davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

HARDwICK.- town meeting was held here on
the 18th, to raise money to defray current ex-
penses for the year ending March 1875 A tax
of one dollar and fifty cents was voted, which,
combined with the state and state school taAes,
makes an aggregate for all purposes, except high
way. of one dollar and eighty-seven cents on the
dollar of the grand list The highway tax was
forty cents, and was voted at the annual meeting
in March," Bill " Cheney, the Photographic
artist, is with us again this winter lie occupies
his old quarters in Way, Titus Co IS block. He
reports his summers work as mainly in Addison
and Chittenden counties taking views Of natural
and other scenery. Prices current December
10TH Butter, twenty 10 twenty-five cents, the
latter for selected tubs eggs, twenty-five cents
dry and hard wood, sixteen To twenty inch deiv-
cred, II dollar and quarter 10 "A dollar and half
per cord potatoes, forty cents corn, eighty cents
oats, thirty-ive cents per bnshel fresh pork, six
to cents beef four TO six cents by the quar-
ter; hay, twelve dollars per ton. Judevine con-
templates erecting large building next season.
suitable for mechanical and manufacturing pur-
poses, on the north side Of the river at the upper
falls in this village, aud is getting out lumber for
that purpose this winter. Sleighing began De
cember 18th, only two days later than last year
The light amount of snow, and frequent changes
with tendency to thaw, may yet interrupt the
continuance OF seighing. The personal prop
erty of 5, C. Burnham recently attached by cred-
tors was sold Mt auction ut this place saturday
last Stock and hay sold at fair prices The hay
sold at twelve dollars and quarter to twelve dol
lars and fifty cents per ton, delivered at the farm
one mile aud aquarter south of this place.
Willie Clement has returned home from the West
(Chazey, H. where he has been employed in a
banking house for some months past. The clos
ing up OF business By the firm threw him out of
employment
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19
Christmas-tide.

The season of our Saviour's advent is al
hand. The joyous Christmas is coming. II
is accompanied, as it always must be in our
latitude, with wintry winds, and biting
hoar-frosts, and storms of snow and hail.
All these portend season of severe trial to
the poor, of whom SO many thousands are
out of work. The JOY and good cheer of
the merry Christmas seem providentally
adapted to alleviate the outside desolation.
While we celebrate the birth of him who is
Gods unspeakable gift" and make many
hearts glad with Christmas offerings and
remember the poor, whom we always have
with us, nevertheless the greatest lesson Of
the day is in the marvellous truth which it
celebrates, :" the grace of him who though
he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor,
that we, through his poverty, might be
rich" The divine charity of the season is
its sweetest satisfaction. Rightly compre-
hending this, all our benevolence and good
cheer will attain its highest significance.
But how can this be fully realized if we do
all gifts i? "Vainly we offer each ample OBJ
lation" unless it is sanctifed by the "hearts
alteration"
In these times of public anxiety and wide
spread distress, the hearts of millions are
turning with alteration and joy to the
"Christ-child as the worlds last, best. only
hope. The civilized world is rapidly being
prepared to welcome the great truth that the
"Prince of Peace " is on the throne that
the government is upon his shoulders. "
The nations that exalted themselves against
God are being swept away by the breath of
his power. The fitness of time is has
tening on, heralded by the worlds commo-
tions, and awaiting only the final consecra-
ton of all the agencies of his kingdom in
heaven and earth for the full evangelization
of the divine pledge, 4" Peace on earth, good
will to men," This glorious hope, for the
fulfilment Of which the world has so long
groaned and Travelled in pain, will be greatly
hastened by a practical and faithful mani
festation, on the part of his followers, of the
saviour y IONt W II lpSt Nliu
Our Christian festival should therefore be
preeminently Christians holy day rather
than holiday-a day of unmingled love and
obedience to the newborn King.
Raise, then, the glad chorus; and as the
children mingle their happy voices, let them
open their minds and hearts to the deep
religious truths of the incarnation as they
carol forth the glories of the advent Let
all our homes be filed with the "voices of
rejoicing and salvation" And let the world
witness purer, better, brighter keeping of
the hallowed season than it has yet known.
Good tidings good tidings!
The music shall not cease;
He came to guide hayward feet
Into the way of peace
Chime tuneful bells, and loudly ring,
To hail the Christmas morn
Awake. all Christian souls, and sing
&" To us a Child is born"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

