davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

IT is pretended that the Courts OF
Souti. Carolina and Florida have no
Jurisdiction in matters connected with
election retnrns. But who is TO de.
eide that question? If every fellow is
TO determine questions of jurisdiction
for himself our Courts will shortly he
without business. All that any rogue
need do to escape the law is to deny
the jurisdiction of the Court. Ques-
tions OF jurisdiction are common in
every Court, and, being questions OF
law, they are always decided by the
Court, whether high or low. The low
err Courts may be reviewed by the
higher. but the SupremeCOurt can not
be reviewed OH that or any other ques.
ton. for the simple reason that it is
the Supreme Court. The final decision
OF questions of law must rest some-
where, and, unless we are to have
anarchy aud chaos, the decisions of the
Court of last resort must be respected
and enforced. Its judgment on the
question of jurisdiction is necessarily
as conclusive as upon any other point
Of lsw.-l Enquirer.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
Prophecy ReInT Entitled.

On the 4th of March 1850, Danie
Webster uttered the following proph.
etic language:
'.If the internal fanatics and abOli
tionisis ever get power in their hands
Me9 sciU 0UeyTide khe Constitution, SCI
The Supreme Court at defiance, change
and make iatrs To SUit themseires, lay
violent hands on those who differ with
them in their opinions or dare ques-
lion their infaliibility, and finally
bsnKrupi the country and delnge i,
with blood"
But the warning was not needed
and the due results are now being re
allied.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
More Tampering with Returns.

During the session of the Louisiana
Returning Board on Saturday last
Colonel Zacharie of the Democratic
counsel called the attention of the
Board to the following facts. That
when the returns from Ouachita par
ish were opened by the Board, it was
announced by the Secretary that they
had been received Oh the oath, the day
before they were opened. When
turned over to the Democratic coun-
sci for inspection there was found,
sealed, in the package said to. have
been received on the 9th the follow.
ing letter:
NEW ORLEANS, Noy. 90, 1876.
To c. S. Abel, Esq, Secretary of the
Returning Board:
SIR: Enclosed please find affidavit
of Eliza Pinkston, which receive too
late to file with my returns. Please
see that it is brought i'm with the other
aft davits filed with my returns. Re.
spectfully, NJ. j. GRADY,
Supervisor of Ouachita.
Col. Zacharle stated that the two
facts were established, first that the
statement of the Secretary that the
papers were only filed on the Oath
was untrue, because the letter found
in the sealed package shows that the
returs had been filed with the Secrc
tary before the 23i i; and it shows. Sec
ond, that as this letter and affidavit o
Eliza Pinkston were both found in the
sealed package, it is shown that the
Secretary of the Board had complied
with the request of the supervisor,and
that he had opened the package and
put into il the affidavit, and by mis-.
take tho letter of the Supervisor also.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
JOY Turned to Gloom,

The Radical papers and politicians
for several days past have been in
great glee oyer the sad story of Mrs.
Eliza Pinkston before the Louisiana
Returning Board, and have rolled it as
a sweet morsel under their tongues,
expecting to derive much political cap
ital and profit therefrom. Mrs. Pinks-
ton testified in detail to the killing OF
her husband and child and also to q
most brutal assault upon herself by a
band of ruflians shortly before the
election. This horrible crime was
charged to the Democrats, and the joy
Of the Radical managers throughout
the land knew no bounds. Still. not
withstanding the efforts of the Re-
turning Board TO place every possible
obstacle in the way of arriving at the
whole facts in the case, the Conserva-
tive managers succeeded in showing
that the affair had not the least politi-
cal significance. But two witnesses
were allowed to be introduced to dis
there were others present and numer-
Gus affidavits to show the utter unre-
liability ofthe woman's story. 1t was
proved that Piukston took little or no
part in politics and stood we'll with
the white people of the parish; that he
had had difficulty with a colored
man named Brooks, in which the lat
ter was badly injured; that Brooks
had threatened to kill Pinkston, and
that the threat had been repeated sew
eral times in the presence of witnesses,
that on the night OF the killing Brooks
was seen about Pinkston's place. I'm
mediately after the witness Eliza
PinkstOu, when she thought she was
dying. declared in the presence Of sew
era witnesses, that it was Brooks and
his gang that did the deed. She sub
seqnently declared that the negroes
were from an adjoining place, con.
stantly said the white people had
nothing TO do with it. 1t was proved
that she was bad character, that she
has been once under indictment for
murder. once for attempting TO do
away with one OF her children, and it
is asserted and generally believed by
the colored people that she made way
with another child whose throat she
testified was cut and thrown into the
lake by the murderers. or the four
parties whom she accused i'm her tes-
| timony with the commission of the
atrocities, one had been dead two
months before their commission: one
is colored Baptist preacher highly
esteemed, and one was six and the
other eighteen miles from the scene of
the occurrence at the time. The wo-
man is proved TO be wholly unreliable.
The people OF Ouachita Parish had
never even heard an intimation that
the murder had any connection with
politics and are Just indignant that the
Radical managers should have con-
cocted such scheme to employ the
| abandoned woman to traduce the
character of some of their best citizens
and bring disgrace upon their COM
munity 10 promote their base party
ends. The evidence thickens that
there are no disreputable means to
which the Radical leaders wiln,ot re-
sort to perpetuate their power.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

