davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-11
Constitutional Defects.

Two very curious commentaries on the
Constitution of the United States have re-
Gently appeared, the one in shape of an ar
tcle contributed to the North american Re-
uie,o by "Sonara, japanese Traveller" the
other in shape of lecture delivered before
the New York Historical Society by Charles
O'Connor.
The 'Japanese Traveller" is thorough
radical. He finds the Americans too slow.
For nearly hundred years the American
people have had, he complains, the same con-
stitution. Within that time oIher nations,
even the most barbarous, have changed.
But in this country there has been no change.
been many wonderful inventions, steamboats,,
railroads, telegraphs; opinions and customs
are quite different, but the rights of the peo-
pie have not been increased during all the
time. This pagan gentleman sees that we
have not popular government. A century
ago we were the most free of all peoples.
Since then.other governments have become
liberalized, and we alone. owing to our con-
servatism, have not changed. We are like
the Chinese, says this observer from the Sun
land, afraid to move from old customs. Our
President can govern with the whole coun-
try against him. He can appoint whom he
likes for ministers, and he can brbe many
people with offices. To get rid of him i'm
is to do away with the old Constitution and
to establish parliamentary government, COM
pei the President to take his Cabinet from
the majority in the House of Representatives,
and oblige him and his advisers to resign
whenever vote of want of confidence may
be passed.
Mr.. O'Conor is no less radical than Sion
ara. He holds that we have too many laws,
that special laws should only be adopted in
convention, like constitutional amendments,
that the constitution itself is essentially de-
fective, that our presidential elections should
be abolished, and the President chosen annu-
ally by lot from among the legislators, thus
inducing people to carefully select their men,
bers of Congress. The arguments of these
radicals are only of value as pointing out
and emphasizing the patent defects OF our
system of government. To follow their
recommendations would be suicide. There
is doubtless need of change in the American
political system, but no need of laying the
very foundations anew. What may easily
be accomplished in the way of improvement
is illustrated by Senator Morton's article on
the abolition of the electoral college, which
appears in the same periodical that contains
the complaint of the Japanese Traveller.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-11
THE PORTLAND DAILY PRESS,
Published every day Sundays excep'ed'pS 'he
PORTLAND PUBLISHING CO..
TILE MAINE STATE PRESS
AT 100 EXCHANGE ST., PORTLAND

TERMS: Eight Dollars Year r in in ADVANCE. q vance Te
mail subscribers Seven Donars d lear pau III au-
vance.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-11

Texas language is peculiar. To "land" any
where means to arrive, the baggage is ''tricks,"
peanuts are "goobers," mustang is ''cow
pony" a yearling colt is maverick" and a
whip is a Squirt" Travellers "meet up"
with old acq1aintauces, and if you have plenty
of money you are "all oodles"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
Horrible Murder.

The most brutal murder that has ever
been committed in this section of country
was committed on Friday last, near viii
lsge called New Gore. Mr.. Weldon, q
quiet, inofencive, we'll TO do farmer, about
80 years of age, his widowed sister Mrs.
Susan McClurg and her daughter by her
first husband, Nancy Hite, about IS years
Of age. The Murder was not discovered
until Saturday afternoon, when one of the
neighbors went to Mr.. Weldon's TO borrow
a saddle, and discovered the horrible butch
cry. Mrs. McClurg and her daughter
were murdered with an axe. Mr.. Weldon
was shot several times and received num-
Der OF terrible cuts in the head and body
with a corncutter. A young man by the
name of VIM. Terrell was arrested, and ac-
knowledged that he saw the crime commit.
ted and that a man named Joe King com
mitted the deed. King was also arrested
The prisoners were lodged in Jail in Lo.
gan, but the excitement ran so high il was
feared that justice would be dealt out to
them and they were taken to Lancaster
The guilty parties should be hung as soor
as possible and Judge Lynch is the one
to take 1t in hand. We hope to be able
to annouce next week the hanging of tht
murdere:s.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
To Mechanics and Lahors.

