davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

ARKANSAS. - No little excitement was
created in Washington last week over the
Arkansas question. The congressional com
mittee who had investigated the matter and
OF which Judge Poland is chairman, recon-
mended non'interference by the general GOV
eminent in the affairs of the state, While
the committee regard the adoption of the
constitution as legally defective, still, in view
of the facts that the state is going forward
under il with reasonable quiet and peace,
and that it had been adopted and ratified by
large majority of the voters Of the state,
they cannot recommend any action by Con
gress or by any department Of the general
government in its affairs. On Monday the
President sent a message to Congress, ex-
pressing the opinion that Brooks was the
lawfully elected Governor of the state, and
stating that the constitution of the state had
been overthrow by evidence, intimida-
ton and revolutionary proceedings" The
message is certainly remarkable one; and
Is regarded by some as a direct insult TO
the Poland committee. However that NAV
be- the committee have taken the same
view Of the situation that we have all along
supposed they would. Granting that there
were frauds, admitting the irregularities
charged in the submissie.. OF the new con.
stitution, still the vote at the polls must
be considered cure for all those irreg.
ularities. The governor 'lcrt,d under that
constitution must be recognized as the
lawful executive. It is true that Mr.. Ward
dissents, but no other course than that taken
by Judge Poland and the majority seems
iustihable. A majority Of the electors voted
for the ratification OF the new constitution
And so the irregularity in framing the in
strument, and the fraud and intimidation in
voting upon it, will have less weight, and
Congress will be apt to coincide with =
view taken by their committ The
interference by the general government with
state politics, tho better for the states the
general government and all concerned.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

FISH CULTuRIsrs CONVENTIONAL the
American fish culturists' convention, Thurs
day, Prof. Baird made brief statement as
to the action Of the United States commits
sion. Their operations, he said, had been
principally connected with shad aud salmon.
Shad were quite plenty, both in the Hudson
and Connecticut rivers, and they had been
able to transfer large number of fish to the
west. The aggregate distribution was be
tween two and three millions, some of which
were carried to Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Iowa, Minnesota and Texas Some were
also distrt ted in Vermont, Connecticut,
Maine ano Massachusetts,. The German
government had forwarded them two hun
bred and fifty thousand eggs of the Rhine
salmon by Mr.. IIessel, but nearly all had
died, and in the same way the attempt to in
troduce American shad into German waters
had also failed. The eggs were forwarded
in charge of Mr., Mathers and Mr.. Anderson,
but after eleven days they all died.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

SENATOR CARPENTERS ADDREss.-Sena-
tor Carpenter delivered and address at the
Academy of Music in Milwaukee, last week.
The hall was quite full at seven o'clock, and
hundreds were unable TO secure an entrance.
The senator referred quite briefly to his re-
cent defeat, which he attributed largely to
the opposition of railroads. lie paid high
compliment to Mr.. Cameron, the senator
elect, whom he knew to be a firm and con-
sistent republican. He reviewed at some
length the recent speech of ex-senator Doc
little, and commented severely upon the
recommendations of that gentleman for the
abolition of the secret ballot box and the
establishment of educational qualifications
in the South. In conclusion, he urged his
friends to forget personal disagreements and
remain true to the party.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

NANIsHED.-The Washington lobby saw
several millions of dollars vanish into air
Tuesday, with the defeat of the Choctaw
and Chickasaw claims, which were lately at
taehed to the Indian appropriation bill in
the committee Of the whole. The adverse
decision is attributable to conviction as
well settled as anything not directly proved
can be, that the Choctaw claim is owned by
parties who have bought it up for specula-
ton, and that therefore the five or six mil
lions would only enrich the lobby. The
Boston Adrcrissr special says, the defeat of
the measure is due largely to the pertinacity
and parliamentary skill of Mr.. Hale of Maine
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

