davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01
A Bugbear Demolished !

We hope everybody will read the
great letter of Gov Tilden on the late
Southern War Claims which we pub
fish in our paper this week, 1t COM
pletely destroys the Radical statement
and stock in trade, that if Tilden is
elected the rebel war debt will be
paid, slavery restored, etc.
The New York SIN, under the cap.
ton at the head of this article, when
publishing the letter made the follow
ing spicy comments =
"Let everybody read the conyinc-
ing letter Of Gov. Tilden concerning
the bear of Southern war claims in to.
days Sun. Calmly and with invinci-
BILE logic he etfectually disposes of
this spectre raised by Republicans to
brighten tinrid and thoughtess North
ern voters. He promises in clear and
explicit language that if elected so far
as depends on him, no rebel losses
shall be recognized or paid, whether
covered by the Fourteenth Amend
ment or not, that the cotton tax shall
not be refunded, and that he will veto
every bill providing for the assump
ton or payment Of such debts, claims
or losses. Gov. Tilden could not use
stronger language than he does in this
letter or more effectually sweep away
the bugbear manufactured by dema-
gogues.
His most interesting point is that
The danger to the Treasury is not
from rebel claims, but from those of
real or pretended loyal men in the
South during the war. These claims
ire great in number and enormous in
heir aggregate amount. They are
llSo tainted with fraud, and a tlreless
obby has long been usingall its cor
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01
Jobbery in Gravestones.
EVEN DEAD SOLDIERS ARE yICTIMIZED
BY REPUBLICAN sHARKERs.

EVEN DEAD SOLDIERS ARE vICTIMIzEI
BY REPUBLICAN sHARKERs.
1t was seen when an appropriation
was made by Congress Of million Of
dollars for the erection of headstopes
al The graves OF soldiers buried in the
national cemeteries that behind this
pretense of patriotic gratitude there
lurked a corrupt purpose. The event
has justified the expectation, as is
shown by the testimony taken before
the Committee on Military Affairs of
the House, and the accompanying re-
port, submitted by unanimous con-
sent, the Republican members concur
ring.
Proposals for the furnishing of
these stones were invited by advertise
ment, and the bids opened In the Of.
fice of the Quartermaster-General.
Instead OF the contract having been
gwen as a unit to the lowest bidder,
and instead of the lowest bid having
been accepted, it was distributed &C.
cording to the caprice of Secretary
Belknap. Contracts for material and
work subject to the same specifications
We're also awarded to the lettings to
different parties at varying rates, with
out warrant of law Changes in the
details, as they were first exacted,
were also subsequently made by the
Secretary, as regards the dimensions
OF the stones and the amount of let
tering, in the interest Of the favored
recipients. Bridges, who, as bidder,
was-not entitled to any portion of the
contract, but who was preferred, was
a fellow townsman and particular
friend of General Belknap's.
1t was eminently fitting that par
ty whose policy and knavery had in
ordinately augmented taxation, while
palsying lndustry-which had robbed
the infant in its cradle by taking the
fathers bread, which had set the bag
gard impress of perplexity and want
upon the brow Of manly toll, and d.
minished the widows cruse-should
not hesitate, as an Unsuitable scourge
of the living, to enlarge its field of
operations by an alliance with Death |!
itself.
The unanimous report of the Com.
mittee shows that the principal con-
tract was secured by one Briggs a
ieaceler of Keokuk, and friend of
Belknap, who levied blackmail on the
other contractors before their bids
were passed
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

