davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

HIS PLACE IN THE CABINET.-It is re-
ported that the Vice-President is to have
seat in the Cabinet deliberations. This is an
innovation. 1t is said it was one of the Sc
rious notifications Of the late Vice-President
Wilson that, so far from being invited into
council on the great and critical affairs Of
the country, the President often seemed to
treat as an intrusion the suggestions which
Mr.. Wilson felt it his duty to offer The
late President, of course, had no uniform
policy in this respect, but usually carried to
an extreme degree the notion that the Vice
President is contingent and ornamental
officer whose chief business, when the SEN
ate is not in session, is to keep out of the
way. In the new administration, there is
the best reason for believing that neither
the President nor the Vce-President will be
content with such relation.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

HANovER.-T election last week Tuesday oc-
casioped considerable interest among the stu
dents. They voted solid for ex-senator Patter-
son and Hiram Hitchcock, Esq, compromise
ticket for representatives from this town. They
were elected by small majority The prize
speakers are being chosen now. One is elected
BY each of the three upper classes in the academic
and scientific departments, and one selected by
the faculty from each of these classes. The fol-
lowing is the list az far as completed, the first
one named being appointed by the faculty and
the second by the class; Seniors Rosenthal aud
Service Juniors, Parkhurst and Niles sopho-
mores, Clement by the class Scientific depart
ment first class Bartlett by the class third class
Pickett by the class. In their selection regard Il
paid to nothing but Evolutionary ability Rosen-
thai took the second prize last year and BARTLETT
the fourth prize last year and the year before,
-. The Rev Samuel c. Bartlett has accepted the
office of president of the college aud will enter
upon his duties May 18th. The college glee
club are going to gyea series OF concerts through
New Iampshirean Vermont and possibly Massa-
chusetts. Unless there is a change in the pro.
gramme, they will be at Montpelier the 26tl
instant.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

IT is expected that the survey of the
Isthmus Canal, which has been in progress
for some time, will be completed by the end
of this month. The report of the engineers
will show that it is huge undertaking, the
estimated expense being considerably greater
than that of the Suez Canal. Such an en-
terprise would give new development to
the commerce Of the United States by open
ing up better communication with the Pa
cifc South American states, and by facili-
tating intercourse with the island groups of
the South Sea, with Australia, New Zealand,
India, China and Japan but the trouble is,
where is the money coming from to construct
the great work :
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21
WEDNESDAY, MARCH Fl, 1877
Life Insurance Swindle.

The more the investigation into the af-
fairs of the Continental Life Insurance Com
pany is pushed, the more INSCRIPTIONS and
corrupt its management is shown to have
been. The examination was concluded last
week. The former receiving teller Of the
Loaners' Bank testified that drafts to the
amount of one hundred and twenty-five
thousand dollars had been deposited in the
Continental just previous to January /,
1S75-long enough to swell the assets--and
the identical paper was withdrawn day or
two afterwards. One item of seventy-fve
thousand dollars was accounted for through
the system known as " cats and dogs-"that
is, individual drafts were made on agencies
throughout the country, to make up the APP
pearance of large bank account, The
most astonishing fact that has come out dur
ing the investigation was established by the
concurrent testimony of Mr.. Styles and Mr..
Anderson, the receiver, TO the effect that the
affairs of the company had never been ex.
amined since its inception. 1t appeared
that at one time Acting Superintendent
Smyth had come to examine the company,
but some of the officers took him off on a
fishing excursion TO Barnegat, and on his
return he was Every much fatigued," and
the examination was abandoned. The pol
icy holders in the institution seem to have
been entirely at the mercy of the sharpers
who managed it, who carried on theil
schemes wholly under cover, and without in
reference or examinations from authorities
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

A CHECKERED CAREER.-Fred Douglass,
Just confirmed as United States Marshal for
the District of Columbia. was slave in
Maryland until he was twenty-one, and then
escaped to New York state and afterwards
into Massachusetts,. Previous to this he had
secretly taught himself to read and write,
and he Immediately established his reputa-
ton as an anti-slavery orator. For eight
years he was compelled to resort to every
means to battle his former owners, who would
gladly have returned him to slavery. In
1916, however, he was purchased by money
raised among friends in England, and be-
came freeman. Washington was then a
slave market and slavery was not abolished
in the District of Columbia till 1862. This
was only fifteen years ago, and although the
terrible institution of slavery has been swept
away by sea of blood, the generation which
was accustomed to own its felow-beings as
chattels still exists, and with it the preju
dces of former times. They cannot receive
official recognition, however, and Mr.. Hayes
understood this fully. The nomination o.
Mr.. Douglass was directly in the line of hi
Southern policy, and was on the whole {
wise one
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

