davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08

= :
1874, extra fees. -. ). -. :. -. 90 .0OO
1875, extra fees. : !. =! ID ,3OlJ
BESIDES these amounts, large claims
are being made~against the State for
compensation fnr other legal services
rendered during such period. The At
torney General entered upon the dn.
ties ofhis Office with a large accumu
lation of public business, criminal and
civil, with suits inynlyipg millions of
dollars to the State. which it would
have been impossible for him to have
properly conducted without assistance.
Under these circumstances, the, Office
Of Assistant Attorney General was re.
created, at salary of $4,000 per an
.pnm, with q provision making the law
officers of the State the legal advisers
Of aH departments Of the government,
Enthusiastically forbitldins the employ
mept of special counsel at the States
expense. 1t is true, that prior to the
war 8no such Office existed, bnt then
the 9labor. wase less ,0hef0ns than a /
present, and then certain heads,uf off
ces were authorized to employ, in Civ
en- cases, special coaBsel Mt the expense
of tile State. Under the provisions of
the gpresentplaw tiiei business of tile
State in the, courts, is conducted more
economically, than that, Of any private
litigaht. The saving, however, by
economies in salaries is only part of
that :, accomplished. The fees have
been reduced to such an extent as to
make the office practically only sala-
ried, 2 per cent only, inlitigated cases,
being allowed, to be paid by the debt ).
or, instead of the fees which were!per
ihitted since Reconstruction and before
the war;! 3 Isistdiffic dltj to reach an iac-
cnrate estimate of tile savings by this
reduction in fees; but it may reasona-
BY be estimated at $4,000 to SIS 900
-. - - = -
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08
SPEECH
HON. EDWA ARD D. WHITE

In the Senate of louisiana, Monday
,r -.,,,J. March 18, 1875. .ai a. .
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08

These figures show that the expen-
ses and salaries of the Secretary of
State, aud his clerk now amount to
about the same sum that was expended
Tor the year prior to reconstruction.
IN THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE.
& In this Office saving of SIS, 200 has
been effected over 1875. Thus =
In 1875 the Attorney Generals y ~
salary was $4,000
Assistant Attorney G General. 80. 5000
Clerk to the Attorney General 1890
Messenger --..-- -----.-----a,i.60 600
Fees OF other lawyers. 1890
q tsa 30 ii.$aah #-s,~ & $4,000
In 1877 the Attorney Gen. a:i i1ie
erals salary was eco ~
Assistant Attorney GEN Il
eral Observation-Disclosures 5000
Clerk to Attorney Gen
eral. ---..... 500 81
.,ato1 ~ .lsa9ais sae e@ia2-- il $500
.,t - s.. - a.,4J .fIfni4 -.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08
Total saving in Auditors office

Total saving in Auditors office
,o...aaa.L. l. II. .::&9n $21 $50
Whilst this economy has been flee
ted, it should not be oyerloekedb that
the work Of the Auditors Office is yet
mnch heavier than III years prior to
the. Wharf.-The debt, the Gleree system
and the confusion; arising out of the
past administration producing this in
creased work. ~ Despite these facts the
expense of tbeaofiee in 1877 was only
$500 over that Of 1867, when the total
cost of the office was sl4, 100.
IN THE. TREAsUebR's OFFICE
saving of 1880 annually over the
expenditures Of 1875 has Been effected,
and the expenses of the office. reduced
almost to the point as which they
stood in 1867. Thus:-
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08

Clerk. ............ .......... 1900
rage ...... 800
l w tS' 49, $50. 1SU
Allowance for fixing seals to
bonds 1000
Contingent expenses ...... 1000
$l3,sS0
In 1877 the salary of the <'s@
Secretary was s...... s., 900
Assistant Secretary ~. . 1900
Contingent expenses, ~: !. 500 fs3
Porter's c'sahry -. :. ~ $50 ; 80
~, t- -------f6 $3.50
saving over lS75-i---.i}- ---.---- 800
In 1867 the salary of the Sec 4aa
retary was. 20, tNJu,
CLERK 500
Contingent expenses ...-.--...# 500
$1,000
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR

This useless Office has been abolished
in the country parishes, and in the
city of New Orleans the fees have been
materially curtailed and all tile odious
features of the fornierlaw removed.
The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-08

The whole system of public educa
ton has been revised and re.eDacted,
and new machinery created. which
saves i'll salaries and expenses of Off
GERS appointed To supervise its opera
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15
Objections 10 Town Ala.