it is true, divesied Of its coloring of
fancy, had the consent of the Yer
mont and Canada Directors and com
: mlttee beforehand. The leases of
other roads, the expenditure OF funds,
and the incurring OF debts which
should be chargeablc TO the trust az n
prior obligation to the rent of the
Vermont and Canada road. were all
made by AZ. with the consent of tn.
Vermont aud Canada. 1t was usual
for the Trustees of the Central, the
Directors Of the Canada and the COM
mttee Of the bondholders 10 agree
and unite upon any order they desired
to obtain from the Chancellor, and
request HIM to give the sanction of
the Court to this agreement Of the
parties in interest
1t was in this way that the orders
OF the Court were obtained, and the
measures adopted against which the
Canada road now SO grieyously pro.
tests. The truth is. the entire policy
of the Central was largely shaped and
approved by the Vermont and Cana
da. When the Trustees were extend
ing their road by leases OF ether roads
and accommodating Il debt 10 improve
their business and the facilities Of lo
ing it, and making that debt charuea-
bic to the Trustees they were engaged
in a work that fired the hearts of the
Vermont and Canada Company with
enthusiasm aud joy, but as soon as it
was done and the Jesults did not meet
the expectation Of the company, they
thought it was IN invention Of the
devil, and they have been fighting the
Trustees ever since in oder to deliver
themselves from the meshes in which
they were entangled by their own
choice and action.
But the records of the Court are
too strong against them for them to
escape from the responsibility of their
own doings Whenever we sec any
just ground to condemn the Trustees
of the Central for policy which had
the unqualified support OF all the Sc
curlty holders, III advance of its adop.
ton, we may. perhaps, join with those
railroad moraists who try to cover up
their own mistakes by eliminating
other men, But we have as vet no
evidence Of the honesty of those who
would incul pate the Trustees tor er
rors if they be made, for which they
Ire equally to blame. Nor have We
any proof that Mr.. Brooks and his
riends have ever begun the study of
he subject about which they are max
ne so much noise. Thus far the
Trustees have been the only men who
ave seemed 10 know what they were
about. w
--From tie Boston Journal
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01
From the Albany Argus Oct. "A.
The Cost of Hayes Election.
ONE or THE BURDENS IT WOULD M
POSE ON TAXPAYERS:

The election Of Hayes by the Party
OF Plumber means the payment of the
Immens" war CLAIMS uow owned bv
the fadical. Washington and Carpet
Bag Rings.
| The Radical 43d Congress passed
bills Tor the payment Of Southern
claims TO the amount Of S5,88l 900.
The Democratic House # the 44th
Congress, in spite of TIE efforts of the
Rings, rejected these claims, and
awarded to; war damages only $74,.
453.
The Democratic House passed only
claims owned by loyal citizens, and
still held by the original claimants.
The Republican Congress passed
exaggerated and fictitious claims
owned BY ring brokers, and founded
upon the demands Of rebels.
Nearly all the Southern claims are
now the property of Radical Rings.
They are particularly anxious for Rad
zeal success, because they know by ex-
pcrlenUe that the Democrats will not
aid their pundering schemes.
THE SOUTHERN CLAIM
AGENTS ARE TIE MOST LIB
ERAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE
REPUBLICAN FUND.
Mosby, the guerrilla, now the head
of the Radicals in Virginia, in re-
cent letter publicly urged the election
OF Hayes so as to secure attention to
Southern demands.
In 1872 Gen. K. V. Rice, the conf
dant of Belknapin the post leadership
swlndles, was the representative Of the
Radical Southern Claims Ring lie
sent circulars to Northern born resi-
dents of the South, explaining the
plot and urging the buying up of ey-
cry plausible clam. These circulars
We're received by many Democratic
Union soldiers, among others by Col.
Gera of the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry.
now member of the Alabama Legis-
lature for snmpter county.
The S5,S81,O0O paid through the
action Of the Republican Congress in
1873 and 1874, WAS PAID TO THE
RADICAL RING ASSIGNEES. If
The Republicans should triumph at
this election, the United States Treas
lry would be emptied to pay such
'lalms. The same Radical rings oarn
he cotton cl0inos and ell other project
ed spindles on tie FederM government.
Remember that the Radicals stole
81 o0O,0O0,O0O iii The whiskcy frauds
'lone, and that the hungry carpet-bag-
gers OF the South, having stole the
southern States poor, are now organ ;
zed for a gigantic raid on the FEEDER
/ Treasury. I
THE ELECTION OF HAYES &
IEA MS PROSPERITY TO RINGS t
MD SUCCESS TO PUBLIC |
'LuNDER TO AN EXTENT RU- c
NOUS TO THE TAXPAYERS /
)F THE NORTH AND TO THE l
V HOLE COUNTRY. a
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01
Oar Candidate.

