davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
Matchmaking in America.
Testimony Of the Swiss Commissioner
lean Superior to Foreign Watches.

Testimony Of the Swiss Cummissioner-Amer-
lean Superior to Foreign Watches.
NJ. zEdouard Favre Perret, Swiss
Commissioner to the Centennial Exhi.
bitior, and member of the Interna-
tional Jury on watches, has given the
result of his observations OF, American
matchmaking in 4 public address at
ChauX-!e-FOnds. Locle and Neuchatel.
Being himself large watch manufac
,urer, his statements made profound
impression in Switzerland, and will
be read with the liveliest interest in
this country. After sketching the
growth of matchmaking in Besancon,
by which the French market for
watches was lost to Switzerland, he
spoke substantially as follows:
''For a long time America has been
the principal market for our watches.
To-day we must earnestly prepare to
struggle with the Americans on the
fields where hitherto we have been the
masters. Mr.. Dennison, the father of
American matchmaking, travelled
through the canton of Neuchatel.
studying our mode of manufacturing,
seeking to inform himself of every.
thing, and carefully noting the weak
points in our industry. After his re-
turn to the United States, in 1854, he
founded factory at Boston,. The
Boston Watch Company The capi.
TIL, scarcely 100000, was subscribed
by capitalists more than by practical
business men. In the beginning, the
company turned out only the rough
skeleton movement and attended to
the finishing; all other parts, such as
trains, balances, jewels, &c., were i'm.
ported from Switzerland. Little by
little, however. the factory extended
it's operations, and produced other
parts. But rs the profits were small,
capitalists. abandoned it and it failed
in 1856. -
Another American, Mr.. Robbins.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
Proceedings Of the Second Session,

The Senate was again in session on
the 3d., inst and the bill declaring the true
intent and meaning ofthe Union Pacicifc Rail-
road acts was discussed at length. Mr.. Ed
munds said the judiciary committee had come
to the conclusion that the railroad company
has already received. A resolution was in
troduced to compel the telegraph operator at
Jacksonville, Oregon, to answer contain ques-
tions asked him regarding the question of
the Presidential electorship.) The resolution
went over one day.
In the House, on the Sd. Mr.. Phil
lips, of Kansas, introduced a bill for extend
Reports from the judiciary committee were re-
ceiyed tor and against the admission OF Mr..
Bedford, of Colorado; the majority being in
favor of his admission. There was no other
business of moment.
The House, on the 4th, limited the
compensation OF U. s. Marshalls to $1,000
year and of deputies to 81 500, and bill was
introduced fixing the compensation of Dis
trict Attorneys. The bill in regard to proofs
the Senate amendments cOncurred in. Mr..
Kidder reported the bill giving contestants
time to enter lands under the pre-emption,
homestead and timber culture acts after the
contest shall have been finally decided, and
the bill was passed. A bill was passed giving
I" fNAoAVAA VI lllO1lIA " I'LL WHO
served sixty days in the Mexican war, or
thirty days in the Florida or Black Hawk wars
and to their surviving widows, unmarried.
The question whether Mr.. Turner of
Oregon, should answer certain questions re.
garding telegraphic dispatches which passed
through his hands, was before the Senate on
the 9Th, and a vote thereon resulted, yeas SO,
nays 8, but as quorum did not vot the Sen
ate adjourned.
The House concurred in the Senate
amendments to the bill making appropria-
tions for the payment of pensions, then went
into committee of the whole, after which ad-
journed.
On the 9th inst, in the House, Mr..
Goodin, from the committee on public lands,
reported a bill authorizing the extension Of
the McGregor Western railroad to a point Of
intersection with the Sioux City & St. Paul
read, near O'Brien county, Iowa, the grant of
land not to be enlarged or changed, nor
homestead or presumption rights affected.
The bill was passed. No other important
business was proposed and the House ad-
eurned. The Senate was not in session.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

over to the adjuster, who took it
down. After few days he came to
me and said. word for word, II am
completely overwhelmed; the result is
Incredible; one would not find one such
watch among fifty thousand of our
manufacturers This watch, gentle
men, repeat to you, took at hazard
out of heap, as We say. You un.
derstand from this example, that the
American watch may be preferred to
the Swiss. l have finished, gentlemen,
and l have told you of things such as
[ Lave seen them. 1t remains for us
to profit from this sad experience, and
to improve our manufacture.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