Combines TRIuMpH.-The controversy
in the Senate over the New York Custom
House appointments was ended by vote of
that body ON Wednesday, Thirty-one Re-
publican Senators voted against, and twenty
democrats and five Republicans in favor of
the Presidents nominations. The question
was III most unfortunate shape for the
President, and Mr.. Conkling had the advan-
tage of plausible appeal to the principle of
civil service reform in support of his views.
In spite of this result, we adhere to the con
viction that peace will yet be made betw cen
the President and the Republicans upon
grounds honorable to both
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19
The Chinese Question.

Intelligence from the Pacific coast dis
closes the startling fact that a bloody out
break against the Chinese population is
more than probable. Appeals to the Pres-
dent for protection have Just been made by
the six companies representing the Chi
nese population in San Francisco, while, on
the other hand, Congressman Page, of Cali
fornia, addresses letter to the President
stating that there are one hundred and fifty
thousand Chinese in California, a fifth of
whom are females brought there for i'm
moral purposes and held as slaves the re-
mainder are males, equal in number to the
voting population of the state, and with few
exceptions are coolies and slaves. Mr.. Page
states there is no division of opinion in Cal
ifornia as to the evils of Chinese immigra-
ton, and suggests special message to Con
yress on the subject To complicate this
difficult matter still more, and as showing
how small are the chances of justice being
done in the premises, Congressman Shelley,
Of Alabama, on behalf of the committee
having this subject in charge, reports bill,
wherein he proposes to charge each oppressed
son hailng from China, who seeks this asy-
lum i'll the future, an entrance fee of two
hundred and fifty dollars. Shelley hopes,
by making the asylum something in the ma
ture OF a luxury, to exclude the more heather
Of the celestials from our soil. Shelley
Idvances his entrance fee proposition as the
olutlon OF the vexed Chinese problem. Am
oassadors and officials with their servants
ire to be given free passes to the asylum,
but the rest of China must pay at the rate of
Two hundred and fifty dollars per pigtail.
Custom house officers are to collect the tax,
md a refusal to pay is to be punished by
Imprisonment for five years.
The Chinese on our Western coast are
not in the nature of boon, neither are they
IN unmitigated curse. 1t appears from the
testimony taken before Senator Morton's
committee last year that the Chinese are
not nearly so black as they are generally
'ainted. They own eight hundred thousand
lollars worth OF property i'll San Francisco,
md pay custom duties amounting to two
million dollars annually, and poll tax of
'wo hundred thousand dollars annually
They have reclaimed one million ac,,., of
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

PARTIsANsHIP Run MAD.-The ways and
means committee of the House have decided
to recommend wholesale investigating
business of the drag-net ORDER into the
various departments of the government. To
this end it proposes to grant indefnt, power
to take evidence, send for persons and papers,
to the committees on Indian affairs, military
affairs, public lands, public buildings and
grounds, and to the special committee on ex.
penditures in the various departments. Ii
there were any substantial grounds for such
Investigations no one could object to them,
but the probability is that they are merely
ordered to enable dozen committees to EN-.
ploy extra clerks and thus furnish situations
for some of the hungry crowd of applicants
for positions.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

CRy ALoUD.-We join heartily with a
contemporary in saying; "Let the public
press raise the cry of honest money Let
every man who cares for the credit of his
country and fair dealing hold up the hands
of the President and sustain him in his at
tempt to stay reckless legislation upon this
subject. Let public sentiment crystalize so
thoroughly in favor of honest money that
no public man will dare oppose it. Give us
a gold dollar, or silver dollar, either or
both, but give US dollars worth for dol
lar, and all honest men without axes to
grind should cry amen"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19
The Eastern War.