EUROPEAN AFFAns-European news by
cable has no very exciting features. That
Bismarck does not intend 10 resign is no sur
prise to those who know his physical vitality
and iron will, and there is no evidence that
either are materially weakening. King Al
fonso has met the very common fate of mon
archs in being fired at but he has had also
the good fortune which usually attends them
in escaping unframed, although, as his train
was the mark, it is surprising that no one
was injured. The payment by the Khan of
Khiya of the last instalment Of the war in
demnity to Russia shows how completely his
subsection has been effected, and illustrates
the control which the Muscovites exercise
over the barbaric races which come in con
tact with their advancing civilization.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

No NECESSITY FOR INCREASED TAXA
TroN.--The New York Tribune does not
believe that there is any occasion whatever
for increased taxation. II claims that the
cost of the government can be reduced $780,
100000 year just as well as not The navy
cost nearly Sl0,000,000 more in 1874 than in
1871, and about sls,0O0,O0O more than be
fore the war. Here it thinks, is a chance
for saving of at least SlO,0OO,OOO, Public
buildings and river and harbor improvements
are costing sl5,00O,0O0 year, against about
81 100000 in 1860 Here it finds a chance
to save another SlO,0O0,000. The rest it
says could be accomplished by "mustering
out a few regiments from the army of in
competent and, too often, unfaithful Office
holders" and reducing the cost Of collecting
the revenues and running the various de-
partments of the government Then there
will be about s5,OOO,O0O less to pay in inter
est on the national debt this year than last.
The sources of revenue for the fiscal year
ending june 80 win yield more than for the
preceding year losses from dishonesty should
be prevented and on the whole there may
easily be s30000,o0O of surplus revenue to
turn over TO the sinking fund without any
increase of taxation.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

Nor PHYSICALLY DEGENERATE.-It is
common enough to hear it said that Ameri-
cans as race are degenerate, and in point
Of physical perfection cannot compare with
Europeans, more particularly, perhaps, Eng
lishmen. Some facts on this head derived
from trustworthy statistics would seem to
prove the reverse Mr., Is. A. Gould, Actuary
to the United States Sanitary Commission,
in his Investigations in the Military and
Anthropological Statistics of American Sol
diers," shows that "the tallest men were
from Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin the
next tallest New England New York, New
Jersey; and the shortest from Scotland, Eng
land, Germany" In weight Of the men,
Kentucky and Tennessee were the heaviest,
averaging one hundred and fifty pounds !;
England, Scotland, France. Belgium all he
tween one hundred and THIRTY eight AVID one
hundred and thirty-nine pounds. TIL, 10
of weight to stature gave in pounds to
inch; Ohio and other Western states, . d;
New England, 2t2l; England and Scotland,
ais Germany 210S.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17
The Isthmus Canal Survey.

While il is urged by those who profess to
have given the Darien Ship Canal project
much thought and investigation, that this
enterprise presents no promise OF profit to
the United States, since its result would be
to open a new channel TO the Pacific for
European fleets, without aifording proper
tionate benefit to our commerce, two differ
ent routes will nevertheless be Immediately
surveyed for this purpose, although no GER
tainty exists that either one will be chosen,
or that the project will be consummated
at once Congress win undoubtedly be
deliberate in the matter, aud not hastily or
unadvisedly vote sjj,00O,OO0 The expedi-
ton about to enter upon the work is now at
Aspinwall, and consists Of two inter-oceanic
surveying parties. One, under the command
Of Capt. Lull, has in view the exploration Of
what is known as the Panama line, and the
other, led by Lieutenant Collins viii survey
the Atrato-Napipi line. The first mentioned
party expect TO begin operations in the field
ON the 10th Of the present month, surveying
the Garela line with view Of determining
its value for the location of the enterprise IN
question. Expecting to meet the other
party at what isknowh as the divide" they
will there separate, one portion surveying
the Pacific and the other the Atlantic Slope
The officers and men engaged ia the sur
yeys are said to have had much expcrienccin
similar work in the wiids Of Central Amer
lea, and will carry to the enterprise great
energy and perseverance. The present dTy
season is favorable TO the undertaking, whose
completion is fixed for the first of April
next. The proposed line for the canal be-
gins on the Pacific, in latitude six degrees
north. BY means of fifteen locks, the pro-
jected work will reach its summit level
somewhere near the vicinity of the coast
The total length Of the line is about forty
six miles, its Atlantic terminus at Columbia
Bay, having anchorage room for one thou.
sand ships, and at Chiri-Chiri, on the Pacific
a gale is said to be unknown. The expedi-
ton intend TO make a thorough cross-section
Of the Nippi Valley, and since they must
complete their work between February and
April, before the rains set in, they will find
themselves necessitated to push it forward
with yigor.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