If Secretary of State Bell had
thrown out the votes of Ashtabula,
Trumbull and Portage count on ac-
count of alleged irregularities or in
timidation and thereby given theDem-
ocratic electors in Ohso u majority
and the certificates of election, the
Republicans would have regarded it
entirely fair and honorable, we guess
not. And yet it is by just such dis
franchising of the people of Louisiana,
Flo rida and South Carolina that those
States are carried for Hayes. And
this bold and daring fraud of disfran-
chisiDg the majority of the American
people is called patriotism.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

THE efforts Of lhe Radicals in the
House OF Representatives to put STUN
bling blocks in the wav of appointing
Committees TO Investigate the matters
votes for electors inI.ouisiana, Florida
and South Carolina don't seem to in
indicate that they are exceedingly
anxious to have the iniquities OF their
overturning Boards laid bare to the
public view.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

| From the New York Herald
Il am well aware" said President
Grant in his special message of Janu
airy l3. 1875, that any military inter-
ference by officers or troops of the
United States with the organization OF
State Legislature or any of its pro.
ediDgs, or any civil department OF
the Government, is repugnant to our
ideas of government. [ can conceive
of no case, not involving insurrection
or rebellion, where such interference
by authority OF the General Iiovern-
ment ought to be permitted or can be
justified" President Grant on that
occasion shielded himself from censure
by processing that the interference
with the Louisiana Legislature was
without his direction, sanction or
knowledge, and 10 clear himself more
fully he made The sound statement of
constitutional doctrine which we have
just quoted from his Louisiana mes
sage. But can he pretend ignorance
now? Can he expect any body to be
!ieve that what was done at Columbia
yesterday was done without his sane
ijon! Unless he can plead. Ignorance
and disciaiin responsibility now, as he
~
condemned out of his own mouth
But who viii! accept such a plea with
respect to the transactions at Columbia
yesterday?
Judged by his own declarations the
military interference yesterday was
utterly without warrant or justii;ca-
ton. For him to repeat his former
plea of ignorance in this case would
be ridiculous. LII he ordered this plain
violation of law, or if, with SO many
reasons for supposing it would take
place, he did not prevent it, he must
shoulder the whole res possibility.
Judged by his own declarations to
Congress, it is monstrous violation
of law and of the spirit of our insti-
tutiOns. With that message OH record
we do not see how he can escape OH a
plea of iguOrence. Ii the law is such
as he described il, he has clearly made
himself liable TO Impeachment by tn
new interference with II State Legis-
ture. Unfortunately for him the i'm
peaching power is now in the hands
of his enemies, aud there is no reason
why they should not exercise il. We
presume the first business of the
House of Representatives. when it
assemblies next week, will be to vote
his impeachment and appoint a Com
mittee to draw up the articles. 1t will
easily be made to appear that Presi-
dent Grant has not only Violated the
Constitution, but sinned against
knowledge. The passage we have
quoted from his message leaves him
without excuse.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
FIRE NEW ORLEANS.
Attempt to Burn the City-One Negro Shot,
and another Fired AT while Firing Ruild-
ings-One Hundred ButldtnRs Burned.