We could only announce, last week, the
fact that Plevna had fallen. Official re-
turns show the Russian losses in the assault
to have been ten officers and one hun
dred and eighty.two men killed, and forty
five officers and one thousand two hundred
and seven men wounded; aud the Turkish
prisoners include ten pashas, one hundred
and twenty-eight staff officers, thirty thou.
sand infantry and one thousand two hun
dred cavalry, also seventy-seven cannon.
The fall of Plevna has also been sue
ceeded by another Russian victory neal
Elena, and the reported capture of ten OF
twelve thousand prisoners.
These brilliant successes of the Russians
have put an entirely new face upon th,
campaign. Already rumors of mediation
are flying thickly through Europe Eng
land is especially active in the interest Of
peace. Coustantinoplc is divided One
party favors coming to terms. while the
other, and larger one just at present, wants
to fight it out to the bitter end. In the
meantime Suleiman Pasha encounters the
enemy and falls back before him; Russia
floats a new loan, mobilizas fresh con-
tingent of half million men, concentrates
the Baltic fleet in the Mediterranean and
pushes her columns souihward, while the
Russian journals laugh at the ida of peace
except upon conditions which will forever
make Turkey harmless. But whatever turn
events may now take, it seems clear that
there will be no general war growing ont of
intervention. Great Britain might like to
take a hand in it, but she is too wary to do so
with Germany the fast friend of the Car.
France cannot interfere il sh wanted to,
and Austria is held in check by Germany
and Italy. So the fighting, if it continues,
must go on between the present parties. 1t
is not unlikely, however, that negotiations
for peace will be commenced almost i'm.
mpdia tnlv
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19
MacMahOn's New Departure.

The past week has brought the umexpect-
eddy pleasing intelligence from France that
MacMahon has again, and to all appearance
finally, yielded to the inevitable demands of
the people 1t is short turn towards con-
cesson, moderation and peace, and came
astrous results. A new ministry has been
formed from the " left CENTER, or moderate
republicans, which has the promise of hearty
support from the constitutionalists and Or
and House.
In this new departure MacMahon starts
off well. He has just issued his message to
Parliament, containing frank and dignified
surrender to the voice of the people and 1t
elicits the warm approval of all classes of
the republicans An additional assurance
Of the Presidents honest purpose at last
after his long career of deceit and intrigue,
is furnished by his asking the Chambers to
grant only one-sixth of the appropriations at
this time. Had he SIM ,ter aims he would
want plethoric purse to start with, and
would doubtless insist upon having the full
budget voted at once. 1t therefore seems
hardly probable that his recent good be-
havior has no higher purpose than to tide
over the present emergency, with the ulti.
mate intention of disnssing the Cabinet
and defying the Chambers when the pres
sure of the hour has passed away. So far
as he acts honestly he should be credited
with honest motives. He has pretty effect
ually demonstrated his powerlessness when
he takes issue with the people. He may yet
largely retrieve his character. France will
forgive if she cannot forget his evil designs,
provided he is now honest and faithful.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

A COMMUNICABLE the year 1875 Con-
,ress pledged the nation to redeem the green
backs in coin. But in 1873 it had demone-
lied silver so that the dollar of four hundred
Ind twelve and one-half grains of silver was
10 longer legal tender, and its coinage was
topped. Hence the pledge of the govern
nent to redeem greenbacks in 1879 in coin
meant gold. 1t could mean nothing else,
md has been so understood by the world,
md greenbacks have steadily approached
he gold standard, and are now worth within
ass than three per cent. of the gold dollar.
This is an indisputable fact which the silver
lolarists cannot get over But if doubt
N regard to this point be conceded, the
'ilver men are still in quandary. For il
ilycr is included in the term "coin," in
which greenbacks are to be redeemed. how
ire we to account for the fact that green
backs are worth from six to seven cents
more than silver? Can the stream rise
higher than its source 7 If greenbacks are
redeemable in silver, would they be worth
seven cents more on the dollar than silver ?
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

