davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20

whatever possible bearings this might
have on the Torbett issue.
Each member of that court is
sworn to support the Federal Constitu-
ton, and it is beyond the range Of
moral possibilities that they would vio-
late their oath by rendering decision
in which nobody dares accuse them of
having an interest.
The Kiao1UiIe Chronicle predicts that
the issue in the next State canvass viii
be "Torbett ISSUE" compared with
which the Civil Rights agitation of last
summer will dwarf into mere child's
play. If We understand the action of
the Legislature in the premises,
this is precisely what they wish
to avoid. An appeal to the Supreme
Court of the United States means a
delay Of two to FIVE years, with contin-
uous agitation and speculation in the
meantime, the bulls and bears demon
alizing our politics and diverting the
attention of the people from their true
interests. The introduction into poll
ties Of these financial questions, by
which none but the gamblers profit, has
a vicious tendency, tempting to bribery
and corruption on the one side and the
other. We have now seen two Legis-
latures rendered almost incapable of
the transaction Of necessary business
by the one question of funding
and anti-funding, or of quilting"
and bearing" the price of Tennessee
State bonds. All our material, indus
trial and true political interests have
been thrown into the background and
compelled to wait four yeaN, by this
vicious diversion of our political ener-
gies. We have had enough of it, and
do not wish to run the same gamut
over, on the Torbett issue. Better dis
miss the subject at once and forever,
in the mode indicated by our own Su-
preme Court, resting confidently on
the justice and equity of its decision.
Any other course is likely to entail
upon both State and people more harm
than the whole $4,000 could COM
peusate.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
a LOWER mississippi OVERFLOW
APPREHENDED.
-ew Orleans Times, March Is.

New Orleans Times, March Is.
The Mississippi is now open to KeOkuk,
where a decline has set in, and the Mis-
souri, opened day or two ago to Leaven-
worth.
The water from the lower tributaries of
that stream, with that from the Illinois,
which is bank full, is now passing St.
Louis, and will, with the floods from the
Indiana streams, cause further swell Of at
least one foot at Cairo and that will be
sufficient TO cover the low country between
there and Memphis. In fact, the water be-
tween those points is already over the bank
tops, except in high places, AID even with
the vast outflow from the river to the
sWamps, the rise continues at Memphis at
the rate Of two inches each day-equal to
q foot were the water confined within river
banks.
Below Memphis. and between there and
NiCksbuTg, the low portions Of the country
are flooded, and we learn that such is the
height Of the water that steamers have diff
fculty in landing to receive or discharge
freight.
At Cairo last night the level Of The river
was but five feet eleven inches below high
water mark. Memphis three feet, and rise
two inches. NicksbUrg seven feet two
inches, and rise six inches, and here six
feet four inches below high water mark,
with a decline Of two inches.
The water already is making its way
through a number Of Crevasses above here,
and from present indications the breaks in
some Of the Ievees will be increased in
width. That even may have caused the
decline here yesterday.
1t would be prudent for the planters liV-
ing along the river to prepare for the worst.
The indications point to a serious overflow,
but not as serious as was that of last year.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Catholics Of New York MOVinE
10 Secure a Portion OF the school
Fund for their ParDchiRl Schools.