Times are hard. money scarce, and
scarcely any work to be had, while every
thing you eat is high. The most of US at
this time have scarcely any thing 10 do,
and it is impossible 10 tell the suffering
that must come the coming winter, as one
half of the laborers of our county are
merely making living at this time. Can
this state Of affairs be remedied? 1t can
10 q certain extent, and it is duty you
owe TO your families to Try this remedy ::
For years certain class have been con-
trolling our county. Who ever suited them
they placed in Office This was we'll known
by the people a! large of the county; as
the opposition paper to the party in power
would expose the corruption of the officials.
The politicians, and other public plunder-
era saw that something must be done in
order to keep the opposing paper quiet.
So a bill was passed in the Legislature
allowing each political organ a share of the
county printing, or in other words they pay
from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred
dollars per year as "hush money" Now
| the politicians carry our county conven'
tions on to suit themselves and do not care
who knows it. \ mechanic or iaborer i:
looked on by them as a slave, and if they
will not vote the ticket nominated they are
denounced as ignorant Dutch, Irish, ol
whatever nationality they belong too. Ter
thousand dollars per year has been squan
dered in Perry County. If this money
had been properly appropriated it woult
give employment to large number of ou
laboring men, and our citizens who havt
capital would be induced TO improve
which would give work to a great man,
more As the matter now stands III
public plunderers of Perry county are car
rying things to suit themselves. But tn
day is growing nigh for you to say whethe
this matter shall continue or not. Whethe
our people are to be robbed by set Q
worthless devils that are too lazy to work
The second Tuesday of October is the tim
to strike the blow. Let every hard 6ste
mechanic and laborer go to the polls an
vote for his own interests. Let him tai
from now until that time for his interes
and mark our word there will be q com
plete setting back of the party plunderer
and honest men who are fit for the pos
e tions will be placed on the tickets. Wi
you be driven like hogs to the polls an
vote as yeu are told, or will you go to th
polls like free men and vote your prime
Piles.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
Female Society.

Here is what Thackeray thinks of what
is best for young men:
''It is better for you to pass an evening
once OF twice week in lady's drawing
room, even though the conversation is slow,
and you know the girls song by heart,
than in club, a tavern or pit of thea
tre. All amusements of youth to which
virtuous women are not admitted, rely on
it, are deleterious in their nature. All men
who avoid female society have dull per-
ception, and are stupid, or have gross
tastes, and resolve against what is pure.
You club swaggers, who are sucking the
butts Of billiard cues all night, call female
society insipid. Poetry is uninspiring to
Jockey; beauty has no charms for blind
man; music does not please poor beast
who does not know one tune from another,
but as a true epicure is hardly ever tired OF
water, sauces, and brown bread and butter,
1 protest can sit for whole night talking
with well-regulated, kindly woman about
her girl Fanny, or her boy Frank, and like
the evenings entertainment One of the
great benefits q man may derive from q
woman's society is, that he is bound to be
respectful to her. The habit is of grea
good to your morals, men, depend upon it
Our education makes us the most eminent
! ly selfish men to the world.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
[From the Scien tific Americana
Employers and Working Men.

Difficulties between employers and work.
ing men would be less frequent, says the
American Manufacturer, were their inter-
course more conciliatory, and were each
to realize that seeming inequalities are but
surface appearances and that the best
interests of the one can only be secured in
the protection and welfare of the other
Governed by such dispositions and opin-
ions, irreconcilable differences could
scarcely arise, because each would take q
fair view of the rights and obligations of
the other, and willingly make the conces-
aions required by justice and kindness. A
reasonable amount of Information, deriYed
from observation and reading, is pre-re-
quisite qualification, and is always found
wanting, on one side or the other, where
Jars and contentious disturb the harmony
essential to these relations. Admitting
this qualification to be possessed by en-
ployers, a further duty devolves upon
them, of insisting that their workmen
shall possess it also. Men utterly illiterate
who can neither read nor write, cannot
possess the self-respeot and ambition need
ed to form skilled mechanics, neither car
they be sufficiently enlightened to compre
hend their rights and duties, to know wher
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
Where We're They Manipulated.

