davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17
Pacific Railways in Congress.
Chicago Tribune, April 9.
Chicago journal.

Whether Mr.. Thurman record on the
Pacific Railroad bond question is CON
sistent with his preseat position is not
just now an important inquiry. Herein
Mr.. Blaine does great injustice to his
usual discernment. The public cares
little about Thurman individually, but
it is a matter of great Importance that
the legislation on this subject should
be right. No counter-irritant should
be allowed to distract attention from the
real issue now pending before Congress.
If Mr.. Blaine allows himself to be placed
in the position of apologist for the Jay
Gould gang, he will commit the supreme
mistake of lifetime He cannot at
ford to make the record of antagonism
to the Thurman bill, however inconsls-
tent may have been the course of the
putative father of that bill.
Senator Morrill,, of Vermont, who is
no orator, but a very able and accurate
statlstlcian, computes that, besides
lands, coal mines, and credits, the &C
count, up to the close of the current
century, will show that the Government
has aided the Central and Union Pacific
Railroads to the extent of not less than
SLY ,516, 624.76. The land amounts to
between twenty and thirty million
acres. The coal fields, Mr.. Morrell says,
are worth more than those of Pennsyl-
wanna. Originally, the coal fields were
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17
Mrs. Lincoln's Present Residence
hi Springfield Ill) Journal.

A friend of the Joau7,alin California
sends us the following from the Alta
California, of San Francisco, with the
request to know if the statement is
true:
cit is a sad fact that Mrs. Abraham
Lincoln is living a secluded life in an
interior town of France and declines
to return to America, lest she may again
be placed in a lunatic asylum"
The only ground for the above state
ment consists in the fact that Mrs. Lin
coin has chosen for some months past.
and still chooses, so far as, we know, to-
reside in the romantic little City of
Pau, near the base Of the Pyrenees, in
Southern France. The fact that she is
in almost weekly cordial and intelligent
correspondence with her friends in this
city would indicate that the rest of the
story is without foundation.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

GENERAL BANNING, by dint of hard
work, has succeeded in getting some
valuable stastictics as to the cost Of
maintaining army officers at Washing
ton. Exclusive Of the pay of the
officers stationed here, it costs the gov
eminent for Communication of quarters,
1876, 1880. One half of the money
thus issued is to officers wives. who own
property for which the government
pays rent. 1t costs to keep offices warm
in the matter of fuel, $28,653.67 per
annum, and for forage and straw, half
OF which is sold for livery to stable
keepers, $3O,756.34. General Banning
has also obtained the cost, per capita,
of enlisted soldiers of nations of the
world. The cheapest of European ma
tons is Switzerland at $22 per man,
other nations, except England, range
from $3.50 per man to $3.50 per man.
England pays $4S7 per man, while it
costs the United States 1854 per an
mum to support each enlisted soldier
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

reserved. 1t is not proposed to take
back any of the bounty of the Govern
ment, but simply to insist upon guaran-
tees Of a final and just settlement. The
first arrangement was that all the
money earned in Government trans
portation should be charged to interest
account. but two years later (1864) the
companies were allowed to collect one
half the account in cash. Mr.. Morrill,
made very plain the main features of
the case in the three following para
graphs: ....
We aided by lending the companies
our 6 per cent. bonds for thirty years
to the amount of $57 ,O62.192, secured
at the outset by a first mortgage, and
these bonds now bring in the market
over Is per cent. premium. We gave
our security and took theirs to cover
an exactly equal amount.
We consented to change the place of
our mortgage security from the first
place to that of a subordinate, and gave
to the companies the privilege of issu-
ing an equal amount with a prior lien.
We have thus far paid the accruing
interest on the second mortgage bonds
(less the amount reimbu1sed) to the
extent of $24, 343, S12.36. We must
continue the payment Of this interest
as it falls due for twenty years longer,
or further sum of $3.50, ITO, 62O.4O.
Nothing of this will be due, according
to the decision of the supreme court,
until the principal is due Simple
Interest upon these payments at 6 per
cent. will amount to nearly or quite
$7O,OOO,OOO. If this also is not debt.
when we are paying 6 per cent. upon
loan of millions, then it is gratuity
largely in excess Of the original bonds,
and one of those things never dreamed
OF in the philosophy of congress.
The decision of the supreme court
referred to was based upon an unmis-
taxable provision of law, yet pro-
vision SO little understood that it may
we'll have gone through congress without
being appreciated by many who sup
ported it. Be that as it may, 1t is the
clear and binding duty of congress to
undo, as fa1 as feasible. the mischief it
did when the government lien was
changed from a first to second mort
gage.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

