davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-21
TONTlNE PLAN,

or upon the principle of accommodating profits for
definite periods, which was first introduced by this
Society," and has been recommended and endorsed
by eminent experts in Life Insurance, and by lead
ing business men. Forty-four per cent. has been
earned and accumulated on the premiums paid on
its Tontine Life Policies, and forty per cent. on its
Tontne Endowment Policies, issued within the last
five years.
The Directors of the Equitable Life Assurance
society represent exclusively the interests of the
Poicy-hoders, and in presenting the Society to no.
licc they feel that it has strong claims upon public
confidence, because of the strict and conservative
principles by which its various departments ar
governed. In the assets and in the administration
of the Society, perfect security is given for the fu
ture which is of great importance to those depend
ing upon their insurance policies for the ultimate
support Of their families.
No Life Insurance Company has such large an.
nual transactions as the Equitable; none is more
prompt and just in its dealings.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-21
S9,OOO,O0O.

The Lives Insured by the Society are carefully
selected in different parts of North America and
Europe, furnishing, by this broad field of opera.
lions, an additional and exceptional safety to the
Policy.holders. The assurances are made only on
the Mutual Principle. The Surplus Premiums are
returned annually to the Insured.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05

yielded 70 the Quaker policy that set them
free.
This language is plain. Il exhibits the
bluntness and honesty of the soldier.
Gen sherman might have gone further.
These criminals were in the penitentiary.
They bad been placed there for life. Cover
nor Davis vas invested with the power to
reprieye them; but what right had he to
remove them step beyond the prison walls,
much less 70 have them carried under aniili-
tary escort, 70 territory beyond the limits
of the stntei twas stretch of authority
never exercised by any executive, State or
NatiOnsl, before, and perhaps never viii be
again.
The reply Of the Ex-Governor is as puerile
as it is illogical. Gould any one who has
lived in ne older States, where men are Sc
leeted for their ability, imagine that such
man was evera Governor Of great State,
and particularly commonwealth like oursG
Davis does not offer the slightest excuse or
apology for removing these Indians. He
knew as well before as after they were sent
TO Fort Sin, the intention contemplated, and
that they would be set frce. 1t was to make
himself popular with the Washington gov
ernmesi and with the Northern people, he
pursued tins course. The siclxly scntimen-
tality Of that section which he invoked, did
him no good. Grant and Sherman are
soldiers. They understand Indian char
acter, and whatever their unjust prejudices
have been towards our people, they know
the necessities Of the frontier.
Why Ex-Governor Davis should have suf-
fcred these letters to be published, we can
not conceive. They are damaging not only
to his reputation, but his intelligence; and
his reply weak and impotent as it is, will
disgrace him in the eyes of the President,
and the intelligent Republicans in Congress.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05
PUBLIO WEIGHERs AGAIN.


The heated and rancorous manner in
which the Galveston Nesos treats the meas
ure providing 'public weighers," 4" and It's
fusiladc at Mr., Simpson, should suggest to
the minds of all thinking men, whether
there may not be very large ''bug under
the chip" which Mr. Simpson and those
advocating the measure have discovered.
It seems to US that il anything had been
wanting to insure the passage of the bin,
the manner and matter Of the Ne1cs articles
has supplied that want; for they arc made
up Of assertions that are not supported by
facts and their argument is absurd, mas
much as it has no application TO the ques-
tions involved. The Nssos is afraid the pas
sage Of this bin viii split the party; that
it is bad policy to pass il, aud that its effect
viii be very damaging. Split tho party be-
cause the planters Of the State insist upon
having tho ''pubIic weighers" of the pro
duct Of their industry appointed by the
Governor instead of by mayorsl That it is
bad policy for the duties Of these important
positions to be carefully guarded by law, and
very damaging for the weighen 70 receive a
fee limited in amount 10 just what they have
been paid foryearsl
We confess that We cannot see any par
ticnlar force in this style Of argument.
Again, the Nsss says that brokers' viii
not accept the weights Of weigbera, except
Of their own choosing. They viii be satis-
fed with nothing less than representing
both buyer and seller At the scales. This is
certainly very suggestive 70 the shipper,
ana win better enable him to understand
how those significant little words "short
'woights,n have come into such general
usage The aim Of Mr.. simpsons bin is
70 insure, as far as pruciiCable, Just weights
to Tie planter, without imposing one cant
q additional cost on any one. What pos
sible ohiechous can there Be 70 ill Il Is .
decided improvement On both the laws Of
is5s-oos under which aI cotton sold at
Galveston has been weighed.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05