Many Of our citizens who acknowledge the
dtsimbiity of having a railroad up the West
River valley. and the practicabiliiy Of the
narrow-gauge system. feel that they cannot
cast yea vote upon the question now befor,
the town, because they object to the principle
of bonding towns in aid of such enterprises
We. ourselves. would much prefer to see the
necessary funds raised by subscription, and
so would nine-tenths of the people of the
town but an earnest effort to do so has
resulted in failure However. 10 far as the
principle of granting town aid to public i'm
provements Of this character is concerned. we
fail to see the force Of the objections which
We often hear urged
As to the legality Of bonding towns in aid
of railroads the cougts Of this and other
States have again and again pronounced in
the affirmative. Our State legislature and
Supreme Court have both said that towns
may help to build railroads, because their con
structiou is for the public good The great
est good of the greatest number is the priuci-
pie upon which orr national government is
founded: it j. the true democratic principle.
and without it popular government would be
impossible.
"One has no right TO vote money out Of
another mans pocket, uules, he is to receive
benefit therefrom," say some. The shallow
ness of this pretense, however. becomes at
once apparent upon examination. 1t is sufi-
Client in the eye of the law for the justification
Of any measure or project that it will inure to
the benefit of the people as whole Take
the matter Of the school tax It cannot be said
tia, the wealthy bachelor or maiden, or the
childess widow, is directly benefited by the
school tax which lac or she is regularly COM
PEELED to pay for the education Of other poo-
pies children But schools are fortha public
good and hence the school tax is levied and
collected without distinction of persons or
condition, When our town hall building was
erected some years since, at considerable ex-
pense, it cannot be said that every taxpayer
in town was personally benefited by its con-
| structon but this fact was not urged as a
reason why their property should not be taxed
10 pay for the building, or why the edifce
| should not be constructed. The same princi-
| pie holds good in regard to the leyying Of tax.
es for the building and support of highways.
/ The simple fact is, that if considerations OF
direct individual benefit were to enter into and
decide questions which affect the people as q
whole, not dollar of money would ever be
raised to keep alive the machinery Of govern
ment,
Again, do those who sickle nj the taxation
method of raising the funds needed for the
present enterprise stop to consider the injus
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15

BY all means the most unworthy and ire
suou-ihl. and shall We say malicious OBJ
lection which las been urged against the CON
s;ruction Of the proposed railroad TO South
Londonderry Is the charge that the whole
scheme il "a job deliberately contriyed for the
purpose Of putting few thousand dollars.
more or less, IN tn pockets Of one or more
citizens Of this town whose maine, are freely
mentioned in connection with such charges.
To any person who knows how thoroughly
convinced the promoter r Of this enterprise are
Of its absolute importance TO the protection
and preservation of ali our local interests. "a
denial O. statements so utterly false is unnec-
e,sary but III order that the public may have
the facts Just DIS they are, We give place to the
following statement Of the whole matter pre-
ciscly rs it stands. The directors Of the Brat
tl,Loro & Whitehall railroad company. us
elected "a, tia. annual meeting held Jan. 2ith,
are.
Francis Goodhue and c. /. Thompson
Brattloboro \. b. Bailey, Dummerston o.
L. Sherman. VI. Davidson, Newfane L. Os-
good Brookline J. L. Martin. Londonderry;
T. L. Waterman Jamaica; A. J. Dexter.
Wardsboro: A. Stoddard, 4. c. Howard.
Townshond William Harris. Jr, Windham
VI. :. Colturu, Manchester; b. /. Kent, Dor
SGT: G. T. Reed, Pawl,;
Every individual mymb,r Of Til, board Of
director, is q man Of Acknowledged worth, in
telrity and high standing in the community
in which he lives, while the geographical dis
triLutou Of the board is such as TO render any
collision o- unity Of effort on the part Of its
mlu.b.r- TO give The contract for the building
and .Iailmau: 4 the road TO any favored bid
der simply impossible. II this road is ever
built. ID. ,outr,.e; for it, construction and
equipment viii hc awarded TO the man who
lam Tho lowest sum, ind r all proper IT,
str.ciiou- and specifications and gives good
security for the faithful completion Of his
work No member Of the board Of directors
has even the slightest prediction in favor OF
any railroad contractor whomsoever, and ey-
cry iLtimat!ou that vote to aid the road j. q
vote 10 enrich some man or men in Bra,tle-
huro is not only outrageous nonsense. it is an
unworthy cover for q Iaseless pratext to OPP
pose the road. We speak with full knowledge
in TIL matter, and we are ready TO stake ouT
reputation on the truth Of what We state
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15
rort Of Vernon Hinsdale and Chesterfield.
Further comment is unnecessary.