10 Secure a Portion OF the school
Fund for their Par0chiaI schools.
NEW YORK, March 19.-The action of
the trustees of the ROman Catholic schools
in asking for a share Of the benefits of the
public schools, has been received with sur
prise by many members Of the Board of
Education. Vicar-General Quinn states
that under the administration Of the late
Mayor Havemeyer, not dollar could be
obtained for their support, and the
trustees despaired of obtaining any as
sistance from the present admins
tTatiOn. The expense of maintaining
ParOchial schools amounted to about $780,
900 per annum, exclusive Of school build
ings, which had already cost between 81
100000 and S3,OO0,0C0. The number Of
children attending these schools amounted
to fully 10000, assigned to about fifty
schools, OF course tina Roman Catholic
property Owneps, by supporting the Paro-
chial schools IN their respective parishes,
were not exempted from paying their pro-
portion of the taxes which went to the
fund for the education Of the children of
other people. Consequently it would be
impossible to MAINTAIN ParOchial schCO's
in such manner as to afford the pupils
all the advantages to be obtained
in public schools. Rev. Father Far
rall, of st. Peters Church, a prominent
advocate Of parOchial schools, says it is
only fair that the Catholics, who were all
taxed for the support Of the public schools,
should receive a portion of those taxes for
tie support Of their OWL schools, as long as
it cOuld be shown that the standard Of ed
ucatiOn taught in them was in every way
equal to that Of the public schools. They
would be satisfied with even a third Of the
amount paid per head for the children Of
the public schools. The support Of public
schools cost about $50 per child,
and the parOchial schools would be salts
fed to receive SD Or Sl3 per child.
They were perfectly willing that their
claims should be SUBMITTED to committee,
and had entire confidence in the Judgment
of any body Of conscientious citizens.
a committee Of the BOARD of Education
will soon confer with the trustees Of the
Catholic schools. The present school law
provides that no school shall be entitled to
or receive any portion of the school moneys
IN which religious doctrines or the tenets
Of any particular Christian o. other relig-
ious sect shall be taught.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
eHODDY LEATHER.
The Latest sWindIe by Massachusetts
Shoe Manufacturers.
New York RuIletfn

AUrODCS Of a recent article on the reyOlu-
ton in the leather trade caused by the ex-
cessive demand for the poorest grades of
leather in the market to an extent that
socks are exhausted not only but the prices
mn up almost to those Of the best leather,
while The stores Of our dealers are filed
with the best qualities which are almost
uDsaIabIe. now comes the Cincinnati En-
guircr and tells what IS done with this poor
leather. 1t saws: eve are informed that
cases Of mems boots are sold con
stantly at less than SIS per case. The
whole secret OF the matter IS that
fha shoe manufactures Of Massachusetts
have almost ceased to use leather in the
manufacture Of shoes for the Western trade.
For sOles, a species Of composition termed
leather-board, hardly distinguished from
tie genuine article, but actually composed
Of a mixture Of powdered leather and mu-
cillage, pressed into sheets by a hydraulic
press and veDeered with a thin coating Of
split calt-skin, is almost universally used.
OF c0urse, as soon as the veneer wears out,
the sole goes to pieces very rapidly, especi-
allv in wet weather. This stuff is very
largely used and sold in Cincinnati, and
costs only from nine to sixteen cents, while
good sole leather costs from 80 TO 30 cents.
This sstifening" used in the manufacture
of these boots is nothing more than
pasteboard, and the boot is coz
seGuently rendered shapeless by the
first thorough wetting. For the 'uppers'
split caifskin is used, with the grain sur
face on the inside, so as to deceive Gus
TONERS. This miserable material, Of
course. affords the wearer no protection
against water; but the fraud is so cleverly
effected ia the manufacture that even eKpe-
rieDced shOemakers are often deceived IN
purchasing il. The cost of a pair of. fine
calSkin boots to these leather-shOddy
manufacturers IS about Sl.jO, and boots of
heavier leather only 8. The sOles Of
ladies' fine shoes are generally made Of
the abomination known as leather board,
while the uppeIs, instead Of being made
Of good goat-szin of English lasting, are
formed Of worthless shoep-skin or bad cot
ton cloth. The manufacturers cost Of a
pair of WomaB'S leather shoes is fifty cents,
and a pair Of cloth shoes only forty-fEe
cents
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
WHAT THE ICE DID.
The Frightful Floods in the East.
Railroad Tracks Covered with Ice Tor
MiIes-DestruetiOn Of HOuses-Pertl'
Ous Condition Of Families.

