davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02
A NEW DISTRICT JUDGE.
Appointment of Mr.. Henry L. Dufel Of
Ascension.

hSUGuS1Uus
Agreeably to the information an
nounced in our last issue as having
reached us few hours before sending
the paper to press, Governor Nichols
on Wednesday, January %, commits
stoned Henry L. Dutfel, Esq, of this
parish, Judge of the Fourth judicial
District, to fill the vacancy declared
by the Supreme Court on the ground
of the ineligibility OF Judge Marks.
The nomination WAS at once trans
mitted to the Senate and its consider
alton postponed until Saturday, when
the Governors selection was CON
firmed. We are informed that Sena
tor Landry made Il brief speech III
favor of confirmation, which contrib
uted n.easura5ly towards killing Oft
the vigorous opposition to Mr.. Dufel
exerted in the interest of other candi-
dates for the Judgeship.
E. N. Pngh, Esq, received Mr..
Dutfel's commission at the executive
office Saturday evening, and on Tues
day the latter gentleman took the
oath of office before the Clerk of Court
for this parish.
We congratulate Gov. Nichols up
on the wise choice exercised in this
matter, and Judge Duffel upon his
advent to a position which thirty five
years of practice at the bar, added to
high ability and culture, eminently
qualify him to fill with dignity aud
efficiency. The members of our bar
are pleased at the felicitous ending Of
the embarrassing interregnum in the
District Judgeship. and have offered
hearty congratulations to his honor,
the new Judge.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Professor A. Gerard of New Orleans
has completed an invention calculated
to lessen the danger Of steam naviga-
ton materially, viz: an automatic in
strument which will sound % fire
alarm and register the depth of water
in a vessels hold. The national con-
vention of steamboat inspectors,
which met in Washington last week,
endorsed the invention and recon-
mended its adoption. Prof. Gerard
has been appointed by the President
commissioner TO the Paris exposi-
ton.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Mr. Joseph Hughes, mail agent on
the New Orleans aud Doualdsopville
train, has placed us under obligations
by repeated kindnesses. joe recently
.denned the attractive blue uniform
prescribed for route agents by new
regulation of the postal department.,
aud he locks well in the natty toys.
There are few more worthy or eff
Gent rablic servants than our friend
Joseph extaut, and if the principles
of civil service .refurm are carried out
in good faith he viii DO secure in his
preseik position until promoted 70 n
higher .a,se.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02
THE END OF A oHBoKRRED LIFE.
E. W. Mason on His Death Bed at Den
yer, Colorado.

