davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
The Next Census.

Intelligent Washington cores, pondents, who have studied the last State census reports, the elections returns, the movements of pupulA tion from State to State, and the immigration statistics, conclude that In 1880, our population will number 47, 05S, 37I. If the basis of representation remains unchanged and no new States are admitted, the increase Tn membes of Congress will be: 66. The only States whose rep resentation remain unchanged are Colorado, Connections, Deleware, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and South Carolina. After the next apportionment, the national House of Representatives will consist of 359 members and the electorial of 435-22S coming from the North, and thus sensibly diminishing the power of the "solid South" The New England States will gain l member, the middle States 10, the Western 32, the Southern 19, and the Pacific States 4, or an aggregate of 47 to the North and 19 to the South. Minnesota, Kansas and Texas show the most rapid growth, and it is probable that the last named State will be entitled to 10 member in Congress by the end of next year. The Fourth of July orators will now have renewed accasions to point out the fact that "we are great coun- try"
 It is stated that MT. Chittenden's challenge to Gen. Butler, to defray the cost of one side of a suit to test the right of the Government, under the Constitution, to issue legal ten der notes in time of peace, means business. Both parties arc in serious earnest, and such suit will be brought and carried to the Supreme court, where we shall have the hign- est judicial interpretation of a very important question. Gen. Butler holds that the power to issue legal tenders is not limited as to time or amount, and he will argue his own case. It is generally supposed that the decision of the court will be aa- verse to Buffers theory. But the matter is of sufficient importance to excite general and lively interest," Washington Post.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
That Terrible Plague.

MT. EDITOR: I think MT. J,~.N. Bowden's brother not so far out of the way when he wrote. his brother in Tennessee, that q fearful plague worse than the yellow fever, was raging in our midst.
 He probably had.reference to the plague of Intemperance and Drunk enness that is raging to fearful ex- tent throughout our country. The Yellow fever is q gentleman beside this scourge. That does not igaur q life time of drunken bebahchery. suffering and mysery upon the vic. tim and all of its family connection, and then plunge all of it's victims in- to hell. Intemperance does this.
 OBSERVER.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
ENDORSED.

We have been told that we made fatal blunder in advocating the passage of the Railroad bill, We knew we would be on the unpopular slde Of the question with many of our readers and friends, until they got to fairly understand the matter; but WE KNEW WE WERE RIGHT in ad- vocating the measure as the best policy that could be adopted for the ultimate good and prosperity of Ar kansas and we did not stop to ask whether we would be popular or un- popular. We have the pleasure of seeing that our view of the matter is endorsed by the best newspapers and the best men in Arkansas.
 Brothers High and Hicks, of the Lonoke Democrat, say our ideas on this question meet their views squarely.
 Brother Mcclure, of the Inde pendent Arkansian has also noticed the ''peck of trouble" into which we have gotten ourselves by expressing our honest convictions on this sub ject, and he comes to our relief in the following complimentary style:
 "Some of the slow coaches and old fogies about Russellville having found fault with the DEMOCRAT for its course on the railroad tax bill, it comes back in very sensible man ner and by facts and figures demon strates the correctness of its posi- tion. It clearly shows our need of immigration and capital and the surest way to attain it. It shows the benefits we would derive and the rate of taxation we might have in a few years in raising a given amount, by having our population and wealth increased.
 We make the following extracts from the concluding remarks of Bro. Battenfield, agreeing with him in the main. We do not favor complete exemption, but Tightening of the burthen on road bed and rolling stock, to encourage the investment of capital in our State in such enter prises as will open up, develop the country and fill it with live enter prising people"
 Truth is mighty and will prevail.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

Just prior to the adjournment of Congress the New York Herald interviewed 127 members of the House as to their choice for Presi- dent in 1880. The Arkansas dele gation were found to stand as fol lows:
 MT. Cause, First district, opposed to the renomination of Tilden. First choice, Thurman; then Bay ard
 Mir. Slemons, Second district, says; Our choice runs to Thurman first and then to Hendricks or Hancock.
 Mr. Crayens, Third district, says: "The choice of my people is either Thurman or HendriclSs.o
 Mir. Gunter, Fourth district, says his constituents are for Hendricks first, and Thurman second.
 The expression of the whole 127 was as follows:
 Fisrt choice-Tilden, 13; Hen dncks, 12; Thurman, 50; Bayard, 10; non committal, 42. Second choice Hidden, 9: Thurman, II; Hendricks, 2S: Bayard. 19. Fifty seven were decidedly opposed to the ronomina- tion of TilGen.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The bogus President will be given his choice between signing a ..separ- ate and original bill repeating the vicious Federal election laws and an appropriation bill in which the re- pealing clauses will be embodied. If he approves the first, but signs the second, he will be held answerable for the delay. If he vetoes both, he will be responsible for the com plete stoppage of certain important parts of the governmental machinery. Mir. Hayes may as well understand first as last that the Democratic Congress will not appropriate one dollar for the carrying on of the executive and military departments of the Government while these odi- ous laws are in existe e.-Wash- ington Post.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