Railroad Tracks Covered with Ice for
MiIes-DestruetiOn OF HOuses-Peril'
Gus Condition Of Families
PORT Deposit, Nd, March 19.-The
flood here is fearful. Water is from five to
fifteen feet deep in the streets. Nothing
like it was ever seen before. Nearly the
whole town is flooded, and there is great
destruction of property. No lives have
been lost so far. The railroad depot is full
of water, as well as he telegraph office,
which was abandoned last night in boat.
At Havre De Grace the ice has gOrged about
five miles below town. The wharves are
flooded, and whole piles Of lumber have
been swept away. The river above the
bridge is completely blocked with ice,
wood and lumber. The water is about ten
inches deep in the streets, and is falling
slowly.
Harrisburg, PA, March 19.-The
food in the Susquehanna did considerable
damage between AIiddletOwn and Column
bia. AT Bainbridge the railroad depot was
forced across the track. The telegraph Of
fee was completely demolished. Four Ca
nal boats ana frame house were forced on
the track, and six or seven houses badly.
injured. The track from Collins Station
to Chickies is covered with from eight to
twelve feet of ice at MANY points for dis
tance of a mile or more. The telegraph
lines are destroyed for eight or ten miles.
A family on the island above cambridge
were forced TO the roof of the house by the
water which rose to the second story.
They remained on the roof until the water
receded, and were saved. On another
island a family took to a barn for safety,
fearing the house would move. The fam
lily were rescued. 1t is reported that
man attempted to 60 to the rescue Of the
family, but was carried down the river by
the ice, and has. not been heard from since.
The whole front street Of Marietta, mile
and quarter long, is reported filled with
Ice to the height of so or 80 feet. Many
houses are damaged.
PORT DEPOSIT, Md, March 19.-The
river has fallen three feet since morning.
The water is now four feet deep on the
railroad track and on Main street.
COLUMBIA, PA, March 19.-At Mariet-
Ia, the loss by the food is very heavy, many
lumbermen having their RATS swept away.
The ice is piled up ove- the tow-path at
some points from twenty to thirty feet
high.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
rHN TORBETT ISSUE.

According % a report of S. Watson,
President and Trvstee of the Bank Of
Tennessee, IaidI before the Legislature
at the time by Gov. VIM, q. Brown
low, there was outstanding IN hI0rn l.
1866, the amount Of S3,629,IO&, Of Old
issue. These millions were then N the
hands Of "the people" who needed
badly every help they could command
on returning from the waste Of four
years war to ind slave property de-
stroyed, the labor system a chaos, their
dwellings desolated and fields
gallied by neglect - and turned
out upon the commons. If the
people had been allowed to pay their
taxes in that old issue, they would
have received the full benefit Of the
money. But, no; the powers that then
ruled the State. refused to recognize
the old issue in any shape; they would
neither accept it for taxes nor fund 1t
into bonds. As a consequence, it went
down and down, until almost at zero,
when spectators bought it up, and by
appealing to the Supreme Court Of the
United States compelled the State to
accept it ultimately, dollar for dollar.
In this way, by refusing to accept 1t
for taxes, the Radical regime not only
forced the people to part with then
money at an enormous sacrifice,
but afterward compelled them to re-
deem this same money at par. This
was death to the taxpayers.
This little "Reminiscences Of notorious
history may help the reader in esti-
mating, at its proper weight and value,
the opinion expressed IN an article
from the KnOzujUe Chronicle about the
decision that the Supreme Court re-
Gently gave on the Torbett issue. We
80 not know where the Chronicle OBJ
tains the figures, SI,5OO00O. In
the report above alluded to,
and transmitted to the Legis-
lature by Gov. BrownlOw, President
Watson stated the amount Of Torbett
issue outstanding April 1, 1866, as be-
ing 81, OSI, $50. Withinthe past month
Mr.. Watson has expressed the opinion
that $4,000 will probably cover the
real amount, andSthat the assets Of the
bank. properly managed, viii suffice to
--adaam If. The bank having issued
the naper. and received an equivalent
therefor, we do not perceive how its re-
demption by the bank can be construed
into "plundering the taxpayers Of the
State" As to the present owners
of the paper, it IS evi-
dent that it is scattered very
largely in the hands Of those citizens
of the State who owe the bank and
who desire 10 pay it in its own issues.
The fourth section of the -Four
tesnth amendment to the Federal
Constitution debars any State from
assuming OF paying any debt oro5hga-
ton incurred IN aid Of instruction or
rebellion against the United States;
but It is presumable that the Supreme
Court Of Tennessee fully considered
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20

