, and the
expense Of the civil establishment at Sitka
and in the seal Islands. Without counting
interest on the purchase money paid Russia,
which at six per cent would amount to
$40 900 year, the balance sheet shows a
heavy deficit. The United States is therefore
paying a large sum for the empty honor of
possessing vast, desolate region, which is
totally unfit for the home of civilized beings,
and can never. by any possibility, be any
thing but burden for the country to carry.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

Another MARINE DIsAsrEK.-The B-.:s.
steamer La Plata left Graveseni On Thus
day, having on board Isl miles Of cal Dos
South America. Friday night she eae,lH-
tered fierce storm in the bay Of Bsely. q
Ushant. On Sunday, two heavy seas s'sn
OF two boats and man, and water began
to encroach upon her engines. Fife i.,--s
oil the cable was rli., c.. aal Ca; &c g.
iightea tho ship. but without easing i-r.
and the crew prepared to take 10 the tlr-,
remaining boats aad two life-raf.s. S'-
afternoon, while the co souls on bJard wee
getting ready to leave her, she went d.
stern foremost. with a sr6,.,o. plunge AID
a great rOsr'r.. .I.ss-ra Of the decks. Oe'f
aas poas-lda1 seF0 abs - save taemss.1s
out Of tbs cresh. Capt. Dudien never s.
the deck from the moment Of s-.i;,.;;7s !. e.
laundering, when kc -sa, DOWN 1t bis s..
and tIc.pI.ne was perfectly maintLi--.
,Arough the whole trying tine,
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25
TERRIBLE OCEAN DIs.srrr,
STEAMSHIP BURNED

New YORK, Dec. I9.-Rufus Hatch +.
received the following from Vice Presid,,
Scott of the Pacific Mail Steamship g.,
pany, at Washington
The State Department have n dispat,s
stating that the steamship Japan, Cip., =
Warsaw, which sailed from San France
Nov. Il for Hong Kong and Yckolsr,
has been burned at sea near Hong K.,-
with a fearful loss of life. The steam,-
insured for a little over $4,000. r.
mails were lost. The Japan rs, 10,
tons register, built at New Yors n H..
aud was owned by the Pacific Nal So
ship Company. She had on boa7i sll
739 in treasure, and merchandi,e =,
value Of Sis, 339. The Japan W.T..
miles below Swallow, and twelve III
from the shore, when burned.
A later dispatch says the Janl-
burned Dec. II, and as she is repor-.l 4.
troYed near Swatow, she m-st hav,,-.
ously landed at Yokohama her ps..e.
and freigh. destined for japan
LATER.
The steamship Japan va. L.--.
Thursday last. sixty miles out f..
hama, and few Of the crew a.I
gers have arrived at hong r.
feared that many lives We're list.
STILL LATER.
NV YoRK, Dee. 2O.-The ioll.w;-.
despatch has been received lv tr.b
Mail officials, in relation to the hue.
the steamship Japan, from the 60
agent at Hong Kong: "Tae chs s.'..-
seven of the Chinese crew en-
passenger. arrived il the ship BIZ. -
that the Japan was burnt at Ia .r,...
the I'th, forty miies this sil,o. sT..,-
twelve miles off land Ochs-h,.--.--,
for land and further partiel..-- --.-- .'-.'
Cd shortly.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

