davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
THE POSTAGE STAMP ABUSE.

The speculation in postage stamps has
grown to be one OF the worst abuses of the
times. Postmasters, at small Offices, being
paid according to the amount Of stamps
sold--receiving fifty per cent. of the gross
amount-can make money by increasing
their sales, and hence throw large quanti-
ries of stamps on the market at discount,
ranging from ten TO forty per cent, for,
when the stamps are disposed Of at rates as
low as sixty cents on the dollar, the seller
still makes ten cents. In referring to this
matter, the Chicogo Pod says:
Wherever abuses are possible in the public
service, it may be safely counted on that such
opportunities are improved by portion of
the officers, at least. The present system of
paying postmasters of the fourth-class, or
those whose compensation is based upon the
number of stamps sold by them, is one which
has been pretty thoroughly ventilated by the
press but instead of acting as a check upon
the liberties taken with the law, many post
masters have evidently operated on the plan
of securing all that could be secured before
the hole through which the leakage occurred
was filed up. A bill is now pending TO pre-
veat the semi-sfeaiings 1 semi-honest post
masters. 1t regulates their commissions py
the number of stamps cancelled by them, in
stead of the number sold, and cuts OF
the incentive to a systematic trade in
stamps. For example. the present Law
| allows a commission OF 30 Per cent. on
stamps sold. 1t does NOT. and cannot, regu-
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
,roUTs.yINGs BANKS.

The Legislature Of Massachusetts, has
passed a-n the Governor approved bill
givings extraordinary privileges TO savings
banks in tha. Stale. This bill provides
that the comui s!O8ers OF savings banks
shall have power, whenever they believe
that the security and welfare OF depositors
may require its exercise, to limit and regu-
late payments in time and amount. The
object OF this law Is TO prevent or counter
act runs upon savings banks in times when
the agpr, tensions Of dePositors as TO their
solyency may induce them to Withdraw
their deposits. The law went into efetc at
once, and the commissioners Immediately
took action under it Tor the relief OF the
Five-Cent Savings Bank OF Brighton,
which has been in trouble. directing
that from March Dist TO Septem-
Der DIST next, the whole amount paid
to any deposition shall not exceed ten
per cent. Of MS deposit, and from Septem-
Der 2Ist, 1873, to March 2lst, 1879, not more
than ten per cent. additional. After the
later date nothing shall be paid until fur
Their order Of the Commissioners. This
will enable the bank to get its resources
into shape, and determine whether to make
complete payments or go into bankruptcy.
The law is useful in the present emergency,
which affects many Of the savings banks OF
Massachusetts but it will tend still fur
Their to affect the credit OF these depositO-
=ries, and to assist the Secretary OF the
Treasury in selling his four per cent. bonds
to those who have small savings they wish
to put in perfectly safe place, and where
they can be earning something.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04

a,ed and Missouri and Sac and Fox OF
y Missouri tribes OF Indians in the States of
Kansas and Nebraska" which was dis, uss-
cd, briefly, amended and passed.
Mr.. BAILEY said the bill repor;e,, bv
the committee on Railroads would secuTe
the Government, and the O..stion a. IN
whether the Senate should adopt one or the
other would be OF little Importance. but
who could say that these railroad compa-
nies would accept the bill OF the Railroad
Committee as il provided they must do it
to make it effective. In view OF some in
cidents in the history OF these corporations,
he did not think they would accept the
bill. He commented, at some length,
on its provisions and said II
relinquished to the companies Si5, i65, 600.
The Government had already been too
bountiiul. He argued that the bill report
ed by the Judiciary Committee did not i'm
pair the obligation of their contract. and
that there was nothing in the acts of 1862
and 1864 which prohibited Congress from
compelling these companies TO create a
sinking fund to pay the debts due the Gov.
eminent.
Pending discussion, Mr.. ROLLINS in
troduced bill authorizing the Comm :
sloners OF the District OF Columbia 70 abate
certain taxes enormously assessed upor
Edgewood, part of the estate OF the late
Chief Justice Chase. Referred.
| The Senate then went into executive ses
sion, and when the doors were reopened Mr.
Lamar submitted a resolution directing the
Secretary OF Wan to transmit to the Senat
copies OF the report of the board OF engi
neers on the preservation of water fronts a
Nicksburg, Miss, and the letter OF the chic
Of engineers submitting the same, with map
and estimates in relation thereto. Agreed
to.
Mr.. TELLER, from the Committee o,
Railroads, reported, with amendments, tn
Senate bill to authorize the construction O
narrow gusge railroad from Bismarck L
the Black Hills. Placed on the calendar
Adjourned till Monday.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
UNIVERSAL HARD TIMES.

