davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
Good Times Coming.

While, with the exception of the
peaceful solution of the presidential
question by referring the dispute to
arbitration, there is nothing particu-
lar!y new to suggest it, the general
feeling is that the morning Of renewed
prosperity is about to dawn upon
the nation and such feeling is con-
siderable more than half the victory.
Hard times are almost as much the
result of croaking and complaint as
of necessity. In times of business
stagnation, at the beginning Of finan-
cial panics, people and press begin to
preach doleful sermons, and to hoard
what money there is in the country.
Hundreds and thousands who never
would have had any real occasion to
feel hard times, hear these pitiful,
unreasonable wailings, and instantly
clutch their pocket-books, and hold
them tight until the panic, which is
thus increased in severity, has worn
itself out with age. If any man can
tell why this country should not have
been prosperous for the last three
years, why our factories, and rolling
mills, and furnaces should not have
been in full operation, why our busi-
ness should not have been healthy in
every department of commerce, we
should like to hear the reason. While
the volume of our circulation has not
been as much as it should have been,
one way, and a safe way, too, to in.
crease it, is to produce by the use OF
what money we have, and exchange
cur productions for the money OF
other nations. The world wants oui
products, and is willing to pay fol
them, and pay well for them. At nc
time have American productions en-
jOyed such an enviable reputation al
now. This is shown by the eager
foreign demand for American beef
and mutton, and the consequent high
prices which they bring. 1t may be
mentioned as a pleasant and cheering
fact that whenever the Americans
have sought to establish any of theil
productions in foreign markets they
have succeeded. Our exports, too
are exceeding our imports abou,
$780, 100000 annually, and this is no,
only gratifying in itself, but is en-.
couraging as another evidence of thu
popularity of American products
abroad.
There having been no reason, there
fore, why we should have had hare
times, there is consequently no reason
why they should continue, and they
will not.-Western Rural.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

Nor long ago Senator Robertson,
of South Carolina, got left by the
republicans, and forthwith he made
a democratic. speech in the Senate.
He goes out March 4th next, and will
pre-eminently ornament the private
station.
Representative Purman of Flor
ida, was openly charged with
selling cadetship, and at the last
election he was kicked out of the
republican camp, and not trusted or
advised with by republicans during
the late campaign. He, too, goes out
March 4th, and he got up on his hind
legs, recently, and denounced the
republicans, and indicated his opinion
that Florida had gone for Tilden.
Robertson, Purman and Pinchback
are lovely set of rcformcrs, and the
democrats are welcome to them.
Can some one tell us how it hap
pens that the worst kind of carpet.
baggers and scalawags, gravitate
straightway into the democratic
camp as soon as they are kicked out
of the republican party?
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

WASHINGTON, Feb. H.-After re-
cess, Trumbull proceeded with his
argument, saying they were brought
to face the question, whether .
president is to be made through fraud
and villainy on the part of officials,
whose duty it was to issue certificates.
There was no other tribunal to which
application could be made, except
this tribunal. This commission was .
tribunal of the two houses. Could it
be that the constitution had made no
provision against the Inauguration of
a president by forgery and fraud, and
by conspiracy between men who
certify to his election. He felt hui
inflated, that as citizen of this re-
public, he was called upon to argue
this question before a national tribu-
nal. 1t was not before a canvassing
board, touching tho election of Z
justice of the peace, but the national
congress, having power to go to the
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

Shyster Fields last witness, is a
waiter at a hotel who claims to have
overheard q conversation between
Wells, Littleficld and Cassanove while
he was serving them. This is nearly
as respectable as to summon dead
beats from the south, who claimed to
have been lying around telegraphic
Offices and heard important dispatches
clicking over the wires.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

The Atlanta (Ga.) Consolidation
again warns Northern Democrats to
go slow. 1t says: 1T should be un-
derstood that. the South is for the
Union. The tumbril wheel of war
has ground into US with many scar
and many pain. Whatever may
have been our antebellum notions OF
the rights of State-as taught by
somc Of the wiscst Northern men that
ever iived--we have learned through
uear experience that secession Is not
tne most comfortable experiment In
wnicna Commonwealth can engage" 1"
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
On reassembling