WASHINGTON, D. G. Feb 10, 1874.
Hon. Edmund J. Davis. Austin Texas:
Sir-I have your letter Of February 2, and
accept the issue you make, and relieve you
promptly Of any impression that only
thought once before I spoke the words to
which You take exception. / thought OF
the subject hundred times and when the
Military COMMITTEES makes its report you will
lind it in print. Il was not q voluntary
statement, but was called out by questions
of the committee.
endeayored to relate why went In per
son to your frontier, 70 ascertain the facts
touching the constant incurSions into Texas
Of the Kiowas and COmanches Of the Reser-
vation at Fort Sill-of Satanta's confession
to me openly and boastingly Of having been
at the head Of the party Of Indians that
murdered the seven out Of twelve teamstsrs
on the road between Forts Richardson and
Griffin, one Of which murdered men was
found burned and lashed 70 q wagon wheel /:
of the arrest Of four Of them and Of my
sending the survivors Of them to the local
ity where they did the murder, for trial ac-
cording to law.
You are in error in supposing that had
any authority whatever 20 execute them Il
Fort Sill, or 70 order their trial by q mill
tary court OF commission. I had authority
70 do exactly what I did, with the assent
and approval Of the agent, Tatum, on the
spot--to send them 20 the Jurisdiction Of
the court having authority 70 try and pun
ish. Once there, they passed under 5 Texas
court and under your authority as the Gov
ernOr Of the State. Without the interposi-
ton Of your authority, these murderers
would have been hung, asa matter Of course,
but you remitted them 70 the penitentiary
and then Afterwards set them free.
believe in making the tour Of your from
tier with q small escort ran the risk Of
my Life. and ! said 70 the military commit
tee what now say 70 you, that / viii not
again voluntarily assume that riek ID the IN
terest Of your frontier; that ! believe that
6atanta and Big Tree viii have their re-
vengc, Il they have not already had Il. and
chat Il they are 70 have scaips, that yours
Is the first that should be taken.
can make III allowances % the kind
gentlemen Of Philadelphia, who were co.
busy il accomplishing The felcase 0f those
two murdersrs, but vas amazed that vou,
who felt the constant infections of there
Texas raids, should have yielded
As 70 the promises made you a Forf sil
at the tine u rcleasing Bstanta and BIZ
Tree. know nothing at az, and leave tie
CIVIL agents Of the government h reconcile
theiraetion with ihcif promises s. they best
can.
servant.
siwsa W.Tsusxs censs.1
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05
WHAT DO OUR PEOPLE THINK
OR ET9