than to indemnify citizens against de-
struction by flood OF fire or earth
quakes. An owner has no more
claim for rent under such
circumstances than he would have
against the police of a town whom he
had invited to protect his house against
the assaults of burglars or mob. The
government, as a matter of grace, may
by act of congress, give indcm-
nifty for such injuries, but there
is no existing statute authorizing
the payment of such claims. There is
no occasion for further investigation of
the claims. They must be promptly
rejected if presented anew to the ac-
counting officers. Endorsement.
Treasury Department, April 5, 1878.
Approved.
1t would be impossible for any gov
eminent to make good such losses dur
ing war, as are here claimed. Certain
ly there is no authority of law in the
treasury department to pay such claims,
and [ would not ask congress to au-
thorize it, though entirely within the
power of that body,
JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary.
THE 1ARIEF ON WOOL.
A press dispatch from Washington
under date of April Sth says the wool
manufactures have prepared their pro-
test to the revised tariff bill. 1t will be
presented to members tomorrow. The
following are some of the principal OBJ
jections During the ten years of the
existing tariff, the united wool industry
of the country has made progress I'M
equaled in any former decade. An es-
sential feature of this progress has been
the material cheapening Of fabrics, eff
fected by improvements and domestic
competition Neither the industries af-
fected nor the general public demand
any change, much less the radical
change proposed by the bill. This bill
completely destroys an important fea-
ture of the existing tariff, namely: the
classification of woods according to char
acter,a classification which is now adopt
ed by the leading commercial coun-
tries. 1t makes the rate depend wholly
on value, causing the rate to be too high
on some classes and too low on others.
1t makes, with slight exceptions, the
duties wholly ad valrem, thus increasing
the evils of fraud and undervaluations.
The reduction proposed on many fab
RIGS are from 20 to % per cent. would
compel an abandonment Of the manu-
facture of many Of the important fab
RIGS. There would necessarily be ex-
tended litigation before a construction
of the law could be established by the
department and the courts. The shrink
age resulting from the proposed bill in
the wooden interest could not be less
than $25,O0O,0O0 This evil would be
aggravated by competition from Euro
pean manufacturers, VINO are antici-
pating an outlet for their surplus pro-
duce in consequence of the greatly re-
duced rates proposed by the bill. The
Association recommends the prompt
defeat of the bill, and there can be
little doubt that, after Woods speech,
an attempt will be made to strike out
the enacting clause
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

MANY persons doubtless envy Mrs.
Hayes her position in the White House,
but if half of the annoyance, to which
she is subjected were known Miss
Grundy thinks pity would take the
place of envy. Every woman who
thinks she has mission feels that she
must enlist in her cause the mistress of
the White House. Mrs. Hayes is ex-
pected to be interested in every charity
to sympathize with everybody's
troubles. and the temperance societies
claim her for their own. They watch
every occasion when they know guests
are being entertained by the President
and his wife. They see to it that no
pudding-sauce is contaminated with
wine or brandy. They have a watch
full care over oranges, to detect whether
they are not subterfuge for the con-
ceaiment of Roman punch. They have
one of the reclaimed, who is an expert
in the devices Of the wicked, to inspect
every suspicious-looking Jug that enters
the premises. There is a Smelling
Committee, who, every morning and
evening inspect the breath of the ush-
ers and retainers about the house. If
there is a suspicion that any one has
taken any bitters to keep off malaria,
Immediately there is a petition present
ed to Mrs. Hayes to dismiss the individ-
ual and to replace him with a reformed
drunkard; there are numbers of these
worthless waiting to be encouraged in
well-doing. But this is not ALL Mrs.
Hayes dress exercises the minds of a
large class. Some say she dresses too
plainly. although she has what is next
to Worth, Moschowitz dresses, and
quite a variety of handsome fashiona-
BILE toilets. A bereaved woman who
lives at a distance writes to demonstrate
with Mrs. Hayes on her extravaganza
in dress. She says: "I have read that
at one of your receptions you wore
wine-colored silk, trimmed with velvet.
How can you be guilty of such wicked
ness and back-sliding as to trim your
dress with velvet? I tear you are grow
ing worldly and frivolous" Thus she
is certains,to displease some one, no
matter how careful she may be to avoid
giving ofense. IS
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17
CIRCULAR,