The opponents Of the West River railroad
saw ro man should vote 20 bond that it is a
terrible thing TO bond town But is town
desiring TO start an enterprise, or to add to
its business any different from an individuals
If farmer owns good farm worth $1,000
and has expended all his money, or has no
available resource to raise cash ON, but wishes
TO add 10 his business $500 worth Of stock
for his farm. would he be deemed insane to
raise this money 10y a mortgage Would he
not rather be called foolish if he did not do
IL; Brattleboro wishes TO add TO her present
business Cannot she be allowed to follow
this safe rule. and raise twenty dollars on
thousand Of her wealth for a permanent busi-
ness Of value that can hardly be estimated;
Voters. consider: learn the facts; do not be
rash: take time to vote. and vote upon tins
question with the same forethought and judg-
mcnt that you would exercise in your own
private business None but the enemies Of
This enterprise wish 10 rush the question
through in a blind way. II the project Is an
unworthy one. the more it is aired the worse
il will be for it.. 1t is not the friends but the
foes Of thi, enterprise who desire to choke on
discussion as to its merits, or as to the meth
cd in which it shall be pushed forward to sue
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15

Many voter, who last spring gave a ready
and willing supper, 90 the Brattleboro a
Whitehall railroad now seem TO find it difficult
to sec how a road which stops at Londonderry
and. in consequence does no through bust
ness. can be Of as much benefit to Brattleboro
as the original project would have been which
was to 20 through to Whitehall. We must
beg leave to remind all such persons that the
one leading aud prominent argument. which
was constantly urged last spring in support Of
the Bnttleboro d Whitehall project, was on
the point of the local benefits which would
accrue TO Brattleboro and the West River val
ley from opening up thu valley to the outside
world. The advantages Of through freights
and Of competing line OF railroad. if the
road was opel..d to Whit hall, were also dwelt
upou. to be- sure but in these columns il was
repeatedly said that. after every other pos
sible argument has been canya,-ed, the one
primary consideration is and must be that the
road should be built as a matter Of sehpres-
eryation for this town and for the outlying
country 20 which Brattleboro owes its life and
support III this connection let us also call
the reader, attention TO the perfectly evident
fact that. II the road is built 70 Londonderry,
and stops there. all Of the trade Of the West
River basin viii inevitably be drawn down to
Brattl boro. while. if ;h- road were to be
continued from Londonderry across tn noun
tain. Manchester would NJ once enter into
direct competition with Brattleboro for the
trade about the hcadwaier, Of the river l;
i. u.auife-tly and unmi.takubly for the great
prof. aud advantage Of Battloboro to have
the proposed railroad built only To the head
water Of the West River.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15
more about the 2-feet-Gauge I'm -
hnoM MORN.