The Fun SEAL QUEsTIoN.-W notice
that at recent session of Congress bin
was introduced authorizing a commissioner
to proceed to the Territory of Alaska, after
the adjournment Of the present Congress, to
inquire into the condition OF the fur seals
Of the island of st. Paul and st. George, the
number of seals annually killed, and " to in
quire if an increased number can be killed
without endaugering the perpetuity of the
fisheries" This is the most interesting and
profitable fishery that we have. There have
long been rImors that it has been selfshly
managed by its owners. The fur seal only
inhabits the islands of Alaska, and our gov
eminent should take prompt measures for
bringing the fishery under severe jurisdic-
ton, 1t would be great pity if by little
neglect now it should be destroyed.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17
Alaskan Mummies.

We published, several weeks since state
ment Of the utter worthlessness Of our re-
Gently acquired Alaskan territory. II appears,
however that one product Of that much abused
country has since been brought to light. We
refer 10 its mummies. The schooner William
Sutton, Of the Alaska Commercial Company,
arrived last week at San Francisco, with the
mummifed remains of the princely house Of
great chief, who one hundred and fifty
years ago, was the terror Of the Alents, and
no wonder for his name was Kark.hay.hou-
chack
Last year, Captain lIenning the comman-
der of the Sutton, while in quest Of sea OF
ter, seal skins and other furs learned that
in the neighboraood Of Kagmale, among
rocks, were preserved the earthly remains Of
all the Kark-hay-a-hou-chack family. llay-
ing great respect for the ancestral rulers Of
the aromatic Alents, and realizing that
enough money had been wasted in the i'm
portation Of Egyptian mummies, he resolved
to ascertain the truth of the rumors, aud if
they were correct, transport the ancient prin-
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'Vt"s's I'm " nan a| ,,''''u'' S''''"
y, I1-e' 'eu Wv 49,, S'''', -, "'N' lag
49, $500 -, ~ ''u
~ ~ N''Oos '''' ~ ',''''''D W. 'O'''
oept age, their Egyptian prototypes.
Eleven packages OF bodies are included in
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Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17


Our readers will remember Captain Boyn-
ton, the American, who has invented life
preserving dress, which easily supports a
person in wafer. Capt. Boynton has just
been astonishing the English people with
exhibitions of The efficiency Of his invention,
on the Serpentine and the Thames. On the
Goth Of January, says the London Ne,cs, he
excited the wonder Of thousands OF persons
by floating from Mapping to vauxhall in his
waterproof suit 1t may be safely said that
never before was Old Father Thames so de
fed and set at naught by mortal; its depths
had no terrors to the man who fearlcssly
committed himself to them and its yellow
tide no power to resist his advance or check
his progress The scene is described as
follows.
Captain Boynton started with flood tide from
Wrapping Old Stairs All the begrmed lighters
monred thereabcuts were crowded with workmon,
Just arrived fpom the yards and shops on the other
side, and the barges and watermen, young and
old looked on open-mouthed at the gentleman
who encasing himself In an armor Of India rub
Der walked into and along the river without touch
ing the bottom who could not sink lower than his
breast had he tried ever so hard To DO IT, and who,
by the aid Of light, double-baded canoe paddle,
set OF on hs journey, followed by fleet oil boats,
and loudly choered by the amazed and delighted
spectators The Thames, however ruffed by
smart wind against heavy tide, was much
severer test than the strcamloss Serpentne, yet
nothing could be more complete than the success
of the trip Roneh or smooth, It matters nothing
to the American Guardsman, and the spectator is
soon POSSESSED ofabsolute confidence in tho safety
OF the invention Blowing his fog-horn or whist
tie, using his AK, smoking his cigar, and waving
his banner, his voyage was quite triumphal wa
ter progress and the toVdqehr seemed to take q
special delight iR threading his way amongst ship
ping and boats taking the arches where the cur
rent was most dangerous Once or twice he put-
posey allowed himself to foul barge or the but
tress of bridge, in one instance shooting like an
arrow under the stern, and between two boats
towing lehind .hasy It was to see that, clad in
one OF these suits, a man may venture where a
boat could never 90, and perform services Of the
highest advantage to humanity. The wonder ex-
pressed lib the faces Of the sailors staring over
the hIwarls Of TIE crowded shipping in the Pool
OF ON board the river steamers, and barges DRIFT
lug westward was not the least comical and inter
estina feature " the journey, and the omnibus
and oab-men pulled w oR every bridge until the
bold adyeuturer had passed"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