This indicates diminished total enroll
ment, but an increased average attendance
compared With the preceding year.
In view of the fact that latin is now being
taught in no less than sixteen OF the public
schools Of the State, submit that early pro.
language in our Normal schools, in order to
fit their pupils for any requirements which
may be made of them as teachers, and in ac-
cOrdance with that educational theory which
wisely recognizes the several branches as CO.
operating aids tothe attainment Of complete
education. -~---.--
-~-e7ArE UNIVERSITY. :. .
When we .gehect that less than ten years
ago the University OF Minnesota had but a
nominal existence and that Especial Board Of
Regents We're still engaged in rescuing its at
fairs from fina6cial difficulties threatening ut.
ter ruin, it's present comparatively prosper
ous condition is a source Of congratulation
ameng all friends of education. BY the sale
of comparatively small proportion Of the
lands granted it by Congress, the imdending
ruin was averted, and the remaining proper
ty so far freed from liens and other incuna-
brances, that it became feasible, in the year
1867, to put the institution into actual oper-
alton as q preparatory school. Two years
later, in 1869, the first, college class was
formed and q faculty organized. From the
first the pppgress of the institution has been
steady and continuous. Considering the
hriet period our university has been in oper-
alton, q comparison with similar institutions
of greater age in our neighboring States of the
Northwest, affords no cause to he ashamed of
its progress or its condition. Over one thou
sand youth from all quarters of the State
have been trained and instructed within our
University halls, and have gone forth to the
activities Of lie, stronger and abler to serve
not only themselves but the State, whose free
gilt they have shared. The actual enrolment
at the present time is q trifle under 800, OF
whom over 100 are students Of tull collegiate
rank. From personal knowledge, to large
extent, take pleasure in saying that these
students, as rule, comprise the aspiring, ca
pable and worthy young persons to whom the
conduct of affairs in the course OF events may
safely be intrusted. It affords me no less sat
istacti0n to be able to recognize in the faculty
. q body Of men devoted to their profession,
lAb0rjng zoAlOuAly and harmeniouslv to sub
serve the highest interests OF the institution
with which they have allied themselves.
invite your attention to the various sug-
gestions embraced in the report Of tho Board
Of Regents. An appropriation IS asked for to
purchase corner Of land to obtain frontage
upon University avenue, which land is now
in process Of condemnation to that end. It is
greatly 70 bc destlsd that this additionto the
University grounds be made while the land
can be Obtained at comparatively low price !;
and should you deem the amount required
properly available.tor the epurpose / recon-
mend that the desired appropriation b
made. ,gss tsfE : esESs*
!, moreover, ask your special attention to
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
Second Annual Message
sOF sEt
Gov. :! John IN $. Pillsbury.

Delivered to the Minnesota Legislature Jan.
4th, 1877.
The recurrence Of session of your repre-
sentative bodies brings again the occasion tor
review of official transactiones since your
last assemblage, and for a formal presentation
Of those subjects pertaining to the condition OF
In the performance OF this duty repeat the
desire, expressed to you year ago, for such
harmony and cooperation in all matters re-
quiring consideration, as may facilitate the
prompt discharge of our duties and subserye
the public welfare
wh;,. the v.sl RE1RGsPEGaivS; 1h?sR CT. a;os.
ed by no striking features. either Of prosper
ity or adyersity, it has witnessed a nearer ap-
proach to a failure Of onr: chief agricultural
staple than has yet been experienced in ca
reer of singular prosperity. This, following
q wide prevalence and prolonged period of in
dustria1 paralysis and business depression,
coupled with renewed and extended ravages
Of the locusts or grasshoppers, has wrought
encouragement among our peopls and tended
to hinder their extrication from finanaial en-
barrassment. Yet, it we are wise enough to
recognize the uses of adversity, to correct the
errors Of the past and to adapt ourselves tothe
adjustment of q better considered future, these
IcSCIoCS ulHy VIC tUEucU 70 OUT 8OVaOt0ge.
And, moreover, when we reflect that Of ali
other than their leading product the people Of
Minnesota, the past year, gathered bountitul
harvests, that they have been exempt from
pestilence and civil connection. that they are
in full enjoyment of peace and order, that
justice has been impartially administered and
the majesty Of the law vindicated, that the
burdens Of taxation are at length being de-
creased, that their educational interests have
been seduously cared for, that their various
charitable and relormatory institutions are in
hithtul performance Of their bene6cent work.
that the blessings of civil and religious liber.
u are enjoved IN full measure, and, above all.
that tollowing the dissensions Of an exciting
campaign tor the choice OF . national CHIEF
magistrate, with the issue yet in doubt, and
involving momentous interests, partisan ran
cor is happily giving place. to dispassionate
consideration, lin such multiplied evidences
of continued private and public welfare there
IS abundant cause for grateful recognition ono Of
that ruling. Providence in whose gracious
keeping are the of destinies men and OF ma
tiOns. ~ 81 sjf@# Is .ge,gg.S 5is Egs rs.Sz
Rnue ATlnN A. ~ ~ q
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
40 sl,036,sS5 50
sl16,264 %
1Sl,1O3 73
Less Revenue Fund

