davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-23

I IMemphis q Ohio &. b. $50
4.Q0l Twice Daily.
memphis 4 Charleston
X. R.-Daily. IL III l.OO
Mississippi 4 Tennes- q
see r. R.-Daily.
memphis h Little Rock a.SO
loo R. R.-Daily.
iPaducah 4 Memphis 800
2O r. R.-Daily.
Miss. river to Helene&l
sol Friar'B P't--daily.
(Vicksburg(tri-weeklyO
8 sol Mon, Thurs, Sat. s
(Miss. river ~ st. Leuisl
N1 Mon. Thurs. FIJI. 8
White River-Semi-
30 Weekly-rues. 4 Sat-.
Ark river, semi-weekly(
10 Tuesday and Saturday. s
marion ltri-veekly)-l
Mon, We'd, Fri. 10 $50
Cuba, Tennessee
weekly-RridAy. 10 10
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-23
IN, r., $751;
Chancery Sale Of Real Estate.

Chanoery Court of Shelby County-E L.
Beleher, administrator of James Wickersham
ct al VS.. d. Wickersham OF al.
BY VIRTUE OF AN INTERL0CUT0KY
ID decree for sale, entered In the above cause
on, the I'd day Of July, 1875, I will sell, al
public auction, to the higest bidder, in front
Of the Clerk and Masters office, oourt-house
building. Main street. Memphis. Tenn, on
GnNnnhnu Anil Q doHn ~
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-23
WEATHER AND BUSINESS.

Weather moderate With a steady rain,
The river here is still rising, and is now
within 6 feet Of high water mark. At
Cairo the rise was 3 inches, with 40 feet
2 inches above low water mark. At st.
Louis the rise was 2 inches, with the
upper streams swelling. At Pittsburg
it is falling, with Z feet | inch in the
channel. At Cincinnati the rise was 9
inches, with 80 feet above low water
mark. At Louisville and Evansville it
is swelling, with 10 feet on the falls
Cumberland river is falling, with % feet
on the shoals. Tennessee river is rising
slowly. Arkansas river is receding at
Little Rock, with IA feet . inches in the
channel. White river is stationary, with
a big stage Of water from Ja~cksonp0rt
to the mouth.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-23

NAroNA TRIPLE OF II. AND T..
40, l-meets every Friday even
ing at 8 o'clock at neW Masonic
hall, GayOsO block. Main street.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-23

For Nau0 rInnnn


Cincinnati and New 0rleans Psckef-For
q Nieksburg, Matches. New Orleans and an
way Landings Steamer tt3la
Golden Rule 8 Ezas
0. P. Shinkle.. .@...... ..-mastera431a
T EAYEs AS ABOVE THIS DAY. MARCH
IL q, at 6 pm.
For freight or passage apply 10 Vn TVl
J. ". WASHINGTON, Agent. 500 Front st.
For Cairo and Sc. LOUts.
Memphis and st. Louis Packet Company-U.
5. Mail-For Osceola, New Madrid, Hiok-
man, Cairo and st. Louis.
CIrX OF CHESTER. ..~ . Zeisler. master
EAYES AS ABOVE THURS
~ day, March %, at 5 pm. sf
For freight or passage apply to t1.'
Ft AID STORM.
Sup't Mississippi River Elevator Co.
For Vieksburg.
Anchor Line Memphis and Vicksburg Packet
For VicksbHrg and the Bends.
ST. GENEVIEVE. ......... .Vickers, master
T gAVES AS ABOVE THURS Nez.
IL DAY, sd inst. at 5 pm. LzQXkt1@
For freight or passage apply to s
.afE AID STORM,
Sup't Mississippi River Elevator Co.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15

railway companies, which has worked well.
Two thousand convicts thus utilized would
invite internal Improvements, and thou
sands of miles of railway would be built
under the system. Such plan has been
adopted in many countries, and it has al
ways worked admirably. 10 such event
the convicts would be let out in large
squads, and under State regulations and
supervision they would be easily controlled.
And then, too, the State should meet the
Philanthropic part of the problem by pro-
viding that good conduct in convicts should
be rewarded by diminution of terms of
service. Merit could be graded, and might
90 as high as fifty per cent. on time.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15
Texas--Facts and Fancies.

