davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
Report Of the Secretary Of the Navy.

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-The report of the Sec
1retaEy OF. the Navy VIII show that there are be-
measurement. Exclusive of howitzers and Cat
lings they carry l, AZ guns. OF these l2s carry
and have steam power; IS are in actual service,
and five are preparing for sea; l6 may be con-
remainder are at the various navy yards. some
requiring slight and others extensive repairs,
but most. Of them could be made ready for
any special service in a short time. There
is also on hand stored at the various navy
yards live oak timber sufficient for 81 new ships
rial of every kind. The Secretary says: Our
Navy is now far more powerful for warlike pur-
poses than it ever has been before in time of
peace. 1t does not compare either in number or
character of vessels with the expensive estab-
lishments of those of the European nations
armed array. and whose contiguous coasts and
deep harbors at home and scattered colonies all
over the world seem to require that they should
constantly rival each other at whatever expense
in the size and power Of their naval ves-
sells and armaments; but for the defensive
with . dangerous coast and shallow harbors
separated by vast ocean from war-like naval
when its iron clad fleet shall be completely re-
paired, a work requiring now but little time and
expense, and its force supplemented by the
cheap addition recommended, it
will be found sufficient to resist any force which
could be brought across the ocean to attack us,
the seas and among the islands Which lie con
tiguous to our own shores.
In view OF the fact that the appropriation for
the two principal working bureaus of the Depart
ment average but little over IS 900 900 annually.
and considering the cost of merely maintaining
navy consisting largely Of ships hurriedly built
Of perishable material which. after requiring for
a few years constant repair, finally drop out Of
the service from utter worthlessness, the Secre-
tary recommends the construction Of fast wooden
cruisers, to serve as schools Of instruction in
times Of peace, and capable Of destroying an en-
emy's commerce in time Of war; Also of the use
of monitors and marine rams for war purposes.
The Secretary repeats the recommendation of
last year that Congress give the necessary au-
thorfty to enlist annually $50 boys for the Navy
under existing laws. but, in addition to the
number of men now allowed, he also urges that
the enlisted men of the Navy may be allowed an
outfit of clothing. and . banking system
for the Navy such IS is now in the Army.
The estimates for the general maintenance OF the
Navy for the next year are sis ,s46 ,ol2, togeth-
er with an additional amount Of 81 $50, % to
supply an inevitable deficiency in the pay ap-
preparation. and to enable the department to
rescind its order placing all unemployed officers
on furlough pay, and to make up 70 those who
have been or may be SO reduced, without fault
on their part, the amount of pay which they
would have received.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
WIT AND WISDOM.

THE clear, crisp, star-lit winter
nights are near at hand, when the love-'
smitten country swain bitches his horses
to the sleigh and drives II miles to get
his nose frozen, and discovers that his
girl has gone off to party with some
other fellow.
PARLIAMENT at its last session cut
down Queen Victoria's allowance to
SO, 27o per day, and now the poor old
girl spends hours sitting with fashion
magazine in her lap, and holding an
cid dress in each hand, wondering how
she can contrive to make one new one
out of the two. Heaven help the poor.
-HaOk-eye.
A LOCOMOTIVE engineer who had just
been discharged for some cause gave
vent to his spite, eminently character
istic of American humor. He said it
anyhow, for the sake of his life, for
s'there was nothing left of the old
track but two streaks of rust and the
right Of way
THE custom among elderly gentle:
men of making a common carrier of
their plug hats has become so common
that the spectacle of a respectable elder
in church with q red silk handkerchief,
two letters, a postal card, and corner
of plug tobacco on his head no longer
raises the ghost of a smile in the con-
gregation.- Washington Notion.
The logic of childhood is sometimes
irresistible. A promising youth of on
ly seven summers, who had been ac-
cused of not always telling the truth,
cross-examined his father. "Father,
did you use to lie when you were q
boyp" No, my son. said the pa
ternal who evidently did not recall the
past with any distinctness. "Nor
mother, eitherp'' persisted the young
lawyer. s. No; but whyP'' "Oh, be-
cause don't see how two people who
never told lie could have boy that
tells as many as do.'' The problem
has never been solved. There is mis-
take somewhere, and the chances are
that it was not made by the boy.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
TELEGRAPHIC NOTES.