E. W. Mason on His Death Bed at Den
yer, Colorado.
Tidings of former resident of Don
aldsonville come from the far West.
A letter received by Recorder Buford
last week from the secretary of Ma
sonic Lodge at Denver, Colorado. con-
veyed the information that E. w. Ma
son was lying dangerously i'll in that
city; in fact, death seemed inevitable
and was likely to occur, the writer
said, before an answer to his letter
could be received. The sick man had
asked to be buried by the Masons, anil
the object of the letter was to ascer-.
tain if he enjoyed good standing in
the Perkins Lodge of Donaldsonville,
of which he was a member. Most of
our local readers will recall Mason as
the holder of several offices here six
years ago, to which he was appointed
by Gov. Warmoth principal among
these positions were those of Parish
Judge and Mayor. He was man of
fine abilities, highly educated, exceed
ingly affable and pleasant in his de-
pertinent, but as unstable as the wind
and totally wanting in the qualities of
perseverance and decision of charac-
ter which are necessary to success in
almost any undertaking of life. He
left this place during the latter part
of 1872, and according to occasional
reports received here led a wander
ing life thereafter. At one time he
was travelling agent for New York
firm aud at another principal of a
large school in Texas. Nothing had
been heard from him for several
years prior to the receipt of the let
ter addressed to Mr.. Buford last
week, and we do not know W hat
foundation exists for the rumor which
has reached our ears that he has of
late pursued the life of a gambler.
His wife was lady of estimable
character, and to her influence was
mostly due the temporary successes
which Mason achieved; but even that
failed to hold permanently in check
the waywardness of Ills nature and
their married life had sad ending.
1t was the old story of ill-treatment
and neglect, which led to separation
by mutual consent. Mrs. Mason re-
turned to her forme homer in Pough-
keepsie, New York, where she died
not long after.
Mason was once q professor ia
Eastman's celebrated business college
at Poughkeepsie, N. Y; was subse-
quentiy principal of the Chicago
branch of Bryant & STATIONS chain
of business colleges, and just after the
war held an Important position in the
educational depai tment of the Freed
mems Bureau in this State.
Bur notwithstanding his superior
attainments and the numerous oppor-
tunities be has had of achieving emf
hence and success, he died, or is dyA
ing, a stranger in strange place, ut
terly destitute and desolate, his last
wish suPplication for decent burial.
The picture is II sad one.
Hon. Morris Marks had occasion to
visit New Orleans the day following
Judge Buford's receipt of the Denver
letter, and he telegraphed to the eff
feet that the dying man WAS entitled
to Masonic interment.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Are we to understand from the Donald
sonyille CHIEF that one Marks, whose
office-that of District Judge of the AS
sumption DiStrict-was declared by the
Supreme Court of this State vacant because
of the constitutional ineligibility of the
said Marks, presumes to continue presiding
over his court in the face of this decree
We would like this question answered, if
not Incompatible with The public service
NatchitOches Vi'tdieator.
Our contemporary is to under
stand that Hon. Morris Marks, lately
occupying the office of Judge of the
Fourth Judicial District does
not include Assumption parish-did
continue to preside-over the court of
that District after the decision of the
Supreme Court above referred to,
and pending the disposition of his
application for rehearing. Very lit
tie business was transacted during
this interval, however, as it was the
general opinion among attorneys that
a rehearing would be refused, in
which case all the judicial acts per-
formed by the defendant after the
date of the decision declaring him in
eligible might be reversed and over
thrown as utilities; hence most at
torneys declined to submit the cases
in which they were interested to the
arbitration of this judicial officer of
doubtful tenure.
The indicator is further informed
that " one Marks " no longer presides
over our District Court; that the re-
hearing was refused an application
for writ of error to the United
States Supreme Court died peace
full death and Gov. Nichols has
given us Judge who has been u
practicing lawyer in this vicinity Tor
over thirty years.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

A city paper cribbed an item from
the CHIEF of the 10Th, and it is now
going the rounds of the press in this
bungled style:
Mrs. Alice Brand was fatally burned at
&ewrcadtown, Pointe Coupce, last week.
This is intended to refer TO the
burning of Mrs. Alcee Braud on New
River, ia this parish-Ascension.
:" Honesty is the best policy If the
city Journal had given us proper cred
it, it would not have itself perpetrated
or led its contemporaries into the
commission Of this transparent blum
der.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

The West Feliciana Sentinel ia
cetiously describes some of the char
aeters represented at recent mas
querade ball in Bayou Sara among
others the following:
Brother Jonathan, too, was there looking
like q gilt edge" invitation for somebody
to step on his coat tail, yet as unrufffed as
if the Donaldsonville CHIEF wasn't calling
upon him to invoke the strong arm of his
mighty government, and the balance of the
world, to squelch this modest little parish
of ours.
The CHIEF has addressed no exhor-
tation to Brother Jonathan. His
bayonets have lost their former pres
tige as a factor in the politics and
government of Louisiana. But we
have appealed and we do appeal to
the State authorities, executive, ju-
dicial and legislative, to make some
effort for the reclamation of the Fee
licianas from the rule of the .iayhawk-
Ell and the illegitimate bulldozer, who
now reign supreme in that notorious
region.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02
Notice.