oyerd.awn. 80. $14,8A4 a. $ll6, ,264 ~
The, Auditor says that the statement of bal
ances tothe credit of the several funds shows
[thefeneral revenue fund Overdrawn $14 ,844,-
E44Sgainst $l9, ,476 96 at the close of the pre-
ceding year; while the total of its outstand-
ing appropriations shows the State to be about
$50, 600 less in arrears than at the correspond
ing period of last year.
+ direct your attention to the remarks Of
this officer relative to the advantages resulting
from a temporary resort to other funds upon
the exhaustion OF the general revenues in order
to meet current expenses in the most feasible
and economical manner; and ask your con-
general law authorizing such use of certain
funds when necessary to redeem oycrdrawn
warrants upon the General Revenue Fund.
The total valuation of the taxable property
of the State tor 1O76 as determined by the
State Boa1d Of Equalization, was, 92l8, $50, ,744
ceding year. The rate of State tax is two
mills and the average rate tor oil State pur-
poses, one and two thirds per cent. .,. o.
The force OF the Auditors objections to the
present system of township assessments viii
be realized by all persons familiar with the
evils otunequal and low valuations of proper
y; and the adoption of plan of assessment
BY county board of assessors or by single
competent person removed from personal and
political influences in each county, as recon-
mended by him, would doubtless 60 far to-
wards the desired improvement. Few sub.
iects are ofa more immediate practical impor-
tance. :.
The support and practical operations OF gov,
ernment are primarily dependent upon the
means thus derived; and the just and Impair
tfal valuation of property is both essential to
that aud due to those upon whom the burden
tails. The responsible task which thus re-
Eqaires for its faithful performances 80 much
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

tual service devolves upon the county and
State boards OF equalization. / trust you will
address yourselves to the correction of this
serious evil. Ialso request your attention to
the Auditors remarks relative to the taxation
OF telegraph and transportation companies,
er economy. 20
The operation Of the new tax law, for which
the State is much indebted to the efficiency OF
this officer, continues to enforce prompt and
thorough payment OF taxes, which il was de-
signed to accomplish. 1t is moreover gratify-
ing to be able to announce that through the
Auditors efforts an adjustment Of the State
which large amount of swamp lands wrong
fully allotted to various railroad companies
and other grantees, will, it is believed, be Ne.
covered to the State. ~.--.
The following is the Auditors estimate of
receipts and disbursements for the year 1877:
s..--.. GENERAL REVENUE FUND.
From current and delinquent taxes $0o,0co.co
From State Prison labor and other ooooo
From Transfer from Interest fund 9.369.9l
..., $3.50, ,eea!el
pi.bG.sements III? n, ..oo:
}Sfif''I fuS1ls Printing r, ;@S sS$$ =.
taTs hsss,la!Sss Y Asxspapers = 5@@ 1 o.
Unexpended Appropriations lSossa
Outstanding Warrants 2,2lsOl
OverdrafC 14,S4444 go
Miscellaneous Appropriations, 100000 1911. 2i.18
Estimated surplus for other purposes sc. 1873
1t will thus be seen that after including all
receipts to be. reasonably expected from
every source and restricting expenditures to
current routine necessities, the surplus is
$46, 1853 The utmost extent then to which
expenses for public buildings and all other
extraordinary expenditures should 60, is linn
tied to the sum OF $50, 600.
STATE TREASURY.
The management OF the State Treasury ex-
hibits methodical and vigilant care. The fol-
lowing tabular summary shows the amount
and sources of the total receipts, the general
expenditures, and the actual balance in the
Treasury, which was $l16,264 % at the close
OF the fiscal year, held in deposit at the sew
eral banks, as shown according to law.
ccapituaion of Receipts Expenditures and Balances
during the fiscal year ending Nov 18th, 1876.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
or President and Vice President Of the United
States: Senator Donnelly then introduced

