The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-11-02

AZ The Springfield Republican in its
political independence, balances off the
rival candidates for the Massachusetts,
govcrnorship in manner similar to the
way Middlebury College professor used
to balance the two members Of an alge.
braic equation. 1t says, "Mr. Rice is
another Mr.. CASTOR )" not that they are
twins "but for the purposes of this caD-
vass, as rival candidate for the chief
magistracy Of the commonwealth, tested
by the requirements of the situation and
toe times, these two honest, prudent
gentlemen were really so much alike as
to leave but scant margin for choice
The independent journals cut a very sorry
figure 10 attempting to ride two horses at
once, even though they may have acquired
some skill in such performances as turn
ing political somersaults. The trouble is,
the political party horses are not trained
to run together, The opinion oethe peo.
pie Of Massachusetts as will be shown by
their election to-day, is not only that
1.-the margin, what there is Of it, is in
favor of Mr.. Rice" but that though per-
sonally a tolerably proper man, Mr.. Gas.
ton represents the exccrabe principles of
party of which but little c an be said in
its favor, while Mr.. Rice, an equally cor.
rect and efficient man personally, and
with an unexceptional record Of public
service, represents the principles of pro.
gress and reform and sound currency.
We have a right to expect an emphatic
expression Of preference for Mr.. Rice in
the election today.
AZ A terrible confagration occurred
at Virginia City, Nevada, on Wednesday,
1t was the old story of incompetence Of
fire department, difficulty in obtaining ad-
oquatc supply OF water and the inaamma
BILE nature Of the building materials. AT
any rate the fire spread over the entire
business portion Of the town down to the
ravne in which the valuable mines are
situated, The works Of the California
mine, of the Consolidated Virginia mill
and the Ophir hosting establishment
were all destroyed. Branch office Of the
Bank Of California and of Wells, Fargo
y o. Evrroeo No~r,np with hotels
churches, county buildings, newspaper
and other business places, were also burn
ed to the ground. The loss is very large,
estimated at S7,500,000; and it is said
that in consequence Of the connagation,
the gold yield received at the mint will
be about four million dollars short for the
next four months, and the silver supply
will show falling off of about million
and half dollars per month during the
same time. Large numbers oil the popu'
lation have been burned out Of house and
home, some placing the estimate Of this
class at ten thousand, but assistance has
been already afforded them by the ener.
getic and warm hearted citizens of San
Francisco and other places. But for
such sympathy and practical assistance
the suffering must have been fearful. The
-.-~~e~ 'h;"o 10 that the people will not
learn the obvious lessons Of the terrible
couhagations which are the daily staple
Of current news. Even after the calami.
ties of fire brought directly home to us
in so impressive a manner the new struc.
lures are all going up Of wood. OF
course we shall have another clearing out
sometime