Attempt to Burn the City-One Negro Shot.
and another Fired while Firing Build
Ings-One Hundred Buildings Burned.
NEW ORLEANS. Dec, 1-l2 MA
fire broke out early this morning al
the corner of st. Bernard aud Clai.
borne Streets. 1t has reached and
crossed Espianade Street, and ia still
burning. Three blocks have been de.
strOyed.
SECOND DIsPATCH.-As far as could
be ascertained, the following is the
number of houses destroyed by the
fire this morning: Twenty on Co
inmbus Street, twenty-fOur on Rob
ertson Street, thirty-twO on Villere
Street, three on Maris Street, and ten
houses and St. Anna Church on Es-
planade Street. The dwellings OF
Messrs. Augustce and Amadee, Cau-
teric, Abrams. Racca, Clark and Gro
Eat, superb residences, on Esplanade
Street, were consumed. Most of the
buildings burned were small cottages,
and hundreds of poor people lost all
they possessed.
Leon Ditrieux, member of the Fire
Department, broke his leg i'm three
places. A negro who WAS detected
setting fire to one UI the houses du-
ring Il e confiagra,ion, was shot and
instantly killed. Another negro also
found in the act of committing the
same crime, was shot at, but was miss
ed, and succeeded in making his es-
cape.
THIRD DIsPATCH-l0 p. NJ The
fire this morning destroyed one hnn.
dred and twelve houses. The loss is
os,;,,ato6 OF rro,, S2OO OOO IN cdO0 0O0
insurance, S2OO,OOO. About fifty hous-
es were occupied by hundred fami-
lies, who lost nearly sll their effects,
and are left destitute, many OF them
losing their wearing apparel,
THE LATEST.
New ORLEANS, Dec, Ill 80 Z. NJ.
AT the fire to-day about twenty fire.
men were injured, several seriously.
The reported killing OF negro was
incorrect. A policeman shot at ne
gro, but did not hit him. One man
had his neck broken by falling from a
wagon.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
RETURNING.BOA RASCALITY
Some Republican Opinions.

Whether the South Carolina Court
judgment Of the Canvassers is inde-
fensible. Whatever they did should
have been done decently and with de.
fberation. just now it is importrnt
above all things to ascertain how the
doubtful States have voted. 1t is
scarcely less important.to proceed in
the matter in such way as to satisfy
all reasonable persons that the result
which shall be officially announced has
been honestly reached. 1t would he
extreme folly, to say nothing of the
risk incurred, 10 proceed in such a
way as to throw suspicion upon the
result or upon the methods Of reaching
it. The South Carolina Canvassers
had ali excellent opportunity TO dis
arm suspicion. They should have
given the Democrats every chance to
examine, to review, even to attack
their proceedings. Such course
would have shown confidence in the
strength of the Republican position.
The Canvass ers should have rendered
their final judgment in such circum-
stances that The country would have
been convinced of its jusii c. We be-
lieve that they could have done this
safely, even in partisan sense. be-
cause we have no doubt that South
Carolina has voted for Hayes. The
Canvassers have missed their oppor-
tunity.-[N. y. Evening Post, UIep)
IL is probably too much 10 hope that
the canvass i'm Louisiana will show a
clear majority for Hayes, bnt we trust
and believe that The eminent gentle
men who are watching the count will
see to il that no returns are excluded
without the most convincing evidence
Of the Justice of such action. We want
no President elected by fraud, either
in "bull-doZing" or counting.-[ Hart
ford Courant, Rep.
Let the Republicans of the South be
assured that they eau do their party
tl,an by Insisting upon Il jnir and open
canc0Ss Of all Ne cOfcs cast, and a
speedy declaration OF the result, x =
4 1t is not enough that Il majority
of the votes pOlled should be found
for the Republican Electors. The re-
suit must be found in such way as
to carry conviction of its fairness to
the honest judgment of the country.
1t is not enough to keep w thin the
technical requirements OF the law, il
thereby color of suspicion is left up
on the accuracy of the count, Where
there is dispute let the count be yeri.
fed. Where there is doubt let the
doubters be heard. We can afford to
the furthest extreme the law will ad
nit on that side. We can not afford
to fall short a hairs breadth on the
other.-f Boston Advertiser, (Rcp.)
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

WE told you so the morning after
the election. Strange how I'VE knew
all about the result at SO early an
hour. Are we prophets, or are we
admitted into the inner temple of the
Radical rascals?
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