Edmunds argued that the effect OF
taking testimony Professionally might
be that at the end of ten days they
might find evidence inadmissiblc and
the whole time wasted.
Judge Bradley thought they should
go on in the manner similar to the
course pursued in the Florida case.
Judge Miller asked if it could not
be so arranged that the case could be
argued so that when the commission
went into consultation if it was deci-
dcd not to admit evidence it would
not be necessary to hear further ar
gument.
Edmunds submitted the following /:
Ordered, that counsel now be heard
ON the whole subject as the case now
stands, and that four hours on each
side be allowed for debate.
Judge Miller thought the effect OF
this order was to permit the case to
be argued as 1t now stands, leaving
the admissibility Of testimony to be
considered afterwards. If that was
admitted of course they would have
to come back and listen to argument
on it.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
FOREIGN.
warlike Preparations in Russia.


KIsHENEFF, Feb. 15.-The Russian
army here are ready to move against
the Turks. They number 10000 in
fantry, 5000 cavalry, and 42S guns
The two corps at Odessa would make
total OF the army Of the advance of
10000 infantry, 1900 cavalry, and
72O guns. One thousand horses have
been bought for bridge train lying
here which is capable Of passing the
whole army over the Danube in one
day. There are also thirteen steam
launches, two large barges and seven
smaller boats, and masses of other
things even to the smallest detail
Mobilization has proceeded SO salts
factorily that within month the four
army corps could have crossed the
Pruth.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

The New York Post, Tildenish re-
publican paper, of this evening, says
in reference to the Patrick and Kelly
dispatches that 1--WE hope the house,
hold English dictionary is not q trust
worthy key. Ifso, we have reached
the most disgraceful part of the pres
idential business"
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
looming Events Cast their Shad
oWO Before"

NEW 1 oRK, FEB. l4.-Judge MACK
cy, of South Carolina, said to corr
respondent, II regard it as an abs0-
lutte verify that Hayes will be declar-
ed President. l have no doubt that
the Electoral Commission will hold
that the votes Of Louisiana and Ore
gon must be counted for Hayes. I
regard the position Of the republi-
cans as to both of these States rs per-
fectly impregnable. / believe Hayes
as President will exert his powers be-
nignly towards the South and be a
pacificator of these sections" The
Judge has been addressing public
meetings in South Carolina called to
hear him on the public situation.
Gen. Kershaw followed Judge Mack
ey at one meeting and said "With
Hayes as President Of the United
States, justice will be done through
the whole land and glory and honor
and peace will crown our country
through his wise and benign admin.
istration of its government"
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

Matt. Carpenter, attorney for the
whisky ring, and David Dudley
Field, attorney for the Tweed ring,
are putting in their best licks as paid
attorneys for the Tilden ring.
Such eminent criminal lawyers
never come into case except that it
is not only bad one but has plenty
of money behind it.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

Our telegraphic columns to-day
give little more Of the true inward
ness of Mr., Tilden's attempt to buy
an elector in Oregon. 1t will be seen
that his man Patrick, of Omaha, and
Senator Kelly, of Oregon, were, as
suspected, doing the dirty work.
1t should land principal and accom-
plices in State Prison.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
''Cabble.''

WASHINGTON, Feb. l5.-The "Gab.
BILE" cipher dispatch to Tilden ha,
been translated by the Senate com.
mittce on privileges and elections
with tho aid Of key furnished by
Mr.. Shaw of Detroit, to read as fol
lows:
"noRTLAND, ORE, Dee. Ito SAM
j: Iilden, l5 Gramercy Park, New
York; l shall decide every point il
the case Of postofiice elector in favor
Of the highest democratic elector and
grant certificate accordingly on tn,
morning of the 9Th inst. Confiden
tial. (Signed) GoyERSoR.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
louisiana for Hayes.