1ue Geuate tueu aOJOurueU uutA Tue AVtn
inst.
House, Jan. 5.-On motion of Mr..
James, of Blue Earth, the House resolved to
10th inst. A motion by Mr.. Osborne, of Da.
kota, requesting Rev. Mr.. Finney, member
of the House from Goodhue, to open daily
sessions with prayer, was rejected. "A resolu-
ton by Mr.. Muir, looking to the memorializa-
ton OF Congress on tlleeubject of grasshopper
ravages, with view to the relief Of tho suffer-
boppers. Mr.. Childs, Of Faribault, from the
special committee to inquire into the legality
OF the House organization, made report re-
the amendment of the Journal,
so as to more fully express the intention and
action of the House. The report was adopted.
The Senate bill appropriating $65, 600 for leg
isIative expenses Of the session, was taken up,
and the bill passed, under suspension of tile
rules. MIR. Childs introduced a concurrent
resolution, reciting that in view of the suffer-
ings of the people under grievous burdens of
debt and taxation, caused by = liberal expen-
diture Of public moneys in the construction of
public buildings in advance of their ability to
pay, and in voting heavy taxes to aid in the
building of railroads and other internal i'm:
provements, aud that in consequence Of the
crops in some parts of the State and their to-
tai destruction in other, the people are COM
PEELED to practice the most rigid economy and
endure many privations, and in many por-
tions of the State absolute want, it was neces.
sary to urge upon the Legislature rigid econ.
omy y in IL the expenddtar: da Of public money with
possible point, consistent with an economical
and just administration of the government,
and in view of the above facts the legislature
should adjourn sine die on the I'd of February
After debate by Messrs. Childs, Fletcher and
Finney, MIR. Benson moved to lay the resolu.
ton on the table, which was carried-yeas 60,
was adopted. Mr.. Gilman intro.
duced a bill allowing J. B. Bennett, minor.
Of St. Cloud, to practice law in the courts of
this State, which was passed under suspen-
sion of the rules. The House then adjourned
to p. m. January 9Th.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
EDUCATIONAL

The condition Of pubic affairs will be pre-
snte 70 d.paneas tse s2Rs g
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
:s;ass :s:';:a tse7a y n13laaaa.!!l Ne fitting
fitting

sss~ - 53DAnnh - 1n1Dn1n2 = 1nnnu1fn cnnatant
personal attention to the adsirs under his
,ehargeand exhibited }spses.pt ID riency in the
agency, continues to aid those to whom the
national bounty is- dur, thG Gnu1dnR of claims
fled during the.ysereing 9o6, the number
.7O9s1. Tho totsi AcRB61W elSiins prepared
and filed in this,oface siuce--5anumy i, 1865, is
6,S93; the number. allowed, 4,a2 and the
amount collected through fs age6cy, s5ls,-
366 %. -
1snggsstthat reuuRmight be found and it,
ted at q trifing expense in the basement OF
the Capitol building;s tAat would lie sufficient
for the storage Of guns and asnsa.nition, upon
amount annually paid al rent fof arsenal pur-
poses. - -, = ~3Gss~5S sz&s
t~7r, =: s. srA11s11cAIs BuREAu.ss
The report Of the Commissioner Of Statistics
contains much valuable mo 6ifhatfon, especial
ly upon the; subject of grain, stock. raising
and tree planting. It shexS that not for one
fortunate year alone, but f6f four successive
years Mnnesots steadfiy maintained her po-
sition as among the leading wheat producing
States Of the Union. The results are givenas
EOl1OWos ys-& AE4
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

The wheat crop Of 1875 EXCEEDED 10000, 600
bushels and but Tor injuries >byeiusects and
the destructive flood occurring, during the
harvest, the Commissioner is OF the opinion
that 81, ,O0O, 600 would be 4 moderate estimate
for the wheat crop of that year. The crop of
5000, 900 ofbushels;. tie potato crop exceed
ed that of-1674 nearly 1900 bub6ls.
The total crop Of cereal grains foz
''''@- Bushels.
Year 1875 was :. 80 .... .42O,854
I" 1874 was ..... ....-...-..... 42, 1854.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