CIVIL SERVICE REFoRM.-The custom of
distributing offices to political friends for
partisan services has prevailed so generally
since the time of jackson, that most persons
have come to suppose that it has always
been in vogue. Such however has by no
means been the case. During the eight
years of Washington's administration he
removed only nine officers, and in every in-
stance for cause. The elder Adams dis
missed ten during his term. Mr.. jefferson,
during his eight years, only removed forty
two although a large portion of the office
holders were strongly opposed to his election.
Mr.. Madison during his eight years dismissed
but five officers. Mr.. Monroe during his
two terms only nine and John Quincy Adams
dismissed but two. General jackson during
the first year of his Presidency removed
two hundred and thirty officers in other
words, he removed about three times as
many in one year as all his predecessors had
dismissed in forty years. Before the close
of General Jackson's first term some two
thousand removals and appointments had
been made, and his example has been fol
lowed with zeal worthy of a better caust
political opponents in office when they begar
their administrations. In taking firm
stand for civil service reform Presiden
Hayes, therefore, only goes back, as he says
to the principles announced and practicec
by the founders of the republic.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21
The AshtabuIa Bridge Case.

In the matter of the investigation into
the causes Of the distressing fatal occurrence
at Ashtabula on the Goth Of December, the
Jury have at length rendered verdict which
says "That the fall of the bridge was the
result of defects and errors made in design
ing, constructing and erecting it; that a
great defect, and one which appears in many
parts of the structure, was the dependence
OF every member for its efficient action on
the probability that all or nearly all the
others would retain their position designed
and do the duty for which they were de-
signed. That the railroad company used
and continued to use this bridge for about
eleven years, during all Of which time a
careful inspection by competent engineer
could not have failed to discover these de-
fects for the neglect of such careful inspec-
ton the railroad company alone is response
ble The responsibility of this fearful dis
aster, and the consequent loss of life, rests
upon the railroad company, which, 10y its
chief executive officer, planned and erected
deceased passengers was carried into said
chasm, were not heated by heating apparatus
so constructed that the fire in it would be
Immediately extinguished whenever the
cars are thrown from the track and over
turned that the failure to comply with
that plain provision of the law places the
responsibility of the origin of the fire upon
the railroad company. (See Act of May 4
1869 That the responsibility for not put
ting out the fire at the time it first mad,
its appearance in the wreck rests upon those
who were first to arrive at the scene of the
disaster, and who seem to have been Sc
overwhelmed by the fearful calamity tina
they lost all presence of mind and faileC
to use the means at hand, consisting o
steam pump in the pumping house ant
the fire engine Lake Erie and its hose, whicl
might have been attached TO the steam puml
in time to save life. The steamer belong
ing to the fire department, and also ProteC
ton fire engine, were hauled more than
mile through binding snow storm ant
over roads rendered almost impossible b.
drifts of snow, and arrived on the groun
too late to save human life. Nothing shou
have prevented the Chief Engineer fror
making all possible efforts to extinguisl
what fire there remained. For his failur
to do this he is responsible"
Professor George l.. Vose, of the Depar
ment of Civil Engineering at Bowdoin Co
lege, in letter on what he calls the "Asl
tabula crime" says that he can put his han
upon certainly one railroad the managers G
which are assuming fearful responsibility
in running trains over old wooden bridge
which have been justly condemned for yeal
and are under the inspection of no comp
tent person. Give us bill of particular
, Professor Vose You ought to "speak gu
in meeting touching this matter, or 70
may be responsible for a second Ashtabul
horror.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

The highest court in the Dominion (Can-
ada) has unseated man elected to Parlia-
ment on the ground that the Catholic clergy
unlawfully intimidated men from voting fol-
the opposing candidate by threats of excom
munication from the church and of damna
ton in the world to come. The Judge who
pronounced the decision is himself Catholic
This may be good British law, but We
doubt if it could be enforced in this country
Our government would hardly interpose it;
authority for the protection of voters ignor
ant enough to be bullied out of their con
victions by threats Of spiritual penalty.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

POsTMAsTER-GENERALK EY.-Postmaste
General Key says it is his intention, in the
administration of his office, TO do exactly
what President Hayes will require in the
matter of appointments, and he will so man
age the affairs of the department that every
act will be guided by respect for the broad
national policy indicated in the Presidents
inaugural lie also intends making tour
through the South and will explain the
policy of the administration to the Southern
people, with view of establishing bet
ter understanding and more friendly rela-
tons between the sections. Vice-President
Wheeler also contemplates visit TO the
Southern states, for similar purpose. The
Republicans of North Carolina have already
begun to express their appreciation of the
pacific policy proposed by the President
There is no Republican party worth saving
at the South which will object the only OBJ
lection will come from the spoilsmen, who
have nearly destroyed the party in that
section, and deserve and expect no support
| from the new administration.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