KANSAS AoAIs-The Journal publishes
extracts from the letters Of Massachusetts,
man, now resident in Kansas, from which
1t appears that, though there are cases Of
suffering In that state on account of the
grasshoPper plague the charity Of the East
is liable TO be abused, and some people are
making good thing out Of it. This writer
says that Kansas Is able TO take care Of its
own poor, and that people with abundant
means are applying for and receiving aid
which Eastern people have been induced TO
contribute. Ne says he Is positive that
there Is more suffering from want in Boston
than In the whole state Of Kansas.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

A NEW PHAsE.-The senatorial contest
in Minnesota assumed new phase Satur-
day. Governor Davis sent a letter to his
friends withdrawing his name from the con-
test on condition that Ramsay's name was
also withdrawn. The friends of the latter
promptly responded, and neither Of the Re
publican contestants is now a candidate
No joint caucus was held, and no new NOM
nation made. 1t is understood that every
thing is wide open, and that every Republi-
can member of the legislature is at liberty to
vote to-day for whomsoeyer he pleases. The
vote will at least be interesting, but probably
not decisive
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17
TnE VALcoun CoMMuxIrY. II look

THE NALcouR COMMUNITY. 49, II looks
very much as il the Dawn yacour commu-
NJ 'ree-loyers would go to pieces pretty
ne president, secretary and all the
nbers but six have signed a state
msnt mat the representations of Onin Ship
man in regard to the property on the shore
of Lake Champlain and on Valcour island
which the community occupies, are a stu
pendous fraud" MIR. shipman, it is alleged
represented that the property was worth
$4,000, but he would give it to the commu-
nifty for s3l 900. The home farm, however,
is not worth over 5000, and Shipman paid
only $1,000 for yalcour island, which has
considerably decreased In value. Mr.. Ship
man has kept the communists In ignorance
Of the facts for the several months past dur
ing WHICH the organization has existed, but
they themselves now seem disposed 10 dis
courage people from joining them. They
have come from various states, and the
breaking up of their homes will cause them
great trouble.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

The male portion of this community, says
the Whitehall Times, would consider II a
great personal favor if the New York dailies
would stop reporting the Beecher-Tilton trial
long enough to allow the female portion
of the community time to sew ON shirt but
tons, and do general repairs, that have suf.
fered so much for the past three weeks
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