The Resolutions passed by the Hooking
county Democratic Convention are almost
uerbatim ct Hteratim ct punetuatim, those of
Perry county.
The last resolve tells the story:
"ResolUed, That we endorse the course
pursued by the Hooking Sentinel and rec
ommend it to the support Of the Democra-
cy of Hooking"
The only change made was the titles
"Herald" for that of Hooking Sentinel"
What q strange coincidence! Or have
they no Democrats in Hooking capable of
drafting resolutions and were compelled
plagiarize those of Perry comfy? Or did
Green of the Democratic Herald" and the
Sentinel monopolize the whole business
Of both conventions. Gentlemen, it is q
very beautiful piece of business strategy
to get uD your own "pufs" and then
pack" the committee on resolutions, and
be q great statesman in too counties at the
same time.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28

The Hartford correspondent of the New
York Times says: Ihave not seen 1t stated
anywhere that the detection of the irregu-
larities in the Farmers & Mechanics Bank
of this city, one esult of which has been
to send Messrs. Tracy and Chapman, the
President and cashier, to State Prison, was
due to one of those trifing accidents which
often disclose wicked deeds. Heney Keney,
the Vice President went TO the bank on
tie last day that the official examiners
were there. He had not happened in when
the previous examinations had been made.
His visit was in the morning, and he spoke
with Mr.. Mygatt, the Examiner-in-C Chief,
and after doing some business left. Later
in the day he appeared again, Of course an
suspec,ingly, but his presence then was SO
unusual that Mr.. Tracy, the President was
annoyed, and when ne saw MT. keney
passed through 10 the Directors room he
grew very suspicious. Ia that room were
the examiners. No sooner had he entered
than Tracy said TO Chapman, in q low tone
"keney must be got out of that room ?
Chapman replied: "What can l do?
can't get him out !" "He must De got out,
said Tracy Just then Mr.. Keney came
out, and passed out of the bank without E
suspicion that anything was wrong. Th'
examination was concluded that afternoon
and Tracy was congratulated by the Exam
iner upon the splendid condition of th'
bank, though there was an actual deficien
cy of over half million dollars which hat
been covered up by false records. 1t hap
pened, however, that the conversation be
tween Tracy and Chapman, was overheard
by clerk who Immediately upon the clos
Of the bank went TO Mr.. Keney's house an,
told him what he had heard, Mr.. Kene
was astonished and went that night t
Tracy's place in Newington, and the mex
day the fact came out. But for Tracy
causeless fright at Keney's presence in tn
bank, the two men who are in the Stat
prison would probably be today at thei
desks; though they were in so deep tha
exposure would have followed some day
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
Harvest Drinks.

At this season of the year it is common
to find in the columns of our agricultural
exchanges numerous recipes for "harvest
drinks" which, in many cases, are strongly
recommended, when any medical man
could say that they were at any time use
less and often injurious, and at no time
more likely to be so than in harvest. No
doubt we shall differ with many of our
readers on this point, but after passing
through many warm summers, and having
been carry in more than once, we can but
testify that there is nothing better than
good pure water, and that not too cold. If
not cold there is but little danger of drink
ing too much, for the surplus soon finds its
way out of the system through the pores of
the skin, especially if a scythe or cradle is
swung vigorously for an hour or two. Ma
ny of the much lauded drinks, favored
with ginger, sugar acids, and often worse,
have tennency to disorder the digestive
apparatus at time when it is most liable
to arrangement from and unavoida Bile
causes. Pure water Gf cold enough with
out ice all the better) used whenever the
craving is felt, but not in too large amounts,
will, in the end, prove most satisfactory
and be least dangerous.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
Farming versus Profession.