The London EcoaomiS- regarded as one
of the ablest of English journals, as far as
relates 10 commercial matters-has an
article in late issue, entitled the Com
mercial History Of 1877 in which Is set
forth in logical manner, the cause OF the
great commercial depression which now
prevails over almost the entire civilized
world Il shows that period Of CONNER
cial distress Of unusual leng;h-iour years
has been Perienced in the United States,
Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, and
Great Britain, and for the last year and a
half the same difficulties have been felt in
France. In all these countries there are
two great causes for this depression-ll)
tie lessening OF the means OF consumers,
and % oyerProduction in certain branches.
In both Germany and the United
States, railroads, and other indus
tries were extended beyond any
legitina.. demand; in other words, floating
capital r-,s applied TO the working OF coal
and iron al the construction Of railroads
beyond the necessities Of consumers. Both
suffered under the same eyils-diminished
resources and oyer-proGuction. In Aus
tria, Hungary, and Italy the depression
arose from TOO speculative production and
from the diminutioa of means produced by
excessive taxation and war. The specula-
tive industries OF other countries, OF course,
stimulated demand in Great Britain, while
the final collapse fell with tremendous weight
On that country, where production has been
carried to excess, but where the efficiency OF
labor has been diminishing for the past few
years. The losses in all these countries
were especially felt in London, the financial
center, and thus communicated to Great
Britain the depression which covered the
commercial world.
The only relief, which the Eo0Romid can
see, from this condition of affairs, must
come through greater economy and indus
try, ami good harvests, and it is gratifying
to western people to know that both OF these
remedies will likely be applied in this sec
ton. The people are giving themselves to
habits of economy and industry, and the
harvests, which were unusually good last
year, give promise of being much more
bountiful the present season. The vicious
financial policy, of the last ten years, which
has done more to bring about the great de-
preston in this county than any OF the
1 Il hoe oil
ready been partially reformed, and ii the
fixed and settled determination of the
American people means anything, it means
that the system shall be reformed altogeth-
er, and then, with the habits of economy
and industry which the people are now
practicing, an era of prosperity will take
the place of the present hard times.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
Ehe Bride of the Famous Diamond
Wedding.

The bride OF the famous New York Dia-
mond wedding comes up again for COM
ment and discussion. Madame Oviedo is
Row blooming widow, and somebody ought
to be looking after her interests and his
own. She has been participating in the
magnificent ceremonies of the laying of a
cornerstone on her sugar plantation in
Cuba, and the affair as reported will at
tract the notice OF pious man who might
bring the benefits of a religious example in
TO her family ii permitted to enter it. In
her blooming days OF maidenhood Lieut..
Bartlett, L. 5. N.-her father-called at
tention to her in novel way. They were
poor, and her only wealth was beauty and
a striking resemblance 10 the Empress Eu-
genie, then in the height of her glory. Miss
Bartlett spent winter in New York with
her father. When at a ball or other enter
tainment Lieut.. Bartlett, it is said, would
stand near the door while she whirled and
glided and shone in the life of the hall. AT
such times he had habit OF addressing any
gentleman near him like this: 81 beg par
don; who is that lovely creature?' (Which
one, sir?" There she in illusion trimmed
with water lilies" "Oh, that is Miss Bart
lett" Then the doting father would reply
Bartlett; Bartlett. BY heavens did you
ever see such resemblance to Eugene ?''
This kind of thing did the business eventu-
ally, and Miss Bartlett, loaded down with
diamonds, married the Oviedo sugar estate
inCuba. She is again set in the public eve as
widow laying plans and corner stones,
and some fellow Of pious proclivities will
be looking after her soon.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
ACURrOUs BLUNDEH.

