Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1875-03-25

posure of official corruption is always
popular. 1t impresses the people with
the idea that the one making the ex-
posture is careful guardian of the pub
lie interests. The principal assistant of
Gov. Tilden in preparing these state
ments is said to have been Mr.. Emerson
E. Davis, the Democratic member ot the
Legislature from Whitehall. Mr.. Davis
has made study of canal matters for
years. The canal ring is composed OF
members of both political parties, and
gigantic frauds in the repairs of the
canals have been carried on under Re
publican and Democratic State admins
trations, and have been the cause OF
keeping the cost of transportation at q
high figure. 1t is thought by some OF
the leading Democrats that this attack
of Governor Tllden upon the canal ring
will strengthen his chances immensely
for the Presidential nomination in 1876.
He now stands before the country they
say as its most prominent reformer.
This message characterizes him as the
changeless enemy of every ring. He
did yeoman service in the exposure and
punishment of the New York city ring
thieves, and it is to be hoped that this
powerful canal ring, which is composed
of both Democrats and Republicans, will
meet with a similar fate at his hands
THE arrangements for the next inter-
collegiate contest have been made on a
somewhat different plan from that which
prevailed in the last one. Then oratory
and composition were the prominent
features, while this time they are 10 be
subordinate, the places of honor being
held by Greek and mathematics. Ibis
change meets with approval on the
ground that those striving for the prizes
will be working in the line of their col
lege duties and not have their attention
distracted 1t is also thought that the
tendency of American young men is al
ready too much toward show rather than
substance, and that oratory and essay
writing may safely be left until thor
ough foundation is laid. THEW should
go hand in hand. Neither is of much
use without the other. The tendency of
the American mind is undoubtedly to-
ward the more snowy studies, and it is
well that the indispensable pl eliminates
should be made prominent in these
friendly contests among the undergradu-
ates of our colleges. Another notable
thing is the choice of practical subject
for the essays. The one given out is
''The Advantages and Disadvantages of
Universal Suffrage" The rising genera
ton are to understand that there are
two sides to that question, and careful,
candid consideration of it cannot hut
make them better citizens.
A BILL is now before the Illinois Leg
islature that will, If passed, bring con-
fusion to grog- shops. 1t provides that
any person who shall sell Intoxicating
liquors manufactured in any other way
than with the still and worm, or con-
tanning any poisonous ingredients or sub
stances, shall 60 to the penitentiary and
remain there five years. One would i'm
agine that even topers would be willing
to have such law enforced, only, I'M
fortunately, it would practically abolish
the corner groceries. They could not
sell the genuine article and make money
enough. Apropos of this, we expect
the next statement that is made will be
thaa these ''membskg q lhd bar" dose
strychnine, logwood, ETC., for benevo-
lent reasons. An old topper out West
gets rid of the effects of a spree by eat
ing strychnine, as much as twenty grains
at time. The inference made is that
strychnine is an antidote for disagreeable
effects of alcohol, whence it follows
that compound of the two is perfectly
harmless. How nice it is to know these
little things When the facts in the
case are brought to the notice of the
members of the Illinois Legislature they
will undoubtedly amend their bill by in
serting the word ''not" in suitable places.