New York, Feb. 16.-The special
commission have decided that no ev.
idence can be received in the Louisi.
ana case except the electoral certifi.
Gates. The vote stood eight against
seven. The commission have now
sent for counsel and upon their arri
val will open the votes.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
SENATE.
WAsHlNGroN, Feb.

W ASdiNdTON, rcUs 1fs
The bill removing the political dis
abilities of Jos. f. Johnston, of Va,
passed.
The bill for the publication Of
new edition of the revised statutes
passed.
Conkling asked that the Mexican
award bill be passed now. Spencer,
who had telegram from q constitu-
ent, saying there was fraud in the
matter, objected. The Pacific II. II.
bill was again taken up and Booth
addressed the Senate.
HOUSE.
Saylcr asked leave to offer q rcsos
luton directing the secretary Of the
treasury to report within ten DAYS
the actual gold coin and bullion now
in the treasury, and statement Of
outstanding obligations payable on
demand In coin, with the balance
actually owned by the treasury avail
able for the resumption OF specie
payments, and whether any bonds or
other interest bearing obligations had
been issued during the past or pres
cnt year in purchase of any such coin
or bullion.
Kasson objected, and the resolu.
tions Of the special Florida committee
were considered, and Thompson .ad-
dressed the house.
He stated that the minority had
been treated with the greatest fair
ness, and any charge to the contrary
was utterly untrue. The majority
resolution, declaring the Tilden elec-
tors duly elected, WAS then adopted.
Yeas III, Nays, 50, . party vote, with
the exception OF Purman who voted
! in the affirmative.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

1t is probable that the great loss
which Iowa will suffer in the coun-
ellis of the nation after the 4th proxi-
mo by the withdrawal of McCrary
and Kasson. from Congress, will be
somewhat compensated by the ap-
pointment of McCrary as Hayes At
torney General. No better appoint
ment could possibly be made.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

The Williams Standard gets of the
following good one on the editor Of
the Anamosa journal: "a young
man who stutters, and who had re-.
Gently, 1t was reported, become 1
professor Of religion, was met by :
friend at q dance who accosted him
In the following. manner: DO you
dance9 I thought you were church
member I To which the other re-
piled, 'H-h-helIs full Of j-j-j-just such
ch-ch-church members"
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

A correspondent of the Chicago
Times finds some consolation in the
fact that in Berks' county, Pa, where
Judge Strong came from, they play .
game where the seven takes the
eight. But then that correspondent
forgot that that game was forty-fi
and this one fifteen.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
His Newspaper Contribution.

He was friend of mine and used
frequently to drop in and give me ad-
vice as to how ought to run my pa
per.
He was minister, and consequent.
ly thought l should devote il little
more to the cause of religion, and not
quite SO much to politics.
He said it could be made a power
for good in the western land, in
which we had both cast our fortunes.
He was q lover of the original, too,
and said he dislikcd to see reprint,
and thought should write more
take the time, in fact, to fill the paper
right up with good, new stuff. That
seemed such an easy thing for
him that one day ventured to say
Brother, you had glorious meet
ing at the school-house last night,
hear-suppose you write it up for
me 2"
He didn't seem to act as though he
wanted to.
urged.
He flushed little and stood around
awkward like. He had never been
honorcd with an invitation to write
for the press before.
still urged.
Then he took of his gloves. And
his hat. And his overcoat. Then
gave him a seat at the table with pa
per and pencil.
He sat down to editorial work.
He had always been talking about
how it should be done, and now he
was at it.
He e'started in.
went about my work, and having
written a column or two of matter for
the weeks paper, left him still writ
ing, while went out to solicit some
advertisements.
was gone an hour or two and
when came back he was still at it.
He was sweating awfully.
The table and floor were white with
copy-paper, and the pencil in his hand
was much diminished in length.
went to dinner.
When l returned bc was at it yet.
There was more paper scattered
around, the pencil was shorter and he
was wetter.
The hours dragged along into the
middle of the afternoon.
| Great cords stood out on the preach.
ers heated brow.
His eyes were bent on the dazzling
white paper before him, and his fin.
gers moved nervously and the pencil
was stub.
began to grow frightened. knew
had only a small weekly paper, and
that its fourteen columns Of space
Gone side was patent inward) would
not hold the contents Of the bible, and
q supplement message from heaven
besides.
At last the man looked up, and
timidly advancing with piece of pa.
per in one hand, suddenly turned and
went back to change a word.
Then he came up again, and, like
one who had passed through a vision
held out the paper and feebly asked
"Will that do?"
| / looked.
There were just seven lines of i,
advertising measured
! He was large man-weighed Ovel
800 pounds then, but when met him
three weeks later, he weighed les.
than l25.
He had been sick.
The seven-line- -nine-hour effort was
too much for him.
But it was not all lost. He never
advised an editor again.
Neither did he ever compose for Q
paper again.
It was hard work for him to write
and he saw that he was not cut our
for an editor.--D. Con Jay, in Chsca
40 Journal.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