AMERICAN CREDIT ABRoAD.-A well in
formed American gentleman now doing
business in Europe writes home as follows f.:
" The efforts of the misguided Representa-
tiyes in Congress TO make silver legal ten
der without excepting government bonds
gives the coup de grace to American credit
abroad. 1t had suffered about all it could
bear before, and this breaks it down utterly
for the time. II the Senate interposes thu
will be reaction, but if 1t is foied only
through the Presidents veto, it will be con
sidered check only, not a defeat, Our
people do not appear to be aware of all that
is implied by such a deliberate act of bad
faith, or of its consequences, both now and
in the future, TO the credit OF the nation, of
municipalities and of individuals. In Ger.
uany, such is their faith iu the great repub-
lie, they will not believe it is anything nlolc
than the trick of denagogues, which cannot
prevail. Let us beware how we btral thos
| who trust In our honor"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

"CoLD TEA" PLAYED.-A Washington
correspondent saws: There will be no "cod
tea" served up in either the Senate or
House restaurants. For many years, not
withstanding the temperance folks have
been very active in their opposition, whis.
key has been sold in both the Senate and the
House restaurants, under the name of " cold
tea" 1t has always been served to those
calling for it in tea-cups, and unless per
sou was very observing he never would be
able to tell whether cold tea or liquor was
furnished. Occasionally, however, the diff
ference would be noticed, when the customer,
being unable to take his liquor straight,
would ask for little hot water to wash it
DOWN. Speaker Randall, in his remarks on
the subject to-day, gave everybody to under
stand that, as far as the House restaurants
are concerned, there would be no more wink
ing over whiskey guzzling, whether under
the name of cold tea or otherwise. Vice
President Wheeler has taken similar stand
on the other side OF the Capitol, thus effec-
tually, for the time, at least, putting an end
to the whiskey traffic in the Capitol building.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

SHARoS.-Any one happening ON the road be
tween this place ana West Hartford, Thursday
evening, November nd might have seen large
number Of people and teams in front of Mr. and
Mr. George Y. Burgess, 1t being the fifth ami
versary Of their welded life, But George was
not in the least alarmed. II lwever all Of sud
den there was a rush made for the door, aud soon
there were nearly or quite hundred men, women
aud children that had pressed into his house
greatly 10 his surprise. George, though taken by
surprise, proved equal To the OCCASION aud ex-
tended 10 all a cordial greeting After getting
warm and finding the house too small for the
company, they stepped across the way 10 his
fathers house, where there was a large aud COM
modous hall, well lighted, trimmed with ever
green aud warmed by fires from old-time fire
places There we listened to poem cad by
Rev. l.. b. Steele, and well fitted for the OCCASION
which was followed by plenty of nice cake and
hot coffee. Gifts to the amount of fifty or fifty
Ave dollars were presented by George T. Fay,
the receipt Of which was responded IL by Mr. Bur
CESS in n very fitting way The rest Of the even
ing was spent In singing aud visiting, aud MS they
left and wendell their way To their homes, each
one could say that they had had II very pleasant
time, long IN be remembered by all
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

" the seating OF Patterson as the Repre-
sentative from Colorado wasn't disgrace
full steal by the democrats, there never was
one. Elected on a technicalty, by vote of
less than one-third the votes of the state
after Bedford, the Republican candidate
had been elected by a triumphant majority,
the vote seating him shows to what straits
the democrats will go TO obtain power right
or wrong. We are glad to see so many dem
Gratis voting against this swindle, or refusing
10 vote
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

