The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-15
Capt. J. j. Fray and family are visiting

-SdpI. "a ohN obaAs ~ iSip
their old home in Virginia. DIR. FL. II.
Harris, of Wake Forest, goes TO the noun
tains with his daughters this week.
1t Is a little curious; no less than four
mules were killed by lightning in different
parts of the State last week. What can
this portend? Is it a warning to Garfield?
Gen. r. B Vance was re-nominated
fer Congress by reclamation at the Ashe-
vile convention. His repeated success over
many strong competitors might teach other
men a lesson; namely, that an ofice-holder
Is elected, not for his own qualification, but
to work for the general interests, and attend
to the small needs or inquiries of his con-
stituents.
One day last week the c%onvicts in
Columbia, S. c., Penitentiary were all as
sambled in the second story of a large brick
tuilding. Suddenly cyclone swept away
leaving them to ''thank their stars" for
their lucky escape. But they didn't stop to
thank anybody. As soon as the danger was
over, the whole crowd leaped out Of win
dows and doors, breaking quite a number of
legs and heads. None got away.
A sail-boat overturned on a Minnesota
fake and thirteen persons were thrown into
the water. Seven vigorous young men
swan to the beach: one man remained with
the five women and drowned with them. And
now were we to follow the example of the
f~lnatical Northern press, we should point to
the heroism of young Croker and Mcmillan
OF Penny's Pond, and declare that no col
lection of thirteen Southerners could pro-
duce seven towards like the Minnesota fel-
lows. Instead Of this we shall admit that
their case was probably exceptional and
for the honor Of the American character we
ace glad SO to say.
The FARMER AND MECHANIC is, as al
ways it has been, a Family Neaos-Paper. Its
ana is to interest, entertain, and instruct.
Is editor Is never willing to waste a line of
type, nor to print anything merely to "fll
up." Hence he does not keep the list OF
either Democratic or Republican nominees
standing at the head Of the editorial columns.
The majority of papers do SO, as a matter OF
custom; though one wonders how the prac-
tee originated, especially as printed tickets
are always to be found at the polls. If the
people cannot remember their own Nomi.
nees it would seem that they really cared
very little for them.
The universal Yankee nation is firing
OF its ~virtuous horror at the fatal result Of
the S~hannon-Cash duel in South Carolina.
Yet it is scarcely a fortnight since the same
.apers were sn~eering at a Virginia duel that
ended without blood shed. Indeed, the
Dublic has grown so accustomed to "haw
Law! having at all blood less duels tina,
1t requires a great deal of moral courage tt
yermit of a reconciliation after an exchange
Of hostile messages. For our part we SEE
nc cause for special cutlery in the Shannon
case. It was a bad affair-a sad afair--al
through. But he did his best to kill Cash
and was merely unlucky.
The Democratic Executive COMMITTEES
have issued a "Plan of Organization,
which while rather crude in some respect
IS far superior to the existing plan, or no
pian. Thus it may be noted hat the Stat
conventions will be cut down two-thirds
one delegate being allowed to every 3Ot
Democratic voters, instead of one to tn,
hundred as at present. Another improve
ment is the regulation forbidding changes
of votes, while the ballot is in progress
This prohibition will tend to curb tn
trading between delegation that has re
peatedly scandalized the State since the
war. We hear that in one or two recen
conventions men actually bartered the vot,
Of their counties for four years to come, i. e
pledged themselves to try to carry their couu
ty for certain aspirants if the aspirant woul
now help in the desired direction