The Jmplecute, too, is for Tilden.
The Tribune says McDade has dried up,
and that Elgin flourishes.
Maryland Democracy are an unit for hard
money in defiance of hard times.
Grand Master j. D. Sayers and the MEM
bers of the Grand Lodge of Masons are in
Houston.
Gen. J. B. Robertson, of the late Immi-
grafton Bureau, has an Office at 11S North
Third street, St. Louis.
In counting Democratic States, the st.
Louis Republican includes Mississippi as
certdiH-which is queer.
The merchants of Waco have wisely or
ganized a Merchants Uaion. Such an as
sociation is sadly needed in Austin.
Washington will surely furnish an OK
wagon to tote the steamer back to Waco
that came down the Brazos and scared the
people awfully.
The Legislature is editing several papers
of Texas, and if these lose interest we must
ascribe the fact to its want of training II
thIs school of art
The Leader complains of the ''pressurt
of business 1t has been fiattened out SC
often of late that we don't think much
can be squeezed out of IL
G. w. Householder, of the Kansas City
Journal ef' Commerce, is writing. IS did vii
son, of the Kansas City Times, excelleni
! descriptive Istters from Texas.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15
VOL. v.
CONGRESSIONAL WIT.


When Congressman was hissed by his
fellows few days ago he said, ''there are
three sorts OF animals that hiss, vipers,
geese and FOOLS" Whereupon his admir-
ers-they must have been ardent-applaud-
ed rapturously. Every rhapsodical stump
speaker who has brayed before the pOpu-
lace for fifty or even three thousand years
past, has said the same. An incident, very
like this, affecting Sylla, comes down to
US from old Rome; and those festive, elo
quent youths of ancient Athens who de-
nounced Aristides in the market places and
''shelled" him out of Greece were sccus-
toned, when the mob disapproved their
harangues, to make this self same retort.
The novelty and originality of congressiou-
al wit, therefore, may well be questioned.
Half Of Congress smiled, we arc told by
telegraph, even though the country did not,
when the ''witticIsm" was perpetrated. l.
was ThrockmortOn who said on memora-
bic occasion in the Capitol of Texas, when
secession was almost consummated, "when
fools hiss patriots tremble'' The sudden
exclamation begat the silence of death
and there was no other applause and no
force could have been added to this inVol-
UNFAIRLY rendered the moral hero of the
hour. Perhaps the best reprimand ever
administered by popular orator, under such
circumstances, was that uttered by the late
James G. Jones, of Tennessee. When
he was speaking in a court house, about
which the Changers of those days had
"htched" their horses aud mules, luck
less wight often hissed. Jones detected the
author of the annoyance, and just then al
ass brayed in the court yard. Jones was
silent instantly, and, pointing with his
long forefnger at the poor wretch who an
noyed him, he stood still till the whole vast
assembly was staring at the wretched oh
jcct of his wrath. my friend" he said
slowly and kindly, while his great blue
eyes cleaned with ineffable brightness and
mirthfulness, "your father is calling you
l think you had better leave" The uprOar
to which the ass's solemn notes constituted
| u lOdl iui iClidiH, was luuCsCllDdoles ~
crowd rose up as one man to see the " asst
son." and shouted ego. go you wretch! =
He went, and from that day forth was neve
seen in his old haunts.
Congressman should not deal in Dor
rowed wit, and, if they must, let it be fresl
like that of Sheridan, who stole from thu
old Spanish story teller his famous retort a
given in Wraxall's Memeirs," "the gen
tlemaH is indebted to his memory for hi
wit, to his fancy for his facts"
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15