A GENEROUS OFFER.-Ivers b. Adams,
of Boston, native of Ashburnham, has Of
fered to reimburse the town for every ex-
pense ii has incurred in stocking Meeting
House Pond with fish, and pay the town
treasurer five hundred dollars upon the as
signment Of the lease to him. lie has also
offered to pay all expenses for properly pro-
tecting the fish, and to allow all citizens Of
the town to fish for pickerel on Saturdays
in December, January, February and March
in each year, and for pickerel, perch and
pout in July and August each year, exacting
from them pledge that other fish caught
shall be at once returned to the waters. Tn,
town has accepted the offer.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

THE Republican majority in the Senate
is cut down to very slender proportions.
There are at present thirty-nine Republican
Senators, thirty-three democratic Senators,
and one independent-,Judge Davis. There
are three vacancies-two from Louisiana
and one from South Carolina. Should the
democrats succeed in putting their men in
these places, the Republican majority would
be only three. This is the lowest possible
figure to which it can fall during the pres
ent Congress, unless death makes changes
and it cannot rise beyond eight if all the va
cances are filled by Republicans.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

ADvERTIsING.-The Boston Globe very
pertinently says; "No man familiar with
Boston trade will fail to believe that adver-
Using returns the merchant an ample divi-
dend on the money invested, for the reason
that the shrewdest and the sharpest men,
those who study their business most closely,
and have built it up most rapidly, are in
variably the large advertisers. Lengthy
and snowy advertisements are Boston
feature. Some of our most prosperous dry
goods houses often print on Saturdays col
umn advertisements in half dozen papers,
at an expense of from forty to sixty dollars
each, and occasionally they will take from
two to three whole columns to a whole page
in single paper, at about the same rates.
1t is simple nonsense to say that these men
don't realize what they are doing. They
have tested it for years, and know well just
what is ito value" What is true of the
Boston trade, is doubly true of that of the
country
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

TWEED TO BE FREED.-The Imprisonment
of Tweed will end in few days and he will
be free to go where he likes. The terms OF
his discharge include the paying back OF
what money he has, said to be over one hun
dred thousand dollars, and aiding the city to
unearth considerably more. The authori
ties would rather have Tweeds money than
his body. The arrangements are complete
for leaving New York and spending his time
on the continent. Some of the other ring
fugitives are to confess and disgorge. 1t is
not probable that any of this class will have
home in Sing Sing.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

THERE seems to be a slight misunder-
standing and little unpleasantness among
the Maine politicians over the appointment
of Mr.. Morrill, as collector at Portland. II
was first given out that Mr.. Blaine and Mr.
Hale did the business, and now comes Mr.
Frye rather crisply protesting that he fan
cied he had something to do with it and
that the others wanted another man. 1t has
always been supposed that these shrewd ant
thrifty managers OF the Pine Tree state
dwelt together in perfect brotherly unity
and this little family quarrel is the first pub
lie sign of any discord.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

The EXTRA SEssIoN.--An extra session
of Congress sometime in May or June seems
fixed fact The failure of the army APP
preparation bill has left that great branch of
the service unprovided for, and the Presi-
dent and his advisers have decided that, il
the absence of law, they cannot tide over
the difficulty till the regular meeting in De
cember. No alternative remains but ali eX-
ira session. The stubborn and unyieldine
spirit of the democratic House in resolving
to kill the bill unless an unconstitutional
and indefensble condition were attached t.
it is responsible for the necessity. The first
and chief object OF the session will be to
supply this deficiency and pass the bill which
ought to have been passed before the recent
adjournment. Whether any further bust
ness shall be considered, will depend some
what upon circumstances, Of course, there
will be no general legislation. But it may
be deemed expedient to deal with one OIL
two topics beyond the immediate object Of
the session. The Southern question may bt
in such shape as to invite some considera
ton. The Senate may take up the creden
| tials of the claimants from Louisiana anC
! South Carolina, and thus pass upon it. Ii
one way or another the subject can hardl,
fail to engage degree of attention.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21
Specie Resumption.

Everything now seems to point to an early
resumption of specie payments by the gov
eminent, and il nothing interferes we shall
probably within year find our greenback
dollar worth a dollar in gold. A very good
beginning has been made in retiring the
fractional paper, and silver and nickel now
furnish very nearly all the small change.
The prolonged depression of business and
the consequent enforced economy have re-
duced the volume of imports. This has
been assisted by the diminished cost of pro.
duction of articles manufactured in this
country, which have been brought into more
successful competition with foreign man
ufactures. Our agricultural products have
been abundant and cheap and are more and
more exported The balance of trade is
very favorable Gold has ceased to go
abroad it even flows back, while our own
production of the precious metals continues
to be enormous. Gold accumulates at the
treasury and in the banks. Government
four and one-half per cent. bonds sell in
New York at premium of five and three
quarters to six per cent. The country stands
pledged to resume specie payments in twenty
one and one-half months. In less than six
months, perhaps in three, gold may be q
| drug in the market. 1t will become a duty
of the secretary of the treasury to withdraw
the legal tenders as fast as he can, that he
may give as little aid as possible to the enor
nous and sudden initiation of actual currency
that would follow this involuntary resump
ton. For the whole mass of gold ceasing L
command a premium as an acticle of mer
chandise, and joining paper as medium o
exchange, would give the country an aggre
gate volume of currency that ought to sat
isfy even Cooper and Cary, especially whel
joined with unlimited free banking.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

