The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-01-25
FROM ALL SOURCES.


is very feeble from asthmatic trouble.
VIM. B. Astor owned 5000 houses
in New York, and left fortune valued at
$5O,00O,0OO.
In the next house of representatives
there are ISL democrats, 9S republicans. 6
liberal republicans and Independents.
The soldiers of the United States
army have deposited of their scanty wages
during the past year, with the paymaster
general, $325, ,256.
The Prussians are evidently growing
tired of SO much warlike preparation by
their government. Last year there were
$1,000 desertions from the army.
A newspaper is defined to be a win
low through which men look out on all that
is going on in the world. 1t is an Unfolding
encyclopedia, an unbound book, forever issu-
ing and never finished.
Mr.. Thomas, of Chicago, is the next
man who has motor which will "supersede
The use of steam." Thomas has the same
trouble as Kelley. His power bursts every
barrier and oOzes out of the pores of the metal
box when he attempts to confne it. 1t would
be a relief to find one motor-man who can
really box up his power.
Some aping Americans are trying
to introduce fox-hunting into New Jersey. If
the New Jersey farmers are properly pro
yded with shot-guns, this demoralizing imi-
alton of the English will be speedily put
down. The stage-coach imitation, in which
crowd of feeble-minded New York Ameri-
cans ride to the races and imagine they are
true Britishers, is all that the country ought
to be called upon to endure at once.
A good man may ego off half
cooked" but good gun never does, and
amateur sportsman should make note of
this last fact. An experienced person says
in the Boston Advertiser: at is universal
rule with men who are accustomed to fire.
arms to keep the hammer at half-cock, as
then it is impossible to discharge. A blow
from the rear would break the lock before it
could strike the cap, and that is next to an
imposibility, there probaly never having been
single instance of the kind"
The contested election cases in the
house will exceed in num1er those of any
previous session for many years. The clerk
of the house has already received notice of
fifteen contestants, and the papers in many
of the cases have already been filed. The
contests are in the following districts: LIST
and I'd of Alabama; I'd, Sd and 9Th of Illi-
nois; 18th of Indiana; 9th of Kentucky; Sd,
4th and 9TH of Louisiana; 4th of Massachu-
sets; 1st and I'd of South Carolina; I'd of
virginia and 9Th Of Wisconsin
In VIM. B. Astor's death the people
Of New York lose public benefactor. Mr.
Astor fully carried out his fathers purpose of
giving to New York a magnificent library,
and supplemented the elder Astor's dona-
tons to the Astor library in a very handsome
manner. This great collection (now number
ing 10000 volumes) and the superb building
which contains it form an enduring monl-
ment to the public spirit and taste of both
father and son. Their millions have not
been selfshly applied.
The Pacific Mail Steamship COM
pany has brought an action against the state
Of California to test the constitutionality of
of the law which forbids the landing of
criminal or immoral Chinese at San Fran
cisco. This law has obliged the steamship
company frequently to carry back celestials
to their native land. The case is before the
United States supreme court, and will be
argued in January. 1t is thought that the
president, in his forthcoming message, will
touch upon this vexed subject of Chinese
immigration. The California law has had
little effect in pre- venting the influx of
Chinese.
In the forthcoming report of the
postmaster general, he recommends repeal
Of that portion Of the amended postal law of
last session which increased the postage on
transient newspapers. He does not, how
ever, recommend repeal of any other por-
ton of the provisions relative to thirtl-class
matter. 1t has been found that the revenues
Of the department, from the package mail,
have increased, notwithstanding the fact that
the rates were doubled. Before this increase,
thegovernment carried merchandise pack
ages beyond the Mississippi at a loss. The
Increase of rates gives profit on pack
ages east of the Mississippi river, and pays
expenses and little more through to the
Pacific coast.
Mr.. A. 7. Stewart has bought for
10000 francs (s6O,OOo) the latest work of
Meissonier, which is now on its way to this
country. 1t represents a regiment of French
cuirassiers going into battle and saluting
their chief, Napoleon l., who is seen standing
on bill in the center of the scene. The
troop Of horsemen covers almost the whole
foreground, the nearest figures being about
sslshteen inches high. The excited and war
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