The democratic Wilkes Booth ar
gument was not an entire success in
New Orleans, Thursday. The wound
ed victim, Gov. Packard, not only
1disarmed his assailant, but knocked
shim down, while bystander shot
shin On the wing.
These 'bulldozers and assassins are
the pet lambs that Matt Carpenter
feels called upon to defend. But
then the assassin, Weldon, was only
practicing at New Orleans, what Car
penter was preaching in Washington.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
Hon. JIM KELLEY. democratic Sen.

Hon. jim KELLEY, democratic Sem
ator from Oregon, when on the wit
ness stand about the Oregon Cronin
matter, some weeks ago, under oath,
denied that he knew of any attempt
to corruptly obtain an electoral vote
in Oregon, or that any corrupt or
dishonorable means were used to his
knowledge. Now the telegram is
produced showing that he and Pat
rick asked Tilden, or what is the
same thing, Tilden' nephew, Pelton,
for $4,000 to buy an electoral vote
with. How these democratic reform
ers are standing out clearly before
the people as bribers, pcrjurers and
assassins.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

The Chicago Inter-Ocean gives its
daily circulation at II, ,765 and weekly
at ~, 200 and challenges comparison
with the Times or Trtbune's. average
circulation, but SO far they both re-
main mum.
If you want Chicago morning
paper which is able, decent, honest,
politically reliable, and fit for your
family to read as well as for yourself,
the Inter-Ocean is the only one there
entirely filling all these requisitions.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

Don Piatt's Capital is denouncing
the Electoral Commission as perjur-
ers, thieves, corruptionists, etc., etc.
Some one ought to 60 around to
the Capital Office with dollar and 9
quarters worth of beer tickets and
stop his clamOr.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
MIkCELLANY.
DID you EVER.

Did you ever zee . runnet7
Taken from . reeking beef?
Or IN ancient Shaker bonnet,
Pierced with air-holes2 TO be brief,
Did you ever, m the Winter,
See pumpkin spotted DER
With rotten specks its entrails inter?
Or . boulder on the shore,
Perforated, punctured, pied,
Like lepr0us stricken toad?
Or wa1le-cake c0llided
With soup-dish, Ia mode?
Give to a9ything I'VE mentioned
shape aDhorcnt, color rose,
AND, by JOve. on high Olympus,
You have seen poor Cronin's nose!
Oregon Sfatesmdn.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

New ORLEANS, Feb. 15.-About
noon to-day in an. alteration in his
office, with q man unknown to the
police on duty in the State House,
Gov. Packard was shot in the knee
cap. The party who did the shooting
was fired upon by bystander and
wounded in the arm.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21