A Rio Grande dispatch says Gen.
Diaz has occupied the City of Mexico, and
that Lerdo and his Ministers have fed west
ward. 45gS. = sEJft
The National Association of Short-horn
Breeders met at st. Louis on the 9Th, near
yone hundred being present. The con-
vention adjourned to meet at Lexington,
KY, on the oath of October, 1877.
A wagon-ioad of nitro-glycerine ex-
ploded near Petrolia, Pa, on the 10th. The
horses and wagon were blown to atoms, and
two men named Smith and Humphreys, who
were engaged in unloading the explosive
material, met with similar fate, only
detached fragments of their bodies being
afterward found.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
Report of the Secretary Of the Interior.

A large portion Of the report of Secretary
Chandler is devoted to Indian affairs, rather
a review of the Commlssioner's report, in which
the views of the latter officer fully Endorsed
owit: That the Indians be concentrated upon
a few reservations. accepting the proprietorship
courts Of the United States be substituted for
their tribal organization. The general statement
all the tribes are at present under control of the
Department and making commendable improve
ment.
Public lands have been disposed of during the
year to the amount of 1874 1926 acres, nearly
half OF which were homestead entries, ], 00S, 005
acres approved to states as swamp lands and
i DOL us certified to railroads. The cash re-
cepts were 81 TAI ,215.
The number of patents Issued was Il, oil an
increase of ,6Sl over the previous year. The
receipts of the patent office were e7s7, 5s6 rs;
expenditures 1851, 37.76.
The whole number OF names upon the pension
rolls is 232 .137, and the aggregate amount paid
for pensions was Isl 500. &c. 81 1871 SIG "a
less than was expended for the same purpose in
IS75
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
PERSONAL AND POLITICAL,

Col. THOMAS DowLING, a prominent
citizen of Indiana, member of the Demo-
cratic National Committee, and founder OF
the Terre Haute Express, died in that city
ON the 9th.
Mrs. IRENE HOUsE, who was recently
acquitted at Trenton, N. j., Of the murder
Of her husband, has been placed in the New
Jersey State Lunatic Asylum. .s,.-ss--@
THE bust of the late Horace Greeley,
presented to the friends of the deceased
by American printers and Journalists, was
unveiled at Greenwood Cemetery in Brook
Ign, on the 4th. Bayard Taylor delivered
an Grafton, C. T. Steadmau read a poem,
and Thuriow Weed unveiled the statue.
The Legislature of Colorado, by a
nearly unanimous VOTE. adopted q joint
resolution protesting against the action of
the lower House of Congress in declining to
qualify Mr.. Bedford, the. Representative
elect from that State.
THE Oregon Republicans were re-
ported as greatly Indignant over the course
of Gov. Grover in commissioning the Dem
ocratic Elector in that State, and passed
resolutions asking the United States Senate
to prevent him from taking his seat, on the
ground that he had willfully violated his
oath.
A NEW YORK dispatch says that John
Morrissey has declared of all pools sold by
his house on the direct result Of the Presi-
Dental election.
HON. LEVI HUBBELL, well known
lawyer and politician, died at Milwaukee
on the Sth, aged 68. His death resulted
from shock caused by fall. Mr.. Hubbell
was Chief-Justice Of the Wisconsin SUI
preme Court in 1853, and has since served
in the Legislature. He was Attorney Gem
eral Of the State of New York in 1888.
HON. GEO. A. TRENHOLM, an emil
nent merchant Of Charleston, and Secretary
of the Treasury of the Confederate Govern
ment at the time Of its collapse, died on the
10th, aged 20.
JAMES LYNCH, Vicar General of the
Catholic diocese of Hartford, Conn.,, died
recently from injuries received by fall.
BREvEr-COL. THOMAS B. WEIR, of
the Seventh United States Cavalry, died
suddenly at his home in New York City, on
the 9th, Of congestion of the brain.
THE Official canvass of votes polled in
New Mexico at the recent election gives
Romero, Republican, for Congress, o, sol
Baldez, Democrat, 7,41S. " 81
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
New England's Deserted Farms.

