davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

Poor EcoNoMY.-The disaster at Stat
fordville, Conn, should teach us that so
long as cheap work is what people demand,
there is no use in grumbing when the cheap
products fail us. Whether it be dams or
sewers, or houses that fall; or food that
makes us sick or bridges that break or
boats that go to pieces, it is all the same To
get the proper thing proper compensation
must be given. Good engineers who charge
fifty for their labor, and who do solid work.
are derided by the ignorant and left often
idle to sit by and watch the work of their
interiors crumble away. There is no fun in
this for them, but there is profound NORTH.
cation in it for the country at large. 1t verges
on the criminal to trust our power, both wa
ter and steam, and our whole domestic safety
by reason of our sewers, to any but thor
oughly competent persons. This is done,
however, everywhere, and the natural results
are mourned as strange and unnatural. From
the planning of great works to the execution
of their details, the penny-saving policy
the most costly in the end-has become the
characteristic one. Economists " cry ex-
travagance at the mention of expensive
methods, but cheapness and sham bring their
own consequences
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

WISE PRECAUTIoNs.-The aid extended
to the passengers and crews of the vessels
recently wrecked on our coast by the men
at the life-saving stations abundantly estab-
fishes the wisdom, as well as the humanity,
of our government in fitting out and sup
porting these stations. On recent Sunday
one hundred and twenty-five passengers were
landed in safety from the steamer Rusland,
at Long Branch, when the high sea made it
very dangerous to use boats A line was
shot across the steamer from the shore on
which the life-saving car was run back and
forth with great rapidity, taking four or FIVE
persons ashore at each trip The passen.
gers from the Amerique were safely landed
in the same manner during the night on
which she went ashore, These life-savng
stations now stud the whole coast from New
Jersey to Maine, and are often of great
service.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

Flow OF MAPLE TREEs.--Some time ago
Amherst Agricultural College made up its
mind that the maple sap from which sugar
was made in the spring was laid up in the
tree the year before. In order to find out
if this was true, maple tree, one Decem.
Der, having been guyed so as to keep it up
right, was sawed off near the ground and the
end of the trunk Theoretically sealed with
wax. Thus the tree stood until spring,
when it was tapped and yielded its average
amount of sugar, although the tree had been
severed from its roots upwards of three
months. A young maple was cut IN the
winter, brought into the greenhouse and
tapped. 1t soon began to flow sap and con-
tinued to do so for thirty-six hours, when
the flow stopped. The tree was then taken
out Of doors and allowed to freeze again.
Upon being brought back to the greenhouse
the sap resumed its flow and continued to
do so as long as the alternate freezing and
thawing processes were kept up.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

No MORE SUBsIDIEs.-It is said that Tom
Scott and others interested in obtaining a
subsidy from the government in aid of the
Southern Pacific railroad scheme are prepar-
ing to push the matter vigorously at tn,
next session of Congress, and are more hope
full of success than ever before. They count
on the united support of the Southern Con-
gressmen and expect some help from the
middle states. If they can also obtain the
votes of few Northern or Western mem
beers, their success will be assured. Those
who have examined this scheme, except of
course those who are interested in it, are
said to be nearly unanimous in condemnne
it, but whether the enterprise is worthy
one or not, the sentiment of the North
least is decidedly opposed to lending it TIN
credit OF the government. In the last cleo
ton both parties put themselves on record
As strongly opposed to the granting of any
more subsidies of any kind and the failure
on the part of any Senators or Representa-.
tive to carry out the plainly expressed will
of the people will justly be regarded as "a
breach of confidence
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

POPULAR INTELLIGENcE.-Prof Joseph
Henry says that he has been trying for years,
in regard to the Smithsonian Institution, to
get the government to understand that the
great testator never intended, by his mag
nificent gift, 10 accumulate mere deposit
of scientific works, but to collect all manner
of new information for distribution among
the nations of the earth. He has at last ac-
complished this. Chief Justice Waite takes
the same yiew and the institution is now
sending contributions of American discover
les, science, art, antiquities, history, and in
ventions generally, to more than two thou.
sand universities and colleges in every civil
lied portion of the globe, and these in ex.
change return to us the printed evidence of
their own successful researches in all these
various studies and inquiries, Both these
contributions from us to distant nations and
from the distant nations to us are delivered
free of cost by order of the respective gov,
ernments, Owing to careful investments in
United States securities, there remains to-
day to the credit Of the institute seven hun
dred and fourteen thousand dollars.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