At the request of the superintendent
of the United States Naval Observatory
at Washington, the company has con-
sented to transmit Washington time
signals throughout the United States
from the LIST to the 10th of May next,
for the use Of astronomers and others
engaged 10 observing the transit Of
Mercury, which is to occur on the 9th
proximo. The observatory will send a
signal daily at Washington neon from
the 1st to the 10th of May, and one
signal at 6 p. M, Washington time, on
the day of the transit. Superintend-
ents and managers are directed to fur
nish these signals, SO far as practicable,
to persons applying for the same for
use IN connection with the transit OBJ
servations. WILLIAM ORION,
President.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

Additional dutable amounts arising
out of the per cent. for transit charges
and commissions, as in sec. of the
bill, being per cent. on all values of
goods paying an additional duty, esti-
mated at 100000, s3,5OOOOO. On
merchandise from countries that have
discriminating duties against the
United States, $1,600,OOO; saving in
collection of duties on $6,5OO,OO0, to
81 100000. Total, s14O,52O,13S. Esti-
mated revenue and saving by the bill
reported by the Committee of WAYS
and Means, $40, 62O,138. Actual reve-
nue. for the last year, $13O, 956, 1893; gain
of revenue, $9,663,645.
THE GETTYSBURG CLAIMS.
An associated press dispatch of the
9th inst, says the treasury department
has rendered a decision regarding the
Gettysburg claims, sixteen in number,
filed in the autumn of 1875 for the use
and rent of the camping and, parade
grounds and buildings used for hospi-
tails in the summer of 1868, near the
field Of the battle of Gettysburg. The
decision of the assistant secretary is
that the owners have no claim to COM
pensation, and nc compensation can be
awarded them. Such losses are part
OF the incidents of war, and the govern
ment Is no more bound to repair them
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

A PHYSICIAN in country town. who
had been annoyed by numerous ques-
tons concerning the condition of a pa
tient, was stopped while on his busy
rounds by man with the old question:
How's Mp" "Ill," replied the ply
stefan. Does he keep his bed p I" Of
course he does. You don't suppose he's
fool enough to sell his bed, because he's
i'll, do you?
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

THE cold world little realizes the
sense of desolation that shuts down on
a man who thinks he has been handed
too much change by his grocer, when
he lodges around the corner and finds
it right to penny
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

A popular clergyman recently gave
a lecture on Fools" The tickets Of
admission were inscribed: Lecture on
Fools. Admit one." There was large
audience.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

OLD Deacon Dobson always boosted
that he was prepared for the worst"
and his neighbors thought he got it
when he married his second wife.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17
THE TRANSIT OF MERCURY.
Telegraph Facilities to be Afforded to
Intending Observers from the LIST to
the 10th of May.

UNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY,
WASHINGTON, April 4, 1878. :
For the benefit of observers, arrange
ments have been made with the West
ern Union Telegraph Company, which
are described in the subjoined circular.
JOHN RODGERS,
Rear Admiral, Superintendent.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17

mines in Pinal County, and has bonded
eight, which he hopes to dispose of in
San Francisco.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-11-13

1873; by substitute bill, which was accepted
read the third time and passed
Joint reSolution-By Mr.. SMALLEY OF Bur
lington, that the President Of the Senate and
Speaker Of the House OF Representatives adjourn
their respective houses without day on Thursday
the 2lst day OF November, 1873, nj half-past two
o'clock In the afternoon; referred to special com
on final adjournment.
Senate bills referred-S. ia, in amendment Of
sec. %, of an act relating TO the reorganization
of militia; to com. on military affairs
On motion OF Mr.. REMINGTON Of Rutland, the
vote passing S. AZ, changing the name OF the
Brandon Manufacturing Company was reconsid-
cred, and the bill was ordered to lie.
On motion Of Mr. WATERMAN of johnson, adj l.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-11-13
0enrTanre.