The London Times recently published a
telegram from Queensland stating that
LADY Kennedy wife of the GOVERNOR had
given birth to twins, the eldest being son"
Some days later it was called upon to make
a retraction. Reuters Telegram Company
explained that the message received from
Australia contained the words, twins
first son." but being informed that Sir
Arthur Kennedy was unmarried, tele-
graphic repetition was demanded. 1t was
then learned that the words really tele-
graphed from Queensland were: Govern
or loft Queensland turns first sod" ailud-
ing to the opening of a new railway. This
is one of the most remarkable newspaper
errors ON record,
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
AussSssG GoNCRENsNAN:
Colonel John l.. Vance, of Ohio, Not
TO be Found.

CISCISSATI, March 2f-The police Of
this city and Covington, Ky, have for two
days past had fruitle-s search to discover
the whereabouts Of John l.. Vance, Of Gal
lipolis, a member OF the FOrty-Fourth Con-
gress from the Eleventh Ohio District, and
a prominent Democratic politician Of this
State. The more intimate friends Of Colo
mel Vance are no; exactly alarmed about
his safety, though they are unable to ex-
plain his absence. Your correspondent met
him at Columbus day or two before his
visit here, and learned that he was coming
to Cincinnati. \ day or two later he learn
ed that Vance had come here and gone to
Coyington, ostensibiy to visit an old COM
rade in arms, name not given, who was sick
there. since that time he has not been
heard from. 1t was also learned that Mr..
Vance had told friend he met there bis
need Of some money for immediate use, and
that he had received it, This sum, about
$50, was loaned him on the ground that
the business he had in hand was urgent
and gave him no time to procure It from
home. where his financial standing stood
unauestioned. Those who are most init
mately acquainted with Colonel Vance be-
lieve that he will turn up yet with salts
factory account OF his absence.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
GERRITT SMITH CONTROVERSY.

John Brown, Jr., of Putin Bay, Ohio
writes to the Hon. John Cochrane, OF New
York, long letter upon the Gerritt Smith
controversy. He says in reference to the
knowledge OF Gerritt Smith OF his father:
plans:
lam confident that Smith did not know
that Harpcr's Ferry was TO be attacked did
no. know this myself. My brother Owen in
forms me that he did not know that his faith
er entertained this purpose until he had been
some time at the Kennedy farm. He says
athat it was While on a accommodating trip in
the vicinity of the ferry that his father FIRST
informed him OF that plan that this plan was
vehemently opposed by all OF his men except
Kaci and the colored men, the latter of whom
AT the time, knew little of the locality, and
that the opposition continued, threatening to
become serious, until about one month be.
fore the time of attack"
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
An Epidemic Of Crime, all over the
Country.

4 careful perusal of the news columns OF
the daily press forces the conclusion that
almost an epidemic Of crime is raging all
over the country at present. Not day
passes without furnishing its quota of hom-
icides and suicides. Liquor and lust seem
the most potent provocations Of these Of
lenses against society, and next in rank as
a cause comes financial failure Some al .
iowance must be made for the fact that
crime is reported more fully and widely
than any other result of human activity.
The police reporters account of a
shooting ARRAY will be sent flying over
the country, while 1.-The actions of the just
are quietly left to smell sweet and blossom
in the dust" Still, it is certain that the
criminal news has been unusually great in
quantity and variety during the last month
The cold blooded and brutal murder OF an
aged aud crippled maiden lady by her eld-
erly maiden sister IN Audover, Mass, re-
ported yesterday, was as shocking an affair
as can well be conceived. In this connec-
ton, it is not out of place to remark that
the Massachusetts, murderers as a rule. con-
trive TO be trille more fendish than any
others
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
0Weektg GiMEs
THURSDAY, APRIL !, 1873.
TIE NOMINATIONS.