STATIsTICs.-The expectation of fresh
beef from this country to England during
the past eight months consisted of twenty
three million two hundred thousand nine
hundred and ffty-fve pounds, the cash
value of which was two million eighty-seven
thousand two hundred and ninety-eight dol
lars. So it will be seen that this new source
of income promises to be of considerable
value in the course of time. The amount
shipped during the last of the eight months,
February, 1877, was more than four times
that shipped in July, 1876. The United
States Bureau of Statistics from which we
CLEAN the above information shows that
emigration from the United Kingdom to this
country is sensibly diminishing, the number
of emigrants for 1874 being one hundred
and forty-eight thousand one hundred and
sixty-one for 1875, one hundred and five
thousand and forty-six and for 1876 seven
ty-five thousand five hundred and thirty
three. The total number of persons who
emigrated from the United Kingdom to the
United States from 1915 to 1876, was five
million four hundred and sixty-seven thou
sand and seventy-five. The amount OF
money RENTED by settlers in the United
States and British North America to their
friends in the United Kingdom from 1915
to 1876, inclusive, was nineteen million
six hundred and eighty-fve thousand and
'ixty-eght pounds, the greatest amount in
any one year being one million seven hun
dred and thirty thousand pounds in 1854.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

AMERICAN ExpoRTs.-It seems that meat
is not the only American article of diet that
is meeting with favor and appreciation in
the English market. Canned food of all
kinds has experienced a similarly rapid in
crease in the demand, and the sales of salmon,
Holsters, oysters and condensed milk are in
creasing to large proportions from month to
month. With the modern Improvements,
and the various excellent methods of pre-
serving and transporting such perisbable ar
ticles across the ocean, the Old World is
destined to prove an important market for
the fruits and vegetables, as well as meats,
that can be SO abundantly produced on our
continent. Let American producers have an
eye to the quality and to the price of their
expectations, and they can rest assured they
can both secure and retain the control of the
English market against all competitors.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

A PRoTECToRATE FOR MEXICo.-Some
Washington politicians, it is reported, are
urging the establishment by our govern
ment of a protectorate over Mexico. That
country has been for years in state of
anarchy and confusion, which has made any
real advance in prosperity impossible. A
few weeks ago, it had no less than three
claimants of the Presidency, each supported
by an army, and now that General Diaz has
driven out the other two, we hear that there
is deep-seated dissatisfaction with him,
which is likely to eliminate soon in another
rebellion. The condition of the country is
indeed pitiable one and protectorate
extended by our government might quite
likely prove benefit to Mexico, but its
effect upon us would as surely be the oppo-
site of beneficial. We certainly have no
call to maintain order in Mexico while two
states in our own country have dual govern
nents, and the peace is only maintained by
the presence of the troops. The national
protectorate business hasn't worked well
enough as applied to the South to encour.
age its extension to Mexico, where we have
no call to interfere, and it is to be hoped that
the whole scheme will never get beyond the
designing politicians who are urging it for
their own selfish purpose.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

SENSIBLE IDEAs.-Danel Webster hac
sound notions respecting civil service reform
When secretary Of state in 1871, by order Of
President Harrison, he issued circular tc
the treasury department, in which he sale
that ait is great abuse to bring the pat
ronage of the general government into con
flict with the freedom of elections and thai
this abuse ought to be corrected wherever
it may have been permitted to exist, and tc
be prevented for the future" Furthermore
"that partisan interference in the popular
elections, whether of state officers or Of
officers of the government, and for whom
soever or against whomsoever it may be ex
ercised, or the payment of any contribution
or assessment on salaries, or official compen
sation for party or election purposes, will be
regarded as cause for removal"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

TINS Northampton revelation is serious
matter for safe-makers and bankers. If it
is possible for any employe of safe-works
to get the hang of any particular safe he
wants to rob, then there is no such thing as
safety. Some preventive measures must be
adopted at once to restore confidence. If it
does not apply to locks already in use, GER
tainly an excellent plan for all safe.locks
hereafter made and set, is to engrave upon
each the name of every manufacturer or re-
pairer of the safe who has come to know the
ways of the lock. There cannot be many such,
and to have their names handy would fur
nish good /" clue for detectives.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

WHOLESOME CoMpETIrIoN.-The great
through lines of railroad from the West are
Al war again. In December last an agree
nent was entered into between the New
York Central Erie, Pennsylvania and Balti-
more and Ohio companies, establishing GER
tain rates for freight. Now the New York
Central and the Erie declare that the Penn.
Sylvania and Baltimore and Ohio have not
kept faith, but have continually cut under
and taken freight at any price that they
could get therefore they-the New York
ompanies-abandon the compact, and will
henceforward make their own charges and
do business as cheap as they can. On the
other hand, the Pennsylvania and Baltimore
and Ohio say that the other roads have
been carrying freight West below the SEIZED
ule prices on the pretence that they had
contracted for it before the agreement was
made. 1t seems likely, at all events, that
the combination is utterly broken up, and
the railroads will carry on cut-throat com
petition for while.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