committee, winch was charged with the duty Of Investigating the alleged attempt at bribery of members of this house.. in the late senatorial election, have directed me to report that under the house's amendment to the original resolution calling for the investigation, they have felt it their duty to admit a large aEount of testimony which could not be justified by the ordinary rules of evidence, if indeed it could be justi- fled by the ordinary rules of pro- priety, Yet, notwithstanding the enlarged scope of their inquiry, your committee have failed to find, in the testimony before them any evidence, whatever refectlng, either directly or indirectly, upon the Hon. R. w. Johnson, or upon his conduct in the senatorial contest, but his record in thls, as in all other and previous contests, stands above reproach and above suspicion.
 Nor do your committee find any thing in the testimony which i'm plicates, either directly or indirectly, the Hon. J. D. Walker in any at tempt to bribe any member of the general assembly, while his life long integrity forbids all idea of such a suggestion.
 In regard to members of the house, there is no testimony whatever, which shows that any member re- ceived bribe for his vote in the senatorial election, and no satisfac- ry evidence tha. any offer of q .brlbe was made to any member.
 Nor do your committee find any testimony that any money was on deposit, or was used by any senator. ial cadidate in influencing votes for senator.
 But your committee would res. pectfully call the attention of the house to the fact that the testimony taken before them, being all in pen cil, is not in as Edesirable shape as Tn justice to the parties concerned, it should be, It would seem to be due to the house no less than to your committee, that the testimony should be reduced to permanent shape, that parties concerned may have an opportunity of testing the cor rectness of the conclusion at which your committee have arrived
 They would therefore recommend the passage of the following resolu tioa.
 Resolved, That the committee on the bribery investigation be au- thorized to have tue testimony taken before them copied in ink, and un der the supervision of the commit tee: and that said Committee be discharged from further consldera tion of the subject.
 W. NJ. FIsHBACK, Chairman.
 SAM. H. DAVIDSON,
 Jos. $. STEEL,
 W. s. BLACK,
 J. $. THOMAS.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
JUDICIAL ADVERTISING.

Referring to the action of the late General Assembly on the bill regu- lating judicial advertising, Hon. Thomas Fletcher, of Lincoln, in a communication to the Independent Arkansian says:
 "No bill has passed for the benefit of the press, and the only one acted upon, that introduced by Quarles, of Phillips, was defeated chiefly on the ground that it would benefit nobody butprinters. Doubtless few wards, creditors, and the public at large would be often benefited by the pub lieation of sale of guardian, exec utor or administrator in a newspaper penetrating every part of county, and fully compensate all parties for the trifling aid gwen the printer. 1t seems to be the especial study of some of our statesmen of narrow and contracted views, to learn how they can cheat the press out of little judicial advertising and to suppress notice of the sale of our lands by the collector of the county for taxes.
 And so the bill was defeated on ground that Git would benefit no one BUT PRINTERS. Well, this is about the third legislature which has de feated this measure. Coy. Garland, in his message, recommended the passage of a bill almost identical with the one just defeated by the late session. Gov. Miller also rec commended the importance of the matter in hls first message, but it seems that the average Arkansas legislature has natural antipathy to printers and newspapers.
 Wonder If the next General As sem5ly. won't progress Backward ] enough to pass bill forbidding any printer or newspaper man in Arkan- sas to eat anything but bread and water, or to wear anything but gar msnts made out of old newsp papers?
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
A BAD JOB OF WHITEWASH-
 ING,

The following reports are the re- suit of the investigation ordered by the House in the matter of the alleg- ed bribery in the Senatorial race. We do not wonder at the House re- fusing to give it's endorsement to this lame attempt to whitewash the matter. There will be no doubt in any disinterested and unbiased mind which sees the full testimony, that that there were bnbes offered. The mere fact that there was not testimo- ny sufficient to convict, did not jus tify the committe in setting aside the sworn statements of Holifeld. turbush and Dawson, as naught,and declaring that no satisfactory evi. dence was offered to show that any member was offered a bribe. The testimony will convince all who read it that the evidence of the witness, Lee, who tried to implicate Senator Walker, is a base fabrication from beginning to end.
 MAJORITY REPORT.
 The undersigned members of your
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20