Tie report of the State Librarian shows an
addition Of $40 volumes to theState Library
l6O .by purchase and l60- by exchange; and
that the library now comprises total Of l2,-
600 books. The Jack Of room begins to be
seriously felt and early measures will be nec-
essary to supply the increasing demands OF
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

!, moreover, ask your special attention to
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11
Increase in one year, ....ss. g. ,475, 900
The yield OF miscellaneous sprQaucts gene

rally exceed the estimates L.
The yield Of Butter was12p g37slbs. being
two millions in excess OF 1874 sYieoa of cheese
,0O9, ,999, a fraction less than previous year.
The Commissioners estimate Of the wheat
crop tor the rast year, as published at the
close "t the harvest, was 8x bushels per acre,
or about IL, ,OOO. 600 bushels, butas subsequent
reports proved less favorable, it Is possible
that even this low estimate may not be real
lied. At all events there is. no question but
that the wheat cropof 1876 comes nearer being
failure than any product during the agricul-
tural career of the State. But this single ap-
pr0ach to failure, after succession of such
crops as above shown, does not in any way
effect our status as q wheat growing State.
Statistics show. that our average wheat crop is
from II to Is bushels per acre, while those OF
older States show very much lower figure.
In series OF eleven years the average OF the
1855 : the average Of the State of Iowa, in one
series OF seven years, was but l0.3 bushels
per acre, while a high local authority esti-
mates the wheat average of Illinois at BUSH
els per acre. = 1t thus appears that an average
wheat yield in other States but little exceeds
what is deemed a failure in Minnesota.
The same report also gives evidence of
growing interest and movement in the direc-
tion OF stock raising, and the improvement OF
the breed Of horses, sheep and horned cattle.
The accounts of the different herds of i'm
proved stock will be found worthy Of the at
tention of farmers.
The returns of tree planting are encourag-
ing they show that more than O,OOO, 900
trees have been planted in groves and q COR
responding amount in line and on road-ways,
Tor wind-brakes and shade.
The report of births for the year 1876, foots
up Is, ,725, against II, ,939 for that Of the pre-
ceeding year, while the number Of deaths re-
ported is 6,06l, being 84l less than in 1874,
Sh0win0 = tendency fOyuar0 creator hoa1thfn1.
ness. The excess Of births over deaths in
1876 is 1864, and that of the last five years
amounts in the aggregate to 81, ,049, which re-
presents the natural increase simply, of our
, 1877-01-20
Raonn,s MATRIMONIAL Mrruop.

BaowN's MATRIMONIAL METHoD.-
Brown, l don't See how it is that
your girls all marry of as soon as they
get cd enough, while none of mine
can marry" "Oh that's simple enough.
| marry my gi:ls of on the buckwheat
straw principle" ''But what is that
principle ? | never heard of it be-
fore" "Well, l used TO raise good
deal of buckwheat, and it puZzeled me
to know how TO get rid Of the straw.
Nothing would eat it, and II was q
great bother to me. At last | thought
Of a plan. | stacked my buckwheat
straw nicely and built high raIi fence
around il. My cattle, Of course con
eluded that It was something good,
and ct once tore down the fence and
began to eat the straw. | dogged
them away and put up the fence a
few times, but the more drove them
away the more anxious they became
10 cat the straw. After this had been
repeated few times The cattle de-
termined 10 eat the straw, and eat 1t
they did, every bit of it. As | said,
l marry my girls of on the same prin-
ciple. When a Young man that l dc
not Ike begins calling on nv girls
encourage him in every way | can. l
tell him to call often and stay as late
as he p!eases, and | take pains to hint
to the giIls that | think they'd set
their caps for him. Il works first
rate. lie don't make many calls, for
the girls treat him as cody as they
can. But when 4 young fellow l like
comes around, a man that l think
would suit me for a son in.law, | don't
let him make many calls before | give
him 10 understand that he is't wanted
around my house. tell the girls, too,
that they shall not have anything TO
DO wi!hhim and give them orders ney-
er 10 speak 10 him again, The plan
always works frSJraJe. The young
folks begin 20 pity eacA other, and
Tie "cxt thing | know they are ems
oaced to BE married. When l see
that they are determined to marry l
ALWAYS give in and pretend to make
the best Gift. That's the way l man
age it,