HAVING been appointed by the Police
In Jury Committee on Printing, the un-
dersigned hereby notify all persons desir-
Gus of making bids for the public printing
of the parish of Ascension for the current
year to address to the chairman a sealed
communication containing the terms and
conditions upon which said work will be ex-
rcnted. Bids to be made within ten DAYS
from date-say before o'clock P. M, of
Tuesday, February 10.
Donaldsonville, Febftary 2, 1878
j. T.. BRENT, Chairman,
JOSEPH FERRIER,
2t Committee on Printing.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Messrs. Cne & Singer, proprietors
of the Monroe Daily Electric Letter,
announce the suspension of their
unique little paper, after an existence
of four months. They say " the Let
Ter has accomplished its mission, and
the time is about TO arrive when its
publication would cease TO be profit
able" Few better excuses for sCs-
pension could be given. The Monroe
Observer has likewise given up the
ghost, leaving the sterling Telegraph
again alone in its glory. The fact
seems patent that Monroe, like Dom
aldsonyille, does not afford patronage
for the support of more than one pa
per, and it is but natural to expect
that the journal which has secured a
foothold and established a reputation
for worth and ability, as the Telegraph
has done, will be given the preference
over new corners, however virtuous
their intentions and patriotic their sa-
lutatory utteranees.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

The Police Juries of st. Landry
and Bienville parishes have memoir
ialized the Legislature for permission
to levy special taxes to meet current
expenses and take up outstanding in
debtedness. In st. Landry levy of
twenty mills is deemed necessary in
Bienville fourteen and one half mills
will be sufficient. This is thought to
be better plan than funding or bond
ing the debts, and it is being gener-
ally followed throughout the State.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Washington correspondents of the
New Orleans papers report that the
Darrall Acklen contest W i'll come up
for consideration in the House very
soon, and that there is strong prob
ability of the seat being awarded to
Mr.. Acklen.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Mr.. Foster, our Mexican Minister,
is en route tor Washington, and it is
believed his visit will be closely fol-
lowed by the recognition of the Diaz
government.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

For two years past the Police Jury
of Cameron parish has prevented the
sale of liquor there by imposing a tax
of $500 upon dealers; and the method
has produced such beneficial results
that it will be continued.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Cane planting in Assumption has
eommeneed. The Chronicle says the
seed planted in the fall is likely to do
well, as Il general thing, but that in
poorly drained back lands is seriously
affected.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

The heighth of juvenile depravity
seems to have been reached by a
colored girl in East Feliciana parish,
who stole the winding-sheetthat had
been prepared for the body of Der
dead mother.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Notwithstanding the Republicans
have a plurality in the Wisconsin
House of Representatives., they failed
to elect officers at the recent organi-
cation. The Democrats and Green
hackers uaited and carried off the
prizes.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02
A STRONG MINORITY.

There is not that unauimity of SEN
timent in favor of an early Constitu-
tional Convention prevailing among
the newspapers of this State which
might be inferred from the assump-
lions of some of the journals advo-
eating the scheme. The following
list of disseDters includes several of
the best country papers in Louisiana:
Rapiaes Louisiana Democrat, Clai-
borne Guardian, BienvIlle Rural
Times, Madison Journal, St. Landry
OpeIousas Journal, Iberia Louisiana
Sugar Bowl, Carroll Conservative, La
fourche T'hibodaur Sentinel, Assump-
ton Chronicle, Iberville South, ST..
Charles Herald, St. Mary Attakapas
Register, st. James LouiSianais, St.
Tammany Farmer, Ascension Don
ALDsoNvILLE CHIEF.
The DeSoto Democrat has favore d
a convention, but will be satisfied
with amendment of the present con
stitution. The Columbia Herald is
not outspoken on the subject, but
seems inferentially 10 approve the
course of the Democratic legislators
who oppose Il Convention. Several
papers have as yet given no express
sion of opinion relative to the prof ect.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Tho editor of the Iberville South
recently mentioned meeting Major
Green, an engineer engaged in locat
ing the route of the Texas Pacific
Railroad from Piaquemine to the At
chafalaya river. Would that the
work of grading and laying of track
was to closely follow the operations
OF the engisees.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