points on The Cumberland river below
Nashville, assistance Ofless than ttg0 hundred
miles, 10 cents per hundred pounds; was
this not discriminating with a vengeance
against Tennessee producers in favor CT
those Of the West on the part Of the steam
er 'Laura L. Davis" and owners, and this,
too, while the railroads were trying TO pre-
serve the difference in favor Of Tennessee
producers?
l. is true that Tennessee has largely
aided in building our railroads, and her
citizens have large amounts invested in
them. It is now proposed by "B. 5. r" to
cripple these roads and largely depreeiate
their value, and for what? Not for the
benefit of her merchants, not for the
benefit of her farmers Gas is shown
by comparison Of rates abOve,) but
for the benefit Of Major Rhea's steamboat,
the eIaura l.. Davis If thus forced TO
sacrifice all other interests to his boat, we
would also be compelled to open the door
to all fOTeign boats owned outside OF OJT
State and in no way interested in the
prosperity Of our people, and over
which our Legislature has no possible
control. 1 respectfully submit for the con-
sideratiOn OfOur legislature, whether it is
lust or expedient to sacrifice the entire rail-
road interest Of the State for the benefit Of
a few small steamboats, and dray lire run
in the same interest, and insolyent rial
roads which, although a portion Of them
may lay inside Of our State, arc owned and
controlled outside Of it.
1 am certain that every merchant in our
city, outside Of the house Of Rhea, Smith &
Co., will sustain me in the assertion, that
our road has in every way in its power, IA
conventions, and out Of them, protected the
interests Of Nashville and the State Of
Tennessee, to even a greater extent
than any legislation could do. By
mutual interchange of business with
roads entirely outside Of the State (and Of
course beyond the control of our Legisla-
ture) we are enabled to obtain concessions
in rates upon our Tennessee products
transported over those roads, which no ac-
ton Of our Legislature could procure or
compel.
It is we'll known to this community that
1 am responsible for all tariff rates made by
or over the Nashville, Chattanooga and st.
Louis RailWay-held so by the public on
the one hand and the management Of the
road on the Other-and l exceedingly re-
gret that the articles Of Maj. Rhea have
forced me TO designate him and to take of
the GGranger's7 skin in which he has sought
to envelope himself.
1 am a farmer as we'll as a railroad Of
fetal, and do not own dollar Of railroad
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
THE OTHER SIDE.
Some New Light ON the Transporter
ton Question.

What q Prominent RaIIrOsd OmeiaI
Has 20 say AbOut It-Diserimfna-
lions by Water, aud Their Mysteries
Important Facts and Figures for
Legislators, Merchants and Farmers.
To the Union and American:
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 10, 1S75.-
II is well understood that the author of the
article in your paper of this morning in
regard to railroad determinations, and
signed "B. S. r." is Major B. S. Rhea, of
the firm of Rhea, Smith & Co., grain and
produce dealers Of this city, the owners or
owners in part Of the steamer "Iaura L.
Davis" and perhaps interested in other
boats or steamboat lines, and Treasures of
the ''PeOple's Line" Of boats, recently or
ganized for the Upper Cumberland.
These facts should be cOnSidered.in con-
nection with Maj. Rhea's article, for the
reason that the boat interest he represents,
nayigates the rivers under license from the
United States Government, and is not and
cannot be controlled by any State legisla-
ton as to rates and determinations in
rates.
1t is evident that "B. S. R." desires to
tie the hands Of every railroad in the State
and compel them to become ssfOrWarders, :"
while he we'll knows that river crafts can
not be controlled by our State authorities,
and that they are the strongest competitors
against our railroads for business from
Western points.
Without investigation it would appear
that "B. 5. R." is writing entirely in the
interest Of the Changers, or Producers Of
Tennessee, but the figures given below and
the revelation Of his peculiar interest as
above stated demonstrates and disclOses the
very reverse.
The figures given in your paper Of this
morning are partially correct. l do not
believe, however, that Maj. Rhea intention
ally misTepresented them, but l do desire
to show that if there are any parties pro-
tecting the interests of Tennessee producers,
it is their own railroads.
"B. S. R" is entirely willing that the
farmers along the line Of each railroad
should pay local rates, but he is particular
" DESTROYS to have a bill passed through
the Legislature compelling the Nashville,
Chattanooga AID st. Louis Railway, (fOr
instance) as Originally chartered" to be-
come ''fOrWardeF'' for transient boats and
irresponsible railroads and to accept freight
from his steamboat at low through rates
which, instead Of protecting the interests
Of Tennessee farmers, would prove far more
injurious to them than any railroad line,
under present charter limitations, could
possibly do in the introduction Of foreign
grain and passing it through the State into
Southern markets in direct competition
with Tennessee produce, as will be shown
by the following table Of figures, most Of
which are taken from Maj. Rhea's article
of this morning. "B. S. R." gave only a
portion Of the figures. propose to give
them ALL.
l. The Green Line, working over the
Nashville, Chattanooga and ST. Louis Rail-
vr-ovr rovr cN,rv.s f-ov,
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
UNITED STATES SENATE.
SESSION