DEAL GENTLY.
Down In the human heart
Crushed by the temper.
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore,
Touched 10y loving hand.
Weakened by kindness.
Chords that were broken viii vibraie once more
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-11-13

The recent foundations of the Nile destroyed
$50 human beings and 81, 800, 900 in property.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-08-01
A yenomOus Water Insect.

The Norristown (Pa.) Herald says:
A curious little animal was recently
caught in pond of water at Mr.. Frank
Ramsey's, in Plymouth township, and
presented to DR.. @. s. Baker, of this
borough, who placed it in his aquarium.
It is about two inches long, and less than
an inch broad, with six crooked legs. Its
color is dark brown, and large, promi-
nent black eyes. The back is marked as
though undeveloped wings were hidden
beneath its hard outer coat. 1t swims
readily, but generally fixes itself to a
stone or some other object, to which 1t
vlIuBs with it's twv hinder pairs of legs,
holding it's head downward and the fore
legs raised. It has sting or lance like
a mosquito. which is only thrust ont
when attacking It's proy.
After having been placed in the aqua
rum it remained quiet for several days,
during which time it was not seen to eat
anything. On recent Friday it made
an attempt upon q little terrapin. much
larger, however, than itself, which it
caught by the head with its forefeet,
running its lance into its neck. He soon
died, and his destroyer dragged him to q
brick in the center of the aquarium.
Then fixing itself on the brick in its
faYorite attitude, it held the terrapin for
twenty.four hours, and seemed to be
sucking its blood. How much longer he
would have held him is uncertain, for
its prey was then taken away. When it
is remembered that the weight of the
terrapin was several times its own, the
strength of the insect may be imagined.
On the following Sunday it sprang
upon q water snake eleven inches long.
The battle was brief and exciting. The
insect pursued the former method OF
attack. 1t made a dive, caught him
sideways near the neck, twisted his head
around and thrust its lance into his
throat, quickly killing him. Then as
before, it sought resting place, and
held it's prey suspended until compelled
to give it up.
Since that time it has made no further
assaults. There are number Of gold
fish, frogs, tadpoles and little fishes in
the aquarium, but it takes no notice OF
them. The name of the voracious ter
ror of the water has not been learned
definitely, but it is supposed to be a
mantis, devouring insect which nearly
answers to the description, and which
has habit of folding its five legs in an
attitude of prayer.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-08-01
Items Of Interest.
The end of man-His feet.

The end of man-His feet.
A lighthouse-A slim audience.
The world uses 4s0, 600 tons of coffee
year.
You cannot set the river on fire with
rowing match.
A fourishing man. The professor Of
penmanship.
Women first appeared on the stage in
England in 1861.
The Black Hills region proper covers
5000 square miles.
Always put up something for rainy
day-An umbrella, for instance.
The train is like the naughty boy, be-
cause the switch changes its course.
A young fellow who was suddenly
Tilted by his girl, Mary, observed that
she was SUMMARY.
What is the difference between pro-
vident widow and wife who talks about
her "iege lord ?" One husbands her
means, and the other means her husband.
care the potato-bugs ripe yet?" ask
cd a would-be smart youth. 81 guess
co." said his father; "at all events you
can spend the afternoon picking them"
In the Mustagh range of the Himalay-
as there are two adjoining glaciers hav-
ing a united length of sixty miles. Near
these is third glacier twenty.one miles
long, and from one to two miles broad.
The glaciers of the Alps are triAing in
comparison.
It is noticeable that the names of some
OF the most celebrated men that ever
lived are mainly perpetuated by articles
in common use. Napoleon lives in Eng
lish. speaking countries in kind of boot
christened after him; SO does Yelling
ton, while Brougham has become en-
balmed in a well known carriage. Lord
Derby has transmitted his name and
fame to fashionable hat. Riglan, the
uniustly abused leader of the British
forces in the Crimea, survives in coat.
Gladstone is rendered memorable by
cravat; Byron's immortality is assured
by turn. over collar; Louis XIV. is re-
produced in furniture, Louis XIV. in
woman's high heels.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-08-01
Number Seven in the Bible.