 An Act to Provide Means to Sup port the Slate ,and Supply Deficiencies in the Treasury.
 Be it enacted by the General Assem-
 ply of the State of Arkansas, as
 follows:
 Section 1. That hereafter, for the purpose of raising a revenue to sup port the state government. paying the interest on the public debt and the support of common schools, a tax shall be levied on the taxable property of this state as follows For defraying the general expenses of the State government and sup plying deficiencies, there shall be levied for each fiscal year beginning, on the first day of July of each year, one half of one mill, and for the purpose of creating q sinking fund, and paying interest on the public debt, four mills on the dollar. For the support of, public schools, two mills on the dollar. There shall al so be levied annually, one dollar per capita on every male inhabitant over the age of twenty-one years, for common school purposes.
 Section ?. That all acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act be and the same hereafter repealed.
 Section 3. This act to take effect and be in force from after it's pass age.
 Approved March 9th, 1879.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

We are indebted to Hon. E. l.. McCracken, for printed copy of the testimony taken by the bribery In vestigating committee. It is very interesting reading to any one who wishes to get at the "true inward ness" of the senatorial race, and were it not so voluminous, we would reproduce 1t in the columns Of the DEMOCRAT. Voluminous as it is, however, if any number of our read CTS desire it we can give it all to them by producing one or two col ums each week until it is all placed before them.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
The Mexican Veterans,

The following act of Congress, granting three months, extra pay to the officers and soldiers of the Mexican war, has been published by the Secretary of War for the in- formation of all concerned: ''Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
 that the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, directed, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to pay the officers and soldiers, engaged hsthe military service of the United States in the war with Mexico, and who served out the time of theIr engage ment or were honorably discharged the three months extra pay provid-
 ed for by act of JulysI9, AS, and by the Limitations contained in said act, in all cases, upon the presentation of satisfactory evidence that said extra compensation has not been previous ly received; Provided, That the provisions of this act shall include  alsos the officers, petty officers, sea man and marines of the United States. navy, sthe revenue marine service and the officers and soldiers of the United States army employed in the prosecution of said war" The auditing officers of the Treasury are having considerable difficulty to ascertain who properly come un- der the provisions of this act. The first part limits the act to those 'who served out their engagement, or were honorably discharged" and one of the question swhich arises is whether the latter clause is limited by that provision. A decision on this and other points which may arise will be rendered in few days.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

QUICK WoRK.-We have receiv- ed with the compliments of Blocher & Mitchell, a printed copy of the proceedings of the bribery inyestiga- ting committee. It is a neatly print ed BOOK of l20 pages, and when we tell that it was put in type and 300 copies of it printed, stitched and delivered to the House of Represen- tatives, in less than 24 hours after the manuscript copy, badly written, was given to the printers, some idea may be formed of the dispatch and promptness with which that office can turn out work.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

And now the sovereigns of Ar kansas. will have an opportunity to vote upon the proposition to ingraft into our State constitution an amendment forever prohibiting the payment of any portion of the Rail road, Levee, or Holford Bonds. The Little Rock Democrat announces that it will oppose the ratification of such an amendment, on the ground that It is a question which belongs to the courts.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
Letter from Traveller.

MR. EDITOR: I am under promise to our good friends of Russellville, to write them as soon as we reached this point, (Cllnton,) that they might know how we got through the danger to which they felt we were exposed. Wood, (horse) did not run away with the buggy anymore, but made several efforts. But in the afternoon he quieted down and proved himself real buggy horse. Throughout the day we were facing an unceasing cold wind, it having first the advantage of the prairie and then of the mountain peaks, over which we travelled, despite our wrappings we were cold and chilly all day Having had slight chill and fever the day before, at 8 o'clock p. m. took a regular shake which continued in all its severity til 6 o'clock when we were taken in and warmed and ''iilled' by MAN, whose very name is laid up in the archives of our memories.
 Very soon the chill was gone, and sucn substitute as took it's place can scarcely be described. My blood seemed to be boiling ard a complete rack of pain, with the heart and left side as a central focus. My wife discovered, by my rapid breath ing (cut short by severe pain in the left side, and rapid pulse, that my condition was perilous, and that something must be done. She in quired of our host how far to where physician could be had. The an swer was none that will do to risk, nearer than Is miles, and ho one here to go tonight, and and no med icine of any kind about the house. But something must be done, said she, it will not do to wait. She turn. ed to her valise, and took out bot tie of Grange hniment, put up by Harkey < Bro, and q box of pills put up by J. w. Pruitt & Co.,, Gall of Russellville ] and also a few doses 1875" put up by Dr. R. NJ. Enders, (Dardanelle.) With these there was help at hand. The liniment was poured on proiusely and rubbed rig idly; large dose of 1875" given ln- ternally. After time l fell asleep. When day "come" the fever had gone down, the pain in my side was gone, and all the skin on that side was gone too.
 had some fever for three or four days afterwards, but no pain since. That was the most severe attack of pneumonia l ever had, and I have had several in my life; but those remedies, in the hands of my wife, brought the most instant relief of anything ever used.
 Now, would advise any one who may wish to travel out where phy- sicians and medicines are scarce, to call on Dr. Enders, of Dardanelle, for bottle of his "975," come to Rus sellyille, call at pr. Fruits office and get box Of Bearsfoot, and go on around by Harkcy x Bro, for a bottle of Grange linimont, and then
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20
MINORITY REPORT.