WASHINGTON, March 19.-The resolu-
ton submitted by Mr.. Boutwell, Tuesday,
authorizing the special committee appoint
ed TO inquire into the several branches of
civil service, with a view to the reorganiza-
ton Of the several departments thereof, to
sit during the recess and send for persons,
papers, etc, was agIeed 10, and the Senate
went into executive session.
After confirming a number of nominal
tiOns, the Senate took up that Of Don A.
Pardee, to be United States District Judge
for Louisiana, and a debate ensued. At
o'clock the doors were re-Opened and the
Senate adjourned till tomorrow.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
CHINA,


LONDON, March 2O.-A Calcutta dis
patch to the Times says: "The Indian
Government expedition, sent out to survey
Western China, a member Of which was re-
Gently murdered, has arrived at RangOon. An
attack was made on it by Chinese frontier
officials, and ID the fight twenty Cinnamon
were killed and many wounded. All COM
municatiOn with China on the frontier has
been stopped by large bands Of armed men.
There are strong suspicious as to the insti-
gators of the attack, but the proofs are at
present insufficient"
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
CONDENSED TELECRAMS.

The Germans in New York have held a
public meeting to protest against the pro-
posed diScOutinuauce Of instruction in Ger
man in the public schools Of that city.
Charles X. Lands fatally shot the editor
of the paper published al Vineland, n. j.,
yest erday.
bill has been introduced in the Ohio
LEGISLATURE tOrDidding managers of circuses,
menageries or shows to advertise any ami
maj. performance or performer they do not
intend TO exhibit.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
The CaIlfornia wheat Crop.

CHICAGO, March 19.--The following
telegram was received by the Gold and
Stock Company, from San Francisco to-day.
II relates to the wheat crop:
The crop is in splendid condition, and
promises a large average yield. It Is Sc
cure, but if cOpiOus rains come within two
weeks, there will be the largest harvest
ever known.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
- = -
FRANCE
The Dissolution Question.

PARIS, March 19.-Ministers stated at
the meeting Of the Bureau to-day, that the
question Of dissolution was subject solely
to the decision of the Assembly, but that it
would be dangerous to foreign and dOmes-
tic relations to fix a date long before the
event.
The coalition in the Assembly which
supports the constitutional laws have a
majority Of II in the permanent committee
appointed to sit during the recess.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20

A REPUBLICAN, Senator who is re-
ported to have had private talks with
the new Senators, Christiancy, McAlil-
Ian, Paddock and Booth, says that
Booth expects to act with the Demo-
Gratis on all party questions; Christian
cy with the Republicans, when no vio-
lent or political measures are proposed;
ana Paddock and Mcmillan with the
Republicans at all times.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20

A WESTERN merchant who has been
spending severaldays among Baltimore
business houses, states that the Balti-
more merchants are very earnest in
their endeavors to secure Western
trade. They are sending runners to all
points. The reduction Of rates Of The
Baltimore and Ohio road have increased
their activity.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
ROME.
The Cardinals Hat.


ROME, March 19.-MOns. Boncetti, the
Ablegate entrusted to take berTetta to Car
dinal McClOskey, of New York, and Noble
Guard Marefosch, bearer Of the official noti-
fcation, leave Rome this evening for Paris
on their way to America.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-20
GERMANY.
M FeelesInsfIenI aim.

BERLIN, March 19.-In the Landstag
to-day all the clauses Of the Ecclesiastical
bill were adopted and the bill passed sec
ond reading.
The frigate Ariadane has been ordered
to Swallow to support the demand for in
demnity for the plundering Of the bark
Furst Bismarck.