davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Engineer Service.

Gen. Humphreys, Chief Engineer of the u.
s. Army, has com Dleted his annual report, de-
failing the work Of Notifications, and giving
estimates OF additional proposed imnr.ye.
ments. Experiments With torpedoes In the
many harbors along the coast have enabled the
Engineer Department to determlEe tie size
and buoyancy OF these destructive agents ap-
p.icable to the different channels, aDd so COM
plete are the details in this connection, that,
in ase OF emergency, the sLlp-channel of any
harbor threatened by foreign foe could be 80
INSTRUCTED with these explosive machines
within very few hours that a feet OF war
vessels venturing to enter would be blown to
atoms. The Importance OF torpedoes was we'll
illustrated in the Franco-Prussian war, wherein
France, with her immense navy, was rendered
entirely pOwerless as against the thorough
subaquOus system OF batteries adopted by
the German Government. Gen. Humphrey
says it is requisite that battalion of engi-
neers be increased to minimum peace or
ganization OF $40 men, that lumber being
requisite for the efficient condition of the tor
pedo nefenses of the United States, stretching
as they do along the sea- last frontier Of
900 miles. For continuing the purchase
Of such parts of the torpedo apDai tus and
materials as cannot be suddenly ottainea IN
time OF war, the amount of $l5O, 0GO IS asked.
Gen. Humphreys devotes large portion OF
his report to description of the j. tty system,
and a survey o. water-.ines to the seaboard.
He corrects an erroneous impression that
seems to prevail concerning the use OF ;etties
in this country, and shows how iuorc than
forty harbors on the great lakes have been
improved for the benefit of commerce, without
which that commerce could not exist.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Late Vice-President.

Anecdotes of the late Vice President
are multiplying on every hand. One
illustrative of his well known kindness
to soldiers comes from Michigan. A
correspondent of the Detroit News
writes that in the winter of 1923
there was great suffering in camp OF
L, 1000 convalescents near Alexandria,
Virginia. In response to q petit
ton to President Lincoln, "quiet-
faced" man visited the camp and
examined its condition, bring
ing with him two ambulanoes loaded
with blankets and provisions. The writ
er adds: ssThe quiet-faced man had
been making memorandum of some
of the worst cases, and was just depart
ing, when q weak voice INQUIRED for
postage stamps. God bless you, yes,
said our quiet gentleman, heres few
and money to buy more A thought
seemed to strike him. Producing his
wallet, he placedin the hand of the ser
geant in charge of each division q
crisp new $50 bill, for postage
stamps, remember, and turning to his
gratlfed audience, he added, in his
CHEEKY way Will be here again, boys,
Monday, and will have different state
of things Monday came, and with it
the quiet faced man and board of
surgeons with orders to discharge on
furlough every man who was not ready
for Immediate active duty. New bar
racks were built, and camp Misery
Hill ceased to exist. The quiet-faced
man was Henry Wilson," 81
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Marine Hospital Service.

DR.. J. M. Woodwork, Supervising Surgeon
OF the Marine Hospital Service. in his annual
repo t takes strong grounds In favor OF the
adoption OF more stringent methods for the
prevention ct the Introduction OF cholera into
tais country. aad makes important recon-
mendaiions. DR. Woodworth thinks cholera
can be entirely prevented by prompt
and author tatlve information to threatened
ports OF the shipment OF passengers and
goods from the choIera-infected district, and
rigid quarantine II Health Officers at the
different ports of the United States were
made aware by telegraph OF the fact
that emlgrants or goods supposed to
be infect. were en- route to this
country. measures coula be taken TO prevent
without d.fficu t., their admission. DR.. Wood
worth THINKS that ii is most needed that the
National Government, through its Consular
of6cers, should acquire the necessary informa-
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Census Bureau.

General f. a. Walker. Superintendent of the
Ninth Census, has submitted his annual report
to the Secretary of the Interior. He states
correspondence arising out of the publication
of tie United States census Of 1876, or having
reference to the projected state census in 1875,
or to tho international Statistical Congress,
has been done by himself, without expense to
regrets The paucity of results in the state CEN
sus of 1875 and says that in country as
young as the United States, statistical infor-
nation is of special Importance in guiding its
social and industrial developments, and that
tages OF such information is certainly not
proof of a wisdom superior to the need. After
naming few states in which the census has
been taken the present YEAR General Walker
closes by saying that enouGhl - already known
Of the result to- indicate quite clearly that the
progress OF our population has received a
temporary check. $3.50 af##
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
Some Queer Railroad Builders.