NEGROES IN WAsHISToS CRY. - Here
slavery and freedom began the overture Of
that forever memorable contest which, in the
triumph Of the black mans fortunes, has
made an ineffaceable element of the Ameri-
can type OF these voting children of Ham, TO
compete with us, perhaps, in every field. So
cial, missionary, and heroic. The capital
city is also the capital Of the African race.
Here they are relatively stronger in popula-
ton, influence, and property than anywhere
among the Caucasian races They are of ali
religions, Catholic as well as Protestant
Their university at Washington is an exalted
and striking feature in the landscape. They
are employed in almost every department.
and sit in Congress, and up To this time there
has never been public scandal associated
with negro. The tenacity with which they
cling to property is one of the most remnrka.
BILE manifestation In human development, and
although degraded, undermined, taxed, and
tempted, they hold to their lots and shanties
III the fashonabla West End Of the city with
aprescience and resolution as notable as that
OF the poor old woman who gave testimony
w ore the ku-klux committee, saying: "DeY
look me out an beat me free times in dat
one night wild hickory swathes, an put de
rope aroun' my neck, an said dew was apvine
r.
farm; but, genl'men, wouldn't rib up INV
property. Any thing says |, il I can Keep
my land"
Here il may be added that the statesmen
OF the African race are nearly all resident in
WASHINGTON, or in frequent council there,
headed OF course, by one Of the first literary
minds hitch Maryland has produced.
moan derrick Douglass, raiive of Caro-
line c. an 2, on the eastern shore, whose
years hay, been spared TO realize the ex.
tremest Transformations of human nature.
Once logged slave, with an African mother,
he tempted the alphabet letter by letter
from boys who have played around the shin
yard where he was a mechanic; next, The
pioneer negro on the English musings 10
plead for American emancipation, and bought
and redeemed by the audiences he addressed |;
finally, the guest Of an American ship Of
war, and the editor Of newspaper in Wash
ingtoni and, perhaps greater than all, SO
selirespecting as To prefer the post Of private
duty rather than move into Southern state
Tor the sake Of senatorship.-Harpers
Magazine.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

QuirE an art enterprise has been started
by the " National Bronze Portrait Company"
1t proposes to put medallion portraits of the
signers of the Declaration of Independence
in the entrance hall of the permanent cen
tenpial building, at Philadelphia, and in its
galleries similar likenesses of the most re-
markablo men each state has produced in
the departments of art, science, literature
and invention. The value of the collection
will depend very largely ON the discrimina-
ton withwhich the subjects of the portraits
are selected sie
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

The Union Pacific Railroad Company
propose to set aside 100000 year for the
payment Of the debt it owes the government
This is very nice, but we should have more
hopes of it il it would undertake to pay the
interest on the bonds lent it by the govern
ment, which amounts to about 81 100000 a
year, and for which it is now over $4,000.
900 IN arrears.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

A REPORT has just been made TO Congress
respecting the method and cost ofconstruct-
ing ship canal on Lake Champlain, from
Whitehall to Fort Edward, on the Hudson
river and the improvement OF the naviga-
ton of the upper Hudson, so that laden
steamers can pass from the lake to deep WA
ter in the Hudson without breaking bulk.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

AMERICANS SUCCESSFUL Americans
have won the freshest laures in connection
with the recent observations of the transit
OF Venus. Nature, in review Of the prep
arations that had been made for the obser-
vatious, said "The United States lead all
the other nations, in respect both of the
amount of money which her government has
contributed and of the discomfort, not to
say dangers, of the stations she has chosen
in the southern seas. Posts Of importance
which were given up as too hopelessly mis-
cradle even for enthusiastic English astron-
omers, will be occupied by Americans" As
the record of the observations has come in
we have found these words confirmed The
American parties have been heard from al
most everywhere. The largest proportion of
the successful observations have been at
tanned by them. They have even succeeded,
as in New Zealand, at points whore obser-
ers of other countries at neighboring
stations failed. OF course, such fortuitious
success is due to good fortune, rather than
to calculation, for the event was one
which could not be calculated upon but
tt ing of parties in every quarter Of the
numerously than any other ma
lily attributable to the active cul-
ence in this country, and is the
Je' .ence of the genuineness Of culture.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

EARL RUSSELL is publishing Recollec-
tons of his own career, and in one paper
he fairly acknowledges not only that the
course of the English authorities in allowing
the Alabama to escape was wrong, but that
he was responsible for it. This is very good
from man who, has always asserted the
fairness Of highlands neutrality during the
war