rA-Etbeis In congress.
y Washington correspondent Of the Albany
Journal las been cataloguing tie members
of the present Congress, who saw service
in the rebel army, or held important posi-
tons under the rebel government. He
finds in the Senate George Goldthwaite, 4
native of Boston, but the Confederate Adiu-
tant-Geueral Of Alabama Thos NJ. Nor
wood, member Of the Georgia Confederate
Legislature John B. Gordon, rebel MAJOR
General, James L. Alcorn, Confederate
Brigadier-General Matt. " Ransom, Con-
federate Alajor-General from North Caro-
lima, and his colleague, Augustus 5. Merri-
man, Confederate District Solicitor Henry
Cooper, Confederate Circuit Judge in Ten
nessee John ". Johnston, an old lawyer
from Nirginia, and Henry g. Davis, n rebel
sympathizer from West Virginia. On the
floor of the House in favored seat, granted
him by the personal courtesy Of the mem
bers, sits the second highest civil officer of
the ex-Coniederacy, Alexander II. Stephens
and around him, in that body, are tirenfy-
NT ex-rehe.s. Virginia Is represented by five
ex-Contederate-, as follows: James Il.
Senor, newspaper correspondent with Lees
army; Thos. Whitehead, a cavalry officer;
John I. Harris. member of the Confederate
Legislature: Eppa Hunton, a Brigadier-
General and prisoner in Fort Warren
Rees 1. Bowen, one Of the Oldest men in
the House and an ex-member of the rebel
State Legislature; from Texas there are
four ex-contederates VIM. 5. Herndon.
VIM. p. Mclean, Dewitt c. Giddings and
A. II. Willie, all of the army. Tennessee
is represented by Washington c. Whithorn, !
Gov. Harris Adjutant- General, and J. 5. c. |
Atkins, member Of the rebel Provisional |
Congress. From North Carolina there are
\. NJ. Waddell, Leutenant-C olonel Of the .
rebel cavalry; ". \. Smith, a member of I
the Confederate State Legislature J. NJ.
Leach, a member of the last rebel Congress:
Thomas ). Ashe, Confederate Senator W.
). Robins, rebel army officer. and the re-
lentless General Robert Vance. L. Q. c.
Lamar, the only ex-Confcderate representa-
tive from Mississippi, was prominent dip
lOmatic officer. Every representative from
Georgia but one was in the Confederate SER
vice: II. P. Bell, Confederate Congress
man p. NJ. b. Young, Major General II.
r. Harris, member of the State Convention
Philip Cook, Brigadier-General: +. II.
Whitley, army officer: Morgan Rawls.
rebel Colonel, and the distinguished Confed-
crate Nice-President Stephens. From Ala
bama there are J. II. Soss, the ousted Con-
ferate Mayor of Tuscumbia: j. II. Cald-
well, SOlicitor-General of tine State. and
Charles Pelham. of the Confederate army.
The correspondent, who notes these facts.
adds: - These personal facts | have
CLEANED from the official records at the
Capitol, and were | to search through the
earlier records, beginning with reconstrue-
ton, the list Of ex-Confederates who have
been restored to power would be surprising
ly large"
Who can gainsay that the North has been
mercifnl and forgiving?
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

The subject of Reform School for girls
will undoubtedly come up for discussion, at
the extra session. We trust the time is not
distant when we can have such school in
our State. Yet the subjec: is not necessarily
connected with the rebuilding of the boys
school. In fact, there are strong reasons
why school for lawless girls should not be
connected with the Reform School for boys,
or be located anywhere near it.
The session commences on Wednesday, and
will spoil week, we suppose; though its
business might be done, if the members
were so minded, in single day.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

There was strange commotion in the
National House Of Representatives, on Fri
day last, with signs of distress among the
Democrats ana Of surprise among the Re
pgblicans. Members whispered together,
with anxious faces, and a few of the more
excitable rushed over to Mr. Ransicr, the
eolorei member from South Carolina, and
were presently seen retreating, with indig-
nation or fright On their faces, according as
they were Democrats or Republicans The
/ PAPER in Mr.. Ransier'> hands, which pro-
duced these effects, was an invitation from
Mr.. Fernando Wood to dine with him. to
meet few choice Democratic spirits, which
Mr.. RanSier had received that morning.
There las been rumor for some DAYS that
the Democrats meant in Due time TO capture
the colorei vote, and the Republicans, see
ins this invitation, naturally concluded that
tie perhdious work had begun, till they were
treasured 10y Mr.. Ransier's earnest protesta-
ton that nothing should swerye him from
the path Of duty and Republicanism and
that he was just then engaged on letter po
litely declining Mr.. Woods invitation.
On the other hand, the Democrats, good
many Of whom look forward to the Speaker
ship, and some Of whom have great opinion
Of Mr.. Woods fertility of resources were
also demoralize1. They thought it rather
sharp practice and some of the profane began
to use strong language; several of them
went over to Mr.. Ransier's seat and satisfied
themselves that the invitation was really
from Mr. Wood, and they returned to their
own side Of the House more astonished than
pleased. At last, the excitement grew too
oyerT owering, and a member. holder than
the rest, was despatched to hunt up Wood
and ask him "what in thunder he meant"
In five minutes both sides Of the House
looked happier, for Wood after moment of
puzzle, exclaimed, "Confound it, that's
where Ransom invitation went, of coursei'
1t turned out that it was General Ransom,
of Gergia, and not Mr. Ransier, of South
Carolina, who had been asked to dine, and
that the invitation had been obscurely d.
rected and had gone astray. There was a
general rustic of relief on both sides of the
House when this mistake was discovered.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