There were workmen on the Pacific
Railway even more curious than the
Irish or Chinese navvies. During the
summer of 1868, the Laramie river be-
came very low, much to the distress of
a contractor who had cut great many
thousands of cross ties the timbers on
which the rails are laid-and which he
expected to float down to the point
where the railroad was to cross. he
was at fret at q loss to know what to do,
but resolved, finally, to build dams
across, the river at various
points, and when the stream
was thus made high enough, set his
RATS ahoat. Large parties of men,
therefore, want to work building tho
dams. No sooner would the men leave
off work at night than thousands of
beavers would begin and work hard at
the dana during the whole night. Water
is always as necessary to the comfort of
beavers as on this occasion it was to the
welfare of the contractor; and it was
probably fer this reason, and not be-
cause they wished to see the railroad
finished that the beaver community
joined in the labor of building the dams.
st. Nicholas.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
wish to be trespassers will they be if legal ways
are provide d for them to become owners of these
actual necessities Of their position.

wish to be trespassers Or will they be If legal ways
provide for them to become owners of these
actual necessities Of their position.
Recommendation.
As this will be the last annual message which I
shall have the honor of transmitting to Congress
before my successor il chosen will repeat or re-
captulate the questions which I deem of vital inn
portance which are to be lesislated upon and set
tied at this session. .
First-Tbat the sta es shall be required to afford
opportunity of good common school education to
every child within their limits.
Second-No sectar an tenets shall ever be taught
in any school supported in whole in part by the
state, nation by the proceeds of any tax levied
upon any community. Make education compul-
sorry, SO far as to deprive all persons who cannot
read or write from becoming voters after the year
1890, DISTINGUISHING none, however, grounds of
illiteracy who may be voters at the time this
amendment takes effect. aih8s Ea
Third Declare church and state forever separate
and distinct, but each free within their proper
spheres, and that all church property shall bear its
own proportion of taxation.
Fourth. Drive out licensed immortality, such as
polygamy, and the importation of women for
Legitimate purposes. To recur again to the GEN.
tennial year, 1t would seem as though now, we
are about to begin the second century of our ma
tional existence, it would be most fitting time for
these reforms. af u%tEf
Fifth. Enact such laws as will insure speedy
return to a sound currency. such as will command
the respect of the world. Believing that these
views will commend themselves TO the great ma
jority Of the right thinking and patriotic citizens
of the United States, submit the rest to Con-
gress. (Signed) U. 8. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, December Z, 1875.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Public Lands,

The report of the Commissioner of the Gen.
eral Land Office gives some interesting data IN
regard to the business OF the Bureau during
the last fiscal year. The falling offin "dlspOs-
alss has been equal to over twenty-five per
cent, and IS chiefly due tD the ggrassbopper
plag tie, to unusual drought In certain localities
aud to the decreased volume OF Immigration.
The Commissioner gives special prominence
to the necessity of the government taking
some measures to arrest the indiscrimlnate
sacri6 { of mountain timber on its own do
NAN, whereof, the continuous feeding OF
streams from the gradual melting of the snow
Is SO disastrousjy interfered with. The Com
missioner strongly recommends that all TIM
ber lands owned by the government be ap-
praised and thrown Opea TO purchase, at DOT
less than their appraised value. He Is OF the
opinion thsS unless they are thus placed under
private guardianship the fine forests Of the
csuntry will soon be wastefnlly exhausted
by lumber companies and spectators,
who are now stripping the land OF Its timber
under cover Of dummy" pre-em 2tion, or with
ont any pretense OF the observance OF the law,
while the Governmep. derives no revenue
from it's property, and the country sustains al
most irreparable damage from the sweeping
denudiug OF large areas OF its water sheds.
He also condemns the practice OF extending
subdivision surveys over immense bottles OF
worthless land west OF the hundredth meridi-
an, and suggests that only such tracts De
mInutely surveyed as have any attractions for
settlers. He also recommends that provision
BIZ made for connecting the land Office surveys
with important pom esta b!isbed by geological
surveys OF territories, sand that monuments at
section corners. etc., be constructed in much
more lasting manner. The recommendation
of his predecessor thaq pre- emDton laws
should be abolished and the homestead system
made the only method Of acquiring title to
agricultural lands. is repeated by Commission
er Burdett, and earnestly urged ubon the at
tentoD of Congress. -
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