The Republicans, Democrats and Working
men have al placed their respective tickets
before the people iOr the coming city cleo
ton. 1t is pleasure for Us to say that the
Republicans have acted very wisely and
placed good ticket in the field, particular
ly for members Of Council and School
Board.
The other tickets have good men upon
them, bat there appears 70 be but little ex-
eitement in regard to the election, and alb
solutely no party feeling, hence it Ia Prcba-
bic that the people who vote viii favor
those whom they think best fitted Tor the
various Offices. 1t is important that good
men should be elected in order to secure
proper attention TO our financial INTEREST,"
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
A Regular Old Blizzard,


The storm of Saturday night and Sunday,
in Canada, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Ken
lucky, Michigan, Illinois, and probably in
other localities, was accompanied by rain,
snow. thunder and lightning, and severe
frost. At Allegan, Michigan, the depot
building, used jointly by the Michigan Lake
Shore Railway and the Monteith branch OF
the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad,
was struck by lightning and burned to the
ground. All the books were saved and mos;
Of the freight. Loss $500; no insurance.
At Covington, Ky., the Catholic church was
struck by lightning and damaged. At Buff
falo, n. Y, some two inches of snow tell; at
WATERFOWL, n. Y. about eight inches, and
At Syracuse, n. Y, six inches, delaying
trsina At Montreal, Can, . heavy snow
storm raged all day On Sunday: On Sun
day afternoon he theEnomster fell from SO
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
4 Chicago Preacher Goes into Bank
rupicy.
philadelphia Record, 2i;h.I

1t seems strange to read OF the bankrupt,
cy Of minister of religion. Why should
preacher break? Does he lay up SO
much treasure in heaven that he has an ill.,
sufficiency on earth? Many ministers are
necessarily impecuniOus, having small sal
aries and large families, but we never heard
Of one Of this class going into bankruptcy.
Their creditors are chiefly storekeepers,
and their s cts would make beggarly
show. But the Rev. DR.. Patterson, who
has long been the leading Presbyterian
preacher OF Chicago, and been in the receipt
# a large salary for thirty years has filed a
petition in bankruptcy, his debts amount
ing to $4,000, of which SIS, 600 are secured.
His assets figure up about 1880, besides
fund of $4,000 contributed by friends to
support him during life, which he asks to
have exempted. We fear that this rever-
end gentleman has been TO tempted to gam
bic in grain or has fallen into some of the
many other sinful habits OF the Chicago
business men. We cans account for his
failure on no other hypothesis, for his sala-
airy has been liberal, and it is not presuma-
BILE that he has lived very extensively. He
is now far advanced in life, and it is I'M
pleasant TO see him in bankruptcy court
settling his debts at fifty cents on the dollar
His congregation should have spared the
religious world this disgraceful spectacle.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04

TIE educational exhibition of our State, ac-
cordlng to Prof. Wherrell, whom we inter-
viewed yesterday on his return from Topeka,
is very crediiable.
The I.eayenwo. IN schools take the lead,
our exhibit being much larger and better
than any of the other Giles. state Superin-
teudent Lennon has worked hard 10 create
an interest in securing proper display. He
has succeed d and has already sent of about
fifty volumes OF printed and written matter,
ali Of when has been prepared IN the short
space of three weeks.
The free hand drawing of the Ottawa and
Fort Scott schools, was excellent. Leaven-
worth was the only city that undertook TO
photograph the interiors of the school rooms
and the children on the outside o; the school
buildings. The following cities have furnish
ed photograph of school buildings: Topeka,
five; Atchison, one; Fort Scott one; Ottawa,
one; Arkansas city, one; Chetopa, one; Co
Iumbus, one. The following cities furnished
cuts of their schools: Hiawatha, Saiina,
Manhattan, Burlington and Paola. Several
towns furnished specimens OF pupils work.
sallna one hundred and thirty-four speci-
mems; Hiawatiia, one hundred and twenty
nine specimens; Waterville, iifty-two speci-
mems: Paola, twenty-five; Emporia Normal
School, eight specimens in map drawing;
Oiathe, ninety-two speci mems; Ottawa, one
hundred and eighty-nine; Atchison, hity;
Lawrence, two hundred and thirty-six spec1-
mems, illustrating the work OF eight grades,
all of which was bound in one large volume.
Topeka, five hundred specimens representing
the work of eight grades and bound In two
volumes Fort Scott, one hundred and twen-
ty-four specimens; Columbus, forty speci-
mems; Darlington furnished a sketch OF their
school system; Chetopa furnished chart OF
OF the State institutions furnished single
specimen of any kind of work. We must in
fe. that they had deliclcy about competing
with the public schools. We have state
university. but what the institution is doing
or what they can do, no one knows. Why
did they not produce specimens OF their
work. Several towns produced excellent
free hand drawings and excellent pa pers in
general work. The university stands at the
head OF the sclool system, and should have
produced specimens of WORK which would
have shown that they are In reality at the
head. The Agricultural College should have
shown by work what they can do and are do
ing. The same is true of the Deaf and Dumb
and Blind Asylums. The common pubic
schools have made display OF which the
State may well feel proud. We wish we could
saw the same of our State institutions.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04