An important decision has been given by
the Supreme Court Of tie United States, to
the effect that the Indians, in their tribal
relations, have no property rights in fee {;
and that the timbers and minerals on their
reservations are a part Of the realty,
and cannot be sold or leased The Chicago
Tribune, in referring to this subject, says /;
" Undoubtedly this Is the most important
decision that has come from the Supreme
Court il many years. 1t impoyerishes some
tribes, and seriously affects all. 1t destroys
tbs value Of the reservations, except Tor
hunting and grazing grounds. 1t annuls
the contracts which have been made with the
savases by speculative and not zoo scrupulous
whites" 1t may be added that II would
knoci; tie bottom cut Of the claim Of the
Caughnnvaga Indians, to the west half Of
Vermont, ifthere had been anything in tie
claim. before.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25
1911 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,
December II 1874

The following correspondence between
Mr.. Beecher and Miss Proctor is Of general
interest
l2i COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,
BROOKLYN, December II ,loH->
NV Dear Miss Proctor-Of all men surely
have right to congratulate you on the
efectual disposition made by the referee
report of the miserable and shameie $ sand
ers cast upon you. | have been the innocent
cause of great sorrow to you. Such wan
ton aspersion would be intolerable upon a
man, but upon a woman, with so Illtle to
defend herself. so sensitive even TO the very
shadow of dishonor, such ISLANDERS ar 9 afro
ciOus crimes. But now that you have been
INDICATED, am content not to have quite
had my own way, for | was at first hu ri not
little that the case was adjusted WI ehout
giving me an opportunity, publicly ana
under oath, to deny the shameful ailega-
tions made, and to brand the stores as
malignant falsehOOds in their relation TO
you and in their relation to ne. You know,
assuredly, that | never uttered any alleged
injurious statements concerning you, as L
know there were never any grounds on your
part for such wicked stories. | hope that
your health will not suffer permanently l
marvel that YOU have borne up as bravely
as YOU have. May you speedily recover
your accustomed viyacity, and 1--we TO see
all YOUR former friends made dOubly friendly
b. your trials and hundreds OF sympathizing
strangers made warm friends By your IN
merited sufferings.
| am, as ever, very truly yours,
Ii. ". BEECHER.
p. S.-Don't you know that We have
come to the shortest days? After two or
three more. every day Will have more sun
light IN it than its predecessor May the
omen be blessed.
In reply 10 this communication. Miss
Proctor wrote as follows:
BROOKLYN. December Is. l5!4
Dear Mr.. Beecher-Thank you for your
letter Of yesterday with its expressions OF
sympathy at the terrible injustice and
cruelty have had to endure, and with its
congratulations upon the end attained.
should have been glad if you could have
had an opportunity to deny publicly, under
oath, this atrociOus story; at the same
time, attached little importance to such
denial. for II has always seemed TO me that
the ab-urdiiy and impossibiilty OF yOar ever
having uttered syllable Of this SANDER
must be apparent to all the world, as 1t l.
u myself And now that the lie has been
rejraeted in open Court By those who pro-
claimed it, with the adherence it merits, |
dismiss It forever. 81 my heart uplifts /
itself. AMI though these are the dark /
December days. | feel that am rot enter {
ing Winter, but Spring Trusting that the |
future Will indeed bring You sunlight with /
out clouds. and that your remaining years /
viii be the happiest and most useful Of your /
life.
am, yours cordially,
EDNA DEAN PE1Cr0R. 4
Rev Henry Ward Beecher
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company is
certainly very unlucky company, aside
from Congressional investigations and expen-
sive agents. The Japan, the steamer it has
Just lost, by fire, is the eighth vessel which
the company has lost in the last five years,
including the Bienville, which was only
chartered by the company, and the Alaska,
which went ashore at Hong-Kong, but will,
it is hoped, be got aaoat again. The Others
were the Relief, the Ariel, the Golden City,
the America and the City Of Guatemala.
The Bienville and the America were burned,
and the ofhers wrecked
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

1t is well worth noting, that the Republi-
cans of the United States Senate have united
upon financial measure, and that this
measure has for its purpose the resumption
of specie payments. The bill declares,
that on specified day the govern
ment shall redeem its promises to pay and
shall establish specie payments. Its object
is all right whether its methods OF attain
ing it are 50, is an open question
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