The Office of the Franklin Sun was
destroyed by fire on the Goth of De-
cember; loss $1,000, insurance $500.
We hope the energetic young propri-
etor will secure a new outfit and soon
retrieve his misfortune.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Col. E. B. Towne has purchased an
interest in his old paper, the Madison
Journal, and will receive warm well
come back to the fold from the jour-
nalistic fraternity. We hope the Col
onel intends to resume the editorial
pencil, as he is trenchant and dig
nifie6 writer.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Thos. c. Anderson, of the late Re-
turning Board, is undergoing trial
before the Superior Criminal Court of
Orleans parish, upon the charge of
publishing a forged return of the
election in Vernon parish. The other
members of the Beard will be tried
separately from Anderson. Madison
Wells has disappeared to avoid arrest,
and it is thought he has gone to
Washington to invoke the protection
of the national government. It is diff
ficult to see how this can be lawfully
eXtended.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Sexton took first prize in the New
Orleans billiard tournament, Slosson
second, Rudolphe third, DAILY fourth,
while Dion brought up the rear.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

The lower House of Congress on
Monday passed by thirds vote
an anti-subsidy resolution similar to
that offered by Congressman Holman
last year and likewise adopted. This
action will doubtless forestall any
grant of the public credit in aid of
the Texas Pacific railroad, although
the friends of that measure at the
capital affect to believe differently.
We can see no reasonable ground for
the view they take of the matter
nor can we imagine how any member
of the House who voted for the reso-
luton can favor the Texas Pacific
bill or any other of like nature
without stultifying himself. The
text of the resolution, which was
presented by Mr.. Baker of Indiana is
thus given in an Associated Press dis
patch from Washington:
Resoloed, That in the Judgment of the
House no subsidies in money. bonds, public
land endorsements, or by pledge of the
public credit should be granted or renewed
By Congress to associations or corporations
engaged in or proposing to engage in public
or private enterprises, but that all appro-
priations Gagkt TO be limited to such amount
and purposes only as should be imperatiyely
demapded by the public service.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02
VICES

Each Number contains THIRTY-Two PAGES
of reading, many fine Wood Cut Illustra-
tiops, and one CoLoRED PLATE. A beautiful
Garden Magazine, printed on elegant paper,
and full of information. In English and
German. Price, 81 25 year: Five copies
IS 90,
Vick'S Flower and Vegetable
Garden, 80 cents in paper covers in ele-
giant cloth covers 81.
VicIk's Catalogue,-30O Inustra-
tons, only 2 cents.
Address, JAMES WICK, Rochester, N. r.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02
Saturday, February 2, 1878.

A number of Indiana editors on an
excursion spent several daysln New
Orleans this week.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

If the Senate declines to confirm
the nomination of Col. Williamson as
Collector of Port at New Orleans
which seems more than probable--the
two most prominent candidates for
the position will be Messrs. McMillen
and Packard The latter left for
Washington Monday in response to
kilograms desiring his presence there.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02
0UR. PARISH DEBT,