A young man, graduate OF Dartmouth,
and a noted law student in Merrimac
county, Maine, who had the misfortune to
lose his hearing, having settled on farm
in the West, writes thus of the occupation
which he has chosen: "There isn't much
glory on farm, but you get a-good, sure
living. You are your own master: you
can't starve or be turned out of business;
and as far as the work is concerned in these
days of horse power, man needn't kill
himself farming any more than at any 9th
er business. It is brains that win on a
farm as we'll as everywhere else, and the
smart man is going to ride, while the stup,
id one goes on foot in the corn-feld as well
as in the bar or pulpit. I should like &c
have my hearing again, but I wouldn't
leave my farm if had it,"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
4 STOLEN CHILD.
The Abduction of Mary Masters0n-
The Story Of a Long and Weary Trip.
PHILADELPHIA Times, Tuesday.

philadelphia Times tuesday,
At eight o'clock yesterday morning De-
tective Umstead returned to this city from
St. Louis, having in charge the little girl
Mary Masterson and her abductor, the
woman Fannie Brown, alias Peele, alias
Pollard. It will be remembered that the
little girl was stolen from her home on
Charles street, a small thoroughfare run
ming from South to Balm bridge, between
Fourth and Fifth streets, on the 11th of
April last Nothing was known OF their
whereabouts until the 9TH inst, when
dispatch from Chief of Police McDonough,
of ST. Louis, informed the Chief of Police
of this city that he had the woman and
child in custody. The kidnapping woman
had hearing before Alderman Carpenter
at two o'clock. She is about sixty years
old and her features are weazened. During
the hearing this Madame Frochard kept
her eyes closed, except when some particu-
lar point in the evidence was given. Ann
White, the grandmother of the child,
testified to the abduction, the particulars
of which have been published. The little
girl a bright, dark-eyed, intelligent child +,
then gave her testimony in clear and dis
tinct manner. She said that she met the
prisoner after leaving school, who gave her
pennies and candy, and induced her 10 get
into street car with her. The first night
they stopped in the city, and next morning
went to Annapolis, thence to Washington,
where the prisoner said she had brother
living. Mrs. Brown forced the witness to
house at night. After two or three days
they went to Baltimore and slept at the
station house. They begged every day,
testified little Mary, the old woman whip
ped her when she refused to ask for money.
They stayed in Baltimore one week, and
then kind gentleman gave them pass to
Indianapolis On the way the conductors
gave them food. From Indianapolis they
went to ST. Louis, travelling on foot part oi
the time and getting passes over the rail
road the rest The child said she was treat
ed kindly by the farmers and others on the
way, bnt that on many occasions the old
woman would whip her. On reaching st
Louis they stopped with the Sisters o.
Charity, who gave them supper and lod
ging every night. While it was light the
child was forced 10 beg, and told to say
that her name was Mamie Brown, and, i
asked, that her father was dead. The ole
woman had told her that her grandmothe
and father were no more. Patrick Master
son, the little ones father, gave his testi
mony, which was not material to the case
Detective Umstead detailed his trip ant
said that on arriving at St. Louis, in com
. pany with Detective Thomas Henness.
! and P F. Lawlor, of st. Louis, he ha'
discovered the truth of the girls statement
/ At the conclusion of the testimony tn
), Alderman committed the prisoner in de
: fault of $4,000 to answer at court tn
a charge of enticing the girl from her home
: The little one was taken charge of by he
e father and grandmother, her mother bein
y dead.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28