IDA LEWIS, the marine heroine, is
poor, and plays every Monday morning
on seven and quarter octave wash
board. With her bare elbows even with
the keyboard and red flannel Beetho-
ven before her, she renders that famous
music with delicate expression and wool
en- poetry. Yet people send her poems,
silk hosiery, three button gloves and
fine jewelry. II any one wishes to send
anything to Ida Lewis, he heroine OF
Lime Rock, LET him end something
substantial She says SO herself.-Ez.
change.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

4 A CITIZEN of Lexington has in his
possession quill of condor which has
a history. TWAS given to Henry Clay
in 1842, with an injunction never to cut
1T until he vas elected President, when
he was to write his first message with
it. In case he were not elected, it was
not to be cut until constitutional
President wrote constitutional mes
sage for all the states. After Mr..
Clay's death it was given to Willard
Fillmore, but he was likewise unable to
use it. During the last campaign the
owner determined to give it to Mr..
Greeley should he be elected. The
quill, which Is still uncut, is over three
feet long and is as large around as 3
mans thumb.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

ton, and then promptly and intelligently fur.
nish. 1t to. the parts and localities proposed
Thus advised, threatened communities would
have ample time for preparation and the pub
Lefty given to the warning would be the most
efficient means of insuring proper precaution-
airy measures. The President has promised to
give DR.. Woodwortb's recommendations the
due attention they deserve, and will, no doubt,
carry out the plan before another cholera
season. ~ #fs5Hf
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
Sunlight at Last.
Had life
Detroit Free Press.1


Why did this woman livea Had life
one charm for here Perhaps she asked
herself these questions, as she sat with
her face in her hands and looked out
upon the cold, cheerless day. There
were no tears in her great black eyes
only such look OF woe and despair that
the world should have been there to see
it and to have it painted on their hearts.
''Mother |"
A little, wasted form on the wretched
bed--a bony hand on the ragged quilt
"a voice which told of hunger, pain,
and weary waiting.
She bent over him, and for moment
mothers love shone in her eyes, and
her wrinkled hand rested on his pale
face with such tenderness as only
mother has.
cliff me up and let me see the sun
shine" he whispered, trying to put his
arms around her neck.
ssThere is no, sunshine" she whis-
pered in reply, cob in her throat.
t'Kiss me, mother, and call me when
the sunlight comes again" he said.
She knew that he had been dying for
a week-sinking slowly and surely into
eternity, but she had no friends to call
in-she could only weep over him and
pray God that she might soon follow.
With a gasp and sob she pressed her
lips to his forehead, then turned away
to struggle with her despair and her
great sorrow. ntfH t
The cloudy, cherries day faded into
dusk. She reused herself for q mo-
ment and peered through the gloom to
see if her boy still slept, and then she
whispered with her thoughts again.
And such thoughts
When darkness covered the bare floor
Fas with a mantle, and when she could
no longer see her own poverty, the boy
suddenly cried out:
mother! mother! The sunlight has
Gomez @ fssa9
mot yet, dear Ned-not yeti 1t is
night now"
But see the sun-it lights all the
room-it blazes into ny FACET he
called.
There is no sun-it is cold and
dark she sobbed.
ssAnd it grows brighter! and I hear
such sweet music and Z see little Tom
myi" he whispered, while through the
darkness she saw his white face grow
radiant.
"You are dreaming /" she sobbed.
It was such q bright sum- The
music is SO sweet" he whispered,
clasping her hand.
cit is dark-it is night" she gasped,
but he did not hear.
The sunlight had truly come, but it
was the sunlight-the golden rays re-
fected from the gates of Heaven-and
not the sunlight Of earth. The mystic
rious curtain hiding the valley of death
had lifted for his spirit TO pass under,
and woe had been left behind.
And of herr Ask the shadows Of
night ask the river. When they found
his little dead body she was not there.
They cannot find her. If she is dead,
God did not judge her harshly.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