often hear people deplore the de-
population of the billy portions of New
England, and the emigration of our
hardy and industrious farmers to the
more fertile and more easily cultivated
Western prairies. That the emigrants
are themselves generally benefited by
the change is sufficiently evident; then
why deplore their departurep 1t is like
lamenting the prosperity of our friends.
Does the sight of the abandoned farms,
the yawning cellar holes. surrounded
by few decaying apple trees, now SO
common on our hillsides, produce sad
nessP The saddest sight to me is
strong, active man toiling year after
year on one of our rocky, billy, almost
uncultivatable soilless New England
farms, remote from neighbors, from
schools, and almost all the social adj
vantages which help to make life en-
joyable, and achieving Gall that it is
possible to achieve) only scanty sub
sistance for himself and family. Chill
dren reared on such farm may be ro-
bust and strong, but if they possess
enterprise, ambition, had almost said
intelligence, they will flee to the West,
to the city, to the mandatory, or be-
hind the merchants counter at the first
opportunity.-Cor. Boston CultiDator.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

| terized the action of the President in sending
such a partisan communication to the House as
extraordinary and unprecedented, aud he moved
that the message and documents be laid on the
table,: Carried by party vote-15s to 80. Mr..
tee for Florida instead Of Mr.. Garfield, excused.
The Senate, on the It'll discussed at length
the resolution to print the Presidents Louisiana
message and accompanying documents. The
printing finally ordered by a vote of 40 yeas
to Is nays. a number of Democrats voting yea.
Mr.. Mitchell introduced resolution, condemn
commissioning a Democratic: Elector. in the
face OF Republican majority of over 100 in the
state. and instructing the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections to investigate the matter.
Ordered prin ed and to lie on the table. A. bill
was also introduced, making it a penal ofYense
for any person to act as an Elector in any State
without having been duly elected or appointed,
fraudulently cast to the seat of Government.
The House adopted a resolution. directing the
either legislative constitutional. by which the
Electoral votes may be counted and the result
declared by a tribunal whose authority none can
question. The Speaker appointed Mr.. Beebe on
excused.
In the Senate, ON the Sth, there was an in.
cidental discussion as to the continuance of the
joint rules of the last Congress-, the Chair decid-
peal being taken. the Chair was sustainedNyeas.
90; nays, 4; absent or not voting, 49,.
report favorabiy on a resolution ofiefed BY Rep
resentative McCrary yesterday, providing for
the appointment of committee to act in con-
junction with a committee of the Senate to Sc
cure a count of the Electoral votes and de-
termination of disputed questions by tribunal
whose authority none can question, and
whose decision all will accept as final.
The Pension Appropriation bill passed, and
then Mr. Wood IN. } called up the resolution
offered by him yesterday, calling on the Presi-
dent for copies Of the Instructions sent to and of
reports received from, military civil officers 1
in the South since August. Objections were
made by the Republicans, but the resolution was
adopted without debate Both Houses ad-
journed till Monday. u
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

WITH reference to color-blindness, or
the lack of power to distinguish colors,
it is stated that very few of the persons
so affected are conscious of the defect
in their vision. Many railroad acct
dents are caused by the color-blindness
of railway employees, and the Swedish
Railway Direction has recently ordered
an examination to be made by oculists
of all the men in its employ, so as to
guard all danger. Professor Holingren,
who has just examined the employees
of the Upsala Gefle Railway. found that,
out of 266 persons examined, eighteen
were color-blind, and SO utterly untitled
for the railway service.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
Vocal Telegraphy.