The recent burning OF the steamer Pat
Cleburne, at Evansville, Indiana, was at
tended by some shocking incidents. Prob
ably the most thrilling experience Of the
drsadful disaster was that of James LaRie,g
the first mate of the Cleburne.u He had Z
gone to bed in his stateroom in the texas,
Immediately in the rear Of Capt. Fowlef's
room. He says he did not hear the expio-
sion, and when he awoke was fallisg
through the timber and everything Crushing
around him. He felt the fire against hisii
feet, and drawing them up found that he v
was tightly wedged in between the timbers-
He then tried TO loosen the planks, but un-
fortunately could not find a hole through
which he could even get his head. Giving
up all for lost, he turned over and resolved
to lnhale the flames and perish at once
rather than die by degrees 'apd be roasted
in the flames, which we're fast and furiouslyo
cracking and roaring around him. Just
then he heard the voice of his gallant but
helpless captain calling out: 'TaRue, pull
me out--I am, burning to deathp With
almost superhuman strength he broke down
the partition and caught Capt. Fowler by
his clothes, bnt found il impossible to get
him through. BY this time the mattress on ,
| which Mr.. LaI2ue lay had caught ire, and
plzcibg his left hand beneath him he found
that he was lying on the top Of the heater.i
| Another desperate struggle for freedom and
the, planks gave way and he crawled out.
through the darkness and debris. By this
time Capt Fowler's piteous voice had ceased
and perhaps his spirit had taken, It's flight
forever As he was scrambling up through
the dark, LaItue came upon Alex. Porter,
the second clerk, sitting just above the
steam drum, his feet literally cooked Seis-
/ ing him with his disabled hand, with his
| other he worked his way upward, and finally
reached the hurricane roof and carried Por-
ter aft and down the stairway TO the yawl
| AS be passed down the aft stairway he heard
] the screams of the lady passengers, and
| rushing back to a state-room he seized Q
quilt and wrapped it about his body, and
| gathering the women in bis strong, brawuy,
| heroic arms helped five Of them-thfee lsdy
passengers and two chambermaids-down
the nursery INTO the yawl. -55 isad. q
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15

A CORRESPONDENT writes, calling atten-
ton to the fact, that "lraternal correspon-
dence is at last established between the
Southern and Northern Presbyterian
churches" 1t will be recolected that
early in 1861 the National Presbytery
meeting in the State of New York closed
its doors against the Southern delegates, the
Northern delegates at the time debating
terms to those of the South, which it would
have been otherwise than honorable to ac-
eept. This caused split in the Presby
Arian church, and from that day to this it
has remained apart. The assemblies of
both churches lately held their meetings in
Savannah, Georgia, and Brooklyn, New
York, and our correspondent goes on TO say
One 10y one the barriers erected by the
war are being demolished. IL would take
too long, and would be Improbable to re-
view the causes which led to the rupture in
the great Presbyterian Church, or 10 relate
the hitherto futile attempts to bring about
better state of affairs. The action of the
recent assemblies, we are assured, is based
upon terms of perfect equality and reel
procity. Each assembly passed exactly the
same resolution, asserting that ''w hlle con-
demning certain acts and deliverances" of
the other, yet no acts or deliverances of its
own "are To be construed or admitted as
| impugniDg In any way the Christian char
acter" of the other. This resolution was
passed unanimously, and by rising vote in
each assembly.
Thus it is that the only two organ
lied bodies of Christians in the United
States, who have until this time held aloot
from each other on account of questions
growing out of the war, have now been
brought into that fraternal fellowship
which may, possibly, lead to organic union
in the future. Such men as Drs. NJ. d.
Hoge, Stuart Robinson and B. NJ. Smith, OF
the Southern Assembly, and Drs. Talmage,
Van Dyke and Cause, of the Northern AS
sembly, labored earnestly to bring about
this result.
The Christian spirit of this writer may
well be invoked in a prayer that "fraterna
fellowship may spring into an "organiC
union" but it is a sad commentary upon hu
manity that even in matters of christian
faith there must be disunion. 1t Is the his
tory OF all creeds that jealousies grow strong
and enmlties become bitter within them
and we can hardly conclude, from presen
appearances, that the millennium is nearly
approaching. But when soldiers have Ions
since shaken hands across the bloody
chasm, it does seem that Christians shoulC
begin to prepare to do likewise.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15

AK intellectual woman, writing to the
STATESMAN, says 1--WE are glad to know that
Hon. Sam j. Tilden is gaining strength not
only in Texas, but throughout the Union.
he has illustrated his courage in the war
with Tweed and TammAny, his honesty in
his administration as Governor, his capacity
tor any task by the overthrow of the Erie
cansl thieves. He has lessened municipal
burdens in the imperial city of the East and
reduced the cost of the system of the State
government. He has practiced what Others
have promised, defying alike, in the pur-
suit of honest aims the opposition of
friends and foes. Such q man Is especially
needed at this juncture in the country s
fortunes and the tsxpaylng masses viii
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15
Texas Politics.