On the seventh day God ended His
work.
On the seventh day Noah's ark touched
the ground.
In seven days dove was sent.
Abraham pleaded seven times for
Sodom.
Jacob mourned seven days for Jo-
seph.
Jacob served seven years for Rachael.
And yet another seven years more.
Jacob was pursued a seven days Jour-
ney by Laban.
A plenty of seven years and famine
OF seven years were foretold in Pharaoh's
dream by seven fat and seven lean
beasts, and seven ears of full and seven
ears of blasted corn.
On the seventh day of the seventh
month the children of Israel tasted seven
days in their tents.
Every seven days the land rested.
Every seventh year the law was read
to the people.
In the destruction of Jericho, seven
persons bore seven trumpets seven days;
on the seventh day they marched around
seven times, and at the end of the sew
enth round the walls fell.
Solomon was seven years building the
temple, and tasted seven days at its ded-
ication.
In the tabernacle we're seven lamps.
The golden candlestick had seven
branches.
Naaman washed seven times in the
river Jordan.
Jobs friends sat with him seven days
and seven nights, and offered seven bull
locks and seven rams as an atonement.
In the Revelations we read OF seven
churches, seven candlesticks, seven stars,
seven trumpets, seven plaques, seven
thunders, seven walls, seven angels and
seven. headed monster.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-08-01
An Ant Dairy on Virginia Creeper.

The large leaves have been converted
| into dairy-farms by colored family
named Formics, otherwise known as
black ants. The race to which this
family belongs have for years been no.
torious as slave drivers and cruel task
masters. They are extremely warlike
and go into battle with regularly organ
lied battalions, making slaves of their
prisoners, who, yielding to the force of
circumstances, become faithful servants,
and procure all the food that is eaten by
their idle masters. The family living
under my veranda, although fierce and
determined in their nature, have ap-
parently devoted themselves exclusively
to dairy farming, having numerous herds
of cattle-cows and calves-that are
regularly MIXED by their owners, who
drink the milk for their food. One of
the larger leaves of the Virginia creeper
forms a rich meadow, where from fifty
to seventy-fve COWS and calves can pas-
ture. These little domestic animals are
known as aphldes, and it is certainly an
extraordinary sight to see the black ant
to whom they seem to belong go through
He carries with him long whip (ante,,.
HbJ, Will WuiCu ut StTlhtb The little
docile animal on the back, when it i'm
mediately deposits the milk that its mas
ter eagerly drinks. When the pasture
gives out, the ant carries his herd to
another leaf or field I; and when the little
calves are old enough to be milked, he
begins the education by biting them.
1t is curious to see the owner defend
his flock from an intruder. Let another
black ant come into the field-that is on
to the leaf-and he attacks him with
great fury, driving him from the prem
lses at once. All this and more too. nv
lens shows me of my neighbor's peculiar
habits. find that if I venture too close
and arouse the suspicion of the dairy.
man by placing my hand or finger near
his little farm, that 1 am warned by
sharp bite to be more circumspect in
my movements, and not to become too
familiar on short acquaintance.
M. Fowel, who has given a very close
study to the ants of Switzerland. re-
lates some very remarkable instances of
an intelligence in these little creatures
which seems almost Incredible. and in
fact it is almost impossible for any one
to comprehend the absolute mental |
of these tiny, and for the most |
part industrious dwellers on the earth. |
unless he seeks through the medium OF |
his own observation closer knowledge |
of their habits and.modes of life. .-Egbert
l.. Viele, in Harper's Magazine.