We find the following just tribut
to Hezekiah B. Smith, Esq, of Smith
vile, n j., the Democratic nominee
for Congress in one of the Districts Of
that State, in the Trenton On. J.) True
American. Mr.. Smith is native OF
this town, and all who know him will
endorse what the american says OF
him. Mr. o. A. Bryant, for long
time Mr. Smiths book keeper and
paymaster, informs US that one of his
(Mr. Smith's) hands was taken sick
with consumption, and that he CON
tinued his pa! (SlS a week. for two
years, or until his death. What Re.
publican would do the like We
don't know -
We are hearing the best reports re.
gardlng Mr.. Hezekiah b. Smith, our
candidate for Congress in this district.
We yesterday had the pleasure of
meeting Mr.. d. b. Schemley, who is
now stopping in this city, and who
had formerly been in the employ of
Mr.. Smith tor nearly eight years. On
taking hold of this present mill prop
erty, Mr.. Smith enlarged aud i'm
proved the existing dwellings and
built new ones, in order to afford COM
Portable homes for his workmen,
which he let TO them at low rents.
knowing the impositions to which
those Of small means are compelled to
submit, at an early day he established |
a store that those in his employ might
purchase their supplies at prices only
five per cent. above the cost by whole
sale. There was no odious ticket sys,
tenn adopted, but his men were always
paid good wages regularly, and in
cash, so that they might use their own
pleasure as to where they would bay.
IT workman fell sick OF was injured
about the shop, he always saw that
his family did not suffer from his ina
bility to work, and in several instan-
ces kept them on the pay roll until re-
rovery. In fact, we were told of one
instance in which one of his work.
men, who was sick with consumption
and compelled to leave the place, Mr.
Smiths generosity did not stop with
helping him while near him, but he
also headed subscription list with a
arge sum by which his future wants
night be met, During the present
depression in business he has kept as
arge force at yorl and at as high
wages as was possible. Commencing
ife as he did, at the foot of the ladder
md working his way up, he has
earned and remembered the hard
,laces IN life, and has sought to
mooth them for those who follow
lin. He is man of generous i'm
pulses; charitable to the highest de.
gree (; helping alike in matters of ben
tit.to the community and to individu- a.,
Is His judgment before passing !
vents is unsurpassed; he is a good
nancier; estimates mems character :
aadily, is, as can be seen by his bust i,
ess success, of rare ability, and would Il
lake an excellent member of Con y
ress.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

rupt arts to get them paid. III" Re-
publican rings are interested in them,
and with Republican President W e
might safely expect to see them draw
many millions from Che Treasury on
fraudulent representations and against
law and precedent Mr.. Tildpn would
defeat this conspiracy, and instead of
the allowances Of war claims lpcrpas.
my under his Administration hi, zeal.
Gus scrutiny OF the cIainA would
greatly decrease the inroads on the
Treasury, The letter of Gov. Tildep
IS sound and important.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01
The Vermont Railroad Controversy,
MONTPELIER. VIZ. Oct. %

MONTPELIER, VI, Oct. %.
1t may not be of much consequence
to notice the extraordinary series of
''whereases" that preceded the insig
nifcant resolution of the dozen stock
holders of the Vermont and Canada
road at its late annual meeting at
Bellows Falls. These miuor preludes
reclte the successive violations of the
Trustees and Managers OF the Central
Vermont. But it may be we'll to re-
state what has been quite thoroughly
published already, that each one Of
those acts which are now made counts
against the Central Trustees, so far as
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

The conclusions of most monient Il
the public service to which the com
mittee have arrived are
"7hat the awarding Of the contract
for head-stones referred to qcere mad,
IN oiolation Of la,c, and show q disre
gard of official duty.
"Ih0t the contracts suere not a,rara
e@to the loacest responsible bidder, as
required By la0
"That the separation Or division OF
the contract, and awarding of parts of
the same to different contractors at
different rates, claimed to have been
done by the Secretary of War, in the
exercise of discretionary power, is
not warranted by any law, and that
such discretion was assumed without
right, to the prejudice of the Govern
ment and the injury of bidders.
"That some of the inspections ap.
pear to have been corruptly made,
and the inspector who made them
was unworthy of trust, aud the COM
mlttee are informed that he has been
dismissed,
"lhat the changes in form and di-
mansions OF the head-stones, without
a corresponding change in the price,
have been made by the Secretary of
War after the work was commenced.
in the interest Of the contractor, and
in this judgment Of the committee,
constitute an abuse of official power
on the part Of the officer.
Sin conclusion, your committee
find that the awarding of the con-
tracts appear to have been unfair, I'm.
just and III violation of law, and TO
have been decided without any proper
consideration OF the rights of bidders,
md with the special purpose to give
portion OF the contract to Samuel G..
Bridges, Of Keokuk, Iowa, who, un-
Ter his bid was not entitled to the
contract, nor any part OF the same
hat this Samuel G. Bridges, who fig,
Tres in the evidence as the friend of
he Secretary, purchased all of the t
contracts that were awarded to others /
hat he was not a man of sufficient ,,
'ecunlary means to carry out this con- +
ract alone, and, without large assist |
nee from other persons" {
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

Vote every Democrat in Wind
sor Countrywide every Democrat in
Vermont next Tuesday-for Tildeu
and Reform. Get out as big vote
as possible. Get out every Demo
cratic voter. Don't fail of it.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01
NEW ADVERTISEME NTS.
10 AGENTS or auy who need work

10 AGENTS OR auy who need work.
THE BIG BONANZA The 1s, SILVER
DAN DE DULLES new book with introduc
ton by MARK TWAIN is just ready. 1t is the
richest in text and illustration seen for long
time. Are you out of work or dragging along
on some dull book Go for this one. 1t will
fill your pockets sure Don't delay and lose
territory you want send for circular at once
1t costs nothing to see them. Address
AMERICAN PUBIC CO., Hartford. Conn.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01
A FARM and HOME
OF YOUR OWN.