THE President and his wife showed their
modesty and good sense in walking quietly
to the Methodist church nearest to the
White House. instead of riding ostenta-
tionsly TO Parson Newman's " Metropolitan
tabernacle, where great preparations had
been made for his reception, and sermon
got ready to be preached at him.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

The plan of a new election in South Car
DINA has been presented to the President
by delegation from South Carolina, who
reduced their plan to writing at the request
of the President. The plan is to have new
election to be preceded by no meeting OF
either party, the election to be under the
supervision of General Ruger, in whom both
parties are said to have confidence. In or
der to have a new election it will be neces
sary for both Hampton and Chamberlain tc
assent to the plan.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

or the insolvent life insurance companies
the New York Herald reports that at the
special term at Schenectady, March Sth, the
attorney general made application for the ap-
pointment of receiver and the closing out
of the following companies Guardian Mu-
tual, Widows and Orphans, Reserve Mutual
New York State and the North American.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

PAIRING OFF.-One of the most curious
illustrations of the equal power of two votes
is given in a humorous story of Judge Story,
which he was very fond of telling. One cold
and stormy election day he felt it his duty,
as good citizen, to go TO the polls. lie or
dered his carriage for this purpose, but just
as he was getting in sudden thought struck
him Turning to his colored driver, he
said "IIave you voted yet ?" "No, Massa
Story, ] was waiting to drive you first"
"Well," replied the Judge, sand who do you
intend to vote for 2" al shall vote for A."
answered the driver, dwell, +" continued the
Judge, laughing al should vote for b., so
you llay put up the carriage again, and we
will both stay at home and pair off our votes. y
The colored driver was of equal Importance
! at the ballot box with the learned judge.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

THE newspapers are reporting rumors of
more 90 coal combinations" but it looks as
if the opposite course was to be the policy
for awhile. The large concerns, before di'
viding up the market, are going apparently
to crush the small operators out of existence.
There is little doubt that coal is selling to-
day, thousands of tons day, at much less
than the cost of mining. The Pennsylvania
coal company will sell two hundred and sew
enty-fve thousand tons on the Goth of this
month
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

THE state of Maine takes no backward
step in the cause of temperance. A new
statute has just been enacted, which it is
thought will more effectually Cypress tip
ping. The law provides, among other
things, that any person who sells any intoxi-
eating liquor except cider, is thereby made
liable to imprisonment for two months in
the county Jail, with fine of one thousand
dollars
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

TnE special committee ON woman suffrage of
the Rhode Island House of Representatives has
recommended an amendment 10 the state consti-
tuition so that upon any proposition to impose a
tax upon unmarried women and widows they
shall have the privilege Of voting the same as men
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

The marriage of Miss lnez, daughter of Con
gresham Joyce, which occurred ON the 18th in
slant in this city, has brought out several very
tattering compliments for both the bride and
groom from the press of the city. The bride is
described by sunday society paper as "a young
lady whose beauty, grace and graciousness of dis
position has made her great iavorte aud widely
esteemed among the many beautiful girls who
make Washington the delightful city that it is in
the winter season." while the bridegroom, Mr..
Crawford, is said to be "one Of the most capable
and brilliant young gentlemen, associated In jour
nalism. in this city" Mr. and Mrs. Crawford
have taken rooms at Mrs Rines where Colonel
Joyce and family are temporarily residing.
The Vermont delegation in Congress are still in
Washington, with the exception of Mr., Denison,
who has returned to Vermont Senator Edmunds
has so far recovered from his recent illness as not
to be entirely confined to his house,
1t is now pretty definitely settled that an extra
session of Congress must be called It will prob
ably be convened not later than the 10th of May.
Attorney General Deyens and Secretary Sherman
unite in recommending the call
1t is untrue that Judge Carpenter, OF South Ca.
rolina, formerly of Vermont, was "gobbed' al
a raid on gambling house here last week, as
reported. Some festive individual personated
the Judge.
Ex-Presdent Grant was made happy ON satur
day, by the birth of a grandson, the infant Of Mr.
and Mrs Sartoris.
Mr.. T. II. Woodbridge, son Of ex-Congressmar
Woodbridge, of Vermont has been appointed
temporary executive clerk at the White House.