For some years past, says the Boston
Globe, Prof. A. Graham Bell, professor
of vocal physiology in the Boston Uni
versity, has been engaged in the inven-
ton of apparatus by the use of which
persons might talk to each other by
word of mouth over the telegraph
wires. His invention having reached
such a state of perfection as to admit
of experiments between distant points,
trial was made yesterday on the wires
along the line of the Eastern railroad.
Prof. Bell conducted the experiment in
the Boston Office, and Mr.. Thomas A.
Watson, assisted by the Eastern rail-
road operator, oficiated at the Salem
Office, between which and Boston-a
distance of 16 miles-a conversation
was carried on with the most crafty
ing success. Every word uttered in the
Boston Office was distinctly heard in
Salem, and vice versa. The circuit
was then made to extend to North Con-
way, N. H., 143 miles from Boston,
with Salem as a way station, where the
messages sent to North Conway were
taken off the wires in passing and dis
tinctly heard. As the apparatus used
yesterday was only intended to convey
the sounds to Salem, the unexpected
extent of its utility was exceedingly
wonderful. A further experiment was
finally tried, as follows: The Boston
operator talked with the Salem operator
via Portland that is, the sound of Prof.
Bells voice was conveyed to Portland
and thence back as far as Salem, dis
lance of about 200 miles. At this dis
lance the words could not be distin-
guished, but the sound Of talking was
heard by Mr.. Watson at Salem family,
as if of some one speaking on the other
side of q door. The apparatus, Is
above stated, however, was not adapted
to conveying the sound to such great
distance, and the experiments made are
held to be adequate proof that any given
distance can be annihilated by the use
of proportionately powerful magnets.
The trial is, therefore, considered to
establish the great utility of the inven-
ton, and its success undoubtedly marks
an era in the history of the telegraph.
Among those present at the Boston
Office, yesterday, during the progress of
the experiments were Gen. A. P. Rock
we'll, President of the Eastern Railroad,
and wife, Miss Stearns, Mr.. Morrison |
and Mr.. Eustis Hubbard.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

which evidence the votes Of such par
ishes and polls were rejected from the
final count, is said by the committee to
be conclusive, and.the fairness and i'm
Partially of the Returning Board in
conducting its investigations are highly
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

AN exchange tells marvellous story
of a canary bird owned by a lawyer in
Virginia City, Nevada, which never
goes into its cage to sleep, but flies
about its owners Office at will. 1t is
said to chew tobacco, eat mucilage and
drink ink,
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

ga oAsr-IRoN grandmother" is not
a term of reproach, but only new
machine for darning stockings.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
South Carolina.

The Democratic members of the South
Carolina Senate withdrew on the 9th. The
returns Of the State election were canvassed
by the Republican Legislature, and Cham
berlain declared elected by {, O44 majority.
The entire vote of the counties of Edgefield
and Laurens was thrown out.
The rival Houses of the South Carolina
Legislature continued in session on the 9th,
the Republican body at the Capitol, and the
Democratic at Carolina Hall. The Demo-
cratic House had been reinforced by a
number of deserters from the Republican
body, and now claimed SO members
bearing the certificates of the
Board of Canvassers--a constitutional
quorum, as claimed, and so recognized by
the Supreme Court. Wade Hampton made
a public speech, in which he said that he
had been fairly and legally elected Governor
of the State, and in conclusion declared
sfThe ballot-box has announced the verdict
of the people, and l shall be their Governor
or they shall have military Government. -
Gov. Chamberlain was inaugurated and
sworn in by Probate Judge Boon, in the
presence of the Republican Legislature, on
the It'll, and delivered a short inaugural
address, in which he said that no consider
alton but duty impelled him to accept the
position to which he had been chosen. The
Democratic House appointed committee
to inform the Senate and General Ruger
that it was the legal House under the de-
cision of the Supreme Court, and requested
the latter to withdraw the troops from the
State-house.
The Democratic House, on the Sth, de-
cided to employ counsel and proceed against
ID. III. Chamberlain for treason in usurping
the Government of the State. The Su-
preme Court granted a temporary in
junction, restraining the banks where
the State funds are deposited from paying
out such funds upon the orders OF Cardozo,
the Republican Treasurer. The Congress-
ional Investigating Committee arrived and
Immediately organized for business,
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
% - - :. >
CURRENT TOPICS.