debt aud arrange a compromise with
the creditors if possible, met at the
Courthouse Wednesday and accom-
plisied-nothing. That is, nothing
of any moment tending towards a
practical solution of the problem with
which the committee was constituted
to deal. A few gentlemen, represent
ing considerable proportion OF the
paroehial debt, were present, and a
desultory half hours discussion was
carried on, which developed the fact
that the spokesman of the committee
were decidedly opposed to the method
of absorbing the parish debt by a
small special tax levy, which is being
resorted to in nearly every parish OF
the State where the revenue arising
from the ten mills levy is not sut-
ficient to meet current expenses and
leave surplus to be applied towards
liquidating old Indebtedness. 1t was
truly urged by the committeeman
that the burden of taxation is already
much heavier than it should be, and
that the present year will be a hard
one; bat the same is true of every
other parish ID the State, and it can
not be said that Ascension is ia any
worse predicament than her neigh
bors. If the assessment of property
upon the rolls of 1877 had been al
lowed to remain at the figures fixed
by the Assessor, there would be no
necessity for discussing the special
tax question-ten mills would have
given revenue for current expendi
lures and an overplus of two to three
thousand dollars; but Wholesale re-
auctions were insisted upon, aud the
contingency which a Number of prop
erty holders predicted last year is at
hand the parish is scarcely able to
meet the essential cost of h er govern
ment, and if any faith is kept with
creditors, an extra tax must be levied.
The plan suggested by the leading
member of the committee-to econo-
mize still further in the matter of ex-
penditures aud devote the surplus re-
manning in the treasury at the end of
the year to the purchase of outstand-
lug scrip-we regard as visionary to
a great extent. The salaries and fees
of officers have already been eurtailed
until they are lower than those al
lowed in most other parishes, and any
further appreciable saving in this di
rection can only be effected by an
unjust exercise of authority. Every
year there has been a deficit of rev.
enue and an augmentation of the par
ish debt, and there is little reason to
anticipate any more favorable result
this year, with costs of an election
and possible levee repairs to be met
in addition to the ordinary outlay.
If the spirit of the committee is indie
alive of that of the Police Jury, the
creditors of this parish must depend
upon the General Assembly for some
tangible relief-and the. chances are
it will be granted at the present SEES
sion. In addition to a number of
bills authorizing various parishes to
levy special taxes for taking up their
debts, an act has been introduced re-
quiring Police Juries to levy such
tax, not to exceed two and a half
mills, in all cases where old debts ex-
ist and the regular impost affords no
surplus for meeting them.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

For good cistern at a low price,
call at the new shop, Railroad Az
enue, opposite the post-office.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Bills for the better organization of
the United States District Court of
Louisiana, and to authorize the con-
struction0f railroad bridges at Shreve-
port ard Monroe, have been intro
duced in the national House of Rep
resentatiyes by Representative Elan.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

VIII some of our exchanges please tell
what they know about Ash & Robbins, and
Hallett & Co.i We begin to fear they are
shy fellers. "-Rapides Gazette.
We are running "ads " for both
these firms. Hallett s. Co. have full
filled their agreement to the letter,
having furnished in advance the con-
sideration for which their card was
Inserted. Concerning the other par
ties we are yet in doubt, but incline
to the belief that they are swindlers.
We shall know for certain in the
course OF few days, and will then
have more to say upon the snbiect.
Meanwhile, We suggest to our friend of
the GGsette that he should have said
"snide" instead of shy eide
Rogue's Lexicon.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

There is no official information of
an armistice between Russia and Tur-
key, but it is an accepted fact that the
measure will be arranged, and will,
almost beyond peIadyenture, lead to
the ending of the war by a treaty of
peace. Grand Duke Nicholas and the
Turkish plenipotentinries empowered
to sign the armistice are at Adriano-
pie, where it was stipulated by the
Russians negotiations should be con-
Quoted. The Russian armies continue
their forward movements, the object
of which is believed to be to compel
turkeys assent to an immediate
peace treaty. The reported stringent
peace conditions of the Muscovites
and their advance towards CONSTANT.
nople causes much excitement in
England, and it is not beyond the
bounds of probability that that coun-
try will yet take a hand in the war.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Messrs. Chism & Boyd, the New
Orleans commission merchants who
recently suspended, have secured an
extension from their creditors aud ye-
sumed business.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-02

Our General Assembly makes haste
very slowly with the work of legisla-
ton, and the usual accumulation of
important matters to be rushed
through IN the closing hours of the
session seems inevitable. Some of
the worst measures which have crept
into our statutes owe their existence
to this reprehensible practice, and a
determined effort to avoid it's neces-
sity should be made by the peoples
representatives. In next issue of the
CHIEF We shall present a condensed
report of the work accomplished by
the General Assembly during the sec
ond fortnight of the session.