The undersigned, minority report of your committee appointed to investigate and ascertain whether or not any member of this house was offered or received a bribe to influence his vote in tbe senatorial election, are of the opinion that while a proper discharge of the duty devolved upon them rendered It necessary to admit testimony which could not be justified by the ordina ry rules of evidence, as applied in courts of justice; yet we fail to see, in the scope we have given the in vestigation any Infringement of the ordinary rules of propriety.
 Your minority fully agreed, and concur In the majority report in re- gard to the Hon. R. W. Johnson, and the Hon. J. D. Walker, and would add that the same is true Of the other senatorial candidates. Your minority are further of the opinion that there is no evidence before this committee indicating that any mem. Der of this house received a bribe, or valuable consideration, to influence his vote in the recent senatorial election, but that the peculiar con ficting and contradictory character of the testimony taken, renders it impossible for your committee to say, with positive certainly, whether or not any such offer was made, and therefore desire to submit the tes- timony taken for your considera- tion.
 W. c. BRALEY.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

When man who cannot write is asked to sign his name it generally makes him K.
 Articles about lamplighters will hereafter be classed in this paper under the head of general lightems.
 The most religious bird is the chichaD. D., and the most wicked is the robin. The dearest is the little duck.
 The modern golden rule IS, Let your due unto others be as much as others due unto you.
 Nobbs says that an acquaintance of his told such tissue of lies he saw right through them.
 A Kentucky paper boasts of so. ciety editor who has no peer outside the lunatic asylum.
 When Sunday trains are stor the ladies will have to stay atTIeat or wear short dresses.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The proposition of Representa- tive Moore, of Washington county to submit a constitutional amendment making our State elections and ses- sions of the general assembly quad rennial instead of biennial, was lost.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

"A bill to audit claims against the State for property taken and dcs- troyed by Clayton's militia in the dark and bloody days of his admin istration. did not pass. We are glad of it, for under it many claims would have been paid which never should be saddled upon the tax payers of the State.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The House, by the adoption of the Coody resolution knocks off a large size patch of whitewash with which the committee endeavored to plaster the bribery matter. The ac- tion of the house will undoubtedly be sustained by large majority of the people of the State who know anything of the character of the evi- dence adduced.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

more willing to allow opinions and respect them, than are the southern people. As mass they are brave, liberal and kind. Every mans poli- tics are his own private property, no one will object to you on account of your politics so you are honest.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

In as much as Senator Duties time will expire before the meeting of another session of the general as- sembly of Arkansas, it became nec- essary before adjournment to elect a president ad interim. Senator w. L. Terry, of Pulaski county, was chosen.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

Petit Jean is not a navigable stream, and the good people of Yell county can now build bridges to their hearts content. So says the Arkansas Legislature.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

Newspapers are good institutions and printers are very fine fellows with ofiice-seekers as long they will puff and hurrah for aspiring candi- dates and help them into office. But having secured their seats in the legislature where they can pocket thelr modest little six dollars per day, ifany measure comes mp which is calculated to benefit the printer and newspaper, it is promptly voted down because it benefits nobody but printers"
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

It is expected that the extra session of Congress will be able to do away with the infamous test oath and the not less infamous system of Federal supervisors of elections.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The act to change the time of our State elections so as to have them occur at the same time our Congressional elections take place, failed to pass, and hence we will continue to elect our State ticket in September.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, and Princess Loui- sa Margaret, daughter of Prince and Princess Frederick Charles, of Prussia, were married on the 18th.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

President Dutiie, of the Senate, and Clerk Holland, of the House, were each presented with hand some cane by members of their res pective bodies.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The State taxes for the next two years will be g. mills-i of one mill for defrayiDg the general expenses, 1 mills for sinking fund, and ? mills for public school fund. We give the full text of the act as passed by the session of the legislature just ad- journed.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

It is perfectly natural that the Gazette should not like the final ac- tion of the House in the matter of the bribery investigation.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

Gen. Newton and his sureties are to be held for $22,oo0 on account of money lost to the State by the Stod dard bank failure during General Newton's term of office as State Treasurer. So says our Legislature.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The good people of Yell county are at worK in earnest in their coun- ty fair matter, and seem determined to not let another fall pass away without creditable county fair.
The Russellville Democrat., 1879-03-20

The war cloud between the Ga zette and Democrat of Little Rock, seems to have blown over, and peace once again prevails. It is welll