The Brooklyn Theater was burned
on the night Of the 9Th. The fire orig
ifated on the stage, at 11:30 p. m,
when the company was about half
through with the last act of IS The Two
Orphans" The fire spread with light
ming rapidity, and the panic and con-
fusion was terrible. The smoke soon
became suffocating, and women fell,
fainting, in the aisles, and were tram
pied oyer. Numbers jumped cut of the
windows and were severely injured, and
some lives were undoubtedly lost.
Further Investigation into the. loss
Of life by the burning of the Brooklyn
Theater deehlopsd the horrible fact that
over - tuhifsd lives were lost by
the f als easuafty. Up to the night
of thh 800 bodies had been removed
fsem 80 min, and the ghastly work
VS. still progressing. Most of the
bodies were unrecognizable.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

THE Northern Democrats who went
to Florida to witness the canvass of the
votes for Presidential Electors, on the
9th forwarded by telegraph an address
to the House Of Representatives, stating
that the counting in of the Republican
Electors by the Board OF Canvassers
was done in the face of decisive pop
ular majority for the Democratic Elect
ors, and that the result was accom-
plished by throwing out whole Demo-
cratic precincts and counties in open
disregard of facts and in violation of
the law.
THERE was important news from
Mexico on the 9th, to the effect that
President. Lerdo and his entire Cabinet
had been captured by the Revolution
lists near the City of Mexico, and that
Gen. Escabedo, Secretary of War, to-
gether with some others, had been shot,
Monterey and Saltillo have surrendered
to the insurgents, and the whole north
ern frontier, with the exception of Mat
amoras, was in the possession of the
supporters of Iglesias.
A WAsHRGreN special says that
Congress will probably adjourn for the
holiday recess from Friday, Dec. Is,
until Monday, Jan. 2. In the mean
while, the select committees will pursue
their Investigations in the Southern
STATES. - b d -
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

The President, on the 9th, transmit
tedto Congress the report OF the COM
mittee of Northern Republicans who
visited Louisiana for the purpose of
Witnessing the canvass of the vote in
that State for Presidential Electors. 1t
is signed by Senator Sherman of Ohio.
Representatives Eugene Hale of Maine,
j. A. Garfield of Ohio, and w. d. KEEL
ley Of Pennsylvania, and Messrs. E..
w. Stoughton and J. Ii. Van Allen of
New York, G. Parker of New Jersey,
and Sidney Clark and j. C.
Wilson of Kansas. The report is of
considerable length, giving full particu-
lars as to the composition of the Re-
turning Board and the law under which
it acts, and the manner in which the
final canvass of the votes was conduct
ed. The evidence of intimidation and
violence in several parishes and polls,
- presented to the Board, and upon
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
THE DISPUTED STATES.
Louisiana.

The Louisiana Returning Board, on the
9Th, declared the election of the entire Re-
publican ticket, National and State, togeth-
err with four Of the six Congressman. The
majorities declared for the Republican Elec-
tors range from 8, 500 to 4, 500, and for Gov
ernor, 8, 426. The votes Of Grant and East
Feliciana parishes, as well as of 25 or so
polling-places in other parishes, were
threwn out, on the ground of intimidation
and illegality.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16
RECOVERING THE BODIES.

could tell, and at noon only guesses
could be made.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

TIE principal changes in the men,
bership of the Senate committees are
those caused by the resignation of Sem
ator Morrill, and the death of Senator
Caperton. Window becomes Chair
man of the Committee on Appropria-
tons vice Secretary Morrill,, and Blaine
il made member of this committee,
and also OF the Committee on Naval
Affairs, of which Secretary Morrill, was
. member. Dawes is assigned to the
place vacated by Morrill, on the Indian
COMMITTEES. Boutwell, retires from the
Committee on Commerce and
from the special committee to
examine the several branches of the
civil service, Dawes taking his place on
the former, and Harvey succeeding him
- Chairman of the latter. Mitchell of
Oregon is made Charms an of the Com
mittee on Transportation Routes to the
Seaboard, rice Window, who resigns,
but retains place on the Committee.
Senator Price is assigned to Caperton's
position on Claims, Railroads, and OF
Revision of Laws Committees. Mr..
Chaffee is placed on the Territories,
Patents, and MINIS, and Mines and
Mining, and Teller on Claims and PEN
sions.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

The cremation of the remains of the
late Baron de Palm took place at the.
crematory Of DR.. LIE Moyne, at Wash.
ington, Pa, on the 9Th. The incinera-
ton was completed in two hours and
forty minutes, and was success in
every particular. The process was wit
nessed by large number Of scientists
from various parts Of the country, and
subsequently, a meeting was held at
which the subject of cremation was full
ly discussed. .sa -. -s,zt