We have been shown communication
from a gentleman in Indiana, in which he
states that he has just purchased material
for paper miIlvalued at $s5, 900, which he
intends to put to work either at Kan
sas City or at Austin, Texas. He prefers to
come to this place, but says that the people
of Kansas City have offered him induce
ments which cannot be disregarded, unless
he can be assured of similar encouragement
here. The party mentioned goes on to say
that if he locates here he will, as soon as he
gets everything under full headway, increase
his machinery and go into complete man
ufactory of all kinds of paper. What
do our people think of such an enter
prise2 Do they not think it would be
great source of industry and means of
profit to our people, besides getting paper
at rates much lower than they have hereto
fore gotten it. The establishment of
paper mill here would create a demand for
rags and waste paper, and large amount
of straw. 1t would settle large number
of new operatives in our midst, who would
become consumers as well as producers,
and would establish a channel through
which large amount of money would cir
culate. 1t would not only do this, but it
would keep the money here that has hereto
fore been sent abroad for papers of all sorts,
and attract other money here to remain
among us. It would also create home en-
terprise, one that would be a credit to the
place.
We believe there are locations about
Austin admirably adopted to the paper
making business. On Barton's creek all
the water power needed could be obtained,
and water gushing out of mother earth, and
clear as any in the world. This water is
impregnated to a moderate degree with
lime, which is necessary, and there can be
found any quantity Of clay in reach. Alto
gether, we think this or even some other
places around Austin are most admirably
adapted for such an enterprise. Wood is
in abundance, and we think large quantities
of cedar bark. to be found near by, would,
in time, come in as an important material
for the manufacture of paper.
We hope that some of our people win
enter into correspondence with the gentle
man, whose name we win give, and let us
see If such needed enterprise cannot at
once be secured. There is large demand
hero, and at all points along the lines Of
communication with this place, for wrap
ping paper, which is a considerable item
within itself.
From the manufacture Of common pa
per, the business would gradually grow into
that of supplying the Texas market with
almost every grade Of paper needed. The
establishment Of such an enterprise would
Immediately put in circulation, for labor and
material alone, about five thousand dollars
per month, and the outlay would soon be-
come much greater. What can we do to
have paper mill established in our midst 2
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05
THE TWIN SISTERS.

Some time since the Galveston Meas pub
lished an account of salute fired in Gal
weston in honor of the inauguration. The
guns used on this occasion were the g Twin
Sisters" and belong to Texas history. The
Nc1os stated that these celebrated pieces Of
ordnance were presented to the Republic OF
Texas by the ladies of Havana and gave
other data in regard to them which is in.
correct. A short time since we had con.
versation with Capt. Jessie Billingsly, OF
Bastrop county, one of the survivors of San
Jacinto, in which the early history of the
Twin Sisters" was fully stated. The facts
are as follows: Some patriotic ladies OF
Cincinnati, in 1888, conceived the idea OF
presenting the infants republic with a
couple of highly improved rife can
non, and towards this end they entered
with Mr.. TatuIh, superior workman and
founder, to manufacture them. They were
finished by him to the satisfaction of every
one, and in public, to prove that they could
be relied upon, he had each gun loaded with
the heaviest kind of charge, and fired
them off just over his prostrate person.
About this time Mr.. Tatum determined to
come to Texas himself, and he delivered
them at Galveston in person, just before the
battle of San Jacinto Col. Nail, com.
mander.of the artillery, was wounded on the
twentieth of ......., and in consequence
could not engage in the battle of San. ia.
cinto, where the two guns were first put to
service: Capt. Moreland, in consequence,
had anand of the artillery on this mem.
orable occasion, and be and his mon acted
most galIantly. Since then the ''Twin Sis
ters" have become sacred property of Texas.
At times they have been lost sight Of Nov
they are in the hands of the Galveston Ar.
tillery Company.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05
THE LAST AGONY.