The Commits sloner says public attention has
been often called within the spast few months
to the extensive frauds committed in certain
localities upon the revenue by dlstiers and
ectlters OF distilled spirits. He gives an ac-
count, first, of the checks, guards and protec-
tons against frauds established by law;
frauds, so called, lately exposed, were perpe-
trated upon the government; third, the extent
of these frauds; fourth, the checks gently
established to prevent recurrence OF the
same, and, fifth, sugs ess legislation, which,
IN his opinion, IS nee. ssary to insure fuller
collection in future of the taxes upon distilled
spirits. #@a At& }4ss9e ,i-s.s
Mr.. Pratt is of the opinion that. with addl-
tional legislation to enforce the honest collec-
ton of the tax on distilled spirits, the revenue
can be collected with little loss. -
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

within three years, or the discovery OF fraud,
was 1877, makibg q meta decrease OF ], 400.
TIE number OF pen sions Increased was 1851.
The total number>of pensioners borne upon
the rolls June 30. 1875, was 234 1921, by classes
as follows: r. ~ .gsssrr
Army 1nVallQS. 40
Army widows and dependent relatives .1O4, 1856
Survivors OF the War Of 1912. ... 1876
Widows OF soldiers Of the War OF 1872. 5,163
Navy 1nval1dS. .................. 300
Navy widows and dependant relatives. 1,7S4
1Olal-. ..... 49,. ~, 62l
The invalid roll continues to increase, and,
notwit hstandlEg the Losses, numbered, 1921
more on the 30th of June, 1878, than at the
close OF the preceding wear, and for the first
time since 1858 exceeded the roll of widows
anddependent relatives. Its increase largely
counlerbaances the losses on the other rolls,
and makes the decrease OF the aggregate roll
compar atively small It's annual rates are also
steadily increasing. In 1871, the average rate
o. pension paid to the army invalid pensioners
annually was $8916; in 1872, 800 26: in 1873,
s96.46; in 1874, S98.14, and in 1875, $10391, or
$3.50 per month. The rates vary from 81 to
$50 Der month. 80
The total disbursements Of the Pension Bu-
reau during the last fiscal year were 500 $685.
116 GO, leaving balance from the appropria-
tons OF $37l .683.31, which has been covered
into the Treasury.
The appropriations for the current fiscal
year were: For army pensions, 500, 500, coo;
Tor navy pensions $500, 900; total, $50, 900, oeo
During the past fiscal year 1926 original
applications for army and navy invalid pen
sions and 17,11l claims tor Increase Of the
same class were received, and 933 claims have
been withdrawn from the rejected files and
reopened upon additional evidence. At the
close of the year there remained upon the
pending files 1929 original and 6,722 increase
claims OF this class & -
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Pension O@ce.

Pension Commissioner Atkinson. in his an
nnai report. s. ates that the lumber II pen
sioners added 20 the rolls during the last fiscal
year was II ,557, and the Iumber dropped b.
reason OF death, re-eni-tmeht. "a marriaR Q,
expiration OF miners pensions, faiiing to apply
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

ONR and God make good majority.
Frederick Douglass.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
CASTING UP ACCOUNTS.
A Few Facts and Figures Taken From
the Ledgefs Of Uncle Sans .rs
lta a Book Keepers.
A Synopsis Of the Reports Of the Diff.
ferent Departments Of the
Government.
Showing What Has Been and Is To
Be Done. -
Internal Revenue.

The report of the Internal Revenue Com.
missioner for the hrcal year ending June 80,
1875, is a rather volumlnous document, and
we can find room for only a brief synopsis OF
it. Commits sioner Pratt says it may be some
consolation to know chat grlevous as are our
burdens, laid upon such of our population,
forty-two millions or more, as consume the
articles taxed by our Internal Revenue laws,
the British public, numbering less by one
fourth tam our people, paid under their excise
laws during the year ending March 81, 1875,
taxes measured in gold to the amount OF $780,
962, 1855, against Sic, 545 154 paid in currency
by the people OF this country during he fiscal
year ended June 80, 1875. Hth 81
The report shows that the actual amount of
receipts in the treasury from all sources from
and after June 80, 1861, to June 80, 1874, ex-
elusive of loans and treasury notes, was as fol-
ows: aR
JubtOnS.... -. .......H...... 1870, l45,oO 4
Internal revenue. ........... 1856. 1913, 725
Direct tax. ............... l4.olO, lo9
MISCELLANEOUS. Zoo,Uo4 ,Sol
Premiums Oh loans ard sales of
gold coin. ............ ......... 192, So. III
Total .................. 81, 395, 638, 341
The net amount received from all sources of
internal revenue during the last fiscal year, ID
tho savara1 atatpa ia "a folI0ws + ft.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Postoffice Department.