The resolution which declared that Con-
gross should grant no further subsidies
lacked one vote of the necessary two-thirds
The Democrats must bear the responsibility
of defeating this resolution, for it had fully
passed when a Dem oerat, Crittenden, Of
Missouri, changed his vote to the negative,
thus losing the necessary two-thirds yeas
al. nays -.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

The investigation into the Pacific Mail
matters still engrosses large share Of at
tention The witness Irwin admits re-
ceiying $4,000 to be used. and which he
declares he did use, in securing the subsidy,
but will not disclose to whom he paid it, or
any of it. Twins friends and counsel say
he will suffer punishment rather than an
swer. \ Washington special says that
many people have refused to believe his fr~t
statement. \ fayorite theory il that Irwin
took a large slice Of the money and divided
it among his friends. The House will try to
break Irwin down by imprisonment, but
even if he shall swear that he paid over
large checks to important persons, it is
believed that they will deny his statements
under cath.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

i CHATTER OF MIsulrs.-Nr. Sia
Kellogg was drawing logs on his NIL q 90
at t4st Concord, on tho l2th. With iF
yckes OF oxen, when .hcy trok, rri
the ice. Mr.. Kellogg beiu. alone U.s.
able to get them out, and LET, them a-
went for help Mr 4. D. Parker ST.
hrs, help Mr.. X. found. AMI Parke. ii..a.-
on his horse and went for more help.
ne found in the person Of Franz " %.
rem, who harne>s3d 10 his team -f
run 1t mile to the pond ON ar-s.--
there he jumped out OF his sleigh {, l,n
bat his horse had got on bis ''rIl --
kept running, 50 1t was Of 10 serv.cetI bel
pull the cattle cut. At this stage a. O..
game the Misses Russell came along
word was sent by them for more hela. tla-
got little excited and got up a great -l,-
with their horse. and running lgl.--- -
stone beside Ihe -0Gd they were tippei org
anu their horse ran three miles The cl--t
remained IN the pond about three quarters
an hour when they we're got out ard lr-esr'-
stored. The loss footed up one OK YOKE a--
an axe and all this time kellogg ssr-
his good temper
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

The New York Tribune informs friend
of Theodore Tilton, who had something to
say about Theodore's political friendship for
Horace Greeley, that "the less Mr.. Tilton's
partisans say about his being Mr.. Greeley 5
friend the better" Has the Tribune at
last discovered that Tilton and Fenton killed
Mr.. Greeley, by securing his nomination at
Cincinnati?
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

the presents she received to those who gave
them to her. She deeply regrets her part
of the swindle, and if all the facts IN the
case could be made public she would be
freely forgiven by those who were duped by
her aid
THE END.
50 ends one of the mos. successfully con-
Quoted swindles that has ever been imposed
upon the American public. From every
part of the country and the Canadas per,
sons came to this city to see katie King. y
Glowing accounts of what they saw and
heard were sent to their local papers, and
the - phenomenon" was publicly discussed
and talked of until it forraed one OF the
leading topics of the day among persons oil
all classes. The harm that has been done
by this wicked humbug is in caleulable, the
happiness Of whole families having been,i
some instances, destroyed. For causing
termination of these disastrous Influences,
the gentleman to whose keen intelligence,
GOODNESS and perseyering effort the expo
sure is due, has placed not only this COM
munity but those of other cities under last
ing obligations.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

\ NEW ELDoRApo.-Hon. frenor ".
Park, OF North Bennington. las recently
been prospecting in California for silver
mines, accompanied by Senator Stewart, of
Nevada and some others. Inc resalt was
the finding and purchase by Mr. Park, Sen
ator Stewart. aul TWO California men, Of
seven large silver mines about * hundred
miles south Of Siu Frauei~co in Los Ange-
les and Sla;a Barbara counties. California.
The principal mine lies about sixty miles
inland hy "a stage route from the port OF
Los Angeles One million ieet Of lumber
has been shipped thence to build houses.
and four hundred men are now engaged at
the mines. \ force of 1ne thousand men
vii. DC put On in few weeks Mr. Park
will leave New York in few days for the
mines to make further arrangements for
building and increasing the force The
mines are now yielding thousand dollars
a day, and it l. expected they will yield at
least i've thousand dollars day. within a
year from date