On Thursday, the sergeant-at-arms Of the
House was ordered to summon Mr.. E. J..
Davis to appear as a witness before the
special committee sitting upon the case of
Judge Priest. He responded to the sum-
mons, and presented himself, in company
with two Of his late political friends. Be
fore the committee, he was called upon to
give in his testimony, when he notified the
chairman, Hon. G. L Goodwin, that be
would refuse to give any testimony except
under written protest, at the same time pre-
senting the following document:
To ,chom 10 may concern
The undersigned having received dOcu'
ment puTpOrting to be a summons tO attend
what is claimed to be a Legislative commit
tee now in session in the capital, hereby pro-
tests against the authority of said committee,
because the body claiming to be Legisla-
ture, which appointed said committee has
no legal existence, and because the under
signed claims under the Constitution of the
State to be the legal Governor of the same
now unlawfully debarred from the exercise
OF his functions), and that his term will
continue uu the bWenEy-elgnGn OF April
next. EDMUND j. DAVIS.
Aastia, Teras February 90, 1874.
We have never shown disposition to at
tack fallen enemy, but 1t is impossible to
pass the above without some comment. It
is, certainly, under the circumstances, a
strange document, and reminds us more of
the boy who attempted to draw the horse
than anything else. We have always looked
upon the above parsonage as an exceed
ingly strange being, a sort Of nondescript
in all mattersapproaching right, worlds
wonder in the reasonable world. Weknow
not what is his fit sphere. As a humbug,
judging from the above protest, he is sue
cess. He is now fit companion for Bar
mum, and in his hands would make first
class show. Surprising it is that the great
humbng man has not made overtures to
Davis, towards securing him as first-class
wonder Davis, Satanta and Big Tree, would
Just now make Barnum fortune.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05
CONSTITUTTONAL OONVRNTION.


This question was decided in the Senate,
on direct vote, adversely to constitu-
tional convention. Those versed in parlia-
mcntary law, say that this is final; that it
connot be considered again during the
present Legislature. On the contrary, the
House, on Wednesday,night declared for a
convention by vote of forty-one to thirty
eight. It is understood that Governor
Coke is opposed to commission, and that
he will veto bill of that character if
adopted.
We have done what we conceived to be
our duty. We opposed commission and
the policy of amendments. Neither, in our
Judgment, met the wants or expectations
of the people. They desired, as we thought
and shall still think, Convention, and
nothing else would satisfy them.
Were we wrong, or is the Legislature il
error The question has passed from our
hands, and from the press of the State.
The people must now speak for themselves.
The opponents of a convention contend:
First. That the plank in the Democratic
platform in favor of convention amounts
to nothing; that it was adopted without
due consideration, and that the enlightened
people of tho.state are opposed to convo-
cation.
Second. That it is revolutionary and
dangerous; that people flushed with VIC
tory like ours arc not to be trusted; their
action might be intemperate, and would
lead, in all probability, to Federal interfer-
ence; that it is best to let well enough
alone, and await time and more temperate
councils. In the language of the gentle
man from Harris, it is best to suffer the ills
before us than to rush upon others we
know not of.
Third. The expense of q convention is
variously estimated at from two hundred
and fifty to four hundred and eighty thou
sand dollars; that the people are indiffer-
emit and would not vote, and that they are
opposed to this outlay.
Fourth. That it would revive the Radi-
cal party, and lead.tO the destruction Of the
Democratic party.
All these points we have discussed, and
adversely to the propositions briefly stated.
We respect the opinions of those who disa-
gree with us. We know many Of the mem
bers of the Legislature, who hold these
views are honest, earnest and patriotic. 1t
is presumable all arc so.
Only one thing remains, that is for the
people themselves to speak. They know
what they desire, and we await their vcr-
diets, if they have any 70 render. If they
have none, the convention question is at
an end, and the amendments to the present
Constitution viii be Offered for adoption or
rejection, to 90 into operation two years
hence. Does that suit theml
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05

THB trial of Judge J. B. Williamson has
brOught to Austin, as witnesses, from Har-
risOn and Rusk counties, fifty or sixty citi-
Eens, in many Of whom we recognize old
timed and valaed friends, worthy of hon
Orable mention. Among them is Gen.
Walter p. Lane. lie fought through the
war for Texas Independence, and was among
the tried aud true on the famous field of San
Jacinto. In the late civil war he acted q
part not less conspicuous and honorable.
Previously he had distinguished himself in
defense of the State and its people against
the Indians At the battle of Mansfield be
was struck by seven bullets.
The General looks as stout rs he did
twenty years ago. His yigor is remarkable.
Notwithstanding the vicissitudes through
which he has passed, his elasticity remains
unimpaired, and he is as genial AID amiable
as in his more youthful days
Another not less distinguished, beloved
and honOred, is Gen. NJ D. Ector, also of
Marshall, whose military history, ability and
purity as jurist arc the pride Of the State,
There is no place in Texas whore such men
are not honOred They are eminantly
worthy Of it, and We trust the day may be
far distant when we shall fail to greet them
as Of yore in the daily walkso of life.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05
THE s11saloN oR THE PRRns.