Now is ihc time to Secure It {
The best and cheapest land in market are in
EASTERN NEBRASKA. OIL the line o! the Unio,,
Pacific RGth0dd The most favorable terms,
very low rates OF fare and freight to all set
tiers The best markets. Free passes to land
buyers. Maps, descriptive pamphlets, new
edition of THE PIONEER sent free every
where. Address q. 4. DAVIS, Land
PR X Omaha, Ncb.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

The Legislature appointed COM
mittee to investigate the Adjutant
Generals office with view of cutting
down his salary. Taxpayer what do
you think said committee did? They
raised the said salary from $500 to
5000! A gentleman who has been
acquainted with the workings of that
Office from the start. informs us that
the work can be performed for 5000!
Here is economy for you.
Democratic watchwords : Peace
and Reform,
Republican watchwords: Discord
and Extravaganza.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

&1O "a day at home. Agents wanted
" ~ Outfit and terms free. TRUE 4 co. =,
Augusta, Name.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

Greatest Offer Of the
All ENID! season. Eight $40 Ohro
mos given away with Home Guest, including
Hoover's Peerless American Fruit, 9 IL feet
long, Lake Lucerne, Virgin vesta. &c -
Mounted outfit, four chrome, 50 8 chromos,
$3.50. ]. LATHAM & CO.,
4l9 Washington, Street, Boston.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-11-01

w ANTED I'M NJ ED ATELV
W n more Young men and women olearn
Situations guaranteed
Small Salary while prac'icing. Address with
stamp. SHERMAN TELEGRAPH CO.,
OBERLIN, o.
The Hillsborough recorder., 1876-12-13
sANTo DoMIsoo.


The President makes On elaborate de-.
fence ~ bis rec ommendaiiun Tor tie 40.
ncxsrion o. Santo Domingo. After des.
cribing tho commercial advantages that
would have accrued. he sys tho Cuban
question wOnld have been settled long ago
in favor Of free Cuba. The President add.
aud concludes that the Island Of Ssbi1
Domingo is but ,rsrsely settled. while il
bas an area sufficient for the profitable
employment Of several millions Of people.
The soil would have soon fallen into he
hands d United States sspitali.ls. Tas
products are 90 valuable in commerce that
emigration there would have been encourag.
ed. The emanc;raied race ~ The South
would have found there congeuial home
where their civil rights wouId not he di..
pufed. aud ~hers their labor would bs %
'purh ~nght Sfier that llle pO0res, smonr
them could have founi The means 10 ~
there 10 eases of great apprehension anil
cruelty. sach ~ has been prscticed upon
them 81 maBy places within the last eleven
yeats. Whole communities weuld have
rsousht refuge 10 Ssnio Domingo. I do
not suppose the vbOle race uonld have
gone. nor u Il desirable that they should
70. Their la6pr is desirsbla. snd indi..
pensable almost whore lhey nau are. but
the possession Of this territory would have
lcft The negro master of ihe situation. b,
enabling bin 10 demand BIZ rights Il home
on pain of Gnding them elsewhere. I ia
not present these views now ~ 1 recon.
inendation for . renewal q ibe subject d
annexation. but | % refer 10 ]. 10 yisii.
cate ny previous action 10 regard to L.
ExIT onAST. B.
With the present Congress, my official
life terminates Il is not probable thai
public affairs will ever again receive at.
ieBtion fion me, fprinsr than Ne citizen
o. the repubIic. always taking deep inter
esi 10 The honor. integrity sud prosperity
of the shole land.
(Signed, U. 3. Grant.
Executive Mansion.
The Hillsborough recorder., 1876-12-13
TIE PROPOSITION OF MRHAYEs