COMPULSORY EDUCATIoN.-The new law
of Ohio enforcing compulsory education 7, =
quires every child between eight and four
teen years of age to attend public school
for at least twelve weeks in each school year,
and prohibits employment for the same time
in any form of business; but it makes ex.
ceptions to both provisions-f first, when the
child is physically incapactated for study
second, when it has already acquired st the
branches of learning ordinarily taught in
common schools;" third, when it is under
private instruction; fourth, when it relies on
its own efforts for support, and fifth, when
its labor is necessary to the support of it,
parents or relatives.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

GRAssHoPPERs IN THE WEsT.-The Chi
cago Tribune has been investigating the fes-
tive grasshopper, and in the head lines to a
page of letters from different sections OF
the West very unpromising story is told
They assert that " billions of him await in
cubation in the great West he will be ready
for work with the starting of vegetation
and neither heat nor cold affects his vitality
The Tribune has reports from Kansas, Iowa
Nebraska and Minnesota, and these agree
that the farmers will go on planting crops
placing their trust in Providence, and theil
hope in the scientific investigation ordered
by the general government, Preparations
are also making for grand grass conhagra
tions on the Plains. The prospect ahead
for the Western farmers is indeed dubious
but they show determination to meet tn,
enemy and somehow overcome him.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

THE HEATHER CHINEE.--There has been
entirely too much of brutal assassination of
Chinese in California, for the good name or
the moral well-being of American society.
Even if the Chinese were not entitled to any
better consideration still we could not per.
init, for the effect upon ourselves, murder
to rage unchecked. The oppression and
persecution of the Mongolians was, like
slavery, not only harmful to the victims, but
disgraceful, and demoralzng to the last de
gree to the oppressors. If it is considered
against our policy to prevent Chinese from
coming to the United States, all we have to
do is to repeal the Burlingame treaty, and
pass laws prohibiting their entrance into
any port. This is the lawful way, and would
be effectual but it is questionable whether
any very great number of leading people
would consider it proper and expedient
Meanwhile we hope that all engaged in the
Chico massacre will be hunted down and
punished vigorously.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

DEAF AND DUMB.-A strong effort is be-
ing made in England to change the system
of instructing the deaf and dumb from the
French, which now prevails in England, to
the German, which is in use in the rest of
Europe, That is, to substitute for the sign
language the method called oral, the teach
ing TO speak and to read the lips of those
who speak. A society of noble and promi-
nent men has been organized some five years
for that purpose, and at its recent annual
dinner the Prince of Wales presided, and
two thousand pounds were added TO its fund.
There are, said the Prince, in England fifteen
thousand deaf and dumb persons, and only
one thousand one hundred and twenty-five
are under instruction there is, therefore,
ample room for the extension of the system
in which he expressed so warm an interest.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

RATHER LATE.-The Georgians are waking
up to the evils of unchecked White League
ism. The state has become such an un.
pleasant place for negro habtation that the
colored people are emigrating in large mum.
bers, and planters are becoming alarmed
This is strongly indicated by the recent
passage of a law which imposes a fine OF
five hundred dollars upon each emigration
agent. This is some revenge, at least, fol
those negres who have resented the destruc
ton of their political rights by leaving the
state where they were so badly treated
They cannot help feeling delighted at such
conclusive proof of how much they are
missed at home.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

The ELECTION OF PREsIDENT.-Thep plans
for changing the manner of electing Presi-
dent blossom out afresh. Several parties are
supporting the project of combining all the
electoral colleges into one, which will meet
and pass upon the qualifications of the diff
ferent members and then vote as at present
This scheme does not seem to offer any adj
vantages over the present way Such body
would be more likely to be corruptly manip-
ulated than the present system of colleges,
and there would be no such effectual way of
holding each individual responsible as there
is at present
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04
The Louisiana Commission.