In our last issue We were glad to make note
OF the remarkable ease and facility with which
the track Of the Billerica and Bedford two
feet-cauge road had been cleared Of the heavy
and badly drift,d snow Of the week previous,
and for the reason that this practical and sue
cessful test Of the road and its motive power
in coping with great snow-stofm had re-
moved the last possible question a. TO the per
feet feasibility Of such a road for the local trat-
ii Of our New England hills and valleys. But
il seems that some one Of our thoughtful and
careful Brattleboro people was incredulous as
to the story told by Mr.. Mansfield and by the
members Of the Bmttleboro party who Wis
tied the road last week. lie therefore adj
dressed a letter TO the Boston Herald asking
for more exact and uuprejudiced information
and this is the reply which he got, a. pub
E,A,d IN tA, Herald on Wednesday Of this
week:
- correspondent 10 Braitleb5ro, VI, wishes to
know IL the BieIlca Bedford railroad 1-foct gauge
STOPPED by the recent great snow storm That it
stop running after the storm Is fact, but inquiry
ELECTS the reason therefor being owing purely to
some diculty with the directors and their Efforts to
oust Mr. Mansasli, the protector, who was then also
keeper Of the road on behalf q the creditors. When
matters in such state as to allow Of MI Mans
Geld taking charge Of the road again aud this on
the Moaday following, when the snow was packed
sohll. be easily cleared his tracks and the road vas
al once placed IN running order. IL this work he
used suow-plough, bat ran his engine straight
through the drifts. It may seem strange 10 railroad
men that engine could penetrate soNd drifts from
to feet in depth, without riding" and leaving the
track But 81 must he rememtered that thess engines
set very low down on the trsck and get under the
snow, lifting it and throwing i; up and Cd on either
side, AID that the track 20 be cleared comparatively
a narrow one, 50 that where engine Of the stan
dard gauge would ride snow bank. the en-
gnss Of this l,;e narrow gauge pressed down up
tue rails the snow actually increasing Their trsc
ton power"
This statement is certainly as direct ex-
| plicit. and conclusive Is even the most per
sistently doubling Thomas could desire. and
we know of at least one former sturdy oppo-
neut Of the West River project whom it has
SO completely converted and won over that
he will vote fur the road at Saturdays meet
| ing.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15
The Bellows Falls, Grafton and Town
Ahenh EaiIrOnd.

It has been said by those who oppose the
West River valley road that the matter of a
railroad from Londonderry, through Jamaica,
Townshend. Grafton and Saxtons River to
Bellows Falls, is put up job to use for the
present occasion in influencing votes but
actual facts make it very evident that the
project is a reality, and if we vote on Satur-
day next refusing aid 10 our own proposed
road. the Bellows Falls scheme will become a
stern andpainful reality for Brattleboro. That
the people at the north part of the county ere
ready to strike the moment We refuse aid is
positively known. Already prominent men
in Bellows Falls are moving in the matter,
and within the last week q wealthy and prom
inent citizen of that place said, Bellows Falls
will raise her $50 900 without a murmur, and
more if needed, to get this road" promi-
nent Grafton man remarked in our village
within three days Il hope and pray that Brat
tleboro will vote No next Saturday" Voting
NO means no railroad to Brattleboro, but
does mean a road to Bellows Falls as above
stated. With such a road built what back
country has Brattleboro left 10 sustain her I?
Newfane will certainly prefer to go miles to
a depot in Townshend, TO coming 2 miles to
Battleboro, so that We should have left only
Dummerston, Marlboro, GuilfOrd and a small
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15

II Brat;leboro gives so. coo in aid Of the
proposed railroad to South Londonderry pay
able in ten annual instalments, the cost to
Of only - cents year, or a total FOR the whole
time Of $3.50 The cost to property hold
ers. on each $1,000 Of valuation, viii be an ay-
erage Of only $3.50 per year. or a total Of
S29Ou for the whole time. These are plain
and exact figures, and their absolute correct
ness cannot be disputed. /, there Il lAboring
man or a property holder in town who be-
heyes that lie would not be benefited every
year to the extent Of more than four-fold the
amount OF his tax by the building Of this road
and the opening up Of the West River Valley /:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15
VERMONT ITEMS.