NE InOTOofiiUN Of M III 4 Ed
Mr.. Hayes is stated 10 have sought and
obtained an interview with Col Roberts Of
the New Orleans Times. having failed in
his plan to have one With Senator Lamar Of
Mississippi with . vie~ to deyelop his poll
cy towards the South after his inauguration
For Mr.. Hayes affects to talk in happy con-
Edence Of his election. aud to chalk out his
future progress with the assurance Of y con-
firlned possessor Of his Offices. bis powers
aud his honors.
The sum and substance of bis ideas, are
that he is going to be very generous in his
policy 70 the South; that ne is going to
remove from us the curse Of carpet baggers.
i'm whom be recognizes our greatest pest !.
he i going to give III the domestic Offices
TO Southern men he Is going to leave the
control Of the negro question. and the ne
groes themselves to the wisdom Of Southern
men and Southern craftsmanship and--be-
cause he wants Southern eountenancc to his
admiristration-he is going to call promi-
nent Southern man into his cabinet!
Il is the fatal error Of Northern politi-
clans and Of Northern statesmen. that they
have never been able to un ierstand tAe
Southern people. In this corrupt era, they
have become accustomed to see self Interest
the governing principles in every thing.
They have become accustomed to see every
man hold himself At price. They have
becomeaccustoined to see conscience, honor.
political principle 6artered away for Office
Or for money, aud :hey have learned the be.
lief that all virtue isextinguished. and tina,
their motives peryade all mankind.
Ne do not pretend to say that Southern
character has altogether withstood the
strain which the trials Of the last ten yetr,
baye put upon It's endurance. But we dc
assert that it has not fallen into that abys.
Of degradation where money or office is til.
balm for ali trouble. II is still pure enough
and proud enough to secure it from the sa
cri6ce Of elevated party principles 70 the
base rewards that follow treachery to thei
own convictions.
+ Mr.. Hayes may be perfectly sincere il
his offers. But be betrays base natur,
when be tempts Southern leaders witE th,
promise Of reward to alliance With part,
against which every instinct Of justice. pa
triotism add personal interest burns in 40
dying antagonism. II was an unwortS.
imputatiOn, both upon the honor or the goo,
sense Of any Southern man Of influence o
character. that be could be bought TO 81
lence. or induced to cooperation With
chief who is unable to give assurance tina
he will not perpetuats that system whic
has entailed such wrong and ruin upon Ii
South. All the efforts of the Dsmocrati
party in the South for :hess ten years hay
been to obtain justice, not through hos,ili
; ty to the government. but opposition to th
administration. Does Mr.. Hayes expect
= that when tha. administration is in its deaf
, ibrOes. il shall receive new life at the hand
Of those s!.o hare helped to deal the dead
, ly blows!
The Hillsborough recorder., 1876-12-13
BLooDY sIltIsrlsN.

Afew post masters IN the Southern
States have expressed great apprehension
Of their personal safety on account Of their
connection with the postal service. and
have specially requested TINT their reports
II apprehended danger should not lie made
public. lesi il should result in the loss b.
their lives. but no positive testimony of
interference has been submitted. except IL
the case Of d mail messenger at Spartan
burg. South Carolina, who reported that
hc had been violently driven away while
IN cbsrge of the mails on account Of bis
political affiliations. An assistant superin-
tendeut Of the railway mail service inves-
tigHted this case and reported that the
messenger had disappeared from bis post.
leaving bis work 10 be performed by a
substitute. The Postmaster General adds
that the case Is sufficiently suggestive 10
Justify bin 10 recommending that more
severe punishment should be provided for
the ofen.e ~ an assanliing any person in
charge ofihe mails Or retarding Or other.
wise obsiruetiug them By threats o. person.
al injury.
The Hillsborough recorder., 1876-12-13

The horrible burning Of the Brooklyn
Theatre on Wednesday night last sarpasses
any event Of the kind known in our history.
The burning Of the Richmond Theatre IN
1911 destroyed between 20 aud so lives,
including that Of the Governor of Virginia.
The Brooklyn IRE destroyed 292
The meet uEaccountable feature Of the
ERE is that the loss oi life was Sot suspected
until the iirsmen began 70 clear away the
RUNS, and the fearful sight Was exposed Of
human bodies, IN every condition of mutt
latiun. piled Uno u2On The other to the depth
Of Sfteen fee:
Is there no safeguard against these Gala.
mites? Can no etfsctaal plan of escape be
devised? Ivery theatre, and every place
Of exhibition 10 the country is q deadly man
trap. Every accident creates panic. eve.
ry auic rush to the doors. and these duOrs
invariably elOse against the Irenzied refa-
gees. .@
There is one remedy for some ofthe evils,
no place Of exhibition should be connected
with any other building. Its isolation
would admit Of side doors and give Other
meen, Of exit than the solitary trout en-.
trance. e