No one should fail to read the man
lv and patriotic protest of the New
York Evening Post against the Grant
usurpatiou and nwarrantable military
in South Carolina.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

The Presidents message was sent to
Congress on Tuesday. We have not
been able to peruse the document,and
are compelled to defer its publication
till next week.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

The Springfield Republican, a
Hayes organ, insists that ''the vote
actually cast" should decide the Presi-
Dental question, and not the vote
which might have been cast, or ought
to haye been cast but were not. There
are a number of other Republicans
and journals of that party, of the same
way of thinking. They supported Mr..
Hayes and would be glad to have seen
him elected, but don't propose 10 sac
rifice principle for the sake of a mere
partisan triumph. .a...
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
A Fair Count.

The Republicans keep up constant
howl about the terrorism and intimi-
dation by which they assert the DEM
ocrats obtained clear ma ajority IN
Louisiana AT the late election. 4 COM
parison of the votes of 1871 and 1876
in that State will serve TO show that
the claim of fraud set up is wholly
without foundation. The following
is the vote of the two years:
1874 1876
Democratic 6,44 Democratic Sa.6S9
Republican GS 422 Republican 1868
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

THE Oldest citizen of South Caroli-
n l. a CO ored min at that, who had
seen one hundred and twelve summers
marc led to the polls in White County
and voted for Tilden and Reform.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

PHILIP THERIN, of Youngstown, has
been convicted in the MahOninsC Coun-
ty Court OF Common Pleas, of cruelty
to animals, for failing a stubborn
mule. Philip had donkey wat
wouldn't go land the Court wouldn't
low him to wsllop him, oh, no, no.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
RAEENNA I'D!

! RAvENNA, Decembcr6 6. 1876.
! FLOUR-No. Few wheat. ST 40: old, ranges
from $6 4o, for Red to 81 Oo tor Xxx
White. Demand steady. zsfsf EE8f
| WHEAT-$l a5 q 81 30
CORN-shelled brings - a 45c; ears, 20 q CSC
| OATS SOC Sales dull.
| RYE-No. brings 30 q Co.,
| BARLEY-None IN market.
| BUCKWHEAT-6O a Csc. per bushcl.
| nAY-selling at *6 q 81; according to
quality. Dali sale.
BEEF-Per cwt., IS a 81.
| HOGS-Dressed, s. 70 q IS so per cwt.
LARD-City render ed l2ASc
| SMOKED MEATS-City Sugar Cured Hams
! selling at i5c; Country 1ahc.
| Shoulders, City cured selling at 1s1sc. Dried
Beef selling ut co..
sPOULTRY-GoOd supply in the market
Chickens dressed, buyers pay $ q 9cents; un-
dressed @ &c Turkies. undressed, @Sc.
.BUTrER-- s2c., and steady.
CHEESE-Factory. retails, 15c.
EGGS-buyers pay a2c. per doz.
POTATOES-Buyers pay 60c.
BEANs-Choice hand picked in smalldemant
at 81 50 per bu. Medium 81 25.
WIN LEG AR-Pure cider retaiis 25d@30c per gal
TALLOW-Euyers pay &c.
HIDES-Green, trlmm .d IA q &c.
EEATHERS-Best retail ut 75c.
WHITE LIME-$1 % per Dbl.
WATER LINES p
SALT-Coarsc sells at 81 10: fine 81 75
woOD-spve e OoSa 50 3 feet wood q 90
| q 50 50 per cord.
| SUGARS
Coffee sells for ...................... 1al6c
Extra e. - Observation-Disclosures. 10 a lie
Hranuated " Observation-Disclosures 121sc
Pulverized +" ........ .................. lie
Crushed '' Observation-Disclosures. iic
Brown q" ,1Oc
MOLAS3ES-
New Orleans. sells for ........... 90
White Drip SYRUP. ...... 49,. 90
Golden Drip '' ...... Z" .......... IS
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

"BY the mouths of two witnesses
shall all things be established" is a
scriptural rule, and it may be a good
and safe one, provided always the
witnesses are reliable. But 1t would
require more than a dozen like the
widow Pinkston and James Henry
Coleman, "the Uncle Tom among the
negroes of the neighborhood, "to prove
that man who had been dead over a
month when the Onachita outrage was
committed was present and partici-
pated in that affair, or that two men,
one of whom is proved to have been
six and the other eighteen miles dis
tant from the scene of the murder, at
one O'Clock on the night of their per-
petration, were engaged in them.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