/ The following interesting figures are taken
from the annual report. OF Postmaster General
Jewell: M ttaa Agn 89s
During the year there were Issued 107. $751;
600 postal cards, OF the value OF sl,076, 160,
In the month of October last there were issued
OF the new cards co. $4,000, which is one-ffth
OF the entire amount SOLD during the fiscal
year. The estimate of the number necessary
tor the next fiscal year IS l54, 1867 ,OCO. The
number OF public or ordinary postal stamps
issued to postniasters during the fiscal year
was 6S2. S42, ITO. OF value OF $18, 27l 49,
The value Of hostage and periodical stamps
was 1915, 902 The statistics of the Dead Let
ter Service are OF a quite romantic inter est.
The number Of dead letters handled during
the year was about $50, 900. OF these 81, 799
contained money aggresating. $4,000; IA, 225
contained drafts, notes, and bills OF exchange
of value OF S2,9S7, SAT; 1902 letters con-
tanned samples OF merchandise, postage
stamps and misce laBeous articles; 3, 740, 900
contained nothing Of value. There were
mailed to foreign countries from the Unit ed
States 12,50O,0oO letters. or these 1c6,28o
We're returned undeLvered. The number OF
letters received from foreign countries was
II 800, Goo, OF which 219, 100 were returned un-
delivered.
During the fiscal year ending June 80, 1876,
the cost OF the inland mail transportation was
as follows: On 81 railroad routes, aggregat-
ing 70, 083 miles IN length. $9.2l6,518; on 80
steamboat routes, aggregating 1878 miles in
length, S64 1870; On 1923 other routes, desig-
mated ''star routes,' aggregating 1872, 0O2 miles
IN length, IS, Asa, 721. Total cost during the
last fiscal year SIS, a54 500, which was an in
crease OF 1876 miles in length OF routes over
the preceding year, and decrease OF s48,6s3
in the cost thereof. The appropriation to
cover the expenditure of inland t, a, sl.Grfaticn
during the present fiscal year is 5ie.Gc9,
and the same sum is estimated + r the next
year. The cost Of mail routes in optlas Ion
July l, 1875, the commencement OF the pres
ent fiscal year. was sl4,949, 069.ls, to which
has been added an increase for July, August,
and September, OF 1853, 1885,. which beng
considered an average increase for the several
quarters of the year, would make the increase
during the entire year 1883, l74.44. Add to
this tn recognized service OF the railways.
estimated at s7O2, 70, making the probable
cost Of railroad transportation for the present
year $16,471 1913 36.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

g# Territor.
$3.50 States. les. Total.
Sch'l populat'n .13, 1860 1s6,37S 1880
schools. -. s,oso,772 e9,2Os 5000. ss1
A'rage daily at #
tendance -. ], 48S,075 2,489 1851, 1854
Is years old. ................. 1885. 674
Number of teachers enployed... 241, 800
Total income, public schools
Total inco e, public schools
Total s2,15s. sos
Total expenditures (sites, build
ings, furnltureJ States... 1852 ,259
Total expenditures (sites, build
ings, furniture) Territcriee.... 193,649
Total. .....3 10,p4o,Suo
Salaries of superintendents. .....S 924,770
Salaries OF teachess {Ststes) -. 46, POI, 500
Salaries Of teachers (Territories). 500 206
Tota l....... ................$ 47,62s,688
Mlscellan's expenditures (states)..s II. COS. 159
Miscellaneous expenditures TIER
arltories.. ......... 4.... $4,000
Total. ,..................-..$ 1l.7O3. 6s5
Toral expen's for schools (states). IS 74,l3s. Iii
Total expen's for schools (Terrrs) 805,l21
Total. ...:.-.s q s74.s 1913
Total value Of buildings, sites, ETC.,
(Siates) 49,. ....l .$le4, 18O, 947
Total value of buildings, sites, etc.,
(Terrltories).. ...... $780,. 1872, 500
u
as Total. $50, 753 AT
Every state reports one or more schools OF
science: tive nty-beven states report schools OF
theology: twenty states report law schools
twenty-three states report regular schools OF
npdfeIna
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
The Bure u Of Education.

Commissioner Eaton, of the Bureau of Edu-
cation, in his fifth annual report, presents
some interesting statistics. The following is
summary of number Of tables that are
presented, showing the most important school
statistics:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

H