North Troy has goose 20 years old. II
viii be a bonanza for It's owners as soon as
frugal boarding house keepers hear Of it.
Eight Of tho deer for stocking the Green
mountains have arrived at Rutland from the
park Of Mrs Weatherhy Of Port Henry. n.
A Caslcton man has q family Of seven
Sons and three daughters. The oldest child
is not yet y. and both Of the parents are less
than 80 years of age.
There would have been an elopemrnt in
Woodford the other day had not the father OF
the bride bought of the eNpectaut groom with
a plug of tobacco.
The fact that l5-years old youth carries
two reyolyers on his person and attends school
while drunk is considered sufficient cause for
complaint at East Hardwick.
Mrs T. Parker Of Ludlow, aged -. cele.
brated her birthday last week with an old la
dies party. her guests averaging a little over
her own age. The oldest was 90. and the day
happened to be the birthday Of another of the
ladies present.
The examination of j. II. Batchelder the
alleged forger, which took place at Middle
bury. last week resulted in holding him for
trial in the sum of $4,000. The bail was af-
terward reduced TO $40, 600, but that sum has
not been raised and Batchelder is still in jail,
A little boy sent TO the Reform School
from Waterbury the other day, for the larceny
of a sled. said be committed the theft in order
to get home. He was motherless and worse
than fatherless his father being drunkard
and ncglecting him.
Hon. Levi Underwood, ex-Lieut Gov
eruor. and one of the leading lawyers of the
State. has been taken 10 the Concord New
Hampshire insane asylum. Mr., Underwood
II .s.. /. IL, e & Al ..
and the disease made such serious progress
as to nocessitate his removal to an asylum.
The following patents have recently been
issued to NermOnters Francis A. Barrows
of Castleton, plows Oryille s Bliss of Geor-
gia, steam culinary vessels; Orville S. Bliss
of Georgia, milk coolers; Henry NJ. Farnham
of ST. Adams yentilators; Levi X. Fuller Of
Brattleboro, reel-organ actions Rodney G.
Brtton of Springfield, children's carriages.
Mrs. Mary T. Champlin, who was com
mtted TO Jail for completely in the alleged
poisoning of Deacon Ezra Smiths wife. has
been released on her own recoguizance, the
evidence not waIrauting her detention. 1t is
reported that Deacon Smith will soon be re-
leased and a story is ahoat to the effect that
tremendous effort is being made to save the
alleged PRISONERS by well laid plans to break
down the witnesses for the prosecution, i'm
peach their yeracity, etc.
Superintendent Spencer has established
an evening school, at the States Prison at
Windsor, with teachers from the more ad-
vanced convicts, The elementary branches.
such as reading, writing and arithmetic are
taught and in some instances remarkable
| progress has been made. For instance, one
convict from Rutland county, father Of a
large family, over fifty years Of age, who did
not know his letters can now read well, and
has commenced 10 learn TO write and this in
stance is but a sample of many others. About
seventy is the average attendance.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-02-15

For a specimen Of shOrt-sighted seldshness,
pure and unauthorized, commend US to the
argument used by certain farmers lonly very
few, We are happy to say to the effect that
they do not want n railroad built through the
West River Valley because it would give the
farmers of the towns above MS a chance to
bring their farm products into market III com
petition with those of our Brattleboro farm
ers Do those Individuals who are capable
of using such a sordd argument stop TO think
that all the produce which is raised, or can be
raised in Windham County, has and can have
no effect whatever in fixing the market prices
of farm products for the country; Or do they
pause 10 reflect that all the crops which are
raised in Brattleboro, and in the towns which
centre here, are not consumed in BrattcbOro,
but that they simply find "A market here. and
the surplus, after supplying the limited home
consumption, goes out into the worlds mar
ket, while the local prices are fixed almost to
a penny, by the general law Of supply and de-
mand which affects the whole country alike (:
VIII these men have the Valley railroad torn
up and thrown into the Connecticut River
because potatoes are now going to market
daily by the carload on that road or do
they imagine that, because a surplus crop of
/ potatoes is thus seeking a market, the con-
tents of their own potato bins are thereby les
sened in value, or the price of potatoes in
Brattleboro Perceptibly reduced: Because
Windham county in any one year raises an
exceptionally large crop of apples, does that
fact alone cut down the price of apples, or is
the low price of the fruit due to the fact that
the apple crop of the whole country is large
and the supply is greater than the demand :
These are questions in political economy
which any school-boy ought to understand
and be able to answer. The effect of giving
the West River valley farmers railroad com,
munication will simply be 10 encourage them
to better and broader cultivation Of THEN
farms by providing them with the means OF
putting their crops into the general market a
the least possible expense, thus placing then
on par, and only on a par, with their NOR,
fortunate neighboIs elsewhere-and he is es
sentially mean-souled and utterly selfish
man who would deny them this common priv
ilege for which they are willing and anxious
to pay to the full extent of their means