Notice is hereby given that the Demo
cratic convention, to nominate candidate
for Representative in Congress from the
Fifth District of the State of Texas, Will
assemble in the city of Austin on Wednes-
day, the sixteenth day of August next.
Chairmen of executive committees for
the counties composing this district are re-
auested to call county conventions at an
early day, for the purpose of choosing del
egates to the district convention. Voting
by proxy should be avoided, and it is re-
ouested that each county, as far as practi-
cable, be fully and fairly represented by
delegates, in order that the action OF the
convention may be satisfactory to the Peo-
pie.
Democratic newspapers circulating in this
district are requested to publish this notice.
B. TMMoNs,
| Chair. Dem. Elk. Com. Fifth Cong. Dist.
LAGRANGE, June 2, 1876.
A correspondent says: ''The Senate has
devoted much time to the question Of locat-
ing the wings of the Supreme Court. The
discussion has evolved much feeling among
a few gentlemen; but the masses OF mem
bers of the two houses are not disposed 70
attach such infinite Importance to the ques-
ton. The people care little about H. IL
interests lawyers mainly. To scatter
branches of the Supreme Court over ths
state will only tend to multiply appeals
from the lower courts, and lawyers, when
the high court is readily accessible, might
take up worse than doubtful cases 'fcr
glory;' but they will not in remote coun.
ties unless pslpable error or injustice have
been committed by the court below. The
chances are that the branches Of the couri
will be Topped of and the judges suffered te
sit where their Horary is accessible, ant
where they will do most because they vii
travel least"
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15

BLAINE Is a Radical and the worst and
most dangerous of his class. He is the bold
est, most defiant and unscrupulous, having
more ability and as much courage as Ben
Butler and an infinitely better face. He is
not only the subtle tool and representative
of the bondholding aristocracy, but con-
solidationist. He feels that remote States are
only provinces of the imperial East, hsvlug
existence for purpose of taxation alone, and
only to be used as fields for plundering
satraps and servants of the imperial court
and government at Washington. Tilden,
too, is rich. He inherited wealth and has
made money as great lawyer makes it.
But he is Democrat. He recognizes States
as integers of the Federal Union and would
concede to the States every right reserved"
to them LY Federal organic law. If Blaine
triumph, worse than Grant, more danger
ous aud more potent, occupies the Presi-
dents place; if Tilden be nominated that
share of the money power of the country
which would perpetuate the republic, as
against centralized empire, will adhere to
him with the masses of uncorrupted people,
and on this result depends not only the
autonomy of the States, bnt the perpetual
ton of the forms of republican government
in America.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15
stats co svICTS.


The State, beyond much doubt, will re-
sumo control of the penitentiary. The
terms of the lease seem to be invalidated,
and the public is chatting under the arrange
ment with the lessees, as j, is now being
carried out. In view of these facts it be-
comes matter of immediate imp, rtance to
establish some plan for dlsposing of the
couvicts to the advantage of the State.
Representative Hutchins, of Hays county,
thinks the convict labor can be temporarily
disposed of for building the International to
the West, and letter has been addressed
TO the yice-president of the company, now
at Palestine, inquiring whether any such
disposition of convict labor can be effected.
The idea is to allow the company to use
this labor, paying for the same with their
non-taxpaying land certificates. This
would, it is claimed, give the State a
chance TO reduce the amount of non-tsx-
paying lands in the State, and permit
the company at once to utilize theil
land grant. OF course no action
can oe taken upon TINS particular PROPOSE
ton until the disposition of the company
is known.
1t seems to US that better plan would
be, upon the States resuming control Of
the convicts, for State board to be com
missioned to hire to companies, prosecuting
works Of internal improvement such
force as may be required. Suct
companies should be required to pay
sufficient cash to feed and cloth.
the convicts, and the wages could either h,
paid in cash or by first mortgage bonds
upon the works Such plan would grad
ually build up large fund in the treasury
Il would be similar 70 the plan adopted be
fore the war Of loaning the school fund y
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15