Every day cOnvinces rs more and more,
and rivets the conclusions Of years of
thoughtful study Of the great mission of
the newspaper press Of the country. It's an
engine of good or evil. It's independence,
intelligence, and conscientiousness consti-
tute its distinguishing traits. If these are
wanting, society and government are the
sufferers.
We have sometimes thought that its man
ayers have not properly weighed their re-
sponsibihties and their accountability. The
man who addresses an audience of thou
sand persons, whether from the pulpit orthc
hustings, recognizes that much is expected
of him, and that there Is personal respon-
sibillty which not only he, but all who hear
him, appreciate.
Should it be less so with the writer for
public journal The humblest newspaper
addresses no limited audience. There are
at least ten readers to every newspaper that
is printed. With thousand subscribers
there are ten thousand readers; with five
thousand, fifty thousand readers. Think of
it, and calculate the great influence OF the
press upon society.
Is it an indiscrelon or crime to conduct
newspapers as somo of them are managed
to-day, in which all those moral standards
which men are not unmindful of in soc ial
life, are abandoned and forgotten
This is the great evil of independent and
personal journalism. Mark the character of
all such papers; their want of honesty, pu-
rity, chastity of diction, their recklessness,
and disregard of all rational interests ex-
cept those of self. There is no personal
responsibility, and they send forth their
crude and too often vulgar compositions,
seemingly as if they were designed to be
written in the sand.
We protest against this. We earnestly
invoke not only those who conduct public
journals, but to the many who write for
them, to look to their great mission. The
man who utters an idle or criminal thought
is censurable. How much more so, one who
deliberately writes and prints evil thoughts
to be sent forth broadcast upon societyl
None of US are independent of that which
is just and pure, and there can be no one
who is impersonal to praise or censure. The
country demands press in which personal
responsibility and an open accountability
are recognized. And when this is the case,
its tone will he higher or its conductors
driven from society and from the positions
which they have abused. A distinguished
writer, when dying said he had written no
line he would blot. We sincerely wish all
newspaper editors would pursue course
equally conscientious.
ImpersonAl and independent journalism,
which does not recognize these truths, may
regard such remarks as unjust, but an en-
lightened public opinion will respect and
uphold them.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-03-05

HoG. N. D. Z. TAYLOR, former Speaker
of the House, and whose knowledge Of the
public sentiment is equal to any within it,
confines, writes us that he is pleased with
the views of the STATESMAN on the consti-
tutional convention question. He says, in a
private letter, very strongly and forcibly:
It was the programme of the Thirteenth
Legislature. They looked to the win and
the voice of the people. It was for that
reason, and in spirit OF unselfsh patriot
ism, they voted themselves out of Office.
Their action was endorsed by the Demo-
cratic State Convention. Why the Four
teenth Legislature can hesitate in view OF
this unanimous expression Of opinion can
not understand.
The Democrats in this section Of the
State are unit for State convention, and
that at once. They wish no time to be lost
in removing from the present Constitution,
those features unjust and odIous.
he further remarks: Continue your ef-
forts, and surely you win be able to enforce
upon the Legislature their duty in this i'm
portant matter
In reply, we have only to say, the Legis-
lature viii never act differently, and in re-
spect TO the public viii, until the people
speak for themselves. That they win thus
speak, and unmistakably, we do not enter
tain doubt. That voice, already over
whelming, viii be potential, and cannot
pass unheeded.