The commission to go to Louisiana and
investigate affairs there and report to the
President may work well. Yet we confess
we have our doubts about it, nor are we
alone in SO fearing. The Springfield Re
publican thinks the commission will result in
no good under the circumstances, and that
the proper thing would be for President
Hayes to go to New Orleans in person, make
Thorough investigation and determine upon
his policy by the results of actual observa-
ton and inspection. The President has
earnestly striven to so constitute the pro
posed commission that it will command the
confidence of the serious, thoughtful, honest
men of all parties, but at the very outset he
is met with obstacles created by the demo-
cratic dsturbers, which may prove fatal to
his purposes. In the first place, Nichols
and his adherents in Louisiana boldly pro-
claim that they will be parties to no manner
of compromise; that they stand upon their
assumed rights, and will fight the contest on
that line. This hostile attitude has driven
Packard into an equally resolute position.
The two parties are, therefore, in no condi-
ton to acceptof the services of third party,
whether Presidential commission or Con-
gressional committee, in the work of solving
the complication.
In addition to this, Congressional demo-
cratic managers have projected a partisan
commission IN vioit I onieiona ci,nultana-
ously with that appointed by the President
The only purpose of this can be to interfere
with and possibly thwart the honest endeavor
to amicaby adjust difference both parties
to which, undoubtedly, may properly claim
to represent some elements of justice and
equality. This democratic commission is
to prepare ammunition for the next Con-
gress. The evidences are numberless that
the main body of the democratic party will
follow the New York World in opposition
to the Hayes administration under any and
all circumstances These disturb rs started
out to be irreconcilable, and they will be ir-
reconcilable to the last. The President can
rely upon the Republican party and few
Southern democratic elements which prefer
peace, prosperity and honor to the sordid
considerations of mere party triumph.
Whatever may be the result of the Louisi-
ana commission, that is sure the President
will be supported by the vast body of inteli-
gent and patriotic people, and if his concili-
atory efforts shall come to naught by reason
of the malgnancy of democratic opposition,
the country will sustain the administration
in severe measures. The philosophy of
Richelieu is good text to keep before the ir-
reconcilable-first,a all measures to conciiate;
failing in these, all means to crush. There
must be peace-with the democrats, if pos
sible; without them, if necessary.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

there is not a little talk already among the mem
bers with regard to the most available man for
the place Both General Banks and Charles
Foster of Ohio have sufficient popularity AS well
rs marked ability for the Speakership and their
names are naturally brought forward in that con-
necton Mr. Foster has the confidence of u large
number of the Southern men, and has always
been elassed as one of the brightest orators and
most fair-minded men in the Republican party,
General Banks has already made his mark in the
Speakers chair and would command large fol-
lowing from both political parties. tits too early
yet aud the subject has not been sufficiently
agitated to warrant the belief that such an ar
rangement will absolutely be made, But the sub
ject is certainly being considered by leading Re
publicans and democrats as one of the first-frut-
of the new departure that is already being taken
the Southern question. Sol
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

A FAVORABLE SHowING.-Some time ago
attention was called to the fact that the
value of our exports and imports in 1876
showed an almost unprecedented balance in
our favor, our imports having fallen off
seventy-six million nine hundred and sew.
enty-six thousand collars in the last calen.
dar year, while our exports were increased
seventy million, four hundred and forty
thousand dollars, making difference in our
favor of one hundred and forty-six million
eight hundred and sixteen thousand dollars
1t now appears that the balance of trade thus
far the present year is as largely in favor OF
this country. In January we imported
thirty-eight million six hundred and fifty-siS
thousand dollars, about three millions less
than in the corresponding month of last year
and exported sixty-eight million three hun
dred and two thousand seven hundred and
fiftysix dollars, gain of eleven millions, oil
total gain of fourteen millions on the bal
ance, in one month.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

A NISE-years-old son of Christian Hanson, OF
Glencoe, MINI, recently had a wonderful adven-
ture with a bear. The boy was pulling straw
from stack near the stable, when huge black
bear seized him by the hip and started for the
woods but, after running nearly half n mil,
and leaping high fence the monster seemed t,
get out of wind and let the boy drop, while h,
stood over him with his great red tongue hanging
out Of his mouth, painting for breath. The boy
says he seized the bears tongue with both hands
and held on until the beast raised upon his hind
feet and scratched him in the face so hard that h,
lot go and ran The bear did not follow, and the
little fellow made the best time possible toward
the house
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

AS soon as the confession of the Mormon
Bishop Lee, regarding the Mountain Meadow
massacre, was published, Brigham Young
caused to be published statement denying
all knowledge or completely in the massacre,
but no one can believe him. 1t is to be
hoped the government will at once set on
foot measures to bring him and all others
guilty to trial and punishment.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

COLORADO has dispensed with the grand
jury system and enacted a law which pro.
vides that twenty days before the criminal
court meets, the judge of the county court
and two justices of the peace shall sit as a
court of indictment, and hear all the testi.
mony offered by either side before the in
dictment or discharge of prisoners,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-04

THE report of the prosperity of the Rus
sian Mennonites in Manitoba recalls the
statement of Mr.. Wallace in his book on
Russia that this sect are dissatisfied, and
would all like to emigrate to America
They went to Southern Russia on the prom
Use that they should be free from military
CONSUMPTION. But they are now subject to
it, and the land they occupy is of inferior
quality.