The spirituslists are before the New York
courts arrested as juggiers and 20 be fined
for not taking out showmen's licenses.
The performers and their dupes swear that
Eva Fay evokes genuine ghosts from out
the vasty deep, that there is no trick or
art in il, and the judge said II these per-
formanees be q matIer Of religion they can
not be taxed if trsaeE OF business prose-
cuted for gam, the license 70 trouble the
dead in this awful manner must be paid
for. The case - held under sdvisement
and the courts must At last settle the ques-
ton whether the dead or lving make
tables dance and wardrobes develop mys-
teries Of another world.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15

IT signifies nothing that Greeley and
dates for the presidency, were from New
York. The greater will be the efforts of
the New York Democracy to carry the State.
If they fail in 1876, with Tilden leading
the party, very certainly the party will
not again be induced to select its candi-
date because his home is in the Empire
State. Seymour and Greeley had little
chance when passions of war had not sub
sided and the leader of the opposition to
Democracy and to peace, order and states
manship, was the general of victorious ar
mics. Grants overthrow, at that date
would have been regarded by the Northern
populace consummation by themselves
which ''rebels" sought in vain to achieve.
But all this is changed. The military fever
and admiration of military achievements has
subsidized, the churches have coalesced e,
anathematizing the South; Blaine has fallen
aud MlrtOn's rage is deemed fictitious,
and the struggle between parties must be
determined by the creed and history and
worth of candidates. He should be Presi-
dent whose ability is greatest, and whose
purity and patriotism are illust1a ated in pub
lie and private life. The sheen of mill
tary glory is dulled, its splendor lusterless,
its power paralyzed, and however ardent
advocates of resumption, or those accept.
ing theories of the Ohio Democracy, the
leading popular purpose is the restoration
of honest government and of perfect peace
in this centennial year.. The contest lies
between Tilden or Bayard and Conkling
These are the men most perfectly, at this
hour, embodying the aspirations of the
American people.
The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-06-15
HOW TO DISPOSE OF CONvICTs.

The proposition to employ the army of
cepting payment for LABOR in first mortgage
bonds, may induce G. P. Huntington and
associates and the railway corporations of
Texls to begin at once'the extension OF
Texas roads from Waco, Austin, San An
tonic and Fort Worth towards the West.
The immediate outlay for labor will be
light, the security given the State unques-
tionable, the system of preventing escapes
will be made perfect, convict labor will no
longer compete with that of mechanics or
farm laborers, and crime itself becomes
source of profit and progress. The Tyler
Tap, the Midland, from Sabine Pass to Dal-
las, :he road to Sulphur Springs from East
ern Texas, in fact each we'll organized com
pany proposing to construct a railway
through densely populated districts, can
we'll afford to employ convicts to perfect
the roadbed and supply crossties.
A day laborer now costs $3.50 cash; un-
der this proposed system, the immediate
cost will not exceed twenty-five cents cash
per diem, and two thousand convicts can be
employed in such a manner that no COM
munity will have reason to complain of the
protracted presence of large bodies of des-
peradoes. They would move with pro-
gressive roads, and the evils of the present
system, collocating convicts permanently
on plantations, would be obViated.
In Russia, as in Germany, thousands of
miles of railway and telegraph lines have
been built by governments using, as pro-
posed, the toll of convicts. 1t is no expert
nIent, but system tested and approved by
experience, and there is no other possible
mode of utilizing perfectly and guarding
securely the rogues and knaves of Texas.
To build penitentiaries, support a migra-
tory police force and the cavalry that guards
the border, maintain schools and courts and
pay interest on the public debt, will require
greater sums than the people can we'll con-
tribute, through taxgatherers, to the malntt
nance of the State government. Peniten-
tiaries, therefore, cannot now be con-
structed, and, if built, their cost will be
enormous, and it only remains to adopt the
proposition now discussed and authorize
! the Governor to make contracts for convict
labor with railway corporations.