The Democrats have ever shown a
willingness to abide by the clearly ex-
pressed will of the people through the
ballot-box, but they will never tamely
submit to see the great majority of
the people disfranchised through the
arbitrary and illegal action of rascally
Returning Boards.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

SHELDON GUTHRIE, JUN. Lieutenant
Colonel of the Thirty-secOnd Ohio
Regiment during the war, and late
First Lieutenant OF the Twenty third
United States Infantry, the son of an
Abolitionist and q lifelong Aboli-
ZIONIST himself, sends the New York
Tribune this interesting and valuable
testimony as to the situation, from
Orange City, Lafourche Parish: cat
the North l would be an Independent
or Liberal Republican; in Louisiana
every consideration OF decency and
honesty compels me to be a Democrat.
| was present all day at my poll Oh
November 7th. The only intilnida-
ton there was on the part of the Re-
publicans. 1 was myself insuited and
menaced with a pisto: by iepubli-
can because l was Democrat, and at
the very door OF the poll heard the
vilest epithets applied to. all Demo-
Gratis simply because they were Dem
ocrats.T The half dozen United States
Deputy Marshals at the poll were OF
the dregs Of the population, and were
appointed evidently for the sole pur-
pose of giving them authority to car
ry arms and thus int;midate Demo-
cratic voters. The Republicans tried
all day to start a fight, but, as the
Democrats went unarmed, to vote and
not to fight, the prosecuted lambs OF
your party were not gratified.
Sir,I fought four years in the Union
army to preserve the Union; a few
years more of Grantism and Kellogg
ism will prepare me to fight twice
four years to demolish it,"
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
TESTIMONIALS.

-sz0 - eAH2 - - Ravenna March 20. 1875.
MIR. .. s. RUZZELL: Dear Sir:-My Wagon that
I purchased OF you about two years ago. must
acknowledge much better than ! expected.
Being OF medium size. thought it too light for
my business: hut it is just right. runs light and
easy, and have often cirrleti OIL it 14U0 bricks
from my kiln. It will carry eight Thousand
pounds, and has never cost me one cent for re-
pairs. Yours truly, ii. h. CARiS.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
DTE1D

KENT.-in Shalersville. at the residence of his
brother law. w Il. Stage, on Monday, Nov
2Ith of consumption, W lillian IL, Kent, Of
Cleveland. o., after long and painful ILL.,
ness, aged IS years,
May he rest in peace. .-.t
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
Wagon Making and
Repairing.
O. 5. BUZZELL

"OULD inform the people of Portage coun-
w ty that he is prepared to manufacture all
kinds of LUMBER and SPRING WAGONS,
and to do general repairing promptly and in
the best manner. Also HOhSE SHOElSG al d
GEN ERA l. BLACKSMTTUING.
U6Y~ Prices from 10 to 20 per cent below any
heretofore charged in this region. 10 + cash
w AGONS Of all kinds constantly on hand.
Works on Main Street, West of &. Y L. *. X.
Depot.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

ShatefSV1ilc. March .S, 1910.
Mr.. o. S. BUZZELI.. Dear Sir In the fall of
1852 purchased OF you alisht wagon. Weight
with box on. iii2 pounds. jt is II thiInble skein.
which think is the easiest running wagonln
1 have frequently drawn 3. GOO pounds up
on it At one time. "a II tile expense that put
upon il for tile first twelve years was for set
ting tire once. Yours, with respect.
R..5.-r1@- ssrst..e+ &. q. ELDRIDGE.
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07
also have for sale
% VILLAGE LOTS.

Well located on high rolling ground ansi in the
most pleas SAINT and growing part Of the town
Will be sold cheap and on easy terms.
Ravenna. o.. Jan. q. 1875 332
The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-07

Rayenna March II. 1875.
MIR. q. S. BUzzELL: Dear sir-we have been
using one of your one horse wagons now over
two years in our lumber yard, often loading it
with one thousand feet of green hemlock and
oak, and we think it the best and easiest run
ming wagon we ever had. 1t will carry GOO
lbs, and has never cost us dollar tor repairs
for that time. Yours. truly.
&. SUTHERLAND & co.