late the time or place OF using the s'aups,
and works as 4 strong induccment 10 weak
minded men to decker for groceries, dry
goods, and necessaTies with a sort OF curren-
cy never designed by Congress for circula-
ton. By offering stamps at a Sigh: discount
to traders, the postm asters are enabled 10 buy
their goods ~ much below retail rates This
sort Of walking on the edge OF the law has
been greatly increased By certain sewing ma
chine manufacturers, who have sent circu-
lars, in confidence, Offering TO sell machines
tor stamps al par. O.her inteEpr.sing men
have followed in the steps OF the manufac-
turer, until the annual loss sustained by the
department from this cause is estimated at
more than s2,0O0,00O. Efforts will be made 10
prevent these disastrous leaks. An excel
lent plan would be 20 invite such easy-vir.
tued gentlemen TO retire from the service.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
breathing Through rhe Nsse.

Catlin taught the wor Importance
of shutting the mouth "a breathing
through the nose. 1t would seem that his
little book, entitled shut Your Mouth,
is bearing fruit in Germany, where new
thoughts receive more attention from physi-
clans than anywhere else in the world.
Respiration by the mouth is easier than by
the nose, but not so safe. The nose to a
certain extent fits the air for entering the
lungs. The sense of smell prevents our
breathing an air loaded with poisonous va
pors. The moisture Of the nasal cavities
TO some extent saturates the air and
makes it less irritating to the throat
and larynx. The inequalities OF the nasal
passage and the hsirs catch the dust before
it goes far enough to do any harm. On the
other hand, breathing through the mouth
dries the throat, and in children may cause
false Group, cattarrh, and it may soefiect the
eustachian tube as to cause injury to the
ear and deafness. So particular, in the
eyes of DIR. Guye, is the importance Of
breathing through the nose, that he has
invented little instrument to apply to the
mouth in sleep, which holds it shut and
compels nasal breathing.-Smi-T Tropical.
The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-04
rormidabI, Pacific Railroad Lobby

Especial Dispatch Baltimore SUM-
A blind man could scarcely fail to notice
the gigantic lobby which for some weeks
past has environed the Capitol in the in
terest of the Pacific railroads, and against
what is known as the Judiciary Committee
sin ing fund bill. The bill which the lob
BY favors is the one reported by the Senate
Committee on railroads, and it Is said that
the adoption of this bill in lieu of the one
reported by the Judiciary Committee will
be tens of millions in the hands of the rail
road jobbers. Jay Gould and Huntington,
the kings of this lobby, are on hand daily
when the debate on the subject is to COM
mence in the Senate, and are attended by a
formidable array of lieutenants. They have
got things down to such fine point that it
is said that a complete yea and nay list,
with very few exceptions, has been pre-
pared. This lobby is so we'll posted that
they always know in advance which side
any particular Senator who is to speak is
on 1t is no uncommon thing to hear it
whispered around the corridors that per-
sons who have influence with certain Sena-
tors whose position is yet in doubt, can
make money if they want to.