wounded in the arm.
New ORLEANS, Feb. 15.-The Times
says, at IL 80 the vicinity of the Gov
ernor's room in the State House, rang
with q sharp report of two pistol
shots, fired almost simultaneously. 1t
transpired that Gov. Packard, while
seated in his chair, surrounded by a
half-dOzen callers, had been suddenly
approached by one of the parties,
who, drawing pistol and leveling It
at Mr.. Packard's heart, at almost
point-blank range, pulled the trigger.
At that very instant Packard struck
the weapon down and simultaneously
the weapon exploded and the shot
struck Packard in the knee. Packard
then closed with the man and threw
him to the floor. Diligent enquiry
failed to divulge the name Of the
man or anything about him, or about
the cause of the attack. The report
is that he was correspondent for
northern paper, but all information Is
vague. Packard's wound is very
slight, only a flesh wound. Both
men were arrested. Packard was
taken to q private apartment and the
wound examined. 1t is not serious
if carefully tended. The assassin
says his name is VIM. Henry Weldon.
His home is Philadelphia, where he
has q mother and sister. With regard
to his attempt to kill Packard, he says
there were four others with him who
were TO assist him in the undertaking,
but that when reaching the door Of
the State House, they refused to 60
in, and left him to carry out the plan
alone. Weldon is not vefy seriously
hurt. The ball hit him in the left
arm, just below the shoulder, and
seems to have come out at the elbow.
New ORLEANS, Feb. 15.-An eye
witness of the Packard shooting, says
after the two men reached the head of
the stairs there was some demur
about admitting them, but when one
of them proclaimed himself federal
officer and the. other said he was q
discharged soldier and q correspon-
dent of the Philadelphia Press, they
were allowed to enter. The one-armed
man stayed out. Weldon went in and
sat at the left of Packard, who was
talking to Judge Boardman, of Cad
do. Almost instantly Weldon asked,
"When can I see your" Packard
turned and found pistol pointed at
his head. He Immediately struck it
down, and the weapon was discharged,
the ball striking him in the right
knee, inflicting slight wound. Gov.
Packard Immediately dealt the man
blow with his fist, striking him be-
tween the eyes and knocking him
down. Several parties in the room
drew their pistols and fired, wound
ing the would-be assassin seriously,
but not fatally.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21
Attempt to Assassinate
Gov. Packard.
Packard only slightly Wound-
ed I'm the Knee.
A By-stander Shoots and wounds
the would-be Assassin.
Four Men In the Plot, but Three
Back out.
Attempt to Assasslnate Gov.
Packard.

CINCINNATI, O., Feb. 15.-The New
Orleans operator has just reported
that Gov. Packard has been assassin
ated.
Ottumwa weekly courier., 1877-02-21

| WASHINGTON, Feb. H.-Upon the
re-assembling of the electoral COM
mission this morning, Carpenter re-
sumed his argument, contending that
the constitution of the United States
forbade comforting judicial powers
upon the returning board of Louisi-
ana, and that the law of a state which
attempted to confer such power was
void. The returning board, had it
possessed judicial powers, had gone
outside of its powers. The statute
requires duplicate returns to be made
within twenty -four hours, and such
returns were not made within fifteen
days. He read from the report OF
Hoar, WheelerS and Frye, to show
how this delay could be taken advan-
tage of to change the result, and said
they were prepared to show that ten
thousand votes had been disfranchis-
ed. He read from the report previ-
ously quoted and said, wouldn't
| Wheeler wake up astonished to find
himself elected by the very means he
condemned.
Trumbull said he supposed they
should now present evidence offraud,
irregularity and illegality on the part
Of the returning board were charged
and proof offered to be produced
Kellogg and others were accused like
wise of sins of omission and commits
sion and proof thereof offered, would
be furnished.
By Trumbull, the question was
sprung as to the times to be allow.
cd for argument on the interlocutory
question as to admissibility of evi.
dcnce offered.
Thurman thought the case would
be expedited by allowing evidence to
60 in, subject to objections, instead OF
frittering away their time on the adj
missibility of testimony. He thought
it was making this commission court
of common pleas instead of the great
tribunal it was intended to be.
Thurman and Abbott opposed mix
ing up the case. Thurman favored
considering the evidence on both
sides, subject to admissibility.
Judge Strong offered substitute
giving counsel on each side two hours
to argue on the admissibility Of evi.
dence.
Thurman moved to make it three
hours.
Edmunds proposition was rejected,
IL to 4. Strong's agreed to without
division.
Bradley moved that counsel may
take such additional time as they de-
sired to have deducted from the four
and one-half hours allowed yesterday
for general debate.
Recess.