WArERnuRY.-rhe event of special interest oc-
curing in this town during the past week was
the coming and the evangelical labors Of the Cos
pei workers from st Alhans commencing Thurs
day evening in the Methodist church, and contin-
ulng in that two days and evenings and then in
the Congregational church Saturday evening,
sunday, and closing sunday evening The ser
vices consisted of prayermeetings at nine o'clock
A. NJ, and at half-past six r. NJ, and more public
services at ten A. NJ, two and seven T.. ~ Of each
day The working brethren were the two Be
dards Of the Congregational church, Mr.. Cooper
OF the Methodist and Mr.. Whitehead of the Bap-
tist church in st. Adams. They are all men of
invitation of our pastors. From what we saw of
these men in their public ministratons we should
think them humble, but earnest Christians will
Ing to work for the Master wherever called and
without pecuniary reward OF their work here
there will be differences of opinions, as there are
always and everywhere of all special evangelical
work. Mr. Cooper conducted the meeting The
subjects for each meeting were systematically
arranged, and the part each brother WAS to take
was definitely assigned him previous to the
vice. An Invitation was given the gospel workers
to return the latter part of this week and continue
their work which was so well begun, and which
seemed satisfactory that the attention increased
every meeting, The young ladies have n fair
this "wednesday evening, for the sale of useful
and ornamental articles they have been making
for the benefit OF the society
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

WmLIAMsrowS,-'lhe exercises Of the Congre-
gational society's Christmas tree will be held
in the Town Hall, Tuesday night, December both
Al are cordially invited to attend, aud also to
put On their presents Mr.. George Ainsworth,
former resident in this place returned from the
West last week DR. George T.. Lane is abou t
u move 10 Ludlow, VI lie has been resident
in Wiliamstown for Thirty years, aud during that
time he has labored long and we'll, aud has won
for himself the title OF good Doctor trust
worthy citizen and man in every respect lie
will he greatly missed May success attend him
wherever he goes
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

ONE feels obliged to confess that the
Tribune comes very near the truth when it
remarks that "the most of the things the
South is solid for seem to be bad" Solid
for the anti-resuInption BILL solid for the
silver deusion, solid for subsidies
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

NORWICH A most cowaldly aud my at
tvmlt Ia oyerpower the teacher Is rel1rted Ia
have been made rec ally at the "Rdnnk
school, In Norwich, by u young man named Ezra
Wood, who resorted to hai barity by using his
fist, hiv-shoN,l, etc, but Was soin made by the
master 10 humble himself To the iioOr under
desk. brother of Woods interferd and re-
ceived a similar punishment
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

THE PRESIDENT AND THE SENATE
From this outlook it is difficult TO account
for the action of the Senate in refusing to
confirm the nominations sent in by the
President for the custom house officers in
New York city. President Hayes suspended
Collector Arthur and Naval Officer Cornell
of the New York custom house. and Sur
veyor George II. Sharpe resigned at the
Presidents wish. The President named for
collector, Theodore Roosevelt for naval off
Ger l.. Bradford Prince, and for surveyor,
General Merritt. No action was taken dur.
ing the special session. On Wednesday of
last week, the nomination of General Mer-
rift was confirmed without objection, as
there was no question about the vacancy in
his office. The nominations of Roosevelt
and Prince were rejected by vote of
twenty-five to thirty-two. The twenty-five
yeas were all democrats but six-Hoar.
Christiancy, Matthews, Burnside, Dawes and
Conover. The nays were mostly Republican.
1t is a novel spectacle, and we should GER
tainly be pleased to learn the reasons which
induced our Senators to Join in swelling the
Conkling column in violation of what has
always been supposed to be the Constitution
of the United States.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-19

WAITsflELD.-rhe population OF this town in
1870 was about nine hundred aud fifty, and is
supposed To be about the same at this date But
little sickness the past season, and only three
deaths since March -, 1877, eight and one-half
months-one an aged, one middle-aged, and
one an infant We have sixty persons over sew
enty years old, fifteen that are over eighty years,
aud one that is ninety-two years old Twenty
nine widows are within our bounds, and seven
wdowers. OF maidens between the ages of thirty
and eighty-seveu, we count twenty-one; and
eleven bachelors, Numerous instances in our
vicinity of mems autographs costing them sums
varying from seyenty-fve To five hundred dollars
each