they are well treated, or TO understand the
fluctuations in business which justify the
rise and fall of wages 1t is therefore
duty of employers 10 employ none but
persons sober, moral, diligent, and accus
toned to reiect-men with whom they
can sit down and reason-who can under
stand lust conclusions, and feel the over
ruling propriety of abiding by them
Where large establishments are organized
on these principles, the business moves on
with eontentment on both sides-each re-
spects the rights of the other-nlisunder
standings are quietly settled without strikes,
and peace and mutual good will reign as in
we'll regulated families. Where the in
strumentaIities Of labor are organized,
with intelligence and integrity of employ
era, and with workDen suitably cultivated
for respectable American citizenship, the
most desirable consequences may be reason
able hoped for: / Superior safety Of
capital in enlightened hands. >. Econo
nv of time and labor when conscientiously
employed s. Economy in the use OF
/ stock and materials manipulated By in
ssructed men of good principles. /. For
the same reason, the best results may be
/ looked for as to quality and quantity Of
products s. Interests Of customers and
consumers are better subserved with fabric;
made upon honor. 6. Ignorance is tbs
generator of crime and vice, producing the
worst consequences where it prevails. T.
The safety of society can only be conserv
ated by enlightened citizens, and are
jeopardized by the malignancy growing ou
of general ignorance. s. It is impossible
to Cver-estimate the social value of making
workmen good and useful citizens. 9. S.
to elevate large class, gives stability Il
schools and institutions for moral and in
tellectual culture. 10. Working men con
stitute large majority of our people, anC
whatever lifts them up in the social scale
: important 10 the whole community. II. L
numerous eastern cities and towns the sbe
nign efforts .of cultivating the industria
class are visible in good order and the gen
eral moral tone of society. u. 1t is man
ifestly, primary duty of employers, t
themselves and to society, to give prefe,
ence to workingmen of intelligence and mo
rality; where such qualities are uniforml
) preferred, those who possess them not vii
: strive to attain them, and they will form a
essential. qualification in preparing youth
| for employment.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
THE WIRE WORKERS SECOND CON.
VENTION.
THE COUNTY PRINTING FRAUD
LEFT UNTOUCHED.

The people of Perry county, Dem
ocrats and Republicans asked the
County and Senatorial conventions to
pass resolutions condemning one of
the most infamous swindles ever forced
upon a people. The so called Demo-
cratic organ of Perry said it must not
be done, and it was not even mention
ed in either convention. The Democ-
racy of Perry county, outside of the
politicians are almost unanimous in
favor of repeating of the law which
is robbing them of the benefits of their
labor to support party papers. The
conventions were warned of the dan
ger of allowing few men to run the
conventions in their own private in
terests.
Gentlemen you have nominated a
County and Senatorial ticket. The
county ticket contains a number Of
good honest business mer, and one Of
them would have been defeated for the
nomination for the second term had
there been any way of swindling him
out of it. We have reference to Mr.
Stinchcomb, who had the welfare o.
the county in view, and sent his worl
where he could have it done for tn,
least money, and by so doing saved tn,
taxpayers a considerable amount o
money. Mr.. Stinchcomb need hav,
no fears of the "organ." The peopl
will stand by him.
The tickets have been nominate,
and the wishes of the people spit upon
You will find the day has gone b,
that nomination is equivalent to Al
election. The people of Perry count
will vote for their own interests at tn
coming fall election, and not for tn
interests of party organs, and politics
loafers. 1t took but short time fc
Lou Green to pack the committees o
resolutions, but the whole of Hockin
county can not influence the voters {
Perry.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-28
SUNDAY IN DEADNOOD.
Something for All Tastes, and COnsid'
cradle of 1t.
from the Black Hills Times.[


On Sunday the people pour into Dead
wood from the adjoining camps, and during
the day the streets have the appearance ola
national celebration. On closer inspection
you discover that the crowd is attracted by
an auctioneer, who has mounted a barrel,
and is crying his wares. the accumulation
of every kind of pawned property. On
the other side the prize package man holds
out valuable inducements to q harangue of
fifteen minutes, stand in awe, with disap-
pointment stamped upon their counten-
ances, to see the fortune they might have
possessed had they only drawn the lucky
packet he displays before them. Then the
bands send out lively music from the Gree
and-easies," while the merchants are busy
bartering their wares for gold dust to the
dusky miner. Every body ia on the alert.
tramping to and fro, in and out and up and
down the mountains. Then, just around
the corner from the busy throng, the un-
pretentious building occupied for church
sends forth its echoes from the three OF
four score of worshipers there assembled,
and many are the hardy miners who here
take the opportunity to thank God fol
health and success; and all these, together
with the confusion upon the streets, and
yells from dog.fghts reverberate over the
hills. When the weather is pleasant
groups oftwo and upward are seen winding
upon the towering bed rocks, or climbing
through the mountain pines. To one no
accustomed to this romantic region, sucl
proceeding traffic, toll ane
pleasure going to make up Sunday-appeal
absurd in the extreme. But such is noun
tain life, and in brief time the mos
fastidious pilgrim from the more Athenial
regions will become accustomed to and fas
cinated by them.